An E.U. referendum!

According to news reports today, the European Parliament has passed legislation that will permit "EU funding" (which, of course, like all 'government funding' is supplied by the taxpayer!) to be used by political parties to publicise their campaigns even in national referenda!

This could mean that, if the British people are eventually given the right to vote in a referendum regarding continuing membership of the discredited, disastrous, debacle that is called the EU, then their own cash could be used to support the campaigns of those with vested interests (aka overly-generous salaries, gold-plated pensions, exorbitant expenses, etc., etc.) in keeping the United Kingdom in!

Of course, there has to be the opportunity for such a referendum in the first case.  Unfortunately, while it would appear that Prime Minister Cameron is all for allowing the people of Libya to determine their own national future - and, as earlier posts would indicate, I am with him on that - he is not as willing to allow the British people to determine theirs!

It would appear that there is only one credible political party within the UK that would be willing to permit the British people to have their say.  It is my hope, therefore, that in the forthcoming elections at various levels of government around the UK, the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) will see a great surge in support.  It is unlikely that they will end up in control of even a smaller Council, but a good result for them might just increase the pressure on Mr Cameron sufficiently that he would bow to the demands of many of his own back-benchers (supported, I understand, by a fair number from the Labour opposition) to allow a referendum.  It is unfortunate that he is not prepared to save considerable expense by holding such a vote on the same day in May as the other elections are taking place.  But of course, as usual, spending other people's money is just too easy!