Downing Street Says » EU Referendum

Asked for a response to calls from the GMB union on the EU treaty, the PMS said that the Prime Minister had made his position clear on the case for a referendum on the EU amended treaty in the past few days and weeks.

1 Comment »

Sign The Official Downing Street Petition:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to guarantee that the British people will be permitted a binding referendum on any and all attempts to resurrect the EU "constitution" (and any or all of its content) regardless of nomenclature.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/EU-treaty-NON/
Comment by JSFL — 5 Jul 2007 on 6:49 pm | Link
Sign The Official Downing Street Petition:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to guarantee that the British people will be permitted a binding referendum on any and all attempts to resurrect the EU "constitution" (and any or all of its content) regardless of nomenclature.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/EU-treaty-NON/
Comment by JSFL — 5 Jul 2007 on 6:50 pm | Link
I feel very strongly that the British Electorate should have the right, as promised in the last two Labour Party Manifestos,to be given the pros and cons by becoming more closely involved with the EU, and then holding a referendum.Gordon Brown was the second senior member of the Cabinet and so he should comply with the wishes of the Electorate.
Comment by J.A.Vaughan — 9 Jul 2007 on 11:42 pm | Link
I do not wish to be forced into any EU constitution and demand a referendum to make MY choice. Further I do not want a UNELECTED prime minister to tell me what I should accept. This is England, a democracy.
Comment by Robert Parker — 11 Jul 2007 on 3:13 pm | Link
I thought this web site allowed you to vote on policy issues? I can’t see anything about that and what is this"report it" nonsense - report what? It’s a statement? Help please.
Comment by Cora McIntyre — 15 Jul 2007 on 9:40 am | Link
Every Labour MP, including the present Prime Minister, promised a referendum on the EU Constitution/Treaty in their manifesto at the last General Election. They are now spinning their way out of that commitment with total contempt for the electorate.

We must have honesty in Government says Gordon Brown, so let us start now by holding a referendum.
Comment by ron reddey — 15 Jul 2007 on 11:03 am | Link
In view of european leaders comments re recent
treaty,I demand a referendum on european
constitution,in line with labour manifesto.
Comment by RJ GOSLIN — 15 Jul 2007 on 11:10 am | Link
The latest EU treaty approved by Tony Blair does not give the safuguards claimed. It alters our constitution and requires approval by a public referendum. Not to hold one would mean that Gordon Brown will have broken an important promise to the British people

Ron Barrack
Comment by Ron Barrack — 15 Jul 2007 on 11:18 am | Link
Keep your promises !! Give us a referendum on the EU "non-constitution" and help the UK to retain its independance. Twice in living memory the British have saved the Continent from power-crazed groups. We could do it again with your help. Yrs very sincerely………James Dove
Comment by James Dove — 15 Jul 2007 on 11:37 am | Link
The UK should have a referendum about the EU Treaty without any further procrastination by Gordon Brown.

We were promised one. We now demand one.

