The People Can’t Speak
Today sees Ireland’s second, yes that’s right, second referendum on the EU Lisbon Treaty. The first poll was held in June 2008 and the treaty was rejected by almost 7%. The Irish Government didn’t like this result and neither did the EU, because the treaty which covers the whole of Europe cannot be implemented unless all the member states ratify it. Currently only Czech Republic, Poland and Ireland have not ratified it!
I rarely comment on politics, but as I saw pictures of the polling boxes being delivered to the outlying Islands of Ireland, I couldn’t help feeling that asking the people for their view and them dismissing it as the wrong answer was a bit like being back in primary school!
I should offer Congratulations to Irish politicians for holding a referendum at all! Ireland is the only one of Europe’s 27 States who bothered to ask the people what they thought. Is this because politicians think they know what we the people want, or were they too afraid to ask?
The repeat referendum is about exactly the same treaty text as last time, though the EU leaders have given some specific commitments on issues which result in the defeat last time. Having said that, not a single word in the document has been changed!
What has happened since the last referendum is that EU has put tremendous pressure on Ireland by threatening to withdraw its commissioner from the European Commission, effectively losing its voice in Europe. Also, since the last referendum the economy in Ireland has been hit hard by the credit crunch and the EU has pointed out how much harder it would be hit if the treaty were not ratified.
The consensus is that the vote in the referendum this time is likely to be Yes, especially as all the major political parties, with the exception of Sinn Fein, have been campaigning for a Yes vote. The “Yes” camp also had some lavish donations from big business.
Is this treaty right for the country or not? I have mixed views. But this morning I mourn the loss of the ‘voice of the people’ as in Europe right now when the people speak it feels like they are ignored! Am I over reacting? Is it the same where you are?
