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Cameron signals U-turn over Lisbon referendum
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
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Conservative leader David Cameron has admitted his party is unlikely to be able to hold a promised referendum on the Lisbon Treaty once it has become law, paving the way for a policy U-turn that will infuriate Tory Eurosceptics.
Only the Czech Republic is yet to sign off the document, which is fiercely opposed by many Tory MPs. Vaclav Klaus, the Czech president, is expected to sign the treaty should its constitutional court decide that it does not violate Czech law. The ruling is expected today.
Mr Cameron said that his party would “do what we can to make good all our promises”, but finally conceded that a chance to hold a vote on the treaty was fading.
It is widely anticipated that he will soon formally announce that a Conservative government will not hold a referendum, despite giving the public a “cast-iron guarantee” in 2007 that they would be given a vote on the treaty.
“What I said is that we would hold that referendum on the Lisbon Treaty but it seems we are getting close to a point when it is part of European law,” he said. “I had always hoped that President Klaus wouldn't sign but it seems that times are changing.”
Mr Cameron's team are well aware that his refusal to answer questions on his party's future policy should the treaty be ratified is beginning to damage his credibility.
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Seymour is right a referendum now is pointless. Britain has again been shafted by its so called leaders, currently the dissolute "new" Labour. The correct action now is to copy the Greeks, Italians etc and pick & choose the legislation Westminster approves. Also with hold our massive yearly "subscription" if needs be on occasion when we don't like the legislation.
Let's see a referendum to approve proposals like these after the election.
Posted by Katrina | 05.11.09, 00:09 GMT
This headline ill-informed and misleading.
A U turn is when there is a policy reverse. That is not the case here. The Tory position was that if the Lisbon treaty became part of law, they would re-consider their position. Almost certainly, they are going to try and negotiate out parts of what was the treaty from European Law.
That is not a U turn because you cant have a referendum on something that does not exist. The Conservative policy on re-negotiation is entirely consistent with having a referendum before the Treaty became law.
Posted by Seymour Major | 03.11.09, 11:31 GMT