I was a Polling Clerk,checking peoples voting documents.All I heard all day was a constant stream of xenophobic abuse of ,asylum seekers, east Europeans and immigrants.
The Irish voted No to preserve our new found wealth and prevent east Europeans,Eurovision style,voting together to remove it.

Frank, Dublin, Ireland

"I am disgusted by the Irish No vote against the Lisbon Treaty.
For a country who would still be in poverty..."
Aren't the Irish trying to tell you what most of us in the UK would be happy with, namely the economic integration. Not so with ever greater political one.

Paul Vlcek, Cheltenham, UK

Disgusted with the irish because they got all those subsidies. Why exactly? Weren't those subsidies in the best spirit of what the EU SHOULD be? Go on, say what you really mean. "They should be ashamed because we PAID GOOD MONEY FOR THOSE VOTES" - And they say the EU isn't corrupt......

Ian, Belfast, Antrim

And what, exactly, is Mandelson's democratic mandate in Europe? How do we ratify (or otherwise) his stance? How would we go about kicking him out of office if we dislike what he's trying to do? The joy of European cronyism ... Thank God the Irish saw sense! Would that we had the same chance ...

Philippa, London,

Can I opt out of the EEC please? I don't want to be ruled by officials with petty rules and corrupt practices. Bring back democracy! Rule Britannia!

Chris, London,

Sarkozy said that issues which contributed to the “no” vote included Irish concerns over euthanasia, abortion, trade talks and Mandelson. Silly man, everyone else knows that the two issues were national and personal freedom, freedoms now lacking in the rest of Europe.

Brian Cosworth, Banbury, England

If the only acceptable answer is yes, why ask the question?

Mary, London,

I can understand that farmers would want to keep their subsidies (and let's not forget that the main beneficiaries of the CAP are already very rich), but it's really a stretch to suggest that by taking these handouts they are somehow doing their bit to end world hunger.

Tim, Shanghai, China

Let us now see democracy in a action by allowing all the citizens of the EU to vote for the present or a new treaty.
The treaty should anyway be written in a clear and concise manner so that it can be understood by everyone.
Comissioners should be voted into office, not just nominated.

Richard Gill, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

My mate in Dublin said that the French 'threat' before the election that Ireland had better vote the 'Correct' way was really helpful to the No campaign.

Terry Murphy, Watford , Herts

I voted No, and am so glad I did, as judging by the behaviour of some of the European leaders since the No Vote came in, every suspicion I had, has been proved to have been justified. We voted No to what Europe is slowly becoming. The original idea of the EU, has been discarded long ago.

ger nolan, Kerry, ireland

"We have 19 countries who are happy with the .....Treaty"
No, we don't. We have 19 Governments who have ratified the treaty without asking their countries a thing. Whether you want the treaty or not - if you believe in DEMOCRACY, lets all get a vote. I would respect whatever decision. Would you?

Ian, Belfast, Antrim

The results of the Irish people given the opportunity to demonstrate their democratic right to vote on an important issue, goes against what the EU wanted.. and so they must be isolated and marginalised.....

I didn't realize that the EU took notes from Robert Mugabe's vision of democracy?!

Paul, Maldon, UK

For those worried about "surrender" - how do you think the people and their representatives in Austria Bulgaria Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Latvia Lithuania Luxemburg Malta Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia UK feel that Ireland is blocking their wishes?

Walter, Guildford, Surrey

Be honest who can honestly believe that politicians today vote what their constituency want, most tow the party line, or follow recommendation put to them from their donors (read big business).

For something that has this much impact, it should have gone to the people.

Alex Samad, sydney, australia

I at last understand the EU!.Its a political class "device" to ensure jobs[and Expenses of course] for the boys and a means of shafting the electorate.Lets just Trade,and talk and forget "togetherness".I am Yorks,then English,then British,and after that i travel a lot.Hope I get a [promised] vote?

david, Barnsley, England

the EU wouldn't be the EU today if the council and commission haven't been given the autonomy they had. and lisbon treaty is only trying to make it more democratic. perhaps everyone should try to understand each other more and stop purely reacting. then perhaps the EU can continue its good work.

jan, Singapore,

President Sarkozy is correct. All these Irish (also Northen Irish) should be kicked out of the EU. GB now seems finally to be behaving correclty. My Praise to the House of Lords.

