Britannia Radio

Historic Vote for EU Referendum in Lib Dem Seats in Manchester Record 35% turnout in Cheadle and Hazel Grove Constituencies Cheadle Referendum Numbers voting AGREE 13,606 (86.6%) Numbers voting DISAGREE 2,068 (13.2%) Turnout: 15,674 (35.4%) Hazel Grove Referendum Numbers voting AGREE 12,043 (88.5%) Numbers voting DISAGREE 1,559 (11.5%) Turnout:  13,602 (34.93%) The People’s Pledge referendum in Cheadle and Hazel Grove closed at 5pm today.83,266 ballot papers were issued by Electoral Reform Services Limited, and 29,276 people have returned them by post or voted electronically. These referendums were the largest sample of public opinion on voters attitudes towards an EU referendum for decades.  The result will cause consternation among all the main parties at Westminster who have all tried to ignore the issue. In both Cheadle and Hazel Grove the Liberal Democrat MPs, Mark Hunter and Andrew Stunell, have refused to accept the invitation of the People’s Pledge to debate the referendum issue in front of their constituents. In seats, both of which are marginal, and which are both up for grabs at the next election, neither politician can now afford to ignore the 13,606 and 12,043 local voters respectively, which is greater than either politician's majority. 12,500 people have signed The People's Pledge locally, and we will be keeping all of these supporters up to date with their MPs' views through to the next general election. Chris Bruni-Lowe, Campaign Director, commenting immediately after the figures were announced, said: “This result demonstrates that there is a very high level of support for an EU referendum among ordinary voters even within two traditionally Liberal Democrat seats. In the current uncertain climate for the coalition government, if MPs such as Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove) and Mark Hunter (Cheadle) continue to oppose the right of their constituents to have a vote on this issue, they must be prepared to accept the electoral consequences. Especially, as both MPs stood at the last general election on the Liberal Democrat manifesto supporting a referendum on EU membership." “The political parties at Westminster are going to have to rethink their attitude to a national referendum on the EU. “I’d like to thank the whole People’s Pledge team for a fantastic effort and this great result. Much more importantly, I’d like to thank the people of Cheadle and Hazel Grove for responding so magnificently.” The People's Pledge only exists because of your support. With 125,000 supporters, the Pledge is one of Britians most successfull and influential campaigns - with significant support in Westminster and around the UK. The successfull referendums in Cheadle, Hazel Grove and in April, Thurrock have only been possible because of your donations.  In order to continue this fight and taking the message of a referendum to as many people as possible we ask you to donate to the campaign.  Follow our campaign

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