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Daniel Hannan

Daniel Hannan is a writer and journalist, and has been Conservative MEP for South East England since 1999. He speaks French and Spanish and loves Europe, but believes that the EU is making its constituent nations poorer, less democratic and less free.

Ireland caves in. Very well: alone!

 

By Daniel Hannan Politics Last updated: October 3rd, 2009

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Ireland has spoken clearly.

(This time, at least. One all. How about we make it best of three?)

The result was hardly unexpected – readers of this blog, at any rate, have had plenty of warning. Still, it’s disappointing to see a free people, who had already expressed themselves plainly, being browbeaten like this.

Attention will now shift to Poland and the Czech Republic, whose presidents have yet to sign the European Constitution Lisbon Treaty. For months, Europhiles have been telling anyone who’ll listen that David Cameron lacks influence outside the federalist EPP. Oh yeah? With which two parties in Europe does he most want influence at present? That’s right: the Czech and Polish conservatives, both of whom are now our allies in the European Parliament.

Still, the arguments for a British referendum are not dependent on what happens elsewhere. We are a free people. We were promised a referendum by all three parties, and we mean to get one. If we have overseas allies, it’s an unlooked for bonus. If not, well, we’ve been here before. Ponder on this wonderful David Low cartoon, published in the Evening Standard after the rout at Dunkirk in 1940. Very well, alone!

Tags: Conservatives, Czech Republic, David Cameron, Irish referendum,Lisbon Treaty, referendum, result, turnout, Vaclav Klaus, Yes vote