Press Release, 12 June 08

Global Vision disappointed with Lords vote on EU referendum

Global Vision expressed its huge disappointment with the outcome of the House of Lords vote rejecting holding a referendum as a condition of ratifying the Lisbon Treaty.

Ruth Lea, Director of Global Vision, said:

"The Lords' vote is a blow for democracy in this country. If the vote for a referendum had been successful, there would have been a real possibility that the British people would have been given a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Let us remind ourselves that this referendum had been promised by the Government in a manifesto promise. The Government has completely reneged on its promise."

"Moreover, the behaviour of the Liberal Democrats beggars belief. Originally in favour a referendum, they shifted their official position to abstention in the Commons and then to outright opposition in the Lords."

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Notes to editors

1. See website for Global Vision's polling on attitudes to a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty (June 2007, November 2007 and January 2008). http://www.global-vision.net/opinionpolls.asp