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Overcoming widespread objection from the public, the British government formally ratified the EU reform treaty, also known as the Lisbon Treaty. The ratification is the final act that involves filing the "instruments of ratification" in Rome, as the treaty is considered an amendment to the 1957 Rome Treaty. However, to believe the Lisbon Treaty an "amendment" is somewhat disingenuous. The Lisbon Treaty bears little relation to the Rome document, having been changed several times. Perhaps the manner in which the Lisbon Treaty was drafted is in the hope of disguising the fact it is the same as before, but just phrased differently.
Although no European-wide polls have been taken among the public, unofficial polls estimate that over 80 per cent of the public would prefer the EU to be as originally conceived - a free trade area and not a bureaucratic mish-mash for fat-cats.
With Britain's ratification in place, it serves to prove once again what a public waste of time it all is. Ireland said "no" to the Lisbon Treaty and as it has to be unanimously ratified by all 27 members; Ireland effectively put a halt on further proceedings. Any manoeuvrings thereafter by EU members ignores the wishes of Ireland and many in the EU.
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