REFERENDUM ON UK MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

That this House notes that there has been no referendum on the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union since 1975; further notes that there is widespread public demand for such a referendum; believes that such a referendum will improve the country's standing in Europe by clarifying whether the British people have a long term commitment to the European Union and will force off the fence those political parties that seek to obscure from the public their true policy towards Europe; notes that it has not had an opportunity as part of the deliberation on the European Union (Amendment) Bill to debate and vote on proposals for a referendum on the United Kingdom's continued membership of the European Union; and calls on the Government to make time for such a debate as a matter of urgency.