Lord Blackwell writes for ePolitix.com appealing for the government to reconsider holding a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, ahead of his Lords question on Monday.
When Parliament voted through the Lisbon Treaty last year, the government rebuffed calls to hold the promised referendum on the grounds that the re-ordering of otherwise identical text meant this was no longer the same as the prior EU Constitution. And, in any case, it was not a significant development.
Since then, the recent European elections saw a clear majority of UK MEPs elected on party manifestos that opposed the Lisbon Treaty. Opinion polls also continue to show strong opposition to EU integration - a recent YouGov poll conducted for Global Vision and the Taxpayers' Alliance showed that 64 per cent would prefer a looser UK relationship or would wish to leave the EU altogether. A further ICM poll showed continued strong support for a referendum, with 62 per cent saying they would vote against the Lisbon Treaty.
Recently, there has been much discussion of democratic renewal - with calls for governments to be more honest and transparent and not to ride roughshod over deeply held public views. The fact that the Treaty has not yet been ratified - with Ireland likely to have a further referendum in the autumn , including new conditions that were not written into the original text - gives the government the perfect opportunity to have a change of mind and agree a similar referendum in the UK.
Given that the Conservatives have pledged they would 'not let matters rest here' if the Treaty was ratified before the election without a referendum, it would surely be in the interests of even those who support the Treaty to seek democratic endorsement before the election if they believe they can win their case. To push forward in the face of such clear public opposition without a mandate is more likely to add to public mistrust and hostility.
If the UK rejects Lisbon - even if that comes after the general election - it would not be the end of the world that some predict. Much of Europe may wish to continue the path of closer integration. But the UK can and should negotiate separate terms that maintain free trade and cooperation while allowing us to opt out of political union and the consequential stream of EU laws and regulations. Both the UK and the rest of Europe would benefit from finally agreeing a settlement for Britain’s position in the EU that reflects our different aspirations. It is clear that would be the preferred outcome for the majority of the UK electorate.
Article Comments
People do not trust Europe, it is seen as an undemocratic institution and its benefit to the UK is questionable. It was originally sold as a trading club, but now they want to take our sovereignty without the permission of the British people. Our grandfathers fought and won the war, we are undefeated in Europe, so why are we being treated in such a disrespectful manner?Britain used to rule the world, so we do not need inferior nation states telling us how to live. This nation is proud and independent, despite Labour's attempt to destroy us. I believe that we would be better off without Europe. We can always trade with our friends in the commonwealth and America.
4th Jul 2009 at 12:27 pm by Stuart Ogilvie
