The only nation that had a chance to vote on Lisbon, has voted "no"

Thank you Ireland.  Thank you.

12.52pm: Douglas Carswell MP on CentreRight: "Ireland has benefited from Euro squillions.  Her political / media establishment, like our own BBC, was almost universally behind the well-financed "Yes" campaign.  Yet still the Irish have said "no"."

1.07pm: Open Europe live blog: "Mark Mardell reports that the no are winning on News 24.  He says Brown phoned Sarkozy to say that he would press ahead with ratification in the event of a NO. That would be total madness - surely? But lets not count chickens here - still think its going to be a yes."  What arrogance!

1.25pm: EU Referendum has a very good live blog.

1.26pm: Hilarious exchange on Five Live between Open Europe's Neil O'Brien and Europhile Denis MacShane MP.  Neil kept asking MacShane if Labour would now withdraw the Lisbon Bill from its last parliamentary stages.  Refusing to answer the question he launched attacks on Neil O'Brien as a "fanatical" Eurosceptic!  He stormed out of the studio.  Bad loser, Denis.

1.39pm: Congratulations to the people of Ireland, who have struck a blow for Europeans everywhere. Despite what the “yes” campaign said, Ireland is now closer to the heart of Europe than ever: never has it been so popular.  Congratulations, too, to the friends of Irish democracy from outside Ireland who supported the “no” campaign and made it impossible for the other side to argue credibly that a “no” would leave Ireland isolated. ConHome can now reveal that the Tory MEP, Daniel Hannan, was behind the embassy vigils throughout Europe, which saw crowds assemble at 40 Irish embassies and consulates across the continent to urge a “no” vote. Daniel is quite a veteran of European referendums, having campaigned for “no” votes in Denmark, Sweden, Spain, France, Malta and Estonia, too.  He and other Euro-sceptic MEPs contributed to a series of fact-sheets in Ireland about the Lisbon Treaty, whose aim was not to tell people to vote “no”, but to disseminate information about its content and so depreciate the turnout on the “yes” side. It seems to have worked!  Read Dan's blog of today's result.

3pm: Global Vision's Ruth Lea has sent us this statement:

"If, as seems likely, the Irish vote “no” to the Lisbon Treaty it confirms the extreme unpopularity of this treaty with the people of Europe. We should also remember that both the French and the Dutch voted against the Constitution, effectively the same as the Lisbon Treaty, in 2005. Surely it is time the British people were allowed their say on the treaty.

It is clear that the EU’s integrationist project is fatally unpopular and, hence, fatally flawed. The EU should have a major rethink on the future of the EU. It needs to embrace a more modern, looser approach and be prepared to accept that some countries, whilst happy to have a relationship with the EU, do not wish to be part of ever-closer political and economic integration. Britain is clearly one such country."

5.25pm: William Hague has issued the following statement:

"“The Irish people have spoken and they have made clear that they do not want a Treaty that takes so many powers from the countries of Europe and gives it to distant institutions in Brussels. Despite all the threats that have been made they have had the courage to make their own decision. They deserve Europe’s admiration and congratulations.

“Alone in Europe they have had the chance to make their views known. If democracy in the EU is to mean anything their decision must be respected. The Republic of Ireland’s voters must carry no less weight than the Dutch and French.

“The British Government must respect the Irish people’s verdict. Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in Parliament must be stopped immediately.

“The renamed EU Constitution should now be finished. But, as we know from last time, even after two ‘no’ votes the original Constitution was brought back under another name. And there are now no excuses left for denying the British people their say. So unless it is agreed that this Treaty is dead and buried it is essential that the British people have their say. There is no justification for the Irish people being allowed their say while the British are denied theirs.

“Gordon Brown must now come to the Commons on Monday to make a statement on what the Government will do next.

“This is a great day for Britain and the peoples of Europe. Now is the time to end the old top down Europe which the Irish have so decisively rejected. It is time to renew the European Union on respect for its peoples’ wishes.”

8.30pm: No flags!  Earlier this afternoon the EU flag that normally flies on the EU Parliament's building in London was taken down.  We fear it was just for a spring clean rather than a full retreat.

Comments

[Jonathan]

Wonderful news!

Now the ordure hits the air conditioning.

[Norm Brainer]

can't quite put my finger on it...but something tells me you don't like the lisbon treaty

:)

[Michael]

Well thank god for that, now that was a real issue that could have caused divisions for us later on, but the good old Irish have sorted it out for us!!!!! :-

[Iain]

Its brilliant news, when ever people are asked about the EU project they reject it.

Now lets see if the EU will abide by the Irish vote or will they cynically ignore it?

[John Broughton]

Iain

Don't forget that the MEPs voted to ignore (or similar) the Irish result.

