Declan Ganely of Libertas on Hardtalk.

You can watch Declan Ganely of Libertas being interviewed on Hardtalk by clicking HERE. The more I listen to this man, the more I like what he has to say.

Libertas press conference - with Declan Ganley (Paris).

Now I'm a bit stuck here. I like what Libertas are saying and I like their objectives. However, can they gain the support needed to give them a chance? It's the old catch twenty two - if everyone who agreed with Libertas were to vote for them, then they would do very well indeed in the Euro elections. But, because they are new on the scene, people like me will wonder if voting Libertas will be a wasted vote. I think a massive campaign is needed.

I have no doubt that Libertas will take votes away from the Conservatives in the Euros, after all they have very similar policies where the EU is concerned. The Conservatives are going to have to up their game.

Here is Declan Ganley giving a Libertas press conference in Paris. It's an excellent speech that will appeal to many right of centre voters. The Shadow Cabinet need to be worried.

The UK's 1st newsletter from Libertas.

Today I received the first UK newsletter to come out of Libertas. Here's what their Party Leader – Robin Matthews has to say:

This week Libertas launched in the UK giving us the opportunity to step out of the shadows of preparation and get on with the real business of convincing the UK electorate that if they want to have any chance of effecting real and positive change in Europe, then Libertas, the first truly pan-European political party, is the vehicle to achieve this.

Our aim is clear: we want root and branch reform of the European Union; reform that is driven from the grassroots rather than unelected elites; reform that respects the sovereignty of member states and most preciously the sovereignty of the individual at the ballot box.

To achieve this, we need to send a very clear message to Gordon Brown that despite his best efforts to smuggle it in by the back door, the United Kingdom is not signed up to the Lisbon Treaty. Allied to this will be a commitment to restoring democracy, accountability and transparency to the EU. Libertas will unveil how it intends to achieve this during the campaign.

We of course need your unstinting and imaginative support. We have some truly excellent people stepping forward as candidates, but need even more: real people with real experience who truly represent the UK demographic. We also need everyone to drive the fundraising effort forward and galvanise the armies of foot soldiers who we will need to help us on the ground now and in the final run up.

Finally, I am frequently told that time is short, which it is. However, as I have often said in reply, the need to say No to Lisbon is urgent, the aim of reform is clear and the message is strong. Moreover, as I watch the daily growth in momentum, both in the UK and right across Europe, all I see is opportunity to score real success at the June elections. A revamped website up and running shortly is a major step forward to helping us achieve this.

What do you think?

Nick Coke of Libertas UK replies to my email.

This is an email I sent to Libertas UK.

I like what you are saying:

"This is Libertas' promise and its demand. Join us, give us your support and Libertas will give you the referendum on the anti-democratic Lisbon Treaty that the Brussels elites have conspired to deny you. In so doing we will give you the opportunity to say yes or no to the current status quo. This will provide you with an altogether more ambitious and enterprising choice."

I'm an anti Lisbon Treaty blogger. I would love to have a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, but can you explain how giving you my support will give me one?

P.s I know that I'm a Tory blogger, but I'm not taking the p*ss. If you can deliver a referendum, you will get both my support and my vote.

Best Regards

Steve Green

Daily Referendum Blog.

And here is their reply:

Dear Mr Green

Thank you for your email. The way we will effect change is by the fact that we will be the only genuinely pan-European party in the EP. This will mean that, given adequate support in June, we will become the biggest Party in the European Parliament and therefore have sufficient clout to force reform. Top of that list of reform will be to throw out the Lisbon Treaty and put in its place a shorter, more readable version which will be put to a referendum.

Regards

Nick Coke

Obviously the stumbling block here is the "given adequate support" bit.