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		County Council defies public on EU poll Friday 18 July 2003 Yesterday, Northampton County Council rejected a call for a referendum on the proposed EU Constitution, despite evidence that nearly 90% of voters want a chance to have their say. An opposition motion was introduced by Cllr Brian Binley, the Conservatives' prospective candidate for Northampton South, calling on the Government to agree to a referendum. East Midlands Tory MEP Roger Helmer addressed the council, citing Senior EU Politicians who confirm that the proposed constitution represents a giant step in the EU integration. In June, in a national newspaper poll, 1.7 million people voted and 88.9% called for a referendum on the Constitution. Despite this overwhelming show of public opinion, Northamptonshire's Labour and Lib-Dem councillors rejected the motion. Speaking after the vote, Euro-MP Roger Helmer said: "This is an extraordinary slap in the face for Northamptonshire voters. Labour's knee-jerk party-line opposition to a referendum shows they are running scared of public opinion. Labour is determined to push through an EU Constitution, and they dare not let voters have their say."