Referendum for residents (From Redditch Advertiser)

Referendum for residents

12:00pm Wednesday 6th February 2008 in News

VOTERS in Redditch will be some of the first in the country to to say if they think Britain should hold a referendum on the revised EU constitution.

The West Midlands for a Referendum' campaign has been launched, which hopes that by presenting Parliament with ballot papers from the voting public asking for a referendum, one will be held in the country.

Ballot papers have begun arriving through local letter boxes - asking residents if they think there should be a national referendum on the EU, known as the Lisbon Treaty, or if they think the UK should actually adopt the treaty.

Conservative candidate for Redditch, Karen Lumley, said: "I'm delighted the people of Redditch will get a chance to vote on what is the EU Constitution under a different name."

The vote will be part of a first wave of referendums in constituencies across the UK.

Redditch MP Jacqui Smith said: "Parliament will discuss this matter extensively in the next month. The debates will highlight the differences in the Treaty and the Constitutional document on which a vote was promised. They are not the same documents."

The ballot has been organised by I Want a Referendum.com, a cross party campaign that believes a referendum is vital when deciding on the EU's Constitutional Treaty, and will seek the views of half-a-million people.

Voters will have until February 27 to return their ballot paper and anyone who did not receive one can do so by calling 0208 8899 203.