Lisbon Treaty survives last-minute hurdle in Britain (2nd Roundup)

UK News

Jun 18, 2008, 18:12 GMT

London - Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by Britain was a virtual certainty Wednesday after a last-ditch Conservative attempt to delay the process by six months failed. The House of Lords was expected later Wednesday to approve legislation allowing adoption of the treaty by Britain at the end of a six-month ratification process. Following rejection of a Conservative amendment demanding a delay of ratification until October 20, a vote on the third and final reading of the bill in the Lords later Wednesday was expected to be a mere formality. The amendment to delay ratification as a result of Ireland's rejection of the treaty last week was defeated by 277 votes to 184, a majority of 93. The debate in the Upper Chamber was interrupted by four protestors who were detained by security officers after shouting 'Give us a referendum' and 'It is democracy' from the public gallery. The result comes as a relief to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is due to attend a summit of EU leaders in Brussels Thursday. In the House of Commons earlier Wednesday, Brown again rejected Conservative calls that there should be a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty in Britain. Brown said there would have been a referendum on the original EU Constitution - the forerunner of the Lisbon Treaty - and there would be a one if the Euro currency was ever to be introduced in Britain, but the Lisbon Treaty did not require a popular vote. He said the Conservatives' aim was not just to defeat the treaty, 'but to get out of Europe altogether - which would be damaging for Britain.' A delay in the ratification process would have caused serious problems for Brown, whose popularity ratings are already at rock bottom just a year after he took over from Tony Blair. A new Europe debate in Britain would not only have revived calls for a referendum, but also reopened the whole debate of further political integration and Britain's place in Europe. Opinion polls have consistently shown a British dislike for ever- closer European union. Just this week, a poll showed that 54 per cent of Britons believed the Lisbon Treaty should be ditched after the Irish vote, and only 14 per cent supported its ratification. A delay would have given eurosceptics of all political parties time to air their views on the treaty, and push for a referendum. As it is, Brown can go to Brussels as a 'good European' and offer his good services in picking up the pieces after the Irish referendum shock, analysts said.

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PubliusJun 18th, 2008 - 18:31:47

It was only a few short weeks ago that I sat listening to Gordon Brown saying with all the appearance of sincerity that he intended to listen to the British people.

It is now clear to me that Brown's version of 'listening' is just like the EU's.

I suspect the Eurocrats will regard this ratification by the UK as a triumph, and now use it as a rod to beat the Irish with. But the truth is it is not a triumph. It is the final nail in the credibility of the EU, and they will look back at this day as the beginning of the end. They look unassailable now. But, like Ceaucescu in Romania, their whole house of cards will come tumbling down much faster than they think.

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Lisbon Treaty survives last-minute hurdle in Britain (2nd Roundup)

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