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Aherns in the limelight

• Mark Mardell
• 25 Jun 07, 12:28 PM

It’s not often that Irish politics reaches the Red Tops but today Bertie and Dermot Ahern get their day, not just in the limelight, but in the stronger glare of the Sun.

It always slightly bewilders me that normally the media, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ included, never seems very curious about what goes on in our English-speaking next-door neighbour. Still, that's by the by.

Foreign Minister Dermot has made it clear Ireland is likely to have a referendum on the new treaty, as it has on all recent ones. And PM Bertie has said that 90% of the old constitution is in the treaty. Both meat and drink to those in Britain arguing we should have one too.

There are three basic positions among the politicians in various countries:

• It’s not like the constitution that our people appear not to like, therefore there's no need for a referendum

• It’s a lot like the constitution we didn't like, so we need a referendum

• It’s like the constitution that we liked, so we can swallow a few changes

The Aherns, who unlike the Polish couple are not twins, not even related as far as I know, are in the last camp.

I presume Blair will make a statement to the Commons later today and I'll be very interested to see how hard David Cameron goes for him. And what Gordon Brown's reactions are.

Gordon Brown taking over is one of the biggest news stories for years, so will all the talk about this drown out the "call for a referendum" story?

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