Rother ask PM for EU referendum

Council members at a full council meeting at the Town Hall supported the motion stating Rother residents have a right to have their say on 'fundamental constitutional changes'.

The constitution is thought to be the way to bring European institutions closer to citizens and was presented to the EU summit in Thessalonica in June this year.

It will be discussed by the Government before national governments are asked to agree a Constitutional Treaty, at earliest in December.

Rother council sees this as important as it not only replaces all former EU treaties but would 'give the European Union "shared competence" over home affairs, transport, energy, social policy, economic and social cohesion, consumer protection and the environment, meaning overall more legislation and guidance that will be binding on local government will be decided at a European rather than a national level'.

The report from Cabinet, referred to full council this week, read: "The European Constitution would result in irrevocable change to the way in which the British people were governed. Power would be transferred away from Government to unelected bodies in another country."

It was noted that the Government had already used referendums to approve other constitutional changes affecting local and national government.

Rother cabinet added the word fundamental to the second part of the three-part motion, making it read: "Given the Government has used referendums to approve other constitutional change affecting local and national government, including establishing regional assemblies and directly elected mayors, this Council believes the people of Rother District should be able to have their say on these fundamental constitutional changes in a referendum."

The motion also stated the council recognises the Constitution will have huge implications for Rother due to the shared competence it would give over issues from home affairs to the environment, and that a written submission would be made to Tony Blair.