What happens if the EU finally manages to twist enough arms to get this "constitution" passed?

Every local politician will campaign on an anti-EU ticket, and win.

Local parliaments will take delight at sticking spokes in the EUs wheels.

The EU will become a synonym for incompetence.

GFR, Berkeley, California

Once again, Eurpeans and her neighbors are watching the rise of the Eurofascists (the same neurotic people that partook in the rise of national socialism in Germany). Hey, folks.......it's the same people, regardless of academic or professional accreditation..........when are you going to wake up?

RJLigier, Dallas, USA

In Ireland our constitution requires that the people have a say on these issues (thanks to our founding fore-fathers), the EU and The Lisbon Treaty would have taken that right away from us. The Irish constitution is democratic, The Lisbon Treaty is undemocratic for everyone. Irish people want to be a part of Europe but not at any price. We do not wish to be dictated to and have no say. All people in Europe also deserve the right to have your say and you should have a referendum also, otherwise the EU is not a democracy. Good luck to the people of Europe!

Cath, Dublin, Ireland

It seems unfair that when Mugabe doesn't like the result of the election, and proposes to continue on regardless he gets criticized.

Glen, Melbourne, Australia

Croatia can join the EEA just like Norway and Iceland. These are smart countries who benefit economicallyf rom teh EU while not beinga ful member>

miguel vargas, London, UK

If the bureaucrats press ahead and achieve a Federal Europe, one day it will lead to a European Civil War with lots of terrorist groups fighting for freedom.

All these politicians ignoring their peoples wishes makes this nearly as bad as Zimbabwe, just lacks the violence, its just as corrupt.

Keith Sloan, Winchester, UK

Georgiy, Kostomuksha:

It's natural to a Russian only to have the millstone of an oppressive undemocratic Empire around your neck. Europe does not need that. Bright future does not belong with Big State. Aiming for that was and will be the core cause of your own country's misery. Don't worry for us.

Andras, London, UK

I agree with one of the previous posters about domestic politics did play a part in the no vote,but people in ireland are sick of being told what to do and how to live by the EU..making peter mandelson point man for europe at the world trade talks for me,said it all about the EU commission.......

John O'Neill, Dublin, repubic of ireland

The ultimate problem is there that we are not one people but many peoples. This is the reason why all states must ratify before it comes into effect because one nation would not be comfortable being dictated to by the others, its very different in the US.

James O'Riordan, London,

The EU reminds me of the Soviet Union - except without the tanks.

Thomas Webb, San Antonio, Texas

This piece illustrates why the Lisbon Treaty should be thrown out. Labelling citizens who vote 'no' as "anti European" is a cheap shot and so typical of the arrogant and condescending way in which we are now treated by the political classes. In part, that is what we object to!

Ray Warren, Dartmouth,

There is not a lot you can say about an illogical event that produces an aberrant result, that will be appreciated, but I feel sure the Irish will eventually get it right.

Henry Percy, London, UK

The Irish are well aware of the value of democracy. They had a hard fight to secure it., and wont give it up lightly.
They are enthusiastic European Unionists. However, they have a healthy distrust of the political elites.
Last month the Irish PM was forced to resign for financial irregularities.

Jay Fitzgerald, Gneeveguilla, Ireland

Well it bloody well should . Those in North America imagine if you will that most of the States or Provinces in your countries speak different languages, have different cultures, and levels of wealth. Now say that a superstate is a good idea. It will never be able to act other than by tyranny.

Ted, Bath, UK

The problem with the EU is that they have reached the point where they say, truth is what we say, and it is truth because we say it.
To present the EU-Treaty-Constitution as "a necessity", to completely ignore whether or not voters want that, is arrogant and borders at being a religious faith.

Angela, Germany,

On this side of the Atlantic few understand that the EU is founded upon the "four freedoms" of free movement of goods, services, capital, and persons. Empowering the EU empowers individuals by limiting the ability of national governments to inferfere.

Brian Dell, Edmonton, Canada

Denis McShane has clearly demonstrated the arrogance of the EU politician. Is he so dense that he does not realise that this attitude is precisely what has turned the general public against the EU, its corrupt Commision (unaudited for 14? years or so) and the hirelings who feast on the gravy train?

