John Baron MP says today’s EU Referendum Bill is long overdue

MP supports Bill in House of Commons

Today in the House of Commons, MPs debated the Private Member’s Bill tabled by James Wharton MP. The Bill contains legislation for an in/out referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union within the next Parliament.

The Bill is the result of a long-running campaign. In June 2012, John Baron MP and 100 Conservative Party colleagues wrote to the Prime Minister, calling for the Government to pass legislation in this Parliament for an in/out referendum in the next. In January 2013, the Prime Minister agreed to such a referendum in 2017. But the 100 thought legislation in this Parliament was also important. In May, John tabled an Amendment to the Queen’s Speech, regretting the absence of an EU referendum Bill to this effect, which was supported by 115 Conservative MPs and 17 others.

In the House of Commons, John said,

“This Bill is absolutely right and long overdue – the public have been waiting for too long to express their view as to whether the UK should remain a member of the EU, which has fundamentally changed since we first joined it in 1973.”

“The political establishment in this country has essentially closed ranks over the last 30 years, and denied the people their say. This arrogant, condescending approach by the political élites has not gone unnoticed by the electorate.”

“I congratulate the Prime Minister for being the first major political leader to offer an in/out referendum – where he leads I am sure others will follow. I also thank him for listening to his Back Benchers and Party faithful, in embracing the idea of a referendum in the next Parliament and legislation in this – although a Private Members Bill was not our first choice.”

“Legislation is important. There is deep public scepticism when people hear promises being made by politicians on the EU – too many have been broken in the past. They remember Blair’s broken promises over the EU Constitution and Lisbon Treaty. They remember Liberal promises at every General Election.”

“This is why legislation is important in this Parliament – because it is more believable than election manifesto promises. This is not an issue of trust between David Cameron and his Back Benchers. It is rather an issue of trust between politicians in general and the electorate.”

Ends

Word Count: 394

Date: 5^th July 2013

Notes to Editors:

• A copy of the Bill is online at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2013-2014/0011/14011.pdf.