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Today is a victory for democracy and a "Friday the 13th" nightmare for Gordon Brown and the European Union, according to the Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIB), the cross-party organisation dedicated to defending the British Constitution. Welcoming the result of the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, CIB spokesman Andy Smith said: “This is a devastating blow for Gordon Brown’s government and for all the Brussels ‘Eurocrats’. It’s Brown’s ‘Friday the 13th’ - his nightmare come true. Having refused point-blank to allow the British people a say on the Lisbon Treaty - the resurrected EU Constitution – Brown and his allies must now abandon the Treaty anyway thanks to the Irish vote. Lisbon is dead in the water.” As a result of the Irish vote, CIB is calling for the Third Reading of the European Union (Amendment) Bill in the House of Lords to be halted. The Bill, which has been whipped through both the House of Commons and House of Lords by the Labour party, supported by the Liberal Democrats, would give legal force to the Lisbon Treaty here in the UK . Earlier this week an attempt by Conservative, Unionist, UKIP and independent members of the House of Lords, supported by a small number of Labour rebels, to secure a British referendum on the Treaty, was defeated by the government. The EU itself being inherently undemocratic, the European Parliament recently voted to ignore any ‘No’ vote by an EU member state and resolved to proceed with implementation of the Lisbon Treaty irrespective of its rejection by individual EU nations. CIB has paid tribute to the excellent campaign run by its partner organisations in the Republic of Ireland who had by their efforts defeated a profoundly undemocratic attempt to force through a massive expansion of the EU’s powers. “This shows the effectiveness of a well-run, well-led, cross-party campaign”, said Smith. “In Ireland left and right came together to tell the truth about this iniquitous Treaty and to challenge the will of the political Establishment. The will of the people has triumphed – and all this in spite of the fact that Ireland has been the EU’s favourite client state. It’s a pity that we were never given that opportunity here in the UK as I’m confident we would have dealt Brussels an even bigger blow!” 13/06/08 Home 8
Eurosceptic campaigners today welcomed the latest poll showing that an overwhelming majority of British citizens seek a looser relationship with the European Union. The poll, by Eurosceptic group Global Vision, showed that barely a quarter (27%) of electors want to stay a part of the EU under its current terms. Over 40% wished a relationship with Europe based purely on trade, while 26% wished to leave the EU altogether. "With Ireland on the brink of rejecting the re-badged EU constitution in its referendum, and with a judical review under way in this country regarding the legality of the government breaking its promise to hold an referendum here, it is clear that the headlong drive towards the creation of a European superstate has neither support nor democratic legitimacy," said Campaign for an Independent Britain spokesman Andy Smith. "That three quarters of Britons favour a reduction in the powers of the European Union comes as little surprise. However, it has to be added that the chances of the EU giving up any of its powers are remote. Sooner or later, Britain will have to face up to the reality that we would be better off out of the EU." 09/06/08 Home 8
Campaign for an Independent Britain takes its battle for a referendum to the House of Lords, the LibDems and the High Court The Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIB), the cross-party Eurosceptic group, is stepping up its efforts to persuade Parliament to grant the British people a referendum on the EU Constitution / Lisbon Treaty. Next week starts with a judicial review of the Government's decision to back out of its manifesto pledge to hold a referendum. The judicial review, the result of legal action against the Government by Kent businessman Stuart Wheeler, will be heard in the High Court on Monday and Tuesday (9-10 June). CIB is actively supporting this important legal challenge. On Wednesday (11 June 2008) the House of Lords will vote on whether or not there should be a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. The Liberal Democrats will play a critical role in this debate. With Conservatives, Unionists and many Crossbenchers expected to support the referendum call, the LibDem leader has instructed its members in the House of Lords to vote with the Government and oppose a referendum. "All eyes will be on the LibDems this week," says CIB spokesman Andy Smith. "They hold