Three words

Mugabe
Mugabe
Mugabe

And here's one more

Hypocrites

We're all behind you Ireland

Mr Wright, City of London, England

Did the Irish fight for their freedom (freedom is sovereignty) only to have their representatives in government sell them down the river? What do the Irish have in common with these foreigners? Language? Culture? So why join with them and have a chaotic Euro nation of babble? It's silly.

Robert, Shelton, CT, USA

What ever happened to Democracy? And what in the name of Christ was the point of the original vote??

"You can all vote to decide what to do about the Lisbon Treaty...as long as you vote YES! Oh, you didn't vote Yes? I guess we'll have to have another stab at it!"

This is disgusting.

John Smith, Antrim, N. Ireland

For the love of God Ireland stand up for your sovereignty. The EU must have utter contempt for the public to try to force a revote on something the Irish have already said NO to. I guess the French are having guilt over rejecting the 2005 treaty and want the Irish to experience the same, idiots

Rusty, New Paltz, USA

Things can only get worse!

David, Cambridge, UK

Back in the 1970`s, we voted for an ECONOMIC union, and not a POLITICAL union.
It is once again the old story of gaining power, over others.

Sean O`Meadhra, Wellington, NZ

Considering how much EU leaders have condemned Mugabe, is it just me who finds it terrifying how much they use his tactics? We've had a vote, but it hasn't given the result we want - so let's ignore it and have another one. Genius...

sam, Farnham, UK

Why is it that a yes vote is yes forever, but a no vote has to be done over? Does anyone think that a 2nd no vote in Ireland would kill the treaty? Another way to invoke it would be found. Democracy in Europe is dead.

R M, London, UK

Lets get the Irish to keep voting until the EU eventually get the answer they're looking for. Great.

Natasha Silverman, Chafford Hundred, Essex, England

Let us hope that the Irish people will refuse to be bullied as theBritish are being.

TESS NASH, HELSTON, CORNWALL, UK

I have said for many years that Germany wants to run the EU and France regards it as an authorised overdraft facility.

Chris D, Edinburgh, Scotland

Now I know that I was wrong to vote yes.If there is a next time I'll be voting no to protect the democratic right of those who voted no first time.

Joe, Portmarnock, Ireland

Europe serves us reasonably well through freedom of movement for people, goods and services. That framework stands and needs no change. The Irish are right to vote down attempts at ever tighter political union: Europe should carry on as predominantly an ECONOMIC union.

Bert, London,

And if the Irish vote no again........?

Graham Miller, Valencia, Spain

Meanwhile the EU urges Mugabe to acceot the decision of the vote in Zimbabwe.....you couildn't make it up. This corrupt and fascist parliament and commission needs to go.

Viv, London, England

They believe the Irish people will bow down to this, I'll wager they will get the thrashing of their pathetic lives !

Wills, Soton, UK

The EU are seriously going to demand of the most principled people on the planet that they must now go back on their decision. Whatever would Arthur Wellesley have done about that?

David Masu, Zürich,

Whats the point of having referendum after referendum on the same issue? Does that not defeat the point?

Confused, london,

Let them hold as many referendums as they like - just keep voting 'NO'!

wendy, Sydney, Australia

Nice bit of phoney red meat. You've set all the wild dogs to barking.

Paskalis, kalamata,

You citizens just don't understand. We in Brussels and Harare know what is best for you. Know your place, vote how we tell you to and you will not be harmed.

Alan Gold, London,

The best policy for the Irish Prime Minister is to go along with them as fast as possible. An Autumn Election. So fast in fact the people vote no. He will get the credit from the EU for going along with it and the credit from the Irish for out foxing the EU.

Robin, London,

Vote 2.I hope the Irish stuff the Lisbon Treaty down the EU, the Franco- German's throats, with gallons of guinness; second time around. Its important to bury this Treaty, which is a dishonest revamped constitution in all but name!

Rob Olivier, London, UK

Britain dont even think of a referendum because if the majority of the Irish can not understand the treaty what hope have you over there.

