YOUR LETTERS

YOUR correspondent, Ray Fleming, has a fine ability to keep your readers abreast of international affairs, whether it be Palestine, Kosovo or Outer Tajtikistan. However, his column on Saturday (14th June), in which he criticises British politicians and the British media for actively supporting the Irish referendum ‘No' vote on the EU Constitution (aka Lisbon Treaty) is joke worthy.

Why shouldn't they? Mr Fleming's idea that it is wrong to interfere in the political affairs of another sovereign EU state is equally daft. Is he not aware that under EU hegemony national sovereignties no longer exist? And for some time, has it not been an accepted practice for politicians of one country to canvas in another, as part of EU integration? Does he not know that the EU operates permanent satellites in every capital, using tax payer's money to promote its policies and itself, and subjugate national legislation and identity? In London, for example, the EU has plush offices in Queens Gate, the smartest street of Westminster. Who is paying for this?

But back to Ireland. Mr Fleming's attempt to ridicule the leader of the apparent ‘No' vote campaign, the MEP for SE England, and Daily Telegraph columnist, Daniel Hannan, whom somehow has been re-christened ‘David' Hannan by Mr Fleming, is ludicrous.

Is he not aware that British and Irish history has been interlinked for centuries, that there are huge ethnic and social ties between both countries, with many Irish, or those of Irish descent living in Britain – indeed, my wife is one - and British living in Ireland? Mr Fleming should note that Daniel Hannan may have been born in Peru, and a British citizen, but from his surname, could he not have guessed that he is perhaps of Irish descent?

The two countries share a common language and literature, have similar financial, scholastic and legal institutions, as well as commercial interests. It is no big deal, therefore, that the Sunday Times circulates in Ireland, or that you can pick up copies of the Irish Times or Cork Examiner anywhere in the UK. Ironically, in all this, the slavishly pro-Europe BBC is watched or listened to in Ireland almost as much as RTE, but this appears to have had little impact on the ‘Yes' vote!

The Irish ‘No' has saved the day, put down a marker for democratic ideals and pushed the Euro-elite back into their cocooned boxes. No doubt, had the incumbent British PM not pathetically reneged on his manifesto commitment to a referendum, the British would have done the same.

By whatever name, the Treaty cum Constitution is dead, and no amount of Jesuitical sophistry by the mandarins in Brussels, or pro-Europe commentators like Mr Fleming, can resuscitate it. A new dispensation that returns power to nations and peoples is now required.

Yours faithfully
Andrew Ferguson