Press releases
31/01/08
I Want a Referendum announces referendums in 10 marginal constituencies
Embargo: 00:01 Friday 1 February
Jacqui Smith, Ruth Kelly and Chris Huhne among the first MPs
to be targeted
The campaign for a referendum on the revived EU
Constitution, I Want a Referendum.com, has today announced the first ten
marginal parliamentary constituencies in which it will be holding referendums
on the issue.
Constituencies that will be given a chance to have a vote
from next week include: Redditch, seat of Home Secretary Jacqui Smith; Bolton
West, seat of Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly; and Eastleigh, seat of Lib Dem
leadership contender Chris Huhne.
Activists across the country have been raising funds in
order to be able to hold referendums in their local area. In total half a
million people will be sent ballot papers, making it the biggest vote on the
future of since the national referendum
in 1975.
The first seat to start voting on Monday will be - the seat of Europe Minister Jim
Murphy. Ballot papers will start to arrive through people's letterboxes
in the other constituencies throughout next week.
Other seats where people will get the chance to vote
include:
Hammersmith - seat of Andrew Slaughter
Gedling -
Coaker, Under-Secretary of State for Crime Reduction
Somerton and Frome - David Heath, Lib Dem Shadow Justice
Secretary
Conwy - Betty Williams
Pudsey - Paul Truswell
Harlow - Bill Rammell, Minister of State, Higher Education
I Want a Referendum Chairman Derek Scott said:
"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."
Liberal Democrat MP Mike Hancock said:
"I hope people will get involved in these referendums,
I hope they will show their strong support for a referendum, and I hope MPs
will then listen to the voters."
Background: the biggest vote on
since 1975
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 parliamentary legislation and at
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.
Voters
will be asked two questions:
1.
Should the
UK hold a national referendum on the EU's Lisbon Treaty: yes or no?
2.
Should the
UK adopt the EU's Lisbon Treaty: yes or no?
The
campaign of constituency referendums will form a backdrop to the Government's
attempt to force the treaty through Parliament without a referendum. The
results of the referendums will be announced before the end of
February. The Commons is likely to debate an amendment calling for a
referendum in the first week of March, and the Government aims to push it
through both Houses of Parliament before the summer.
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 on 0207 197 2333 or 07973 142775, or
Paul Stephenson on 0772 561 0696.