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Polls say 88% want EU referendum Polls say 88% want EU referendum
(10 minutes later)
Some 88% of the British public want a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, according to private polls for the I Want a Referendum (IWAR) campaign.Some 88% of the British public want a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, according to private polls for the I Want a Referendum (IWAR) campaign.
The unofficial ballot was conducted by postal vote last month in 10 Labour and Lib Dem marginal seats.The unofficial ballot was conducted by postal vote last month in 10 Labour and Lib Dem marginal seats.
A total of 152,520 people voted, with 133,251 backing a referendum. IWAR claims the 36.2% turnout is higher than that in local council elections.A total of 152,520 people voted, with 133,251 backing a referendum. IWAR claims the 36.2% turnout is higher than that in local council elections.
It has denied claims it is a Tory front and says it has cross-party backing.It has denied claims it is a Tory front and says it has cross-party backing.
It said it campaigned only campaigned against Labour and Lib Dem MPs, as those two parties had broken their manifesto pledge for a referendum on the failed EU constitution, which they say is the same as the Lisbon treaty. It said it only campaigned against Labour and Lib Dem MPs, as those two parties had broken their manifesto pledge for a referendum on the failed EU constitution, which they say is the same as the Lisbon treaty.
The IWAR poll was carried out by Electoral Reform Services, a firm of independent election scrutineers recognised by the government and the UN.The IWAR poll was carried out by Electoral Reform Services, a firm of independent election scrutineers recognised by the government and the UN.
'Stunning' turnout'Stunning' turnout
Respondents were asked whether the UK should hold a referendum on the treaty, with 88% voting yes. Asked if the UK should approve the treaty, 89% voted no.Respondents were asked whether the UK should hold a referendum on the treaty, with 88% voting yes. Asked if the UK should approve the treaty, 89% voted no.
All MPs should now take note, listen to their constituents and vote for a referendum Labour MP Kate HoeyAll MPs should now take note, listen to their constituents and vote for a referendum Labour MP Kate Hoey
The result comes ahead of a Commons vote on Wednesday on a Conservative amendment to the EU Treaty Bill, calling for a referendum.The result comes ahead of a Commons vote on Wednesday on a Conservative amendment to the EU Treaty Bill, calling for a referendum.
The three main parties promised a public vote on the EU Constitution, which was abandoned in 2005 after being rejected by Dutch and French voters.The three main parties promised a public vote on the EU Constitution, which was abandoned in 2005 after being rejected by Dutch and French voters.
The EU Reform Treaty was drawn up instead and ministers argue that no referendum is needed as it merely amends the EU's existing constitution.The EU Reform Treaty was drawn up instead and ministers argue that no referendum is needed as it merely amends the EU's existing constitution.
But the Tories, UKIP, SNP, Plaid Cymru, DUP and various groups, including I Want a Referendum, say the two documents are substantially the same and that the public must have a say.But the Tories, UKIP, SNP, Plaid Cymru, DUP and various groups, including I Want a Referendum, say the two documents are substantially the same and that the public must have a say.
'Dirty tricks''Dirty tricks'
Some Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs also back a public vote. The Lib Dem leadership wants a referendum on the wider question of Britain's membership of the EU - but its amendment calling for such a vote was rejected prompting a Commons walkout by members of its front bench including leader Nick Clegg and foreign affairs spokesman Nick Harvey, who was barred by the Speaker from taking further part in the ratification debate.Some Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs also back a public vote. The Lib Dem leadership wants a referendum on the wider question of Britain's membership of the EU - but its amendment calling for such a vote was rejected prompting a Commons walkout by members of its front bench including leader Nick Clegg and foreign affairs spokesman Nick Harvey, who was barred by the Speaker from taking further part in the ratification debate.
Welcoming the result of the private ballot, Labour former minister Kate Hoey said: "All MPs should now take note, listen to their constituents and vote for a referendum on Wednesday."Welcoming the result of the private ballot, Labour former minister Kate Hoey said: "All MPs should now take note, listen to their constituents and vote for a referendum on Wednesday."
Polling expert Anthony Wells, of UK Polling Report, said: "A turnout in the mid thirties is stunning for a private referendum, higher than you'd expect to find in some actual local elections.Polling expert Anthony Wells, of UK Polling Report, said: "A turnout in the mid thirties is stunning for a private referendum, higher than you'd expect to find in some actual local elections.
"Private referendums run the risk of only those sympathetic to the cause taking part in the vote, but with independent opinion polls consistently showing around four-fifths of those who express an opinion support a referendum, these don't seem too out of line.""Private referendums run the risk of only those sympathetic to the cause taking part in the vote, but with independent opinion polls consistently showing around four-fifths of those who express an opinion support a referendum, these don't seem too out of line."
I Want a Referendum campaigners, who last week gathered outside Parliament to lobby MPs, claim some MPs "resorted to dirty tricks" to stop people voting in the unofficial referendum.I Want a Referendum campaigners, who last week gathered outside Parliament to lobby MPs, claim some MPs "resorted to dirty tricks" to stop people voting in the unofficial referendum.
They accused Europe Minister Jim Murphy and Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne of leafleting constituents telling them not to vote.They accused Europe Minister Jim Murphy and Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne of leafleting constituents telling them not to vote.