Michael Campbell , LONDONDERRY, N IRELAND

The Treaty of Lisbon and any other "Treaty" requires a unanimous vote or further drafting and tweaking of the proposed treaty until it can merit a uananimous vote. That's the rule, the Constitutional requirement, so keep polishing the drafting until every member agrees.

Aristotle, Honolulu, USA

The Irish need to know that 'guarantees on issues like defence and taxation' will mean nothing once they ratify this treaty. It is a self-amending treaty. In other words once they have got each country on the hook, they, the commissars, can change anything without ever asking anyone again.

emmie, London, England

This treaty needs stopping now. Look at the big picture here. Dont laugh about conspiracy theories anymore. Take a close look at what people are saying. This all will lead to the one world power and we will be slaves. There is nothing good about this. wake up wake up now!

Mike, Wrexham, UK

Do we suppose that the Irish will be able to vote on whether or not to vote yet again next spring?
Lars - - Massachusetts, USA

Lars-Erik Wiberg, Rockport, MA, USA

Imagine the Irish had voted yes, would they have been able to vote again because they had perhaps voted yes for the wrong reasons? An answer the EU éite approves is definitive, an answer they do not approve is an error to be corrected ASAP.

Jeremy Drake, Norwich, United Kingdom

Mrs Merkel is in fear. Why did we Germans not have an election about this contract? What would perhaps be our vote?
Politicians don´t want to ask the people for their will and do what they want! We need more direct democracy.

Alexander Bartholomäus, Frankfurt /Hessen, Germany

What contempt the political elites have for the will of the peopleand democracy in general. They lose the election and now want a REVOTE. They didn't like the outcome so so there must be a new election.
National sovereignity and liberty must suffer as these political egos demand to rule. Arrogance

stan, LITH , USA

This must be a new standard of democracy:

"Vote."

"Okay, I vote no."

"Well that's not the right answer...vote again."

You EUropeans are so funny

Clay, Lexington, NC, USA

When the Irish vote NO for the second time. Then they will declare Ireland dissolved and a new country called YESLAND will be created with a new constitution, the EU constitiution and of course there won't be another vote after that.
So many people are growing to distrust the EU.

Howard, London, UK

Contempt can work both ways. First of all, the NuLabour gang need to be blown out of the water then we can turn our sights on the EU. Its members appear to be paid up members of the Josef Stalin fan club and could someone tell me what we have got in return for the billions we have paid in?

Alan Jones, Brighton, UK

At least I have the freedom in expressing myself to make a spelling mistake. This is like others have said about power and control; people’s very freedoms and identity are at stake. I am not against an ideal Europe but the EU's methods and style. Some people do not have a price, its called integrity

Josh, Manchester, England

Don't bow to the pressure. Ireland was the only country where the citizens were allowed to vote on the treaty, and now they are spposed to "rethink" their decision or find a compromise? That's not democracy, that's the death of democracy in every other country.

Sophie, Münster,

"Everyone has a price". This is revolting to see that our own representatives think that way. It does not look much different from the old Roman Empire when emperors gave people 'bread and game's to keep them quiet. Is that the kind of democracy we want for Europe?

Moema Rosa, Amsterdam, NL

I wouldn't bet that the Irish citizens will be bought off this easily. They could deliver an even angrier 'No'. And another problem looms. How will the other smaller EU nations, who ratified the Treaty without question, respond when Ireland is 'bribed' with lots of concessions not offered to them?

John E Farrington, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

A hard Core EU should not be ruled out . How can 4 million irish voters decide for 500 million citizens? If Ireland doen' t want the treaty, the others who have ratified should simply push ahead. Unanimity is nonsense and certainly not democratic. Hilarious and outrageously undemocratic indeed!

pascal-pierre, Brittany, Dinan, European Union ( F)

in the age of information its unbelievable that still, a large number of the population cant see through this EU agenda.its about controlling what you do,think and denying your children the freedoms you have taken for granted up to now. the architects and decision makers arent even in europe either!

dave jones, manchester,

Surely, if Ireland votes "Yes" in a second referendum it would be 1-1 so a third vote would be required. Or does it then go to penalties?

