Poll shows 53% in favour of Lisbon

THE Yes side continues to hold a clear lead in the Lisbon Treaty campaign, according to a new poll.

The amount of people who say they will vote Yes now stands at 53%, up six points since the corresponding poll two months ago.

By contrast, just 26% say they will vote No. The remaining 21% are undecided, according to the Millward Brown Lansdowne survey.

Sinn Féin continued its campaign against Lisbon yesterday by launching its “alternative guide” to the treaty.

“We outline ways in which issues such as the democratic deficit could be addressed by strengthening the role of member state parliaments in real and meaningful ways, rather than the cosmetic proposals contained in Lisbon,” party vice-president Mary Lou McDonald said.

“We also outline how we believe public services, workers’ rights and our neutrality can be promoted and protected.”

But one prominent political figure who voted No in the first referendum announced he had changed his mind and would be supporting the treaty on this occasion.

Independent TD Finian McGrath said the Government had addressed many of his concerns by securing guarantees that Lisbon would not affect Ireland’s right to set its own policy on taxation, ethical issues or neutrality.

“There is now a package of legally binding guarantees on the table,” he said. “Lisbon 2 is a step in the right direction. We appear to remain in control of our own tax rates, Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality seems to be guaranteed and there’s a solemn declaration making clear the importance of workers’ rights and public services. I have now decided to vote Yes at this critical time in our history.”

Meanwhile, the Europhobic UK Independence Party [UKIP] was met by protests when it held a press conference in Dublin to call for a No vote.

The protestors claimed UKIP was a racist party which had no right to interfere in Irish politics. UKIP has consistently denied claims it is racist.

The referendum takes place on Friday, October 2.