Tomorrow is a crucial day for James Wharton’s Private Members’ Bill. If the Bill becomes law, it will give the public a direct say on whether we remain a member of the European Union. People haven’t been given a proper opportunity to voice their opinion since 1975, and it is fair to say that the nature of our relationship with the EU has changed significantly since then. Successive treaty agreements have increased the EU’s competence to legislate in virtually every area of our domestic policy and we see examples of ‘mission creep’ that do real damage to both our sovereignty and competitiveness. By legislating for a referendum by 2017, it gives the Government scope to renegotiate our relationship and allow for a more informed in/out choice. And the question will be very simple:
“Do you think that the United Kingdom should be a member of the?”
The Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats abstained in the last vote on this Bill and went on to filibuster it every step of the way through Committee. A large number of amendments have now been tabled for tomorrow’s debate in an attempt to wreck the Bill. That is why I will be in the Chamber to support James and the Conservative Party will be voting to ensure that the Bill passes to the House of Lords in its current form.