Menu
20/04/2004
Opposition parties welcome EU referendum move
The opposition parties have welcomed the Prime Minister's decision to hold a referendum over the proposed EU treaty.
The Conservatives warmly greeted an opportunity to campaign openly against the EU treaty, while the Europhile Lib Dems were keen to stress the positive benefits of more closely integrated and expanded European community.
In Parliament today, Tory leader Michael Howard pledged to lead a vigorous campaign for a nationwide 'No' vote.
The Tories described today's announcement as a "dramatic and humiliating U-turn" from Mr Blair.
The Labour leader had previously stated that there would be no need for a referendum as negotiations had merely been concerned with a "tidying up exercise".
At the dispatch box today, Mr Howard mocked a declaration from the Prime Minister at the Labour Party conference that he had "no reverse gear".
"You could hear the gears grinding as he came before us, lip quivering once again, to eat all those words which he has pronounced to emphatically for so long. Who will ever trust him again?" he said.
Mr Howard went on to repeat his call for an early vote on the issue - not one delayed by months of Parliamentary wrangling, and until after a general election.
"There is no case whatsoever for asking Parliament to spend months on ratification legislation before obtaining the consent of the people. After all he held referendums for the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly before Parliament had passed the legislation and while many of the details remained unclear. He did it. On this constitution all the details will be clear," Mr Howard said.
Calling for an "honest and open debate", Mr Howard slammed the EU for "failing to face up to the realities of the 21st century". The constitution would mean greater centralisation, more regulation and less flexibility, he claimed.
The pro-European Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy welcomed today's announcement as an "overdue decision".
"I hope the coordination of the European referendum campaign will be more slick and polished than was the co-ordination that led to today's announcement," he said.
"The referendum must be based on an unloaded, unbiased question - one which will be subject to confirmation by the Electoral Commission."
Mr Kennedy added: "This is surely an historic opportunity to at last settle an issue that has bedevilled two generations of British politics. When it comes to Britain's future in Europe, it will come down to those of us to those who want to live and let live and those who will be exposed as wanting to live and then let die."
(gmcg)
The Conservatives warmly greeted an opportunity to campaign openly against the EU treaty, while the Europhile Lib Dems were keen to stress the positive benefits of more closely integrated and expanded European community.
In Parliament today, Tory leader Michael Howard pledged to lead a vigorous campaign for a nationwide 'No' vote.
The Tories described today's announcement as a "dramatic and humiliating U-turn" from Mr Blair.
The Labour leader had previously stated that there would be no need for a referendum as negotiations had merely been concerned with a "tidying up exercise".
At the dispatch box today, Mr Howard mocked a declaration from the Prime Minister at the Labour Party conference that he had "no reverse gear".
"You could hear the gears grinding as he came before us, lip quivering once again, to eat all those words which he has pronounced to emphatically for so long. Who will ever trust him again?" he said.
Mr Howard went on to repeat his call for an early vote on the issue - not one delayed by months of Parliamentary wrangling, and until after a general election.
"There is no case whatsoever for asking Parliament to spend months on ratification legislation before obtaining the consent of the people. After all he held referendums for the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly before Parliament had passed the legislation and while many of the details remained unclear. He did it. On this constitution all the details will be clear," Mr Howard said.
Calling for an "honest and open debate", Mr Howard slammed the EU for "failing to face up to the realities of the 21st century". The constitution would mean greater centralisation, more regulation and less flexibility, he claimed.
The pro-European Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy welcomed today's announcement as an "overdue decision".
"I hope the coordination of the European referendum campaign will be more slick and polished than was the co-ordination that led to today's announcement," he said.
"The referendum must be based on an unloaded, unbiased question - one which will be subject to confirmation by the Electoral Commission."
Mr Kennedy added: "This is surely an historic opportunity to at last settle an issue that has bedevilled two generations of British politics. When it comes to Britain's future in Europe, it will come down to those of us to those who want to live and let live and those who will be exposed as wanting to live and then let die."
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 October 2004
EU constitution poll could come early in 2006, says Straw
Britons could go get their chance to vote on the EU constitution "early in 2006" if Labour wins the general election, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said today. Speaking at the signing of the new EU constitution in Rome today, Mr Straw ruled out a 2005 vote as Britain's presidency of the EU made it impractical.
EU constitution poll could come early in 2006, says Straw
Britons could go get their chance to vote on the EU constitution "early in 2006" if Labour wins the general election, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said today. Speaking at the signing of the new EU constitution in Rome today, Mr Straw ruled out a 2005 vote as Britain's presidency of the EU made it impractical.
13 October 2014
Govt Publish Devolved Scottish Power Proposals
The government is to publish a proposal laying out greater powers for the Scottish Parliament.
Govt Publish Devolved Scottish Power Proposals
The government is to publish a proposal laying out greater powers for the Scottish Parliament.
01 July 2015
Airports Commission Supports Third Heathrow Runway
The Airports Commission has voiced its support for a third runway at Heathrow. In its report, it said the expansion would add a further £147bn in economic growth, and create 70,000 jobs by 2050. It would also provide around 40 new destinations for Britain.
Airports Commission Supports Third Heathrow Runway
The Airports Commission has voiced its support for a third runway at Heathrow. In its report, it said the expansion would add a further £147bn in economic growth, and create 70,000 jobs by 2050. It would also provide around 40 new destinations for Britain.
24 June 2014
Public Warned 'Not To Approach' Mental Health Escapee
Police are warning the public not to approach a patient who fled from Homerton mental health facility on Saturday. Anthony Knowles, 48, disappeared from the Jon Howard Centre in Homerton. Knowles is described as 5ft 8 inches with a "noticeable limp". He has tattoos on both arms and a scar on his left eyelid.
Public Warned 'Not To Approach' Mental Health Escapee
Police are warning the public not to approach a patient who fled from Homerton mental health facility on Saturday. Anthony Knowles, 48, disappeared from the Jon Howard Centre in Homerton. Knowles is described as 5ft 8 inches with a "noticeable limp". He has tattoos on both arms and a scar on his left eyelid.
15 March 2011
Man Found Murdered In Hammersmith
A murder investigation is underway following the death of a man in Hammersmith on Friday. Police were alerted to a man unconscious in the forecourt area of Sulgrave Gardens in west London at around 7.40pm on Friday 11 March. The 29-year-old man was found suffering injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Man Found Murdered In Hammersmith
A murder investigation is underway following the death of a man in Hammersmith on Friday. Police were alerted to a man unconscious in the forecourt area of Sulgrave Gardens in west London at around 7.40pm on Friday 11 March. The 29-year-old man was found suffering injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
