EUROPE: BRITAIN MUST GET A REFERENDUM

5.17.13pm GMT Wed 4th Nov 2009

Steve Gilbert is backing an "in-out" referendum

Steve Gilbert has once again pledged his support for a referendum on British membership of the European Union saying, "if I'm elected as the first MP for St Austell & Newquay I will use my vote in the House of Commons to make sure that we all get a vote on Britain's future."

The comment from the prospective MP comes on the same day that the Conservative Party abandoned its promise to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty which will now come into force on December 1st.

Steve Gilbert said, "We need to have a proper national debate on the question of Europe and a referendum is the best way to do that. People I speak to have very different views, some strongly in favour and others strongly against. Whatever our views I hope we can all agree it's time we got the chance to have our say."

The Lib Dem candidate has always been clear on what he stands for on Europe: an 'in-or-out' referendum.

Steve added, "If you are under 50 years old you've never had the chance to vote on Europe. We didn't get a referendum when the Tories signed up to Maastricht and we haven't got one from Labour on Lisbon."

"When I talk about Europe on the door-step or in the pub the question people want a vote on is 'in or out' - that's the referendum we should have and the one I would vote for."