Dreaming of Eutopia

The Party of European Socialists has issued its own predictably fluffy demand for change without change, which will no doubt bring some more comfort to J-C and his conservatives. Here are some samples of what people who wish to think seriously about the future of the EU are up against: “Sixty years ago, the people … More Dreaming of Eutopia

Romancing in Rome

The Rome summit on 25 March will be largely about self-congratulation; we don’t expect much discussion on reform, let alone any agreement on what is needed or how to do it. In this post we look at some of the issues they won’t face up to at the event, or elsewhere. Reviewing our reading in … More Romancing in Rome

Scotch-it

Our concern is with the EU and the case for leaving. Indeed, the case for breaking the thing up. However, we feel we must comment on the proposed second referendum on Scottish independence because there are some obvious parallels. By announcing her demand for another referendum immediately after Parliament agreed to the triggering of Article … More Scotch-it

Thinking Wishfully

Tomas Prouza, state secretary for European affairs for the Czech Republic, has an article in the EUobservers website, which takes a lead from the recent Commission White Paper. The article closely echoes some of the text of the White Paper but also makes some points that raise fresh questions.  The author explains that the initial … More Thinking Wishfully

EU in Disarray?

The EUobserver website (euobserver.com), a sometimes critical but otherwise reliable supporter of the EU project has some interesting reports recently from which we draw more evidence that the EU is heading towards dissolution. They report that Joseph Muscat, currently heading Malta’s presidency of the EU, wishes to see a ‘multi-speed’ Europe, by which we assume … More EU in Disarray?

Oh Lord!

Lord Heseltine is leading a Tory-peer revolt against the Government’s Article 50 bill currently going through the House of Lords. He is revolting, he says, because British jobs and living standards will suffer if we leave the EU. It seems he wants us to aspire to levels like those in Greece, Italy and elsewhere. The Greeks, … More Oh Lord!