We know there are many virtuous people in the EU who want to do good in the world, which admirers believe is what the Project is about at heart. An example might be helping the poor of Africa. Whilst the EU contributes aid to the Third World, including from Britain’s substantial foreign-aid budget, this is … More Virtue is its own reward, but for whom?
“If the law supposes that,” said Mr Bumble, … “the law is a ass – a idiot.” (Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist) A Fishy Precedent In 1980 the EU made an agreement with Spain allowing its fishermen limited access to EU waters (Spain had the largest fishing fleet in Europe). Some Spanish firms registered their boats … More Where the Dickens are We?
This post, almost without comment from us, picks out some illuminating points from a recently published book, which suggests that deep divisions on questions of economics and finance are at the root of the EU’s problems in the eurozone: The Euro and the Battle of Ideas. By Markus Brunnermeier, Harold James and Jean-Pierre Landau. Princeton University Press … More France and Germany: Leading but Where?
“Morecombe and Wise”, “Bonnie and Clyde”, “Brexit and Uncertainty” – is there an attempt to make the last coupling as inseparable in our minds as the others? It took us just moments to find these examples: “…uncertainty in the UK over Brexit … makes our clients a little bit nervous and hesitant to invest. …Uncertainty … More Uncertainty
The New York Times (NYT: 7/02/2014) offered a useful short summary of the origins and development of the EU. This post is a summary of that summary, with some commentary from us. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/08/opinion/what-would-jean-monnet-have-done.html On the whole the NYT favours the “European Project” so while the author points up some of the difficulties it faces he … More The European Project: Some History
Jeremiah, 5:21 – “They have eyes, but they see not, ears, but they hear not, like the idols which they made and worshipped.” There are non-economic reasons why we voted to leave. Peace, brotherhood and justice are not well-served by the EU as it is. In our view the idealism inspired by a continent in … More There’s None So Blind
We continue our look at evidence of fragility in other EU member states. Germany In Germany Frauke Petry is leading the ‘Alternative for Germany’ (AfD) deep into euroscepticism. She says, “The Great Britain decision to leave the EU is a signal to the Brussels Politburo and its bureaucratic attachments. If the EU does not finally … More Evidence of Fragility (Part 2)
Shortly before the UK referendum, from April to May, the Pew Research Centre conducted a wide survey (10,491 respondents representing 80% of the EU population) in ten EU nations to learn how citizens view the EU and the then-forthcoming UK referendum. The results are reported here: http://www.pewglobal.org/2016/06/07/euroskepticism-beyond-brexit/ We summarise some results of the polling exercise … More A View from the Ground
The question, “Why Brexit?” has not gone away since the UK referendum. Indeed, many voters, who had to give a quick answer to a yes-or-no question, remain in doubt about the reasons for leaving or remaining. We respond with, “An answer to our question will answer yours.” Our question is, “What’s wrong with the EU?” … More What’s Wrong with EU? – New Summary
The Canadians have just walked out of trade talks with the EU after seven frustrating years of negotiations. Chrystia Freeland, the international trade minister, said, “It’s become evident … that the EU isn’t capable now to have an international treaty … even with a country so nice, with a lot of patience, like Canada.” Many … More Trading with the EU
This EU Won't Work 