The Plot Thickens The EU, which sprang from the best of motives, nevertheless saw deviousness as imperative to the mission’s success. Not surprisingly, the Project was captured by those who revel in the success of their plots more than successful outcomes for the citizens they’re supposed to be acting for. An extreme example is the … More Shorties-3
In October 2015 the EU Commission issued a COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK Its subtitle is: On steps towards Completing Economic and Monetary Union and the issue code is ‘Brussels, 21.10.2015 COM(2015) 600 Final’ It’s 17 pages long and contains an update to and continuation … More EU Still Converging
We have seen several right-wing – and a few left-wing – populist movements growing in EU member states. The rapid growth is alarming the EU’s mandarins who see rising popular resentment about trade, migration and budgets as threats to their project. What they don’t understand is why these “stupid populists” (Jean-Claude Juncker) are pressing them … More Panic Reactions
A single issue is disturbing established patterns of politics throughout the Western world. It takes different forms in different jurisdictions but can be seen as a common thread tying together voter behaviour in Europe and the USA. This issue of voter dissatisfaction appears to be a significant contributory factor to rising euroscepticism and the increasing … More Disillusion, Disaffection and Denial
It seems that there is less and less that national leaders can agree on among themselves or with Brussels. It is little wonder that the joint Declaration after September’s meeting in Bratislava had to be so bland and that Juncker is so grumpy about the lack of enthusiasm for the EU project. This post examines … More Evidence of Fragility (Part 1)
What if the barrel is rotten? There are two main reasons that lead us to believe that the EU project will fail. The first is ambition and the second is competence. In May, before the UK referendum, we asked tentatively EU in Crisis? We also asked, Is breaking-up so hard to do? These questions have … More 100 Days Review (Part 3)
Why is free movement of people sacrosanct? Is this about diluting nationalism to make centralised control easier? Or is it sacrosanct simply because it has always been a central plank in the ideology. It is of course presented simplistically, so as not to confuse people with details. It would be possible to define the “free … More 100 Days Review (Part 2)
How would you like your Brexit? Beware the cold-eyed lizards in the Treasury with their one-dimensional models (which haven’t worked well so far). The job of the Treasury is narrow and focused on the economy, and particularly on those who benefit from it. They are likely therefore to make decisions that protect, and perhaps enhance, … More 100 Days Review (part 1)
It is of course possible that Brexit will turn out to be a disaster for Britain, and it could be if we don’t take suitable action – though we believe that Britain will cope, in part because of our history and experience and in part because the EU is itself failing, perhaps terminally. However, some … More Manufacturing v. Services
This post is a detailed, critical review of the State of the Union address to the European Parliament. This is the EU Commission’s website (in English): http://ec.europa.eu/priorities/deeper-and-fairer-economic-and-monetary-union_en At the top is the priority, which is: This is the declared priority and the one that wishful thinkers subscribe to. The real priorities, evidenced throughout the Five … More State of the Union – 2 (Critical examination)
This EU Won't Work 