Press releases
07/02/08
Referendum launch in Somerton and Frome
PRESS RELEASE
Giant ballot box marks launch of the SOMERTON & FROME EU referendum
To mark the launch of the referendum on the revised EU Constitution in Somerton & Frome, seat of David Heath MP, campaigners will on Thursday inflate a giant ballot box in his constituency.
Somerton & Frome has been chosen to highlight the Liberal Democrats’ decision to go back on their 2005 General Election manifesto pledge to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution, now renamed the Lisbon Treaty.
The launch will take place on 7 February - the same day that 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 ballot.
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 Somerton & Frome will receive a ballot paper. Those who are not on the electoral register can call 0208 889 9203, or email customerservices@electoralreform.co.uk and request a ballot paper.
Voting will be going on between 7 February and 25 February and the result of the referendum will be announced before the end of the month.
To carry out the poll, the I Want a Referendum campaign has commissioned the Electoral Reform Services (ERS) - the world's leading independent ballot administrator and independent scrutineer. The ERS is recognised in UK parliamentary legislation and 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 increase the pressure on Gordon Brown to call the referendum he promised the British people in 2005.
Derek Scott, Chairman of the I Want a Referendum campaign and Former Advisor to Tony Blair, said:
“Like all other parties, the Lib Dems promised to back a referendum at the last general election. We want to remind them of that promise, and give the people of Somerton & Frome the vote the Government – with the support of the Lib Dems – is denying them.”
Simon Whitmore, Chairman of the I Want a Referendum campaign in the South West, said:
“We will work hard over the coming weeks with people from all political parties to send a message to David Heath that, like with any other politician, we expect him to stick to his promises. Every political party promised a referendum at the last election.
“This is an important Treaty which means a huge transfer of power to the EU. I hope that the people of Somerton and Frome really seize this opportunity and vote.”
Annunziata Rees-Mogg, Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Somerton and Frome, said:
“Like I do, many people believe that this is a bad Treaty both for Europe and for Britain, and that we should be allowed to have our say. But even beyond that, this is about trust. We were promised a referendum, and we should be given one.”
END
Notes to Editors
1. The launch will take place on Thursday 7 February from 9:30am to 10.30am at the Market Place in Castle Cary, BA7 7AH, with Derek Scott, Annunziata Rees-Mogg and Simon Whitmore.
2. The constituency referendum campaign in the South West 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 Paul Stephenson on 0772 561 0696.