In recent weeks I have been contacted by a number of constituents, members of the public, various campaigns and the press regarding my position on the forthcoming Lisbon Treaty Referendum. I want to use this short blog post to clarify my position on this matter.
In 2005, during the public discourse on the then-recently signed EU Constitution, I spoke and wrote in various contexts against that document. I was not heavily involved in that campaign, nor have I played a significant role in campaigning against its subsequent manifestation in the Treaty of Lisbon (primarily due to other political commitments). However, I was opposed as a matter of record to both the original EU Constitution and the initial Lisbon Treaty referendum. I also clarified this stance on frequent occasions during my recent successful campaign for election to South Dublin County Council, as evidenced by an "Election Diary" blogpost here.
I recently signed a document, along with a small number of other Labour Councillors as well as others from the left, in opposition to the Lisbon Treaty. Details on this are available at http://www.caeuc.org/index.php?q=node/535. I have also contributed a short piece, similar to this blog post, to our local 'paper, the Tallaght Echo, who requested all 26 Councillors on South Dublin County Council to contribute their views on the Treaty.
I respect the democratic decision at recent Labour Party conferences to campaign for a yes vote for the Lisbon Treaty. Out of that respect, as a Labour Party Councillor, I intend taking no part in campaigning against this treaty and I will not be making any further comment to journalists or other parties. I've directed all those who are interested to this blog post for a clarification on my stance.
I have been on record since 2005 as opposing this Treaty on a number of grounds. It would be hypocritical of me to reverse a well-known and public stance. There has been a tradition of dissent on European matters in the Labour Party, right back to the time when some Labour members supported entry to the EEC in 1973 - in contravention of then party policy. Although, with regard to this campaign, I am voting ‘no,’ I share the same overall vision for a social, democratic and sustainable Europe as those campaigning for a ‘Yes’ vote in the Labour Party.
The referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is one of many important decisions in front of our country in the coming weeks and it is crucial that as many people as possible exercise their hard-fought franchise by using their vote on October 2nd. http://www.lisbontreaty2009.ie/ gives a fairly neutral overview as well as links to the treaty itself and information on how to check the voting register.
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Here is the text of the short piece I have submitted to the Echo newspaper.
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The referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is one of many important decisions in front of our country in the coming weeks, and the only one in which the people themselves, rather than their representatives, have the final say. It is crucial that as many people as possible exercise their hard-fought franchise by using their vote on October 2nd.
Since 2005, I have opposed, as a matter of record, both the original EU Constitution and its successor, the Lisbon Treaty. I recently signed a document, along with a small number of other Labour Councillors as well as others from the left, in opposition to the Lisbon Treaty. Details on this are available at http://www.caeuc.org/index.php?q=node/535
Out of respect for the democratic decisions taken at recent Labour Party conferences to campaign for a yes vote for the Lisbon Treaty, I intend taking no part in campaigning against this treaty.
Nevertheless, I have been on record since 2005 as opposing this Treaty on a number of grounds, a stance I clarified on frequent occasions with local people during my recent election campaign. In noting that it would be hypocritical of me to reverse such a well-known and public stance, I would also point out that there has been a tradition of dissent on European matters in the Labour Party since the initial referendum to join the EEC in 1972.
Although, with regard to this campaign, I am voting ‘no,’ I share the same overall vision for a social, democratic and sustainable Europe as those campaigning for a ‘Yes’ vote in the Labour Party.
Dermot, since you 'intend to take no part in campaigning against the Treaty', why did you feel the need to sign the letter at all? Signing that letter, which expresses specific reasons to vote No on October 2nd, is an act of campaigning. It is a positive endorsement, not just of a No vote but of certain reasons for a No vote.
As far as I can see no person, either within the Labour Party or outside of it requested that you involve yourself in the Yes campaign.
You saw no particular reason to involve yourself in the last Treaty campaign so why now, as a public representative of the Labour Party who has signed a pledge to uphold party policy, did you chose to involve yourself in this campaign?
Why also did you not see fit to inform the party of your intent to publicly disagree with the democratic decision of party members and to align yourself with other political parties?
Hi Aoife.
Thanks for your comments. I appreciate both the tone and the spirit in which they are made.
I believe the post I have made is sufficient in terms of clarifying my position on the matter and the background to it.
Although this is different than normal blogging practice, I do not intend making further comments on the matter because I believe the clarification above is concise.
I would make one point regarding your post for the record; out of courtesy I have informed the leader of the party, our local Labour TD and the Labour Group of Councillors on SDCC of my position on this matter.
Thanks again,
Dermot
Dermot, I think it is particularly disappointing that you are not willing to engage on any meaningful level about your decision. Your blog is indeed concise but offers no real insight as to why you made the decision to involve yourself with the campaign, which you previously had little involvement with, and to align yourself with opponents of our party.
You have also been on record for many years about wanting party representatives to engage much more with party members over their decisions and actions so it is disappointing that you're bringing down the shutters this time.
Dermot would you ever grow up? I've voted Labour for many years on the understanding that it was a pro EU party. If you're not then go and join Uncle Joe in the SWP or resign. Your page on the Labour website has a big vote Yes to Lisbon next to it.
