Events

Announcement of constituency referendum results 3 March 2008

Mass lobby of Parliament 27 February 2008

A week before MPs vote on whether to hold a referendum on the revised EU Constitution, I Want a Referendum , together with the Democracy Movement and Trade Unionists against the EU Constitution organised a mass rally of Parliament, giving voters the chance to help pursuade their MPs to back a referendum.

IWR in Brussels 13 - 14 December 2007

As EU leaders attended the ceremonial signing of the EU Constitution in Lisbon before flying off to Brussels for a summit, IWR campaigners left spoof road signs around the Belgian capital.

The signs were featured on BBC Breakfast news and in the Sun. IWR Chairman Derek Scott was interviewed on BBC News 24, Czech, Danish, Norwegian TV, Agence France Press, Reuters & Swedish Radio.

East Midlands for a Referendum - 7 December 2007

On December 7, the giant ballot box was inflated on the riverside of Trent in Nottingham, marking the launch of the East Midlands for a Referendum campaign. IWR national Chairman Derek Scott was joined by regional supporters, giving interviews to regional and local media teams. East Midlands co-chairman Neville Baxter appeared on the BBC East Midlands Today on the lunchtime and evening bulletins. Nottingham Evening Post quoted Neville Baxter as saying, "If [Gordon Brown] believes it is a good thing for Britain then he should trust the people to make the decision in a referendum. The British people care about their country and they want their country to remain a democracy run from Westminster not Brussels.".

IWR launches in South West - 5 November 2007

Campaigners in the South West have launched a local campaign for a referendum in Bristol and Exeter. Simon Whitmore, Chairman for IWR South West, kicked off the launch with an interview on BBC Radio Bristol breakfast show. The I Want a Referendum ballot box was inflated outside Bristol Cathedral before being taken down to Exeter town centre.

Simon was also interviewed by the BBC South West Politics Show, alongside IWR Chairman Derek Scott.

The event was covered by the Western Daily Mail, and pictures from the launch featuring IWR supporters Sir John Jennings and Sir Antony Acland appeared in the Exeter Express and Echo.

Sir John Jennings, Simon Whitmore, Sir Antony Acland

"Yorkshire for a Referendum" launches - 29 October 2007

The "Yorkshire for a Referendum" campaign - a regional branch of I Want a Referendum - launched in Sheffield and Leeds. The Yorkshire Post quoted Victor Watson, Chairman of Yorkshire for a Referendum, saying: "This new treaty hands over considerable areas of decision making to unelected politicians in Brussels. The referendum debate goes to the heart of the way we are governed. We elect our MPs to govern on our behalf; if they want to give away their responsibility to European institutions, they should ask us first. Gordon Brown must keep his promise if he wants to prove he is serious when he talks about listening to people and restoring trust in politics."

The Sheffield Star also reported from the launches, and Derek Scott was interviewed by BBC Look North. Following the launch in Leeds, Derek Scott spoke at a reception.

"Yorkshire for a referendum" Chairman Victor Watson in front of the ballot box.

IWR receives Europe-wide media coverage in Lisbon – 18 October 2007

The I Want a Referendum campaign was present during the EU summit in Lisbon on October 18. The giant ballot box was inflated just outside the venue of the meeting, visible to the EU leaders, members of the public and the media. The ballot box was featured on the BBC 6 o’clock news, BBC 10 o’clock news, BBC Newsnight and Channel 4 News. Campaign Chairman Derek Scott interviewed on Newsnight, arguing that if Gordon Brown really wants voters to reengage with politics, as he claims, he must hold a referendum on the revised Constitution.

The ballot box also drew attention from media across Europe and members of the team argued the case for a referendum on CNBC, Reuters, Belgian TV, Danish Television, Swedish Television, Portuguese TV, Dutch state broadcaster NRO and on Czech Radio. Several newspapers also reported on the stunt, including Dutch daily Standaart and Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter. Chris Hope’s Telegraph blog also reported on the stunt.

“I Want a Referendum” launches in Manchester and Liverpool – 16-17 October 2007

The launch of the IWR in the North West was reported on BBC Radio Merseyside. The campaign was launched outside St Georges Hall in Liverpool and the Urbis Centre in Manchester. Supporters were in attendance at both locations, as the huge inflatable ballot box was making its first two stops on its tour around the country.

In the picture (from left), Alan Halsall, Ann Jordan, Laura Wolfe, David Briggs.

Alan Halsall, Chairman of the NW campaign, was interviewed on Radio Merseyside, discussing the launch and arguing that the Government should keep its promise to hold a vote because the latest version of the Constitution is the same as the rejected Constitution. BBC Radio Manchester and the Manchester Evening News also reported on the launch.

The launch in Liverpool was reported by the Liverpool Daily Post. Alan Halsall, Chairman of the North West campaign, told the paper: “I think it is essential the people of this country get over to the politicians that they can’t just offer a referendum and then take it away. Gordon Brown came to power and the one thing he talked about was consultation. I believe it should be put to the people so we can have a proper debate about the subject.” Alan was also interviewed by Channel M, and BBC Radio Manchester.

I Want a Referendum launch – 6 September 2007

I Want a Referendum launched on Thursday 6 September at Victoria Tower Gardens, next to Parliament.

Members of I Want a Referendum’s advisory group were in attendance for a photo call and press conference. These included Derek Scott (chair), Graham Stringer MP, Gisela Stuart MP, Frank Field MP, Kate Hoey MP, Michael Gove MP, David Heathcoat-Amory MP and Greg Hands MP.

In response to questions from a large press corps, Chair Derek Scott said: "In the coming months we will be increasing the pressure on the Government not to break its promise to hold a referendum on the Constitutional Treaty. We will be building a broad-based campaign in every part of the country." Gisela Stuart added: "This is an issue of trust. We were elected on the promise of a referendum. If we are serious about restoring trust in politics we have to keep our promise and give people a say on this important decision."

The ballot box will be making its journey around the country over the next few weeks as local campaigns are launched across the UK.