Today's meeting in Madrid of the 18 EU countries that have ratified the constitutional treaty is a useful reminder that this text has been ratified by a two-thirds majority of the EU's Member States. Far from being overwhelmingly rejected, as some commentators continue to claim, it was actually endorsed, not just by every single one of the national governments of EU Member States, but also by a clear majority of voters if you add together the results in all the countries that held referenda.

When eurosceptics trot out their favorite sound-bite "Which part of the word no do you not understand?", the 18 reply "Which part of the word yes do you not understand?" So far, there are two 'noes' , 18 'yeses' and seven who are waiting to see, though some of them have also made it clear that they still suppport the text.

Of course, the EU works by consensus on its basic rule-book, the treaties, and serious work must be done to overcome the divergence of views that has emerged. The reservations and objections expressed by the French and Dutch 'no' votes must be listened to. So must the views of the majority. It is quite legitimate to explore what compromises might be possible and what could get the necessary support - a subject I have written on elsewhere (and which you can read by clicking here.