Commentary

Commentary (The Sun)

Europe: “Be bold and let people decide” (MT message calling for referendum on EU Treaty)

Document type: Press
Source: The Sun , 29 September 2006
Journalist: George Pascoe-Watson The Sun
Editorial comments:
Importance ranking: Major
Word count: 617 words
Themes: European Union (general), Labour Party & socialism

Be bold and let people decide

By George Pascoe-Watson
Political Editor

LADY Thatcher last night sensationally backed The Sun’s campaign for an EU Treaty referendum.

The Iron Lady urged Gordon Brown to learn the lessons of HER experience at the hands of Brussels liars.

She warned him guarantees from the Commission and EU leaders are not worth the paper they are written on.

Lady Thatcher says in today’s Sun: “Yet again Sun readers are standing up for Britain and calling our Government to account.

May I say to the Prime Minister, don’t believe the assurances from Brussels — they gave similar ones to me.

“It’s not too late to listen and it’s not too late to act. This Treaty matters, Prime Minister, so be bold and let the British people have the final say.”

She urged Mr Brown not to fall for claims the Treaty is different to the rejected Constitution.

She made it clear the Treaty is the Constitution “in all but name” and the nation deserves its say. Lady Thatcher’s dramatic intervention cannot be brushed aside by the PM.

He recently honoured Lady Thatcher by inviting her to Downing Street.

The two-hour visit hogged the headlines and infuriated Conservative high command.

And he compared himself to her by saying they were both conviction politicians.

Her warnings will be taken seriously in Number 10 and help galvanise a crusade for a national vote. Nearly 80,000 Sun readers have now demanded a say.

The clamour grew as our EU The Jury phone-in broke through the 60,000 mark and more than 18,000 signed our online petition.

Conservative leader David Cameron has already given a signed pledge of a national vote if he wins power.

He told Sun readers this week he will give them their say.

Last night Denmark’s ruling Conservatives made it clear they are in favour of a referendum.

Spokesman Pia Christmas-Møller said: “The more transparency and direct dialogue with citizens, the better.”

GORDON Brown was last night being tempted into a November General Election as his lead over the Tories lodged firmly in double figures.

The gap has grown to ten points, up from one per cent in August, according to a poll in The Times.

The Sun’s own Ipsos-Mori poll on Monday showed Labour on 42 points, an eight point lead over the Tories. Conservative chief David Cameron has been hit with the bad news just before his make-or-break conference in Blackpool.

He will attempt to woo back supporters by announcing tax breaks for couples bringing up children.

The radical plan would see 1.8million families up to £2,000 a year better off under the proposals.

Thatcher's message in full ...

I wholeheartedly support The Sun’s campaign for a referendum on the new EU treaty.

Yet again the British people are being told that the changes in the Treaty are not important, that they are technical, and that in any case we have either blocked or gained opt-outs in all the worst cases.

Well, we’ve heard it all before only to see more and more powers grabbed by Brussels.

So yet again Sun readers are standing up for Britain and calling our Government to account.

This Treaty is a blueprint for a European Constitution in all but name — a Constitution which has already been rejected.

But that’s one little “technicality” the Brussels bureaucrats want us to forget.

So may I say to the Prime Minister, don't believe the assurances from Brussels — they gave similar ones to me!

It’s not too late to listen and it’s not too late to act.

This Treaty matters Prime Minister, so be bold and let the British people have the final say!