MP backs 'in or out' EU referendum (From Bucks Free Press)

MP backs 'in or out' EU referendum

9:10am Friday 18th March 2011 in News By James Nadal

MP backs 'in or out' EU referendum

A CAMPAIGN for a national poll on whether Britain should remain a member of the European Union has been backed by Wycombe MP Steve Baker.

Those signing the 'people's pledge' have committed to only vote for MPs publicly promising to support a binding referendum on our EU membership - and to vote for it in the House of Commons.

Mr Baker is supporting the national “in or out” referendum.

“This is about self- determination. People should be given a democratic choice about whether we want to continue being ruled by a bunch of unelected commissioners in Brussels,” he said.

"Whether you want to be in the EU as it is today or not, it is right that the British people should have the opportunity to determine how they are governed at the ballot box.

“That's why I'm backing the People's Pledge and the campaign for a binding referendum on our EU membership."

Thousands have supported the pledge already.

The campaign’s website will break down voters’ pledges by parliamentary seat, enabling MPs and candidates to see the level of support in their constituency.

Backbench MP Mr Baker said: "For several years, I was pro-EU out of fondness for Europe and its people until the awful EU Constitution was democratically rejected and replaced with the functionally identical Lisbon Treaty. “We all want peace with Europe and most of us want free trade too, but not at the expense of sacrificing democracy to the will of a little elite.”

And he applauded Wycombe District Council for passing a motion on February 28 attacking the likely 2.8 per cent increase in the EU budget.

Tory Councillor James Malliff said the rise was wrong in the light of “massive” cuts WDC and other local authorities face.

Cllr Malliff and Mr Baker have presented the council's motion to Europe Minister David Lidington – the Aylesbury MP.