Sentences with phrase «dems called for a referendum»

Not exact matches

Unlock Democracy's protest on Saturday succeeded in attracting support from Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and the group is hoping its efforts will help strengthen the party's resolve in calling for a referendum on electoral reform as coalition negotiations continue.

It is reported that up to a quarter of Lib Dem MPs back a referendum but their leader Nick Clegg has attempted to duck the issue, calling instead for a wider referendum on the UK's future in the EU.

Earlier, a Lib Dem amendment calling for a second referendum on the terms of exit was comfortably defeated by 336 votes to 131.

But it rejected Lib Dem calls for a Commons debate and stressed that there would be no changes without reform of the House of Lords and a referendum.

Lord Ashdown, the former Lib Dem leader, has backed calls for a referendum, but many reformers are opposed to the idea because they believe that it would lead to the idea being rejected — a prospect that seems even stronger in the light of the way elected mayors were almost totally rejected in the 10 referendums last week.

The Lib Dem leader previously refused to back calls for a referendum on the EU treaty, arguing it was not necessary as the document appeared to differ sufficiently from the failed EU constitution.