A quote from Jim Murphy, the British Minister of State for Europe, on his blog, 12 February 2008

A Referendum [on the Lisbon Treaty] will cost an incredible £110 million. That's enough for a new Eastwood High School, Barrhead High School, Carolside Primary School, Calderwood Lodge and St Cadocs Primary School put together and still have £30 million left over. Most people in East Renfrewshire know which is better value for money for our area. […]

Of all the 27 countries of the European Union only Ireland is having a referendum because their domestic rules mean that they have to have a referendum on every European Treaty.

Every Government in Europe and every main opposition Party support the Treaty. Only the Dutch Animal Party, Sinn Fein and various Communist Parties and the British Conservative Party oppose the Treaty.