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# Telegraph keeps up pressure for referendum
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/telegraph-keeps-up-pressure-for-referendum/
- Published: 2007-09-02T14:09:49.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:37:13.000Z
- Author: openDemocracy Supporters
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 18:31

**Jon Bright (London,** [**OK**](http://ourkingdom.opendemocracy.net/?ref=opendemocracy.net)**):** Another editorial in the [Telegraph](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml;jsessionid=OJ2F4C2LSO5XPQFIQMGSFFWAVCBQWIV0?xml=/opinion/2007/09/02/dl0201.xml&ref=opendemocracy.net) today calling for Brown to hold a referendum on the new EU treaty - and calling on people to sign their own online petition (to which, curiously, they do not provide a link). The arguments are the same (that it is almost identical to the old one, which Labour did promise a referendum on) and are well founded. The subtext, as always, is unspoken - Brown would hold a referendum tomorrow if he thought he could win it. He probably couldn't, and the political cost of campaigning for a 'yes' vote then losing would be huge.

Anyway, barring a massive increase in public interest in the matter, it is surely too late for a u-turn now. Chances are it will be signed in a couple of months in Lisbon. The big question isn't whether Brown will snap and call a referendum before then, but whether the Tories can capitalise on it at any future election: and that will involve them making clear their own stance on Europe.