We Must Have A Say on How We Are Governed

The Sunday Times leader this morning is calling for a referendum the so called 'Reform Treaty'. "So much for Gordon Brown’s promise to devolve power to the citizen," it thunders:

''When it comes to European Union stitch-ups, it seems, Mr Brown remains the control freak of old. His assertion that a parliamentary vote on the proposed new EU constitution – and it is a constitution, Mr Brown – is all that is necessary, and that a referendum is unnecessary, is classic elite politics. We won't ask the people because they'll tell us what we don't want to hear.''

"Mr Brown's already high poll ratings would almost certainly climb even higher if he were to prove himself the champion of democracy and do the right thing: offer us a vote on our own constitution," the paper then adds. "He would show himself to be consistent, tough, forward thinking and, above all, in tune with his own people. What more could a prime minister on the verge of a general election want?""So come on," it concludes: "Mr Brown: give us the referendum your party promised."

Add that influential comment those of two senior Labour MPs who represent a hard core of 40 Labour MP's who are preparing to put an embrassing 15 point plan to the Prime Minister calling for a referendum or amendments to the treaty.

Gisela Stuart the outspoken MP for Birmingham Edgbaston and significantly a former UK parliamentary representative on the Convention on the Future of Europe recently commented: " I would have thought that the call for a referendum was a classic New Labour Agenda. We are the party that has asked the people far more often than any other party has done before.I can see, having skimmed through this new document, that all the big items are still there.'' Convincing arguments indeed.

Gwyneth Dunwoody the true conviction Labour MP representing Crew and Nantwich and (despite the past wishes of Tony Blair) has been the Chairman of the Commons transport committee, commented: I believe there should be a referendum and I hope my party will honour its commitment in our 2005 manifesto. This is more or less the same package of proposals that were contained in the previous EU constitution rejected by French and Dutch Voters. A national vote is needed if only on the proposed defence mechanisms.''

Mrs Dunwoody, who entered Parliament more that 40 years ago, added "I have strong reservations about the moves on the part of the Europe to consolidate legislation and have great concerns about the proposed changes. So in the rare case of the EU treaty, I believe we have to have a referendum.''

Thus is how the pressure is building up with the curious mixture of Tories, Trade Unionists back bench Labour MP's joining forces to demand a vote on the very fundamental changes on how we are to be governed.