Standing up for the British people

Last week I was dismissed from the Commons for one day by the Deputy Speaker. This was unusual for me: I don’t have a rebellious reputation. So what was the fuss about?

I wanted a debate, to enable Parliament to give the British people a referendum, as to whether Britain should stay in the European Union.

I was cross at being “gagged” - this is fundamental to democracy, involving election promises.

Back in 2005, all parties stood on manifestos pledging a vote on the then Constitutional Treaty, which replaced all past European Treaties, from Rome to Maastricht, with one new EU Constitution.

When that Constitutional Treaty fell before a referendum was held, it was replaced with the Lisbon Treaty - a more modest affair, that dropped the constitutional elements, was only a quarter of the length, and was, in the UK’s case, changed in significant details.

So the question arose, how best to honour election pledges? Conservatives want to persist with a referendum on the new Treaty, despite the major changes, while Labour wants no referendum. Liberal Democrats meanwhile believe a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU comes closest to our promise.

As Charles Kennedy said back then: “It's time for this debate - time for us to decide what we actually want from Europe. I believe, once the argument has been joined, the consensus will be that it's better to be in than out.”

If you agree with me, that there should be such an “in or out” referendum, please sign our petition.

The people must not be gagged.