IWR in the news

22/02/08

Euro poll is a front for the Tories, claim Labour

By Brian Swanson, the Express, Scottish Edition

LABOUR and the Conservatives are involved in a slanging match over

At the centre of the row is a private poll to find out if there is demand for a national referendum on the EU reform treaty.

Labour has alleged the organisation holding the ballot is a front for the Conservative Party, a claim denied by the Tories.

The "I want a referendum" campaign is being carried out in 10 Labour and Lib Dem constituencies, including the East Renfrewshire seat of Europe Minister Jim Murphy.

Richard Cook, from the group East Renfrewshire EU Choice, which commissioned the poll, said: "The lies being told by Labour locally, that voting intentions will go to the Conservatives, are just that, complete lies.

"The Electoral Reform Services do not give out any of this information, and to suggest otherwise is really a discredit to an internationally renowned British organisation on polling that even the Labour Party uses." David Mundell MP, interim chairman of the Scottish Conservatives, said:

"The ballot is entirely in accordance with established rules and has widespread support across the political spectrum." Mr Murphy said: "A referendum would cost GBP 110million, and I can think of very many better things on which to spend that kind of money."