Advance notice - change of European policy

PRESS RELEASE

The United Kingdom Popular Democrats – UKpopdems, today announce a change to their detail policy on Europe, specifically regarding European Union (EU).

In summary, UKpopdems are now committing to an early referendum of all British citizens on remaining in, or withdrawing from, the EU. The substantive result of this vote, one way or the other, will direct government policy.

Reasons for the Change – It is not clear today that the majority of Britons really do wish to stay within the EU whilst not wanting Britain controlled by it. This is UKpopdems existing policy: Britain staying within a much less bureaucratic and more democratic EU, where Britain makes its own decisions as a sovereign nation.
However, it is clear there is a great up-swelling of feeling against membership of the EU, and for withdrawal. The strength of this feeling needs to be tested in a referendum. As a Popular Democratic party, UKpopdems is obliged to take note of and act on public demand. It was wrong of UKpopdems not to recognise the demand at the outset and this action aims to correct the situation.

UKpopdems full European policy now reads:

Europe:

This is what you say:

We want our say on EU membership and the result acted upon.

What’s wrong with things as they are?

Britain is increasingly controlled from Brussels
The EU is undemocratic, bureaucratic and possibly fraudulent
Millions of pounds in contributions go missing or are unaccounted for.
The EU is perceived as a gravy train for MEPs and bureaucrats while delivering little of benefit to the British people
The government seemingly enacts all EU law without serious thought to their value.

UKpopdems will make sure that ordinary Britons can vote to stay in or withdraw from the EU, so we’ll:

Hold an early referendum in order to obtain a substantive decision on whether the United Kingdom should stay in or withdraw from the EU.
If the vote is to exit, then withdraw from the EU whilst ensuring Great Britain and the British people remain better off, both financially and socially.
If the vote is to remain within the EU, then:
Gradually reduce contributions to the running expenses of the EU unless fraud and unacceptable accounting practices are immediately addressed
Push hard to reduce European bureaucracy to no more than 20% of the total
Work to bring British EU salaries into line with civil servants and MPs, and audit expenses
Implement no EU legislation until the British people have had their say

What will this do for the British people?

Your wishes on EU membership will be followed.
If Britain stays in you will know:
EU fraud will be reduced and poor accounting corrected
You will see us pushing for reduced bureaucracy in Europe
British EU workers will play their part in reducing waste
You will decide which EU legislation is implemented
If Britain exits from the EU you can be assured the country’s financial and social fabric will be protected and strengthened

Companion notes to the policy

The referendum will clear the air on where the UK stands in relation to EU membership. As with all UKpopdems peoples’ votes, government will not attempt to influence the decision, but will ensure the independent separation of fact from opinion.
Subsidies paid to individual countries will be unaffected
The EU seems to be a nightmare of bureaucratic paper shuffling. It will be a long and hard fight to get back-office reductions
EU pay rates and expenses will be made visible to British taxpayers, initially, before any equalization policy is considered
British people could also vote to rescind existing European legislation enacted in the United Kingdom.