UK public 'wants EU treaty referendum'
The government says any EU treaty does not need a referendum
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Friday, 22, Jun 2007 07:12
The British public wants a say in whether or not the UK accepts a revised treaty for the EU, two polls suggest.
National leaders are currently negotiating on how to best reorganise the EU's internal structures following the fate of the now-dead European constitution, which was itself killed off by popular opposition in France and other countries.
The revised, smaller-scale treaty backed by German chancellor Angela Merkel proposes a charter of fundamental rights for workers, but some organisations are opposed to its ideas.
Economic and business lobby group Global Vision has published the results of two polls showing that the British want a referendum on whether or not the UK accepts the treaty.
An ICM survey showed 80 per cent calling for a say in the matter while a Populus poll said 83 per cent supported a referendum. Global Vision director Ruth Lea has insisted this means a referendum is "a must".
She said: "The government promised a referendum on the constitutional treaty. It is apparent that the new treaty will have serious constitutional implications. There must be a referendum."
Downing Street has insisted it has no plans to hold a referendum on the treaty, pointing out that previous treaties have not required popular support.
But Global Vision chairman Lord Blackwell believes the UK economy will suffer if the treaty is adopted.
"[The EU] is still pursuing an outdated and inward looking model of European integration which has very little relevance to Britain's future as a global trading nation," he commented.
"The UK government should give people the choice in a referendum of whether to continue down this path or to negotiate a new, modern relationship for Britain based on free trade and cooperation."
Britain is already one of a small group of states opposing the establishment of a "new constitutional basis" for the EU. It is insisting that the UK retains an independent foreign policy and does not have its regulations on tax, benefits and criminal legislation overtaken by EU law.