West Midlands for a Referendum
REDDITCH VOTERS DEMAND NATIONAL REFERENDUM ON REVIVED EU CONSTITUTION
I Want a Referendum has announced the results of the EU referendum held in Redditch 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 40,290 people in the Redditch constituency. 39.3% of ballot papers distributed were returned.
Key Results
Stunningly, 152,520 people voted across just ten parliamentary constituencies. 133,251 voted for a referendum.
15,823 people voted in Redditch, of whom 14,104 are in favour of a referendum – 89.1%.
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 Pudsey 39.3% 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%.
In Redditch, a greater proportion of people voted for a referendum than voted for sitting MP Jacqueline Smith at the last election. 35.5% of those balloted in Redditch voted for a referendum, while Paul Truswell won 28.5% of the vote.
Voters in Redditch resoundingly rejected the EU's Lisbon Treaty. 14,212 people voted against it – 89.8% of those responding.
The giant ballot box was inflated in Redditch on 11 February to mark the launch of the constituency referendum campaign.
SUPPORTERS
IWR currently has 3761 supporters in the West Midlands.
westmidlands@iwantareferendum.com
WEST MIDLANS FOR A REFERENDUM IN THE NEWS
West Midlands for a Referendum has recieved widespread media coverage. Below is a selection:
"People want to vote on Euro treaty, says ballot" Birmingham Post 3 March
"Last chance to vote on EU referendum" Redditch Standard & Advertiser 22 February
"West Midlands for a Referendum on the Daily Politics Show" BBC Politics Show West Midlands 18 February
"EU Constitution campaign hits town" Redditch Standard & Advertiser 15 February
“EU vote – your comments” BBC Politics Show West Midlands 10 February
"Vote in Eu ballot" Redditch Standard & Advertiser 8 February
“EU vote - but only in
“'Europe ballot' in Smith's back yard” Birmingham Mail, 11 February
"Have your say on EU Constitution" Redditch Standard & Advertiser, 1 February
"It's a big 'yes' for a vote" Redditch Advertiser , 5 March
The EU isn't working. We need a vote to force politicians to reform it.