The Electorate have only ever voted to join a Common Market. We have never voted to become part of a Federal State.
Comment by John Bostock — 15 Jul 2007 on 11:58 am | Link
It is vital that we have a referendum on such an important issue. The promises of politicians should have made this letter unnecessary.
Comment by P.H.C. de la FUENTE — 15 Jul 2007 on 12:10 pm | Link
How on earth are you supposed to vote on this site? Is this just another example of new labour spin,pretending to allow free airing of opinions and voting yet not actually letting you register your vote for a referendum,how am I supposed to vote?
Comment by steve pickup — 15 Jul 2007 on 12:12 pm | Link
So our much trumpeted Prime Minister; so-called architect for change. It turns out that he is just another devious wretched politician. Good with words, bad on principle. Heaven help this country. Whatever happened to men of principle ? Did they all die in the Second world War ?
Comment by Raymond Leach — 15 Jul 2007 on 12:28 pm | Link
It is crucial that the voters of the UK have a say regarding the TREATY before any more of our powers are given away.
Comment by joan bamber/mike bamber — 15 Jul 2007 on 12:48 pm | Link
We need a referendum ; first, just because we were promised one, and second, because the British people have not had another referendum despite the huge quantity of OUR rights and domestic powers that have been given over to Brussels and the EU.
What has the PM to be afraid of if he is honestly seeking merely to do the will of the people here ? If a referendum proves that it accords with his own view, so much the better ; but if it is so overwhelmingly against, then he should know that the people’s view must prevail.
Comment by Charles Bawdon — 15 Jul 2007 on 1:20 pm | Link
The "Listening" Gordon Brown listens, but does not hear, the voice of the majority of the people of this United Kingdom concerning the EU. He ignores his promise, and that of his Party, to hold a referendum. Like his notorious predecessor he is full of spin and deceit.
Comment by Francis Attwood — 15 Jul 2007 on 1:30 pm | Link
The unelected bureaucracy in Brussels has just been caught with fingers in the till again, this time pillaging the aid funds. No continental politician tries to maintain, as do British leaders, that the new treaty is anything other than the resurrection of the Constitution. Labour promised a referendum on that: it must honour the pledge now.
Comment by James C Earle — 15 Jul 2007 on 1:59 pm | Link
The unelected bureaucracy in Brussels has just been caught with fingers in the till again, this time pillaging the aid funds. No continental politician tries to maintain, as do British leaders, that the new treaty is anything other than the resurrection of the Constitution. Labour promised a referendum on that: it must honour the pledge now.
Comment by James C Earle — 15 Jul 2007 on 1:59 pm | Link
We were promised a REFERENDUM on the CONSTITUTION
in spite of what they call it, it is a CONSTITUTION by an other name.
Why they want to give away this countries independance I do not know.
Comment by Ivor Knight — 15 Jul 2007 on 2:17 pm | Link
This issue will impact on the life of every citizen of the U.K. and as such the promise of a referendum should be HONOURED otherwise how can anyone retain any faith in this government.
Comment by IAN F.OSBORNE — 15 Jul 2007 on 2:39 pm | Link
We used to be a democracy in which the word of politicians could be trusted. Where is the referendum on the EU treaty which we were promised?
Comment by j c priestley — 15 Jul 2007 on 2:41 pm | Link
We used to be a democracy in which the word of politicians could be trusted. Where is the referendum on the EU treaty which we were promised?
Comment by j c priestley — 15 Jul 2007 on 2:42 pm | Link
Any agreement regarding the EU will impact on the whole population of the U.K.Therefore the promise to hold a referendum should be HONOURED by this government.If we don’t get the opportunity to vote,how are we supposed to maintain any trust in Mr Gordon Brown in the future,when he makes promises.
Comment by IAN F. OSBORNE — 15 Jul 2007 on 2:55 pm | Link
New prime minister same old treachery.The only answer is to get out of the EU.If we remain in this elitist club future generations will suffer because "good men sat back and did nothing."
Comment by Gordon Cutler — 15 Jul 2007 on 3:14 pm | Link
New prime minister same old treachery.The only answer is to get out of the EU.If we remain in this elitist club future generations will suffer because "good men sat back and did nothing."
Comment by Gordon Cutler — 15 Jul 2007 on 3:15 pm | Link
We the British people have the the right to a referendum as promised by our Government,if not we still have traitors gate.
Comment by frank oven — 15 Jul 2007 on 3:17 pm | Link
How do you vote on this site or has Downing Street decided that it’s already had enough of listening to the people?
Comment by richard starks — 15 Jul 2007 on 4:01 pm | Link
My entire family vote against the signing of the EU treaty - we want Britain to retain its (remaining) powers over internal matters. Britain has already descended into turmoil on endless fronts (), without having even more ludicrous and more non-relevant rules or ‘methods’ imposed upon us by any far away ‘powers that be’!