the key to the referendum battle in Parliament. Back in 2005, just like Labour and the Tories, they promised to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution. Now that the EU Constitution is back under another name, what the LibDems should be doing is honouring their manifesto pledge and backing a referendum. Yet the party has ordered its members in the House of Lords to support Gordon Brown in denying the British people the chance to vote." To remind the Liberal Democrats of their manifesto pledge and their commitment to defend democracy, CIB is holding a protest rally outside LibDem party HQ on Tuesday (10 June 2008). CIB members and supporters, including prominent figures from across the political spectrum, will gather outside LibDem HQ, 4 Cowley Street, Westminster, at midday on Tuesday. All who back CIB's call for a referendum are invited to attend. 07/06/08 Home 8
Bob Spink MP has resigned as Chairman of the Campaign for an Independent Britain, having completed his year in post. During that time he has also chaired the Pro-Referendum Rally, taken an active part in debates in the House of Commons on the Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution, and tabled a large number of Parliamentary Questions on the EU and related matters. Dr Spink has now decided to give his full attention to supporting the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP). He is currently UKIP's only MP. We are sad to see Bob leave the Chairmanship and are extremely grateful to him for all his hard work, enthusiasm and leadership over the past year. 15/05/08 Home 8
The cross-party Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIB) is bracing itself for a major fight with Gordon Brown's Government over the Treaty of Lisbon - the revived EU Constitution - following the decision in the High Court today (May 2) to allow a landmark legal challenge to the Government by businessman Stuart Wheeler.
Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIB) Chairman Dr Bob Spink MP has joined the UK Independence Party (UKIP). Dr Spink, MP for Castle Point, Essex, becomes UKIP’s first member in the House of Commons. He previously sat as a Conservative.
The cross-party Campaign for an Independent Britain believes that the Government’s refusal to hold a referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon – the revised EU Constitution – is profoundly undemocratic and a breach of faith with the electorate, in light of the election manifesto commitment made by the Labour Party (and all the other major parties) in 2005.
Britain would have a much brighter future outside the European Union, Eurosceptics have already won most of the arguments about the EU but have so far been unable to de-rail the “European project” because too many politicians have a vested interest in keeping the EU on track.
Britain would have a much brighter future outside the European Union, according to speakers at the annual conference of the Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIB) taking place in Westminster today (April 5).
British Eurosceptics are not alone in their opposition to the Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution, and there is a real chance that ‘people power’ across Europe could yet prevent the Treaty’s implementation. That is the message from the cross-party Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIB), whose members gather for their annual conference in Westminster this weekend. CIB has consistently opposed moves by the European Union to extend its powers and sees the Lisbon Treaty as the biggest step so far towards creation of a single European state.
Eurosceptic politicians and campaigners from across the political spectrum join forces next month for a major conference examining ‘the way forward’ for Britain’s fast-growing anti-EU movement. As the battle over the Lisbon Treaty moves from the House of Commons to the House of Lords, the cross-party Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIB) holds its annual conference in Westminster on Saturday 5th April, to plan future strategy and coordinate grass-roots action. The meeting, which takes place at the Emmanuel Centre close to the Houses of Parliament, will address not only the problem of the Lisbon Treaty, but also other aspects of ‘the European project’ such as the hidden costs of the EU and the true extent of Brussels’ influence on British politics. Among the speakers lined up for this major Eurosceptic event are: Daniel Hannan MEP (Conservative MEP for South-East England); Gerard Batten MEP (UK Independence Party MEP for London, and UKIP candidate for Mayor of London); Dr Bob Spink MP (Independent Conservative MP for Castle Point, Essex); Neil Herron (Co-founder of the Metric Martyr Defence Fund).
