Republic votes no

The Irish Republic has voted to reject the Lisbon Treaty. The implications are unclear. Sinn Féin was part of the No Campaign while Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, the Progressive Democrats and Labour were all in favour of the Treaty. Sinn Féin will undoubtedly have used the campaign to maintain and possibly build their electoral machine. However, the limelight appears to have been stolen by Declan Ganley and his Libertas campaign group. It seems unlikely, therefore, that Sinn Féin will gain much kudos with the electorate from their involvement on the winning side. The next opinion polls south of the border will be awaited with interest.