John Baron MP welcomes reports of EU Referendum Bill in forthcoming Queen’s Speech

MP says Bill will bring the Government closer to the electorate

Well-sourced reports indicate that, at this morning’s Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister announced an EU Referendum Bill would be in the Queen’s Speech. This follows the failure of the Private Member’s EU Referendum Bill, which, after successfully clearing the House of Commons, was talked out in the Lords by a coalition of Labour and Lib Dem Peers. However, as a Government Bill in the Queen’s Speech, the Prime Minister can make Parliamentary time available to ensure the Bill makes progress.

John Baron MP had tabled an Amendment to the last Queen’s Speech ‘regretting’ the absence of an EU Referendum Bill, which was defeated 227-130, when the Conservative Front Bench was ordered to abstain. However, the Amendment had the effect of changing David Cameron’s mind into supporting a Private Member’s EU Referendum Bill.

John said,

“If true, this is a very welcome development. The Prime Minister has listened – the Amendment I tabled to the Queen’s Speech last year called for a Government Bill to provide for an EU Referendum. Such a Bill, if it becomes law, will bring the Conservatives closer to the electorate.”

Ends

Word Count: 207

Date: 4^th March 2014

Notes to Editors:

• For further information, please see: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2572865/Osborne-ambushes-Lib-Dems-Cabinet-demand-EU-referendum-included-years-Queens-Speech.html.