The truth behind the Lisbon Treaty

This timely booklet is for all those who want to take part in the growing debate about the British people's right to a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

At the 2005 general election, the Labour Party manifesto promised a national referendum on the draft EU constitution. Now, the EU Lisbon Treaty is going through Parliament but the new Labour government is refusing to hold a referendum. Why?

This booklet addresses the crucial question - is the Lisbon Treaty substantially the same as the draft constitution? The author, Bill Wedderburn - a QC, a life peer and a member of the Labour Party since 1946 - analyses the thousands of pages in the Lisbon Treaty, the constitution and the commentaries about them and agrees with the vast majority of European politicians that the Lisbon Treaty contains substantially the same provisions as the draft constitution.

The pamphlet illustrates, by reference to the Viking and Laval judgements, the way in which the EU Court of Justice limits trade union rights at EU level by enforcing as law the economic rights of business and capital in the single internal market.

Wedderburn concludes by saying that the government has been misguided in refusing a referendum to the British people, as promised in the Labour Party manifesto.

Instead, the Lisbon Treaty has been pushed through the House of Commons. The House of Lords debate will take place between April and June. In the first debate on April 1, 12 hours were made available for the 71 members who wished to speak. The government refused to extend the time so that back benches had less than 10 minutes each on this enormous subject.

Yes to a Referendum? A Labour View by Bill Wedderburn is available from the Institute of Employment Rights, The People's Centre, 50-54 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, L3 5SD, priced £5 for trade unions, £10 others. Visit

CAROLYN JONES