Only 25% of people will vote yes on EU Reform Treaty - Times

[David Cochrane]

"Just 25 per cent of people say they will vote Yes to the EU Reform Treaty, agreed in Lisbon last month, while 13 per cent intend to vote No and a massive 62 per cent say they don't know or have no opinion. In a comparable poll on the EU Constitutional Treaty in March 2005, 46 per cent said they would vote Yes as against 12 per cent who would vote No and 42 per cent who had no opinion."

- Irish Times

[riven]

Funny but for the first time ever for a Euro treaty, I have no idea what this treaty is about .

[Binx]

I'm starting a college assignment on the E.U. today. I'll find out all about the treaty and get back to ye with a wholly biased opinion. I'm just not sure which way the winds of bias will blow. Probably against.

[Keith-M]

Way too early to make a call on this, and as all the main partties will be calling for a yes vote, far too early to start worrying.

[freedomlover]

"Just 25 per cent of people say they will vote Yes to the EU Reform Treaty, agreed in Lisbon last month, while 13 per cent intend to vote No and a massive 62 per cent say they don't know or have no opinion. In a comparable poll on the EU Constitutional Treaty in March 2005, 46 per cent said they would vote Yes as against 12 per cent who would vote No and 42 per cent who had no opinion."

- Irish Times

This is a 2 to 1 majority voting 'yes', very much in line with previous referenda on EU issues. I do not see what the fuss is about. Given that the vast majority of the population have never heard of the EU Reform Treaty and have no idea what it is, its hardly surprising there are a very large number of don't knows.

[Limerick Lad]

I think this may be more of a reflection of people's general dissatisfaction with the Government since the election rather that any genuine anti-European mood. If the current unpopularity of the Government continues they would be foolish to bring any referendum to the electorate as people may feel it's an opportunity to give Ahern and FF a bloody nose.

[Trampas]

Riven, The treaty is about the establishment of a federal united states of europe where the Dail will be about as relevant as your local county council chamber. It is also about smoothing the way for endless enlargement - the sheer lunacy of it all. Christians voting for Turkey, if you ask me.

[Maximus]

"Just 25 per cent of people say they will vote Yes to the EU Reform Treaty, agreed in Lisbon last month, while 13 per cent intend to vote No and a massive 62 per cent say they don't know or have no opinion. In a comparable poll on the EU Constitutional Treaty in March 2005, 46 per cent said they would vote Yes as against 12 per cent who would vote No and 42 per cent who had no opinion."

- Irish Times

In fairness even seasoned hacks know very little about the treaty, all this poll shows is people have an open mind to the treaty.

[smiffy]

Riven, The treaty is about the establishment of a federal united states of europe where the Dail will be about as relevant as your local county council chamber. It is also about smoothing the way for endless enlargement - the sheer lunacy of it all. Christians voting for Turkey, if you ask me.

None of that is true.

[Munion]

I'd say the Don't Know section was far more telling than either the Yes or No sections.

Personally i'm in the Don't Know camp and considering the sheer size of the treaty I doubt i'll have the time or inclination to read through it. My personal thinking on referenda is that if you don't have enough knowledge to confidently vote Yes then you should vote No and retain the status quo.