With the Government considering the proposal by the Goldsmith review of citizenship to introduce an oath of allegiance for young British citizens, the cross-party Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIB) is calling for Members of Parliament to remember their own oath of allegiance and their duty to defend the British Constitution. All MPs swear to “be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors according to law.” CIB believes that MPs who voted for the European Union (Amendment) Bill – the legislation putting the Lisbon Treaty (the resurrected EU Constitution) into effect in the United Kingdom – are in breach of their higher duty to Britain and the Monarchy. The Lisbon Treaty makes the European Union a single legal entity for the first time, with its own Head of State (a full-time EU President) and Foreign Minister (“High Representative”) heading an EU diplomatic service. Gordon Brown’s Government, aided by the Liberal Democrats, has pushed the European Union (Amendment) Bill through the House of Commons on a three-line whip, defeating a ‘rainbow coalition’ of Conservatives, Unionists, Nationalists, Independents, and a small number of Labour and Liberal Democrat ‘rebels’. Amendments to the Bill, requiring a referendum on the Treaty, and a motion seeking to ensure that “nothing in this Act shall affect or be construed by any court in the United Kingdom as affecting the supremacy of the United Kingdom Parliament”, were all heavily defeated by the Labour majority in the Commons. CIB spokesman Andy Smith commented: “Even the Polish Prime Minister is threatening not to approve the Lisbon Treaty unless the ratification Bill contains legal guarantees respecting Poland’s sovereignty and Constitution as the highest law in that country. So, how is it that a majority of members of the House of Commons can in all conscience, and in flagrant violation of their oath of allegiance as MPs, vote to inflict the EU Constitution on the British nation without providing any legal safeguards against the growth of EU power or even offering the British people a chance to have their say in a referendum? The Labour Government, and the LibDems who supported them, have let down the people of Britain and neglected their duty to protect the nation’s sovereignty. For the Government to seriously consider asking young Britons to swear a loyalty oath when so many members of the House of Commons cannot even remain true to their own oath of allegiance is the height of hypocrisy – and, more than that, an insult to the British people.” 19/3/08 Home 8
Most Labour and Liberal Democrat Members of Parliament realise that the Lisbon Treaty – the European Union’s so-called ‘Reform Treaty’ – is virtually identical to the discredited EU Constitution, and that it will have far-reaching implications for British democracy, but are too timid to say so. Frightened of defying their party whips, these MPs are hoping that the forthcoming Irish referendum will scupper the Treaty and relieve them of the burden of having to resist the Treaty themselves. This is the view of the cross-party Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIB) based on research that it has undertaken among backbench Labour and LibDem MPs, House of Commons staff, and party activists. The CIB says that the attitude of these MPs is “unrealistic and dangerous”, as it puts the future of British parliamentary democracy and sovereignty in the hands of another country’s voters. “It seems from our research that many Labour and LibDem MPs are putting their faith in the Irish electorate to do their job for them”, said a CIB spokesman. On the eve of the House of Commons vote on whether or not to hold a referendum in Britain on the Lisbon Treaty, CIB’s Andy Smith said: “Labour and LibDem MPs are playing with fire. Many of them understand the true nature of the Treaty and the danger that it presents to our democratic system, and they agree with us that the issue is so important that it should be put in front of the British electorate in a referendum. But these MPs are unwilling to defy the party whips by saying so in public, let alone by voting against the Government and LibDem leadership on this issue. They prefer to put their trust in the outcome of the referendum across the Irish Sea. This is an extremely risky policy as the Irish vote could go either way. CIB urges eurosceptic Labour and LibDem MPs to follow their conscience and vote with the Conservatives on this one critically-important issue. You know it’s the right thing to do.” MPs will vote tomorrow (March 5) on the amendment proposed by Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague to Clause 8 of the European Union (Amendment) Bill, the legislation which gives legal force to the Lisbon Treaty in the UK. The aim of Mr Hague’s amendment is to ensure that the Treaty legislation is not given Royal Assent without first being subject to a referendum of the entire British electorate. 4/3/08 Home 8
