Wiltshire Residents Denied Proper Debate on the EU

2.15.00pm GMT Fri 2nd Mar 2007

Liberal Democrats in Wiltshire are stepping up their call on whether there should be an 'in or out' vote on the EU.

Earlier this week, a new opinion poll by Ipsos-MORI was published. The poll showed people strongly prefer the Liberal Democrat call for a referendum on membership of the European Union, rather than the Conservative proposal for a referendum only on the Lisbon Treaty.

Commenting on the poll, Duncan Hames, Prospective Lib Dem MP said,

"This opinion poll shows huge support for the Liberal Democrat view that people should be given a real say on the big issue of British membership of the EU. People clearly reject the narrow vote that the Conservatives are offering.

"Anyone who is below the age of 51 has not had a vote on the UK being in or out of Europe. Since the last referendum held over a generation ago, the Europe we joined has changed enormously. The British people, however, have not been given a chance to vote on these changes.

"It's time for the Westminster establishment to stop being so cowardly over Europe and have an open debate with the country. The Liberal Democrats would relish the opportunity to put the case to the British people for our wholehearted commitment to the EU."

MPs voted yesterday on whether there should be an in-out referendum debate. Labour and Conservatives worked together to block the proposal. Andrew Murrison and Michael Ancram voted against a debate and James Grey did not vote either way.

Duncan Hames said "I hope our Conservative MPs will look at the results of this poll and rethink their position. It's still not too late for them to change their mind and join our campaign to give people the real choice on Europe that they want.

Commenting on the result of the Parliamentary vote, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:

"Today's result simply confirms the determination of Labour and Conservative MPs to deny the people of Britain a real debate over our future in Europe. The way to have that debate is not over the narrow issue of the Lisbon Treaty but on one simple question: in or out.

"I will continue to lead the argument for a referendum on our membership of the EU and will be proud to argue the case for our country taking a leading role in Europe."