M. Cawdery, Craigavon, Co. UK, EU (now)

Didn't J. S. Mill argue that no democratic majority has the right to silence a lone voice, should that lone person have the might to silence the majority? We, as upholders of democracy, must remain committed to that 1% as much as the other 99%. 'Full steam ahead' makes us sound more like Mugabe!

Liam Gooderhall, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

It's not that 1% of Europeans voted no, it's that a majority of IRISH people voted no. Nations still matter, and no nation can be forced to join any sort of confederation. The resistance to the post-modern dystopia that many seem intent on dragging us into still has life.

Eric Richard, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

This is so stupid. Why do all member states need to ratify it? Unanimity is always a problem. Just incorporate all ratifyers into the New Order, and tell the others to go on their merry way. The US founding fathers were smarter. The US constitution only requires ratification by 3/4 of the states.

Andrew P, Alexandria, VA

At the same time as the citizens of Scottland & Wales are voting to govern themselves, politicians are passing the task of government the other way.

The larger the population beneath a government, the less say each person has.

Time for all people in Europe to vote on the treaty & EU membership.

Oliver Mount, Leven, England

"not a single Eurocrat will lose his job"!
Exactly, and 6,000 new bureaucrats will be needed to run the show!
More fraud, more cost, more stupid rules and regulations and less democracy-Great!

john, woodbridge,

Isnt it a strange thing for such a 'great' democracy' as this European union (so called) .That when a people democraticly vote against it it is ignored dismissed and the beast marches on.

G Blezard, London, uk

I am surprised with an abundance of enthusiastic responses to results of a referendum in Ireland. To that to be pleased? To what you remain odd before expansion of the countries with alien to you system? Ireland has won the sovereignty, but the western civilization has lost the future.

Georgiy, Kostomuksha, Russia

Yes David but the Irish got the vote which your party, after promising it, denied us.

Despite your crowing that Europe will still be there, the voters don't want you and the EU bureaucracy dictating to us what is good for us.

Richard, London,

The comments posted here might lead one to think that the No votes were directed against the EU "constitution" or Lisbon agreement. Au contraire, I suspect the real motivation behind the negative results has been voter dissatisfaction with domestic politics.

Stephen Bird, Järvenpää, Finland

"the rest of Europe's nations which are saying “yes” to the treaty."

Nations? Through the ballot box? or by diktat of self serving politicians.

If the likes of Denis McShane had their way we would already be locked in to the Euro currency disaster and the emerging fascist superstate. Get out now!

Anthony Price, Truro, Cornwall, UK

In Canada we had a similar occurrence when the political elite decided to modify the constitution without consulting the population. This failed and eventually led to a referendum that was defeated. The elites told us that this would lead to disaster for the country. It didn't

Tom Gray, Mansfield et Pontefract, Canada/Quebec

if all countries were offered referendums as a right, then it would not be just 3 nations saying no, but the political system is blocking that solution, telling us they know best.
what rubbish.
this ex ,conveniently forgets the boston tea party,and the adage no taxation without representation.

john haydon rowe, javea,

God bless the Irish!.
The EU is frightening.. a home for professional and arrogant bureaucrats and failed politicians who believe they know whats best for 300 million Europeans.
It an an anti-democratic body whose sole purpose is to provide comforts to and perpetuate the European politcal classes.

Steve Timms, Edinburgh, UK

It is unfair to compare the Federalist papers and the US constitution with the lash-up that is the EU, because the US was based on the rights of the individual against the state, whereas every EU directive since day one has worked to distance the individual from the exercise of power.

David Chorley, Tulsa, Oklahoma USA

MacShane illustrates exactly what is wrong with Eurocrats: their smug paternalism. Thus, he is hoisted by his own petard: the people of Europe do not trust the Eurocrats and the fact that ONLY the Irish were allowed to express that - and they are now going to be ignored - confirms our suspicions.

J-M Arden, Stratford upon Avon, England

It's nice to see the Irish take a stand for democracy! But it's creepy to see how quickly the Eurocrats are conspiring to ignore the will of the Irish people.

Dorothy , Colorado Springs, CO

The US 1789 constitution expanded federal power, but created a directly elected House of Representatives and an indirectly elected Presidency. The Lisbon treaty expands "federal" (EU) power, while transfering competences from elected legislature to unelected EUrocrats. Can you spot the difference?