Can we now persuade Broon to give us our vote?

[Graham Checker]

FRANCE? No.

NETHERLANDS? No.

IRELAND? No.

****WHEN WILL THE EUSSR GET THE MESSAGE****

[Deputy Editor]

RTE:

"Waterford was the first constituency to declare an official result - and it was unequivocal, rejecting Lisbon by 54-46, while Sligo-North Letirm voted no by 57-43.

In both constituencies, the No vote was higher than was recorded in the first Nice Referendum, and if as seems likely it is followed in other parts of the country, the Lisbon Treaty looks certain to be defeated.

Tallies from other constituencies show the strength of the No vote across the country, with just a handful of constituencies looking like they will vote yes.

[Marc Brunel-Walker]

Of the 43 Constituencies that voted the results look like:

Only 6 will Vote yes
5 are too close to call
The rest voted no

[John Strafford]

I never thought I would look to the Republic of Ireland to defend our democracy. What a funny old World?

[John Leonard]

God Bless The Irish!

Now Brown give us a referendum on our future with the EU (Lisbon is dead or should be)!

[andy s]

John Broughton "Can we now persuade Broon to give us our vote?"

Maybe David Davis could campaign on this issue as well??

[Alan S]

Hallelujah!

[Peter Gardner]

No No No !

[RichardJ]

When will they understand we want the EU to be nothing more than a tool to get rid of trade barriers?

Close down the political mechanisms and turn it into a European NAFTA.

[John Broughton]

The obfuscation has started as I listen to Titley tell me tha Irish voted against politicos rather than the Constitrearty.

Titley also says the Constitreaty was a minor measure.

Why do the europhiles lie, lie and lie again?

[Steve Harrison]

The only question now is how are the EUSSR and their servants McLabour gonna impliment this Constitreaty regardless!.

England OUT of the EUSSR!!!!!.

[englandism.com]

Oi, Westminster!

Quick, someone resign over Lisbon Constitreaty and campaign for a referendum pronto! The Magna Carta could be mentioned again, if that helps.

Way to go Irish Republic!

Long live Dustin!

[Tim]

I think we should all raise a glass of Guiness this evening in celebration! Well done Ireland

[Ken Stevens]

I gather that Lab are reviewing the treason laws.
Why? So as avoid prosecution and continue with the Treatystution regardless of the vote of the wonderfully Blessed Irish? ;-)

[the_beekeeper]

We must refrain from all Irish jokes for at least one week

[Sean Fear]

"Why do the europhiles lie, lie and lie again?"

Like the scorpion stinging the frog, you have to accept that it's just part of their nature.

[David_McD]

"Why do the europhiles lie, lie and lie again?"

Because they believe we are stupid and they despise us, the ordinary people of this land.

[Jon Gale]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Oh to be fly on a wall in Brussels

[Tim]

BBC reports Brown has called Sarkozy to say he will RATIFY the Lisbon Treaty regardless

[Edison Smith]

The suggestion provided on ConHome that Cameron should call a vote of no confidence on the Prime Minister doesn't look quite so daft now...

[Steve harrison]

Why do they lie?

Because they are indoctrinated, self-hating vocal minority extremists, they hate themselves and their country.

These are the EUSSR's "Useful fools", McLabour and the EUSSR are completely reliant on them and they have gotten away with it for far too long, now enough is ENOUGH!!!!!.

[David_McD]

Wellington was Irish and understood the need for “hard pounding”.

We are still at the very beginning of this campaign. True, we have won a battle on the outskirts of Lisbon but we have a very long way to go before we win our Waterloo, on the outskirts of Brussels.

[Stewart Geddes]

Who would have thought that we would have to rely on the Irish to defend our democracy?

Gordon Brown can do what he likes but the treaty/ constitution is dead so if he ratifies it means nothing.

[ross warren]

Thank you Ireland you have proven that democracy is not dead and buried in Europe yet. Its a great shame that our Government hasn't got the guts to accept the will of the majority. God Bless the Irish.

[Iain]

"BBC reports Brown has called Sarkozy to say he will RATIFY the Lisbon Treaty regardless"

I suppose we shouldn't be surprised Gordon Brown is going to ignore the will of the people in Ireland, after all he is a Prime Minister with no mandate and that little democratic fact hasn't bothered him.

[passing leftie]

I suppose we shouldn't be surprised Gordon Brown is going to ignore the will of the people in Ireland, after all he is a Prime Minister with no mandate and that little democratic fact hasn't bothered him.

I sincerely hope that as UK Prime Minister he does ignore the will of the people in Ireland, when our sovereign parliament has decided on this issue.

The bloody hypocriscy of your second comment is risible - I didn't hear any Tories calling for Major to go to the country.

[Lavandula]

God save auld Ireland's sainted sod!

