Hurrah! Ireland!!! Thank you!

[Lucy]

To be honest, most of the key points seemed to make sense to me.

But these ones strike me as particularly appealing.

The reduction in the size of the european commision
The introduction of a European council president or figurehead, and also creation of high rep for foriegn affairs
The obliged mutual solidarity in event of natural dissastor
The ability to enlarge the union further to include more of europe
The ability to citizens to petition the EU directly for change (with 1mill plus signatures)
The greater role expected of national parliments in the legislative process
Introduction of general qualified majority voting, with opt opts in key areas for member countries deeming it improtant (including uk and ireland)

A bargain at £12b a year.

Suppose you agree with 'fairtrade' too?

[Pickle2]

A bargain at £12b a year.

Sorry, are you saying that the introduction of the treaty will cost the UK an extra 12 billion on top of what it currently contributes each year to the EU?

[The Lone Gunman]

The whole EU thing is a gravy train for politicians, their staff and lobyists.
It is also funding some clever countries who know how to play the game with no interest in being a part of Europe.

We would be better off going back to a common market approach or for the UK to pull out altogether.

[Bagpuss]

It's better to be on the train pissing out than standing on the platform and trying to piss in.

[Lucy]

It's better to be on the train pissing out than standing on the platform and trying to piss in.

Is that your understanding of the EU?

[TimberWolf]

It is also funding some clever countries who know how to play the game with no interest in being a part of Europe.

I think I know who you mean

[Lucy]

Sorry, are you saying that the introduction of the treaty will cost the UK an extra 12 billion on top of what it currently contributes each year to the EU?

No.

I & others have already explained the problems with the EU.

Unaccountable unelected etc etc a bit too much like communism.

[meridian]

"That's the whole reason they elect us. To do the boring voting for them and run the country, whilst they get on with their lives, watching telly or rearing children. If they are that passionate about having a useful vote, they should have studied harder and gone to Uni and entered politics. If you are not a politician, then it's a bit rich moaning about politics if you couldn't be bothered to study it."

Hmmm. He does have a point. I don't know anything about brain surgery, so it would be unfair and churlish to criticise a brain surgeon.

Except, of course, that Ireland has a written constitution, and it's written in law that any changes to their constitution require a referendum.

Maybe if pollies actually did vote how the people wanted them to in the UK (instead of voting for whatever suits themselves, e.g Iraq, pension and pay increases, expense acounts, etc) they could be trusted.

[Lucy]

And sometimes when you've studied politics that last thing you want to do is be a politician.

[Bagpuss]

Is that your understanding of the EU?

No it's Harry Enfield's

Do you say Yurp?