'No' side claims constitution dead

If Taoiseach Bertie Ahern went ahead with an EU constitution referendum it would be a rejection of the French and Dutch national…

If Taoiseach Bertie Ahern went ahead with an EU constitution referendum it would be a rejection of the French and Dutch national democracies, anti-constitution campaigners said yesterday.

At a press conference in Dublin, Roger Cole, chairman of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance, said the constitution was dead. He was joined by Caroline Lucas, a British Green MEP, and Thomas Rupp, co-ordinator of the European No campaign.

Mr Cole said: "The constitution is very clear; every individual state must ratify it. If one state doesn't, it can't be implemented."

He said the EU constitution political/media elite had been clearly defeated by the people of France and the Netherlands in referendums where there were very high turnouts.

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Yet the Taoiseach was demanding that all the other states proceed with their process of ratification, and clearly intended that the French and Dutch people be forced to vote again.

"The fact that the EU elite, including An Taoiseach, still wish to continue the ratification process is a clear indication they no longer support national democracy.

"It is a complete rejection of the national democracy of the French and Dutch people."

He added that the €5 million to be spent on the referendum was a waste, and should be spend on the health service.

Ms Lucas said they now had to look at what needed to be done.

"In my view the ratification process needs to stop.

"This treaty is dead, and any attempt to keep it alive by further referendum would be perceived by the people of Europe as yet one more demonstration of the lack of democracy."

She said this showed arrogance and contempt of the people by the politicians.

"I hope the European leaders will actually listen to what people say rather than try and bring the project back to life through the back door."

Mr Rupp said the No campaign was not against the EU. It was very European and very diverse, and they wanted it to stay that way.

There were different reasons for people being against the constitution, and they were from both the left and right.

"People do not feel represented, and we think we should have more control over Brussels.

"Politicians now have to pay the price, and learn that their game is over."