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'Messy' EU but we'll press on, says Miliband

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Published Date: 16 June 2008
By Ross Lydall
THE future of the European Union remains unclear after Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty, David Miliband admitted yesterday.
The Foreign Secretary described the situation as "a bit messy" but said it was right for the UK government to press ahead with ratifying the treaty, with a key vote due in the Lords on Wednesday.

Mr Miliband admitted there was no "plan B" after last week's No vote in the only country consulted. "It's a bit messy at the moment but let's work our way through," he said.

France's finance minister Christine Lagarde said she was "absolutely certain" another treaty would emerge, proposing similar reforms.

William Hague, the Tory shadow foreign secretary, said the result increased pressure for a UK referendum.



The full article contains 129 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 15 June 2008 9:36 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: European Union
 
1

Guga II,

Rockall 16/06/2008 03:31:35
"the result increased pressure for a UK referendum."

And pigs might fly.

There is no way that the Stalinist, totalitarian, control freak New Labour Sleaze and Corruption Party are going to allow democracy to rear its ugly head. This "listening" government have got no intention of listening to anyone.

We need to get out of that totally corrupt organisation called the EU, and the sooner the better.

2

yockel,

16/06/2008 07:42:01
Illegal wars, illegal treaties, seems to be a labour habit, funded by illegal donations.
3

SouthernSkye,

16/06/2008 07:55:34
They cannot press on. The call from Germany and France to move forward to ratify is outwith the EU legislation.
I was reading the foreign offce page over the weekend and it clearly states that ALL 27 COUNTRIES must ratify.Eire will not therefore that is the end. If this process does continue and ignore the Eire vote, then I think it will highlight what most of the general public know. The EU is a law unto itself and will just stem-roller over anything that doesn't suit its' plans.
4

Jock's Away,

Africa 16/06/2008 08:08:27
Any organisation build on a core of corruption, deception and duplicity is destine to fail, trouble is the price the customers need to pay while the game is on.
The EU purports to be founded on democratic principle. Time and again hard proof is given that implementation is by dictate, with absolutely no referral to the people. It is so corrupt that it's own audit department has refused to approve audits for over a DECADE. MEP,s have proved themselves as dishonest as those in Africa. Decisions are made not on objective aims or goals, but how much or what is in it for officials, their cronies or MEP's.
Yes Mr Milliband you will press on, once the crime is committed, the courage to come clean and face the liabilities become harder. The political species is not noted for their courage or integrity. Transparency or accountability is Not a tradition or cultural attribute in many of the nation making up the EU.
Question is; does Britain sacrifice the last shred of integrity or ethic to be immersed in such a system? Make no mistake the System will taint all who are in contact with it. The treaty gives the will of the people over to the unaccountable, morally deficient autocrats. The Irish having got rid of English rule do not want the above to take over the role. Well seen Ireland.
5

Alan B,

16/06/2008 10:20:36
I think part of the approach of the british government here is not to be labeled as the country that broke this treaty. Blair did the same thing when France and Holland voted against the constitutional treaty.

British powers within the EU has been sidelined for yrs do to it approach to the EU. ie governments like the tories simply did not know or want to play the political games necessary to influence events in the EU. They would far rather play westminster type of games and then be left without any power.

Labour if they want to increase the uk power to influence events within the EU have to be careful about where and when to use its political capital.

This treaty is dead. But with no plan B then the political games will begin. What the uk does not want is to be labelled country that brought down this treaty. Much better to let the irish and french argue this out.

It would have helped if the uk had not been so semi-dettached for so long and hence lacking in influence. If the uk wants to be part of the eu it needs to build political capital and argue points that are seen to be important to the uk. Unfortunately it is starting from a position of weakness.

We saw this with thatchers approach. She started by winning the first battle but ended up being destroyed in power terms by both the french and germans who ran rings round her.
6

Alan B,

16/06/2008 10:27:06
#Jock's Away

I would not say the EU is any more corrupt than the political systems of the countries that make up the EU. We can all see how corrupt westminster is.

"with absolutely no referral to the people" how many referendum does westminster give us on any issues.

Part of the issue in related to ur point is. Should the EU give the powers to the european parliament and let them decide like any national parliament. Or should we have what we have at the moment national governments concocting a compromise between the 29 national governments.

There are things i do not like about the EU (aswell as things i like about it), but if we are talking about democratic deficits we have to admit that the UK is partly responsible for this by blocking moves to give the european parliament more power compared to the approach of getting national government to agree outcomes to certain issues.
7

,

16/06/2008 11:57:31
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
8

,

16/06/2008 11:58:56
Comment Removed By Administrator
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9

Alan B,

16/06/2008 12:19:50
#danielrober

agree
10

A Friend of Fernando Poo,

16/06/2008 13:48:36
If the EU again decides to ignore democracy and implement articles clearly rejected in a vote, then it's legitimate for citizens to resort to sabotage just as the SAS did in Europe the last time despotism was attemped:

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/06/11/sabotage-manual-from.html

The EU is already so bogged down in bureaucratic drivel that this should be a piece of cake.

Remember: stand and don't deliver. Your country needs you!
11

John Blackley,

Florida 16/06/2008 20:24:51
Ooooooh! A politician telling a porkie? Whatever next?

"No plan B" indeed! Of course there is a 'plan B' Mr. Millipede and you know exactly what it is. 'Plan B' is to press ahead as if the Irish vote had never taken place. After all, the silly Irish were the only ones in the entire EU who gave their citizenry the privilege of voting on this stinking legislation (and they only did that because they have a constituion that says they had to). 'Plan B' is to continue this charade of parliamentary ratification and to implement the terms of the Lisbon treaty over the protests of the EU citizenry.

Yes, it will be messy - particularly if enough of the population of the EU wakes up to what's being done to their freedoms.
12

Independent,

16/06/2008 20:50:49

How does this man have the gall to say this after the UK did not get the referendum it was promised, and an ICM poll the day before the vote in Ireland said only 28% of Britain supported it?

When do they let you vote a general election over there, anyway? Whenever they feel like it? Seems so.
13

The Former Mr. Angry,

Perth 21/06/2008 10:59:33
"A bit messy". A bit inconvenient for those megalomaniacs in Brussels and our own dear Labour party who have a vested interest in ensuring the continuation of a Stalinist/socialist group in Europe. For one thing it's nice escape route from British politics if the electorate decide you're history. Mandelson, Kinnocks to name a few. Don't they just love to take all the decisions on our behalf, so we don't have to?

So the Irish spoiled the party. If this were a truly democratic grouping it would hail such a decision, cancel the "Treaty" and move on. It would also actively oppose Brown's dictatorial assertion that he should ratify the treaty and move on as if nothing happened and in keeping with his own personality, refuse to listen or learn and hold a referendum. Quite often the English press rant on about him being a "traitor". I think it's getting to the stage where he should quite happily accept the accusation and punishment. The worst thing to happen to him is being booted out and it's coming.
14

Canny Mann,

The Kingdom 26/05/2009 04:49:38
Vote SNP, have scotland declare UDI. Open international talks and apply to join the UN. Call a referendum whether to apply to join the EU. If the people say NO then the country doesnt need to send Piggies to Brussels. There is an Atlantic economic alliance outwith the EU. Scotland could apply to join that body rather than be forced towards the EU and the euro.
Scotland need not be forced by the IMO/IMF into an economic alliance with the EU and forced to take on the euro. Tie scottish currency to the US dollar, as the dollar is still the strongest currency in the world. The US economy will drag the rest of the world out of recession/credit crunch/ economic melt down.
If scotland must follow one currency, it would be prudent to back the strongest.

Alba gu brath...

 

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