Farmers’ EU knockout punch

FRENCH farmers, renowned for their militancy on EU issues, have landed a knockout punch by leading the No vote on the European Union’s new constitution.

Just as in the country’s previous vote on the Maastricht treaty, French farmers voted overwhelmingly against, with 70% for No.

It could be their biggest triumph ever, with French political leaders finally getting the message that the people want protectionism rather than globalisation, and perhaps also an end to Brussels red tape.