... in both France and The Netherlands. Dutch blogger Zacht Ei has taken a closer look at the EU Constitution and makes a compelling case for a "No" vote.

The issue cuts across party lines and it is one that has apparently aligned the Euro-skeptic right with the loony far-left, both groups actively seeking a "No" in the upcoming referendum. One anti-capitalist group campaigning for a "No" vote has qualified for a subsidy from the Dutch government which itself is actively promoting a "Yes" vote. The group (called EuroDusnie, a variation on EuroDisney meaning Euro "thus not") is hardly a legitimate group and their history should have disqualified them from getting any government grants:

Two members of the EuroDusnie anti-capitalist collective were involved in an incident on 14 March 2002 when pies were thrown at populist politician Pim Fortuyn. The cream pies were allegedly laced with urine.

Fortuyn was shot dead in Hilversum on 6 May 2002, nine days before the general election. Although some of his supporters suggested the two incidents were linked, no evidence of this was ever found.

Fortuyn's LPF party has also reacted angrily to EuroDusnie's subsidy. LPF leader Gerard Van As said the world appeared to be turned on its head as "bad behaviour was once again being rewarded".

He said it was "doubly-painful" because the group was linked to those responsible for the pie attack on Fortuyn, while the LPF was not getting any funding for its campaign against the EU Constitution.

This is what you get if you allow the state to interfere in political campaigns. Welcome to The Netherlands.