Lib Dem calls for Euro referendum

10.31.07pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 9th Sep 2007

Liberal Democrat Cllr David McBride has joined a campaign by some of his party's MPs to try to persuade the Government to hold a referendum on the proposed new European Constitution.

Cllr David McBride, who is to stand in Orpington at the next General Election, has joined Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock in his campaign, aimed at letting voters have a say in whether Britain adopts the Constitution or not.

Cllr McBride said, "At the last election all three of the main parties supported a referendum on the Constitution. The new treaty contains almost all the same proposals in a new form.

Almost every other European leader admits that the new version of the Constitution is essentially the same as the old. But now the Government wants to back out of its promise to hold a referendum."

As fellow Cray Valley East Councillors Martin Curry and Brenda Thompson joined him in supporting the campaign, Cllr McBride said, "Regardless of whether people agree with the Constitutional Treaty or not, the point is that voters should have a say on whether it is adopted."