Mick

iTrader: (1)

Government hires PR Company to sell EU Constitution



The Government this week hired a PR firm to sell the EU Constitution to the public. The Government is also intending to step up its campaign with the publication of the EU Constitution bill next week, which will then be debated in Parliament next month.

'Yes' campaigners said the new PR campaign was about "informing rather than spinning". But according to a leaked memo obtained by the Financial Times, the company, called "Geronimo", has been instructed to promote the idea that the Constitution is a "success for Britain" (Financial Times, 20 January).

In a written answer in Parliament this week Denis MacShane confirmed that all "information" about the EU Constitution produced by the Foreign Office will be "in line with and support Government policy."

The initial campaign will run until April, and the memo obtained by the FT promises an "extensive communications campaign". Interestingly, the memo reveals that the agency has been instructed to target "soft media" - for example non-news magazines which are likely to have a less critical approach and give the Government an easier ride. An FCO spokeswoman said, "We want to target publications that traditionally have not covered these topics, which can be dry or technical" (PR Week, 21 January).

The Neill Committee on Standards in Public Life argued that the Government should not spend any money promoting its view, or even on supposedly "neutral" information. It concluded that, "The government of the day in future referendums should, as a government, remain neutral and should not distribute at public expense literature, even purportedly 'factual' literature, setting out or otherwise promoting its case."

However, the Government has ignored this independent advice and Denis MacShane has said that the Government plans to spend "serious money" promoting the EU Constitution (Independent, 31 May 2004).

The Government is also ignoring public opinion. A recent ICM poll found that 71 percent of voters do not believe that the Government should be allowed to spend public funds promoting the EU Constitution. Only 23 percent thought it should be allowed to do so. (ICM, 18 November) This suggests that even some supporters of the EU Constitution think such tactics are unfair.

The current referendum rules put in place by the Government are doubly unfair - while independent 'no' campaigners have their spending tightly limited, the Government itself can spend as much as it likes.

The EU Constitution is opposed by the vast majority of British voters and businesses. Because it lacks real support, the Government will rely heavily on public funds, and the appointment of a hired PR agency is a signal of its intent to use taxpayers' money ruthlessly. But the Government faces a major problem. The Electoral Commission has said that the law should be changed and that, "What makes sense in fairness is that the Government should operate under the same restrictions as everybody else." Does the Government really want to go into a referendum with the Electoral Commission saying that it has rigged the rules?

Deep Singh

A disgrace. I cant believe we put up with this shameful waste of our money

Gordo

Bliar strikes again!!!

Adrian F

What is worse is that as a NO i still get to fund the Yes votes campaign thru taxation!

The Government should fund both campaigns equally or not at all.

Simes777

Further indication of Bliar's wish to become President of Europe at all costs.

Freak

once again they seem to have forgotten that they are elected to serve the people......not the other way round

The Zohan

Well said

Leslie

I would go further. I don't believe thay have ever intended to serve the electorate, or to do so in the future.

They are using this country and the people for their own ends.

Time for a change I say.

Les

paulr

yawn
yawn
yawn

i cant even be bothered to reply.

SiDHEaD

No, because that wouldn't be so bad - but the UK will never be at the top of the decisions chain.

r32

Nothing surprises me about this lot.
Did you know that there are more civil servants in the pensions and whatever department than soldiers in the Army...
1/2 million on potted plants .............

ajm

And yet you did nonetheless!

Not that you need to ply us with any more propaganda now "your lot" have hired some hotshot company to do the dirty work for them!

Adrian F

IThink Tony Blair plans to split the UK up e.g. the master plan of regional assemblies etc devolution was the first step getting Scotland and Wales away from the UK. then get bits to vote on the Euro so that if Scotland and Wales vote yes how could England not join so once he has dragged the UK into the euro and the constitution he will get paid of by being given a posh job in Europe with loads of cash and a big pension leaving us the people still living here to suffer the consequences.

Mick

iTrader: (1)

How can a Scottish vote ( 4 million people) and a Welsh vote (2 million people) have any bearing on what England does ( 54 million ?)

But yes underhand tactics like that are what this government seems to be quite cabable of! - This sort of metality makes the guys who sell their grandmothers look quite caring in comparison

There is quite a good new book on Direct Democracy, giving ordinary people the right to propose legislation that seems to be quite a good idea. Website here: http://www.directdemocracyinternational.com/index.html

Cheers

Mick

The Zohan

Whatever!, difficult to argue the point for this course of action more like.

Adrian F

Mick the tactic is called Divide and rule! If Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland all vote to join the Euro how could England not be forced down that road? Even if they had to hold a 2nd vote in England the pressure to give in a join would be irresistible