[Rod Sellers]

Two brilliant days in a row. David Davis lighting a beacon and now the 7th Irish Cavalry come over the hill !! My cup runneth over.

[Paul D]

Padding Leftie - Major didn't promise a referendum on Maastricht (or anything for that matter). Brown did then reneged on that promise

That's the difference

[Steve Harrison]

Whoa Passing leftie!! everybody else see what i mean about indoctrinated and brainwashed?.

Did you mention the phrase "SOVEREIGN PARLIAMENT" with reference to Westminster????, dear oh dear me! you literally have not got a CLUE what you are talking about have you?.

The EUSSR IMPOSE 80% (and growing) of ALL laws and legislation!!!, this (hoho) "Sovereign parliament" merely rubber stamps them!, this legislation comes from Unelected, unaccountable EUSSR "Commisioners" who then pass it to the "EUSSR Parliament" to rubber stamp, getting on average 2 minutes to "Scrutinise" each piece of legislation often thousands of pages long, MEP's have NO POWER to block or amend ANYTHING, and if they tried the "Commisioners", would simply ram through the legislation anyway.

So if your passing this way again "Leftie" thats something for you to chew over, you didn't know any of this did you?, exactly.

[Bazzer]

The Brussels Broadcasting Corporation (the BBC) is presenting News 24 as though someone important has died !!!

[ross warren]

Ken Stevens makes a great point. leftie obviously wasn't paying attention during John Majors premiership, or more likely was still in nappy's. What does he imagine was the reason for the Conservative party being portrayed as divided over Europe ? Sadly Europe was very much an issue and I recall many voices crying out for a referendum about our membership of the EEC.

[Iain]

"The bloody hypocriscy of your second comment is risible - I didn't hear any Tories calling for Major to go to the country."

He did 1 year 5 months after becoming leader. But unlike Brown he didn't unseat a PM who had been elected on the undertaking to remain as PM for the full term, and stood for election in 1992 on the manifesto to ratify the Maastricht treaty, again unlike Brown who stood for election to give us a referendum, a promise he has reneged on.

[Dale]

"I sincerely hope that as UK Prime Minister he does ignore the will of the people in Ireland, when our sovereign parliament has decided on this issue."

And the will of the ritish people aswell?

[Dale]

british*

[Iain]

"The Brussels Broadcasting Corporation (the BBC) is presenting News 24 as though someone important has died !!!"

And running comments of Brown bad mouthing David Davis, yet not running Brown's statement to ignore the will of the Irish people.

[Paul D]

The BBC ignoring its own "Have Your Say" bit then where viewers have been hugely supportive of Mr Davis

Endless footage of McBean slating him would surely only be bad for him and Labour?

[Edward Huxley]

It will be interesting to see what the Labour and Conservative parties make of the result. Both Brown & Cameron were no doubt hoping for a yes vote. Now the pressure will be on them again to give us a referendum and we have got to have one.

[Paul Oakley]

Good news, but experience should tell us that this is only a temporary reprieve. A way will be found for the juggernaut to be restarted.

Better Off Out.

[Roger Helmer]

A sinister comment from the Chairman of the European Movement in Brussels today: "Ratification will continue. Europe will not have a problem with Ireland; Ireland will have a problem with the EU".

[Don Hoyle]

Sorry to be a bit late with my initial reaction but, when I heard the doleful tones of the BBC 5 Live and R4 World at One announcing the defeat of the Lisbon Treaty-thing at the hands of the Irish as though it were a disaster instead of a mighty victory for people everywhere, I felt: "There is a God, and He is Eurosceptic!"

[Iain]

"A sinister comment from the Chairman of the European Movement in Brussels today: "Ratification will continue. Europe will not have a problem with Ireland; Ireland will have a problem with the EU"."

Does someone have the information on what is written in the Constitution/treaty about ratification, it is said that all 27 countries have to ratify it, but what are the words? It would be interesting to see what legal wriggle room the Evil Empire has, or if Judicial reviews can be launched against the Government and EU.

[Delighted]

Perhaps today, 13th June 2008 can be declared the new VE Day.

Hopefully, the rot will now set in and this will be the beggining of the end for the Giant unelected monstrocity

[Peter_M]

I would like to express my warm and ecstatic thanks to the Irish voters!

Hopes of all freedom-loving people across Europe were with you and you haven't disappointed us. Now the EurocRATS must find another way how to smuggle their communist vision into national laws.

Thank you, Ireland! Thank you from Slovakia!

[Malcolm Dunn]

Well done Ireand. Bu we should remember that the Irish (once before), the Danes, the French and the Dutch have all done the same in the past. Has it made a damned bit of difference? No. This battle (if it is a battle)hasn't even started yet.

