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
We posted our review of the Declaration on 26 March (see The Rome Declaration) but for balance we give here a summary of the view of EU Observer, reported on 28 March, as they are reliably pro-EU while sharing some of our reservations and offering an intelligent alternative perspective. “With the ceremonial signing of the … More Rome Declaration – an alternative view
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
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
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
Sometimes Remainers are their own worst enemies. Categorising all those who voted against you as stupid and ignorant is complacent and is not a rebuttal of arguments in favour of leaving the EU. They fail to make their own case competently. They believe that remaining in the EU is so obviously the only thing worth … More Electively deaf to all reason?
This is a follow-up to Our Commentary on the White Paper (WP), offering a structured review in three parts: a Summary of the WP drawn from the Commission’s official website; some Background which relates the WP to previous EU statements; and finally Why it Matters, clarifying why we are pursuing this critique of the EU. … More More on the White Paper
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?
Following up their article on the Greek crisis, covered in our recent post Evidence of Fragility (Part 4), The Economist (TE) has a related article with the subtitle, “Why European institutions cannot handle the Greek crisis”. As the TE is firmly pro-EU we can bring some more balance to our blog by citing it, while also … More Evidence of Fragility (Part 5)
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!
This EU Won't Work 