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg is under pressure from the cross-party Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIB), to make good his promise of a referendum on the European Union. The Liberal Democrats have failed this week in their attempt to introduce an amendment to legislation on the Lisbon Treaty currently before the House of Commons, to provide for a referendum on the wider issue of Britain’s EU membership. Their proposal was ruled out today by the Deputy Speaker, prompting Liberal Democrat MPs to walk out of the Commons in protest. CIB argues that the Liberal Democrats should instead align themselves with the Conservatives, Unionists, SNP and Plaid Cymru in pushing for a national vote on the Lisbon Treaty because of its far-reaching constitutional implications. CIB, which has support from across the political spectrum, believes that the Treaty is by far the most significant issue facing Parliament, as its implementation will mean significant transfers of powers from Britain to the EU. The Liberal Democrats are divided on the issue of whether or not to press for a referendum on the Treaty. A coalition of pro-democracy groups including CIB will tomorrow stage a mass lobby of Parliament calling for a referendum. CIB spokesman Andy Smith said: “Nick Clegg is in a very difficult position now. He has argued forcefully that the British people should have the right to vote on Britain’s relationship with the EU, as we have not had such an opportunity to vote since 1975, when Europe was a very different beast indeed. The Common Market, as it was then, has in the intervening years become the highly centralised European Union that now accounts for 80% of our laws. But if it is right to give voters a say on British membership of the EU, as Mr Clegg believes, there is surely an even stronger and more immediate case for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, as the Treaty’s purpose is to move the EU to the next stage and to greatly increase Brussels’ powers over the UK. This is the most significant issue in British politics today. “If they truly value British democracy, the Liberal Democrats should stand shoulder to shoulder with the Conservatives, Unionists, SNP, Plaid Cymru, and a growing number of backbench Labour MPs, in demanding a national referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.” 28/02/08 Home 8
Philip Davies MP (Conservative – Shipley) is right to describe the European Union as “fraudulent and corrupt” and to call for the United Kingdom to withhold further payments to Brussels unless and until the EU receives a clean bill of health from its auditors. The cross-party Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIB) applauds Mr Davies for speaking the truth about the EU during the House of Commons debate this evening on the European Communities (Finance) Bill. CIB also praises Conservative MPs Bernard Jenkin and Peter Bone, and Labour MP Ian Davidson, for their tough questioning of Andy Burnham MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury. CIB spokesman Andy Smith comments: “This is the thirteenth year that the European Union’s auditors have refused to sign off the EU’s accounts owing to ‘[persistent] errors of legality and regularity’ and ‘weaknesses in internal control’. Britain’s current contributions to the EU budget amount to some £14bn a year. The present Government has given up a substantial part of the UK’s rebate and has consistently failed to stand up for the UK taxpayer. Philip Davies was absolutely right to highlight this appalling state of affairs. Ministers should take Mr Davies’s advice and say to Brussels: ‘Enough is enough!’” The Campaign for an Independent Britain has supporters on both sides of the House of Commons. Its Chairman is Dr Bob Spink MP (Conservative – Castle Point) and leading members include Austin Mitchell MP (Labour – Grimsby) and Philip Hollobone MP (Conservative – Kettering). 15/01/08 Home 8
The Government must provide sufficient information in advance to allow a proper debate on the European Union (Amendment) Bill and its implications for British parliamentary democracy. This is the demand from the cross-party Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIB), whose chairman Dr Bob Spink MP has tabled two Early Day Motions aiming to secure the right of MPs of all parties to have sufficient time to study the Bill, which is due for its Second Reading in the House of Commons next Monday (21 January). CIB insists that in view of the Bill’s constitutional significance, the Government must ensure that all MPs have access to full information in advance of the Second Reading, and that during the debate itself sufficient time must be made available for contributions from backbenchers on both sides of the House, rather than letting Ministers and front-bench spokesmen monopolize the discussion. The two EDMs are as follows: EDM 694 EUROPEAN UNION (AMENDMENT) BILL (No. 2) 14.01.2008 Spink, Bob Spink, Bob
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