Adam Afriyie · @AdamAfriyie
8th Nov 2013 from TwitLonger
2014 amendment remarks
(Check against delivery)
Mr Speaker, it has been a tough fight, but I rise today to support a referendum in 2014
We Conservatives are completely united in wanting to give people a say on Europe
They would have had a referendum already, if it weren’t for the LibDems holding us back in Coalition
And it is disgraceful that members opposite are trying to talk this Bill away
Labour are determined to gag the British people, when 8 in 10 of our constituents tell us that they want their voices heard
It strikes me that when the majority of people want a referendum before the next election. .I have never known a time in British politics when the political establishment has been so remote, disconnected and out of touch with public opinion
Politicians have wilfully kicked the can further and further down the road
And we are in danger of doing so again today
So I ask this simple question: if not in this parliament, then when else can we be sure to deliver an EU referendum
Mr Speaker, my amendment and amendment 22, which incorporates my amendment, offer a way forward
And with those comments, I say to my colleague, by chasing the EU referendum dream for 2017, we risk losing one in 2014 and throwing away the 2015 election
So I would urge every MP to listen to their constituents and try to grant the British people a referendum in 2014