After the People’s Pledge campaign calling for a referendum produced an overwhelming Yes vote in April 2012 in Thurrock, it has now run a similar exercise in Cheadle and Hazel Grove constituencies in Manchester, polling nearly 90,000 people, with a record turnout of 35 per cent in the constituencies. Cheadle returned an 86.6 per cent vote calling for a referendum. In Hazel Grove the vote for a referendum was even higher, 88.5 per cent.
Both constituencies are marginal Liberal Democrat seats. The Lib Democrat MPs have refused to debate with the People’s Pledge the issue of a referendum over the EU. They cannot ignore 13,606 voters in Cheadle and 12,043 in Hazel Grove who actively demanded a referendum if they want to hang on to their parliamentary seats. ■