Heinz Koenig, Bremen, Germany

I completely agree with you. Let the English try it alone in the world and see where they are in 5 years time. But I don’t believe the people posting blogs here at The Times are representative of the whole British society.

Paolo, Rome, Italy

Paolo, Rome, Italy

Ireland has been an enormous beneficiary of EU membership and it seems that now they are no longer recipients of EU largesse, they are not so enthusiastic. Nevertheless, unlike British Eurosceptics the Irish are still very PRO Europe. Some 60% of the NO vote did not understand the issues.

Geoff Berry, Aldershot , Hants

Brown or Mugabe ? Please, where are the democrats ?

David L, Swindon, UK

I agree with your correspondent, Wilf. For once Brown has stuck to his guns and pushed through ratification. The position of the Tories is absurd. They must be the only mainstream centrist party in Europe to have opposed the treaty and will be friendless in Europe if they are elected in 2010.

david, Ligneyrac, France

For the first time ever I am now deeply concerned about the wisdom of the Upper House. There are so many young Lords and Ladies. Are YOU less wise than you were a year ago ? Of course NOT ! Wisdom comes with age. Do they have the collective wisdom to make the right decisions for the Nation ?

Nick, Reading, UK

Dear James, Glasgow. There are not enough votes on the opposing side without the Liberals so the Government can run riot unless there is and insurrection, so Brown has to be tolerated until the next election when the British people can enact their revenge against Labour and the Liberals.

albert hall, hove, england

Brown & Milliband rattify for Britains 'procedural reasons', Kinnock whines about us 'being left on the sidelibes' while Barrosso the EU president lets the cat out of the bag by promptly maintaining the 'treaty is still live'.

A totally deceptive, fraudulant sham.

Other than that it was fine!

DG, Congleton, ENGLAND.

This is the beginning of the end at the moment I'm so angry we have a "person with no mandate from the country to represent the country making decisions which will eventually destroy Britain as we know it.
We are sheep being lead to an EU approved Slaughter and the start of a federal superstate.

Geordie, Newcastle, Britain

The Liberal Democrats Lords should hang their heads shame. We are slowly becoming absorbed by Europe and its interfering, inefficient, wasteful, bureaucratic, corrupt and fraudulent pen-pushers in Brussels. My vote will be for UKIP at the next election.

Oxford Don, Oxford, UK

It is rather astonishing that of all the countries in Europe who have never been in favour of the EU, Switzerland who are at the very epicentre of banking, commercial life and also culturally have always used referenda where import political decisions need to be taken The system obviously works.

Robert, Kirk Ella, Haltemprice, East Yorks.,

To Michael. It is easy to tell you what Europe will eventually bring us...Overcrowding....mass corruption....worseing quality of life due to high prices.....mass immigration.....and finally civil conflict.

Teresa, Italy,

Is it time to look at some positive alternatives, where the annual accounts have been signed off?
Could The Times editor send someone to visit the EFTA offices in Brussels, and learn about EFTA/EEA?

They just had a seminar on the 16th. For a powerpoint, google: efta, then EEA, then seminars :)

Hugo van Randwyck, London, UK

Thank you Gordon Brown for not dithering or doing a U-turn on this treaty under pressure from the Europhobes. It was right to complete the ratification process.

Wilf, London,

If the EU is working well, we don't need the Treaty.

If the EU is failing, we don't want the Treaty.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

Zimbabwe still allows its people to vote, unlike the UK

John J, Petreborough, UK

Gordon Brown and his labour party have lost contact with the people. Why not have a referendum unless you are afraid it will not be a yes and if you are afraid it will not be a yes what principle of democracy allows you to pass it anyway? More like demoncrazy than democracy. A total disgrace.

John Morgan, Old Stratford, United Kingdom

To Mr Millipede To choose limbo would be a crazy way to seek influence in the EU. Issues such as climate change and energy security, migration and terrorism won’t stand still while we wring our hands about etc etc...”
The British people can do all of these things without EU interfering

Rob Bain, Derby,

Be warned Britain.
Our vote here in Ireland is being ignored and so will yours now. The way Europe and our own politicians are blatantly steamrolling over our majority vote is arrogant and very worrying.

I am pro european. What is happeneing is like something out of a Michael Moore book.

Niall, Dublin , Ireland

The traditions, institutions and traditional values of a great people have sadly been undermined, and in many cases given away. I cringe when I read the words of Jaques Delors...the "founding father of the EU"...and his insane machinations. Give away your own country...unbelievable.

R.K. Morgan, Miles City, USA

Discraceful sooner this Govt goes the better!

