Together with one of their constitutional experts, I have co-sponsored a proposal to set up an independent commission to oversee the forthcoming referenda on such issues as the voting system and the European Common Currency.
These referenda and others will be an increasingly important part of our democracy.
Common sense tells us that governments, like pollsters, can obtain the result they want by asking the question they want.
Whatever the result, it has to be one in which the people have confidence.
Already, I believe, we have the makings of an all-party coalition.
The Liberal Democrats seem broadly in favour, and at least one Labour MP has joined the cause.
I see no harm in Tatton setting the trend.
Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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