[Shaun]

According to this BBC News report, click here, the new leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, has said that his party would not vote for a referendum on the EU Treaty.

Many, particularly the Conservative Party, see this as a betrayal on those who'd supported the Lib Dems, since they had said they'd abstain from voting on the matter.

Firstly, what is your opinion of Nick Clegg's change of heart, and secondly do you want a referendum before signing the EU Treaty?

-------------------------------

Personally, I'm absolutely livid that he's done this, and it just goes to explain why people have so little faith in politicians nowadays. The people of the United Kingdom should have some say in an affair such as this, which will basically sign away huge areas of our sovereignty (ability to govern ourselves).

[bananarama]

Yes I think there should be a referendum although I beleve the Tories are as usual exploiting the natural instincts of those suffering from Europhobia..

A referendum would be the honest way out if the campaigne for the choice was also honest and not full of hysterical anti Europe sentiments.

But alas I think such a campaigne would degenerate into a them or us argument and we would not be given info in layman terms as to the benifits or otherwise......

Newspapers would take sides but would they properly inform the public for them to make an intelligent assessment of yes or no.

I think most people would vote according to party lines instead of analysing the consequences one way or the other......That's my argument against a referendum but personally would like one as I don't follow party lines or any propaganda hysterical phobia lines for that matter......

[Captain.Remy]

I think you should do it because you will choose yourself and not the Government. That's what we have done in 2005 and it worked perfectly, we did disagree with Jacques Chirac who wanted to join this Constitution. Fortunatly, french people have voted and riots did not happen.

If it worked in France then it will in Britain, even if the answer is yes. The reactions will be far calmer.

[Matt]

I am not surprised that the Government rejected a referedum yesterday. No matter whether you are against or are for the treaty, they should have had the referendum. So much for power for the people.

Labour and the Lib Dems are doing themselves no favours. I can see the Conservatives being voted back into power at the next election.

[Dan_]

I'm very annoyed that the government wouldn't allow for the people to have a say on the issue of the EU Treaty.It's just another of the broken promises from the government and indicates that they seemingly cannot trust the public to vote in line with their position on the matter.

Clegg to me just showed his cowardice on the matter by abstaining from the vote.Well done to those members of his party who resigned,at least they showed some honour to their constituents.

[alan_powers]

This is all aloud of bollocks, we all know that the neo-conservative jews who run america, are trying to form a NEW EMPIRE (Europe) becuase America is failing, to try and keep control of the world.

Note: the reason us english people feel like our media turns against us, is becuase we dont actually run it.


So where we like it or not, we dont actually run our own country, so I bet £150 on that we become fully part of europe within the next 10 years, as america pans down.

[Shaun]

LOL.

That's all I can say really.

[secrets]

we should have a referendum,but this is no longer a democracy,we now live in a police state.

were the third highest taxed country in the world,we dare not speak a word against anything happening in this once proud country.
CCTV camera,s follow us everywhere,prices of bare essentials going through the roof,stealth taxes are reducing us to a 3rd world country,petrol prices £5 a gallon,cigarettes £5 and most of that is tax.

communism by another name.!

[bananarama]

Third world countries can hardly afford food let alone cigatettes so no as angry as one might be with this control freak government we are certainly no where near being a third world economy.

I agree with the communism accusation. I would go further and call them copy cats of the taliban in the sense they want to dictate what people can say think or do.....We are all free as long as we follow how the government thinks..

Unfortunately the conservatives are no better. The quality of British politics is well and truly in the sewer..

[secrets]

Originally posted by bananarama
Third world countries can hardly afford food let alone cigatettes so no as angry as one might be with this control freak government we are certainly no where near being a third world economy.

I agree with the communism accusation. I would go further and call them copy cats of the taliban in the sense they want to dictate what people can say think or do.....We are all free as long as we follow how the government thinks..

Unfortunately the conservatives are no better. The quality of British politics is well and truly in the sewer..

third world countries DO afford cigarettes cause ciggs are just pence a pack,and its the only thing these people do afford.having spent several years in third world countries,cigarettes are the one pleasure they do have.

[bananarama]

Originally posted by secrets

third world countries DO afford cigarettes cause ciggs are just pence a pack,and its the only thing these people do afford.having spent several years in third world countries,cigarettes are the one pleasure they do have.

I suppose it's how you define a third world country. One that can put cigarettes before food is not one in my opinion. As for cigarettes being a pleasure. No food is a pleasure in a third world country...Cigarettes are suicide sticks......

[secrets]

bananarama,
have you lived in a third world country.?

i dont think you have any idea of what you are talking about.!

seems you would deprive them of their cigarettes,whether you like it or not MOST people in third world countries do smoke,and they do enjoy their cigarettes.

did,nt you know that most of these folks live on their own bit of land,growing their own staple food.

you are living in your own little bubble and obviously have no idea about the greater world.

do go and work among these wonderful but deprived folks and you might have a better understanding.
my bet is you would,nt hack it for 5 minutes,and you would,nt endear yourself to them by banning their ciggs.

[Sunny_01]

I think it is terrible that we have been denied the opportunity to make informed decisions for ourselves. I personally would have voted against the treaty because there are many elements of it that I do not agree with. I do not think that our government should willingly hand over even more control to Brussels. I am opposed to losing even more of our countries individual identity. I am proud to be British and would like it to remain that way.

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Sunny_01
I think it is terrible that we have been denied the opportunity to make informed decisions for ourselves. I personally would have voted against the treaty because there are many elements of it that I do not agree with. I do not think that our government should willingly hand over even more control to Brussels. I am opposed to losing even more of our countries individual identity. I am proud to be British and would like it to remain that way.

Same for me, I'm strongly against Europe. My family voted against in 1992. I think we are losing our identity, the Euro was a big mistake, now we are all "european citizens". I deeply respect Britain for staying the way it is.
France is strongly against that too, we voted against in 2005 and according to the most serious polls in the country, 58% are still against that treaty.

[bananarama]

Originally posted by secrets
bananarama,
have you lived in a third world country.?

i dont think you have any idea of what you are talking about.!

seems you would deprive them of their cigarettes,whether you like it or not MOST people in third world countries do smoke,and they do enjoy their cigarettes.

did,nt you know that most of these folks live on their own bit of land,growing their own staple food.

you are living in your own little bubble and obviously have no idea about the greater world.

do go and work among these wonderful but deprived folks and you might have a better understanding.
my bet is you would,nt hack it for 5 minutes,and you would,nt endear yourself to them by banning their ciggs.

Some live in a bubble thats a fact. I would never call people who waste money on cancer sticks third world victims. They are victims of there own stupidity.......Only fools would consider cigaretts as a pleasure. its an addiction and a stupid one at that.......