MP Baron to defy Cameron in Commons Euro vote (From Echo)
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MP Baron to defy Cameron in Commons Euro vote
8:04am Monday 24th October 2011 in Billericay
John Baron
TORY MP John Baron will defy his own Government by supporting a call to hold a national referendum about Britain’s future in Europe.
A Commons debate and vote will be held on Monday to decide whether a referendum should be held on the country’s membership of the EU.
Mr Baron, who has voted against the Government in the past, was one of the MPs who formally requested the debate.
The Basildon and Billericay MP has also confirmed he will defy the Government’s three-line whip and vote in favour of a referendum.
The leaders of all three main political parties are against this taking place, because they fear electors will support cutting political ties with the continent.
Mr Baron said: “For too long the British people have been denied their say on the European Union. The time has now come to put this right.
“I have always voted against closer political union, believing Europe should instead focus on free trade. But whether you agree or not, people should be given a choice on the issue.”
Mr Baron warned the nation’s sovereignty has continued to be “salami sliced” by European bureaucrats, since the Coalition took power from Labour last year.
He added: “Ever since we joined what was supposedly a free-trade area, we have been sliding towards ever-closer political union. Key competencies and powers, such as criminal justice, continue to be transferred.”
This is the latest example of Mr Baron rebelling against his own Government.
He backed failed attempts last week by eurosceptic MPs to force ministers to cut Britain’s £4.7billion annual contribution to the European Union budget.
The former Army officer was also one of 14 MPs who supported the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in September 2010.
Mr Baron was also a critic of military intervention in Libya.
He released a statement in March complaining the Govern-ment should not lecture other countries about democracy, when Britain supplied weapons to dictators.
The MP repeated his opposition to the air strikes during an interview on BBC Radio Four’s World at One programme in July.
Comments(5)
justice for basildon
says...
12:19pm Mon 24 Oct 11
Alekhine
says...
2:16pm Mon 24 Oct 11
.
The governemt will say it is not the right time, but seems it will never be the right time. John Barron should be supported on this (whatever his position regarding Basildon playing fields.)
privatehire
says...
4:01pm Mon 24 Oct 11
justice for basildon wrote:I have said it before and i will say it again.....Just remember all these items when the next elections are held.............Won
Its a pity that both John Baron MP and Stephen Metcalfe MP have not recognised that so many residents want their children's playing fields saved from the current Conservative Basildon Borough Councillors proposals, especially Baron, as he is concerned about British residents being denied their say on the EU. Gloucester Park residents were denied a public meeting on its development proposals where was he then.Baron and Metcalfe should look more closely at the many issues in Basildon Borough that affects them both and their electorate, as there is much unrest with the current administration.
t hold my breath though
Ironman
says...
9:19pm Mon 24 Oct 11
But, I havn't been too impressed with Mr Baron regarding his self imposed silence during the Dale Fame fiasco.
Most of us will forget come the next election, though.
gardenman says...
9:18am Mon 24 Oct 11