Benn backs Sinn Féin call to reject Lisbon

ONE of Britain’s longest- serving politicians yesterday backed Sinn Féin’s call to reject the Lisbon treaty, arguing that a yes vote would give Europe more control over Ireland than the English ever held.

Tony Benn, the British Labour party’s second longest serving member of parliament, said a yes vote would turn Europe into a federal state and could ultimately lead to violence in later years among an angry electorate.

“I’m not coming to tell anyone in the republic which way to vote, but you have more rights on the Lisbon treaty than we have. My party leader [Gordon] Brown won’t allow the British people to decide,” said the socialist activist.