But was the poll fantastic, or a flop?
The votes are in for the Hammersmith poll, carried out by a consortium calling for a referendum on the EU Constitution, now known as the Lisbon Treaty.
The consortium delivered ballot papers to everyone on the open electoral register of voters in Hammersmith during February. Those who not on the electoral register could call a local-rate number or register via email for a vote.
To carry out the poll, the I Want a Referendum campaign also commissioned the Electoral Reform Services (ERS). The ERS is recognised in UK parliamentary legislation and by the UN.
The results were revealed last week. Postal ballots were sent to more than 26,000 people in the Hammersmith constituency. 5,685 people voted in Hammersmith, of whom 4,358 were in favour of a referendum – 77 per cent.
Councillor Paul Bristow said: “The referendums have led to an unprecedented response from voters for an unofficial poll.
This is a fantastic result for the referendum campaign.”
However, Ealing, Acton and Shepherds Bush MP Andy Slaughter said: “Local Tories spent around £50,000 on a bogus ‘election’ to whip up support for a referendum on whether Britain should sign the Lisbon Treaty (a minor treaty compared with all the major ones they signed without thinking of a referendum).
“ It was no more than a political stunt. It flopped. Only 6 per cent of those eligible (of course they barred EU voters from taking part) voted. “
The vote in the Hammersmith constituency will be part of a first wave of referendums
in constituencies across the UK organised by iwantareferendum.com.
The Conservatives have vowed to introduce their amendment calling for a referendum when the EU (Amendment) Bill - which would ratify the Lisbon treaty - goes to the House of Lords.
The amendment was defeated in the Commons on Wednesday (March 5) , by a majority of 63, but exposed divisions in all three parties.
The result of yesterday's vote means Parliament itself will decide to ratify the treaty, signed by EU leaders last December.
All EU parliaments must ratify the treaty before it can come into force. The only country which has committed to a referendum is Ireland.
--
Emma Midgley
March 7, 2008