Press releases
03/02/08
Giant ballot box marks launch of the East Renfrewshire referendum
To mark the launch of the referendum on the EU Constitution in Europe Minister Jim Murphy's East Renfrewshire constituency, campaigners will on Monday inflate a giant ballot box in his seat.
East Renfrewshire has been chosen to highlight the Government's decision to go back on its 2005 General Election winning manifesto pledge to support a referendum on the EU Constitution, now renamed the Lisbon Treaty.
The launch will take place on 4 February - the same day ballot papers will arrive on people's doormats across the constituency. In addition to the ballot paper, all voters will receive an information leaflet with contributions from both sides of the debate and a freepost envelope in which to return the votes.
The voting form will ask two questions:
(a) Should there be a national referendum on the EU Constitution (now known as the Lisbon Treaty)?
(b) Should the UK adopt the Treaty?
Everyone on the open electoral register of voters in East Renfrewshire will receive a ballot paper. Those that are not on the electoral register can call 0208 889 9203 and asked to be put on the list.
To carry out the poll, East Ren EU Choice [www.eastren-euchoice.com available from Monday 4th February 2008] has commissioned Electoral Reform Services (ERS) - the world's leading independent ballot administrator and independent scrutineer. The ERS's political independence is acknowledged in UK parliamentary legislation and has been recognised by the UN.
The vote in the constituency will be part of a first wave of referendums in constituencies across the UK organised by iwantareferendum.com. Together, the votes will form the biggest public consultation on the EU since 1975 and will demonstrate the public pressure that Gordon Brown should call the referendum he promised the British people in 2005.
Richard Cook, Founder of East Ren EU Choice and Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, said:
“Jim Murphy and the Government are breaking a clear manifesto pledge. Everyone knows this is the EU Constitution by a different name and we should be given the referendum we were promised.
“If Jim Murphy thinks that this Constitution is such a good idea, he should not be afraid of asking the people their opinion. What is he so scared of?”
“From today the people of East Renfrewshire will have their opportunity to decide whether they want the referendum they were promised and I would encourage them all to be on the look out for their ballot paper over the next few days and to make good use of their vote. I trust the people of East Renfrewshire to make the right decision, it’s just a pity that it appears Mr Murphy does not.”
Angus Robertson, SNP leader in Westminster, said:
"The people were promised a referendum by all political parties and the
people should have their say.
"The SNP supports a referendum and I urge people to take part in this poll.
"Gordon Brown and local Labour MP Jim Murphy have broken their word and
want to deny the people their say.
"Voters in East Renfrewshire can make a real difference by voting for a
referendum."
Notes to Editors
1. The launch will take place on Monday, 4 February, from 10.30 to 11.00 am, at Barrhead Shopping Centre on Main Street , Barrhead , G78 1SL. Further constituency events will follow every week for the duration of the campaign.
2. The constituency referendum campaign in East Renfrewshire is part of I Want a Referendum, a nationwide cross-party campaign for a referendum on the revived Constitutional Treaty.
www.iwantareferendum.com
3. For more information please contact Richard Cook on 07951 362 892 (East Ren EU Choice campaign director), Christopher Montgomery (East Ren EU Choice press officer) on 07709 737 076 or Paul Stephenson (iwantareferendum.com) on 07725 610 696.
ENDS