Press Release - 6th November 2007

GLOBAL VISION DEPLORES GOVERNMENT'S REFUSAL TO GIVE A REFERENDUM ON THE LISBON TREATY

As expected the Queen's Speech confirmed that there would be no referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Instead the Prime Minister intends to push this crucial extension of the powers of the EU through the Houses of Parliament without giving the British electorate their promised opportunity to vote on it.   

Ruth Lea, Director of Global Vision, said,

"Prime Minister Blair promised the British people their say on the Constitutional Treaty in 2004. It is clear that the Lisbon Treaty is the Constitutional Treaty in all but name. And it is also clear that the ‘red lines', which are similar though not identical to those negotiated in the Constitution, will be permanently under threat from the European Court of Justice. For Prime Minister Brown to renege on the Government's promise of a referendum is little short of betrayal."

"There is still time for the Prime Minister to behave honourably and agree to a referendum. He should do so."