The Liberal Democrats are voting today on an EU referendum at their annual conference in Glasgow. The People's Pledge which is a cross party organisation campaigning for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU had drawn up five questions for Nick Clegg in an attempt to clarify his EU referendum policy. They ask can he answer them?
Question 1: Back in 2008, the Lib Dems campaigned strongly that you wanted to give people a "real choice" of "a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union", rejecting the "limited" vote some were pushing for on the Lisbon Treaty. Here is the leaflet your party published for that campaign. Why don't you support such a referendum today?
Question 2: You now say that "fundamental change" in Britain's relationship with the EU must once again be proposed before you will support an in-out EU vote. But why must we wait for the EU to demand more powers before we can make a choice about our membership as it stands today? Isn't that just a delaying tactic because you don't really want to give people a say?
Question 3: What does "fundamental change" in our relationship with the EU actually mean in any case, given not even the Lisbon Treaty seemed to qualify? The lack of any definition just gives the impression you are providing yourself wriggle-room to continue to block any EU referendum that's proposed. Would you say that's the best approach to such a popular issue if you're serious about helping to rebuild trust in politicians?
Question 4: Aren't you worried by poll evidence that shows typically between a half and three quarters of previous Lib Dem voters support the holding of an EU referendum within the next few years? Don't you think this clear disconnect with your party's own voters on this popular issue could be a key factor feeding the Lib Dems' current unpopularity?
Question 5: You demanded a referendum on whether the AV voting system should be adopted for Westminster elections. But if we can have a referendum on how MPs get to Westminster, why can't we have one on the arguably more significant matter of the powers MPs have relative to the EU when they get there? A House of Commons Library paper (No. 10/62) has put the proportion of our laws now originating in the EU at over 50%.
People's Pledge co-founder, Stuart Coster comments: "Nick Clegg is hiding behind the line that 'fundamental change' in Britain's relationship with the EU is required before an in-out EU vote should be held. But why is it necessary for us to wait indefinitely for the EU to propose new transfers of power before we are allowed to make a choice. Neither has the Lib Dem leader explained what 'fundamental change' in our relationship with the EU actually means, given not even the Lisbon Treaty qualified. Nick Clegg appears to be leaving himself sufficient wriggle room to block a referendum whatever EU change is proposed.
Continuing Mr Coster said: "With an EU referendum policy that proffers more questions than answers, the Lib Dems are just giving everyone the impression they want to kick the issue into the long grass. Polls show this stance is proving catastrophically unpopular even among Lib Dem voters, nevermind the broader public. The party's reputation for slippery anti-referendum tactics that are underlying its popularity problems will continue without a clear pledge and timetable for giving people a say on Britain's membership of the EU. Nick Clegg could take one easy, democratic step to improve his party's fortunes and that's to pledge to support an in-out EU referendum held before the end of the next parliament."
Concluding Mr Coster commented: "In the absence of a change of policy we will be working in marginal constituencies between now and the next election to ensure Liberal Democrat candidates do not succeed in misleading people into thinking that their party supports an EU referendum by making favourable noises but always arguing vague conditions haven't been met."
The People's Pledge do claim that "John Hemming was the only Lib Dem MP to vote for an EU referendum when the matter was last debated in Parliament", although he didn't as the last time a referendum was debated in the Commons it was during the second reading of European Union (Referendum) Bill on 5th of July and no Liberal Democrat voted for or against the bill
