Clouding the issue

Ming Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats has called for a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union instead of a referendum on the new EU treaty.

He argues,

"If there is to be a referendum it shouldn't be restricted to a comparatively minor treaty. It must be a decision about the EU as a whole”.

What complete nonsense. For starters the treaty Campbell refers to can hardly be described as minor. Minor would be legislation being passed by Europe, which is already under their remit. A new treaty involves a further loss of British sovereignty to Europe.

By holding a referendum on British membership you immediately limit the option for those who believe being in Europe from an economic viewpoint is a good thing. Those people would have to vote yes to allow that to continue, even if they believed further powers for Europe from a political stance is a bad thing.

There have been calls for a referendum on this treaty due to the further political powers it gives to Europe, not because of Britain’s membership of the EU. Therefore the only way a true opinion of the British people’s views on Europe’s increase in political power can be gained, is to hold a referendum solely on this treaty.