CARP in UKIP Clothing: MEP demands informed debate on Europe

2.09.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 26th Sep 2007

Commenting on results this week from a poll in East Stoke, Dorset on whether Gordon Brown should call a referendum on the EU's Reform Treaty, local MEP Graham Watson has said:

"Let's have some debate about this", argues Graham Watson MEP

"I think it's a shame that a parish referendum in East Stoke has been hijacked by UKIP and its close affiliates, CARP (Campaign Alliance for Referendums in Parishes). I understand the strength of feeling on this issue, but what this needs is informed public debate, not populist publicity stunts such as this. I very much doubt that this referendum was based on the wording of the Reform Treaty. So let's have some debate about this. Fifteen further parishes across the South West have requested a parish referendum on the issue; I would welcome the opportunity of talking to them about this."