Friday, June 13, 2008

Another Europe is Possible with No! 2 Lisbon result

It has indeed been a Friday the 13th the yes campaigners would rather forget. A resounding No! 2 Lisbon was the result, with a comfortable 110,000 votes ahead and a margin of 53.4% to 46.6%.

A considerable achievement considering the profile of those calling on support for the Lisbon Treaty. Sinn Féin was the only major party to call for a No! vote.

Sinn Féin and their youth wing Ógra Shinn Féin have continuously said that a better deal could be negotiated for Ireland in Europe, and as a result have campaigned and canvassed for a no vote.


Speaking on the result, National Organiser of Ógra Shinn Féin Barry McColgan said,

“We would like to commend all the progressive groups and people who have played their part in this excellent result, especially those who came out to cast their vote. The electorate in the 26 Counties have stood up for Ireland, and Europe, they have voted in the best interests of the almost 500 million European citizens’ denied a vote, including the 1.8 million in the North of Ireland.”

“People have voted for a social Europe, for a Europe that protects worker’s rights, promotes public services and respects the sovereignty and neutrality of nations.”

“Another Europe is possible, the people who came out across the 26 counties to vote No! have made that a reality. It is now up to the Dublin government to negotiate and demand a better deal for Ireland and Europe.”

“And it is also imperative that all the progressive organisations that ensured a resounding No! vote, continue to work together, campaign, and organise for the type of Europe they envisage, a ‘free federation of free peoples.’”

3 comments:

Ciaran MacConaglaigh said...

Congrats lads. I was in Spain for the last year, europe will thank ireland in the future

Anonymous said...

progressive organisations? like cóir? libertas? etc. its a sad day when ogra view single issue anti-abortionists, and business tycoons who clearly have vested interests as 'progressive' groups.

congratulations have to go to sinn fein and ogra for their part in the successful no vote but as they clearly have done since may 2007 the challenge now is to continue to learn the lessons of that election and not allow yourselves to get a big head going into the local elections next year

Anonymous said...

when people speak of progressive organisations, they speak of groups on the broad left.

Joe