The New Saviours of Europe.

William Pitt's last speech referred to the task of saving Europe (from Napoleon), but now another rescue seems to have been achieved, this time by the electors of Eire in rejecting the Lisbon Treaty. Prudence, responsibility and sanity appear to have prompted the frustration of the latest attempt to anaesthetize the bewildered voters of the European Union into accepting an undemocratic, supranational regime. So far as the
United Kingdom is concerned, this event has at last given the so-called "red line" safeguards some real strength and resistance. No thanks are due to the Government, who shrank from their duty to protect British national interests. Perhaps there may now be an opportunity for the member states of the E.U. to negotiate new terms, based on a free trading area and a network of freely negotiated and realistic agreements, on practical common issues. No more should there be any perils such as adverse decisions by the E.U.courts, overturning apparently safe exemptions and exclusions from the distortions and perversities in E.U. law.

Michael B. Buck.