Press releases

20/01/08

I Want a Referendum announces first phase of constituency referendums campaign

Half a million people in marginal constituencies will get their chance to vote on the revived EU Constitution - as part of the biggest vote on Europe since 1975

The campaign for a referendum on the revived EU Constitution, I Want a Referendum.com, today wrote to all Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs to tell them that IWR has commissioned Electoral Reform Services to run referendums on the issue in constituencies across the country.

In the first wave IWR will hold referendums in 10 marginal constituencies as part of a rolling campaign which will put pressure on Gordon Brown to hold the referendum which the Government promised at the last election.  As the Government attempts to ratify the constitutional treaty in Parliament, without a referendum, or even a free vote, IWR will be giving voters a chance to have the vote which the Government is denying them.

Activists across the country have been raising funds in order to be able to hold referendums in their local area and IWR has today announced that the first confirmed constituency will be the Scottish seat of East Renfrewshire - where the incumbent MP is Europe Minister Jim Murphy.

To carry out a professional poll IWR has commissioned Electoral Reform Services - the world's leading independent ballot administrator and independent scrutineer. The  ERS plays a vital role in the leadership elections of all the major political parties, and each year provides independent balloting services for hundreds of organisations including government agencies, charities, multinational companies and trade unions. The political independence and electoral expertise of the ERS is recognised in UK parliamentary legislation and by the United Nations.

During February voters in the constituencies will receive a pack containing an information leaflet with contributions from both sides of the debate, a ballot paper, and a freepost envelope. 

The campaign of constituency referendums will form a backdrop to the Government's attempt to ram the treaty through parliament without a referendum.  The constitutional treaty has its second reading on Monday 21 January, and the Government aims to push it through both houses of parliament before the summer.

Gisela Stuart MP said: "We made a very clear promise of a referendum at the last election.  No one really believes for a second that this is a 'fundamentally different document'.  We must keep our promise.  These referendums will give people the chance to have the vote which the Government is trying to take away from them.  Gordon Brown must listen."

Graham Stringer MP said: "We hope that people who are angry about being denied a vote will get involved in the constituency referendums.  People can send a message to Gordon Brown that they demand the vote that they were promised.  They can get involved by going to iwantareferendum.com"

Richard Cook, founder of East Ren EU Choice and Conservative Westminster Candidate for East Renfrewshire, has worked since October 2007 to raise funds to deliver the referendum in his constituency said:

"I am delighted that we have been able to raise the funds necessary to deliver a referendum on the EU Constitutional Treaty to the people of East Renfrewshire.  For so many local people the denial of the referendum they were promised by the Government on this issue is simply a matter of trust." 

"How can we trust our own Member of Parliament, Jim Murphy, when he specifically promised a referendum on the EU Constitution in his 2005 election manifesto but now rules it out because he does not feel he can persuade the people of East Renfrewshire of the Treaty's merits and has decided to delude himself and the country that this Treaty is not the old Constitution by another name?"

"I want to show local people there is a local politician prepared to trust them to make good decisions.  It is a shame that Mr Murphy does not seem to value the opinions of his own electorate."

Notes for Editors:

1. IWR is a cross-party campaign calling for a referendum on the revived Constitutional Treaty.  The IWR advisory group includes: Derek Scott (chair); Graham Stringer MP; Gisela Stuart MP; Mike Hancock MP; Frank Field MP; Kate Hoey MP; Michael Gove MP; David Heathcoat Amory MP; Greg Hands MP; and Nick Herbert MP.

2. For more information please contact Paul Stephenson on 0772 561 0696 or Neil O'Brien on 07973 142775.

3.  For more information on the referendum in East Renfrewshire please contact Richard Cook on 07951 362 892.