I have been thinking a bit on what narrative the no-referendums end up in, and it is nearly always "stupid people voting wrong". I do not think we want that, or rather I think that is hindering in building a common democratic EUrope. EU needs more, not less confidence in its people, do get the structures and the needed trust, that is necessary for a more democratic structure.
Who do we want to blame for this failure? I say the council, our national executives working in common, and doing a lousy job of it. Because we want to lessen the councils power.
So forget the referendum, it is over now. Blame the council in order to get better treaties in the future. A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!
Blame the irish excutive government for failing in its part of the Councils duty to deliver a clear enough treaty that it can be widely understood and debated on its merits. Through that incompetence the door was left open for the US financed scare-mongers in Libertas, etc. A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!
Actually I'm not that interested in getting into blame games and want to point a way forward. The "slow learners" bit was an ironic reference to Seamus Mallon's famous quote about the Good Friday Agreement being "Sunningdale for slow learners". This was a caustic reference to Unionists taking 30 years to agree to power sharing which finally gave us peace. I was trying to draw a parallel with the Republic - also taking some time to realise that you have to share power with Europe if you want to achieve peace and prosperity.
Obviously I need to make that reference more explicit, "It's a mystery to me - the game commences, For the usual fee - plus expenses, Confidential information - it's in my diary..."
