Carl Tyler's Blog :: Thank you France!

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Thank you France!

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Yes I know strange to hear it from a Brit. Seriously thank you France for voting 'Non' to the EU Constitution.

Posted by Carl Tyler On 05/31/2005 | Permalink |

Comments

1 - Hey Carl,

I get to vote on the constitution tomorrow. What should I vote

I have pretty good idea myself: for once, I'm going to follow the French.

Seriously, but why are you so happy they voted 'non'?

Posted by Gerco Wolfswinkel At 10:16:23 AM On 05/31/2005 | - Website - |

2 - My reasons were outlined here: http://www.instant-tech.com/blogs/ctyler.nsf/plinks/CTYR-627NZR

Basically I think citizens of many countries are being taken to a place they never expected to go.

Posted by Carl Tyler At 10:28:02 AM On 05/31/2005 | - Website - |

3 - Ahh.. I agree with the reasons outlined there, yes. Some say that voting 'no' doesn't matter because the old treaties stay in place. But it's the first time, and (given the expected result) probably the last time too, that we as Dutch citizens get a chance to vote directly on anything related to the EU. Can you imagine that, a democratic country basically giving up it's sovereignity without ever asking it's citizens how they feel about it?

Right now, polls indicate a 44% voter turnout, and the 'no' vote gets a 57% majority. But hey, that's polling.. only tomorrow evening will we know what happened.

Interesting times!

Posted by At 11:43:30 AM On 05/31/2005 | - Website - |

4 - I am just glad that the French went first. Personally I am generally in favour of better integration in Europe and globally, but I am very glad that the UK didn't get blamed for wrecking it this time.

Posted by Alan Bell At 11:55:50 AM On 05/31/2005 | - Website - |

5 - I never understood why anyone in Europe would be for this.

Posted by Jon Johnston At 03:13:39 PM On 05/31/2005 | - Website - |

6 - WAHEY!!!!!!!! Well for the first time EVER, the UK cheered the French on and now the Dutch (but in fairness, we always knew the Dutch were more sensible) for coming to their senses on the EU.

The one and only original principle of Europe 30 years ago was simple:
"Give us a good price on your wine & cheese France and we'll give you a good deal on our beef and lamb" - AND THAT'S IT.

Anything else along the lines of "You Mr Italian/German/Spanish etc get a say on how much tax I pay, how many hours I work, who I pick a fight with " is complete and utter cobblers. Woud the Italians and Spanish like us telling them not to have a siesta in the afternoons?!?!? Or the French like us banning smoking in Paris?!?!?!?!

The Eurovision Song Contest alone tells you that any further integration is to be avoided at all costs