Thread: Plaid Cymru supports a referendum

I know they wouldn't want to be put in the anti-EU group category and they have not made any decision on whether to argue for a yes or no vote if there is a referendum but their party conference today voted overwhelmingly in favour there being a referendum on the new EU constitution.

Who knows at this point but their MPs voting yes for a referendum could potentially make all the difference in a close vote in the H of C.

Pro-EU Plaid Cymru (Welsh Nationalists) probably want a referendum (like some unions do) because they think the 'Treaty' isn't europhile enough.

Plaid Cymru votes in the Commons could be very important if there are about 120 Labour rebels (i.e. 120 Labour MPs who vote for a referendum on the EU 'Amending Treaty'). It was suggested recently that 120 Labour MPs want a referendum - this would be just enough with Conservative and Unionist votes (and the votes of several others) for the pro-referendum side to beat anti-referendum Labour and the Liberal Dims in a vote in the Commons (on having a referendum).

Unfortunately, there was a report in the press the other day implying that Labour Whips are busy trying to persuade Labour MPs who want a referendum not to vote with the Conservatives for one if/when the matter comes before the House of Commons (probably next month).

Labour Whips only have to get a few of the 120 pro-referendum Labour MPs to abstain in such a vote and the pro-referendum side in the House of Commons loses.

None of this helps Gordon Brown - even if he wins the vote (i.e. if the Commons votes No to a referendum) his party would still look divided as a result of any rebellion (i.e. Labour MPs voting with the Conservatives and some others for a referendum). And that is the very last thing Gordon Brown wants if he is thinking of calling a November 2007 or May 2008 General Election.

Come the day the "120" Labour "rebels" will evaporate, self preservation will kick in.

Originally Posted by Little Englander (sour)

Come the day the "120" Labour "rebels" will evaporate, self preservation will kick in.

The 'core' of the rebel side in the Parliamentary Labour Party is said to be about 40 MPs (many of whom are in the Labour Group Against the EU Superstate) - but the actual Labour rebellion (if it does come to a vote on a 'Treaty' referendum in the Commons) could be smaller than that.

If Gordon Brown is not, as has been reported a 'Stalinist', he would allow a free vote on this important issue.

The Whips go into overdrive at the merest hint of a Government defeat and their actions show this government is by no means confident of a 'Yes' vote.
I would have thought that UKIP could have capitalised on this panic in the Labour Party to drive home the message that GB. not only breaks promises but also treats(Labour) MP's with contempt.

This whole charade is a complete mess and all anti-EU parties/groups should be united in condemning the actions of this discredited government.