LISBON - A KEY QUESTION

“Is Lisbon 2 any different? We already voted “NO” to Lisbon One.”


Cllr Michael’s view

“The difference is not in the treaty but in the guarantees which cover many of the issues that worried voters on the last occasion. Legally-binding guarantees on taxation, on military neutrality, on the right to life, on the family and on education and a solemn declaration on workers’ rights, on social policy and on public services together with the unanimous agreement of 27 Member States that each of them will continue to have a Commissioner, constitutes vital new matter, additional to what was on offer to the electorate last June twelve months.

The guarantees will be attached to the next Treaty as a Protocol. They were drawn up carefully and were agreed with all twenty-six EU Member States to address the concerns and fears that voters say caused them to vote “NO” or stay away from the polling stations on the last occasion.