The Spectator

LIE, LIE AND LIE AGAIN

Lie, lie and lie again: In Iraq or in Ireland there is no better way to distance yourself from citizens than by ignoring their vote

issue 19 October 2002

There has been much sniggering in the Western media over Tuesday’s referendum in Iraq on re-electing Saddam Hussein, since it is obvious that the only permissible answer was Yes. But how different are referendums in the European Union? On Saturday the Irish will be voting for the second time on the Nice Treaty, because when they voted on it in June 2001 they got the answer ‘wrong’ and voted No.

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