So far, the Government have acted as pig-headed as we expected them to over the Irish referendum result. Rather than seeing it as a sign that the public may have very real concerns about the Lisbon Treaty, Brown and Co. have merely used the opportunity to get even cosier with their EU counterparts.
However, there are signs this morning that the Government may be wavering in some way. The Sunday Times reports: “No.10 admits EU treaty is finished”. And, on Marr this morning, David Miliband said:
“There can be no question of bulldozing, bamboozling or ignoring the Irish vote … But the rules are clear, if all 27 states do not pass the treaty then it does not pass into law. But it is right we take our own decision.”
So, the Government will press on with ratification. But – should the Irish pull out – it seems like they’ll then push for the Treaty to be dropped altogether. Of course, that’s exactly how it should be – them’s the rules, after all. But with indications that other countries may press on regardless of Ireland, it’s still reassuring that our Government’s positioning itself in this way. Having said that, I’m sure they’ll be putting their weight behind the Treaty of Wherever – and not offering us a referendum on it – soon enough.
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