EU Constitution ‘no’ campaign launches
The campaign to get Britain to vote no in a referendum on the European Constitution has launched today.
In preparation for the referendum, expected in 2006, the Vote No campaign is joining forces with the Centre for a Social Europe to launch campaign literature, a new website and new polling on the EU Constitution debate.
An opinion poll by ICM, published by the No campaign, reveals that 54 per cent of voters are opposed to the constitution compared to 30 per cent who support it; and that the biggest group of voters who plan to vote no are Labour voters, on 26 per cent, with the Conservatives on 25 per cent and the Liberal Democrats on nine per cent.
Meanwhile, Britain in Europe, due to rebrand as the Yes campaign, said that the constitution treaty “enshrines all that is best about the European social model”.
In a letter to the Guardian newspaper, Robin Cook, Peter Kilfoyle and Sir Roy Hattersley wrote: “The lesson of the recent past is that when Europe is divided, its views can be ignored and its values undermined. The left, more than anyone else, should support the constitutional treaty for a strong Europe that can offer multilateral partnership.”
Those spearheading the cross-party No campaign include Labour MP Kate Hoey and Green MEP Caroline Lucas. Former UN ambassador Sir John Weston and Next plc chief executive Simon Wolfson are also among those who have put their name to a pamphlet that will be mailed to 50,000 voters across the UK.
The campaign claims support from 550 business leaders, trade unionists and economists along with members of the Green Party and the Labour Party.
It is planning a major advertising for the summer, following the French referendum on the constitution on May 29.
“A French yes vote on 29 May will start the countdown to a UK referendum. Our first job is to build a cross-party platform and put ourselves in a strong position to respond to a French yes,” said No campaign chief executive Alex Hickman.
See the No campaign’s newwebsite.
Read the No campaign’s new pamphlet
