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Nick Clegg urged to say if Lib Dems will support in-out referendum on Europe Nick Clegg urged to say if Lib Dems will support in-out referendum on Europe
(2 days later)
Nick Clegg is being urged by senior MPs closely involved in next year's European elections campaign to say clearly before Christmas the Liberal Democrats will support an in-out referendum on Europe in the next parliament.Nick Clegg is being urged by senior MPs closely involved in next year's European elections campaign to say clearly before Christmas the Liberal Democrats will support an in-out referendum on Europe in the next parliament.
The party currently says it will support a referendum only if there is a transfer of power to Brussels, a position reiterated on Sunday on the conference fringe by Fiona Hall, the leader of the Lib Dem group in the European parliament. Senior party figures are deeply concerned that it could be brutally cut down in the elections next May, partly due to the rise of the UK Independence party and partly due to the party's deep unpopularity.The party currently says it will support a referendum only if there is a transfer of power to Brussels, a position reiterated on Sunday on the conference fringe by Fiona Hall, the leader of the Lib Dem group in the European parliament. Senior party figures are deeply concerned that it could be brutally cut down in the elections next May, partly due to the rise of the UK Independence party and partly due to the party's deep unpopularity.
One source close to the campaign said: "It is conceivable that we end up with no MEPs. It is that dire." They argue the party has to be unambiguous in offering an in-out referendum.One source close to the campaign said: "It is conceivable that we end up with no MEPs. It is that dire." They argue the party has to be unambiguous in offering an in-out referendum.
Speaking at a fringe meeting in Glasgow, the former leader of the Lib Dems Charles Kennedy said he supported an in-out referendum "to lance the boil of Europe" blaming Tony Blair for ducking the issue twice, but added "I don't think the party should change its position now and support a referendum before the election". He argued that the base camp of retaining the unity of the UK in the Scottish referendum next September was a sufficient task for now.Speaking at a fringe meeting in Glasgow, the former leader of the Lib Dems Charles Kennedy said he supported an in-out referendum "to lance the boil of Europe" blaming Tony Blair for ducking the issue twice, but added "I don't think the party should change its position now and support a referendum before the election". He argued that the base camp of retaining the unity of the UK in the Scottish referendum next September was a sufficient task for now.
However, the senior party figures are arguing for a clear statement in support of a referendum in the 2015-2020 parliament which will get the party through the election campaign.However, the senior party figures are arguing for a clear statement in support of a referendum in the 2015-2020 parliament which will get the party through the election campaign.
The 2009 European elections saw the Lib Dems on a proportional representation system win 14% of the vote, and 11 seats. Since then the rise of Ukip has put more pressure on the party, and the Lib Dems are focussing on building its base in key areas of support, including the north-west, south-east and south-west.The 2009 European elections saw the Lib Dems on a proportional representation system win 14% of the vote, and 11 seats. Since then the rise of Ukip has put more pressure on the party, and the Lib Dems are focussing on building its base in key areas of support, including the north-west, south-east and south-west.
Hall said the party will run a simple campaign based on polling around the slogan "In Europe, In Work — Out of Europe, Out of Work".Hall said the party will run a simple campaign based on polling around the slogan "In Europe, In Work — Out of Europe, Out of Work".
George Lyon, the Liberal Democrats MEP for Scotland, said the party's strategy will be to focus on its core pro-European vote, adding "if we cannot get our core vote out, we will have little chance of holding the seats". He said the party's internal polling shows that "those that are minded to vote Liberal Democrats are pro-European, mainly because they feel jobs and economy will be at risk".George Lyon, the Liberal Democrats MEP for Scotland, said the party's strategy will be to focus on its core pro-European vote, adding "if we cannot get our core vote out, we will have little chance of holding the seats". He said the party's internal polling shows that "those that are minded to vote Liberal Democrats are pro-European, mainly because they feel jobs and economy will be at risk".
He added there was no point trying to go after the Ukip vote: "Those people willl never vote for us. So don't obsess about Ukip."He added there was no point trying to go after the Ukip vote: "Those people willl never vote for us. So don't obsess about Ukip."
Kennedy argued: "We will not get people dancing in the street or covering us with bunting by saying we are an unambiguously pro-European party". But he said the electorate will show respect for being straight about its pro-European views.Kennedy argued: "We will not get people dancing in the street or covering us with bunting by saying we are an unambiguously pro-European party". But he said the electorate will show respect for being straight about its pro-European views.
He claimed Westminster MPs were realising their own future is going to depend on maintaining a European base.He claimed Westminster MPs were realising their own future is going to depend on maintaining a European base.
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