John Mann writes to Ed Miliband – and calls on him to pledge an EU Referendum within 12 months of the next election

Labour backbencher John Mann has today written to Ed Miliband, calling on him to pledge an EU referendum within 12 months of the 2015 General Election. Citing a survey in his constituency, Mann says that “the people are becoming restless and my constituents want their say on Britain’s future in the EU”. Mann’s letter is published in full below:

Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP
Leader of the Opposition
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA

11 March 2014

Dear Ed,

Under your leadership, our party is being transformed into a Labour Party fit to address the new challenges faced by our nation- standing up against a rotten Tory led Government that is squeezing hard pressed families up and down the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.

I believe there is no other credible party with the ideas and values to create a fairer and more just society, and believe that our membership of the European Union has in many respects been valuable in providing opportunities that have made the United Kingdom economically, culturally and socially a much wealthier nation.

In a recent survey of nearly 3,000 Labour and undecided voters in Bassetlaw living in our Labour heartland areas, a clear message has emerged. 52% of those polled want the UK to leave the EU, 17 % want the UK to stay and 31% are unsure. Of those expressing a view on Europe, 75.2% voted to leave. Clearly this is concerning not just for the Party but also for the forthcoming Euro Elections.

The question of the UK’s continued membership of the European Union is an issue that is not going to go away – the people are becoming restless and my constituents want their say on Britain’s future in the EU. I feel that the Labour Party should be recognising and supporting these calls, and I call on you to agree to hold a referendum on our continued membership of the European Union within 12 month of the General Election in 2015, on a date separate from any other elections, should you become Prime Minister.

I will be fighting tooth and nail for a Labour majority government in 2015 under your leadership, and should there be a referendum on the future of our European membership I would expect the Labour Party to rigorously support remaining in the European Union, but now is the time for us to hold a public debate on this issue, and for the British public to decide the future of our great country.

A Westminster elite, or a people’s champion? This issue will demonstrate more than any other that Labour has the confidence and the belief in trusting the people.

With best wishes

John Mann
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR BASSETLAW