Arguments over Europe have raged hard ever since we joined the Common Market in 1975, even resulting in the creation of a new political party whose only aim was to withdraw the UK from Europe.
More recently, the biggest issue has been the creation of a new constitution for Europe which would give the European Union greater powers over a number of areas.
After two and a half years of negotiation amongst member states, it was rejected by the voters in the Netherlands and France in 2005 and, seemingly consigned to the rubbish bin of failed political ideas.
Shaken by these results and bowed by pressure from the Murdoch press, the then Prime Minister Tony Blair promised that if there was another constitution developed by the EU, then he would give British voters the right to vote on whether to accept it or not, as other countries had done.
The EU is a hard creature to stop. Like the hydra from Greek mythology, you chop off one head and in its place come two more. It was therefore of little surprise to many that a new treaty was resurrected by leading EU politicians.
This contained many elements of the original rejected constitution and, after a number of months of repackaging the offer, a final draft of the ‘Lisbon treaty’ was agreed upon by the 27 member states in October.
Clearly, there are passionate voices on both sides regarding the Lisbon treaty. For example, those who support it argue that it will create a stronger European Union with a more efficient administrative system; a fairer system of voting amongst members and enable Europe to take its place on the world stage as an equal partner to countries such as the USA, Russia and China.
On the other hand, those against the treaty say that it will abolish the UK’s national veto in many areas such as energy, health and foreign policy, and would allow EU judges to decide for how long we should lock up our most dangerous criminals and what rights should be granted to migrants . It will also create a minister of foreign affairs and a permanent president.
Whilst the devil is always in the detail, the real issue for many is whether the British people should have the right to vote on major changes to the relationship of its Government with the European Union. If we are allowed a vote on whether to devolve more powers from Westminster to Wales, then why shouldn’t people get the opportunity to vote on whether we should devolve more powers from Westminster to Europe?
Currently, the Government is refusing to allow a public vote on the matter despite its earlier promises, which is why the “I Want A Referendum campaign” has promised to hold its own ballots across the country.
That is why until the end of this week, 44,000 voters in the marginal constituency of Aberconwy will get their opportunity to have a say on the matter of whether to hold a referendum and on whether the new Lisbon treaty should be ratified.
The results will be of interest to many but so will the turnout, as it will determine whether Europe is still a major issue in British politics or whether people frankly don’t care about it anymore.
Whatever happens, a part of North Wales will have been given a democratic opportunity to give their view on this matter, which is no bad thing in modern politics.
More recently, the biggest issue has been the creation of a new constitution for Europe which would give the European Union greater powers over a number of areas.
After two and a half years of negotiation amongst member states, it was rejected by the voters in the Netherlands and France in 2005 and, seemingly consigned to the rubbish bin of failed political ideas.
Shaken by these results and bowed by pressure from the Murdoch press, the then Prime Minister Tony Blair promised that if there was another constitution developed by the EU, then he would give British voters the right to vote on whether to accept it or not, as other countries had done.
The EU is a hard creature to stop. Like the hydra from Greek mythology, you chop off one head and in its place come two more. It was therefore of little surprise to many that a new treaty was resurrected by leading EU politicians.
This contained many elements of the original rejected constitution and, after a number of months of repackaging the offer, a final draft of the ‘Lisbon treaty’ was agreed upon by the 27 member states in October.
Clearly, there are passionate voices on both sides regarding the Lisbon treaty. For example, those who support it argue that it will create a stronger European Union with a more efficient administrative system; a fairer system of voting amongst members and enable Europe to take its place on the world stage as an equal partner to countries such as the USA, Russia and China.
On the other hand, those against the treaty say that it will abolish the UK’s national veto in many areas such as energy, health and foreign policy, and would allow EU judges to decide for how long we should lock up our most dangerous criminals and what rights should be granted to migrants . It will also create a minister of foreign affairs and a permanent president.
Whilst the devil is always in the detail, the real issue for many is whether the British people should have the right to vote on major changes to the relationship of its Government with the European Union. If we are allowed a vote on whether to devolve more powers from Westminster to Wales, then why shouldn’t people get the opportunity to vote on whether we should devolve more powers from Westminster to Europe?
Currently, the Government is refusing to allow a public vote on the matter despite its earlier promises, which is why the “I Want A Referendum campaign” has promised to hold its own ballots across the country.
That is why until the end of this week, 44,000 voters in the marginal constituency of Aberconwy will get their opportunity to have a say on the matter of whether to hold a referendum and on whether the new Lisbon treaty should be ratified.
The results will be of interest to many but so will the turnout, as it will determine whether Europe is still a major issue in British politics or whether people frankly don’t care about it anymore.
Whatever happens, a part of North Wales will have been given a democratic opportunity to give their view on this matter, which is no bad thing in modern politics.