Local Tory MP Votes Against Referendum on Europe

6.49.56pm GMT Tue 27th Nov 2007

Liberal Democrats in South East Cambridgeshire are calling on Jim Paice MP to explain why he voted to stop a referendum on UK's membership of the European Union.

Mr Paice joined Labour and Conservative MPs during the debate on the Queen's Speech in the House of Commons to deny the public a crucial vote to settle the debate on whether or not the UK should remain in the EU.

A Liberal Democrat amendment to the Queen's Speech laid out proposals for a referendum on the UK's continued membership of the European Union.

South East Cambridgeshire parliamentary spokesperson Jonathan Chatfield said:

"Labour and the Tories have rejected our call for the public to vote on the UK's membership of the European Union. Our local MP Jim Paice joined with the Labour and Conservative leadership to block the people from having their say.

"Membership of the European Union is hugely positive for Britain. Cheaper goods, better environmental protection, increased freedom to work and live abroad, and a stronger framework for tackling international crime are just some of the benefits.

"Of the three main political parties we are of course the most pro-European, but that doesn't stop us from being critical of the union and striving for better security, prosperity and democracy for all the citizens of Europe. And we believe the proposed reform of the treaty will bring us more benefits.

"But 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 crucial cumulative changes that have taken place over the last few decades.

"News in our popular national newspapers is overwhelmingly eurosceptic and a referendum campaign will bring attention to the great positive changes that have since taken place and dispel those euro-myths.

"Therefore the case for a referendum to endorse, or reject, Britain's membership of this very different European Union is overwhelming and the Liberal Democrats will be proud to lead the pro-Europe case.

"It is disappointing that Labour and Conservatives joined forces to defeat the call for the people to have a referendum.

"Jim Paice must now explain to the people of South East Cambridgeshire why he has denied them a say."