Villagers decide to shun EU vote

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7155195.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Less than ten per cent of villagers in West Yorkshire turned out to vote on whether the government should hold a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty.

Up to 7,000 villagers in Crigglestone were given a chance to have their say on whether a national referendum should take place in a vote on Thursday.

But only 505 turned out to vote, with 481 backing the referendum.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has refused a referendum on the new treaty, saying it is up to Parliament to decide.

The poll was led by Wakefield-based Conservative parliamentary candidate Alex Story.

Mr Story successfully led calls for the poll under the Local Government Act, which allows parishes to vote on anything they wish. The results will then be sent to the government.

He has pledged to cover the full costs of the vote, which are expected to be up to £6,000.

"We are absolutely covering the costs. There is no doubt that this will not affect local taxpayers," he said.