Andrew, London, UK

If the vote had been 'yes', they would NOT have had a second vote. Talk about trying to rig the vote. This is not democracy - 'If at first you don't succeed, try try again'. If I was Irish, I'd be 'rather' insulted if they tried to push a re-vote, instead of accepting the 'will' of their people.

Phil, Nerja, Spain

I sort of understand Merkel's attitude to democracy; it is not part of Germany's cultural heritage. Sarkozy is different; France does have a sort of heritage. Is this the 5th or 6th Republic? the others having been thrown out! Diktat was thrown out with the support of Mme Guillotine.

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

I am reminded of the poem by Bertolt Brecht called 'The Solution', in which the people are said to have 'forfeited the confidence of the [East German] government' by not behaving as expected. It ends: 'Would it not be easier in that case for the government to dissolve the people and elect another?'

Steven Cranfield, London, England

I suggest abandoning national referendums on European treaties and instead leave endorsement to national parliaments. As these treaties are inevitably a compromise between member governments there is a high probability that one country or another is going to vote no during a national referendum.

Peter Southam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

There is no difference between the EU and MUGABE - not in terms of honouring the true democratic vote of the people. In both cases it is fear of losing power and control that is driving the leaders. It is a belief that they know what is best for everyone else - what arrogance!

Phil, Gloucester,

This is not democracy. We need to get together, & work together to defeat the dictators of the EU, & of our own countries as well. Google 'theharbourmessageboard proboards51' I'm trying to get as many people there as possible, so we can get organised and remind the UK government who they work for!

Sue , Highlands, Scotland

Deja vu Nice Treaty. And there are still people who believe that the unelected bureaucrats of the EU will allow Ireland to get away with not voting the right way. What of Brown and Millibands assurances that the Irish would not be put under any pressure for a second vote?. All hot air, as usual!!.

pete, birmingham, uk

Unbelieveable and preposterous! The EU officials and the ministers in cahoots are just forcing their way through? Do they mean to keep making a country vote till the outcome goes their way? Then the vote is a farce! Shame on the EU, and shame on the govt heads in agreement!

Edwin "Heng, Singapore, Singapore

'Chris, London'. Well said, the comparison between Mugabe and Brussels sprang to my mind also. Both appear to be happy to endorse democracy when it suits them. When shall we see, like Zim, citizens in the sovereign European states starting to have to overcome totalitarianism.

Sparks, UK,

There should be specific criteria laid out for what counts as necessary and vital co-operation between European states. Every proposed new EU law should be scrutinised by some kind of independent panel to judge whether or not it fulfills that criteria. Only if it does so should it be passed.

Bruno, London,

I would have no price! It would be NO until they either listen or steal my vote,should I ever get one.

paul mitchell, Wolverhampton, England

Mugabe is not alone

emily, essex, uk

So why have most countries not allowed their people to vote? Strange how the few that have the people said NO yet Europe politicians carry on regardless.
I like Europe, but I don't like the way this treaty is being pushed forward by politicians, without the people of Europe's support.

Mags, nr Oxford, UK

The 27 countries that had no referendum are forcing the one that had a referendum to have a second one.
Arrogance.

bob, Birmingham, uk

Here's a solution to both the Eu and the Zimbabwe crisis: make Mugabe head of the EU (whatever the official title). He certainly has teh credentials. Two birds with a stone: Zim can finally breathe and get back on its feet, the EU has a worthy leader......

Chris, London,

unbelievable! Ireland's 'no' vote is just being ignored. People should be very concerned: if this is how much significance Ireland's electorate are accorded outside of this treaty, just how much weight do you think their voice will have once part of it?

j barrows, newcastle,

"Facists" has recently become widely applied to EU politicians. It may not be completely justified, but that is how the disenfranchised peoples of the EU are beginning to see the EU rulers. This "You'll vote til you get it right" attitude fuels that perception. But EU politicians DON'T CARE anyway

George Edwards, Cuevas de San Marcos, Spain

I havent read all the comments however I believe any attempt to re run a referendum would surely galvanise the Irish people against it.
They have voted.Democracy.

aobrien, glasgow, scotland

Let's hope that if the Irish people are offered another referendum, they use their vote the same way. They were brave to do this and I think they had the admiration of people far and wide. In many ways they speak for those of us who have been silenced by our own Governments. Go Ireland.

judy, Liverpool, England

We need a Europe that UK citizens voted for the last time they were asked - in 1975! One that enjoys close co-operation between sovereign nations where possible. And that's it! France and Germany take an a la carte view of EU directives yet expect every other nation to eat off the set menu!