The promise to hold a referendum in relation to the signing of the EU Treaty MUST be honoured if the British government is to abide by the democratic principles that supposedly make Britain great. Anything else would show the true colours of ‘British democracy’ of the 21st century.
Comment by H Brooks — 15 Jul 2007 on 4:48 pm | Link
I,the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to guarantee that the British people will be permitted a binding referendum on any and all attempts to resurrect the EU "constitution" (and any or all of its content) regardless of nomenclature.
Comment by B Williams — 15 Jul 2007 on 5:34 pm | Link
I,the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to guarantee that the British people will be permitted a binding referendum on any and all attempts to resurrect the EU "constitution" (and any or all of its content) regardless of nomenclature.
Comment by B Williams — 15 Jul 2007 on 5:35 pm | Link
I wrote to you predecessor asking him to honour his pledge to have a referendum on signing up to the new EU treaty/constitution and reeceived an acknowledgment but no reply. I now ask you to honour your pledge
Comment by John Hebden — 15 Jul 2007 on 5:41 pm | Link
Please abide by your election pledge by granting a Referendum before you resurect the European Constitution in the devious manner which is being suggested. The British public have been lied to too many times in the past on European issues, this is the time to call a halt and do the honorable thing!
Comment by Marcia Bignell — 15 Jul 2007 on 6:35 pm | Link
I voted for a ‘COMMON MARKET’ not a European Union.I am British and do not wish to be ruled and dictated too by a bunch of faceless bureaucrats
in Brussels. We should be entitled to vote in a referendum for a free Britain where we are ruled by our own politicians whom we elect.
Comment by Keith Young — 15 Jul 2007 on 6:38 pm | Link
I voted for a ‘COMMON MARKET’ not a European Union.I am British and do not wish to be ruled and dictated too by a bunch of faceless bureaucrats
in Brussels. We should be entitled to vote in a referendum for a free Britain where we are ruled by our own politicians whom we elect.
Comment by Keith Young — 15 Jul 2007 on 6:38 pm | Link
I voted for a ‘COMMON MARKET’ not a European Union.I am British and do not wish to be ruled and dictated too by a bunch of faceless bureaucrats
in Brussels. We should be entitled to vote in a referendum for a free Britain where we are ruled by our own politicians whom we elect.
Comment by Keith Young — 15 Jul 2007 on 6:40 pm | Link
The European Union is seeking a legal personality, allowing it to become independent from the member States.
We must have the right to a referendum.
Comment by Barbara Bayle — 15 Jul 2007 on 7:07 pm | Link
A refendum now seems our last chance . Giscard D`Estaing has pointed out that separate arrangements could be made for UK.. Why the hell are we not taking the opportunity.
Comment by Dr Ross WATKIN — 15 Jul 2007 on 7:18 pm | Link
If Gordon Brown is the honourable person he says he is then he should keep the Labour Party’s promise and hold a referendum and his MP’s should press him to do so.
Comment by Mr & Mrs John Shaw — 15 Jul 2007 on 7:59 pm | Link
If Gordon Brown is the honourable person he says he is then he should keep the Labour Party’s promise and hold a referendum and his MP’s should press him to do so.
Comment by Mr & Mrs John Shaw — 15 Jul 2007 on 7:59 pm | Link
I voted for a common market not a european union .I am british and do not wish to be ruled by and dictated too by a bunch of faceless and corrupt bureaucrats in brussels. We should be entitled to vote in a referendum for a free britain
Comment by mrs susan slinger — 15 Jul 2007 on 8:07 pm | Link
No more transfer of powers to unelected bureaucrat’s. The EU is only a gravy train for failed politicians .
Comment by Alan F Smithard — 15 Jul 2007 on 8:09 pm | Link
All we ask is that this Government keeps it’s promise to allow a referendum.
Surely they should be able to honour their word for once.
Comment by Rowland Pountney — 15 Jul 2007 on 8:35 pm | Link
I voted for a ‘COMMON OPEN TRADING MARKET’ not a European Union. We now know what we really got. The faceless interfering bureaucrats in Brussels are incapable of running even their own budget and finances. They are un-elected so we cannot even kick them out. Some European Democracy. We had a referendum then, we were promised a referendum by Labour, so keep your promise.
Comment by Tony Shelmerdine — 15 Jul 2007 on 10:34 pm | Link
I voted for a ‘COMMON OPEN TRADING MARKET’ not a European Union. We now know what we really got. The faceless interfering bureaucrats in Brussels are incapable of running even their own budget and finances. They are un-elected so we cannot even kick them out. Some European Democracy. We had a referendum then, we were promised a referendum by Labour, so keep your promise.
Comment by Tony Shelmerdine — 15 Jul 2007 on 10:34 pm | Link
It is beyond question that the recent treaty is in almost every respect the consititution which has already been rejected by referendums in France and Holland. How can the EU dictatorate so ignore public opinion and how can any British government abdicate their powers to an unelected sovereign empire ?
Comment by Thomas Ryan — 15 Jul 2007 on 11:01 pm | Link
Give us our vote and a chance to vote NO!
Europe is for holidays not for joining.
Comment by Ian Birchall — 16 Jul 2007 on 8:41 am | Link
We have been tricked once, into voting for a COMMON TRADING MARKET, which has become a corrupt political empire,with profligate expenditure going unchecked. The British people must be allowed to have their say, as the recent assertions by other heads of state, clearly indicate that Gordon Brown is continuing to use his skills in deception, to deprive us of our promised referendum.

