Referedum on EU Treaty

andrewb · 04-03-2008, 20:14

The Labour government were voted in on a manifesto that promised a referendum over the EU constitution. Greg Pope as our MP was voted in on this too.

It seems nearly everyone except Labour themselves believe the treaty is the same thing as the constitution. Even then there are Labour MP's who say its the same. The only difference is the name.

Do you want your MP to uphold his election pledge and vote in favour of a referendum? Or vote with the government ignoring their manifesto?

garinda · 04-03-2008, 21:01

The last time there was a referendum, on continued membership of the then Common Market, remember that, when all this nonsense was purely a trade agreement, was in 1975, and a 67% majority elected to stay in.

If the government carry out their election promise for another referendum, I think the vast majority vote would be to get the hell out. My vote certainly would be for that.

Neil · 04-03-2008, 21:03

And mine, time to get out and stay out.

Eric · 04-03-2008, 21:18

When globalization was the fad, the EU seemed like a good idea. But now that globalization is dead, or at least in extremis, and with nationalism on the rise the EU is definitely open to questions about its usefulness. This side of the pond many are questioning the value of NAFTA ... just listen to Clinton and Obama. It seems like the vibrant up-and-coming economies are those like the Chinese and the Indian ... China in particular is very protectionist, even their currency is pegged and protected from speculation. I do think that England would be better to go it alone, rather than tie itself to membership in a club which seems as if it admits anyone as a member.

ossylass · 04-03-2008, 21:19

I voted against the Common Market in 1975 and I haven't changed my mind.

steeljack · 04-03-2008, 22:00

Cyfr, politicians are no different than every other male at last call when they tell biggest dog in the bar that she is the most beautiful woman in the world ....come morning she's been screwed and forgotten and its the same with the politicians , the day after an election ......its either "thanks suckers" or " I never promised that "

Bonnyboy · 04-03-2008, 22:18

High time we bailed out in my opinion

Wynonie Harris · 04-03-2008, 22:22

Not a cat in hell's chance of a referendum, because the government are scared of the result they'll get. That's why Brown slunk in to sign the treaty after all the other leaders had left, hoping that no one else would notice...and why Greg Pope came on here pretending that the treaty was different to the constitution.

garinda · 04-03-2008, 22:53

Well with a hundered percent pro-referendum vote so far, it looks fairly clear what the people want.

cashman · 04-03-2008, 22:57

confess i have always been in favour of the common market, thought we should have joined the euro(still do) also confess if the Referendum that never was,happened,dont honestly know which way i would vote now.

as dont know was not an option then i abstain.

Wynonie Harris · 04-03-2008, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

confess i have always been in favour of the common market

A common market would be fine. After all, it makes sense to engage in economic co-operation with our European neighbours. But it seems to me that we have gone way beyond that and that we are moving closer and closer to a United States of Europe...and this treaty is another huge step towards that.

cashman · 04-03-2008, 23:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

A common market would be fine. After all, it makes sense to engage in economic co-operation with our European neighbours. But it seems to me that we have gone way beyond that and that we are moving closer and closer to a United States of Europe...and this treaty is another huge step towards that.

thats mainly why i am now undecided.

garinda · 04-03-2008, 23:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

A common market would be fine. After all, it makes sense to engage in economic co-operation with our European neighbours. But it seems to me that we have gone way beyond that and that we are moving closer and closer to a United States of Europe...and this treaty is another huge step towards that.

It was originally sold to the populace as an economic trade union, something it's gone way beyond now, with all it's interfence in matters of human rights, not to mention sovereignty.

Neil · 04-03-2008, 23:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

But it seems to me that we have gone way beyond that and that we are moving closer and closer to a United States of Europe...and this treaty is another huge step towards that.

The problem as I see it is that Europe is not a level praying field. They are trying to bring together countries with different attitudes to life, different wage scales, taxation, heath care, benefits etc. I just can't see it working until they sort out all these issues.

As can be seen already people are coming to work in the UK and taking as much money as they can from her to there own Country. That can only be bad for the UK.

We should look at what happened in Germany when the wall came down along with the German economy.

Neil · 05-03-2008, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

The problem as I see it is that Europe is not a level praying field.

Never mind "praying", it is not a level playing field either