Bill, London,

Monumental EU arrogance. Just the sort of thing which will distance this organisation from its component electors

F Luscombe, Yelverton, Devon

Remember Gordo, Irish citizens in Britain, many of whom vote Labour for 'traditional' reasons, could vote you out. While Irish public opinion may have been fairly well divided, the subsequent Eurocratic bullying is pushing more into the 'No' camp. So Gordo, do you want to lose any more friends?

Paul, Coventry,

The French will have to drop Bastille day, it no longer applies in a Dictatorship, liberty has gone out of the window------------
TO ARMS TO ARMS its the only answer to the E.U.

David, Helsinki , Finland

And they have the cheek to critisise Mugarbee, the EU dictatorship is not much better.
The people said no last time so they are not being given the chance by these Dictators

Mike, Cyprus,

The big member players of the EU forcing little old Ireland into having another referendum on the Lisbon treaty ,twins europe with Zimbabwe when it comes to democracy, ' LITTLE COUNTRIES (BEWARE)
Those who swim too close to the big fish in the EU pool eventually get eaten up.

brendan Buffini, maidstone, england

The European union is a fascist dictatorship and they will continue having votes untill they get their yes vote by paying off the irish people and politicians in any way possible. The whole World is to be enslaved under the United Nations with no sovereignty or independence from the state, period.

Arthur Guy, Gloucester, England

If Ireland thinks it can maintain its neutrality once the EU creates its own armed forces it is living in dreamland, the same goes for other EU neutrals. Any opponent will regard them as part of the EU and treat them accordingly.

Stephen, St. Ives, England

Why not have a vote throughout the EU with all citizens of the EU voting.If the majority vote yes then the Treaty/Constitution comes into effect,if the vote is No then it doesn't.

Alastair, Paphos,

Ireland remember W.W.2 Germany tried to take over eourope by force France helped now they are taking everyone by stealth they forget most people are educated now and poiticaly aware some people are even more educated than they are dont give them any more of your rights, no means no.

SHEENA PRIESTLEY, queensland, Australia

Brussells &Co.
more corrupt than the mafia but no where near as competant.
yes once again we have a little man in europe jumping up and down ...
and yes once again we have a prime minister who lacks backbone ,direction and purpose.

mike cassidy, gloucester, england

France and the Huns are terrified by the Irish NO vote
because they can see their big dream of domination of Europe going down the drain. As somebody remarked if democracy is the key word why don't France and
Germany give their citizens the chance of a referendum.

Barry Holmes, Christchurch, New Zealand

I personally support the EU but forcing Ireland to vote again is causing me to rethink my position.
Unless the EU can carry the majority of people willingly forward, the whole notion of the EU will disintegrate.
By taking this position they are playing into the hands of those who are anti EU.

Ray Harvey, Hitchin, uk

The sooner the whole of this EU is scuppered, the better.
Lars Adelskogh, Skövde, Sweden

Lars Adelskogh, Skövde, Sweden

Tosh, Josh of Manchester.

Everyone has a price, is not the EU moto - or even motto.
It is (unfortunately) the Universal motto.

Patrick, Melbourne, Australia

Be strong Ireland! Don't give in to those fascist continentals.

David Sullivan, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

The Lisbon Treaty is just the European Constitution dressed in different clothes. The problem is that the European officials have totally failed to understand the most basic principle underlying ANY constitution, and that is that it must be written by THE PEOPLE, not self serving corrupt liars.

