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Britons Want Referendum on Lisbon Treaty
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in Britain believe the country should hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty if the Conservatives form the next government, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 46 per cent of respondents agree with this notion.
A new common European body of law, known as the Lisbon Treaty, has been ratified by all of the EU’s 27 members, including Britain. The document’s 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.
Under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, 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—which is expected to come into force on Dec. 1—also provides for the creation of a mutual defence clause, in case one of the member states is attacked.
In June 2007, Gordon Brown officially became Labour leader and Britain’s prime minister, replacing Tony Blair. Brown had worked as chancellor of the exchequer. Blair served as Britain’s prime minister since May 1997, winning majority mandates in the 1997, 2001 and 2005 elections to the House of Commons.
Since December 2005, David Cameron has been the leader of the Conservative party. In December 2007, current parliamentarian Nick Clegg became the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.
In a September 2007 article published in The Sun, Cameron wrote: "Today, I will give this cast-iron guarantee: If I become PM a Conservative government will hold a referendum on any EU treaty that emerges from these negotiations."
Earlier this month, Conservative shadow foreign secretary David Hague acknowledged that a nationwide referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is not an option anymore, saying, "Now that the treaty is going to become European law and is going to enter into force, that means a referendum can no longer prevent the creation of the president of the European Council, the loss of British national vetoes. These things will already have happened and a referendum cannot unwind them or prevent them."
Polling Data
In 2007, David Cameron promised to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty should the Conservatives form the next government. He now says there will be no referendum since the Lisbon Treaty has been ratified into law by all EU member states. Which of the following statements best represents your point of view?
|
If the Conservatives form the next government, there should be a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty |
46% |
|
If the Conservatives form the next government, there should not be a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty |
22% |
|
Not sure |
32% |
Source: Angus Reid Public Opinion
Methodology: Online interviews with 2,000 British adults, conducted from Nov. 4 to Nov. 6, 2009. Margin of error is 2.2 per cent.
