Referendum on the EU constitution

Co-chairman of Vote 2004: Campaigning for the Government to hold a referendum on the European Constitution.

I helped launch ‘Labour Against a Superstate’ with Labour MP Ian Davidson.

I put down a bill calling for a referendum:

'Draft Constitutional Treaty on the Future of Europe (Referendum) Bill'

21 May 2003

The new European Constitution will affect nearly every aspect of our lives, including criminal justice, employment and social rights, the economy and our relations with the outside world.

Despite the fact this will mean fundamental and irreversible changes for Britain, the Government is unwilling to let the people have their say. This Bill calls for the Government to put the decision to a referendum, to let the people decide their future.

(Although scheduled to receive its second reading on 11th July 2003, the Bill was talked-out.)

I was the first to obtain a categorical pledge from the Prime Minister that we would have a referendum on the constitution.

On the floor of the House on the 21st June 2004 I asked the PM, 'Will the Prime Minister give an undertaking that if other countries veto the constitution before he calls a referendum, the British people will still have their say on what they think of this move?

The Prime Minister responded: 'Yes. There is no question of any constitutional treaty going through without the express consent of the British people.'

Please follow the links in the left hand navigation to view some of press articles on this issue.