Boris signs the People's Pledge for an In/Out EU referendum

By Matthew Barrett
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The People's Pledge has tweeted that Boris Johnson, while campaigning in Romford with Andrew Rosindell MP yesterday afternoon, signed the pledge in support of a referendum on British membership of the European Union. Andrew Rosindell commented on Boris' signing:

"I am delighted Boris has signed up for the People’s Pledge. A clear majority of the British People and the vast majority of Conservative supporters want a referendum on our membership of the European Union. I wish the campaign all the best in its efforts."

Yesterday, Boris distanced himself from the Government's Budget. This latest move makes him the most senior person in the party to support an in/out referendum - the Mayor of Britain's biggest city, no less. It is major news - and won't be looked upon kindly by Downing Street.

Boris reportedly signed the pledge when asked to do so by a People's Pledge supporter called Sue Connelly. His decision to sign therefore doesn't seem to have been part of a strategic plan - but, rather, as the kind of spontaneous impulse for which he's well known. They can have consequences both for him and for others.

The People's Pledge is currently running a local referendum campaign in Thurrock, which has so far seen thousands of people sign up for a referendum, with the full by-election style local referendum to be held on Thursday 5 April 2012. The People's Pledge recently celebrated its 100,000th nationwide signature for a referendum.