Campaigning situation
Vote No is a group supported by the British business community, campaigning for the rejection of the proposed EU Constitution. It is not an anti-EU group, but it does advocate substantial reform of the Union. Current political activity in the UK is focused upon the upcoming general election in the UK, which will probably occur in May 2005, and which is likely to result in another victory for the current administration. Because of the government’s reluctance to begin their pro-Constitution campaign before the election, the ‘no’ campaign has time to gain the advantage. After the general election, when campaigning for the referendum will begin, Vote No will merge with other campaigns, such as the Centre for a Social Europe, to form a cross-party coalition opposed to the Constitution, embracing key figures from the Left and the Right. The ‘no’ campaign has been progressing well so far, but the outcome of the election will be influential. The ‘yes’ campaign will be well funded by public money, and will try to present the referendum as a choice between being being a member of the EU and withdrawal.
The referendum is expected to be held in March 2006, after the UK’s presidency of the EU in 2005. While a ‘no’ vote is clearly possible given widespread public antipathy to Brussels, the victory should be decisive. To secure this victory, it will be vital to counter the ‘yes’ campaign’s claims by emphasising that a ‘no’ vote does not mean withdrawal from the EU. Emphasis of European involvement and international co-operation in the ‘no’ campaign will be vital. Anti-constitution campaigns across the EU will benefit from co-operation. Vote No plans to stage a big event in London next year.
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