'Yes' result for Lisbon Treaty: Thank you Munster!
Posted by Alan Kelly on October 04, 2009 at 08:39 PM
At 1.25pm on Saturday afternoon the only word I can use to describe how I felt is ‘thrilled’. At that time, I was at the GAA Centre in Nenagh to await the North Tipperary result of the Lisbon Treaty referendum. A 64% turnout in my home constituency and a 70% ‘Yes’ vote majority was simply music to my hears. To make it even better, as I listened to the results come in from all across Munster, I stood proud as always to be an MEP for Ireland South.
I worked as Director of Elections for the Labour Party in Munster and I am just delighted that the people of the region responded so well to the campaign. The belief and hope that the people of Ireland South have in both the Labour Party and the European Union was never more evident than in this result.
I really feel that it is important to thank every single person who came out and voted in the best interest of our country. What these people have secured for Ireland’s future is invaluable and a big thank you to them all is well deserved and much appreciated.
As happy as I am with such a wonderful result, I feel it is important to mention one more thing. From the very moment I began campaigning for a ‘Yes’ vote around Munster, I have heard endless complaints from so many people regarding the poor and unacceptable performance of our current Government.
I want people to know that despite this excellent result being secured in Ireland, their unhappiness and dissatisfaction with the present Government has not been ignored. These people are hurt and these people deserve better.
Let me just say this: a day will come in the very near future when these people can bring this hurt and anger with them to the polling station in a General Election. When that day arrives, these people will have the power to make yet another change that they will never regret and put this Government out and the Labour party in.