Signed Mike & Janet Clemas
Comment by Mike Clemas — 16 Jul 2007 on 9:15 am | Link
For 10 years Blair betrayed this Country. In fact his legacy should be ‘A traitor who continually betrayed the British People’. Gordon Brown was his ‘partner in crime’ and now he follows in Blair’s footsteps by refusing to keep an election promise. What next Brown? The Euro without a referendum? The EU is nothing but an undemocratic, corrupt, wasteful, gravy train for the boys, organisation. Thanks to New Labour’s utter contempt for us all this once wonderful Country is doomed unless we have the referendum that was promised.
Comment by Keith Bishop — 16 Jul 2007 on 9:15 am | Link
In the time of the Wilson Government I voted for closer TRADE links with Europe NOT to be gradually and deviously (by all three main political parties in Britain)subsumed into a european super state. I demand a referendum as you promised in 2005.
Comment by Roger Knight — 16 Jul 2007 on 10:05 am | Link
In the time of the Wilson Government I voted for closer TRADE links with Europe NOT to be gradually and deviously (by all three main political parties in Britain)subsumed into a european super state. I demand a referendum as you promised in 2005.
Comment by Roger Knight — 16 Jul 2007 on 10:05 am | Link
The people of the UK MUST be given the opportunity to express their wishes regarding any further erosion of their sovreignty to an UNELECTED european commision.
Comment by don gilbert — 16 Jul 2007 on 11:29 am | Link
A referendum was promised on our commitment to the EU Constitution. It is not for you to renege on this promise by trying to rename the latest offering from Brussels. Our long standing democracy should dictate the best Policy for Great Britain and the population as a whole should be given the opportunity to have their wishes taken into account over the biased views of a few MPs from all parties.
Comment by D.Canham — 16 Jul 2007 on 11:32 am | Link
A referendum was promised on our commitment to the EU Constitution. It is not for you to renege on this promise by trying to rename the latest offering from Brussels. Our long standing democracy should dictate the best Policy for Great Britain and the population as a whole should be given the opportunity to have their wishes taken into account over the biased views of a few MPs from all parties.
Comment by D.Canham — 16 Jul 2007 on 11:35 am | Link
I am a grandfather; and having asked the opinion of all family members of voting age,10 in number, and all being of the same mind. We demand that the Prime Minister keeps to the promise of the Party manifesto and give us the referendum.No politician has the right to sign without coming back to the people having been elected on the premise of a referendum.No wheedling words can change this fundamental fact.The UK is supposed to be a democracy.Prove it.Let the people decide.
Comment by Raymond Coaster — 16 Jul 2007 on 11:47 am | Link
My wife and I strongly resent the government reneging on their original commitment to grant a referendum on the European Union. We do not want to be part of a super European state but voted merely to join a "Common market."
Comment by R & S Davies — 16 Jul 2007 on 12:35 pm | Link
A promise is a promise. Selective listening is not democracy. People of moral virtue keep their word. A referendum is therefore inevitable.
Comment by b.ashford — 16 Jul 2007 on 2:50 pm | Link
I could (just) buy a Western European EU.

However, the South East of Europe & Turkey are not ready to be our partners and will drag us down to their levels by simple demographics.