[Dale]

Who was it that said:

"I have just returned from Ireland. People there enthusiastically embrace the European project. They trend to be far more clued-up, liberal, progressive and positive about their role in the EU. It makes me feel ashamed to be British."

I can't be sure, but I think It may have been Justin Hinchcliffe, on Decembe 13 2007 at 12:37 PM

[Jon White]

1. To passing leftie: Major didn't promise a referendum. However, PLENTY of Conseravtives did want one and said so outloud. Major was ONLY able to get Maastricht through was by making it a vote of confidence issue. (A pretty dirty trick, and typical of his weak premiership). He couldn't carry his own party on it without this trick - presumably ordered by his two bosses in Heseltine and Clark-and if I rememeber correctly the opposition of the time under Kinnock demanded a referendum. (A shadow cabinet that included many of the current cabinet including Brown). Strange how they don't follow through when in government AND having actually PROMISED a vote. Where is your accusation of hyprocracy now?

2. Malcolm Dunn - your recollection of history is correct. Brussells is very good at ignoring the will of the people and will no doubt do so again. (Or at least try)

To all - lets be so thankful to the good folk of the Irish Republic, and grateful that their constitution DEMANDS that the people be consulted. We should make sure that whatever party is in power, the Brits have the same rights.

Finally, never forget however, that our party has much blood on it's hands with regard to this issue. Heath took us in. Mrs. Thatcher signed the Single European Act. Major pushed through Maastricht. Don't be complacent. I'm not convinced that DC won't do something similar when he is PM.

[David_McD]

It is not a single battle. It is a long and bloody war.

We have just won a skirmish between the outriding cavalry squadrons. With both pluck and luck, Brigadier Stuart Wheeler may cut down one of the enemy's patrols in the ambush he has prepared.

But we have a long and bloody campaign ahead and our C in C, General Cameron, has neither experience not stomach for the fight. He should be replaced by Lieutenant General Davis or one of the Major Generals, Fox or Farage.

[Sancteiddier Dy Enw]

Well, Europe will simply tell them to go back and have another vote won't they? I am extremely glad that the Irish voted 'No', but I can't imagine that these Euro-obsessives will leave it there. However, it will be interesting to see how they try and wangle their way out of this one.

Anecdotal evidence has it that when it came to the abortion votes in Ireland (and abortion is something I personally absolutely oppose), that the priests were actively campaigning on this issue (I do, however, admit that this interesting snippet of info was divulged to me by a southern Irish protestant!). I bet the Eurocrats now wish that they hadn't secularised the Treaty but had written a clause exclaiming Europe's allegiance to a common Christian culture, instead...

[Justin Hinchcliffe - Pro-European Conservative]

This is very disappointing news. The sad thing is that people were not voting on what was actually in the Treaty but what they were told was in it by the 'No' campaign. The No campaign there, like here, distorts the truth and peddle lies.

For example, the No campaign falsely claimed that the Treaty would liberalise abortion laws. As a pro-lifer, I would myself have voted No but the Treaty contains no such policy.

The Irish have massively benefited from EU membership. It would seem such benefits are not allowed for the countries that came in under enlargement.

Only Ireland has voted No to the Treaty. France and Denmark voted No to the Constitution. They are not that dissimilar but they are not the same. Why should one Member State be allowed to stop the other 26 countries from adopting it, should their governments so wish? Brussels has to change the rules here.

[Justin Hinchcliffe - Pro-European Conservative]

Dale, if they had been focussing on the Treaty rather than swallowing the lies of the No camp, then it would have sailed through.

[Paul D]

Jon White - I'd expect nothing less from any PM than to try and get a treaty enacted into law. It would look bad on a leader to go to negotiations and come back with something they were clearly unhappy with

I would like to see guaranteed referenda on the signing of treaties etc in future, but again you would see the government of the day (be it Con, Lab or whatever) campaigning for a "yes" for the same reason - it would look bad on the PM to conclude negotiations and then have huge swathes of his party urging the public to reject it

[Dale]

"Dale, if they had been focussing on the Treaty rather than swallowing the lies of the No camp, then it would have sailed through."

Kindly don't insult the imteligence of the irish voter just because you have been proven to be way off the mark.

[Sean Fear]

"Only Ireland has voted No to the Treaty. France and Denmark voted No to the Constitution."

Only Ireland has been given a choice in the matter. Just face fact. People who are given any say in the matter don't want European political integration.

[Jon White]

Sancteidddier Dy Enw: I disagree with your views on abortion, but if that is what it takes to get a NO vote, then so be it.
It shows the major problem - As a nation state, Ireland has, in my view, the absolute right not to allow abortion within it's territories. They are a sovereign state, and thus make their OWN laws.

This treaty would take this right away from sovereign states on so many issues.

