The public wants a vote

Open Europe have a new poll out today that shows that 86 percent of voters want a referendum on the proposed new treaty. Normally, I’m against referendums on the grounds that we live in a parliamentary democracy. But in this instance, that argument is made null and void by the fact that the 2005 Labour manifesto committed the party to a referendum.

Worryingly for Brown, 57 percent of voters would be definitely less likely to vote Labour at the next election if it reneges on its promise to offer people a chance to vote on the treaty. It’ll be fascinating to see how Brown gets himself out of this one.