Freedom From Choice

The Conservative Party has vowed to fight on in the Lords, after the House of Commons decided against calling a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty by 311 votes to 248.

The treaty – regarded by some as the previously-rejected EU constitution by any other name – is seen by Europhiles as a way of advancing the EU’s decision-making powers by bringing an end to the deadlock created by member states exercising their power of veto. Eurosceptics, however, see it as a way of advancing the EU’s decision-making powers by bringing an end to the deadlock created by member states exercising their power of veto.

Labour backbench rebel MP Ian Davidson, however, said the failure to keep Tony Blair’s promise of a referendum meant that "We are confirming the view that we, the political class, cannot be trusted."

Foreign Secretary Miliband Two, however, argued: “The question before us is simple. Do the contents of the treaty constitute a shift in the balance of power? The answer is no.”

Some Eurosceptic commentators have suggested that removing Britain’s right to block any legislation it disagrees with and enabling it to be implemented by majority voting against the nation’s wishes might possibly constitute a shift of power away from the UK. Then again, Eurosceptics have also suggested that the EU is nothing less than the fulfillment of Hitler’s dream of a Nazi Europe. Take your pick. Or rather - since it looks like there won’t be a referendum - don’t.