Does the expansion of the EU have anything to do with the US introducing a fee and electronic / on-line background check for any country in the visa waiver program? Can anyone confirm or deny... it's coming in, in October by the way... more money to spend!

Graeme, Edinburgh,

Comparing EU to the third Reich only shows political misjudgement delusion. After centuries of wars and division the people of Europe want to live in peace be able to speak with one voice and act as a whole. It is time those who do not agree stop disrupting integregation and leave. Good luck!

Graziano, London,

To the people of Poland and Czech Republic; see what is being done to Britain and Ireland ... and remember Hitler!

all please vote NO!

MrsG, Wxm, Wales

The resaon that a public vote is held is that each person has their own say. I do not believe that people should be bullied into changing their opinions. People turned out and made up their mind. It is not very 'democratic' if the public are forced to change their mind on such an important matter!

Alan, Limerick, Ireland

What I cannot understand is why are eastern European countries willing to go from one totalitarian bloc to another.

peter reddington, leeds, UK

"The Continent’s leaders are ... determined to persuade the Czechs and the Poles"

Excuse me - isn't the point of a referendum that the people (Czechs and Poles in this case) are asked what they wish - not that they are told what to say. That only happens in Zimbabwe (Oh, and the UK of course).

Sean, Coventry, UK

Poor poles and Czechs. They escape Communist totalitarianism and fall right into Euro-prat totalitarianism. Democracy ended in Poland, Czech AND the UK on the 18th June.
Still maybe we can all claim political asylum outside the Europrat zone? USA anyone?

Ethan, nr dole farm, UK

"...a second defeat would be a calamity"

As opposed to the first defeat, which can simply be disregarded (as can their own rules on the matter).

Tom, Nantwich, Cheshire

I find it quite bizarre that in the 63 years since the last war, these folks still haven't learned about democracy. But the really scary part is that they want an standing army at their disposal as well. All one can say is long live the Union of European Socialist Republics. But pls leave us out.

Peter, Warsaw, Poland

"The Lisbon Treaty will remove national vetoes . . . . . "

The Irish voted against this treaty but their veto is being ignored.

Looks like the Lisbon Treaty is already enacted!

Roger Bingham, Lauzun, France

Brown hasn't even the courage of is own convictions he knows the Constitution is dead but is hoping as always that someone else will do the dirty work for him eg Shaun Woodward giving the DUP £25 million to opt for 42 days. We should be sending Brown White feathers like those handed out in WW1

Liz Brown, Montmartin en Graignes,

THE LISBON TREATY SHOULD BE REVISED
There is also an urgent need to explain what is in the Treato to the people of the EU member countries. How can people vote for a document they don't know or they does not understand?
The Irish refusal was based on this lack of knowledge.

DAVID DASTYCH, Warsaw, Poland

A plea from the unrepresented British people.

Please say no!!!

Dean , Southampton, England

This isn't a treaty, it's a PLOT! A farse!

Eurocrats conspire to have this treaty ratified without aproval (as most governments joined the anti-referendum conspiracy) and even against expressed will of a majority of europeans. Whenever we are asked, we all say NO.

This tells a lot about the EU

Rui, Lisbon, referendless Portugal

Just the other day we were given an example of Europe,s laws - Abu Qatada released to house arrest !! not permitted to return him to Jordan where he is wanted ,in case his human rights are breached ???
Citizens of Europe are denied any say in our future - thats democracy for you !

Jim Quinn, Glasgow, Scotland

This was a NO vote for these corrupt and unaccountable MEPs and beaureucrats who lust for more power, even when people from across Europe democratically say no.

A strong, united Europe would be great . However, we need leaders who want to work for Europe, not just for their hidden expense accounts.

Luke, London, UK

Giscard d'Estaing said today that the Treaty ratification should carry on and the Irish vote should be put to a 2nd referendum since a small country cannot decide on the fate of the whole EU!!
It is weird that the very same guy who wrote this jargon and set the rules is now breaking his own rules

Isabelle, Hull, U.K.

What's going to be said at this opening diner tonight, maybe 'sorry people your huge retirement fund is dangling right now, the EU superstate will give you all a swiss account if you can push this criminal act through quickly'. We'll ask Mugabe for his consultation? Mr Brown, your swiss account pin

Richard, Bristol, UK

What is going on now explains perfectly the concerns of voters across the EU over this treaty and the political classes' intentions with respect to Europe. The fact was that the treaty was dead if any country rejected it. It now apears that the rules can be changed. What next - MEP allowances?

Tony Croke, Ottery St Mary, England

Prioritise. Sit down and carve out the most important chunk that can be handled in about five thousand words. Put it up to a vote everywhere in the EU, on the same day everywhere. Repeat for the next-most-important thing, and so on. Any chunk that gets rejected, renegotiate in good faith.

Evzen, Prague, Czech Republic

Once again we need the Poles to help fight for their and our freedom. They did it once before in WW2 and the Battle of Britain, we need them again against another enemy of democracy, the EU!

Phill, The Wirral, England

Before 1871 the states of Germany were separate nations. They united, overcoming opposition from the main southern state, Bavaria. Bavaria was promised lots of autonomy under the new system. The same system was in place when Hitler took over, and until his death in 1945. Irish voters, beware.

Paul Francis, Brisbane, Australia

The lack of democracy in the UK in terms of the electorate being maligned and left out of the democractic process is a disgrace.

The ratification of this vile legislation erodes no indeed erases 1000 years of British history and hands power to an unelected and unwanted Euro super state.

Huw Williams, Cardiff, Wales

I completely agree with R. McAuley that the British government's ratification would be treasonous. A temporary - in this case very temporary, administration would be giving away in perpetuity the right to rule ourselves.
This is outright assault on our democracy.

Jeremy, Lincoln,

It is typical that the out of touch, undemocratic leaders of european nations are riding roughshod over the will of the people. Gordon Brown in particular has shown himself to be disingenuous in the extreme by not allowing the British a vote as promised by his predecessor. NO BACKBONE!

STEVE BROOKER, coldstream, scotland

Are the EU politburo determined to start a civil insurrection in Europe? Do Mandelson and Co think they are invincible and unassailable?

The mood is changing with the coming recession - people have had enough now of paying for this folly.

John Jenkins, York,

The EU is a foreign power, to give any power to it without the democratic will of the people is an act of treason.
The Govt is not the people, and if it acts undemocratically against the people it should be brought down and those responsible indicted tried and punished as necessary.

R McAuley, Antrim, UK

I thing that in Poland the treaty will be signatured for President Kaczynski. It is obvious, because after the Irish "no" Poles can't say "no" too. Apart from this case Poles know that the treaty is important from all europien countries.

Michael, Warsaw, Poland

The Czechs and the Poles have a fine history of resisting totalitarianism and fighting for democracy. Now is the time to take that stand again - Poles, Czechs... we need you to vote no! Please, force the arrogant elites to listen to the people!

Nick, Rotherham, UK

"the right to set its own tax levels". Imagine! The "No" decision would be justified then.

Mark, Barcelona, Spain