If your information is correct (albeit from an Irish protestant) then I'm pleased that it took this one issue to show the voters that direct rule from Brussels is important to reject.

[David Parker]

I too will be opening the bubbly tonight!
But,before we all get too carried away, we should be very certain that this will not stop the EU juggernaut, or even slow it down very much. Even if the Lisbon Treaty is temporarily suspended, we will still be bound by all of problems imposed upon us by our existing membership of the pre-Lisbon EU, under which a large number of the provisions of the previously rejected "Constitution" have already been illegally implemented.

It is possible that Ireland may now be allowed to secede from full membership of the EU, but retain some form of associate membership under different conditions, thus allowing ratification of Lisbon to proceed in all the other member countries.

It is therefore essential that our own Parliament is prevented from completing the final stages of ratification. Thanks to the Lib-Dems, this is no longer possible via the House of Lords and the timing of the vote in that House was, of course, deliberate.

Assuming, which is by no means certain, that Cameron is genuinely eurosceptic enough to be derermined to engineer a radical change in Britain's EU relationship, he might still be able to prevent the ratification of Lisbon, by calling for a vote of confidence in the Government when the bill comes back to the commons for its third reading.

Anger against being denied a referendum in Britain was already considerable before the Irish vote. Now it will be even stronger if Brown persists in his refusal to listen.There a number of both Labour and Lib-Dem MPs who might see that rebelling against their own party policies over Lisbon would their only remaining chance of retaining their seats at the next election.
It is therefore quite possible that Cameron could win this vote of confidence. Faced with this possibility Brown might even suspend the ratification of the Lisbon Con/Treaty. If nothing else it would be an interesting test of the courage of all three leaders.

[Sam R]

Perhaps it is fitting that, now that the Irish Republic, whose legal code is based on the Common Law, has stood up to the bullies (Lord, did I ever think I would see the day when I would have to say "well done" to Sinn Fein),some words of the anthem of that other bastion of the rule of law where Magna Carta is held in great esteem, should come (in paraphrase)to mind:
Oh!, thus may it ever, when freemen shall stand between their loved home and the (EU's) desolation. Blest with victory and peace may the heaven-rescued land praise the Power that has made and preserved us a nation..."

[Londoner]

"We must refrain from all Irish jokes for at least one week"

Oh I don't know.

What's the difference between a pretty Irish girl when she votes, and a pretty Irish girl at closing time on a Saturday night? In both cases she can give a lot of pleasure, but only in one case does she say "no".

What's the Irish route map for the EU? "If I were you, I wouldn't start from here."

Why did so many Irish vote "no"? "To be sure"

What have the Irish leant from Ian Paisley? The best way to annoy the British Government is always saying "no".

[Chris]

*opens champagne*

We've just gone past the mark where there are more than 50% total no votes based on 45% turnout nationwide.

[David_McD]

"This is very disappointing news. The sad thing is that people were not voting on what was actually in the Treaty....."

How can you possibly know, Justin Hinchcliffe (@15.25)?

If I were an EU enthusiast, fearful of the democratic process, I would at least try and hide my contempt for the "common people".

"Brussels has to change the rules here."

Yes, that just neatly sums up the way the EU Project is run, does it not?

[Helen]

Speaking as someone who did work towards a referendum on Maastricht (not being a Tory) and on the other treaties, I would quite like to know what the Conservative Party will do now. Will it call for the Treaty to die as it should do under EU rules? Will it revive the subject once in government (hardly in power within the EU) on the grounds that the treaty is ratified illegitimately? What will it do if the EU produces a special status for Ireland?

[Jon White]

Paul D:

"I would like to see guaranteed referenda on the signing of treaties etc in future, but again you would see the government of the day (be it Con, Lab or whatever) campaigning for a "yes" for the same reason - it would look bad on the PM to conclude negotiations and then have huge swathes of his party urging the public to reject it"

Why is that a problem? Would it not mean that a PM (of whatever party) would have to be sure that the people he/she represents would actually want the treaty that he/she is negotiating? Or are you afraid that the people are 'just not clever enough' to understand.

I don't want referedums on everything - that's ludicrous, we elect governments to GOVERN. BUT, the people should be consulted if the issue effects National Sovereignity, as this (like the single European Act, and Maastricht) clearly does (did).

I repeat, we shouldn't be complacent. Our party has signed away National Sovereignity without recourse to the voters previously. NO governement shoudl be allowed to get away with it.

