By KUNA
London : Protesters scaled a crane near the Houses of Parliament Monday, to demand a referendum on the EU Treaty, police said.
Two men climbed hundreds of feet above central London to tell British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to trust the people and hold a national vote.
The protest comes ahead of this Wednesday’s House of Commons vote on a main opposition Conservative party proposal to hold a referendum on the controversial agreement.
Opponents of the treaty, signed in Lisbon last year, say it is merely a re-branding of the EU Constitution, which was ditched after it was rejected by French and Dutch voters.
All three main political parties here promised a vote on the constitution at the last General Election, but Brown says a vote is not necessary because the Lisbon document differs significantly from the old constitution.
One protester calling himself “Simon” told reporters today “We want the Government to give the people of Britain a referendum like they promised they would. It’s a very simple request.
“It’s a question of democracy. All we are asking for is a vote on whether to ratify this treaty or not. It seems Gordon Brown doesn’t trust us enough to let us have a vote,” he said.
Wearing fluorescent jackets and sporting hard hats, the protesters from a group calling themselves “We Are Change” scaled the crane late last night.
Simon said he and fellow protester Rob were “well stocked-up” with provisions.
They unfurled banners saying “Referendum Now” and “Give Us Our Vote.” Police said they were called early this morning.
The crane is sited in the south-west corner of Parliament Square. The building is being renovated in preparation for its use as the new Supreme Court from autumn next year.
Uniformed police officers cordoned off the pavement around the building. No roads were closed.
Yesterday, a poll of voters in key constituencies put support for a referendum at 88 percent.
A ballot, organised by the campaign group “I Want A Referendum”, asked 150, 000 people in 10 marginal seats for their views.
Today’s protest comes less than a week after climate change activists breached security at Westminster by climbing on to the roof of the Houses of Parliament to demonstrate against the expansion of Londons Heathrow Airport.