Green Party U-Turn on a democratic EU

national | eu | press release

Saturday July 18, 2009 19:06

by Patricia McKenna - Peoples' Movement

Green Party vote to support Lisbon Treaty

The Green Party’s decision to support the Lisbon Treaty and backtrack on its long standing campaign for a more democratic EU will be more of a hindrance than a help to the Yes side. The voters would currently not buy a used car from the Green Party let alone a rejected treaty. The party leadership has shown that once part of the so-called ‘accepted political establishment’ they turn their back on their principles

18th July, 2009

Green Party support for Lisbon Treaty will give No campaigners more credibility, says McKenna

Former Green Party MEP and Chairperson of the Peoples Movement, Patricia McKenna has said that the Green Party’s support for the Lisbon Treaty will give the No campaign more credibility.

She said, “The Green Party’s decision to support the Lisbon Treaty and backtrack on its long standing campaign for a more democratic EU will be more of a hindrance than a help to the Yes side. The voters would currently not buy a used car from the Green Party let alone a rejected treaty. The party leadership has shown that once part of the so-called ‘accepted political establishment’ they turn their back on their principles.” “This is just one of a long line of u-turns, including Shell to Sea, Shannon, incineration, Tara and Education cuts, preformed by the Greens since entering Government. The current leader of the party, John Gormley, voted against this treaty in its original form, the EU Constitution, when he as in opposition and nothing in the treaty has changed since. The only change has been the Greens in Government and its clear the party leadership will do all in its power to keep Fianna Fail in office so they can hold on to positions of status.” Said McKenna

She went on to say, “I would like to commend all those party members who kept to their principles and tried to get the party to hold on to what identity it has left. The fact that the vote was so tight and almost the same as last time is an indication that even Green Party members have not been persuaded by the propaganda spin on Lisbon since the referendum.” This is a sign of hope for the NO side in the forthcoming referendum and there is indeed a chance that it will reflect the views of the voters who will not be persuaded to change their vote next time around”. Concluded McKenna

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Comments (3 of 3)

I agree lets call for democracy while ignoring a vote wiht 2/3 backin

by Imperialist

Mon Jul 20, 2009 08:26

How can anyone claim to be calling for a more democratic EU when she ignores the 2/3 majority of green party members who voted for a yes vote, it matters not if someone for or against lisbon when making a call for better democracy and simultaneously ignoring the most democratic of mandates given a party by rank and file members completely discredits any further statements - is this the ultimate example of "doublethink"?

I agree lets ignore the vote of the people!

by Anti-Imperialist

Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:24

How can anyone seriously claim to be in favour of democracy when they think that a 2/3 vote at a GP meeting outweighs the majority vote of the people? Patricia takes her mandate from the majority of the Irish people who rejected Lisbon.

Double-think as well as double-speak

by MichaelY - NO to Lisbon Campaign

Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:40

The word and the concept of Democracyt is made up of two Greek words: Demos - meaning the people - and Kratos - power....in plain English that even our imperialist can understand it means people power......
Unless I am mistaken, the Irish people voted against Lisbon on June 12th '08.....the French and the Dutch had voted against the Lisbon clone in '05.....and yes, in case I am accused of forgetting, the Spanish and the Luxemburgian people voted for the EU Constitution.
Last year, the 550 million European citizens were denied a vote......and they still are. That extremist left-winger McCreavy said had they been given a vote 80% would have rejected the Treaty.
And now, despite Gilmore's words that "Lisbon is dead" and Gormley's words that "the outcome must be respected", Green rank-and-file democracy decides that the Lisbon Treaty should be supported!! The very same Treaty we rejected - oh yes - with a bit of cellophane packaging. Gormley a few weeks ago was saying he had serious doubts about the role of the European Defence Agency......and EU militarisation. What palliative did he get to assuage his doubts?
You can throw stones at Patricia but, whether you agree with her in everything she says and does, you must admit she has the courage to stand by what she believes.....

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Green Party U-Turn on a democratic EU

Comments (3 of 3)