Huhne calls for a boycott of rigged EU 'vote'

8.00.00am GMT Fri 15th Feb 2008

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne today called for a boycott of the postal ballot sent out by campaigners for a referendum on the EU reform treaty.

Mr Huhne said that the "I want a referendum" campaign had shown themselves as a front organisation of the Conservative party by refusing to ask Eastleigh people whether they would like a choice on whether to stay in or leave the European Union.

"I offered to fund an additional question on whether we want to stay in or leave the EU in every postal ballot sent out by the referendum campaign, but they refused. They only want to ask the Conservative party question, not the Liberal Democrat one" said Mr Huhne.

In addition, two Conservative speakers were lined up for a public meeting on the postal ballot before asking Mr Huhne or a representative of UKIP and the Labour party.

"I am happy to debate with all comers on the right EU referendum, but I am not going to participate in a Tory meeting by another name" said Mr Huhne.

"Why are the Tories afraid of asking the question that people really want to answer, namely whether to stay in or leave the European Union."

Mr Huhne added that he would be happy to participate in a fair debate of the issue organised by an impartial organisation such as Eastleigh Churches Together, but would not attend a Tory-organised meeting.