A tourist asks a local for directions to Dublin. The Irishman replies: ‘Well sir, if I were you, I wouldn’t start from here’. (Apology: this old joke has also been told about a Scotsman, a New Yorker and probably others, so no disrespect intended to the Irish in particular.) If you wanted an invisible, frictionless … More Divide or Rule?
Supporters assume that weaknesses in the EU can be dealt with by reform. We examine this assumption and conclude that the hidden agenda underpinning the EU’s federalist ambitions precludes meaningful reform. “I have never understood why public opinion about European ideas should be taken into account.” Attributed to Raymond Barre, former French premier and European … More Can EU be Reformed?
We love economics. There are two reasons we keep banging on about it in this blog: first, because it’s the main topic in the Brexit debates, if not necessarily the only key issue; second, it’s very rational and we love a structured argument. But the ‘dismal science’, as economists themselves love to call it, is … More A Dismal Ramble
Viscount Ridley reminded the House of Lords during the recent Brexit debate that the previous, pre-Referendum Treasury forecast was a “clean sweep of failed predictions”. For example, “A vote to leave would represent an immediate and profound shock to our economy. That shock would push our economy into recession and lead to an increase in … More The Cost of Brexit
Feeling Trumped Donald Trump has signalled that ‘America First’ will not mean protectionism, merely a defence against unfair trade practices. In his latest comments during an interview with Piers Morgan he explicitly added the EU to a list headed by China. He has a good point, do Germany’s cars need a 10% barrier against an … More Shorties-14
Remainers and Leavers still argue about the benefits of Brexit and the EU, arguments that have divided friends and families. Here we imagine a family argument. Stacey and Levi aren’t the most compatible of partners, they always seem to see things from different angles and never stop bickering, rather like the couple in “Who’s Afraid … More European Values
The EU document is addressed to “Delegations” from the “General Secretariat of the Council” and its sub-Subject is “Supplementary directives for the negotiation of an agreement with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland setting out the arrangements for its withdrawal from the European Union” The full document can be found here: In … More Transition: Negotiating Directives (2)
The European Council has issued “supplementary directives for the negotiation of an agreement” with the UK. The withdrawal agreement was referred to in earlier EU documents (and reviewed by us in Divorce Guidelines and Mercury Rising). Those earlier documents used the incompatible terms ‘guidelines’ and ‘directives’. We assume that guidelines are precursors to directives, the … More Transition: Negotiating Directives (1)
How are Italian political parties proposing to restore their voters wealth prospects? “I promise to pay the bearer on demand the sum of one pound,” signed Montagu Norman. Those old enough will remember the pound note that stored a bit of your wealth, backed with a promise from the Governor of the Bank of England … More Italian Election
On his recent visit to Britain Macron said, “If you want access to the single market, including the financial services, be my guest but it means you need to contribute to the budget and acknowledge the European jurisdiction.” That’s very generous of him but it does sound a little arrogant, perhaps it was just a … More Macron the Munificent
This EU Won't Work 