Philip Bushill-Matthews, MEP for Warwickshire, on.....the Lisbon Treaty

Phillip Bushill Matthews, MEP for Warwickshire, writes for The Observer

07 July 2008

POLITICIANS are out of favour right across Europe at present, especially Parliamentarians. There is a feeling they are out of touch and out of tune, and only interested in themselves. It is easy to see why.

 
Parliament is by definition a place where politicians “parley”, where they speak to each other. There is no requirement to listen to each other, or indeed to anybody else.

It would be so much better if there was a “Listenament” instead, where politicians actually listened to the real world outside – an especially important concept given the recent referendum result in Ireland on the proposed Lisbon Treaty.

To become law it needs to be ratified by all 27 EU Member States. If one single country rejects it, the Treaty should fall – if politicians were listening.

 
But the reaction across Europe was identical. Ratification would carry on regardless. Gordon Brown completed the process for the UK: EU political leaders agreed to do the same, with the possible exception of the Czechs and the Poles who are still thinking about it.

The European Council summit held the week after the referendum, at which all Heads of Government were present, blithely declared that the process had to go on because the Treaty was designed “to help Europe work more democratically”.
 

Who says? How can the EU work more democratically when people in most countries are not allowed a vote, and those who do vote are ignored?

 
I want the EU to succeed and prosper, not to fail. But that means politicians have to connect with the people who elected them. That means the ratification should stop, and the Treaty should be buried.

 
That would show that politicians are at last listening to the people. Then maybe – just maybe – the people might start listening to the politicians.
Philip Bushill-Matthews
Warwickshire-based MEP

First glimpse at the Western Relief Road»

Threat to school work experience»

FOOTBALL - Brown casts eye over entire squad»

Council approves rubbish changes»

Anger over allotments meeting»

GOLF - Open competitions at Ullesthorpe »

GOLF - Quartet clinch narrow success»

CRICKET - Scott family boost Newbold»

ATHLETICS - Double delight in cup semi-finals»

CRICKET - Marvellous Milsom stars »

CYCLING - Heaton overcomes tough conditions»

GOLF - Walker shines in new event»

ATHLETICS - Holders are in top form»

GOLF - Whitefields fall to a heavy defeat»

CROSSBOW - Golden triumph for Bingham»

Warwickshire Cricket League round-up»

Airport launches expansion appeal»

CRICKET - Barby retain Senior Cup»

SPEEDWAY - Harris crash adds to Bees' woes »

Award for town youth club»