Green Party U-Turn on a democratic EU

national | eu | press release

Saturday July 18, 2009 19:06

by Patricia McKenna - Peoples' Movement

Green Party vote to support Lisbon Treaty

The Green Party’s decision to support the Lisbon Treaty and backtrack on its long standing campaign for a more democratic EU will be more of a hindrance than a help to the Yes side. The voters would currently not buy a used car from the Green Party let alone a rejected treaty. The party leadership has shown that once part of the so-called ‘accepted political establishment’ they turn their back on their principles

18th July, 2009

Green Party support for Lisbon Treaty will give No campaigners more credibility, says McKenna

Former Green Party MEP and Chairperson of the Peoples Movement, Patricia McKenna has said that the Green Party’s support for the Lisbon Treaty will give the No campaign more credibility.

She said, “The Green Party’s decision to support the Lisbon Treaty and backtrack on its long standing campaign for a more democratic EU will be more of a hindrance than a help to the Yes side. The voters would currently not buy a used car from the Green Party let alone a rejected treaty. The party leadership has shown that once part of the so-called ‘accepted political establishment’ they turn their back on their principles.” “This is just one of a long line of u-turns, including Shell to Sea, Shannon, incineration, Tara and Education cuts, preformed by the Greens since entering Government. The current leader of the party, John Gormley, voted against this treaty in its original form, the EU Constitution, when he as in opposition and nothing in the treaty has changed since. The only change has been the Greens in Government and its clear the party leadership will do all in its power to keep Fianna Fail in office so they can hold on to positions of status.” Said McKenna

She went on to say, “I would like to commend all those party members who kept to their principles and tried to get the party to hold on to what identity it has left. The fact that the vote was so tight and almost the same as last time is an indication that even Green Party members have not been persuaded by the propaganda spin on Lisbon since the referendum.” This is a sign of hope for the NO side in the forthcoming referendum and there is indeed a chance that it will reflect the views of the voters who will not be persuaded to change their vote next time around”. Concluded McKenna