One of the more curious aspects of the No to Lisbon side in Ireland is that they are most visible on the Left. It’s not that there are not campaigners on the far-right, because there are, but they tend to disguise themselves as goups of “concerned citizens” whereas in reality they tend to be of the ultra catholic anti-abortion “no problem with protestants as long as they know their place” variety. And don’t get them started on “Foriegners”. To them, Jesus Christ in the flesh would be a suspicious looking darkie.
But the left are more vocal. What’s most strange about this is that across the rest of Europe, opposition to the treaty comes most vocally from the right.
The following is some material, unedited, from the Bruges Group, an anti-EU Margaret Thatcher loving group. They actually have some valid points, but the fact is this: They are against the treaty for almost the entirely oppoite reasons of Joe Higgins, Richard Boyd Barrett and Mary Lou.
Who is telling the truth on the No side?
Enjoy:
MORE UNCOMPETITIVE SOCIAL-MODEL ECONOMIC POLICIES
The European Commission is increasingly pushing for the agenda which it describes as ‘European values’ (as opposed to Anglo-Saxon values) as powerful evidence of the EU’s commitment to the ‘social dimension.’
Commission Communication: Renewed social agenda: opportunities, access and solidarity in 21st century Europe COM(08) 412
EU TO FURTHER UNDERMINE FLEXIBLE LABOUR MARKETS
The establishment of European Works Councils will enhance the power of trade unions and will mean employers shall be further hamstrung by EU law. This will make the EU less attractive to investors and drive jobs out of Britain to more adaptable labour markets, particularly those in Asia.
Draft Directive on the establishment of a European Works Council COM(08) 419
MORE EU UNDERMINING OF THE FREE MARKET
EU PLANS TO TAKE OVER THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY
In the UK the issue on how best to tackle poverty and social exclusion has become an important debate; with different approaches and strategies emerging from the two main political parties. However, this debate in the UK will become less relevant as the EU plans to expand its power into this field.
- it can begin dictating strategies for tacking poverty
- that member states must create a National Implementation Body to apply the EU’s plans; alongside that body should be National Advisory Group
FURTHER EU CONTROL OVER THE WORK LIFE BALANCE
Draft Decision on the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion (2010) COM(07) 797
The European Union is intending to produce more laws to enforce its views on the work life balance. The proposed rules will see maternity leave, for both spouses and ‘life-partners’ increased. The spouses and ‘life-partners’ will also be able to gain more access to social security.
EU to further tie Britain’s hands in the area of social policy.
The EU via Articles 136, 137, 140 and 144 of the EC Treaty has the power to force the UK to implement social measures. The EU wishes to expand its power here and produce more costly policies in the fields of social services, social security, housing and health care.
By the way, note how they added inverted commas to life partners. It’s not in the original Commission document. I wonder why they did that? Considering what many Tories seem to spend a lot of time doing to each other, you think they’d be a bit more broad minded.