Dean, Southampton, England

Heinz Koenig, Bremen, Germany

LIberal rubbish, i would rather stay on our island than be stuck with a lame Europe run and controlled by what amount to unelected communists, besides your economy isn't exactly brilliant at the moment.

shane, blackburn, ENGLAND, GREAT BRITAIN.

We have been called a "little" island before !

Wills, Soton, UK

They say that Irelands population of 5 million is holding up the progress of Europe of 500 million. Thats 1%

In fact 732 members of the European parliament are forcing something polls say nobody wants. They represent 0.000146%

Niall, Dublin , Ireland

I'm appalled.
First Brown said he was listening - he obviously wasn't.

Whats his next statement going to be ? "Arbeit Macht Frei" perhaps ? The way things are going that wont be true either!

Mark, Southamtpon,

Those who write in to this blog, are they a fair cross saction of the"Times"-readership ? In that case poor Britain. You should go for the real test. Vote to leave the EU and live for another 5 years on your little island. Then have a test on how well or bad you have done outside the EU.
Heinz, Brem

Heinz Koenig, Bremen, Germany

The danger of referenda is that they are generally destined to fail. The public votes for the devil it knows rather than the devil it doesn't.. The French NO was (as opponents to the constitution claimed) "a vote against Chirac". The Dutch vote expressed disapproval with the government

Geoff, LEIDEN, Netherlands

I'm disgusted, but not surprised. Perhaps Brown needed the 30 pieces of silver from Brussels to make up for his gesture of skipping this year's increase in his already excessive salary.

We really need some mechanism whereby we, the public can force a referendum, overriding Parliament's agenda!

James, Perth, Scotland

This is the shape of things to come. Brown is showing us how it will be under the EU Treaty.

We have no representation in parliament and I am shaken that the House of Lords did not oppose this assault on our democratic process without our promised referendum.

Civil disobedience is called for.

Ian, London, UK

That Britain, which is perceived to be the most eurosceptical country, is first to ratify the Lisbon Treaty after the Irish No is a clear signal to Europe. Thank you Mr Brown for your political courage.

Michael, Sheffield,

The government of this country are traitors, and should be treated accordingly. We need to get to get together, get organised and start mass resistance and rebellion. Google 'the harbour messageboard proboards 51' and you'll find some more of us. Also google TPUC. It's a good idea.

Sue, Highlands, Scotland

So we ratify a dead treaty, how typical of this moribund government.

Simon Marshland, Bath, UK

Is there still a crime called Treason? It used to be about the only crime for which the penalty was still execution. Open up Traitor's Gate, and put their heads on pikes outside the Tower of London as an example to all traitors.

Beryl, Windsor, England

'Scuse me, but if the PEOPLE of the two countries who were allowed to vote on Plan A said no thanks, and the PEOPLE of the only nation allowed a say on Plan B didn't want to know either, mostly it seems because they couldn't understand and didn't trust it, isn't there a message here somewhere.......

Gerry H, London, UK

Michael
Too few characters too many benefits, but just one principle - to be treated as a citizen rather than as a subject. As a people subjugated for a thousand years (for example, as pawns of the NHS), the English can't see this.

Eddie Reader, birmingham, england

There are a few pro comments which is great but I wish somebody could explain to me what benefits the EU has brought me and what it will bring me in the future.

This is what I find so difficult to understand - the people in favour of the EU seem so keen on it and yet I can not understand why!

Michael, Bromyard, England

I actually support the treaty - but not the way an unelected government is forcing it on us. Referendum is a word that seems the scare Gordon almost as much as election.
How can we, the people, force an election? Anyone?

James , Glasgow,

The Europeans- including the British, understand that the United Nations of Europe will have in numbers, wealth AND tradition far more than each individual European state alone, therefore, more power and influence in international matters.

kyvelie Papas, London, UK

We don't respect a Government which forced through a constitutional Treaty without holding the Referendum it promised. We don't respect a Parliament which voted to adopt the Treaty without out consent. We don't respect the EU for bullying. We DO respect the Irish for having the guts to vote NO.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

Mr Cromwell - aptly named - has got it right. The British do not accept dictators & neither does my adopted country. "Up and at em" together.

Ceasescu quickly became a memory in Romania - overthrown by people power. Democracy must prevail.

Richard, Bucharest,

This is the most glaring example of why Parliament no longer represents the population

Dave, Chorley, UK

Of course Labour are going to put this through, they know that they won't be re-elected so they may as well push through as many unpopular policies that they can whilst they are still in power.

