Referendum Party

The Referendum Party were a political party in the United Kingdom formed to contest the 1997 General Election. The leading figure behind their formation was James Goldsmith. The party's position was simply that there should be a referendum held on the UK's continued membership of the European Union.

The Referendum Party very briefly held a seat in the House of Commons after George Gardiner, the Conservative MP for Reigate, changed parties. In the 1997 election itself, the Referendum Party polled fairly well, but did not threaten to win a seat in the House of Commons anywhere. Gardiner campaigned for re-election in Reigate, but was not successful, loosing to the new Conservative candidate.

Goldsmith vowed that the party would continue after the 1997 election, but his death deprived them of their most high profile figure and the financial support he offered them. The party ceased to exist not long after 1997.

Many members have switched their support to the UK Independence Party.