J Fullwood, Marlow, UK

"A government big enough to supply you with everything you need is a government big enough to take away everything that you have.... The course of history shows that as the government grows, liberty decreases." Thomas Jefferson

I know not of others, but my liberty is not for sale.

Walter V. Gilles, Nipomo, USA

Frank from Canada, this is serious business the Lisbon treaty is about one thing and one thing only, "Power and Control" if the treaty is ratified there goes your liberty and freedoms. You must at all cost reject and abolish this treaty. Your sovereignty is in great jeopardy. Vote NO!

Frank McGillivray, ssm, canada

To give away so much to the EU is sad. If an European army is created, all the members will be expected to go into any wars it decides, and saying "No" will not be allowed!. Has not Europe had enough of warfare in the past? Germany and France are having too much say on what is to be done.

margie , victoria, australia

another little man in europe flexing his muscles and making extra-ordinary demands on other countries. Sarkozy would do well to read the History of Europe,

sid james, lancashire, england

yes, keep holding referendums until you get the result you desire. that's fantastic. They only expose themselves for what they are with their insistence on not following their own EU laws which say that a no vote of even one member state kills the treaty. They'r now simply the EU dictators.

simon lomax, warrington, cheshrie

Go Irish! Let those governments know that the people don't want the treaty. Speak for the Dutch, French, and British populations who are being kept from voting. That is the EU version of democracy--don't let the people vote and if they vote the wrong way, make them vote again.

Phil, Iowa City, USA

Voting in the " Modern Europe " means voting,until you give " US,The Right,or Left Thinking People " the answer we want..What do elections mean in Europe anymore.? Who says the USSR didn't win!!!.

richard ostberg, Colorado Springs, Colorado,U.S.A.

Is it just me or did we not fight 2 wars against facism for the right of ree will and speech? My grandads are turning in their graves over this. Where is our referendum Mr Brown? - after all it was an election manifesto promise. Now you try to bribe the Irish to get them to say yes.

Jim, Manchester, Engalnd

Well well well, what a surprise! So if they don’t get the result they want the first time, they try again until they do. So much for democracy. And once again, the whole rotten EU lie is exposed once more.

Ian, Cambridge, England (not Europe)

What is this? Vote until you get the result you want? The Irish voted No. The vote should stand. Case closed.

Keith, Queens, USA

The leader in the latest edition of the Economist magazine (21-27 June) says it all: "What kind of democracy is being practised when the only outcome of a vote that is acceptable to Brussels is a yes"?
Ireland must vote "No" again. And again. And so on.
This EU Diktat must stop.

Bob McMurray, Dieburg, Germany

I say we vote on whether to have another vote.

fd, towson, CN

Better "listen up" Ireland, your future president, Sarkozy the Zionist puppet, won't take NO for an answer......How DARE you vote no????

farang, Tamuning,

Why not have France and Germany take another vote ?

Harry Bergeron, Exeminster, UK

This will be a worse scenario than expected, when some one tells some one else to vote, the back gets up and very soo
the things start going wrong.

Kev Somers, Hertford, Herts

'Everyone has a price', is that the EU moto?
Evidence if it was needed that this venture is out of control, undemocratic and corrupt.

Josh, Manchester, England

Pathetic!!.
The Lisbon Treaty is the election of Adolf Hitler to Chancellorship in 1933.

David Diggins , Derby., England.

Kiss good bye to democracy within the EU state because a NO vote in democracy means NO! not 'OH WELL HAVE ANOTHER VOTE' and ANOTHER and ANOTHER until you say yes.
If you are someone who is pro Europe you owe it to your children to do a little research because most mep's HAVE NOT and will not.!

k mcguchan, coventry,

What part of NO do they not understand?
Actually France and Germany want to govern all of Europe and will force it down your throats one way or another.

Stuart, Leeper, U. S. of A.

Patrick from Australia ought to realise that the Irish were for the most part willing bedfellows in the creation of Empire and were equal partners (class for class) up until 1921. Go around any colonial graveyard and be amazed at the number of Irish names there. Revisionist nationalism indeed.

