parish people power is being used in a bid to apply pressure on Downing Street. A parish poll is being held in Hatherleigh later this month where residents are being balloted on whether they want a referendum on the European Union constitutional treaty. This comes as a result of the actions of Dorset resident John Barnes. A supporter of the UK Independent Party, he used a Local Government Act of 1972 to call a vote in the Dorset village of East Stoke. The act states that if ten members of a parish call for a poll on any subject then the council must comply. Now parishes from around the country are holding their own polls to attempt to put pressure on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to hold a referendum on whether to accept the constitutional treaty. The poll in Hatherleigh is being held following a public meeting last month where 15 electors asked for it to be carried out. Only people living in the town will be eligible for the ballot and they will be asked the question: ?Do you want a referendum on the European Union Constitutional Treaty?? The poll will be held at Hatherleigh Community Centre on Friday November 16 from 4pm until 9pm. Polling cards are not being sent out and there will be no postal or proxy votes.
