Republican News · Thursday 17 October 2002

Vote NO2NICE

Defend Democracy, neutrality and sovereignty

BY ROBBIE MacGABHANN

Fed up with the backsliding, doublespeak and the obvious lies? Then vote No to the second Nice Treaty this Saturday.

It has nothing to do with the coalition lies about their pre-election knowledge of the dire state of tax revenue and the need for spending cuts. It has nothing to do with the shabby introduction of stealth taxes and ill thought out cutbacks that hit hardest on the weakest in society.

It is not because of the corruption, the clear abuse of public position and the complete absence of any real punishment for those involved.

It is because of the lies about neutrality. The Seville Declaration does not have any legal standing and the 26-County voters deserved a protocol and the right to vote on whether the constitution should have a declaration of positive neutrality.

It is because of the lies about enlargement. The EU can enlarge without the Nice Treaty being passed but the coalition government are determined to play on emotions by claiming we are excluding other small states like ourselves. Voting No excludes no state from EU membership.

It is because of lies about job losses. No one has given us any real reason why a No vote jeopardises jobs.

Sinn Féin has been very clear in its argument for a No vote.

We are saying No to a badly formulated treaty that will disempower smaller states, that will do nothing to make the EU's institutions more democratic, accountable and transparent.

We are saying vote No to the loss of veto and loss of commissioner.

We want a better EU rooted in the principle of equality and rights for all member states and finally, No to a military superstate.