Press releases
20/02/08
Chris Huhne urged to accept Eastleigh's decision on the EU constitution
A week before the polls close in the Eastleigh EU referendum local MP Chris Huhne has been challenged to listen to his voters and be bound by the result by I Want a Referendum Chairman Derek Scott.
In a letter to Mr Huhne, Derek Scott appeals to him on behalf of voters in Eastleigh to accept the result of the referendum when he votes in Parliament on the issue in a few weeks’ time.
Mr Scott, former economics adviser to Tony Blair, asks the MP to acknowledge that the views of his constituents "deserve to be taken seriously" and asks "on their behalf, that you accept the result of the referendum and allow it to guide how you vote when this matter comes before Parliament."
Maria Hutchings, the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Eastleigh said:
"If Eastleigh constituents vote in favour of a referendum, Mr. Huhne must do the honourable thing, honour the pledge he made at the last election and vote for a referendum in parliament."
In the letter to Chris Huhne, Derek Scott says: “Together with MPs from all the three main parties, you were elected on a manifesto that promised a referendum on the EU Constitutional Treaty. The European Scrutiny Committee of the House of Commons has declared the Lisbon Treaty "substantially equivalent" to the earlier document. This conclusion is supported by the overwhelming majority of those who have studied the two Treaties.
“Trust in politicians and confidence in Parliament is dangerously low; sticking to the commitments made before the last election can only help restore both.”
The letter concludes: “I look forward to hearing from you and hope that you will listen to the voice of your constituents.”
The results of the Eastleigh referendum will be announced at the beginning of March. Ballot papers must be posted back by 25 February if they are to be counted. If voters have not received a ballot paper, they should call the Electoral Reform Services on 020 8889 9203.