Leading Socialist MEP Jo Leinen has launched an astonishing tirade, even for one of the EU’s most hardcore supporters.

He claims that if the Irish vote no to the Lisbon Treaty for a second time, then Ireland and the Irish people will be relegated to a “second class” in the EU. This of course implies that if the Irish vote “no”, they will effectively be depriving themselves of something.

Yet Leinen goes on to say that a second Irish no may lead to a two speed European Union. That it would not be involved in the EU’s forging ahead in the areas of foreign affairs, justice and energy. That it would not become a part of a federal Europe, or at least as not as quickly as the rest of the EU’s member states. Ireland, Leinin insists, would not see themselves integrated in the EU if they vote no.

I think that makes things very clear. In reality, if the Irish once again vote no, they will be making themselves first class citizens in Europe. The EU, by demanding the Irish must vote on an identical Treaty for a second time, seeks to relegate ordinary people to second class citizens beneath the unelected political elite whose lust for European integration remains unquenched. Lets hope the Irish revolt continues.