AS a supporter of the EU and indeed of an eventual United States of Europe, I was initially disappointed at Parliament’s vote not to have a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU, for I am convinced the vast majority of British people recognise the advantage of membership.
The Government has an act before Parliament to hold a referendum on any matter that alters our relationship with the EU and upon further investigation it would appear that MP Peter Bone’s amendment to this act would trigger another referendum every time that a referendum voted against a particular proposal, this could lead to not one referendum, which are expensive, but a constant stream of them. I am therefore glad that this amendment was thoroughly defeated.
I further feel that the Government’s act is too loosely worded and all EU law could be challenged in court bringing about a farcical and costly situation.
Finally, and I am sure that even hardened Euro sceptics like the UKIP will agree, it’s a scandal that on such an important issue as this over half of MPs did not bother to vote.
STEVE THOMPSON Norman Road Swindon
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