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Euro Barometer release Survey on Lisbon II Result: It was the economy wot won it
Read more about: Lisbon Treaty 
The EU Commission has just published a special survey on how Irish citizens voted in the second Irish Lisbon Treaty Referendum and why. Check it out here (PDF). Headline findings below the fold.
EU Commission Press Release: Eurobarometer results: Nearly 1 in 4 voted yes to Lisbon for economic reasons
Other key finding of the Flash Eurobarometer 284 survey
Outcome: rather high turnout (59%), 67.1% votes in favour.
Why people voted “Yes”:
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- They considered the Treaty to be in Ireland’s best interest (economically, politically, diplomatically) – total of 77%
Why people voted “No”:
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- They believed the Treaty was a threat to Irish sovereignty and neutrality (23%)
- They distrusted politicians (10%)
Why people did not vote:
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- They were too busy (46%)
- They were turned off by the campaigns (40%)
Why people changed their votes to “Yes” in 2009 from “No” or abstention in 2008:
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- The support basis of the Treaty expanded mainly due to increased information and communication (29%); this made citizens feel more engaged in the debate on the Treaty (21%)
- The economic crisis and recession illustrated the Economic importance of Europe (25%)
Where did people obtain information about the Treaty:
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- Channels: television, newspapers and the radio were most popular (over 39% each)
- Sources: people relied on the Irish government, family and acquaintances, political parties and the Referendum Commission for information about the Treaty (over 24% each)
Did the information campaigns work?
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- Clear evidence: in 2008, 67% of the respondents found the “No” campaign to be most convincing, while in 2009 the same percentage found the “Yes” campaign to be most convincing
Sociodemographic profile of voters:
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- Typical “Yes” voter: male, over 55, with over 20 years of education, from a metropolitan area, or self-employed
- Typical “No” voter: female, between 18 and 24, still in education, from a rural area, or a manual worker
Possible lessons to be learned:
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- Lack of (proper) information empowered the “No” campaign and lead to rejection
- More information and debate enlarged the support basis of the Treaty
- The economic crisis emphasized the importance of EU integration and support
The survey was undertaken by Gallup and in the field between the 3-7 October 2009. A sample of 2000 random Irish voters above the age of 18 were interviewed by telephone for their opinions on the question in matter.
Interstingly they do a bit of research on the role of the internet in informing people about the issues during the campaign, it seems that it was prevalent during August – when many other media weren’t focussing on Lisbon while the closer things got (the left column) the more established media came to the fore.
you mean it was the f’ed-up economy that created fear in people
Very useful post, Cian. Does the Survey provide any information on internet use by voters? All the main campaigning groups had active sites; the Referendum Commission had a particularly good site and even here we had quite a lively and constructive debate centred on the core theme of a ‘Yes’ vote being in Ireland’s best interests and campaign specific issues as these emerged.
At the time, it was obvious that discussion points raised and aired on the internet sites were bleeding into the general public debate as well as the other way about. Presumably, Prof. Michael Marsh and other academics will dip into this side of the debate and evaluate its importance in their analysis of the campaign. Personally though I think it’s very important that this is done, not least for reference in the design and execution of future political campaigns.
That’s democracy for you! Perception is what counts. But vote the “wrong” way????
It looks as if the powers behind the Lisbon Treaty have wasted no time in pusuing their neo-liberal agenda – see article in the Telegraph: “Herman Van Rompuy, the first EU President, has been criticised by his communist sister, Christine. She told Julian Stares in Brussels why she disagrees with his policies.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/6623747/Herman-Van-Rompuy-now-communist-sister-tells-why-she-disagrees-with-his-politics.html