It’s a big ‘yes’ for a vote (From Redditch Advertiser)

It’s a big ‘yes’ for a vote

9:41am Wednesday 5th March 2008

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THE people of Redditch have voted overwhelmingly for a referendum on the EU's Lisbon Treaty and also that it should not be approved.

Ballot papers were sent out to residents in the town asking if they think there should be a national referendum on the EU, known as the Lisbon Treaty, and a massive 89.1 per cent voted that there should.

People were also asked if they think the UK should actually adopt the treaty, and 89.8 per cent voted no.

Ballots were sent to more than 40,000 people in the constituency and 39 per cent were returned, the second highest turnout of the 10 constituency votes nationwide.

Worcestershire County Councillor, Philip Gretton, joined last week's mass lobby of Parliament in London, demanding a referendum.

"I talked to Jacqui Smith in her Westminster office, and explained why I was so angry at the Government's refusal to hold a referendum as promised in its 2005 manifesto," he said.

"The results of the ballot in Redditch show that an overwhelming majority disagree with Jacqui Smith, the town's MP."

Across the country, A total of 152,520 people voted, with 133,251 backing a referendum.

I Want a Referendum, the group that organised the ballot, claims the turnout is higher than that in local council elections.

Derek Scott, chairman of the I Want a Referendum campaign, said: "This is a great result. These MPs must now make it clear whether they are prepared to listen to the wishes of their constituents or just ignore them."

Redditch MP Jacqui Smith spoke of how important the European Union is to the country's economy, giving strength in relations with competitors such as the USA and China.

"These are issues too important for political manipulation that we have seen in the organisation of this ballot," she said.

"Holding it in only Labour or Liberal Democrat marginal seats and ignoring those of Conservatives who oppose a referendum speaks volumes for the real motivation behind this ballot.

"I will note the concerns of those who voted in this ballot but I disagree with the conclusions being drawn from it. The Lisbon Treaty is not the same as the constitutional document on which a referendum was promised by all parties."

The result came ahead of a Commons vote being held today on a Conservative amendment to the EU Treaty Bill, calling for a referendum.

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