People’s Pledge – Thurrock Referendum

April 6th, 2012

Thurrock referendum historic result

This is simply a direct cut-and-paste from the People’s Pledge press release, so obvious “hat tip” to them. I have replicated it here just for reader’s information and enjoyment.

Numbers voting AGREE 13,111 (89.9%)
Numbers voting DISAGREE 1,479 (10.1%)

The People’s Pledge campaign in Thurrock closed yesterday at 5pm. 47,995 ballot papers were issued by Electoral Reform Services Limited, and 14,590 people have returned them by post or voted electronically. That is a turnout of 30.39%

The result will cause consternation among all the main parties at Westminster who have all tried to ignore the issue. In Thurrock itself, both the Conservative MP, Jackie Doyle-Price, and her Labour challenger, Polly Billington, have refused to engage with the People’s Pledge. In a seat where the majority was 92 at the last election, neither politician can now afford to ignore 14,590 local voters, almost as many as each of their parties polled in the general election.

Ian McKenzie, Director of the People’s Pledge, commenting immediately after the figures were announced, said:

“This turnout is astonishing and vastly exceeds anyone’s expectations, including mine. Two months’ very hard work by our small highly dedicated team has paid off in spectacular style. Earlier this week, when we were finding so people had already voted, it was clear something very exciting was about to happen. These numbers were simply unimaginable.

“A turnout this large proves two things. First, electors will respond to political activity that engages them. The myth of the uninterested citizen is just that, a myth. Knock on enough doors, respectfully explain why you are there, and, if your message is strong enough, people will respond.

“Second, the political parties at Westminster are going to have to rethink their attitude to a national referendum on the EU. “Heads in sand” is no longer a viable strategy; the people of Thurrock have just taken it off the table.

“I hear reports that the Whips on both sides of the House of Commons have been active in recent weeks trying to dismiss the People’s Pledge. I have immense respect for the Whips having worked for a Government Chief Whip for three years, so I overcome some trepidation when I implore them to look upon the People’s Pledge not as a posing a threat but providing an opportunity. This is a real chance for your Members of Parliament to revitalise and renew their relationships with the people who send them to Westminster and for whom they ultimately work, their voters.

“We are going to have a few days off and then plan the next stages of the campaign both here in Thurrock as we analyse the result and nationally for the next 11 People’s Pledge referendums.”

“Finally, I’d like to thank the whole People’s Pledge team for a fantastic effort and this great result. Much more importantly, I’d like to thank the people of Thurrock for responding so magnificently. Thurrock, with this first important step, you are now leading the way to a national referendum for the rest of us.”

test Filed under Direct Democracy, European Union | Comments (9)

9 Responses to “People’s Pledge – Thurrock Referendum”

Tory Princess on April 6, 2012 10:36 pm
This is good now if only the party would stop messing about and give us the vote.
Fenman on April 6, 2012 11:01 pm
If there is no referendum I wont be voting conservative at the next general election.
TimK on April 6, 2012 11:08 pm
Everybody shld sign peoples pledge.
No referendum no vote.
Edward on April 6, 2012 11:22 pm
Real democracy . I havent see that ina while.
Ian W on April 6, 2012 11:33 pm
The question asked was;
“Voters should be given a national referendum on whether the UK remains a member of the European Union. Agree or disagree?”.

It seems ludicrous that the political elite deny people a genuine say on such an issue.
In the early 70s people were told they were just joining a “common market” (and according to some sources deliberately deceived as to the potential long term federalist direction of travel); what proportion of the current electorate were able to vote then?

Despite public feeling on the issue the political establishment denies people the right to have a vote on such a major issue, with not surprisingly the core opposition to such democracy coming from the Europhiles.
Such moves to block genuine debate and allowing the people to register their opinion can only serve to widen the divisions between the political elite and the electorate.
Its no great surprise that Cameron’s popularity increased when he was seen to stand up to the EU and fell when he started back tracking, just as its no surprise that his popularity fell when he started to find excuses to back out of his “cast iron” guarantee.
With the way things are going offering a referendum may be one of the few ways the Conservatives can hope to gain a majority.

Of course if we ever do get to have a say on the issue we can expect to have our own money used to fund a massive pro EU campaign, to avoid a balanced debate of the issues and to probably have ambiguous questions to give the political elite some wriggle room.
Given the record on such matters, if we were to get it “wrong”, no doubt we’ll get a “not good enough, try again”.

Still, an interesting result to the mini referendum with a pretty high turnout; admittedly in a targeted area with considerable reticence re the EU; it will be worth watching whether this result is repeated elsewhere.
Jeff Harrison on April 7, 2012 12:15 am
Your leaders have seen sense on europe and the rest of your miserble lot need to see sense too.

Europe is the future.It will be one government and one state and that will be a good thing.

In time the pound will go and the euro will take its place and that will be another good thing.

This isnt going to change.There wont be referenduum and it doesnt matter if you cry about it because europe is onw in charge and I tell you one time more that is a good thing.

UK will never go to the right again and europe will make sure your idealls are history where they belong.

Moderator (Steve Tierney)’s Response:

I know I shouldn’t feed the trolls, but – I doubt you’re right my bridge-hugging friend.
Rogue Independent on April 7, 2012 12:26 am
this is a decisive message and people should listen. 30% turnout and 90% win? I think most people would be pleased with that.
Ian W on April 7, 2012 2:02 am
If one Europe is the future, why should it be under the current EU which only seems to serve itself whilst failing to serve the people of Europe?

The People’s Pledge is to permit people to have a say on Europe and the way its going, not to exit.

If the EU is such a good thing, surely those that are pro-EU should welcome the chance to state their case clearly and to get a genuine mandate to move forward with their beloved project.

I am waiting for someone to present an objective case for the EU based on substantive evidence and without the negative unsubstantiated scare-mongering which is often the default position. If the EU is so good, where’s the positive case for what it delivers for the costs, what it does well and how it represents genuine value for money.
Despite constant attempts the EU has failed to make a convincing case for its existence to a large proportion of the populace of Europe; given the amount of pro-EU propaganda we’re subjected to, why is this?

Those that are most pro-EU seem to have something personally to gain from it; or in the case of Labour to have revised their position when it gave them an opportunity to have socialist values imposed indirectly and undemocratically.

Let’s have a referendum and a genuine open and balanced debate of the actual issues, clearly setting out the pros and cons for Britain and then let the people make an informed decision of where they want their future to lie.
Antibomb on April 7, 2012 12:16 pm
OUT OF EUROPE!!