The government is using taxpayers' money to hire a PR agency to extol the virtues of EU membership and explain why the European constitution is a “success for Britain”.
A Foreign Office memo, obtained by the FT, reveals that the government is embarking this month on an “extensive communications campaign” before the referendum on the constitution, expected next year. As part of the offensive, it has hired Geronimo PR a London-based firm which has handled previous government campaigns to increase awareness about the “benefits” of EU membership and the “facts” about the constitutional treaty.
Outlining the brief for the agency, which has been given a £40,000 budget, the Foreign Office asserts that it is to inform the public rather than “persuade” people to vote for the constitution. But the memo goes on to reel off a list of the constitution's merits, calling the treaty a “success for Britain” which will “confirm” the UK's “position of strength in Europe” and enable the enlarged Europe to “work more effectively”. Rejecting the constitution, it says, would “jeopardise our position in the EU …weaken Britain's influence in Europe …. It would marginalise and isolate us”.
Opponents of the treaty reacted angrily. Neil O'Brien, campaign director for Vote No, said: “It's outrageous for the government to be using taxpayers' money to sell an EU Constitution which most voters don't want.”
But Lucy Powell, campaign director of Britain in Europe, said the campaign would be about “informing rather than spinning”.
A bill paving the way for the referendum is to be published next week. Ministers have revealed in a written parliamentary answer that it could cost £80m to run the referendum.
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