Republic of Ireland prepares to vote (again) on Lisbon Treaty

[-:Undertaker:-]

Ratified
Ratification stalled
Awaiting referendum

Tony Blair is set to become EU President within weeks if Ireland votes 'Yes' in its referendum on the Lisbon Treaty tomorrow. The former prime minister's candidacy for the new post will be rushed through as quickly as possible, according to government sources.

Mr Blair is among the favourites to become the first President of the European Union, a role that is chosen by the EU's 27 leaders and not by voters. Such an appointment would restore him to the world stage as well as boost his long-term income. Mr Blair has refused to rule himself in or out of the running, but did say that 'it is good to have fans' for a possible candidacy.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has given his full support to a Blair bid. When French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner was asked yesterday if Mr Blair was the only real candidate, he said: 'For the moment, indeed.' The post of President cannot exist until the Lisbon Treaty is formally ratified by all member states and officials across Europe would scramble to move forward this weekend if Ireland votes 'Yes' on Friday. Yesterday Irish Taoiseach Brian Cowen ruled out a third referendum on the Lisbon Treaty if the controversial charter is rejected again.

I do hope the Republic of Ireland turn it down for the sake of all of Europe, who have been denied a say on the creation of the European superstate which creates a Presidential post meaning in effect the head of state on the United Kingdom would no longer be Queen Elizabeth II, it would be a possible President Blair who would be unelected. Over 75% of our laws are made in the European Union.

The reason Labour are hanging on and Peter Mandelson is so supportive on Gordon Brown is because they are desperate to ram this treaty through, if the Irish do pass this treaty tommorow it means the only hope of the United Kingdom being given the referendum it was promsied in Labours' 2005 manifesto would be if the Czech and Polish Presidents' could hold signing the treaty off by spring/early summer 2010 which is the time the next United Kingdom General Election must be held by.

What are your thoughts and do you think the United Kingdom should be given the referendum it was promised?

[Bun]

C'MON IRELAND SAY YES, DO IT FOR US X

[-:Undertaker:-]

I'd ask why can't we be trusted making our own decision?

..oh yeah, because we'd tell them where to go and stick it.

[Ardemax]

Undertaker you fail to see the benefits in saying yes.

They'd benefit a lot.

[-:Undertaker:-]

How are there benefits?, I can see the possible benefits as with all nations, if we had one country with one currency of course thats a benefit to the world, but that overlaps national sovereignty, sovereign monetary policy and last of all, creates a dangerous world in which we have large superstates fighting against eachother.

Why is history always ignored?, large European Empires have tried to be formed by the dictators of Hitler, Napoleon and Stalin and each time all they have done is destroy them invidivdual countrys - why do you think eastern europe is still poor and has a declining birthrate - it has nothing there, it was ruined by decades under the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Command economy does not work, and the European Union is commnand economy. It is centralised beyond belief which works against the capitalist system which we have had for many years, more so through from the 1980s' onwards where the United Kingdom economy experienced a massive boom.

If I (United Kingdom) give you (EU) £1 to spend on me, and you give me back 20p - you have just taxed me on my own money, that is not a benefit.

Ardemax, do you support the people of Europe having a say on the Libson Treaty, and more so the chance to voice whether or not they support thre European Union evening making over 75% of national laws?

..yes or no.

[Wyked]

How can they vote... they're permenantly drunk.

Edited by Luccy. (Forum Moderator): Please don't be rude to a forum member/group of forum members

[GommeInc]

I find it a bit rude that the EU, or whoever, has pushed the treaty on a country that has already said no once :/ And whenever someone asks for the benefits or why it would be good, you don't get an answer, just abuse. I noticed this on the news and in newspaper articles, where people revolve the answers around "This person is not educated enough to make these decisions."

It's also quite worrying how democracy has died and dictatorship seems to be the new calling card. Yes, EU officials can vote for who is EU President, but EU officials aren't the general public, and never will be, so don't deserve the right to vote. It should be the people living in the USoE, not the people "leading" it.

[alexxxxx]

as explained before, it isn't exactly the same. they have legally binding guarantees exempting them from certain clauses etc made through negotiations. it's very likely to pass.

we don't vote in our PM, it's the party with the majority that chooses the PM. it's the same thing in my view.

[Alkaz]

Ireland should say yes then Tony Blair can make it as cheap as it possibley can for us to leave the EU totally. I am 100% again the European Union, I absolutely hate it, we no more are 'Great' Britain.

[Wyked]

Ireland should say yes then Tony Blair can make it as cheap as it possibley can for us to leave the EU totally. I am 100% again the European Union, I absolutely hate it, we no more are 'Great' Britain.

Tony Blair?