Matt, Toronto, Canada

OK MacShane, your point is clear...now go to the British electorate, explain to them why the Irish are so stupid and why you are supporting this treaty without the consent of said electorate, instead of hiding behind patronising articles in the press and telling us how clever the Euro-lobby is

George , Morpeth, UK

How many times do electorates have to say "No" before the EU-maniacs will finally wake up to reality, and stop this whole crazy project?

iain, Reading,

The EU can only know if Europe wants this treaty if Europeans vote on it, country by country. That is the third, and only democratic option.

Sue, Felpham,

Mr MacShane, some of us "old-fashioned democrats" believe that the votes of the 1% who said No far, far outway the votes of the other 99% that they were never allowed to cast. As the old saying goes, you can't beat a horse with no horse.

Robert Firth, Singapore,

Arguably the Federal concept of the Union was imposed on the states of the old Confederacy by military force. Is that the way you see matters developing here in the EU Mr McShane? A centralised power compelling the people of each of the states of Europe to submit regardless of their wishes.

Mark , Berkhamsted,

The only reason why only 1% of Europe's population voted against this treaty was because only 1% of Europe's population was given the vote. Put another way, of those that were given the vote, 100% voted against. Why doesn't Mr McShane resign his seat and fight a bi-election on this single issue?

Alan Gold, London,

Denis MacShame, tough on democracy; tough on the causes of democracy.

I believe in EU integration but NOT at the expense of democracy. Neither you nor the Eurocrats in Brussels seem to grasp that.

John Goode, Welwyn Garden City, UK

Why not simply craft a constitution the people would vote for? Is that impossible?

ChrisMarks, Boca Raton, USA

Ummm... no. It did NOT take a civil war for the US Constitution to be accepted by the citizens of the United States of America. It did take a war to force George the III to wake up and realize that he'd been sent packing. The majority of Europeans want to vote on the treaty, the EU govt refuses.

Jenny, Grand Rapids, MI US

We either need a powerful federal Europe with an elected executive bringing legislation before an elected parliament, or a Europe with a nominated commission that is content not to accumulate powers from elected governments of nation states.

Jamie, Manchester, UK

Thank you Mr MacShane for knowing what is best for us. Without all-knowing leaders such as you, I am not sure what sort of mess we'd be in.
Please tell us how you'd like us to vote in future, so that your will can be done.
Shame on those Irish for not understanding that you know best, as well!

Rob, London,

Three countries have voted, three times they have said no. How obvious does it have to be that even Euro-friendly nations such as Ireland, France and Holland do not want more "Europe", they want to be in control of their own affairs.

Pauline Renton, Camberley, UK

Dennis,
You say "old-fashioned democrats may feel that 1 per cent does not outweigh the rest of Europe's nations which are saying “yes” to the treaty" But the other 26 countries did not get a vote on a Treaty that is a constituion in all but name. Ireland has done us a favour. We are democracies!

Dave, Coimbra, Portugal

Mc Shane and his ilk do not get it. What the people of Europe want is not the Europe that he and his like are forcing on them. Again it was the wrong answer from the Irish. What they want is avoid asking the people to vote on any of European issues because they always vote the wrong way.

Robert, Worcester, UK

Yea, Irish!

Kathy, Lima, USA

Whatever one's view, it is complete nonsense to say that 1% saying "no" is taking precedence over 99% saying "yes". Only the 1% have been asked. Nobody knows the true level of support. Mr MacShane is either twisting the concept of democracy here or needs a bit of tuition in elementary arithmetic.

Peter, Cambridge, Cambridge,

UK govt won't hold referenda on EU because they'd lose. After all what do the voters know? compared to elite MPs/MEPs chiselling their expense accounts? Nothing!
If the new shining EU, isn't brought in aboveboard and honest, it will be brought in underhand dishonest by stealth.

Rob, Winnipeg, Canada

It is virtually impossible to expect 27 members of varying cultures and economies to agree on how to run the club. When the club's managers are still planning to allow more members into the club while fiddling the accounts and mismanaging the club's finances one can understand the Irish vote.

peterfieldman, paris, france

Mr McShane,

The Irish vote is one of the few opportunities the people have to make their point. If other countries' politicians such as our own were not so so spineless, then they would all hold a referendum following which you would all know where you stand

Rob Dunnicliff, Market Harborough,