Madam, – The overwhelming reason for people voting No or abstaining in the first Lisbon Treaty Referendum was lack of information – 45 per cent of those who voted No and 46 per cent of those who abstained gave as the reason for their choice the “lack of information, knowledge or understanding of the treaty” (Source: Millward Brown IMS Post Lisbon Treaty Referendum Research Findings, September 2008).
These figures, and the fact that a swing of about 3 per cent would have reversed the decision of the electorate, undermine any questioning of the democratic legitimacy of rerunning the referendum in the context of further debate and the provision of additional information.
Far from being “profoundly undemocratic” to have a second referendum, it would surely be democratically remiss, following a vote where a very large portion of the electorate said they were insufficiently informed, not to respond with more information and an opportunity to reconsider their decision. They have every entitlement to vote exactly as they did the last time if that is still their wish. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Perhaps the holding of a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty could be best described by quoting an eminent Northern Ireland politician. It’s “for slow learners.” – Yours, etc.
Thomas Daly,
Donode,
Ballymore Eustace,
Co Kildare.