(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The vast majority of people in Britain believe the government of Gordon Brown should call a referendum on whether to ratify a revised common European Union (EU) treaty, according to a poll by YouGov. 62 per cent of respondents support holding a nationwide vote on this issue, while 17 per cent want Parliament to decide.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The vast majority of people in Britain believe the government of Gordon Brown should call a referendum on whether to ratify a revised common European Union (EU) treaty, according to a poll by YouGov. 62 per cent of respondents support holding a nationwide vote on this issue, while 17 per cent want Parliament to decide.
If a referendum were to take place, 44 per cent of respondents would vote against Britain adhering to the treaty, while 17 per cent would vote in favour of the proposed body of law. 40 per cent of respondents are undecided.
The heads of state of the EU officially signed the European Constitution on Oct. 29, 2004. The project for a continental body of law was practically abandoned in 2005, after voters in France and the Netherlands rejected the proposed document in two plebiscites.
In June, the leaders of the 27 EU member nations reached an agreement in Germany to revise the proposed Constitution, create a new European Union Constitution Treaty (EUCT) before the end of this year, and achieve its ratification by mid-2009.
On Oct. 19, a final agreement was reached on the Lisbon Treaty and Charter of Fundamental Rights. The Lisbon Treaty provisions call for the creation of new posts, such as a foreign policy chief, and a High Representative who will answer to EU governments and serve as vice-president of the European Commission. The Charter will become legally binding in all EU member states except Britain, which negotiated an exemption.
The EU leaders would also choose a president of the European Council for a two and a half year renewable term. This will effectively eliminate the current six-month rotating presidency among member nations. The Lisbon Treaty also provides for the creation of a mutual defence clause, in case one of the member states is attacked.
If all countries ratify the treaty—whether through a referendum or a parliamentary vote—the body of law will become effective in January 2009. Ireland, due to its internal regulations, is the only country that must hold a nationwide vote on the Lisbon Treaty, while other governments can decide whether they want to do the same.
On Dec. 13, Brown—the Labour party leader—signed the Lisbon Treaty on behalf of Britain. On Dec. 17, Brown explained his rationale, saying, "We will ensure sufficient time for debate on the floor of the House so that the Bill is examined in the fullest of detail and all points of view can be heard."
Conservative leader David Cameron expressed dismay, saying, "Every opinion poll shows (a referendum is) what people want. This issue isn’t going to go away. (…) The prime minister’s argument has simply collapsed. Doesn’t he see that this sort of approach makes him look shifty and untrustworthy? Doesn’t he see that, far from it getting him out of his troubles, denying people a referendum is just digging him in deeper?"
Polling Data
At the 2005 general election Labour promised a referendum on the constitution before Britain ratified the EU constitution. Should there be a referendum on this treaty or should Parliament decide whether Britain should ratify it?
|
There should be a referendum |
62% |
|
Parliament should decide |
17% |
|
Don’t know |
21% |
If there were a referendum on the new EU treaty how would you vote?
|
For the treaty |
17% |
|
Against the treaty |
44% |
|
Don’t know / Wouldn’t vote |
40% |
Source: YouGov
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,481 British adults, conducted from Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, 2007. No margin of error was provided.
