Joaquín Almunia, the Spaniard who is currently the Commissioner in charge of Economic and Monetary Affairs, was in the European Parliament yesterday and announced his commitment to the democratic ideals of Europe by dismissing the position of the new Polish Government on holding a referendum on the Euro.

Reacting to questions about the new Polish government’s idea of a referendum on joining the euro, Mr Almunia said citizens had known about the commitment to adopt the single currency when they voted to join the EU: “There is no need to ask the citizens again.”

By that logic, once a decision has been made, there is no need for review, no need for a look at the evidence, no need indeed for elections