A view on Lisbon Treaty from Canada

Our post this morning had an Irish view on the destruction of their Parliament sold as enhancement, this evening I suggest you consider this item from Canada, linked here, from which comes this: ".....This has Britons incensed, as they see it as an example of a democracy derailed. Brown’s stubbornness in the matter boggles the mind in view of the fact that virtually everyone wants a referendum. The Tories have called for a consultation of the voters, but Labour and the Lib-Dems are opposed. The Lib-Dems are playing a very interesting game on this one: they oppose a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, but they would not mind holding one about Britain’s EU membership in general. Britain, however, is not alone in the fight for a referendum on the Treaty. An equally high percentage of Austrians want a referendum, which socialist chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer has rejected out of hand. Voters in favour of a referendum recently staged a mass demonstration, but the public broadcaster (ORF), controlled by the socialist government, refused to cover the event. (Incidentally, the Austrian chancellor now stands accused of having broken the law by illegally unlocking an iPhone). Tempers are flaring, and people are getting really frustrated with their undemocratic governments. Most Austrians are saying these days that, if the Lisbon Treaty were to enter into force, they might just as well abolish their parliament, as most of Austria’s sovereignty would be delegated to Brussels anyway. Britain would be affected to a somewhat lesser degree, but it too could essentially close down the Houses of Parliament and send everyone to Brussels for future decisions and votes on bills. Clearly, this is not the kind of Europe that Britain signed on to in 1973. Back then, it was to be a free market area, facilitating trade and commerce among the member states. Nowhere was it said or written then that Britain, as well as all other member states, would have to hand over the keys to their countries and hand all decision-taking powers to a foreign international body in Brussels."