Like most Brits I think I am apathetic to politics. One is much the same as another. We’re certainly not like the Kenyans for example, if our candidate loses it’s soon Monday and back to work.
But I think there is something to be said here, on Europe. Like many young people of my generation I believe that we should be part of Europe. But to sign away rights, foreign policy and god knows what else in a treaty that looks like a state constitution (European Union treaty) without holding a referendum does seem to me to be playing with fire.
Gordon Brown, our esteemed Prime Minster, seems to be of the position that we don’t have that right, and we should just do what he says. Well I feel that’s not democracy. This is something more than just trusting our politicians, this is something that will affect all of us regardless of our political persuasion.
Even if the Labour backbenchers did pull some kind of rebellion, although it would be supported by say, the Liberal Democrats (who themselves have had their own attempts at referendum “kaiboshed”), it seems unlikely to cause any ripple or achieve the desired effect.
For a really good read on the European Union treaty, or I should say the Reform Treaty, the Social Europe Blog has a great article (linked).
[...] The English Guy’s Personal Blog wrote an interesting post today on Referendum on EuropeHere’s a quick excerpt Like most ...
[...] Referendum on Europe But I think there is something to be said here, on Europe. Like many young people ...