John Rhys-Davies, who played Gimli in the Hollywood trilogy, has said that he was ‘amazed’ no-one has raised the issue before with the UK government.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has promised a referendum on whether Britain should remain in the EU by the end of 2017.
Mr Rhys-Davies said the daily life in the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey is affected by EU-decision making and that ‘natural justice’ requires islanders having a say in the referendum.
‘Even if I did not live on the island I would still champion this cause,’ the welsh actor who has lived in the Isle of Man for 30 years said.
‘The British people should all have a say – if any of us have a say.’
He added: ‘I feel very strongly that people of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey should have their say in a referendum that could change all our lives for a generation.
‘I’m just a bloke who is British and proud of it and I want a say.’
The online petition has so far gathered more than 300 signatures. The UK government will respond to the petition if it attracts 10,000 signatures. It will be considered for a Westminster debate if it receives 100,000.
Mr Rhys-Davies’ petition comes after Deputy Mike Higgins said that Islanders should have a vote in the referendum because if Britain were to leave Europe it would devastate Jersey’s finance industry.
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