Anyone been watching the parliamentary debate re the EU referendum question?

Not long until they stop *****ing around and actually vote. Will be v interesting to see how many of our fine statesmen and women put their self interest/preservation before democracy and the will of the people they're supposed to serve, and vote against it.

 

virtually none from the labour and lib dem ranks as they tend to genuinely believe in Europe.

about 60 from the tory ranks at a guess.

I can see the UKIP vote significantly improving at the next election if Europe continues to hold out as a topical issue.

 

Sad but true. Self interest will always triumph above the will of the electorate. Politics will never change.

 

Didn't Cameron say before the election that we shouldn't be in Europe?

It's just said upto 70 Cons will go against Cameron.

 

Big mistake having these petitions where 100,000 can force a debate.

 

It's not about self-interest. It's about what is best for the country.
Can't remember who said it but it's so true. We operate consensus democracy, that is not about majority rule, it's about protecting minorites from the will of the majority.

 

Why do you think that? Do you think we should stay in the EU?

 

It might change if enough folk ever start voting for something substantial, rather than just the colour of the rosette a candidate might be wearing at any given time. Perhaps it's time for a parliament full of independent MPs, each representing and voting on issues based on the wishes of their individual constituencies. Cameron's shambolic attempt at the three line whip on this is just the latest shameful example of the contempt in which all three (well two and a half) main parties hold democracy.

 

Without question. The pros far outweigh the cons, thats not to say we don't need reform.

 

very true "and thank god we do"

 

Actually I believe ours is a representative democracy, which is always one of the arguments used by those in power to avoid having to waste time dealing with such trivial distractions as the overwhelming opinion of the populace they are supposed to serve. The Europe question has for years been too big and important a question and principle to be left to that rotten lot at Westminster, which is why it needs to be put to a full referendum. The issue of protecting minorities is a red herring in this case, I don't for one minute believe that even if we were to go the whole hog and vote to leave the EU, that any 'minorities' would suffer adversely by such a move, although I'm happy to hear how you believe this might be the case?

 

Personally. I'm more bothered about issues such as the so called NHS Reforms.

The Condems have either pushed policies through or are trying to push policies that weren't in their manifestos. Relatively little said about these. Don't see much opposition posts to this on here.

The true reason of the NHS Reforms will out soon enough. Profit for the Tory backers and their friends.
People moan about the 'Over'Administration of the NHS, well even if this was the case at least money is being paid into jobs not personal profit.