House of Commmons to Debate European Union Referendum

Many congratulations to Nikki Sinclaire MEP. She has achieved, single handedly, something that no other group or party has been able to achieve, a referendum on whether we stay in or leave the EU.

The historic House of Commons debate on whether the UK should be allowed a referendum on whether to pull out of the European Union is set to take place next week on Thursday the 27th of October 2011 from mid-day onwards in the main chamber. This follows the presentation to Downing Street of a petition calling for a referendum.

If MPs vote in favour of a referendum, David Cameron will come under huge pressure to offer the British public a chance to say for once and for all if they want to withdraw from the EU.

The Commons Backbench Business Committee met this week to set the date. Nikki, who instigated and then delivered, along with a broad cross-party delegation of MPs and MEPs, the petition of over 120,000 signatures to No 10 Downing Street said: "This is a victory for democracy, and for the common man whose voice has been ignored for too long. It has been a long haul, but gathering these signatures has been a great experience, and my thanks go out to all those people who worked so tirelessly to make this happen".

The motion that has been submitted for debate is:

This House calls upon the Government to introduce a Bill in the next session of Parliament to provide for the holding of a national referendum on whether the United Kingdom
(a) should remain a member of the European Union
(b) leave the European Union
(c) re-negotiate the terms of its membership in order to create a new relationship based on trade and co-operation.

Nikki has vowed to keep the pressure on David Cameron and his government. "The signatures keep coming in" she said today, "and next Thursday we will be back at the door of 10 Downing Street with even more. The people are speaking out now, the government must listen."

I believe this is the petition that so-called UKIP leader Nigel Farage refused to sign. Scared of the gravy train ending perhaps? Although I wouldn't hold my breath on the Commons voting for a referendum I applaud Nikki, who has worked tirelessly and selfessly for our independence since being elected. That UKIP chose to expel her reflects on the motives and character of UKIP's leadership I would say.