Would you buy a used treaty from an assembly of these discredited sales people?

THE Dutch, French and Irish referenda on the constitutional and the Lisbon treaties show beyond any reasonable doubt that in some (but not all) countries, a substantial number of voters regard giving their incumbent governments a kick as more important than passing institutional reforms.

Which you and I know to be very important but which — understandably — they regard as just a bit abstract and academic. The political class does not yet entirely understand just how deep is the public’s lack of confidence in them — and in our Government. It clearly believes that 10 months will see them back in public favour. That the political machines can deliver what they hugely failed to deliver last June.

What is truly terrifying about the 2008 Health Bill (which gives Mary Harney the power to take back my medical card) is not the real financial discomfort I will suffer but the absolutely gargantuan political incompetence. What the Government has succeeded in doing is targeting — and alienating — what is politically the most dangerous category of all — those aged 60 to 80 who are often the core activists in voluntary organisations, and indeed in political parties. Getting back onto the European bus is of absolutely crucial national strategic importance. But the greatest risk to a successful rerun is this Government. Would you buy a second-hand treaty from these sales people? They must go.