How can one day be so good and bad for democracy at the same time? Well, this Saturday is like no other. First, the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, under relenting pressure (particularly from Sky News), finally agreed, that he would be willing to take part in General Election TV debates with David Cameron. This is great news and is something of a small earthquake in our political system. TV Debates, will accelerate the trends to a more 'Presidential' style of Government, as the performance of party leaders becomes ever more important. Above all, it gives the public a real chance to decide, who they will vote for. These TV election debates will be watched by millions, and will have the capacity to make or break party leaders. It is a great advance for our democratic evolution.
Now for the bad news. Sadly, Ireland voted yes for the EU Constitution - known as the Lisbon Treaty. This was a referendum that was all the more curious, as the Irish voted no in a Referendum, not so long ago. Yet in true EU Style, instead of accepting the result, the Irish were forced to have a second referendum, until the Eurocrats and big Corporate interests in Brussels got the answer they wanted. We now have to wait on the actions of the Czech Republic and Poland, who both have not yet ratified this Treaty - which, if it comes to pass, would in essence bring about European Government in all but name, and greatly weaken the power of Britain, to make its own decisions on a huge range of issues.
David Cameron, has pledged that Conservatives will hold a Referendum on the EU Constitution - something which Gordon Brown promised at the last election, but refused to honour. Mr Cameron has issued the following statement to party activists, (many of whom will be on their way tomorrow to Manchester, for the annual party conference):
"I want to make one thing clear: there will be no change in our policy on Europe and no new announcements at the Conference. There will be no change in Conservative policy as long as the Lisbon Treaty is still not in force. The Treaty has still not been ratified by the Czechs and the Poles. The Czech Prime Minister has said that the constitutional challenge before the Czech Constitutional Court could take 3-6 months to resolve
I have said repeatedly that I want us to have a referendum. If the Treaty is not ratified in all Member States and not in force when the election is held, and if we are elected, then we will hold a referendum on it, we will name the date of the referendum in the election campaign, we will lead the campaign for a 'No' vote.
Now for the bad news. Sadly, Ireland voted yes for the EU Constitution - known as the Lisbon Treaty. This was a referendum that was all the more curious, as the Irish voted no in a Referendum, not so long ago. Yet in true EU Style, instead of accepting the result, the Irish were forced to have a second referendum, until the Eurocrats and big Corporate interests in Brussels got the answer they wanted. We now have to wait on the actions of the Czech Republic and Poland, who both have not yet ratified this Treaty - which, if it comes to pass, would in essence bring about European Government in all but name, and greatly weaken the power of Britain, to make its own decisions on a huge range of issues.
David Cameron, has pledged that Conservatives will hold a Referendum on the EU Constitution - something which Gordon Brown promised at the last election, but refused to honour. Mr Cameron has issued the following statement to party activists, (many of whom will be on their way tomorrow to Manchester, for the annual party conference):
"I want to make one thing clear: there will be no change in our policy on Europe and no new announcements at the Conference. There will be no change in Conservative policy as long as the Lisbon Treaty is still not in force. The Treaty has still not been ratified by the Czechs and the Poles. The Czech Prime Minister has said that the constitutional challenge before the Czech Constitutional Court could take 3-6 months to resolve
I have said repeatedly that I want us to have a referendum. If the Treaty is not ratified in all Member States and not in force when the election is held, and if we are elected, then we will hold a referendum on it, we will name the date of the referendum in the election campaign, we will lead the campaign for a 'No' vote.
If the Treaty is ratified and in force in all Member States, we have repeatedly said we would not let matters rest there. But we have one policy at a time, and we will set out how we would proceed in those circumstances if, and only if, they happen.
This is going to be a great Conference. I look forward to seeing many of you in Manchester".
By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com
The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by all member countries of the EU would hand vast, unaccountable power to the unelected EU Commission. It would mean the death of European democracy and freedom and the end of the sovereignty and independence of European nations. Who in their right mind would want that? Surely only those who will benefit directly from it. The majority of us are totally opposed to this creation of a Soviet States of Europe.
ReplyDeleteSo, Well said, David Cameron and Rob for supporting a Referendum for UK. I've read, however, that the Czechs have warned Cameron not to count on them holding up the process of Czechoslovakia's ratification of the Treaty for as long as UK needs: until the Summer of 2010, to give the new Conservative government and members like Robert Halfon MP time to hold UK's Referendum prior to full ratification by all members countries. What the heck do we do if that happens?
When David Cameron held a public meeting in Harlow, he appeared to suggest that, in the event of the Treaty being fully ratified, he would have no option but to focus on renegotiation of our membership. I just hope that by some miraculous means that iniquitous treaty is not ratified prior to next Summer.
“The best way to take control over a people and control them utterly is to take a little of their freedom at a time, to erode rights by a thousand tiny and almost imperceptible reductions. In this way the people will not see those rights and freedoms being removed until past the point at which these changes cannot be reversed” - Adolf Hitler.
Hitler didn't succeed in getting into a position where he could invade Britain and destroy our freedom because our families fought so very courageously and made huge sacrifices for years to stop him. Would that courageous generation have bothered to fight if they'd known that, some 60 years later, an EU dominated by France and Germany would have Britain enslaved at the invitation of our Labour government?