The post you are reporting:
AS MENTIONED BY VIC ABOVE in post 65
Here is the correspondence between C Elphicke MP and Brian Kidd UKIP Officer.
At the bottom is Mr Kidds email to Charlie..the reply from Charlie at the top.
Many thanks Vic for the info...
"EU REFERENDUM MOTION IS RUBBISH!"...says Charlie
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From: ELPHICKE, Charlie <charlie.elphicke.mp@parliament.uk>
Date: 23 October 2011 16:25
Subject: Re: THE E.U DEBATE.
To: brian kidd <briankidd.deal@gmail.com>
Dear Brian,
Thank you for your email. As you can imagine, I have given a lot of thought this weekend to our relationship with Europe.
First, what do people want? They say they want to get out of Europe. When I ask does that mean no free trade either, they tell me "no - I want the Common Market we signed up for" rather than the monster/octopus the whole thing has become.
And I have to say I agree with that. Free trade without the baggage. The baggage being all these laws, meddling, cost, corruption and general interference. Interference, like the social chapter, that is now holding us back from getting our country in shape to grow. So it's clear we need to recast our whole relationship fundamentally.
This is the position I adopted before the election and communicated to people in the election. A fundamental recasting to get free trade and lose the rest of it.
Now, we have a vote on a multi option referendum. One option to stay, two options for less Europe. It's clear to me that the less Europe vote will split. It's also clear to me we do not need a referendum to tell the politicians that we want the Common Market rather than the octopus. I am also very aware that there is no majority in Parliament for what we all want as Labour and the Lib Dems are pro European.
Why do I write these things? Because like people in Dover and Deal I am clear on where we want to get to but also practical and hard headed. I want to *see* change, not just bang on about it.
In view of this my conclusion is first that the referendum motion is rubbish as it will split the less Europe vote. Second I have joined in tabling an amendment that says the Government should immediately renegotiate to get us less Europe and them put a clear, detailed plan to a referendum. The Government are against that amendment, but I will vote for it anyway. If the amendment is not successful I will vote against the motion itself as we should have a clear choice, not a multi option choice that will favour pro Europeans.
As I hope I have explained this whole business is a complete mess. From the drafting of the motion to the way this entire row has carried on.
The whipping and issue of "rebellions" matters not to me. As you probably know I have successfully defeated the Government in a vote on the future of the port. The only Government defeat this Parliament so far. This is because I believe in putting constituency first. I am very mindful that the priority of most people locally is to get a proper hospital, secure the future of our port, get more jobs and money and get a fairer share for Dover and Deal.
That may not be as highbrow as our relationship with the EU, yet they are the things I care most about because I care about our community above all other considerations. These priorities are and remain my priorities as they are the priorities of our community.
Now I know that what I say will make no difference to how you vote, but I feel it right to give you a full explanation of my thinking.
Best wishes
Charlie
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Charlie Elphicke MP
Member of Parliament for Dover and Deal
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On 21 Oct 2011, at 10:20, "brian kidd" <briankidd.deal@gmail.com<mailto:briankidd.deal@gmail.com>> wrote:
Mr Elphicke.
I read in the press that the scheduled debate on the E U referendum has been brought forward from the 27th of October to the 24th of October.
The reason being that there will be less time for the "pro referendum" groups to marshal their forces.
If this is the case this is a thorough disgrace! As for Cameron and the other "leaders"trying to dictate how MP's vote on this issue is also shameful!
Everyone knows that all of the main political party leaders are determined to evade these issues and Deni the voters and tax payers their democratic
rights to have their say and yet we hear Cameron, grandstanding about how proud he is of Britain's roll in the Libya affair and how the people of Libya
can now build a new democratic country. If this isn't the height of hypocrisy I don't know what is!
I have signed the "People's Pledge and will find out how you voted on this issue Mr Elphicke.
I am asking you to "Do the right thing" by your constituent Mr Elphicke and stand up to be counted on this issue.
Brian Kidd. Deal.