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A Slap in the Face for EU Elitists

13/06/08

The Twenty-Six County electorate have today slapped the establishment in the face and rejected their proposed Lisbon Treaty.

The profiteers in the halls of power in Leinster House will be quaking in their boots, along with their EU counterparts, as to what they might do next. The reality, however, is very simple.

Irish citizens have stemmed the tide of EU elitism, militarism, and capitalism on behalf of the 500 million European residents who were not allowed a vote on the Lisbon Treaty.

The Treaty, which has been defeated in Ireland , should now fall all over Europe. However, when the French and Dutch electorates rejected the EU Constitution three years ago, the powerful and wealthy in Europe ignored their opinions and instead sought out new means of pushing it through – hence the Lisbon Treaty.

éirígí spokesperson, Daithí Mac an Mháistír commented on the nature of the victory and on the work done by working people to expose and oppose the crude lies of the Twenty Six County establishment.

"Let's call it as it is. The Dublin government offered us the old Constitution dressed up as the 'new' Lisbon Treaty. They offered us mutton dressed as lamb and we rejected it.

"The victory that has been won today could not have happened without the great work of activists all over this country. From Antrim to Cork , people have been campaigning for months for a No vote. It was they that started the snowball of enlightenment rolling and it was they that convinced the electorate to reject a United States of Europe.

"Elections and referenda are supposed to represent an opportunity for the people to have their say, but this state and this government do not play fair. It is an affront to democracy how they attempt to manipulate and control the electoral process. They do not let the weight of their argument, based upon the facts win through, because it is unpalatable to the vast majority of people in this country. Instead, they use all manner of other tactics, including threats, lies and manipulation.

"The electorate saw this and the contempt with which those in power in the Twenty-Six Counties held them – and they reacted by voting this treaty down, both because of what it contained and the manner in which it was being forced down our throats.

"The Dublin government need to accept that No means No. The people of France, Holland and this state have now all rejected the EU Constitution/Lisbon Treaty. The EU Constitution/Lisbon Treaty is now dead.

"Looking to the future, the governments of Europe need to try a novel approach and actually consult all of the peoples of EU on the future direction of the EU. We in éirígí believe that there now needs to be an EU-wide process of consultation with the 500 million people who live within the borders of the EU. Such a consultation could take the form of widespread community and workplace-based forums within which the citizens of the constituent countries of the EU can have their say.

"Whatever proposals emerge from such a consultation should then be put to the people through referendum within each country. In the Irish context we in éirígí are calling for the island of Ireland to be treated as a singular block for the purpose of both consultation and referendum."

Daithí concluded: "We can and will build the same momentum in future around other campaigns. Well done comrades, friends and fellow citizens, now let's build upon it and begin a full reversal of the type of elitist politics and government that has plagued our country for centuries."

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