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Lisbon II: In or Out?
Read more about: Lisbon Treaty
Sunday Tribune Political Editor Shane Coleman reports that a second referendum on Lisbon is being considered. If its a runner, it will be seen and presented as a “de facto” referendum on our membership of the European Union.
The implications of a ‘no’ vote make it inevitable, political sources say, that ‘Lisbon II’ will boil down to: “Are we in, or are we out?”
“It’s virtually inevitable that the referendum will be fought along those lines,” said one senior political source.
What an excellent way to avoid debating the trajectory of EU integration - what vision of Europe (perish the thought) parties might project - opting for the hammer over the head option. A very dangerous strategy to my mind, we are a prickly lot after all.
Coleman is scaremongering. The Treaty cannot come into force without our consent, and no mechanism exists for expulsion of a member state. I think though that this is interesting in that it offers a possible harbinger of a repeat of the Lisbon I tactics for Lisbon II, in terms of predictions of expulsion from the EU if we vote no. Without major changes to the texts I expect the Treaty to be rejected a second time. I think the Treaty is seen as a risk that Ireland can’t afford to take in these uncertain times of economic turbulence and where people are worried about the impact of globalisation on Irish identity.
Ask the same question again because you didn’t get the right answer and threaten the people with the ultimate penalty available unless they toe the line this time…?
Robert Mugabe would be proud.
I should point out that the election will be in spring it seems
says the Sunday Times
To be honest even yes voters would be miffed at this carry on. Not an ounce of imagination or creativity in discerning the message, not an inch given to considering the meaning of France, Holland and Ireland voting. So we get to go again.
It’s hard to imagine anybody being so stupid as to try to sell a “yes” vote in such an idiotic manner.
Then again, we are talking about the gobshites who thought they could sell Lisbon by sticking the word ‘Yes’ next to their ugly mugs. Somedays I think I should just overthrow the government and become a benevolent dictator already.
Niall, I dont know you but you’d hardly be worse than the unimaginative drones running the country at the moment so I am willing to back you. Now where is that first against the wall list.
On the Are we in or are we out phrasing - very difficult to campaign against that type of choice. Would need a very finely tuned message to avoid the perception of being isolationist.
that is definitely the gamble Jer but in an election where we are being asked to vote again and “give the right answer” this time - I wonder if we might throw the head anyway?
It may not be so tough, Jer.
The ‘No’ campaign could simply be to state that:
1) We’ve been asked this already and it’s undemocratic to be ignored and asked again.
2) The ‘In or out’ phrasing is just blackmail to force the voter’s hand.
Voters don’t like being ignored nor do they like being blackmailed. I’d wager that such a tactic could lead to a massive ‘No’ vote.
Jer, many thanks. I’ll be sure to give you a cushy job when the coup occurs.
Adam, I’m not certain that the No side would sell a “no” vote on the basis that we’ve already been asked the question if only because such a large segment of the “no” vote were voting “no” because they felt they didn’t know enough. These voters didn’t so much reject the treaty as they declined to endorse it. If the pro-Lisbon campaign can make that segment feel that they’re educated enough to make an informed decision, then they’ve won.
All praise il Duce Niall.
If they campaign on it like that then they really are idiots. Likewise Shane Coleman is a tit. It is a stupid article.