LABOUR MP Rosie Cooper has explained why she voted for a referendum to decide whether Britain should quit the European Union – despite describing herself as “a pro-European”.
The West Lancashire MP was among 19 Labour rebels who defied a three-line whip imposed by their party leader on Monday night to back a nationwide poll on EU membership.
Ms Cooper joined Birkenhead MP Frank Field in the revolt, which attracted far less interest than the 81 Conservative backbenchers who thumbed their noses at David Cameron.
She said: “It is clear to me that, on the issue of the European Union, there is massive disillusionment among people. They feel there is a need to take a step back and have a look at how our relationship with Europe works.
“Personally I am a pro-European and believe our economic future lies with Europe. However, I supported this motion because I am also pro-democracy.
“It was a non-binding decision on the Government – an opportunity for the British public to see if their representatives were listening on this fundamental national issue.”
All other Labour MPs in Merseyside and north Cheshire who were present on Monday night voted against staging a referendum on EU membership.
Warrington North MP Helen Jones, Labour’s education spokeswoman, missed the vote but could not be contacted yesterday.
Southport Lib Dem John Pugh was also absent – having a painful tooth abscess drained – but hinted he would have abstained had he been in the Commons.
Dr Pugh said the proposed plebiscite, including a question on whether Britain should repatriate powers to limit the EU relationship to “trade and co-operation”, was “flawed” but added: “I would not have voted against a referendum.”
Yesterday the fallout from the huge Tory revolt continued to dog the Government, despite the Prime Minister’s insistence there was “no bad blood, no rancour, no bitterness” between ministers and rebels.
Labour claimed the Coalition was badly split after Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, played down the chances of powers being repatriated from the EU to Britain in this parliament.
The Lib Dem leader attacked Tory Eurosceptics for what he called a “smash-and-grab raid” on Brussels, adding: “Let’s be under no illusions. Every step closer to the exit sign shakes confidence in the British economy and can hit British jobs.”
The comments came just hours after Michael Gove, the Conservative Education Secretary, insisted he did want to see a renegotiation leading to a power transfer before the 2015 election.
Meanwhile Conservative rebel Andrea Leadsom, who stood unsuccessfully in Knowsley South in 2005, denied claims she told Chancellor George Osborne to “f--- off” when he tried to tried to talk her out of the revolt.
Ms Leadsom, who voted against the Government, said: “We had a very polite conversation. We agreed to differ.”
