UK ratifies Lisbon Treaty despite Tory efforts to stall

Published on Thursday 19 June 2008 01:33

BRITAIN last night effectively ratified the EU's Lisbon Treaty, despite the decision by Irish voters to reject it .

The treaty completed its passage through the House of Lords after a Tory bid to delay its progress was defeated by a margin of 93.

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso thanked the UK government for its "constant support" for the new treaty.

He urged all other European member states who have yet to approve the document to continue the process. The treaty has now been approved by 19 EU countries.

Mr Barroso said: "I would like to thank the government and parliament for the constant support for the new treaty during the negotiation and ratification process".

He went on: "I believe the new treaty will make the EU more effective, democratic and stronger on the global stage."

Lord Strathclyde, Conservative leader in the Lords, last night said: "Tonight, the government and Liberal Democrats successfully steamrollered ratification of the rejected Lisbon Treaty through the Lords, adding the sidelining of parliament to their earlier sidelining of the people on what happens next in Europe."

Previously, Prime Minister Gordon Brown dismissed a call by Conservative leader David Cameron to declare the Lisbon Treaty "dead".

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