Low inflation
are feeling deflated. Not by the prospect of Brown agreeing the - the hyperactive pressure group cum think tank's Lisbon stunt quite literally didn't get off the ground.
Their giant inflatable ballot box didn't inflate. The generator they'd hired didn't have enough puff. They swear it's not symbolic and will try later again in the day.
Meanwhile, Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said: "Of course, we regret that it was necessary to have some opt-outs for some countries. But we respect this. We prefer to have a solution that's broadly agreed, with some specific opt-outs for some countries, than not to move forward. Britain has negotiated very hard some opt-outs on some specific issues. Now we don't expect any more requests in that area."
He added: "We should respect these lines that were put forward by Britain, so I think there will be no more difficulties. I hope that we will have a consensus today or tomorrow on the Reform Treaty."
Gordon Brown is due to go to the meeting this afternoon before the summit proper opens - something Mr Blair never did as prime minister.
He might be glad to know that Socialist leader in the European Parliament Martin Schulz who's just said: "The papers owned by an Australian and a Canadian want to destroy the European Union."
BREAKING NEWS: Open Europe have got it up.
Their ballot box, that is.
And the Prime Minister's spokesman has conceded that Gordon Brown's talk about holding a referendum over the treaty if he vetoed it, didn't really make sense. But he said the treaty was necessary to make Europe work efficiently.
He declined to give detailed examples.
I’m Mark Mardell, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's North America editor. These are my reflections on American politics, some thoughts on being a Brit living in the USA, and who knows what else? My 
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Live by the magic of cameraphone - it is indeed up.
www.openeurope.org.uk/lisbon.jpg
It's childish, I know, but doesn't the above photo of Barroso make him look like a character from The Simpsons?
I am amazed that the EU countries did not look at the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as a way of gaining "wiggle room" over certain issues which are causing various countries to choose the "opt-out" path. Have the Treaty enumerate certain powers to the Union, but make it clear that the power not so enumerated are left to the discretion and power of each individual country.
Your last two paragraphs sum up exactly the mistakes the pro-referendum campaigners are making.
Most people couldn't fell you the difference between a reform treaty and a constitutional treaty, and certainly wouldn't care much if they knew.
This of course fascinates the pro-referendum campaigners, and because the public doesn't care, ministers are happy to bore voters into compliance by joining in the dance on the head of the pin.
What does making the EU (not Europe!) work more efficiently mean? It means giving the EU more power over countries' affairs. In our case by surrendering over 50 vetoes.
You can bet the government doesn't want to give examples. But sadly the pro-referendum campaigners don't seem much interested either.
Max Sceptic wrote:It's childish, I know, but doesn't the above photo of Barroso make him look like a character from The Simpsons?
While G. Brown looks more like Darth Vader.
P.S. Obviously Mark was not allowed to take a photo of this Doomsday Machine designed by Brussels Sprouts.
Too bad.
Max Sceptic,
for the first time ever, sir, you are right!
I would like to remind all including Mark that our previous Prime Minister Blair once agreed and triumphantly signed the "Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe", his signature turned out to be worthless in the end. The signatures, when they go on the present EU Reform Treaty may turn out exactly the same even yet. It is up to the people of this Country to make sure they are. By ignoring the people in this Country, Prime Minister Brown has handed the people of this Country a great power. I hope they use it well. It is one that I hoped and prayed they will never use, or never have to use. Sadly, Mr Brown has put the EU before the wishes of the sovereign people of his own Country, it is a mistake the people will never forgive him for, and so many wanted so much to believe in him.
The European Union, is in its death throes, that is recognised by many people, it nearly came a cropper when it was rejected by the people of two countries. We all know and MUST realise that without the good will of the people from EVERY country, the Union will fall. When Governments are too scared to hold a referendum on matters they know without doubt, are wrong for their own Countries, then it has already failed. Presidents, Prime Ministers may smile, shake each other's hand, kiss each others cheek, laugh in relief, but the people recognise (whether they understand the Treaties or not)that the beginning of the end has come already, surely you know amd recognise these facts too?
I am American, irrelevant I suppose, and I agree with Anne. The powers of a nation must be treasured and reluctantly compromised on. I am absolutely in love with Europe, all of Europe, not the European Union. I give a warning to the people of Europe, be wary of what you give up, be wary of how much faith you have in your government to make the best decisions based on the wishes of its people. Pardon my hysteria, but the decision of this "Reform Treaty" is most serious.
Mark Mardell and Evan Davies are spinning the population story like good politicians. The population density of England (where immigrants usually stay) is 383 per sq km and that of Belgium 341 per sq km. On this basis their PC comments don't stand up.