Paisley demands referendum on EU convention

The Rev Ian Paisley has demanded that the British government hold a referendum on the proposed European Union constitution.

The Rev Ian Paisley has demanded that the British government hold a referendum on the proposed European Union constitution.

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People in the United Kingdom must be given the right to decide whether we should adopt a new European Constitution.
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The Democratic Unionist Party leader, the Rev Ian Paisley.

The Democratic Unionist Party leader called on the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair to allow the British people to have their say on the EU constitution drafted under former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing.

Rev Paisley said any moves by the British government to take the United Kingdom into a federal Europe must be opposed.

"People in the United Kingdom must be given the right to decide whether we should adopt a new European Constitution," the North Antrim MP said.

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"The issues at stake are fundamental to our democracy and way of life.

"Prime Minister Blair has no mandate to take us down the federalist road. If he so passionately believes that this constitution with its federalist agenda is in the national interest then he has nothing to fear."

He said the present draft of the European Constitution draft was unacceptable. "The UK would lose control of economic, defence, foreign and security policies to name but a few," Mr Paisley said. "It is vital that it is the people who ultimately decide. In that respect there is no doubt they will choose co-operation over federalism or a European super-state."