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- Tuesday 04 March 2008
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Martin Horwood MP confirms his support for a Treaty referendum
Liberal Democrat MP Martin Horwood has become the latest Lib Dem MP - and seventh Lib Dem front-bencher - to confirm that he will support a referendum on the re-named EU Constitution Treaty.
In a response to constituents raising the referendum issue with him, Mr Horwood says:
"As you may also be aware from the media, there is another amendment supported by the Conservatives to introduce a referendum just on the treaty itself, rather than on membership of the European Union. As I understand it, this would only apply before ratification so if it fails during the passage of the bill through Parliament and the treaty is ratified, it would leave you without a vote.
"I am nevertheless inclined to support this referendum amendment too, in the spirit of our manifesto promise for a vote on the ratification of the earlier Constitution."
As a spokesman in Nick Clegg's shadow Environment, Energy, Food and Rural Affairs team, Mr Horwood becomes the seventh Lib Dem front-bencher to confirm he will rebel.
Were Nick Clegg to follow through on his threat to sack all such rebels, he would now lose his shadow Defence secretary, Justice secretary, half his shadow DEFRA and Treasury ministerial teams and a shadow Health spokesperson.
Such a threat is no longer credible.
Associated MPs: Martin Horwood