The UK Referendum has been a shock to Brussels but the show must go on. Here’s how, according to two of the EU’s leaders. The EU is regrouping after the shock of the British voters rejection. Recently Der Spiegel interviewed Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, and Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament. … More The Great Deception Continues
Many positions in the EU that in a normal democracy would be elected are given to retired or de-selected national politicians. Some may be appointed for their expertise but often it is for favours owed or just for time-serving. The EU’s top governing body is the Commission, with one representative for each nation. Britain’s past … More Grey Men in Suits
In a complex and chaotic environment, harnessing the “wisdom of crowds” is often the best way of smoothing a path to a successful outcome – in the long run. Individuals recognise, even if they can’t articulate, problems that wise men and autocrats, with their eyes on the horizon and their own interests, may not see; … More Where Next?
In this week’s edition of The Economist their Europe correspondent, Charlemagne, points up some of the objections to the EU and puts a rosy spin on changes that he says are taking place. He remains within the corporate fold (Remain) but seeks to offer comfort instead of the fear that pervades most recent articles on … More EU Easing Up – Really?
The Guardian has an article (6th June 2016) on declining support for the EU project in the Netherlands: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/06/netherlands-eu-immigration-liberalism-european Here are some selected highlights: “And with every new terrorist attack, wave of refugees or expensive euro bailout, the forces of regression grow stronger, both on the far right and the far left.” “Many of the … More Dutch Disenchantment
Week beginning June 5th, 2016 The moral maze David Cameron says Leavers are “quitters”, “little Englanders” and do not love Britain. Like many in the Remain camp he mistakes the heap he’s standing on for the moral high ground, but that’s not how it smells. Voter registration “glitch” Following the computer glitch that prevented some … More That Was The Week That Was
The ambitious goals stated by EU leaders are scarcely matched by the achievements. Given the severe, concurrent crises in the Union at present there must be a strong chance that the EU will break apart or radically change in ways, and with consequences, we can’t predict. Why do supporters of the EU not factor this … More Risks & Uncertainties
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35160080 In an article (1 Jan 2016) by their chief correspondent, Gavin Hewitt, the BBC described 2015 as ” … the year when crises came in waves pounding the shoreline and prompting leaders and officials to fret over the future of the European project.” The focus of the article is migration and the EU’s inability … More Is breaking-up so hard to do?
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/673022/Brexit-EU-European-Union-end-of-Europe-left-wing On May 26 the online edition of the Daily Express had an excitable headline: “END OF EU”. The article claims that “thousands of left-wing voters” are hoping that Britain will leave the EU and start the break-up. They cite “… political activists from Greece, Catalonia and Ireland [who] spoke of a growing movement from … More Left. Out! Right?
G7 leaders in Japan Francois and Jean-Claude are comparing relative sizes – what are they boasting about? Meanwhile, has the G7 sacked Dave? Leaders of the G7 countries met recently in Japan. To no one’s surprise they issued a final communiqué: apparently they believe, without offering us the evidence, that Brexit would pose a serious … More G7 versus Brexit
This EU Won't Work 