Conservative MEP leader calls on France to show liberty, equality and fraternity with the Irish people.
Posted, June 24, 2008 @ 14:00
Conservative MEP leader calls on France to show liberty, equality and fraternity with the Irish people.
Brussels, Wednesday 24th June 2008 -- As Nicolas Sarkozy prepares to assume the Presidency of the EU, the Conservative Leader in the European Parliament Philip Bushill-Matthews MEP has urged France to seize the moment and apply the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity to the Irish and all EU citizens.
Speaking in the plenary debate today in the European Parliament on the Council summit conclusions last week, he said:
"I want the EU to succeed and not to fail. But that means we have to connect with the people who elected us. Following the clear rejection of the Lisbon Treaty by the people of Ireland, please stop and listen.
"France was founded on three key principles: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.
"These did not just mean Liberty for politicians, in Equality with other politicians. It meant liberty and equality for the people, and fraternity amongst all the people.
"It is time for us to show that fraternity with the people of Ireland. Let us halt the Lisbon Treaty ratification process now. Let the politicians show that we are at last listening to the people, and then maybe - just maybe - the people will start listening to the politicians."