[Paul D]

Jon - you misunderstand me. I do want to see referenda, but don't expect a Tory PM to negotiate a treaty then see Tory MPs en masse campaigning for a "no" vote, it would make the PM look a fool

That's all I was saying, nothing about the pros or cons of any hypothetical treaty and certainly nothing about the electorate's collective intelligence

[Chris]

Helen,
I doubt we'll have the answer until we know what the EU's next move will be. It struck me earlier that the EU could push ahead without Ireland for the meantime, and then admit them to the new structure later on. Perhaps the prize of Britain ratifying the treaty will be deemed more valuable than keeping Ireland within the union for the immediate future.

[Paul D]

Under EU rules the treaty is dead, we've been told "this was plan B, there is no plan C"

I expect the goalposts to have been shifted by Monday morning

[Martin]

@ Ruth Lea

YES. Viva Global Vision

[RDJ]

The leader of the EPP-ED group and the EPP rep on the IGC have made these statements. Unbelievable.

Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament has expressed his disappointment at the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty in the Irish referendum.

Results of the vote announced this morning indicate that the final outcome will be negative.

Speaking today Mr Daul said: "While I am disappointed with the "No" vote in Ireland we must accept the decision of the Irish voters, and deal with the consequences. The Irish Government will have to give the reasons for this defeat at the European Council next week.

It is important now that the ratification process continues in the other Member States to give a clear signal that Europe is serious about reform, greater efficiency and improved democracy at European level. "I can only hope that the ratification process can be completed before the European elections in June 2009," declared Joseph Daul.

Unfortunately much of the debate in Ireland was dominated by issues that have nothing to do with the content of the Lisbon Treaty. A dishonest campaign was carried out to create confusion and doubt. Untruths about taxation, neutrality and other issues destroyed all attempts at a normal informed campaign.

Despite the result Mr Daul acknowledged the role played by the leader of the opposition in Ireland, Enda Kenny TD, and also that of the five Fine Gael MEPs.

"Enda Kenny showed real leadership in putting the interests of the country before party politics and campaigning for a "Yes" vote on Lisbon.

"I know that my colleagues Avril Doyle MEP, Colm Burke MEP, Jim Higgins MEP and Mairead McGuinness MEP, led by Fine Gael Director of Elections, Gay Mitchell MEP campaigned vigorously throughout Ireland and their hard work is much appreciated."

______________

________________________________________
"The ratification process of the EU reform treaty should continue despite the negative result of the Irish referendum on the EU reform treaty" said Elmar Brok (CDU/D), representative of the European Parliament at the Intergovernmental Conference on the reform treaty. "The Irish 'No' to the Lisbon Treaty is very unfortunate. Nevertheless, it continues to remain in the best interest of the EU Member States and their citizens that the Treaty comes into effect. Therefore, the ratification process must continue without any delay", the German MEP stressed.

Brok strongly warned not to open up the contents of the Lisbon Treaty again. The actual treaty was the result of many years of discussion under full inclusion of the Parliaments and the European public: "The Lisbon Treaty guarantees equal footing between the European Parliament and the Council and strengthens the national Parliaments as well. Only with this treaty, we will get the necessary basis to master substantial questions like energy security, climate change, the fight against terrorism and organized crime as well as immigration. The Lisbon Treaty is the best that could be achieved for European citizens and should therefore not be given up".

"It is now up to Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen and his fellow Heads of State and Government to solve this crisis on the upcoming EU summit, June, 19 and 20", concluded Brok.

[Jon White]

Paul D - No I understand you, and your point. I think we're basically on the same side.

IF we had this rule, then a Tory (or Labour) PM would not negotiate a treaty that he knew that wouldn't have the support of his MP's (or at least the majority of the influential ones).

Ergo, having referenda on these issues is a good thing.

[Paul D]

Yes, and probably part of the reason why governments are so reluctant to have referenda. They don't want the people rejecting something they've negotiated, reasoning that it looks bad on them and their negotiating skills

[Jon White]

OR that they know that what they are negotiating, irrespective of their skills at so doing, is just NOT wanted by the people that they are paid to represent.

[Peter_M]

I am deeply disgusted with the EU political "elite".

"Untruths about taxation"? "Improved democracy at European level"?

This is arrogance!!! They behave worse than Communists!

[David Belchamber]

Whether or not the Lisbon Treaty is the constitution in disguise (as it probably is), Libertas gave the Irish a much sounder reason for voting NO:

- accountability
- transparency
- democracy

These are what we should be fighting for as well and until the EU embraces them, we should oppose it like mad.

[passing leftie]

2. This Treaty shall enter into force on 1 January 2009, provided that all the instruments of
ratification have been deposited, or, failing that, on the first day of the month following the deposit
of the instrument of ratification by the last signatory State to take this step.

[passing leftie]

Less than half of one percent of the population of Europe are not going to stop the treaty going ahead.

[Sean Fear]

"Less than half of one percent of the population of Europe are not going to stop the treaty going ahead."

