Parliament vote on Lisbon Treaty is a defeat for euroscepticism

12.30.00pm GMT Wed 20th Feb 2008

The European Parliament approved the Lisbon Treaty today by a clear majority of 78% (525 votes to 115) following a debate this morning in Strasbourg. Andrew Duff (Lib Dem, United Kingdom), spokesman for Constitutional Affairs defended vigorously the pro-European convictions of the ALDE Group "A small but noisy minority in this House, including the British Conservatives, offer no shared European solutions to the common problems we face today as Europeans. Such a Tory Party is sad, narrow and nationalistic" According to Duff, "The world waits for a European Union with an enhanced capacity to act with authority on the world stage. I look forward to the day when we can get on with improving the quality of policy that flows out of Brussels and Strasbourg, and when the Union can stand on its own two feet in world affairs. That day will come when the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force."

This view is also shared by Bronislaw Geremek (Partida Demokratyczna, Poland): "The adoption of the Lisbon Treaty represents a major event in European history. We should seize this opportunity to give a positive message on constructing Europe. We need coherence for Europe and this Treaty supplies it. This Treaty is the foundation to build the future and to create a true space for European citizens" he declared.

Marian Harkin (Independent, Ireland) whose country will organise a referendum on this Treaty added " The Treaty upholds the principle of subsidiarity - the principle that we take decisions at the most appropriate level. In Ireland, advocates of the 'No' vote maintain that the Lisbon Treaty is a self-amending Treaty yet states clearly that any amendment requires ratification by all Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements. That is the very essence of subsidiarity."

ENDS