Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2011 | Page 12

andrew turner mp Island Life - February/March 2011 Andrew Turner MP 24 The Mall, Carisbrooke Road, Newport IW, PO30 1BW [email protected] Tel: [phone] Island MP says 'NO' to EU bill Britain voted for change at the last world (one of which has compulsory ‘referendum lock’ is not enough to election, and it is some eight months voting), will be put to the nation in catch all of the amendments or Treaty since the Coalition Government took May. However, I believe the public changes. over, inheriting some terrible problems would much prefer a referendum on There are intrinsic problems with including an economic and financial our involvement with the EU, which the Bill itself. A Minister – perhaps crisis and deep social problems. We they believe they were promised. Sadly, of another Party or in a coalition – have made a start in tackling many of no such option is on the table at the will decide whether a proposal is these issues; although there have been moment. "significant" enough for a referendum tough decisions; we are on the way to Many MPs are very concerned about a to be called. Any government building a better, stronger society for failure by the Coalition to curb existing desperate to avoid a referendum may the future. EU powers. To some extent that is a try to play down the significance. The This process will not always be plain consequence of coalition between one Minister’s decision will be subject to sailing. There have been a series of party, naturally suspicious of the EU, judicial review; but these decisions rebellions, particularly over Europe and another which largely supports should be made in Parliament by as many people oppose our further more centralised government at the elected representatives. We have integration with the European Union. European level. watched with dismay the way judges Many MPs, including myself, have lined Even more worrying is the new EU Bill. have interpreted the well-meaning, but up to challenge, and ultimately voted It provides that any future EU Treaty now completely discredited European against the Government’s policy. that transfers significant powers away Human Rights Act. In these difficult times it is important from the UK must be agreed by the Unfortunately, I do not believe the to show our commitment to putting British people in a referendum – but is new EU Bill will cause those who decide the national interest first. We cannot that enough? It was promised there European policy, to change course and do that if we are not an independent would be no further "erosion of British it is time for stronger actions. That is nation. We face continual erosion of sovereignty" – but there is widespread why, to the EU Bill, I say NO, NO, NO! the rights of our Parliament to decide concern that the new Bill will not the laws of the United Kingdom. prevent Too many directives emanate from the future EU’s convoluted legislative processes, power instead of laws debated in Parliament grabs from by elected representatives answerable Brussels. to their constituents for the decisions The they take. proposed The deal made with the Liberal Democrats on entering coalition was a referendum on moving away from our traditional straightforward system, where the person who gets the most votes wins. The proposal to change to Alternative Vote, a complicated system used in only three countries in the 12 Visit our new website - www.visitislandlife.com