| Topic: | It is time for a Referendum on the EU | |
| Posted by: | David Giles | |
| Date/Time: | 20/10/11 19:09:00 |
| When the British people lasted voted in a referendum on Britain's relationship with the European Economic Community (EEC), it was 1975 and the issue was whether or not Britain should join an economic community composed of independent sovereign states. That was over 35 years ago. Since then, many millions of people have been born and many millions of people have joined the electorate but have never had a chance to cast a vote in a referendum on Britain's relationship with the EEC, its successor, the European Community or its current manifestation, the European Union. Since 1975, successive British Governments - both Labour and Conservative- have signed many treaties amongst them the Treaties of Maastricht and Lisbon - transferring powers from Britain, the British and Scottish Parliaments and the British people to European institutions, most notably to the unelected and unaccountable European Commission. Unlike the governments of other EU member states such as France, Denmark and Ireland, the British Government has never sought a mandate for these massive constitutional, legal, social, economic or political changes from the British people. Instead, successive British Governments - both Labour and Conservative- have signed treaties purely and simply using the parliamentray majority for whatever Goverrnment is in power whenever the British Government was asked to sign the relevant treaty. From time to time all political parties - Labour, Conservative and even the Lib Dems - have promised referendums on Europe to the British people. However, shortly after they are elected they forget those promises that helped them get elected and come up with excuses as why not a referendum should not be held. The present Government - Conservative led but dependent on the strongly Euro Unionist Lib Dems - is once again denying the British people a referendum on Europe. Such a referendum is particulary necessary now in view of the possibly terminal crisis in the eurozone and the move towards a single monetary, fiscal and economic European Government being advocated by the President of the European Commission and other powerful unelected, unrepresentative and undemocratic people. Whether or not one is in favour of Britain's current relationship with the EU, in favour of the closer and greater federalist union being promoted by powerful forces outside and insider Britain, in favoir of British withdrawal from the EU or in favour of a simple renegotiation of the treaties and a repatration of powers ceded to to EU by past Governments, it is time to demand a referendum on Europe now. We can all demand a referendum by writing to our MP, Mary Macleod - mary.macleod.mp@parliament.uk or by signing the People's Pledge on line at http://www.peoplespledge.org/ The People's Pledge has been signed by both Labour and Conservative MP's, including former Labour ministers. |