June 2, 2005

Jack Straw expected to delay UK referendum

by brian_turner

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According to Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, the Dutch rejection of the European constitution raises profound questions about the future of the European Union. Provisional results of the Dutch referendum on Wednesday, indicate that 61.6% of voters said “No” to the constitution and 38.4% approved it.

Mr Straw is expected to postpone plans for a UK vote on the treaty, which was also rejected by France.

Michael Howard, the leader of the Conservative Party, said the constitution should be “dead and buried”. He said that UK voters should have the opportunity to express their opinion if other nations’ referendums go ahead and that the rejection of the constitution should be considered an opportunity to rethink the shape of the EU.

The Liberal Democrats argue that there is now no prospect of a referendum.

On Monday, Mr Straw will make a full statement to the House of Commons on the implications of the referendums. It is anticipated that the Bill to allow a referendum in the UK will be postponed indefinitely.

Lord Kinnock, a former vice-president of the European Commission, said the public had not been adequately informed about the European Union by their governments.

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Story link: Jack Straw expected to delay UK referendum

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