“IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED, TRY, TRY AGAIN. Don’t give up too easily; persistence pays off in the end.” by Thomas H. Palmer in the ’Teacher’s Manual’.

If you really believe in something, even though you might get knocked back, you will keep on trying to succeed. Many people, over 100,000, really believed in asking the government for a referendum on EU membership. This led to a backbench debate on the 25 Oct where the result was pretty much predetermined by a three line whip, which was weird because the result was not binding. The government could ignore the result whatever happened. But even with this step back, many hoped that the vote would go their way.

The people pushing for the debate felt good because they had won one of the many battles in the war against the EU. To actually get the debate to happen was pretty much a major success. But even though they were defeated in the debate, The Campaign for a Referendum (A cross party initiative www.haveyoursay.eu) are try, trying again in launching another petition at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20911.

We must play the politicians at their own game! When they don’t get their way, they either keep asking the voters the same question until they get the result they want or just ignore the electorate and implement their ideas anyway. When the French, Dutch and Irish voted No to the EU constitutional and Lisbon Treaties, they were asked to vote again. We must force our MPs to do the same.

Now the problem is that once a debate has taken place on a topic, it can’t be debated again. Another way in which politicians get their way. Also, many similar petitions were created with different wordings, or a different emphasis creating confusion and because of the similar wordings will get rejected by the petition office.

To ensure the maximum success for a second petition on the EU, The Campaign for a Referendum have spoken with the petition office. As a result, the new petition is worded differently so the EU can be re-debated due to a clause in the programme for Government, that the people will be able to table their own bill. The petition office have indicated that this new petition would be allowed.

Even if this 2nd petition fails in a debate in parliament, we should keep try, trying again – until we get the “right” result.

Please sign the petition here – http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20911

SBML

1
ivan
November 12, 2011 at 11:06

You can be sure the only e-petitions that will get any traction are those the government want, anything else will be quietly forgotten, after all this is their attitude to them.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/11/04/government_epetitions/

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2
binao
November 12, 2011 at 11:43

From my MP’s response (he’s in govt) re the last eu petition, HMG position seems to be: ‘we’re waiting for it all to fall apart, then we can change things’.
I’m not convinced, but I guess if the future is uncertain and out of our control, any significant independent action re the eu now would be a bit like poking a bucket of spitting cobras with a sharp stick.
The Head Girl and her little prefect from the French class would be most displeased and might insist on changing the English class ink monitor.
And insist on remedial eu studies for the whole class.

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3
Pompey Cowboy
November 12, 2011 at 19:28

This is a like an alcoholic man who tells his poor wife things will get better if he can just carry on as usual, and there is no other way. The poor wife loves her husband but hates his alcoholism. But until he stops drinking nothing will get better. Perfect fit for the EU ?
They have had their social experiment — it hasnt worked, Lets get back to reality, less noses in the trough more listening to the wishes of the Britsh Electorate, and of course Racoons!

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4
Ancient + Tattered Airman
November 12, 2011 at 22:02

Signed.

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5
C H Ingoldby
November 12, 2011 at 23:12

Signed.

Scary how the ‘eurosceptic’ conservatives are now talking about how to help support the Euro system!

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6
Spiral Architect
November 13, 2011 at 14:51

Signed.

We must fight for democracy.

Currently, it is under threat.

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7
Derek M
November 13, 2011 at 15:24

You talk about fighting for democracy. You may have to yet. Worst case scenario:- Greece descends into civil war, quite possible. Italy descends into civil war, not likely, but possible. Germany/France send in troops to keep order. A country like China takes exception, and sends troops to support the rebels, maybe possible. You have one hell of a mess on your hands. Now sort it out!!!!

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