Shame on LibDem MPs

This past week has seen a vote in the House of Commons regarding the thorny matter of whether there should be a referendum on the the European Constitution (sorry I mean Lisbon Treaty). Largely due to the majority of LibDems abstaining the government carried the day with a very comfortable majority. Now I know that the LibDems had tried to instigate a referendum on the whole business of whether we should remain in Europe and that proposal had got short shrift but to have a three line whip to abstain from voting is totally unacceptable. Europe of course is a subject that divides all of the parties; in fact I can well remember at the time of Harold Wilson's referendum on Europe that right winger Enoch Powell and left winger Tony Benn were united in their opposition to the European ideal. You can hardly have got two more unlikely bedfellows than them!

To me for an MP not to vote one way or the other on such an important issue is a total cop out, a gross dereliction of their duty to their constituents in fact. Although I'm a pro referendum man I would have preferred the abstainers to have sided with the government rather than not vote at all. In Devon and Cornwall there were just two LibDem MPs who were principled enough to vote for a referendum. They were Richard Younger-Ross representing 'Teignbridge' and Andrew George whose patch is 'St Ives'. Well done gentlemen! You put your westcountry colleagues to shame.

Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo have their say

Last Wednesday many people will have participated in Halloween activities or, in my case, avoided them. But in the twin villages of Newton and Noss which face each other across the River Yealm in the far south west of Devon parishioners had the chance to indulge in another activity ...

It was their turn to make their thoughts known on the matter of a national referendum on the European Constitution if they so wished. This follows the recent parish referendum at Shaldon on which I had previously blogged on 26th October. As in the Shaldon case Newton and Noss overwhelmingly demonstrated their desire for an EU referendum.

The figures for Newton and Noss: Yes 302 No 26.

Now Shaldon votes on EU Referendum

Last month I had recorded the fact that the parish of East Stoke in Dorset had held a local referendum on the question "Do you want a referendum on the EU Constitutional Treaty? Yes or No?" Out of those who voted the reply was a massive "yes". I pointed out that a number of parishes in Devon and Cornwall were looking to ask a similar question. However I hadn't realised then that permission to hold such an event was in the gift of the relevant authority and now it transpires that some of them aren't going to play.

However the other week villagers at Shaldon on the south shore of Devon's Teign estuary had their chance to make their view known (well done Teignbridge District Council for facilitating this). On a turnout of 18.1% the votes were 260 to 12 - a pretty convincing margin I'd say for the yesses.

'Newton and Noss' in the far west of The South Hams could be one of the next places to exercise their democratic right on this issue. I don't think Gordon Brown will have an easy ride in the House of Commons regarding the EU Treaty and if enough parishes have a chance to express their opinion who knows what may happen. I hope those Labour MPs who are harbouring doubts about where their leadership is taking them will make a firm decision when their turn to vote comes; it is certainly not a matter to abstain on, that would be a real cop out. So a definite "Yes" or "No" is needed ladies and gentlemen.

Parishioners carry out referendum

The tiny village of East Stoke near Wareham in Dorset sounds an unlikely sort of place to start a revolution but it's been the scene of an unusual event this past week which just might be the start of something very significant in the democratic process. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is prepared to renege on the promise of his predecessor to hold a referendum on the question of the European Constitution. Originally of course the French and Dutch had scuppered the proposals so the powers that be have made one or two small changes, called it a treaty rather than a constitution so that in revised form it can come into effect. Whatever the politicians say I still consider that it is a proposal for a constitution and should still be put to the population at large.

Now it so happens that by way of an obscure piece of legislation a meeting can be called to discuss whether to hold a vote on an issue. If a minimum of 10 people at that meeting call for a poll then it must go ahead. The East Stoke question was absolutely straightforward: "Do you want a referendum on the EU Constitutional Treaty? Yes or No?". For that parish at least it was a very substantial "Yes" - out of the 300 plus parishioners 80 turned up with the result Yes 72, No 8.

Now in Devon and Cornwall there has been some interest in using this democratic process. Places as diverse as Sidmouth, Shaldon, Newton and Noss, Lanteglos by Fowey and Mawgan-in-Meneage could soon be in the limelight.

Whatever the outcome of any future mini referenda it would be good to see this government severely embarrassed. Politicians just pay lip service to democracy, if they can squirm away from it they surely will.