Nick Clegg a Disaster

Yesterday Nick Clegg did a wonderful performance of the Grand Old Duke of York! He has led us straight into an obvious ambush unti all he could do in the end was order his troops to lie down falt on the floor of the House of Commons with their hands over their ears - We had three stalwart leaders and another 12 troopswho sacrificed theselves to do the right thing I am only sorry that the rest of the backbench had not the courage to do the same. THis was a disaster that has ben clear to me for some time - this is my reply to Nick when he announced the policy on the 14th February (I expext he sent Gordon a valentine that day too!):-

I am very disappointed that our party should be using such devious 'Newspeak' with regard to a referendum for the EU Constituton. 'A real vote on Europe' is clearly no such thing but a way to coherce people to agree to the constitution because they are afraid of the alternative option of withdrawal.The so called `Treaty' is a constitution in all but name. WE are being asked to agree it even though the most important aspects of it - viz the powers of the new European President have not even been defined yet!!I would vote for the Constitution in a referendum - even though the CAP and the democratic deficit have not been properly reformed by it - but why can we not have a more sophisticated vote than a simple yes or no. I.E. a series of questions on the major issues in the constitution (QMV, President, Foreign Minister, commondefence policy etc) If some of them are approved and some rejected we will at least have an idea what kind of EU the people of Europe actually want and those elements that are approved can be implemented.

David Turner - Newcastle City Party