Architect of EU Constitution says Treaty is Same Thing

[A_man_about_a_dog]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7069181.stm

It appears that of the people who was originally in charge of drafting the Constitution of the EU, former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, has come out and said that the Treaty only really differs from the failed Constitution in approach and not format or substance.

Just further evidence that the citizens of the EU are not being told the truth. Each member state should be allowing their citizens the right to vote in a referendum on the matter. It is an absolute disgrace that the big hitters in the EU are trying to pull the wool over people's eyes by claiming that the Treaty is entirely new and not tied to the Constitution in anyway when that is clearly not the truth.

I believe that more should be done to ensure that the citizens of the EU get a chance to have their voices heard as opposed to the current by-passing of EU citizens which is going on everywhere except Ireland.

[seabhcan]

I'd like the EU itself to hold a referendum, rather than individual states. That would disentangle the treaty from local politics. (I've heard people in Limerick promising to vote no to "send a message" over Shannon)

[Rivershannon]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7069181.stm

It appears that of the people who was originally in charge of drafting the Constitution of the EU, former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, has come out and said that the Treaty only really differs from the failed Constitution in approach and not format or substance.

Just further evidence that the citizens of the EU are not being told the truth. Each member state should be allowing their citizens the right to vote in a referendum on the matter. It is an absolute disgrace that the big hitters in the EU are trying to pull the wool over people's eyes by claiming that the Treaty is entirely new and not tied to the Constitution in anyway when that is clearly not the truth.

I believe that more should be done to ensure that the citizens of the EU get a chance to have their voices heard as opposed to the current by-passing of EU citizens which is going on everywhere except Ireland.

I think we will have to take on bord the views of a cross section of Europe when we vote on this 'Treaty' . A yes vote is by no means guaranteed. ( Likewise Seabhcan I have heard people going to vote no over the pay increases)
Bring on the Headbangers!

[MacCoise]

Headbangers?

The Fine Gael way of dealing with people with different opinions

[TradCat]

Why is only people voting no have their motives questioned and why only on EU issues.

It doesn't matter why you vote your vote still has the same weight. That is the basis of democracy. It's not for anyone else to second guess you.

I'm voting no because this treaty has already been rejected by the voters of France and Holland. We have no right to impose it on them.

[CookieMonster]

I'd like the EU itself to hold a referendum, rather than individual states. That would disentangle the treaty from local politics. (I've heard people in Limerick promising to vote no to "send a message" over Shannon)

NNNneeeeaaaaagggggaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

[A_man_about_a_dog]

Why is only people voting no have their motives questioned and why only on EU issues.

It doesn't matter why you vote your vote still has the same weight. That is the basis of democracy. It's not for anyone else to second guess you.

I'm voting no because this treaty has already been rejected by the voters of France and Holland. We have no right to impose it on them.

I am also going to be voting no, more so because of the fact that the vast majority of EU citizens are not being given the right to vote on the issue. It is disgraceful. Europe is meant to be made up of liberal democracies, yet they are not seeking their citizen's views on such an important matter.

[ivnryn]

I'd like the EU itself to hold a referendum, rather than individual states. That would disentangle the treaty from local politics. (I've heard people in Limerick promising to vote no to "send a message" over Shannon)

I think this would be a good idea. Each country passes it by whatever means that it feels appropriate and then there is an EU wide referendum.

[CookieMonster]

I'm voting no because there are aspects on the Reform - neé constitutio - Treaty that I don't agree with.
My intent to vote no is furthered by the same reasons given by A_man_about_a_dog and a hope that our rejecting it will force further debate.

But if you're going to vote yes, or no, then do so for a bloody good reason not to stick it to the Aer Lingus management team, FFS!

[CookieMonster]

I'd like the EU itself to hold a referendum, rather than individual states. That would disentangle the treaty from local politics. (I've heard people in Limerick promising to vote no to "send a message" over Shannon)

I think this would be a good idea. Each country passes it by whatever means that it feels appropriate and then there is an EU wide referendum.

Each country is passing it by whatever means they feel appropriate, problem is they feel that a referendum isn't necessary or are afraid of the result as the Dutch have already said. This alone is alarming.