Alex, Sydney, Australia

From the point of view of someone who believes in Europe as the homeland of us all the Europeans, the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty makes me think that some people have still got common sense in Great Britain. But probably it won't last. Good things never last.

Paolo, Rome, Italy

Dear Editor,
The cons have a warped majority in the EU while small swings can give Labour a big majority.Very biased as when a PM had a casting vote and sold his out .
Being half Spain proves motive.
EU follows Hitler & Reds not Cromwell.
Sport & war as in 1939! 10% is minor right not English...

Dr MI Barton MA. MBA. PhD, Oxon, uk

For those who don't think referenda are useful ways of making decisions, they are used for special, very important issues. Here, Blair stated there would be one and for Ireland it is mandated, showing how seriously THEY view important issues...how would politicians decide which are too complex?

Padraig, Perth, Australia

All of this is no surprise - like Zimbabwe the EU will force Ireland to keep voting until they get the right result. The one thing they can't stop is the next British Election - and so it comes to this - do we get an unequivocal commitment from David Cameron on a referendum - or blue euro-fudge??

Philip, Lancaster, UK

This is diabolical, we were promised a referendum and the Prime Minister has reneged on that. I feel we have gone further on integration into Europe than I am comfortable with. I am certain I do not stand alone. Mr Brown, we will have our say and I expect when we do it will cost you your job!

A M Pearce, Lincoln, England

Sod what the electorate think Gordon - you go ahead son.
Don't bother about that referendum you promised - since when has a promise been important to a politician.
Why don't you sell off the countrys gold whilst your at it - oh you laready have!!

Richard , Manchester,

This is an act of dictatorship and treachery so outrageous as to be beyond words.

John, norwich,

This is a treaty by governments for a bigger, more corrupt government.

Government is actually not the right term for a cabal of autocrats who deny their populations the option to have their vote heard.

Bill Channon, Francestown, United States

Cant the Queen stand in the way of this?

Phill, The Wirral, England

Is there any method by which Gordon Brown can be impeached? His deliberate thwarting of the will of the people of Britain on a serious constitutional issue is unprecedented and he must face the consequences of his completely unwarranted actions. Yet another nail in the coffin of NuLabour.

John Knowles, Toronto,

I seem to remember from studying "O" Level Constitutional Law that there is a rule that no Parliament can bind its successor(s). Does that still apply?

Mike, Huntingdon,

If the politicians who work for us do not let the British people speak, then it is a dictorship that we are part of and not a democracy.

If there is no option for the British people to withdraw from the EU then it is dictatorship and not a democracy.

The British have had enough!

E Telfer, Queensland, Australia

Unfortunately fellow Britains this governmnt knows they'll lose the next election which is why they've sold this country; it doesn't matter any longer if they get away with this because we'll be run from Brussels and the Houses of Parliament will be nothing more than a museum. Rogue government!

richard , London, UK

I hold a vain hope that as a united Europe we can be stronger as a nation than we are now. This government isnt fit to rule and i don't think the conservatives are either. So i hope that some how the European government becomes a collection of like minded people ready to lead us as we so poorly need

Daniel, Bristol,

Promises, promises ......... I am disgusted the House of Lords went along with this farce. The treaty is DEAD. People are not stupid AND they will not forget that choice was denied them once again. So much for an Election Manifesto. If you can't trust that how can MP's expect trust and respect?

LT, Warminster, UK

Now we have UK ratification, do we finally get our referendum?

Mike Hart, London, England

It's ironic that we complain about a lack of democracy when the decision to ratify the Lisbon Treaty was made by a democratically-elected Parliament (flaws of the election system aside). As PJ from London points out, we have MPs and the House of Lords for a reason.

David Ryan, Birmingham, UK

People have got Gordon wrong it would have taken courage to stand up to Europe.

The trough swillers can't see that this has doomed the EU, without the support of the people it won't last. Unlike the USA there is no shared heritage or language to bind it together. Russia will eventually kill it.

Kevin, Workington, UK

I challenge you Gordon Brown, You have no mandate to govern this country.
Name just one person from the 60 million British Citizens who has actually voted you to be Prime Minister.
Answer, Exactly the same number who have voted for me to be Prime Minister, 0, Zero, Nil, Nought, None, No-one.

Peter, luton, uk

who else thinks that Sarkozy will succeed where
Napoleon, the Kaiser, and Hitler all failed ?

When will they abolish GB Pounds sterling ?

Why are the MEP's expenses rackets not being reported ?

john regan, London, UK

There is a gang that runs England. No different from the mafia.. The gang's name is NuLabour and they recognize no law but their own.

