I Want a Referendum, Scotland
EAST RENFREWSHIRE VOTERS DEMAND A REFERENDUM ON THE REVIVED EU CONSTITUTION
I Want a Referendum has announced the results of the EU referendum held in Eas Renfrewshire and nine other constituencies across the country.
The referendums have been carried out for IWR by Electoral Reform Services – a leading firm of independent election scrutineers recognised by the United Nations, the British Government, and used by all the three main parties for their internal elections.
The referendums have led to an unprecedented response from voters for an unofficial poll. Postal ballots were sent to nearly 40,796 people in the East Renfrewshire constituency. 31.1% of ballot papers distributed were returned.
Key Results
Stunningly, 152,520 people voted across just ten parliamentary constituencies. 133,251 voted for a referendum.
12,671 people voted in East Renfrewshire, of whom 10,688 are in favour of a referendum – 84.4%.
Even though the poll was unofficial, the 36.2% turnout means that a higher proportion of people voted in these unofficial referendums than in real elections in their local area. In East Renfrewshire 31.1% of voters who were sent ballot papers responded. The average turnout for local elections (when not held with general elections) since 1996 is 35.4%. The average turnout in referendums on directly elected mayors - including in London - was 30.1%.
Voters in East Renfrewshire resoundingly rejected the EU's Lisbon Treaty. 10,828 people voted against it – 85.5% of those responding.
IWR, SCOTLAND IN THE NEWS
IWR in Scotland has recieved widespread media coverage. Below is a selection:
"Poll piles on pressure for referendum on EU treaty" The Herald 3 March
"Poll support for referendum on Euro treaty" The Scotsman 3 March
"Euro poll is a front for the Tories, claim Labour" The Express, Scottish Edition 22 February
"Row over 'poll' on EU referendum" BBC 20 February
“Ministers launch EU treaty referendum bid” Herald 5 February
“The Scottish Government has put its European policy in limbo” Herald 7 September
“Scots to get Euro poll denied by Labour” Scotsman 21 January
“Scots constituency joins EU protest vote” Herald 21 January
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“MPs 'must decide on EU treaty'” - Aberdeen Press and Journal 29 September
“The Scottish Government has put its European policy in limbo” – Herald 7 September
I want a referendum because I've never had a chance to vote on the EU - even though it affects my everyday life.
