Nick Clegg on Europe

By The Voice | Mon 25th February 2008 - 4:52 pm

Nick Clegg has a piece in today’s Guardian explaining his view on Europe:

The debate about Europe has been a thorn in the side of British politics for decades. Now the wound has become infected. Europhile and Eurosceptic trading blows about the Lisbon treaty in grand rhetoric that obscures the facts. If you’re pro-European, as I am, you’re accused of being a sellout. If you’re anti-European, like most Conservatives, you’re accused of being a headbanger. It isn’t new, but it isn’t edifying either.

It’s time we pulled out the thorn and healed the wound, time for a debate politicians have been too cowardly to hold for 30 years – time for a referendum on the big question. Do we want to be in or out? Nobody in Britain under the age of 51 has ever been asked that simple question. None of them were eligible to vote in that 1975 referendum. That includes half of all MPs. Two generations have never had their say.

You can read the full piece here.

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5 Comments

Laurence Boyce 25th Feb '08 - 6:16pm

It’s time for a referendum on the big question.

Indeed. In fact why not hold a referendum on a few “big questions.” Europe, Scottish independence, the Monarchy, etc. We are the Liberal DEMOCRATS, after all.
Paul Griffiths 25th Feb '08 - 9:43pm

Unfortunately, I can’t decide whether Mr Boyce’s comment is intended to be ironic, sardonic or moronic. Am I getting too old?
Laurence Boyce 25th Feb '08 - 9:50pm

No, straight up. I would like a referendum on all those issues. I’ll let you know if I think of any others.
cgp 25th Feb '08 - 9:55pm

Motherhood? Apple pie?
Stuart 25th Feb '08 - 11:42pm

I love Ukip’s rejection of our call for a referendum on Europe, in or out, in favour of one on a treaty. Isn’t getting out of the EU what they meant to be all about?