While your at it why not stop strutting around Greenhills like Don Corleone in a bad suit and actually do a bit of work?
I'm voting YES for Lisbon and won't be voting for you again.
Frank Murphy.
Hi Frank.
Sorry that my taste in clothing is not to your liking. Since the election, I've very rarely worn a suit; I'd say I've worn one perhaps three times in the past three months. Perhaps you could recommend a good tailor? Belissimo!
You're entitled to your views on what you perceive as my lack of work. I certainly don't agree with you and don't think anyone who is in any way aware of my schedule of meetings, leaflet drops, personal case work and other political work would concur either. I believe I have earned respect from political colleagues and, indeed, rivals as a hard worker but that will ultimately be down for decision by the electorate who will make a call on this if I am to stand in 4 1/2 years time.
If there is specific work you would like to see me involved with perhaps you could contact me at dermotlooney@gmail.com and I'll do my best for you and for our community, regardless of your voting intentions. I would appreciate if you would validate your identity in the mail by letting me know your home address because, as I'm sure you appreciate, there are many who invent identities on blogs to 'troll' or avoid detection.
The Labour Party is one which supports Ireland's role and place in the European Union and I think it would be fair to describe Labour as a pro-EU party. As I mention in the post, "[a]lthough, with regard to this campaign, I am voting ‘no,’ I share the same overall vision for a social, democratic and sustainable Europe as those campaigning for a ‘Yes’ vote in the Labour Party."
Incidentally, I assume you are referring to Joe Higgins, who is a member of the Socialist Party, not the SWP. As a democratic socialist I hold no truck with Leninism, Trotskyism or other politics advanced by these groups and never have done, although I will work with others where suitable to advance the needs of our community. I have only ever been a member of the Labour Party and only ever intend being a member of the Labour Party.
Many thanks,
Dermot
To the poster named "Frank":
I have previously asked you to confirm your identity as this blog has been the victim of 'trolling' from others in the past. I accepted your first post in good faith but have asked you to confirm your identity before posting further.
Many internet forums and blogs allow anonymous posting and that was the originally intention of this blog. However, the behaviour of others on this site has meant that I have had to ask that new posters either confirm their real identities or (if not possible for work or other reasons) they link to other internet activities so they can at least show that they are a real person and not hiding behind a pseudonym etc.
Lest I be accused of over-censoring posts I'd point to the other posts in this thread and the fact that I've kept up "Frank's" first post.
I have retained the deleted post in the system and will repost it as soon I have received an email or other contact from "Frank."
Dear Dermot,
I'm not in your LEA but I feel I have to write to say how much I disagree with your stance on Lisbon. I'll say the same to any other Labour councillors who are taking the same route. You stood as a Labour candidate but have now decided you let us know by your blog that you will not take part in the campaign i.e. you are against Lisbon. You will not engage in any debate about this. Do you have any regard for democracy? People voted for you as a Labour party member only to find that you seem to more closely alligned to the viewpoints of some other parties. I'm a longtime labour supporter and feel very let down by you and the other labour councillors who are opposing Lisbom. Margarite O'Driscoll
Pleace vote for democracy and against the treaty of lisbon
Dear irish people!
Pleace stop the treaty of lisbon! Is is antidemocartic, militaristic, antisocial. The disadvantages are much bigger, than the advantages. The EU can live with its actuell laws. They should only be changed into a democratic direction. With the treaty of lisbon, the european council is able to change this treaty in great parts without asking the parliament. This is nearly the same law, which mades the nationl- rassistic- party of Germany so powerfull in our country in the year 1933. Our basic law (the german constitution) and all other european constitutions should not be replaced by the treaty of lisbon. But the new treaty tries to bring all right- sytstems in a lower level than the new european right. Here is my informationpage: http://sites.google.com/site/euradevormwald/english . When you have some more english information, pleace send me a link or text or write it into the visitors book of my page. And pleace spread this text all over Ireland.
In the hope in your activities for a better Europe, Felix Staratschek, Freiligrathstr. 2, D- 42477 Radevormwald (Germany)
Hi Margarite,
thank you for your comments.
I have the utmost respect for democracy, both in the Labour Party and in society in general. That regard is explained in the original post.
The reason I am not debating the substance of the Lisbon Treaty on here, as anywhere else, is because of my non-campaigning position on this treaty. I have engaged in hundreds of political debates online over many years but do not feel it is appropriate to do so on this one issue at this stage.
I repeat that I am a very proud member of and representative for the Labour Party. I have only ever been a member of the Labour Party and only ever intend being so. On this matter I happen to share some views with others on the left, just as Labour does every day on a whole host of issues.
I have had to change the settings to allow only those with Google accounts to post here, which is a pity, but necessary. Setting one up will only take a short time.
If Dermot actually was a fan of 'Uncle Joe' or the SWP, then he would have stuck to the party-line and advocated a Yes vote.
Fortunately, the Labour Party is not a democractic centralist organisation. At all points, Dermot has made clear that whilst he would be personally voting 'No', this was not the position of the Labour Party.
Would people prefer it if he publicly lied about his opinions on the Lisbon Treaty?
There is nothing worse than a dishonest politician. Dermot should be commended for being honest.
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