Here is our first reaction on reading the summary of Jean-Claude Juncker’s state of the union address on 14 September 2016. We’re not anti-European, we’re anti-EU. We’re against the complacent, misguided ideologists who can’t see its extreme failures, or can see them but think the present sacrifices are worthwhile. Not their sacrifices, naturally, with their … More State of the Union – 1 (Summary)
Dire forecasts made before the Referendum don’t seem to be happening. Examples from history show that countries can adapt to changes and overcome them. It is still too soon after the vote to know the net effects but Prime Minister May appears to be making a promising start to the post-Referendum era. By appointing leading … More Eight-Week Review
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?
Many people in the EU are suffering hardship for the sake of an idea: Ever Closer Union. It’s an ideology, not an ideal. Voters who are undecided about the benefits of leaving or remaining in the EU say they just want the facts. Clearly they don’t want to be blinded by detail or misled by … More Shorties
We are not alone in hoping that voters recommend Leave. In this post we quote from an author whose concern centres on democracy and the EU’s lack of it, rather than the possible economic effects. Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, the international business editor of the Daily Telegraph, offers us his reasons for voting Leave, together with a … More Be aware, but not afraid
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
Sadly, we can be sure that whichever side loses in the UK referendum we will be bombarded with complaints that the process was unfair. Of course, the shockingly low quality of the (mostly mis-) information spewed out by both campaigns gives some weight to complaints of unfairness. However, the victims are and will be the … More Vote Swingers
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
EU supporters tend to take the unlimited continuation of the project for granted, neglecting to take account of the risks it faces and the assumptions on which it is based. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36381019 The recent BBC news article by Becky Branford highlights the question we have been asking: does the EU have a secure future? The answer … More EU in Crisis?
This EU Won't Work 