Cameron rejects calls to commit to Lisbon treaty referendum

By Gavin Cordon and Joe Churcher, PA

Sunday, 4 October 2009

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David Cameron today rejected calls by Tory Eurosceptics to commit to a referendum on the controversial Lisbon Treaty even if it has been ratified by the rest of the EU.

After yesterday's Yes vote in the Irish referendum on the treaty removed a major obstacle to full ratification, the Tory leader was coming under renewed pressure to explain what he would do if it has been fully implemented by the time a Conservative government came to power.

But as activists gathered in Manchester for the start tomorrow of the party's annual conference, he insisted that he did not want to speculate as long as the two remaining member states - Poland and the Czech Republic - had yet to ratify.

"I don't want to say anything or do anything now that would undermine or prejudice what is happening in other countries where they are still debating whether to ratify this treaty. That is a very sensible thing to do," he told BBC1's The Andrew Marr show.

"There were three countries that it hadn't been ratified in - Ireland, the Czech Republic and Poland. There are now two so I don't see any reason to change our approach because one of those has decided to ratify.

"I think people will understand this argument that while there are other countries actually delaying the implementation of this treaty, don't do anything or say anything that stops them from doing that."

Foreign Secretary David Miliband seized on comments by London Mayor Boris Johnson to claim that the Tories were split on Europe.

Mr Johnson told The Sunday Times that the prospect of Tony Blair becoming the new EU president under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, underlined the need for a referendum, even if it had been ratified.

"If we are faced with the prospect of Tony Blair suddenly emerging, suddenly pupating into an intergalactic spokesman for Europe, then I think the British people deserve a say," he said.

"I do think it would be right for such a debate to be held, particularly if the upshot of the Lisbon Treaty is going to produce President Blair."

Mr Miliband said: "Boris Johnson's comments show that the Tories are split right to the top on Europe."

Comments

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Cameron rejects calls to commit to Lisbon treaty referendum

mikem1 wrote:

Sunday, 4 October 2009 at 10:06 am (UTC)

Boris Johnson has the powers to call a referendum in London. This would, at the least, display part of this country's attitude toward the EU. Indeed Local Government also has these powers but are either too scared or incompetent to use them. I am not a member of UKIP but at least they are honest in their endeavours. The rest of the governing classes are mendacious frauds.

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Referendum in other European countries

jadrano wrote:

Sunday, 4 October 2009 at 10:24 am (UTC)

If Tony Blair should become president, there should be referendums in other European countries, as well. Surely, the treaty has already been accepted in most of these other countries, but, of course, people thought that respectable people would be appointed to the new posts of president and foreign minister. If, instead, a crook and liar who should actually be behind bars is appointed, this is something completely different from what people who accepted the treaty had to reckon with.

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Yes, No, No its Yes

snotcricket wrote:

Sunday, 4 October 2009 at 10:36 am (UTC)

And so began the politicial dynasties of Europe, the only no vote being none were cast.

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house of mirrors

leoardo wrote:

Sunday, 4 October 2009 at 10:40 am (UTC)

The amount of spin on thetory retreat from brussels is shocking, do the village of westminister think they are important in acountry of 500 million, in reality westminister is barly a parish council, but to face that truth a cull of 50% of mps and the sacking of the house lord who are no longer the highest court, europe is, are we seeing the last hurrah of the delusion preserved by the ruling elite, empire matters. the future bright the future is b**** can;t get my hands to type the name.

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Cameron is a Fraud

berwick53 wrote:

Sunday, 4 October 2009 at 12:02 pm (UTC)

Ireland have just held a referendum which was hardly undermining the other states who haven`t ratified the Lisbon Treaty, so why is Cameron claiming that Tory commitment would be prejudicial to what is happening in other countries. Seems like he is reverting to type, just another lying fraud of a politician.

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There must be a referendum on this ...

kalvisjansons wrote:

Sunday, 4 October 2009 at 12:44 pm (UTC)

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to have a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Lisbon-ref/

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How you can help ...

kalvisjansons wrote:

Sunday, 4 October 2009 at 12:45 pm (UTC)

Tell everyone you know to sign this petition:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to have a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Lisbon-ref/

We need it to go viral.

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Passing Bandwagons

thorntongate wrote:

Sunday, 4 October 2009 at 08:24 pm (UTC)

That's the trouble with Dave, a bandwagon rolls by and he cannot jump on it quick enough.

One good might come of it, people might finally decide to turn their backs on the Brown-Cameron Punch'nJudy show and head for a third party.

It's time clear Parliament of the Osbornes and the Milipedes.

Let's out a bar on anyone who has not had a proper job from standing.

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