Sir, During 2005 and 2006 at least 11 EU countries will hold referendums on the proposed EU constitution. As supporters of the European “no” campaign we believe it is vital that this fundamental change is widely debated across Europe, and we are therefore making three simple demands.

First, every member state should accept that the overwhelming majority of their voters want the final say, and hold referendums. Secondly, governments and national electoral authorities should ensure that during each referendum, media coverage is balanced and public funds are not misused to give “yes” campaigners an advantage. Thirdly, governments must respect the fact that a national “no” vote means the proposed constitution must be rejected.

Europe is at a crossroads; public confidence in EU institutions is at an all-time low. We hope that this EU constitution will be rejected. It would be a mistake for Europe’s elites to attempt further integration without a comprehensive mandate from Europe’s people.

This letter is also being sent by our campaign colleagues in 14 EU countries to their leading newspapers.

Yours faithfully,
THOMAS RUPP,
Director, European No Campaign,
JACQUES BAUDOT,
(Member, French Senate),
ALEX HICKMAN,
(Chief Executive, Vote No),
MICHAL KAMINSKI,
(MEP, Poland),
CAROLINE LUCAS,
(MEP, UK),
MATTHEW McGREGOR,
(Director, Centre for a Social Europe),
ESKO SEPPAENNEN,
(MEP, Finland),
HARRY VAN BOMMEL,
(Member, Parliament of the Netherlands),
LARS WOHLIN,
(MEP, Sweden),
c/o European No Campaign,
Adelaide House,
London Bridge, EC4R 9BU.
January 10.

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