We should have a referendum on Lisbon, too

By Olly Deed

Irish voters go to the polls today, for the second time, to vote on the Lisbon Treaty. They are widely expected to vote yes, resulting in the ratification of Lisbon amongst all member states. Given the position of many of my friends and colleagues within the Labour party, I’m surprised to say that I find myself in agreement with many, spanning Tony Benn to David Cameron; the British public should be given the opportunity to vote on the Lisbon Treaty. And I’m surprised that more on the left don’t support this view.

Please don’t confuse my position, however, with that of David Cameron and the Conservative party. I want a referendum for different reasons and would almost certainly vote differently to Conservative party members. Conservative support for the referendum on Lisbon is based on a Euro-scepticism, best articulated by Daniel Hannan. Having many friends who are members of the Conservative party, I am absolutely certain that they would rather Britain left the European Union.

Well, I think they are wrong. With the rapid growth in globalisation, nation-states are losing their importance. But that debate is for another time and place.

So why should we have a referendum? Well, we live in a democracy. Referenda forms an important component within this. The last time the British had a referendum on Europe was in 1975. The institution that we now know as the European Union is fundamentally different to that of the institution the British voted on in 1975. So surely we should allow the British people a say in the processes that punctuate further European integration. I think it breathtakingly arrogant not to.

Now, in the various different debates I’ve had about a couple of key themes keep coming up. First, that we shouldn’t have a referendum because we won’t win. Second, if we have a referendum on this then we should have one on every constitutional document we ever sign. Third, the British people don’t understand the Lisbon Treaty. And last but not least, the right wing press will never allow us to have a proper debate on this. Let’s take a look at these.

The first argument (and I swear to you, I have heard it several times) is the most ridiculous I have ever heard. Should Labour not call a general election then, because it might lose that? This sort of authoritarianism is dangerous. I shall leave it there before I say something I regret.

The second argument is the most compelling. Referenda set precedents. If we have one for Lisbon, we should have one for every constitutional document ever produced in Brussels. But hang on a minute. I was under the impression that the Lisbon Treaty was going to be the last in a long line of documents. Lisbon ties up the loose ends that have been left unresolved since Maastrict. And I wouldn’t necessarily disagree with the notion that we should have referendum on all European treaties. These treaties have a real and significant impact on the lives of British people, they deserve the opportunity to vote on them.

The third argument is the most arrogant I have ever heard in my life. The British people are not stupid. Paternalism is not a trait I much admire within a political party. To imply that the British people are stupid is offensive. The Irish voters are intelligent enough to have a referendum, as were the Dutch and the French. It is the job of those on the pro-Lisbon side of the debate to make this treaty comprehensible to the average man and woman. If they fail to do this, then perhaps that is indicative of the treaty itself.

And lastly, I would say to those who worry about the right wing press, take them on. Mr Murdoch’s monopoly on the issue of Europe and immigration needs to be broken and this is the perfect opportunity. The Sun does not win elections, it doesn’t shape campaigns and it won’t determine the result of this election. So please, for the love of God, lets get out there and show them this. This contemptuous man needs to be taken down a peg or two. And a yes vote, in a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is just the way to do it. Getting Lisbon in through the back door has given him a stick to beat us. Please let’s reverse the roles on this one.

Let me end this by saying a couple of things. I am a pro-European who would vote yes in a referendum on Lisbon, because I think the measures contained within the Treaty are good for Britain. But I’m not arrogant enough to believe that my opinion is a panacea. My faith in democracy and the British people transcends my Labour party membership or my pro-European views. I wish others felt the same way.