Press releases

24/01/08

Gedling to hold referendum on revised EU Constitution

Activists from the East Midlands for a Referendum campaign have today announced that they have raised enough money to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution in the region. 

The vote will take place in Gedling, a key marginal seat in Westminster elections, where Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker is the incumbent MP.

The people of Gedling will be asked whether they think there should be a national referendum on the EU Constitution - now known as the Lisbon Treaty, as well as whether they think the UK should actually adopt the Treaty.

The vote in Gedling will be part of a first wave of referendums in constituencies across the UK. Together the votes will form the biggest public consultation on the EU since 1975, and will increase the pressure on Gordon Brown to call the referendum he promised the British people in 2005.

To carry out a professional poll East Midlands for a Referendum 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 Gedling will receive a pack containing an information leaflet with contributions from both sides of the debate, a ballot paper, and a freepost envelope. 

The debate on the Treaty is now underway in Westminster, with the Government hoping to ratify it before summer. The results will be presented to Parliament and form a backdrop to the Government's attempt to ram the Treaty through Parliament without a referendum. 

East Midlands for a Referendum chairman Neville Baxter said: “We will be working hard on the ground over the coming weeks to make sure that people understand the importance of the issue facing us. This is a unique opportunity to really push the debate on the referendum forward and increase pressure on the Government. We hope that as many people as possible come out to vote.”

Nottingham South MP Alan Simpson who supports calls for a national referendum said: "I have always supported the idea of a referendum.  In a democracy, the right to vote to bring in what you support and the right to throw out what you do not are parts of the democratic contract.  Such decisions belong to citizens rather than the Government."

Bruce Laughton, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Gedling said: "This is about democracy. The people should be able to vote in a referendum when the government wants to move fundamental powers away from our elected representatives to unelected officials in Brussels. I am glad that we have managed to raise enough money to be able to give the people of Gedling a chance to have their say and I hope Gedling's views will apply pressure on Gordon Brown to hold the national referendum he promised."

Local businessman Roger Holehouse Chairman of Fernwood Group said: “It’s fantastic that the people in Gedling get to take part in the biggest vote on Europe since 1975. In 2005 the Government promised us a referendum on this very Treaty. They are now trying to go back on that promise. With this vote we hope to send a powerful message to the Government that the issue on whether to hand over more powers to Europe is of great concern to voters”.