Less than half of one per cent? So far, 600,000 Europeans have voted in favour, and more than 700,000 have vote against.

[Jon White]

Passing Leftie:

"Less than half of one percent of the population of Europe are not going to stop the treaty going ahead."

Sadly, for once, I agree with you. The 'Euro Elite' won't let them. Heck, why play by the rules if it doesn't get the result that they want?

You forget, conveniently, that less than 1% of the population of Europe HAVE BEEN GIVEN A CHANCE to express that view, DESPITE a promise from the Left Wing Government of Britain that we at least would have that opportunity.

The really sad thing is that you seem to delight in this blatant disregard of the rules. But I suppose that being a leftie you obviously feel that you know what's best for the people. God forbid that they be allowed to express an opinion on their own destiny.

[passing leftie]

You forget, conveniently, that less than 1% of the population of Europe HAVE BEEN GIVEN A CHANCE to express that view, DESPITE a promise from the Left Wing Government of Britain that we at least would have that opportunity.

The treaty is not the constitution. A chimpanzee shares 98% of its DNA with a human, but it doesn't make then the same thing.

Referendums are a very poor way of governing countries.

Every single government in the EU was elected by its people with a mandate to govern. If they had want to vote for right wing Eurosceptics, they could have done. The governments support the treaty. Everyone one of them.

[David Lindsay]

The Irish have voted:

Pro-life - against the EU's enforcement of abortion, euthanasia, human-animal hybrids, and so much else besides;

Pro-family - against the EU's enforcement of same-sex "marriage", adoption by same-sex couples, "the parental State", and so much else besides;

Pro-worker - against the EU's driving down of wages and working conditions, and its engineering of mass unemployment;

Anti-war - against an EU standing army (under overall America command);

From the wallet - for the £150 billion that their fisheries have lost as a direct consequence of EU membership, three times the £50 billion that they have received in EU largesse; and

From the heart - for a recognisably Irish culture and society, rather than homogenisation to within an inch of being totally indistinguishable from anywhere else on earth.

[Jon White]

"The treaty is not the constitution."

Laughable.

If it walks like a duck, quacks, and has feathers, then it's a duck.

"Everyone of the governments supports the treaty". Maybe, maybe not, I'm not qualified to comment.

Only ONE government has put the issue to it's people - and only because their laws said that they HAD to. (I doubt that they would have done so otherwise)

No other government dares? Why? Because most know that it would be rejected, probably by a bigger margin than in Ireland.

I agree that we elect governments to govern. You cannot consult the people on everything, if so why bother having a government? But this is an issue of Sovereignty. As a British Citizen, I (and presumably yourself) should have the right to give my opinion on that being squandered away.

[Dale]

"The treaty is not the constitution. A chimpanzee shares 98% of its DNA with a human, but it doesn't make then the same thing."

It really is hilarious reading the argumentsthat some people have come to rely on.

"Referendums are a very poor way of governing countries."

See above comment.

"Every single government in the EU was elected by its people with a mandate to govern. If they had want to vote for right wing Eurosceptics, they could have done. The governments support the treaty. Everyone one of them."

Who decided?

Who decided that the UK, for example, should have an elective dictatorship, I don't remember being asked.

[Jon White]

David Lindsay:

I am not 'pro-life' in the way that you describe it.

I am not against same sex marriages as you seem to be.

I don't care. We may disagree, but I would totally agree with you and support the fact that the Irish have voted TO GOVERN THEMSELVES. That is all that counts.

God Bless them for it. It would have been ironic to see a nation that fought to be independent so recently as the 1920's to have sold themselves down the river to a European Super State.

(Of course, that is probably what will happen anyway, but at least they had teh chance to say no to it.)

[Roger]

Excellent news.

We all know the only reason the Government won't hold a referendum is because they know they will lose. Anyone who is being honest, whatever their view on the treaty, accepts that it is the same as the constitution in all but name. This was the conclusion of the all-party committee that reviewed it.

The bottom line is that the EU project, as the political elite like to call it, is all about creating a centralised federal state. The constitution, sorry I mean the Lisbon Treaty, is a major step towards this. The whole EU approach is to hide the facts from the people as more and more power is transferred from sovereign states to Brussels.

The Irish have demonstrated, yet again, that when the people are asked to express their opinion on where Europe is going they say 'no'.

The bottom line is that most people want a free trade area with co-operation in certain key areas, they do not want any more political integration or transfer of powers.

Now is the time to push for either to stop the treaty from progressing any further through parliament (there is no Treaty of Lisbon unless Ireland say 'yes') and for a referendum to be held.

Why is the first response of GB to reassure the leaders of other European countries? Time for GB to listen to the people of this country as he as promised.

Great shame that DD will continue to deflect attention from GB just when the heat could be turned up by DC.

