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Proceeding contribution from Malcolm Rifkind (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Monday, 21 January 2008. It occurred during Debate on bill on European Union (Amendment) Bill.

European Union (Amendment) Bill

The right hon. Gentleman has said now on two occasions that the only basis for a referendum would be that fundamental constitutional changes were proposed. He must be aware that when the former Prime Minister Tony Blair announced a referendum in 2004, at no time did he cite as the basis for his decision the fact that what was before us was a constitution. He said to the House that when Parliament had discussed the matter, we should let the people have their say. If the Foreign Secretary is resting on the opinion of the bench of bishops and the NSPCC, is it not also appropriate that the people have their say?

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
470 c1243 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Children's rights Competition Development aid Environment protection EU withdrawal EU enlargement European Union Law European communities EU common foreign and security policy Electoral systems EU institutions EU internal relations Referendums Parliament Social security Sovereignty Treaties Reform Taxation Treaty on European Union UK membership of EU European Commission European Court of Justice European Council Treaty of Lisbon EU presidency
Legislation
European Union (Amendment) Bill 2007-08
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk