Green Party on Lisbon

[Zapatista]

Taken from Politics.ie

Treaty of Lisbon referendum campaign
Green Party Media protocol

1. There will be no "Greens for a Yes Vote" or "Greens for a No Vote"

If members wish to actively campaign in the referendum campaign they should get involved with non-party campaign groups.

2. There will be no head-to-head, 'Green on Green' public debates

The Party has already had its discussions and vote on this. The debate must now broaden beyond the Greens. There is absolutely nothing to be gained and much to be lost from highlighting the different views within the Party. It adds nothing to the wider debate on the treaty. Each side will inform the press office in good time of requests for media engagements on the treaty. The press office will work to ensure that there are no clashes.

3. There will be no misrepresentation of the outcome of the vote

The Party has NO position on the treaty. Party policy is neither in favour, nor against, nor neutral. Representatives and members are free to campaign as they wish. The parliamentary party view the outcome of the vote as an endorsement for them to campaign for a yes vote. Other representatives and members view the outcome of the vote as an endorsement for them to campaign for a no vote. These scenarios are not mutually incompatible.

4. There will be no internal slander or accusations

'No' voters are not, by default, anti-European, and must not be labelled so. The parliamentary party did not fail to bring the membership with them, and must not be accused of this. The format of the debate and vote was fair, balanced, democratic, and totally in keeping with the Party's rules and procedures.

5. Green Party Press Office

1. There will be no pro- or anti- statement released through the GP Press Office.

2. The Ministers can use their own press facilities.

3. Other members of the Oireachtas or councillors will have to arrange distribution of their own pro- or anti- statements. The Press Office may provide them with general contact lists such as e-mail addresses.

http://www.politics.ie/viewtopic.php?t=30785

[Gnevin]

2. There will be no head-to-head, 'Green on Green' public debates

And here i was looking forward to some hot green on green action 

[Zapatista]

4. There will be no internal slander or accusations

'No' voters are not, by default, anti-European, and must not be labelled so. The parliamentary party did not fail to bring the membership with them, and must not be accused of this. The format of the debate and vote was fair, balanced, democratic, and totally in keeping with the Party's rules and procedures.


http://www.politics.ie/viewtopic.php?t=30785

Of interest is why the need to highlight what No voters might be slandered with and not what yes voters might be slandered with. Is number 4 really just for their partners in Government?

[AZOffaly]

I think this is an internal memo to Green members, protocol for dealing with the media on this issue. I doubt it was for public consumption. Somebody probably got p*ssed off and posted it on politics.ie

This one I like.

The Party has NO position on the treaty. Party policy is neither in favour, nor against, nor neutral.

If you are neither in favour, nor against, are you not, by definition, neutral?