Well, the votes from yesterday’s referendum are in. Ireland has voted for the Lisbon Treaty, leaving only two EU nations (Poland and the Czech Republic) who have yet to ratify this European constitution of sorts. Taoiseach Brian Cowen:
“The Irish people have spoken with a clear and resounding voice,” Mr Cowen said in a brief statement to reporters. “It is a good day for Ireland and a good day for Europe.”
Translation: the Irish people have finally picked what I wanted them to pick. Declan Ganley, the chap who led the first fight against Lisbon last year, has conceded the defeat but isn’t too happy:
He has congratulated the Taoiseach on “what was, politically, a masterful campaign…from a masterful politician who has made glove puppets out of the opposition”.
He added he was “surprised how big the ‘Yes’ vote is. It just shows how scared people are”, claiming the economic downturn had a massive influence.
“This is an overwhelming Yes vote.”
Overwhelming it is. 67 percent for “yes,” which is a swing of nearly 21 percent from the 2008 referendum. I was surprised at the number too, but he makes a good point: folks in Ireland are pretty shaky about the recession, and the “yes” vote folks were pretty good at targeting those fears.
I’m disappointed that Ireland voted for the treaty, but I’m most disappointed in the EU and Irish governments for holding this second referendum and disregarding the voice of the people the first time. If Lisbon turns out to make Ireland worse off, do you think the “no” side will have its chance at a third referendum? Not bloody likely.
