The People Have No Trust Any More

Latest EU polls

rt. Anyone who travels from an EU country into one of the neighbouring EU countries and speaks to the man on the street will be surprised at just how clear negative opinions and reactions to the EU and its politics are. A frequent criticism is the lack of opportunity given for ordinary people to express their opinions to strong-headed EU politicians and the prolonged weakness of the euro. There is a feeling of helplessness about being ruled from Brussels and people feel there is little hope that this can be changed in the near future. At the same time there is often resignation over the fact that politicians do not represent the people any more.

The events following the recent Irish ‘No’ vote in the referendum on the Nice Treaty is confirmation for many that the EU is basically undemocratic and has goals which are not compatible with the will of the people. Many are convinced that politicians’ dealings are governed purely by Big Business rather that by democracy and constitutional state of law.

Less than 25% of those questioned in Austria and Germany were in favour of eastern expansion of the EU to include former east bloc countries. In addition only 37% had trust in the EU Commission. The results of this poll, which was carried out by the EU itself, ought at least to cause politicians who usually place so much trust in poll results to question their actions. Politicians in a democracy are duty bound to represent the opinions of the population rather than heir own self-interests, and such poll results are evidence that referenda are due. When these referenda take place the results should be accepted however unpalatable they may be to politicians’ own ideologies. The example of Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahearn who publicly expressed embarrassment to his European contemporaries at the Irish ‘No’ vote was deplorable.