European Union Bill

Debate between Chris Bryant and Stephen Gilbert

Tuesday 25th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Chris Bryant]

I look forward to hearing the hon. Gentleman’s arguments. However, I do not understand why it is okay to support Ireland without a referendum, but impossible to provide such support to another country without a referendum.

[Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD)]

rose—

[Chris Bryant]

I shall give way to the new Liberal Democrat.

[Stephen Gilbert]

I am grateful for the old hon. Gentleman’s time and patience in giving way.

Is not a further problem that, in a time of crisis, quick action might be required, and a referendum lock could mean that the problem got a lot worse before action could be taken?

[Chris Bryant]

Indeed. Obviously, a referendum would also incur significant costs. The Government are trying to argue that holding the alternative vote referendum on any day other than 5 May this year would cost some £30 million. I presume that any referendum under the amendment would also cost some £30 million, and I think that that is inappropriate. The clause refers to “a common EU defence”, and although I do not want to hand over the setting up of a standing army to the European Union, I acknowledge that there is already a European army, because there are troops from member states acting in Kosovo—and they have done so in Bosnia—as well as Swiss troops under an EU banner. I am reluctant to say that a referendum would be needed on any aspect of a common defence policy, because that would be a mistake in our national security.