I’m writing this column from the House of Commons Library after having just voted in the Aye Lobby in favour the EU Referendum Bill to give the people a direct say at the ballot box on our membership of the EU.
The original Conservative bill was introduced last year and was passed by Conservative MPs in the House of Commons, but was shamefully blocked by Labour and the Liberal Democrats combining forces in Parliament to defeat it later.
This autumn Conservative MPs have reintroduced the legislation to try and achieve an in/out UK/EU membership referendum and it would be appalling if Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg instruct their MPs and Lords to stop you having a vote. It’s now four decades since the British people last had a say on what was then being part of the Common Market, let alone the political body the EU has now become.
It is worth remembering that this has been the first UK Government to achieve a reduction in the EU budget – something that UKIP’s MEPs in Brussels incredibly voted against.
Already since 2010 this Government has made it law that a referendum lock now exists to halt any further transfer of sovereignty to Europe without a public poll. The current administration also cancelled the previous Labour administration’s commitment to fund the euro bail-out mechanism.
Of course, a referendum on the EU is part of wider constitutional reform recently announced by the Prime Minister. I support the repeal the so-called Human Rights Act, and the introduction of a British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, finally ensuring, for example, that foreign criminals and terrorists will be unable to evade deportation because it is their claimed ‘human right’ to remain in the UK.
Following further devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it’s also time for a new constitutional settlement – a federal UK, similar to the system that exists in countries like Australia and Canada. Legislating for English votes on English laws is long overdue and can’t be delayed.
Additionally, I also support reform of the House of Lords. It is time the second chamber was brought into the 21st century, which means giving the people a democratic say over its membership. It is worth remembering as well, that it was unelected Labour and Liberal Democrat peers who don’t feel we deserve a vote on Europe.
Speaking with people around the town, and looking through my letters and emails on the subject, I am aware how strongly people in Crawley feel about this referendum, that’s why I’ve consistently spoken and voted in favour of one since having the honour of being elected Crawley’s MP four and a half years ago.
Please know that I will continue to campaign for – and vote for – the chance for us to have our say and return power to the UK and England.