My Beckenham referendum
From Sir Philip Goodhart Sir: Of course there should be a national referendum before this country is asked to sign a new European constitution. If the present government will not promise to do this, there is certainly room for private referendums, as Paul Robinson suggests ("The people must decide their fate', 26 April).
In September 1971. as Member of Parliament for Beckenham, I organised the biggest constituency referendum to be held before the House of Commons voted on our entry into the European Economic Community. I set up an elaborate system of polling stations, and just over 10 per cent of those on the register took part. There were 3,757 votes in favour of entry and 3,587 against — a majority in favour of entry of 170.
It would be best if any private referendums on the proposed constitution are also organised on a constituency basis, In last week's local elections a considerable number of local authorities sent postal ballots to all voters. There have been some problems, but the all-postal ballot experiment seems to have been a success.
In 1971 my Beckenham referendum cost £600. I now reckon that a comprehensive constituency all-postal referendum could be held for less than £100,000 per constituency. When the government of the day says it will recommend signing the new European constitution, it should be simple to organise a series of referendums in the constituencies of our most prominent political leaders.
Philip Good hart London W14
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