Thanet District Council Labour Group quash debate on an EU Referendum

At last night’s Council meeting, the whole TDC Labour Group, including the Labour Parliamentary candidate, Will Scobie, voted to quash debate on a motion submitted by Conservative councillor Julie Marson, which called upon the Council to support a referendum on the future of Britain’s relationship with the European Union.

Dismissing discussion on Europe as a ‘stunt’, the Labour Party, whose policy is to not allow the people of Britain a referendum on Europe, denied Thanet’s elected members their chance to debate this issue of huge public interest.

Cllr Marson said: “This issue directly impacts the lives of the people of Thanet and polls show that the people of this country overwhelmingly support an In/Out referendum on the EU.  I am disappointed but not surprised that the Thanet Labour Party does not wish to allow debate on an issue on which they are so out of touch with the residents of Thanet.  I am proud that the Conservative Party is completely committed to giving the British people a referendum on Europe.”

Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Bob Bayford said: “ The Labour Party have been quite happy to discuss national issues such as same sex marriage and abolition of the spare room subsidy, but do not trust the people of this country or their elected representatives to discuss our future relationship with Europe.”

Note:

The full motion stated: The future of the UK’s relationship with the European Union is a vitally important issue for the people of East Kent, including Thanet.

This Council supports the EU Referendum Bill currently before Parliament which makes provision for the UK to hold a referendum on its membership of the European Union before the end of 2017.