Kim, Lisbon, Portugal

I believe in Europe and the EU. But for it to have any credibility, it must respect its own rules. Indeed, perhaps it is time for all nations to have a referendum and then we would really see the peoples' views. Sarkozy just can't accept democracy.

Richard, Plymouth,

End the EU now. It is descending into a socialist dictatorship.

Dave, Portsmouth, UK

In supporting Mandelson, Brown has shown some backbone and objectivity that would be welcome in British politics. Maybe Sarkozy should be invited to meddle with British affairs more often.

James, Mortain, France

Sarkozy says the Irish voters will have to vote again. He should propose the French voters to vote again for or against him.

Pierre, Caen, France

It's unbelievable really...it'd be funny if it wasn't so tragic. Will these clowns apportion blame to everyone before they acknowledge free will? Who will he blame when we vore 'No', should we get the vote. I also note that no pro-euro people are calling for a referendum...

James Cullup, Oxford,

Gordon Borg:

"I am Brown of Borg. Resistance is futile. Your life as it has been is over. From this time forward, you will service us."

"We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile."

You WILL be assimilated.

Tom Richt, Hadfield, England

Was Sarkozy not criticised during the week by Bob Geldof for failing to fulfill commitments he made regarding aid to impoverished countries?

Brian Cowen should leave off the doom and gloom. We voted no. Respect that. Tell the French and German leader to stop attempting to bully us.

Ciara, Ireland,

The poor Irish, how dare they vote " NO". Obviously they do not understand the benfits of the EU. No control over their own destiny, high food prices , unelected beauracrats in charge, countless meaningless directives and all this from a union whose accounts have never been ratified.

norman hall, norwich, england

The EU are blind to everything they don't want to see.

The No vote was due to people not wanting the EU messing with their lives. The disadvantages outweigh the advantages!

Hopefully the EU commissioners will now fight each other to the political death!

f0ul, deeside,

People arguing that parliament does not have the right to decide on the Treaty have a twisted perspective on representative democracy. Would they still argue for a "people's vote" if the governments would note like the treaty, but the people (and as Brits, we are subjects, not citizens...)?

Walter, Guildford, Surrey

We don't have 19 countries who are happy with the treaty, we have 19 governments. Governments are not countries, they are the executive that run the country for four or five years. They have not been given a carte blanche to tie their countries into long term treaties. The people should vote on it.

John Morgan, Old Stratford, United Kingdom

Ha ha, what a laugh. As if a sensible bunch of chaps and lasses like the Irish would take notice of a little squirt like Mandelson.

Best laugh I've had this year Sarko! Ever thought of appearing on the Fast Show?

Dave, Notts, UK

I personally seceded from the EU earlier today. Its marvellous being free again - I have started using pounds, shillings and pence again and next week start with rods, poles and perches (whatever they are) - I just feel so sorry for all you lot still stuck in there.

julia, london,

We don't know whether 19 countries are happy with the Lisbon Treaty, because they have not been allowed to vote. The Soviet people, remember, were always blissfully happy with their glorious democratic government.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

If they really want to curb food prices they should scrap CAP. And if Bill Cowen hasn't worked out that people are fed up with being lied to and being treated as fools and do not wish to lose their hard won freedoms he is a fool.

FEF, Tewkesbury,

I am disgusted by the Irish No vote against the Lisbon Treaty.
For a country who would still be in poverty, but for years of generous European subsidies, the Irish are a disgrace. How can the EEC let the Irish horse breeding Industry continue benefit from anti-competitive tax breaks.

Johny, Rennes, France

"We have 19 (!!) countries who are happy with the proposals..."
Who are they?? Have any of them had a vote or referendum? Do you count UK amongst one of those 'happy'?

Paul Vlcek, Cheltenham, UK

Mark, London - with respect, fewer people stayed at home than marched to protest against the war, and noone in the UK voted No to the Lisbon treaty - it was the Irish. How does that tranlaste into a dictatorship in the UK exactly?

Scott, London,

I don't understand the ins and outs of the 'no' vote, but I certainly share Sarkozy's dislike of the slippery, disingenuous and self-serving Mandelson.

Will Duffay, London,

We have 19 (!!) countries who are happy with the proposals sat out in the Treaty. It is disingenuous to argue that the EU is bureaucratic / badly run, to then cheer each failed attempt to reform the Institutions towards more efficiency. Maybe we should have a 2-speed Europe & the UK standing by?

