About a month ago we heard that the Irish voters approved the European Union's Lisbon Treaty in a second referendum. The one good thing that had come out of the difficulty that surrounded the Lisbon Treaty is that many more people across the European Union and, specifically, in Britain have realised the true nature of the European project.
We shouldn’t hold a retrospective referendum. We should hold a referendum on Britain’s membership with the European Union. Polls suggest that the vast majority of British People want a referendum.
The holding of a referendum on EU membership is a major political issue, but like capital punishment, it remains steadfastly popular with large sections of the public despite being something of a "dirty word" in Westminster-based political circles. The extent to which the notion is viewed as being on the margins of mainstream political debate. This must change, for the sake of democracy.
As you know, The European Community was set up as an economic organisation. But it has expanded its role to cover many areas where it would be better for member states to make decisions.
EU decisions are made or shaped by the EU Commission which is led by unelected Commissioners and run by an appointed bureaucracy. While, The EU Parliament is widely recognised as toothless – rubber-stamping legislation that is put before it with no informed debate on these new laws.
The EU Parliament has the appearance of democracy, but upon closer inspection, the truth is very different. We are represented by a fundamentally unaccountable, undemocratic, and corrupt quango.
The thing is, less and less Europeans are bothering to vote in EU elections. More and more Europeans are increasingly becoming skeptical about the EU.
No-one under the age of fifty two - including the current Foreign Secretary - has had a say on Britain’s membership of the European Union. I believe an in-out referendum would give people a proper and honest debate about the future of Britain’s relationship with the EU.
Pledging such a referendum will play a part in fixing Britain’s broken Political system. Let’s, let the People decide!
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10 comments:
We don't need a referendum we need common sense leadership by politicians with vision - not a bunch of self serving Little Englanders who's ideas have not moved on from the 19th Century. Britain is a medium sized country in Europe and will probably fracture into two independent countries soon (England/Wales and Scotland). Our best interests are served by being a full player in the EU. The 'OUT' brigade sound increasingly out of touch with the realities of politics and influence in the world. We are fed anti EU propaganda by our press on a daily basis. So unlike the French and the Germans we don't make the most of our membership of the EU. We need a fully elected European Parliamentwith legislative powers - Europe wide political parties and effective integration so that Europe can play the Economical and Political role it should in world affairs.
The Conservative Party DO NOT want to leave the EU; you might as well put that out of your head. They have far more influence in than out and, despite what you might think, they aren't fools. Cameron is likely to have a healthy party majority; with no coalition needed.
They must be after something - I suspect it is a broader, shallower EU - and with no superstate to rival America.
I know of no way to force the UK to have an "in or out" referendum, very tempting though it is to imagine. All we can do is see how things play out; a 2-speed EU may be necessary, alas.
A referendum was proposed by Nick Clegg (LibDem leader) after Ireland rejected the Lisbon Treaty. David Cameron still wants a referendum on the Lisbon treaty which seems pointless now the Irish have changed their minds and voted in favour.An "in or out" referendum is the best idea - it will clear the air and put the whingers and moaners on the spot - would they really want all the disadvantages of pulling out? 'Course not!
The EU has developed into a completely undemocratic organisation.In 10 years time there will be an armed attempts to retrieve control locally;this will happen in all parts of the EU.In the UK the rights and responibilities the people have fouht for over the last 5 centuries oare being disregarded see what happened to the Roman Empire.the Holy Roman Empire and Hapsburg Empire.
GB should leave now to protect the peoples rights and way of life.
Typical right wing thatcherrite
Too hasty in my mind. If held at the start of the parliamentary term there is a fair possibility it wouldn't pass.
This would have the dual effect of making Cameron's government look weak and subjecting us to another 30 years of undemocratic EU rule before someone else had the guts to go to the people.
Issue an ultimatum of demands and see what response is received. If demands aren't met then hold an in/out referendum and it would almost certainly pass
Colin Wells - "referendum was proposed by Nick Clegg" The LibDem’s have only promised a referendum, so they could justify not holding a referendum on the treaty.
Is this Tory Policy Oliver? Surely, you are not gong against the Party..... You wont be a Tory Minister now. :)
Go join UKIP!
When the Conservatives try and return the powers which Mclabour illegally signed away, and when the ‘27 members’ then ‘refuse to permit’ that, we will have no choice but to offer a referendum on EU membership.
The EU Human Rights Act MUST be scrapped, as Cameron has already pledged, and the highest court in the land should actually be in THIS land! the Supreme Court and NOT In Brussels or Luxembourg!.
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