Tories launch campaign against EU constitution

Monday, 5 April 2004 12:00 AM

The Conservative Party has launched a campaign to push for a referendum on the EU constitution.

Tory leader Michael Howard has called on voters to sign a Conservative petition demanding a referendum.

Appearing at a meeting in Llandudno, Wales, Mr Howard publicly signed the Conservative Party petition on Friday and dismissed the constitution as "wrong in principle".

"When it comes to transferring power from Britain to Brussels, Tony Blair says 'trust me'. Well, Conservatives say 'trust the people'," Mr Howard said. "That is why, here today, with your help, I am launching our nationwide petition calling for a referendum on a European constitution."

"Sign it, get your friends to sign it. Because whatever their views, they should have their say."

Deputy leaders Michael Ancram and Liam Fox and leader of the Tories in the European Parliament Jonathan Evans also signed the petition, followed by around 100 delegates.

A nationwide poster campaign will urge voters to call for referendum on the EU constitution and includes Labour's phone number. The poster reads: "We the undersigned demand that Tony Blair gives the British people a referendum on the European constitution."

Mr Howard claimed that the constitution would give the EU the "attributes of statehood" with its own president, foreign minister and legal system and attacked the government's description of it as a "tidying up exercise".

The Labour party chairman, Ian McCartney, said in a statement: "We welcome the Conservative party publicising our phone number and we call on people to phone in and register their fears about Michael Howard's agenda of cuts, charges and privatisation, and join the Labour party."

Mr Howard took the opportunity to unveil new plans for health and education passports, which he said were "sensible and refreshing ideas".

He also accused the government of "losing control of our borders", following last week's resignation of immigration minister Beverly Hughes.

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