Peter, Belfast, Ireland

I propose we hold a weekly two-day national strike until we are given the referendum this government promised us. If they will not listen we can make them listen. Communism can be beaten but only by people power. I may be away for 42 days after this comment but so what, better jail than a goulag.

Cromwell, Leeds, England

Absolutely unbelievable!
They say a referendum is acceptable then when it does't go their way it is unacceptable!!
Who would want to vote for a system that behaves in such a childish manner.
Kakistocracies.

Anyone for a pint of guiness

Donald Stuart, Nottingham, England

I cannot believe the contempt the politicians seem to hold us in. Half the time we are not allowed to express our opinion because it will jibe with "their" desired opinion and when we get the opportunity to vote, as in Ireland we're just told we're wrong or don't know what we're talking about!

Nick Williams, Potters Bar, UK

The Irish were criticised for having a vote at all, and now, surprise surprise, they are being bullied into having another one. The second vote will be 'yes' even if it has to be rigged, and it will be the last referendum. Ireland will be threatened with expulsion from the EU if they don't comply.

Neil, Thurso, Scotland

Just like Mugabe - don't like the result of a vote - hold it again.

Jan, Perth, Australia

This appears ti be nothing more than Sarkozy & Makel doing politics "W" style. I think the Irish and believe it or not our Saxon
borhters across the water will not go for their collective big index finger.No means No for all the right reasons and that's a fact you can take to the bank.
Mark ME. USA

Mark Kavanagh, York Maine, USA

Now be reasonable - the EU clearly had its fingers crossed when they said that it had to be approved unanimously!

I think what they meant was that the real situation had to be obscured univerally.

Geoff, Hong Kong,

Gordon Brown used Ireland (North that is) to greet George Bush with no great respect for the the Irish people that live in that part of the island of Ireland. This man sides with no one !!!

Mel, Craigavon,

Ireland must vote No again.

Unless the Treaty is changed somehow then a rerun would be a declaration that our constitution is invalid - it could even be interpreted as an illegal attempt to seize the levers of the state itself by Fianna Fail.

B Hennessy, Dublin, Dublin

I find it ironic that "jonO" and so many more English scream so loudly about the wealthy Irish. You should be the last to talk given the centuries of plunder you took from Ireland, not to mention India etc..
It was US and (gasp) German money + national genius once free that has us where we are.

Patrick, Melbourne, Australia

Wouldn't it be great if Brown, showed some backbone and stood up for the Irish and decided to give the UK a referendum as well? Two Referendums in the EU, two resounding NO's would send a message to the EU Intelligentsia, that their plans of totalitarianism are crumbling.

Mark, London, England

What part of No do they not understand. Hopefully the court will decide that the Brownling must give Britain a Referendum. If he had completed ratification, would the court have ruled contempt and put the Brownling in prison?

Rob, Colwyn Bay, Wales

I know if I was being treated by a collection of arrogant EU fascists masquerading as democrats as though I were some kind of wayward child, I would do everything in my power to make the vote 'No' by a much, much wider margin.

Of course here in Brown's Britain, we'll can't even do that.

Andy, Hamilton, Scotland

Here we have proof that the EU elite has nothing but contempt for democracy. It goes without saying that if the Irish had voted "yes" there would not be a second vote "to make sure". How can the EU lecture Mugabe on democracy, when it behaves like this? The EU is losing all moral credibility.

Al, Hastings, UK

The EU is (or should be) dead. Move on. It is a failed club of nations bent on a socialist Super State designed to ensure the political elite rule for several more generations. Europeans deserve a lot better than these despotic scoundrels.

Let's get rid of them once and for all!

Edwin, Bucharest,

Never mind trying to bully Ireland into having another vote,
Show how impartial you are and request that every member country has a vote that will prove how popular your treaty is, only then would euro be trusted .

sid james, lancashire, england

Is this democracy?

ojo, reykjavík, Icaland

Brown, of course could side with the British People, for a change , take the heat off Ireland and have a referendum for the British as he and Blair so clearly promised.
The Irish government is stating that the "Crock of Gold " from the EU will be in jepardy... OUR CROCK !

JonO, Redditch , England