Saturday 18 June 2011

Listen to the people? Only when they say what I want to hear! Democracy?

Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour party, has officially sided with Conservative leader and Prime Minister David Cameron on the United Kingdom's Membership of the European Union.

The United Kingdom (UK) is currently a member of the European Union (EU), which means much of the power to govern the UK is held by a panel of appointed Commissioners in Brussels.

There have been popular calls for all governing power to be brought back from Brussels to the UK parliament at Westminster. One proposal is for the UK to have a national referendum so the people of the UK can directly say where they want to be governed from.

But, in a recent letter Miliband has formerly stated that he does not want the people of the UK to be given this choice, and that no referendum should be held (Daily Express Story). This is the same position held by Cameron the conservative party leader who has also said that he will not allow a referendum (YouTube Clip).

Both men support the UK being a member of the EU and both men seem to share a reason for opposing a referendum, they oppose having a referendum because they believe that the UK public would vote to leave the EU. So both men put their personal view above that of the people of the UK - the voters they are supposed to represent.

Liberal Democrat leader (and deputy PM in the current coalition government) Nick Clegg, has previously stated that he would like a referendum on EU membership - but several times, when in a position to advance this cause, has shied away for dong so.

As actions are said to speak louder than words, it seems that the leaders of all three main parties agree that listening to the people is something that should only be done if they already agree with you - so much for democracy!

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