Tuesday 13 May 2008

Spectator 180th Anniversary Blog
 

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Peter Hoskin

Pete suggests


SPECIAL EMERGENCY DEBATE: Britain should have a referendum on the EU Treaty

5th March, 2008

The debate will take place at the Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR.

Doors open at 6pm, March 5th, 2008. The debate starts at 6.45pm and finishes at 8.30pm.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR SPECTATOR READERS: Come and enjoy a pre-debate drink with the Editor, Matthew d'Ancona, and attend this exclusive debate held at the Royal Geographical Society's Ondaatje Theatre. The Spectator have formed an alliance with Intelligence Squared, joining our magazine and online elements with this dynamic debating forum. Tickets are strictly limited for Spectator readers, so we would recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets are £25 per person. To reserve your place email info@intelligencesquared.com or call 0207 575 1812 , quoting SP2.

Speakers for the motion:

Lord Lamont: Lord Lamont held a number of cabinet positions in the last Conservative administration. After managing John Major's successful leadership campaign, he was made Chancellor of the Exchequer - a position he held from 1990-1993 - during which time Britain was forced out of the Exchange Rate Mechanism on a day commonly referred to as "Black Wednesday". In 1998 he was elevated to the House of Lords with the title Lord Lamont of Lerwick. He is a well-known Euro-sceptic and helped negotiate the opt-outs in the Maastricht Treaty.

Neil O'Brien: Director of Open Europe and co-founder of the “I Want a Referendum” campaign.

Andrew Roberts: Award-winning historian whose many books include ‘A History of the English-Speaking Peoples since 1900’ and ‘Eminent Churchillians’. He is a regular on TV and radio, and his articles and book reviews appear frequently in the British press.

Speakers against the motion:

Vernon Bogdanor: Professor of Government at Oxford University and Gresham Professor of Law. His books include 'The People and the Party System: The Referendum and Electoral Reform in British Politics' He is a frequent contributor to TV, radio and the press.

Denis MacShane MP: Labour MP for Rotherham. Former Minister at the Foreign Office, and from 2002 to 2005 deputy to the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, and Minister for Europe.

David Aaronovitch: Broadcaster and commentator for The Times.

The debate will be chaired by Andrew Neil: broadcaster, former Editor of The Sunday Times and Publisher of The Spectator and The Business.

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