Jonathan Evans MEP, leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament, is in Newcastle today with North East MEP Martin Callanan to launch the campaign for a referendum on the new European Constitution. The campaign will be formally launched at Grey's Monument at 2:00pm on Friday 7th November where Jonathan and Martin will be asking people to sign a petition calling for a referendum on this key constitutional issue. This event will also be followed by a meeting in Sunderland at Roker Methodist Church Hall at 3:30pm where Joanthan Evans will be speaking to a gathering of Conservatives about the 'Let the People Decide Campaign'.

Speaking ahead of the launch Martin Callanan said:

'I am delighted to welcome Jonathan to the North East for this important campaign launch. The petition is part of a nationwide campaign that believes the proposed European Constitution involves grave and significant constitutional issues that seriously affect democracy in the United Kingdom and would be against our national interest.

He continued:

'Tony Blair has said he will not let the British people have a say on this issue - despite referendums being granted in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland. This campaign gives people from across the North East the opportunity to have their say and hopefully to change Tony Blair's mind.'