Ireland votes no, now what’s next?

1) This was a vote against the Treaty, and against deeper EU integration

This was indeed a vote against deeper integration.  The political class are already spinning that it was stuff about abortion, an unpopular government – all the same old claims.  But look at the polls and the top reasons for voting no – they are all perfectly reasonable.  Here is the list of the top reasons from the last Irish Times poll

“Can you tell me why you have decided to vote no on the Lisbon Treaty?”

Most popular

Matthew Lynn

Spain will regret its 100 per cent expat property tax

30% I don’t know what I’m voting for/ don’t understand it
24% To keep Ireland’s power and identity
22% To safeguard Ireland’s neutrality
17% Don’t like being told what to do/ forced into voting yes
12% Bigger countries will have too much power

Nor did the no campaign benefit from a small turnout.