LOCAL MP TO SUPPORT "IN OR OUT" EU REFERENDUM

12.00.00am GMT Thu 21st Feb 2008

Local Liberal Democrat MP, Sandra Gidley, is to vote for an "in or out" EU referendum this coming Tuesday, providing the Speaker of the House of Commons selects the Liberal Democrat amendment. She says the referendum would be an opportunity for the British public to determine whether Britain should continue to be a member of the European Union or not.

"There has been a debate on Britain's changing role in Europe for many years without voters having the chance to express their opinion clearly through the ballot box," said Sandra.

"The EU has changed beyond recognition since we last had a referendum in 1975. No member of the public under the age of fifty has had the opportunity to vote on the significant changes that have taken place over the last few decades. So whatever our individual views we should all agree that the people must have their say."

The vote on Tuesday comes as Sandra considers whether to back calls for a referendum on the new Lisbon Treaty (EU Reform Treaty).

"I am listening to local people carefully before I make a decision on whether there should be a referendum on this new treaty" added Sandra. "Our vote on whether Britain should be "in or out" is closer to my election promise than the vote on the Lisbon Treaty.

"The Conservatives and others have indulged in the worst kind of anti-European populism, calling for referendums only on individual treaties to mask their own divisions and the wishes of many of their own MPs to leave the European Union altogether. That is why we should have a real debate on whether we want to be in or out.

"Unfortunately the last time the House of Commons had a chance to vote for an "in or out" referendum the Conservatives formed a pact with the Labour Government to reject the proposal for narrow party advantage.

""Not everything is perfect with the European Union but it has delivered many positive benefits such as cheaper goods, better environmental protection, increased freedom to work and live abroad, and strong measures to tackle international crime. As a party that welcomes these benefits for the UK we would campaign to stay in Europe in the referendum.

"Local Liberal Democrats and I are ready to make the positive case for Europe in a proper locally based public debate about our membership, and we should then trust the people to make a decision about whether we should stay in or get out."

ENDS