Europe crisis as Irish say No

Published on Friday 13 June 2008 22:01

THE future of the European Union was at a crossroads last night after Ireland rejected plans to transfer more powers to Brussels.

The UK government said moves to ratify the Lisbon Treaty at Westminster should continue, but David Cameron, the Tory leader, said it should be "declared dead."

The treaty aimed to simplify the EU's voting systems, following enlargement to 27 members with the accession of eastern European nations, by removing national vetoes in around 60 areas.

It also proposed the creation of a post of President of Europe – for which Tony Blair was suggested by the French – and an EU foreign affairs supremo.

But Ireland – the only country to hold a referendum – rejected the treaty by a majority of 110,000, with 862,415 people opposed and 752,451 in favour.

This was despite Ireland having benefited from years of EU subsidies and with all its main parties in favour. The vote all but killed off the treaty, as each member state has to ratify it.

The treaty had been put forward by the 27 heads of government because efforts to impose a more radical new constitution collapsed, after being rejected by the French and Dutch in 2005.

David Miliband, the UK Foreign Secretary, said last night that the result had to be digested, while EC President Jose Manuel Barroso appeared to leave open the possibility of Ireland being allowed to sign up to Lisbon later on.

But Mr Cameron said: "I think the elites in Brussels have got to listen to people in Europe who do not want endless powers being passed from nation states to Brussels."

Struan Stevenson, a Tory MEP for Scotland, said: "This is a good day for democracy in Europe. This will completely reshape the way Europe will go in the future. It will become more of a Europe of the citizens, rather than a Europe of the ivory-towered elite.

"Every time the citizens of Europe are asked about the constitution, they reject it. This time, I'm certain this is the end of the road for the Lisbon Treaty. It's now got to be dead and buried.

"If any other country had been given the chance to have their say, they would have voted No as well. The Lisbon Treaty was going to impose on 500 million citizens a president of Europe who would have been decided over cigars and cognac in the Elyses Palace."

However, David Martin, a Labour MSP, said: "I think it's very bad news, especially for those of us who were hoping the Lisbon Treaty was going to lead to a more open and democratic Europe. The danger is, it leaves Europe in limbo at a time when there are so many policy areas that need European action."

Ian Hudghton, an SNP MEP, said the rejection offered Scotland a chance to develop its case on becoming independent in Europe. It could also allow MEPs the freedom to make key changes to the common fisheries policy, which he said needed "radical reform if not scrapping".

Mr Hudghton said: "It's a good indication of why Gordon Brown bottled out of having a promised referendum in the UK. I suspect something similar might have happened."

Elspeth Attwooll, the Lib Dem MEP for Scotland, blamed "scare stories" for leading Irish people to vote No. She said: "There is going to have to be a strong lead from the heads of state and government to find a way out of this predicament."

Three strikes but not out – what the vote means

Why did the Irish reject the Lisbon Treaty?

There were a number of reasons, but many voters believed the "Yes" campaign had simply failed to make its case. There was also opposition to Ireland losing its permanent commissioner under plans to streamline the EU.

What does it mean for the future of Europe?

The governments of each of the 27 member states will have to decide on a way forward. Business will continue as normal but plans to remove national vetoes in 60 areas and appoint a president of Europe will not go ahead.

Will the SNP have to change its policy of Independence in Europe?

No. The party argues that the Irish vote merely allows time to think how it can argue in Europe for a bigger say for Scotland, while protecting national sovereignty.

What has happened to the UK government's bid to ratify the Lisbon Treaty?

The treaty is currently being considered by the House of Lords, having been approved narrowly in March by the Commons. The government says it will press ahead regardless of the Irish vote.

Why did Ireland get to vote on the treaty when the UK didn't?

The Irish people are allowed a vote under their country's constitution – making it the only one of the 27 EU countries to hold a referendum. The UK government argued that, despite a manifesto pledge to hold a vote, the Lisbon Treaty did not markedly change the relationship with Europe and therefore did not have to be put to the public.

Would the UK also have voted against the treaty?

That is the belief of many Eurosceptics. They accuse Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, of running scared by refusing to allow a referendum.

Haven't we been here before?

This is the third time that greater European integration has been rejected by the people. In 2005, the French and Dutch rejected the proposed new EU constitution – which would have replaced the Rome and Maastricht Treaties – leading to the emergence of the Lisbon Treaty as a compromise.