Liberal Democrats to Amend Queen's Speech with Referendum on EU Membership

The Liberal Democrats will tomorrow put down an amendment to the Queen's Speech calling for a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union so that the British people can have a proper debate about the future of Britain's relationship with the EU.

The move follows a recent debate at Shepway District Council on asking the Government for an EU referendum proposed by Conservative Councillor Rory Love and backed by the majority of Councillors.

Shepway Lib Dem Councillor Tim Prater welcomed the Lib Dem move. He said:

"Although a debate on a European referendum was a bizarre thing to discuss at a Shepway Council meeting, its right that at Parliamentary level the Lib Dems have tabled this amendment."

Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable said:

"The EU has changed beyond recognition from the EEC that Britain originally joined in 1973.

"No-one under the age of fifty - including the current Foreign Secretary - has had a say on Britain's membership of the European Union.

"An in-out referendum would give people a proper and honest debate about the future of Britain's relationship with the EU.

"The Conservatives have indulged in the worst kind of anti-European populism, calling for referendums on individual treaties to mask their own divisions and the wishes of many of their own MPs to leave the European Union altogether.

"Gordon Brown appears scared to make the case for Europe.

"The Liberal Democrats are ready to make the positive case for Europe in a proper public debate about our membership, and we trust the people to make a decision about whether we should stay in or get out."