Lets have a two speed Europe, and have no right of entry to Britain to all and sundry.
Comment by martin bright — 16 Jul 2007 on 4:07 pm | Link
There is too much going on in the EU where no one is accountable please ensure we have a referendum as promised in your manefesto.
Comment by Mr John Clift — 16 Jul 2007 on 4:52 pm | Link
There is too much going on in the EU where no one is accountable please ensure we have a referendum as promised in your manefesto.
Comment by Mr John Clift — 16 Jul 2007 on 4:53 pm | Link
It is vital that a referendum is held as promised.The vast majority of the british people do not wish to be completely involved in the EU.Keep your promises and allow the british people to be heard
Comment by K.H.& E.I.Patrick — 16 Jul 2007 on 5:07 pm | Link
It is vital that a referendum be held as promised. The vast majority of the Britiah public do not wish to be ruled by the EU.
Comment by K.H.& E.I.Patrick — 16 Jul 2007 on 5:24 pm | Link
As a Bank Manager I would never have had anything to do with a Company where the Auditors would not sign off the annual accounts! We were promised a Referendum and this is what we should have so that we can decisively say that we do not want any more power given to the EU.
Comment by c.k.davis — 16 Jul 2007 on 6:21 pm | Link
The fact that this government promised a referendum on the constitution should should mean that one is held as I for one do not wish to be governed by a group of unelected european bureaucrats. However, if the last ten years is anything to go by, I think it will be a case of "don’t hold your breath"
Comment by C S Brown — 17 Jul 2007 on 1:25 pm | Link
It is clear that what Mr Blair agreed to in June is in all material respects the same as that on which the Labour manifesto promised a referendum. We want a chance to say NO: and to break the conspiracy by politicians against the people that the EU represents. Actually what we really need is a referendum on continued English membership of this corrupt and venal organisation.
Comment by Stephen Lamley — 17 Jul 2007 on 7:17 pm | Link
I want a referendum as promised by this government.
Signed I. ANDERSON.
B.A.WISE
E. A KENDALL
M. ROBERTS
ALL FRIENDS AND ALL AGREE THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE CHEATED OUT OF OUR SAY.!!!
Comment by I Anderson — 18 Jul 2007 on 4:25 pm | Link
I want a referendum as promised by this government.
Signed I. ANDERSON.
B.A.WISE
E. A KENDALL
M. ROBERTS
ALL FRIENDS AND ALL AGREE THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE CHEATED OUT OF OUR SAY.!!!
Comment by I Anderson — 18 Jul 2007 on 4:25 pm | Link
I want a referendum as promised by this government.
Signed I. ANDERSON.
B.A.WISE
E. A KENDALL
M. ROBERTS
ALL FRIENDS AND ALL AGREE THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE CHEATED OUT OF OUR SAY.!!!
Comment by I Anderson — 18 Jul 2007 on 4:26 pm | Link
I want a referendum as promised by this government.
Signed I. ANDERSON.
B.A.WISE
E. A KENDALL
M. ROBERTS
ALL FRIENDS AND ALL AGREE THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE CHEATED OUT OF OUR SAY.!!!
Comment by I Anderson — 18 Jul 2007 on 4:27 pm | Link
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to guarantee that the British people will be permitted a binding referendum on any and all attempts to resurrect the EU "constitution" (and any or all of its content) regardless of nomenclature.

