Bob Spink

UK Independence Party | Castle Point

Critics of EU treaty unite to back plans for nationwide referendum campaign

The cross-party Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIB) is spearheading plans for a series of rallies and events across the UK for a referendum on the European Union’s so-called ‘Reform Treaty’. 

CIB Chairman Dr Bob Spink MP (Castle Point) said today (Aug 22) that the Pro-Referendum Rally in London on Saturday October 27 would be the launch pad for a nationwide campaign to bring pressure to bear on the Government. At the rally, public figures from across the political spectrum – including prominent Labour and Conservative MPs, business leaders and trade unionists – will unite to call for the British people to be given the final say on ratification of the EU Treaty. 

The Pro-Referendum Rally is the brainchild of Surrey-based management consultant Dr Jonathan Wilson, and is backed by a broad coalition of Eurosceptic groups, including the Bruges Group, the Democracy Movement, the Freedom Association and the UK Independence Party.

According to recent opinion polls, an unprecedented 85% of the public have said they want the right to vote on the EU ‘Reform Treaty’, which they correctly see as a revival of the rejected EU Constitution. The Labour Party promised a referendum on the Constitution but has since reneged on that pledge, claiming that the latest Treaty is different from the original Constitution and that the referendum commitment is no longer binding.

However, lawyers and politicians from across Europe, including the principal supporters of the Treaty, have all acknowledged that it is fundamentally the same document. Even the former French president, Valery Giscard d’Estaing, the architect of the draft EU Constitution, has said that the changes are “cosmetic” and “the substance [of the Constitution] has been retained” in the new Treaty. Highlighting the fact that the two documents are virtually identical, Dr Spink accused the Prime Minister of a “shameful betrayal” of the Labour manifesto pledge, during a debate in the House of Commons on the last day before the summer recess.

Calls for a referendum have come from both sides of the House of Commons. Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague has called the Treaty “the EU Constitution under another name” and said the Conservatives would campaign “vigorously” for a referendum. Labour MP Gisela Stuart said that Tony Blair had reneged on the Labour Party’s pledge but “there is still time for Gordon Brown to put this right” by holding a national referendum on the Treaty.

Announcing plans for the Rro-Referendum Rally, Dr Spink said: “This campaign is the nation’s opportunity to give a show of force for a referendum – and to remind the Prime Minister of public anger about Brussels’ latest power grab. The London rally is merely the opening shot of our campaign, which will include events and actions across the country.

“With such strong pressure building, the Prime Minister cannot continue to disregard the wishes of the vast majority of the British people. We simply want to be given the opportunity to have our say on the Treaty in a free and fair vote. This is Gordon Brown’s chance to show that he is serious when he talks about strengthening British democracy and restoring trust in politics.”