Referendum Debate

UKIP Councillor Stephen Allison has used Hartlepool Council’s Rules and procedures to force a debate calling for the Prime Minister to let the British people decide via a referendum on whether our country should remain within the European Union.

The local Council Chamber of Peter Mandelson’s former constituency will hold the debate on Thursday 26th October.

Councillor Allison said “Although the Labour Party dominates Hartlepool Council Chamber they have to allow this debate to take place. I know of many local Labour Party Members who behind close doors will admit they are in fact Euro-sceptics. It will be interesting to see if they toe the Party line or if they will vote with their consciences and follow their beliefs”

The debate has been called under Council Procedure Rule 12.1 in Part 4 of the Constitution and the full text of the motion is given below.

“As much of the growing legislative burden placed on Hartlepool Council originates from the European Union Government then Hartlepool Council call upon Gordon Brown as the British Prime Minister to let the British people decide via a referendum on whether our country should remain within the European Union. Hartlepool Council also calls upon Ian Wright as the Member of Parliament for Hartlepool to do all in his power to promote the holding of such a referendum.”

Stephen Allison admitted that the call on the local MP was a bit tongue in cheek. Councillor Allison said “Ian Wright has proved himself a reliable New Labour MP in that he will usually vote however he is told to vote by the Party Whips.” Councillor Allison continued “As far as many of Hartlepool's Councillors and the Hartlepool MP are concerned it appears to me that it is New Labour and political careers well ahead of anything their constituents may say”

Recent opinion polls have identified huge and growing support for a referendum. “Of course” said UKIP Councillor Stephen Allison, “the last Referendum held in the North East rejected by 4 to 1 the New Labour Proposals for an elected Regional Assembly, maybe that is why Gordon Brown and New Labour are so scared of giving the people a voice. The people might not give the politicians the answer they want.”

Stephen Allison
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