RMT Motion TO TUC Conference Calls For Referendum EU

Referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union
Congress notes the last referendum on Britain’s place in Europe was in 1975 in respect of membership of the Common Market.Since then there have been five further treaties, meaning the European Union now has a clear political as well as economic structure.

The vote on the Common Market was thirty eight years ago, meaning no-one in Britain under the age of 56 has had the opportunity to vote on the EU, despite the EU gaining substantial legislative, political and economic powers.Congress also notes there has been no vote on Britain’s membership of the EU despite the fact that the three main British political parties have all promised referenda in recent years and that polls are overwhelmingly in favour of a referendum.

Congress accepts there are divergent views on what should be the nature of Britain’s relationship with Europe, with some for example supporting withdrawal from the EU while others support continued membership. Congress believes there is now, however, a growing consensus for a referendum, including from senior MPs from all the main political parties, and it is fundamentally undemocratic to deny the British people a vote on this issue.

Congress therefore supports a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union.

Congress also agrees to campaign vigorously for a referendum and also considers that while there may be strong arguments for the referendum to take place as soon as possible, the General Council should conduct an urgent consultation to establish affiliates’ views on the timing of the referendum.

  • Read the conference agenda here