10 June, 2008

The Irish vote


It is generally recognised as a diplomatic faux pas to intervene in the political affairs of another country, particularly in the run-up to an election. But this has not stopped Bernard Kouchner, the foreign minister of France, who has reminded the Irish that they have received a large amount of European money and should vote in the correct way on the Constitutional Treaty.

The Irish have of course received a large amount of money from Europe, but I’m not sure anyone told them there would be strings attached, and that these strings would involve the abnegation of their democracy. My hope is that this foolish intervention from the erstwhile soixant-huitard will teach the undecided, reportedly 30% just two days from the referendum, exactly what is at stake here, and that they will vote accordingly.

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