D.G.Taylor
A.M.Taylor
Comment by derek g taylor — 18 Jul 2007 on 6:00 pm | Link
Why should we give up what our parents fought for to the unelected european bueacrats.We need a referendem to say how we feel.
Comment by Mr & Mrs H J Cole — 18 Jul 2007 on 8:43 pm | Link
Why should we give up what our parents fought for to the unelected european bueacrats.We need a referendem to say how we feel.
Comment by Mr & Mrs H J Cole — 18 Jul 2007 on 8:43 pm | Link
It is obviously Blair’s long term ambition to become President of Europe, which is why he has pandered, and is still pandering to Brussels, squandering our democratic rights ad lib.,so that we become, not a nation, but a servile part of his Union. This is our last chance to stand up for Britain, and we must insist that Gordon Brown honours his party’s pledge to give us a referendum.
Comment by Victor Walter William Kennett — 18 Jul 2007 on 11:23 pm | Link
It is obviously Blair’s long term ambition to become President of Europe, which is why he has pandered, and is still pandering to Brussels, squandering our democratic rights ad lib.,so that we become, not a nation, but a servile part of his Union. This is our last chance to stand up for Britain, and we must insist that Gordon Brown honours his party’s pledge to give us a referendum.
Comment by Victor Walter William Kennett — 18 Jul 2007 on 11:24 pm | Link
It is obviously Blair’s long term ambition to become President of Europe, which is why he has pandered, and is still pandering to Brussels, squandering our democratic rights ad lib.,so that we become, not a nation, but a servile part of his Union. This is our last chance to stand up for Britain, and we must insist that Gordon Brown honours his party’s pledge to give us a referendum.
Comment by Victor Walter William Kennett — 18 Jul 2007 on 11:25 pm | Link
It is obviously Blair’s long term ambition to become President of Europe, which is why he has pandered, and is still pandering to Brussels, squandering our democratic rights ad lib.,so that we become, not a nation, but a servile part of his Union. This is our last chance to stand up for Britain, and we must insist that Gordon Brown honours his party’s pledge to give us a referendum.
Comment by Victor Walter William Kennett — 18 Jul 2007 on 11:27 pm | Link
It is obviously Blair’s long term ambition to become President of Europe, which is why he has pandered, and is still pandering to Brussels, squandering our democratic rights ad lib.,so that we become, not a nation, but a servile part of his Union. This is our last chance to stand up for Britain, and we must insist that Gordon Brown honours his party’s pledge to give us a referendum.
Comment by Victor Walter William Kennett — 18 Jul 2007 on 11:30 pm | Link
I and my wife wholeheartedly support the call for a referendum on the proposed treaty (replacing the EU Constitution - of which the content is 96% the same) We are supposed to be living in a democracy where the will of the people is manifested through the government. Just because the result of a referendum goes against the will of the Prime Minister is not a reason for not having a referendum!
Ken and Barbara Johnson
Comment by Kenneth Johnson — 3 Aug 2007 on 3:42 pm | Link
Do the powers that be think that we are all stupid people who do not have minds of their own? It is arrogance on the part of any one in supreme power to think that they can presume to know what the British people want. My husband and I both want a referendum on the proposed treaty which is almost the same as the previous constitution. Let us have one and "to hell with Burgundy".

Gordon and Tef Copeland
Comment by Tef Copeland — 6 Aug 2007 on 4:29 pm | Link
Gordon Brown said he would listen to the voice of the people. As he clearly cannot hear them he can borrow both the hearing aids I wear any day!
Comment by Patrick Hollamby — 15 Aug 2007 on 5:22 pm | Link
Gordon Brown said he would listen to the voice of the people. As he clearly cannot hear them he can borrow both the hearing aids I wear any day!
Comment by Patrick Hollamby — 15 Aug 2007 on 5:23 pm | Link
The new EU Treaty appears to be very similar to the Constitution that was rejected by France and The Netherlands previously. I think we too should be given the opportunity to vote on the merits of the Treaty.
Comment by Alan Waters — 18 Aug 2007 on 5:51 pm | Link

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Post a public comment

Name (required)
E-mail (required)
(You must give an email address, but it will not be displayed to the public.)
Website
(You may give your website, and it will be displayed to the public.)

Comments:

This is not a way of contacting the Prime Minister. If you would like to contact the Prime Minister, go to the 10 Downing Street official site.

Privacy note: Shortly after posting, your name and comment will be displayed on the site. This means that people searching for your name on the Internet will be able to find and read your comment.

Original PMOS briefings are © Crown Copyright. Crown Copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland. Click-use licence number C02W0004089. Material is reproduced from the original 10 Downing Street source, but may not be the most up-to-date version of the briefings, which might be revised at the original source. Users should check with the original source in case of revisions. Comments are © Copyright contributors. Everything else is © Copyright Downing Street Says.

» Thursday, July 5, 2007

EU Referendum

1 Comment »

Post a public comment

Search

Supported by

Recent Briefings

Archives

Links

Syndicate (RSS/XML)

Credits

Enquiries