[Paul D]

PL - arguing that a 2% change absolves Labour from its promise to hold a referendum is disingenuous at best

Elsewhere you've implied that Brown is merely following in John Major's footsteps in this issue. You might like to remember where that path led his party before you champion that argument too much

[Martin]

@ Ruth Lea

YES. Viva Global Vision

[Martin]

@ Ruth Lea

YES. Viva Global Vision

[grumpy old man]

I never thought I would applaud the Fenian bandits, but I will be drinking the black stuff tonight begorrah! Now will DC plant the Union Flag and declare that the Conservative Party when in power will honour their general election pledge and give us a Referendum on the constitreaty?

[Peter W Watson]

The delicious irony of the entire episode is that the EU will ignore the wish of the Irish people as in the minds of the Komission the Project SIMPLY MUST NOT BE STOPPED - thus even more people will see the EU is a fascist evil organization - and the REAL people of Europe actually ARE getting closer together - in their detestation of the dull idiots in Brussels.

[Jon White]

Excellent point Paul D. Major's disasterous, incompetant, and frankly pathetic leadership of this party lead the Conervative Party (once unbeatable under the great Lady) to AT LEAST 11 years in the political wilderness.

I hope that Brown will do the same for his party. looks like he's making a valiant attempt!!!!

[Ken Stevens]

Calm down everybody; this isn't a topic of any significance.

I know this to be true because I just looked to see the reaction on labourhome but can't readily locate anything there.

Their headline is about a Tory MP who just resigned.

[Jon White]

Peter Watson - Please lets keep this sensible.

The EU is not evil, nor is it fascist in the true sense of the word.

It is incompetant, wasteful, harmful to almost all of it's constituents (bar those who enjoy the gravy train of Brussels, like Kinnock who once was so anti-Eu!!!), it completely disregards the wishes of the majority of it's residents.....

Hang on, maybe you weren't too far from the truth!

[Peter W Watson]

ANSWER TO IAIN AT 14;50 RE RATIFICATION.

Any member state can carry on and ratify the Lisbon Treaty, but it can't come into legal force unless and until all 27 have ratified it.

It says so, here:

http://europa.eu/lisbon_treaty/take/index_en.htm
"This new treaty is the result of negotiations between EU member countries in an intergovernmental conference, in which the Commission and Parliament were also involved. The treaty will not apply until and unless it is ratified by each of the EU’s 27 members. It is up each country to choose the procedure for ratification, in line with its own national constitution."

Remember what we were told - "oh, this is just another amending treaty".

But under Article 48 TEU, which is already in legal force, the EU treaties cannot be amended IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER, unless all 27 member states agree to the amendments and they are then "ratified by all the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements".

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/Le xUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2006:321E:0001:0331:EN:pdf
"CONSOLIDATED VERSIONS OF THE TREATY ON EUROPEAN UNION AND OF THE TREATY ESTABLISHING THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY"

"Article 48

The government of any Member State or the Commission may submit to the Council proposals for the amendment of the Treaties on which the Union is founded.

If the Council, after consulting the European Parliament and, where appropriate, the Commission, delivers an opinion in favour of calling a conference of representatives of the governments of the Member States, the conference shall be convened by the President of the Council for the purpose of determining by common accord the amendments to be made to those Treaties. The European Central Bank shall also be consulted in the case of institutional changes in the monetary area.

The amendments shall enter into force after being ratified by all the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements."

So if the package of amendments agreed at Lisbon can't be ratified by even one member state, they can't enter into legal force. The same applies to any other package of amendments which may be proposed subsequently, including those to create a special "legal arrangement" for Ireland.

[Ken Stevens]

Given the dog-in-a-manger reactions of Europhiliacs on this thread, one has to ask who are the swivel-eyed ones now?!

Scepticaemia Rules, OK

[Peter W Watson]

Jon White 17:01
email me (you will have to join Eurorealist) and I will send you my 1999 paper on the matter at your request. The EU IS evil.

[Alyssa]

"when ever people are asked about the EU project they reject it"

"Whenever" implies that every single referendum on the EU returns a No - but that's not quite true.

Spain, Luxembourg and Romania votes Yes on the original constitutional treaty. France and Netherlands voted No. So of the five who had referendums, three voted Yes.

But I agree that in the imaginations of some, "yes" doesn't count and "no" counts for everything. We could have general elections on that basis - if you vote against conservatives, your vote doesn't count, but if you vote for, it does!

[Iain]

"So if the package of amendments agreed at Lisbon can't be ratified by even one member state, they can't enter into legal force."

Thaks Peter W Watson, so the parts of the Lisbon treaty they are enacting, and have enacted have no legal basis to support their actions, which makes any money they have already spent, an illegal use of funds!