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Polls say 88% want EU referendum Polls say 88% want EU referendum
(about 1 hour 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 EU's 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 Liberal Democrat 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 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. Higher education minister Bill Rammell dismissed the poll as unrepresentative.
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. IWAR sent 420,000 ballot papers to voters on the publicly-available electoral roll, and says the number represents a turnout of 36.2% of those on the register.
The IWAR poll was carried out by Electoral Reform Services, a firm of independent election scrutineers recognised by the government and the UN. Constituencies where the mini-referendums were held included those of Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, Europe Minister Jim Murphy and Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne.
'Stunning' turnout 'Flawed exercise'
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. Mr Rammell, in whose Harlow constituency a vote was held, dismissed the results as a "flawed exercise".
He said the turnout figure in his constituency was "lower than any local government election that I have ever participated in."
Mr Rammell, who had a majority of less than 100 at the last general election, told BBC 1's The Politics Show: "There are some real questions to be answered by the organisers.
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
"Why 10 Labour and Liberal Democrat marginal constituencies? Why not one referendum in (Tory former chancellor) Ken Clarke's constituency, who is arguing against a referendum?"
Derek Scott, former Downing Street aide and chairman of the IWAR campaign, said: "We have taken the most up-to-date and the only publicly available register there is and on that basis it is a very substantial turnout.
"There is no reason to suppose that people who have not been sent ballot papers... would be any different.
'Substantial' turnout
"There is a very significant number of people across the country who want a referendum."
IWAR is backed by Labour former ministers Kate Hoey and Frank Field and Lib Dem Mike Hancock, but has faced accusations it is a Tory front rather than a genuinely cross-party organisation.
It says it only campaigned against Labour and Lib Dem MPs in marginal seats because both parties broke their pledge to hold a referendum.
The poll was carried out by Electoral Reform Services, a firm of independent election scrutineers recognised by the government and the UN.
Respondents were asked whether the UK should hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, with 88% voting 'yes'. They were also asked if the UK should approve the treaty and 89% voted against.
Commons vote
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 Lisbon Treaty, also known as the EU Reform Treaty, was drawn up to replace 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. Ministers say it only amends the EU's existing constitution and a referendum is no longer needed.
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 IWAR, say the two documents are substantially the same and that the public must have a say.
'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.
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. B>'Dirty tricks'
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." The party staged a Commons walkout last week after being refused a vote on the issue.
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. Welcoming the result, Ms Hoey said: "All MPs should now take note, listen to their constituents and vote for a referendum on Wednesday."
"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." Polling expert Anthony Wells, of UK Polling Report, said: "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.