Britain deserves a chance to have a referendum on EU membership - Telegraph.co.uk

The Government has rightly legislated to prevent further treaties ceding powers without a referendum – but voters already feel a dangerous detachment from our political institutions, a sense that they are too distant and unresponsive, and a deep unease about the powers that have been given away without their consent.

Europe may not be at the top of everyone's list of priorities, but there are few who don't think they deserve a say. This principle – that the people should be consulted – was conceded with the referendum in 1975. But since then, a flood of powers has been transferred – even, as David Cameron pointed out in his party conference speech, to decide whether diabetics should be allowed to drive a car. "Almost every day," he said, "I see pointless new regulation coming our way… Do you suppose anyone in China is thinking: 'I know how we'll grow our economy – let's get the diabetics off our roads.' Europe has to wake up."

As the EU has gained new powers, many of those who voted for British membership have come to question what has been done in their names. Millions more of us have reached voting age since 1975, and wonder why we cannot be consulted as our parents and grandparents were.

Now David Nuttall MP has tabled a motion, via the Backbench Business Committee, that will ask the Government to introduce legislation in the next 18 months or so to provide for a referendum to be held. It doesn't try to bind it to the simple "In or Out" plebiscite promised in the Liberal Democrat manifesto. Sensibly, it would also allow voters to line up behind the Tory policy of renegotiation to bring powers back.

David Cameron has said that he won't support the motion, because he thinks there are more important issues at the moment. That is perfectly reasonable: this is a backbench debate, and there is no need for ministers to participate. What matters is that backbench MPs of all parties should be free to vote in accordance with our beliefs and in the interests of our constituents.

The Coalition Agreement commits ministers to examining "the balance of the EU's existing competences". I believe that a clear vote in the Commons next week will strengthen their hand in negotiations, as the debate on votes for prisoners did last February. A referendum would also provide an important opportunity for the British people to participate in one of the most important decisions about the future of our democracy and economy.

Personally, I believe that such a vote would give the Government an overwhelming mandate to seek the return of vital powers to British control. Equally important, it would send a clear message to the people that when it comes to deciding on our relationship with Europe, it is not something politicians should do over their heads: we are all in it together.

Graham Brady MP is chairman of the 1922 Committee and was shadow Europe minister 2004-7