Former Labour Premier Tony Blair has joined Britain's General Election party by making disapproving noises on Tory plans for a 2017 In/Out referendum on the EU. Blair believes that such a referendum would provide an unwelcome distraction from the vital day to day government issues such as the NHS and Law and Order.
However, such sentiments are at odds with growing feelings amongst ordinary Brits who increasingly want to have a say on the issue. Blair's stance is also at odds with the pro-European Green Party, who like the Conservatives, support having an In/Out referendum. On this issue, I am in agreement completely with the Greens. That is Yes to the Referendum, and Yes to voting to remain in the EU.
In my post on 4 April 2015, I suggested that by resisting an In/Out referendum, Ed Miliband (the current Labour leader) may himself face party splits should Labour end up in either a coalition government or as a government with a tiny majority. I am not saying that Miliband will necessarilly be forced into a referendum u-turn within weeks of forming a government. However, it could be a matter of time before a Labour government also has to accept the need for such a referendum.
As for Mr Blair, there is no doubt that he will continue to divide opinion due to Britain's involvement in overseas wars without a UN mandate. His intervention this week has confirmed something significant for whenever Britain does hold a referendum to solve the issue of Europe. I believe that any cross-party campaign to argue for the UK to remain an EU Member must detach itself completely from this ridiculous specimen of a man!
However, such sentiments are at odds with growing feelings amongst ordinary Brits who increasingly want to have a say on the issue. Blair's stance is also at odds with the pro-European Green Party, who like the Conservatives, support having an In/Out referendum. On this issue, I am in agreement completely with the Greens. That is Yes to the Referendum, and Yes to voting to remain in the EU.
In my post on 4 April 2015, I suggested that by resisting an In/Out referendum, Ed Miliband (the current Labour leader) may himself face party splits should Labour end up in either a coalition government or as a government with a tiny majority. I am not saying that Miliband will necessarilly be forced into a referendum u-turn within weeks of forming a government. However, it could be a matter of time before a Labour government also has to accept the need for such a referendum.
As for Mr Blair, there is no doubt that he will continue to divide opinion due to Britain's involvement in overseas wars without a UN mandate. His intervention this week has confirmed something significant for whenever Britain does hold a referendum to solve the issue of Europe. I believe that any cross-party campaign to argue for the UK to remain an EU Member must detach itself completely from this ridiculous specimen of a man!
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