They tranquilize the people with any idle excess they desire. They are a virulent pox on a once great democracy.

You must stop them or you will lose all.

Stephen, Los Angeles, USA

Today I am ashamed to be British.
<br/>
<br/>This is not Democracy; this is not what my father fought for; this is not respect for voters.
<br/>
<br/>This is not how Britain works!
<br/>
<br/>What part of NO do this corrupt band of elite not understand?
<br/>
<br/>No, No, NO!

Mrs. G, Wxm, Wales

Oh good. An unelected prime minister pushing through a dead treaty (at least, dead according to the rules of the "EU").

Obviously Britain is still a shining example of democracy at work.

Jane B, London, england

The politicians are trying to move the goal posts. No means No! Ireland has spoken! The treaty is dead! No proper case has ever been made for a Yes vote so they dare not give us our say . Send the terrorists an open invitation. We have no borders, no rights and no justice in our courts.

Barbara Holloway, Chelmsford, Essex

Just for a change:

FOR ONCE a government shows a bit of courage! You can't have it both ways. Parliament is sovereign or it isn't. Which is it?

Referenda are not very useful ways of making decisions on complex issues, which is why we have MPs and the House of Lords.

Let each country decide.

PJ, London, UK

What has happened to democracy, the Irish people who live under democratic rule as the whole of Great Britain do have voted no, this treaty is now a dead duck, how can the british or any other european government expect to ever gain respect if they don't stand by there word and dump the constitution

Ronnie, Almayate, Spain

This country is a complete and utter joke.
I am ashamed to be British anymore. Who wants to live in a third world dictatorship? And out politicians have a gaul to complain about Mugabe!!

Mike Jones, Farnborough, Hampshire

What is the point in having a government that is supposed to be accountable to it's own people when they go and give a measure, which we did not even have a say on, the green light? What happended to democracy?

Louise, Liverpool, United Kingdom

weren't we promised a referndum on this .... nice to see Mr Brown is not dithering this time as he ignores democracy.

How sad for the people of Europe you can vote but if you give the "wrong" answer we will go ahead anyway.

Isn't that what Robert Mugabe does?

Oh dear :-(

Joe, Kiev, Ukraine

I am ashamed & bitterly disappointed regarding our governments cowardly action in ratifying this treaty. The treaty has not been ratified by Britain, but by a spineless labour government that will not honour it's manifesto promise, or listern to the people.

I cannot wait for the next election.

Tony Heath, Godalming,

So what next? Ask Ireland to vote again? Kick out Ireland?
Ignore Ireland and adopt the Lisbon Treaty which would break the Treaty's constitution? Ultimately Parliamentary Sovereignty is supreme. A future government can renegotiate our EU relationship. What would they do - kick us out? Hoorar!

Alex Ferris, Corton Denham, England

Yes, the Lib Dem lordships have done it again to ensure that their colleagues in the commons never get power in the next hundred years. Excellent result for the conservatives. Don't worry anti EU politicians GB is just playing a game. Ireland has killed off Lisbon.
Lets start all over again.

mike lincoln, wakefield,

Democracy?

I think not.

Lori, Ainsworth, UK

This is an outrageous mockery of the principles of democracy. The treaty ratified is already dead, unless the Irish are instructed to vote again to get the "right" answer. This governments contempt for the electorate has never before been so clear.

Nick, Rotherham, UK

The day democracy in the UK died. This government and its MPs should be ashamed. The electorate will not forget.

Dr Ian Burgess, Bristol,

Brown and his cronies trample all over the British public yet again. The sooner these goons are out of office the better.

Viv, London , England

As I thought the Liberal party are joined at the hip with Labour and the Conservatives are only a token opposition party. When will the electorate realise, you have two choices, the Lib/Lab/Con alliance or the BNP. Only the BNP will save our sovereignty.

Richard, Newmarket, UK

Well there it is then, the beginning of the end for Britain. Why do people always think of today and never tomorrow; it's my generation that has to live with these decisions long after these politicians have died of old age. God bless all those who sacrificed their lives for little 60 years ago.

Richard, Bristol, UK

Traitors the lot of them. We don’t want a treaty we want a trade agreement end of story. Communism came down with the Berlin wall so get over it Labour. If this dictatorial government forces this treaty down our throats then they are no better than Saddams Baath Party and should be toppled by force.

Cromwell, Leeds, England

One just hopes that with ever increasing unification of the EU and the transfer of power to Brussels, Westminster MPs realise that in the long run they will be designing themselves out of a job.

Dwight Vandryver, Scholar Green, Cheshire, UK