Saturday 6 July 2013

EU Referendum: Labour says No


Yesterday I voted FOR an In/Out Referendum on our membership of the EU.

 304 MP's backed the bill put forward by Conservative MP for Stockton South James Wharton. Pretty much every Conservative MP supported the vote and to their personal credit as did 6 Labour MPs: Roger Godsiff (Birmingham, Hall Green), Kate Hoey (Vauxhall), Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North), Dennis Skinner (Bolsover), Graham Stringer (Blackley and Broughton), and Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston).

The bill passed and will now go to the next stage.

Sadly every single one of the Labour MPs here in the North East followed Ed Miliband's instructions and refused to give people a say on the EU.


Europe and the EU has transformed over the last few decades. Our relationship with Europe needs to change as well and the people should be given a say.

I do not want this country to be part of some kind of European superstate and want to see more sovereignty returned to Britain. For too long decisions about our seemingly ever closer political union with Europe have been taken purely by politicians and civil servants in London and Brussels.


I am very disappointed my Labour colleagues in the region failed to put their faith in the people and back the referendum. 

It is nearly 40 years since voters across the North East, and the UK, last had their say on our relationship with Europe. Many have never had the chance, I was nine years old at the last referendum in 1975! The time has come for people to be allowed to vote on this important matter. 

Labour MP's up and down the region will now have to explain to their voters why they either voted against or couldn't be bother to give the people their say.