It’s Official: PM betrays the trust of the British People.
Government confirms no EU Treaty Referendum

Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock this morning condemned the Government for its response to a demand for a referendum on the new EU treaty, and asked Basildon and Thurrock Members of Parliament to back the people and join the call for a vote.

Towards the end of last year, Geoffrey Van Orden MEP launched a petition on the 10 Downing Street website, stating:

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to let the British people have their say on the EU "Reform Treaty" through a referendum."

"The EU "Reform Treaty" is the European Constitution by another name and takes forward the process of European integration, transferring more powers from our nation to Brussels."

Stephen Metcalfe said: “I signed that petition and encouraged others across South Basildon & East Thurrock to do the same. Six weeks after the petition closed, the Government and Mr Brown have finally responded.”

Stephen Metcalfe, quoted the official Government response: “ In December 2007, European leaders agreed the text of the Treaty of Lisbon. All 27 EU leaders have agreed that "the constitutional concept has been abandoned". The new Treaty aims to make the European Union work more effectively for the people of this country and other member states. The Government believes the Treaty is very much in Britain's national interest.”

“Unlike the Constitutional Treaty, which would have refounded the EU, the Lisbon Treaty is an amending Treaty in the tradition of the single European Act under Baroness Thatcher, the Maastricht Treaty under Sir John Major and the Treaties of Nice and Amsterdam under Tony Blair. All of these Treaties were scrutinised and approved by Parliament without the need for a referendum. The Treaty is now being debated and scrutinised, with Parliament having the final say on the legislation needed for its ratification. As with all Treaties, Parliament must be satisfied that it is in the national interest, before it can be implemented in national law.”

Stephen continued: “It just shows how out of touch the Government is and how the public are held in such low regard by this arrogant and discredited Government. Despite what Mr Brown says, we know that the new EU treaty is the same as the EU constitution in all but name.”

“Come on Mr Brown, stop treating us like fools and acknowledge like the other heads of state across Europe that it is the same document you promised us a referendum on in your manifesto.”

“This is an issue of trust. You promised to listen to the people. Please, Mr Brown, now is the time not only to listen but to hear and to give us a referendum.”

Stephen added: “I am sure anyone who represents the people of Basildon & Thurrock, and have listened to them on the door step, would want to make sure our views are heard and will back the campaign for a referendum.”

Picture: Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock and Mark Francois, Shadow Minister for Europe, collecting signatures in support of a Referendum on the new EU Treaty.

Posted 18/2/08

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