Eastleigh residents vote for referendum
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| Maria Hutchings |
VOTERS in Eastleigh have said they want a referendum on whether the UK should accept the controversial EU Lisbon Treaty.
Around two-thirds of residents eligible to vote were balloted by campaign group I Want A Referendum - IWAR - and some 90 per cent voted yes for a referendum.
Eastleigh was one of nine constituencies in the UK chosen for the postal ballot and had the biggest turnout in the unofficial poll with 38 per cent of people balloted returning their vote.
Maria Hutchings, prospective parliamentary candidate for Eastleigh, said the results send a clear message to the borough's Lib Dem MP Chris Huhne for when he votes in Parliament on Wednesday on whether the country should hold a referendum.
"He and the Liberal Democrats must now do the honourable thing and vote for a referendum on Wednesday," she said.
Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne criticised the ballot for only asking people a Conservative question and said he was in favour of a referendum on the Treaty but that people should have been asked whether they should stay or leave the EU.
"These results only represent 21.7 per cent of the people eligible to vote in the Eastleigh constituency.
"This was just to see if there should be a referendum on accepting the latest set of amendments to the constitution and should have also asked people if we should leave the EU," he said.
6:39pm Sunday 2nd March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Jenny Tull, Eastleigh on 11:18pm Sun 2 Mar 08
Who is going to teach the good people of Eastleigh enough about the Lisbon treaty in sufficient detail, alsong with all the associated political issues, so that they can make a sensibe decision?
We elect people to do the research properly (not go on expenses paid jollies) and make decent decisions for us.
A referendum is just a cop out and the result will depend on how the question is drafted - who gets to decide who does that?
Better off tossing a coin - at least that way 50% of decisions will be right - it seems the current government can't get close to that even!
Who is going to teach the good people of Eastleigh enough about the Lisbon treaty in sufficient detail, alsong with all the associated political issues, so that they can make a sensibe decision?
We elect people to do the research properly (not go on expenses paid jollies) and make decent decisions for us.
A referendum is just a cop out and the result will depend on how the question is drafted - who gets to decide who does that?
Better off tossing a coin - at least that way 50% of decisions will be right - it seems the current government can't get close to that even!
Posted by: Adrian Smith on 6:58am Mon 3 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Jenny Tull[/bold] wrote:
Who is going to teach the good people of Eastleigh enough about the Lisbon treaty in sufficient detail, alsong with all the associated political issues, so that they can make a sensibe decision? We elect people to do the research properly (not go on expenses paid jollies) and make decent decisions for us. A referendum is just a cop out and the result will depend on how the question is drafted - who gets to decide who does that? Better off tossing a coin - at least that way 50% of decisions will be right - it seems the current government can't get close to that even![/quote] The Government's of France and Holland believed their voters were competent to vote earlier. Naturally when they voted against the treaty they were not given a second chance when the retitled (the content is essentially the same) document was published.
The current EU plans are a crock of you know what. I just hope the new Eastern EU members have the common sense to kill these plans with their veto.
Jenny Tull wrote:
Who is going to teach the good people of Eastleigh enough about the Lisbon treaty in sufficient detail, alsong with all the associated political issues, so that they can make a sensibe decision? We elect people to do the research properly (not go on expenses paid jollies) and make decent decisions for us. A referendum is just a cop out and the result will depend on how the question is drafted - who gets to decide who does that? Better off tossing a coin - at least that way 50% of decisions will be right - it seems the current government can't get close to that even!
The Government's of France and Holland believed their voters were competent to vote earlier. Naturally when they voted against the treaty they were not given a second chance when the retitled (the content is essentially the same) document was published.
The current EU plans are a crock of you know what. I just hope the new Eastern EU members have the common sense to kill these plans with their veto.
Posted by: Andy, Locks Heath on 12:21pm Mon 3 Mar 08
I also agree with Jenny. People will use a referendum to voice their opinion of the EU as a whole and however the question is drafted it will be answered as "Yes I'm in favour of the EU" or "No I'm not in favour of the EU". My own feelings are ambivalent but I despise all the policians from Edward Heath onward who despite knowing that the electorate only ever agreed to an Economic Union, have progressively taken us into a political union despite having no mandate. For once I find myself agreeing with the Lib Dems that we must have a referendum that addresses this basic issue, never mind the "constitution", so we can move on, whichever way it is.
I also agree with Jenny. People will use a referendum to voice their opinion of the EU as a whole and however the question is drafted it will be answered as "Yes I'm in favour of the EU" or "No I'm not in favour of the EU". My own feelings are ambivalent but I despise all the policians from Edward Heath onward who despite knowing that the electorate only ever agreed to an Economic Union, have progressively taken us into a political union despite having no mandate. For once I find myself agreeing with the Lib Dems that we must have a referendum that addresses this basic issue, never mind the "constitution", so we can move on, whichever way it is.
Posted by: Andy, Locks Heath on 12:26pm Mon 3 Mar 08
Ah yes "Jenny Tull" - very droll! And I saw her brother Jethro at Wickham last summer too.
Ah yes "Jenny Tull" - very droll! And I saw her brother Jethro at Wickham last summer too.
Posted by: Bruce on 3:43pm Mon 3 Mar 08
Of course Chris Huhne is against a referendum. He has based his whole political career in pushing for a country called Europe. His anti British actions are a disgrace. Vote him out at the next general election
Of course Chris Huhne is against a referendum. He has based his whole political career in pushing for a country called Europe. His anti British actions are a disgrace. Vote him out at the next general election
Posted by: Stephen, Aberdeen on 6:38pm Mon 3 Mar 08
Bruce,
Try to keep up. It is LibDem policy to not have a referendum on the treaty until there has been another referendum on whether we should stay in the EU first.
Bruce,
Try to keep up. It is LibDem policy to not have a referendum on the treaty until there has been another referendum on whether we should stay in the EU first.
Posted by: Rufus T Firefly on 7:02pm Tue 4 Mar 08
Jenny Tull, you are absolutely spot on. I applaud your remarks.
A referendum on this (or pretty much any) matter would simply be an exercise in amateur politics.
Why, in the name of all that's holy, would the man on the street in Eastleigh be in any position to judge on the Lisbon Treaty?
We vote for a government to make these decisions. Not happy with their decisions? DON'T VOTE FOR THEM NEXT TIME!! It's quite easy.
I haven't got the time to be consulted on every issue the government has to deal with. I let them get on with it.
Anyway, this 'ballot' was about as scientific as pin the tail on the donkey.
Ignore it.
Jenny Tull, you are absolutely spot on. I applaud your remarks.
A referendum on this (or pretty much any) matter would simply be an exercise in amateur politics.
Why, in the name of all that's holy, would the man on the street in Eastleigh be in any position to judge on the Lisbon Treaty?
We vote for a government to make these decisions. Not happy with their decisions? DON'T VOTE FOR THEM NEXT TIME!! It's quite easy.
I haven't got the time to be consulted on every issue the government has to deal with. I let them get on with it.
Anyway, this 'ballot' was about as scientific as pin the tail on the donkey.
Ignore it.
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