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| A referendum is not the best way to decide on Europe | A referendum is not the best way to decide on Europe |
| (8 days later) | |
| In 2008 you published two letters from Malyn Newitt (25 January and 16 June), which strongly made the point that simplistic referendums undermine parliamentary democracy. He was referring to an Irish referendum, but the same applies to the PM's proposal (Cameron to pledge in-out vote on EU, 23 January). For a start, a decision which will influence the country for decades or longer may be made with little real knowledge of the issues involved and that knowledge may be influenced by who has the bigger campaigning budget. The press barons may well decide our national future. | In 2008 you published two letters from Malyn Newitt (25 January and 16 June), which strongly made the point that simplistic referendums undermine parliamentary democracy. He was referring to an Irish referendum, but the same applies to the PM's proposal (Cameron to pledge in-out vote on EU, 23 January). For a start, a decision which will influence the country for decades or longer may be made with little real knowledge of the issues involved and that knowledge may be influenced by who has the bigger campaigning budget. The press barons may well decide our national future. |
| One can also easily imagine that some emotive but not very important EU decision might sway the No camp and, as Professor Newitt wrote, referendums become definitive and the matter is unlikely to be revisited for a very long time. Whatever Eurosceptics may say, it seems that their main objection is to EU legislation on labour and social issues. Under the guise of suggesting that greater freedom for employers to weaken workers' rights will be better for the economy, they are, of course, seeking to increase the advance of US-style capitalism, rather than the more humane version of many of our European neighbours. For better or worse, we elect politicians to make decisions on our behalf. We should tell them what we think, but the decision should be that of parliament. Joseph Cocker Leominster, Herefordshire | One can also easily imagine that some emotive but not very important EU decision might sway the No camp and, as Professor Newitt wrote, referendums become definitive and the matter is unlikely to be revisited for a very long time. Whatever Eurosceptics may say, it seems that their main objection is to EU legislation on labour and social issues. Under the guise of suggesting that greater freedom for employers to weaken workers' rights will be better for the economy, they are, of course, seeking to increase the advance of US-style capitalism, rather than the more humane version of many of our European neighbours. For better or worse, we elect politicians to make decisions on our behalf. We should tell them what we think, but the decision should be that of parliament. Joseph Cocker Leominster, Herefordshire |
| • David Cameron's case for an in-out referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union would only have credibility if a referendum can ever be regarded as giving a definitive answer to any question. Three key factors undermine the use of the referendum. | • David Cameron's case for an in-out referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union would only have credibility if a referendum can ever be regarded as giving a definitive answer to any question. Three key factors undermine the use of the referendum. |
| First, the wording of the question significantly affects the response – see the variations in current opinion polling on the vexed question of the Scottish independence referendum. Second, the vote is much more a comment on the current standing of the government – note the No vote in the French referendum in May 2005 on the EU constitution when President Chirac's popularity was its nadir. Third, even if the voters tell the pollsters they want one, the vote in every British referendum has been lower than in the comparable general election. | First, the wording of the question significantly affects the response – see the variations in current opinion polling on the vexed question of the Scottish independence referendum. Second, the vote is much more a comment on the current standing of the government – note the No vote in the French referendum in May 2005 on the EU constitution when President Chirac's popularity was its nadir. Third, even if the voters tell the pollsters they want one, the vote in every British referendum has been lower than in the comparable general election. |
| Just as it was with Harold Wilson in 1975, David Cameron needs a referendum on Europe to deal with internal party issues he is incapable of resolving. Michael Meadowcroft Leeds | Just as it was with Harold Wilson in 1975, David Cameron needs a referendum on Europe to deal with internal party issues he is incapable of resolving. Michael Meadowcroft Leeds |
| • David Cameron is truly delusional if he thinks that a referendum will "settle this European question in British politics". The Eurosceptics don't want a referendum, they want out. If they lose, they will keep on "banging on". Giving in to their bullying will resolve nothing. | • David Cameron is truly delusional if he thinks that a referendum will "settle this European question in British politics". The Eurosceptics don't want a referendum, they want out. If they lose, they will keep on "banging on". Giving in to their bullying will resolve nothing. |
| Dealing with them as Labour dealt with Militant is the only way forward for Cameron. At least then they wouldn't be able to shelter behind the Tory machine at the next election and we'd find out how much popular support they really had. Roy Boffy Walsall | Dealing with them as Labour dealt with Militant is the only way forward for Cameron. At least then they wouldn't be able to shelter behind the Tory machine at the next election and we'd find out how much popular support they really had. Roy Boffy Walsall |
| • The EU referendum won't happen. It's conditional on the Tories winning the next election, which they won't, and Cameron never keeps his promises anyway. Next. Richard Cooper Rugby, Warwickshire | • The EU referendum won't happen. It's conditional on the Tories winning the next election, which they won't, and Cameron never keeps his promises anyway. Next. Richard Cooper Rugby, Warwickshire |
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