Strong vote for Nice Treaty

["John O'Neill" <johnfergaloneill@xxxxxxxxxx>]

The counting is still going on and there is a chance that the margin might
not be as pronounced outside Dublin (currently aprox 70% to 30% to Yes
side). The left will have to sit back and analyise what changed between this
referendum and the last.

IMO the following were the major reasons for the swing to the Yes side (in
no particular order).

A stronger effort made by all the bourgeoisie parties to canvass/campaign

A five to one ratio on campaign expenditure (advertising, etc.) by the Yes
side.

Irish Business (for the first time) invested heavily in a yes vote

The TU leadership campaigned openly for a yes vote

The, so called, referendum commission rather than outlining both sides of
the argument interpreted the "essence" of both arguments.

The No side devided into progressives against Nice and the National
platform/No to Nice (Justin Barrett)/Immigration Platform.

National Newspapers all sided with the Yes vote.

Justin Barrett was exposed as having links with extreme Nazi groups in
Germany

I'm sure the other Irish list members will have other points of view but,
for me, the campaign exposes the need for greater collaboration on the
left/progressive front. We are too small to constantly bicker whilst the
bourgeoisie have no difficulty uniting when it suits.

fraternally

John







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