Le Pen will damage the no campaign - McDonald
Published: 17 January, 2008
Reacting to news that Jean Marie Le Pen is to come to Dublin next month to campaign against the Lisbon Treaty Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald said Mr. Le Pen's politics is not welcome in the no campaign and he will most likely end up helping the yes campaign.
Speaking today Ms. McDonald said, "While we can not stop Mr. Le Pen from
coming here and we are all supporters of free speech it would be
preferable if Mr. Le Pen stayed away as I fear he will only damage the
no campaign with his narrow brand of xenophobic politics. Le Pen is
fighting the Lisbon Treaty on a completely different stance to that of
Sinn Féin and other no campaigners in this country.
"While we cannot stop people from all over the EU from coming to Ireland
to campaign on both sides of this debate it is the Irish people who will
ultimately decide whether or not to ratify this treaty.
"If Mr. Le Pen really wants a no vote in this referendum then the best
thing he can do is to stay away. Sinn Féin will not be extending any
welcome to him."
|
