Farron: "Denial of referendum vote is an outrage!"

3.00.00pm GMT Tue 26th Feb 2008

Local MP Tim Farron has expressed his anger the refusal of the Speaker of the House of Commons to allow a vote on the Liberal Democrat amendment calling for an in-out referendum on the EU. The Liberal Democrat amendment would have given MPs the opportunity to debate whether the people should be allowed to vote on Britain's membership.

"To deny Parliament the chance to vote on our proposal to allow the public to have a real say on Britain's membership of the European Union is an outrage. This is the only substantive amendment that the Liberal Democrats have tabled, and yet it was still not selected.

"I was five years old the last time the British people were allowed a vote on the EU, nearly half the population of Britain today have not had their say. Both Labour and the Conservatives have colluded to keep this entire debate focused away from the fundamental issue of whether we want to be in or out of Europe.

"Labour and the Tories are terrified of an open debate, it's time for the Westminster establishment to stop being so cowardly over Europe and debate with the country. I would be proud to argue the case for our membership of the EU."