MPs were under huge pressure to support a referendum on the new EU treaty after the biggest test of public opinion on the issue so far showed almost 90 per cent of voters want a ballot.
That the turnout was higher than most local elections, that the vast majority wanted a referendum, and that a similarly large majority would vote no in such, makes no difference.
What, you think this Europe thing is driven by the will of the people?
There’s no evidence that there would be similarly large majority in a real ballot. This is not an unbiased sample -those who were anti the treaty were much more likely to vote in this bizarre stunt and for a referendum.
What you are saying, Matthew, is that those who really give a shit about this issue were the ones who voted.
And this differs from a real referendum… how?
DK
“Bizarre stunt” = “I don’t like it.”
“There’s no evidence that there would be similarly large majority in a real ballot.”
There is only one way to get that evidence isn’t there? So presumably you too would like a proper, binding referendum to get the answer, one way or the other?
Matthew,
I bet you 1 million pounds that if there were a referendum the NO vote would win EASILY.
Not that our lords and masters would ever allow such a thing so I guess your pension pot is safe!
Zorro
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