Walter, Guidford, Surrey

It is unacceptable that a Scot, a Prime Minister in office without a mandate from the electorate, should decide the future of the English in Europe without consulting the people.

Kevin, Leeds,

Last time I checked he was the Prime Minister of the UK and not just deciding the future of England.

Nicky, Edinburgh,

i feel more and more we live in a dictatorship in the guise of democracy. the people said NO! to war but they went in and the Irish said NO to the EU but men in power want it and will get it in the end, So many people have said NO and still they ignore the people because of greed and corruption!

mark, london,

Whilst i partialy support the EU constitution, i feel it has to be scraped, by the EU's blatant attitude of trying to get around the will of the people it is signing its own death warrant.

Chris Ison, Bulkington, England

Its great when democracy is championed then criticised when the people go against what world leaders want.....

Marc, Antrim,

There seems to be great interest in the proportion of the 'no' voters who didn't understand the treaty. Has anyone asked how many of the 'yes' voters actually understood it?

As always, the French do what is best for the French - Mandy has a brief from the EU so Sarkozy should be supporting him

Bill, Ramsey,

If Mandelson WAS partly responsible for the Irish NO vote at least he has managed to do one useful thing for the British people & the EU sceptics.

Of course, the NO vote couldn't have anything whatsoever to do with the bullying tactics of the French and German leaders, or the earlier French NO.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

Hilarious! Mandy's skin is thick enough like his head. Should we import cheap food, yes, it's all the third world has to sell. Should we subsidise our farmers, yes, to safeguard our own production capability. Should we buy up surpluses and send them free to the third world, yes, they are starving!

Paul Freeman, London, England

The fact that Mandelson, an unelected official, seems to have the power to do deals on world trade on behalf of over 400 million people who didn't get the chance to vote for anyone is what is wrong with the EU

Peter Ryder, Middlewich, UK

What we need in england is yes or no the whole EU and in or Out, so we can get out of this mess and save all that money, Why are we paying corrupt MEP's so much and not doing any thing about them or their own top secret report into how corrupt they are?

Mr W Jones, Liverpool, England

Let's hear it for Mr Mandelson..... for he's a jolly good fellow.....

Stuart Murray, Amsterdam, Netherlands

It doesn't matter that we didn't get a referendum in the UK, the Irish NO vote will be ignored and we will all be rail-roaded

Gavin, London, UK

Everyone is to blame bah the arrogant French

John, Salford, England

wel done ireland a vote for you not them they want to own you and watch they dont force you to vote again
if you have to vote again its simple say no again and watch them scream

loveswelm , tenby, wales

It is unacceptable that a Scot, a Prime Minister in office without a mandate from the electorate, should decide the future of the English in Europe without consulting the people.

Kevin, Leeds,

Who are the French or any other nation to tell us how we can vote? If we want to say no we have the right to, that is why Brown has not held a referendum - he knows we the British people would say no. Good on the Irish for sticking up for their democratic rights, we have lost all ours...

Chris, Coventry,

I’m intrigued by the quoted percentages. 40 + 20 + 17 + 10 + 10 + 8 = 105!

Jo, Devon, England

Sarkozy is the mouth-piece for French farmers; of course he will criticise a reduction in Euro farming or a reform of the CAP.

The hipocracy is that he is not proposing additional aid for the starving children or offering resources to deliver food to them.

R Bingham, Lauzun, France

Nonetheless, the percentages do indicate that 65% or maybe 60% of the Irish did actually understand the issue, despite what we are told, notwithstanding the French and Dutch populations. So that’s three referendums saying No when one is supposed to be enough.

Jo, Devon, England

This is really a pathetic attempt by Sarkozy to place the blame on someone else by hoodwinking the public into believing that anything other than a lack of Democratic accountability is to blame. Which begs the question: which one of his cronies benefits from Mandelson taking a tumble?

FergusK, Cork, Ireland

Only 17% of Irish don't trust politicians. Is that an "Irish joke"? I'd have thought that about 100% of British people don't trust politicians.

Bill Peter, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

of cours Sarkozy fears the WTO-Doha treaty,because France will loose its farming subsidies-how long should Europes Taxpayers subsidise France-its time to do it on you own Sarkozy

e_widiner, shanghai, china