Campaign for Referendum gathers pace in UK

[David Cochrane]

About now in London a press conference is taking place where a new campaign group is announcing it has formed with the intention of campaigning for a referendum on the European Reform Treaty. I Want a Referendum is made up of senior MPs from the three major UK political parties.

What is unique about this grouping? It’s made up of both Euro-sceptics and Pro-Europeans in the UK. The campaign is chaired by Derek Scott, a economist and former Blair advisor. Labour MPs supporting the campaign include Gisela Stuart (who was involved in the drafting of the original constitution) and Graham Stringer, a former minster. From across the floor in the Commons, supporters include Liberal Democrat MP David Heath and prominent Tory supporters include Michael Gove, Greg Hands, Nick Herbert (current shadow justice secretary) and David Heathcoat-Amory.

Despite disagreements over the UK’s involvement in the European Union, there is huge consensus across the divide that this treaty needs to be taken to the people.

IWantAReferendum.com launches this afternoon.

[meriwether]

There was an article in the Times on Sunday about this last weekend.
The driving forces behind this are notable for their relative youth- average age of involvement is 26.
Tos quite fashionable to be involved round Kensington/Chelsea way.

[David Cochrane]

Tos quite fashionable to be involved round Kensington/Chelsea way.

Buh?

[seanad voter]

I can assure you that the 'plebs' in Britain are not overly excited about getting a referendum. Also the political establishment (in the shape of the civil service etc.) do not favour conceding the principle of holding referenda. 'Thin end of the wedge' and all that, old boy.

[KingKane]

Tos quite fashionable to be involved round Kensington/Chelsea way.

Buh?

Humbug?

I do wonder if Gordo mihg run the referendum and General election on the same day, allow all all the spleen to be vented in the direction of the referendum.

There again it may bring out the sceptics and they're not going to vote Labour or LibDem, could give UKIP a scratch though. And it might even split the Tories again so they spend the campaign fighting amongst themselves.

[David Cochrane]

The advertising campaign will reach one million people in it's first burst, and with it being backed by MPs from the three parties, as well as bankrolled by some serious business people. They'll make it an issue Brown won't be able to afford to ignore.

[Twin Towers]

Tos quite fashionable to be involved round Kensington/Chelsea way.

Euroscepticism is Cool.

[DaraghM]

Will somebody eventually point out the obvious? That subjecting a several hundred page long, immensely complex legal document, negotiated over a period of years by representatives of over two dozen countries to a plebiscite in which the vast majority of electors will neither have read nor understood the document is question and will have at best a poor understanding of it and its implications is an insultingly stupid idea? The whole point of REPRESENTATIVE democracy is that things like international treaties are far too complex for the lay person to make an informed decision upon, so we elect full time representatives to do so for us.

[forest]

erm I like many are getting feed up with the UKs attitude towards the EU
They are constantly blocking moving and reacting problems and I strongly believe we would better off without them

I have been watching a lot of France24 as late and i am enjoying the debate about Europe been conducted without the Brit style "they are taking our
sovereignty , we will have to drive on the right, lets bring back the British Empire"

i do hope the Uk has a referendum BUT if they do it has to be more than just this watered down treaty with all the read lines.
It has to be about the future of the UK in the EU and all or nothing.

If they do I will go an campaign on the yes side (assuming it is a proper vote)

[The Earl of Desmond]

So what do they want? What question will they pose in a vote?

Are British people incapable of contacting their MP or MEP to join a debate and I would assume if people actually cared either way then the volume of contact would make MPs/MEPs think twice and filter such contact to those who are involved in the document.

This is another political bubble wherein they think it is vital or they think the rest of the country does.