Assembly motion on Lisbon Referendum

The Assembly is debating this morning whether or not to support a UK wide referendum, on the Lisbon Treaty. Tabled by The DUP’s Simon Hamilton and Gregory Campbell, the motion reads:

That this Assembly notes the verdict of the Republic of Ireland electorate on the Lisbon Treaty referendum; reaffirms its support for a referendum in the United Kingdom on the Treaty; and calls for a declaration from those parties aspiring to form the incoming Government of the United Kingdom to give an unequivocal commitment to hold, within a twelve month period from assuming office in 2010, a binding referendum on the Lisbon Treaty that is unconditional and unrelated to how other Member states choose to vote, and the result of which will not be held in abeyance pending a further referendum on the subject.

It will be interesting to see how Sinn Fein respond to the call to test opinion on this part of this island. This is an issue which they agree strongly with unionism and Conservative Britain on.