tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10815380.post8083541470482265424..comments2024-03-14T12:42:51.995+00:00Comments on Chris Whiteside's Blog: Kevin Beaty and David Cameron write on the EU referendum issueChris Whitesidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02888720969479013951noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10815380.post-90719225971348187122014-03-14T08:29:14.544+00:002014-03-14T08:29:14.544+00:00I agree with much of what you say, except that I t...I agree with much of what you say, except that I think Cameron has promised so clearly that if he wins there will be a referendum that he could not possibly back down from that position if he gets a majority.<br /><br />Personally I am not wedded to the 2017 date - I strongly support a referendum during the next parliament, but would prefer it to be at whatever date within that period enables the British people to make the best informed choice. The 2017 date was envisaged in the Wharton Bill, but we will have to see what dates appear in the manifesto.<br /><br />I think Miliband is trying to be all things to all men and may find that he has outsmarted himself.Chris Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02888720969479013951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10815380.post-19110038462473317562014-03-13T17:46:47.978+00:002014-03-13T17:46:47.978+00:00Spot on analysis Chris, thats exactly what red ed ...Spot on analysis Chris, thats exactly what red ed has done. Tried to turn the status quo to his advantage if in government. No longer is there the safe "no to the new treaty but in the EU" its either yes to the treaty or leave the EU.<br /><br />This means of course that rather ironically a ukip vote is likely a vote to remain in the EU. And the only way to prevent this is in fact to hold your nose and vote Tory.<br /><br />This does of course depend on there being a new treaty in the next term, though that is looking very likely and is bang on schedule.<br /><br />the likelihood of us having a 2017 referendum under the Tories is as remote as us having one under Labour. What matters is whether the "colleagues" go for a new treaty. If you think there will be a new treaty, then there may well be a referendum - although it won't be in 2017. And for that, we now need the Tories in office. <br /><br />However that said, if there is no new treaty in the next election then all goes out of the window, we wont have a referendum no matter who is in office.Mr Cameron's 2017 referendum, based on the outcome of treaty renegotiations, is as much cloud cookoo land pie in the sky as it has ever been. And in that event, you might as well vote UKIP, for all the difference it will make.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00373005279697295131noreply@blogger.com