Two of the latest heavy comments on the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty show signs of thinking outside the box.
So then, after sticking two fingers at the EU, Irish voters might be inclined to say next: “see if I care” and quit the whole sheebang? Not if they have half a wit, says Wolfgang Munchau of the Financial Times.
On the other hand, Ireland might be left off the hook, according to Hugo Brady of the pro-EU and highly prestigious think tank the Centre for European Reform. Maybe the Age of Treaties is Over, suggests Brady. . Not that any of this eases Taioseach Biffo’s immediate headache – but at least it shows the big boys are trying..
Former BBC journalist and manager in Belfast, Manchester and London, Editor Spolight; Political Editor BBC NI; Current Affairs Commissioning editor BBC Radio 4; Editor Political and Parliamentary Programmes, BBC Westminster; former London Editor Belfast Telegraph. Hon Senior Research Fellow, The Constitution Unit, Univ Coll. London