British people say its time for a referendum

Tuesday, June 12 2012

West Midlands MEP Mike Nattrass is challenging the Government to act and give the British people an EU referendum following the publication of a major new poll which shows eight out of ten voters want a say on Britain ’s role in Europe .

A new Populus survey shows more than 80 per cent of voters believe there should be a referendum and around half of respondents called for an immediate vote to take place on Britain and the EU.

Only 18 per cent of respondents said they saw no reason for an EU referendum in the foreseeable future.

Last year, UKIP MEP Mike Nattrass, Independent MEP Nikki Sinclaire and Trevor Colman MEP travelled to London to deliver a petition of 100,000 signatures calling for a straight In or Out EU referendum.

The petition, which was launched in the West Midlands by Nikki Sinclaire, was presented to Number 10 Downing Street last September by the MEPs and likeminded MPs from across the political spectrum. The move triggered a Commons debate.

Commenting this week, Mr Nattrass said it is clear that the vast majority of British people want a say on Europe and stated that the result of the Populus survey shows that a clear majority of voters want an EU referendum.

He said: “The results of the Populus survey sends out a strong message – which is the British people want a straight In or Out referendum on Europe .

“Euro-fanatics like Ken Clarke, who prompted a backlash when he described supporters of a referendum as ‘a few extreme nationalists,’ should join the real world and recognise it is the majority and not a minority of the British people that want a say on Europe.

“When we joined the Common Market we were told it was about trade. Ted Heath lied to the British people when he advised people to vote for EU membership. He said there would be ‘no loss of out national sovereignty’. Years later he admitted his goal had been ‘ever closer political union’.

“The EU Parliament has created more UK laws than Westminster has made since 1485 and the battle of Bosworth Field . Our nation’s sovereignty has been eroded by the EU which is about political domination.

“It is time to settle this issue once and for all and have a straight In or Out referendum on Europe ,” he added.