Lesson for politicians: voters are the true elite

THE booklet issued by the Referendum Commission on the Lisbon Treaty clearly states in its introduction: “If a majority of the voters vote no, then the constitution will not be changed and Ireland may not ratify the treaty.

The treaty will come into effect only if it is ratified by all member states. The EU would continue to operate under its present rules.”

When the French and Dutch electorates rejected the proposed EU constitution, that measure did not proceed. Now that a clear majority of the Irish electorate have voted no, the Lisbon Treaty cannot legally come into effect.