Subscribe to The Spectator

Thursday 9 February 2012

Latest issue

Buy the current issue

Jobs at Telegraph

Tuesday, 10th June 2008

If you don't understand it, why vote for it?

James Forsyth 12:15pm

In his Irish Independent column today, Kevin Myers brilliantly nails one of the most infuriating pro-European arguments:

The final argument from the 'Yes' camp is that the 'No' side really doesn't understand Lisbon. And, for once, they're right. So why should I say 'Yes' to a legal document I don't understand? My lawyer would never urge me to buy a house under such conditions.

Why would we follow different rules when voting for the future of our country?

Blogs: Martin Bright | Susan Hill | Alex Massie | Melanie Phillips | Faith Based | Cappuccino Culture

Actions: Email to a friend  |   Permalink   |   Comments (6) | Subscribe

Post this entry to:   del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit

Comments Post comment

Austin Barry

June 10th, 2008 12:39pm Report this comment

It really is amusing to watch the leaders of the three main Irish parties making agitated, bullying and despairing pleas for a "Yes" vote, probably to no avail. And, when the rejectionists win, the ruling elites will no doubt quote WB Yeats to the effect that we have disgraced ourselves again.

London Calling

June 10th, 2008 12:58pm Report this comment

Only the Irish could make the British look stupid, its all French to me also, and most people in Britain haven’t a clue what it all means, intentional I'm sure.

Lets hope the Luck of the Irish proves good for us also if the No Vote goes through.

J H Holloway

June 10th, 2008 2:04pm Report this comment

Myers was great in the Sun Telegraph. Any chance of bringing him back over here? A slot in the Spectator perhaps?

CG

June 10th, 2008 3:01pm Report this comment

I hope that No win but I think that Yes will. The EU and supporters have put enough scare stories out, bribed the farmers (a negligible consitutency in the UK but an important one in Ireland, and made it clear that any vote contrary to their wishes will be disregarded

Max Kaye

June 10th, 2008 3:08pm Report this comment

If I was trying to devise a European Economic Community, I certainly wouldn't start from here....

TGF UKIP

June 10th, 2008 6:14pm Report this comment

It looks like CG is, unfortunately, right. Paddy Power, the Irish bookmaker, at lunchtime today was pricing a "yes" at 2/7 and a "No" at 9/4. That difference, I regret, speaks volumes, but we can and should hope. Guido's are a mercurial lot to say the least.

Post comment

Back to top

Cartoons

Tag Cloud

Coffee House archive

sponsored links

Spectator recommends

Spectator classifieds

THE PRESENT FINDER

1,700 Unusual Christmas Presents Request Catalogue 01935 815 195 Quote SPEC10 for 10% discount www.presentfinder.co.uk

OLIVE BRANCH FLORISTS

Pimilco based Florist with online ordering Web: www.olivebranch.net Tel: 020 7630 1868 Fax: 020 7233 8844

RUFFS Bespoke Signet rings

62 Shore Road, Warsash, Southampton, SO31 9FT Telephone: 01489 578867 Web site: www.ruffs.co.uk