The Rally for a Referendum was held on 
Friday 7 November 2003 at Church House, Westminster.  Its purpose was to examine and publicise the constitutional and legal significance of the EU Constitutional Treaty and to press for a referendum of the British people on its ratification.

The Rally for a Referendum was organised by the Congress for Democracy, which was set up in 1998 to provide an all-party forum for those campaigning for an independent pound and against British entry to the single currency.  The Congress for Democracy discussed the proposed EU Constitution at its Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Congresses and now focuses on the need for a UK referendum on the proposed EU Constitutional Treaty.

The Rally for a Referendum provided a focus for individuals and groups from across the political spectrum who are campaigning for a British referendum on the EU Constitution.  

At the Ninth Congress for Democracy in May 2003 - attended by leaders and members of campaigning groups, politicians from across the spectrum, business leaders, trade unionists, and individuals - it was agreed that :

The Ninth Congress recognises that the draft Constitutional Treaty presently being formulated by the Convention on the Future of Europe:

  would take major and irreversible steps to convert the EU into a fully fledged State and would yet further subordinate the nations of Europe to EU institutions and powers

    would yet further diminish the democratic control by and accountability of EU institutions to the peoples of Europe whilst vastly reducing the powers of national parliaments

and therefore RESOLVES THAT the Congress will take all steps open to it to explain and publicise the true nature and effects of the Constitutional Treaty and will press for a referendum of the British people on its ratification.