Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, today demonstrated his support for an In/Out referendum on Europe by voting in the House of Commons for the European Union (Referendum) Bill, which is designed to ensure the British people get a vote on Europe during the next Parliament.
The Private Members Bill was brought forward by Conservative back bencher Bob Neil MP and is designed to facilitate an in/out referendum across the United Kingdom by the end of 2017 at the latest.
When introducing the Bill, Bob Neil told the house that an incoming Conservative Government would seek to renegotiate our relationship with the European Union and, under the terms of the Bill, the results of the renegotiation would then be put to the British electorate in a subsequent referendum.
The Bill achieved a successful Second Reading by 283 votes to 0 and will now move into its Committee stage in the Commons.
Commenting on today’s vote in Parliament, Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, said:
"It is about time the British people were given their say on Europe and I am very pleased that this Bill has been given a Second Reading today, to help secure an In/Out referendum in the next Parliament. I made my maiden speech in the Commons thirteen years ago on the subject of Europe and I argued that the EU had evolved way beyond the mandate that the British people gave in the previous referendum in 1975. That is even more true today and I strongly believe that my constituents - and their fellow countrymen - should be allowed their say on Europe and this Bill will help that to become a reality. I want to see this Bill on the Statute Book as soon as possible."