Greens back TUC demand for EU referendum
16 September 2007
The Green Party has voted to back union calls for a referendum on the UK's future relationship with the EU.
Caroline Lucas, Green MEP and advisor to the pro-European Centre for a Social Europe think-tank, said the British people must have the right to vote on whether to adopt the proposed EU Reform Treaty - in line with previous Government commitments.
She said: "It's clear that the proposed EU Reform Treaty is substantially the same document as the EU constitution, on which Tony Blair promised the British people a referendum.
"But now Gordon Brown wants to deny us a say on whether to adopt it or not - and that's fundamentally undemocratic, whatever you think about the rights or wrongs of the treaty."
Dr Lucas, who was recently named politician of the year by The Observer newspaper, made her comments today during a fringe meeting at the party's autumn conference in Liverpool, at whish she spoke alongside Neil O'Brien,director of think-tank Open Europe - which has spearheaded the parliamentary 'We Want A Referendum!' campaign, and Cllr Richard Mallender, Green Party chair, speaking on behalf of the Green Party Trades Unions group.
The motion, entitled 'EU Reform Treaty', read:
"Conference notes existing policy to seek a referendum on EU constitutional changes.
"Conference notes the developing political debate on the EU Reform Treaty.
"Conference notes that many politicians from EU member states have given public statements that the Reform Treaty would have substantially the same effects on the EU as the EU Constitution.
"Conference notes that this treaty would give power to the EU to change its powers and responsibilities without reference to member states.
"Conference notes that the TUC has called on the Prime Minister recently to hold a referendum on the Treaty.
"The Green Party calls on the Government to offer a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty."
For more information on Open Europe's cross-party campaign, see www.iwantareferendum.com
