As in many other technical subjects, the Brexit debate uses common words but with specialist meanings and this can be confusing for non-specialists. For example, most people think ‘gutter’ has to do with drainage but a printer thinks of it as the extra margin space that will stop the binding … More The Brexit Lexicon (Part 1)
Remainers complain that the CPTPP is no substitute for trade losses caused by Brexit. They are helped in this by doubtful forecasts – doubtful because of their views on the prospects for increased growth, given their favourite forecasters doubtful track records. As Oscar Wilde said, “The truth is seldom pure and never simple.” The UK … More Do Remainers Really Care about Trade?
Over the years we have often posted our views on the EU’s claims to be a democratic organisation. Rather than repeat the arguments – about which there is little new to say – we offer a selection from our previous posts on this subject, This post was triggered by an article in EUObserver [1], in … More Democracy or Demagogy?
or Our ‘Eight-Week Review’ Revisited Eight weeks after the Brexit Referendum we posted a review of the situation, which included this comment [1]: “During the Napoleonic wars Joseph Banks, the great botanist, shared his discoveries with his French colleagues; during the American War of Independence Benjamin Franklin ensured Captain Cook’s expedition was not hindered.“ Scientists … More “All our eyes on, the distant Horizon”
Despite a few maybes and minor positives, this article by the BBC clearly leans towards the conclusion that Brexit has had a significantly negative impact on the UK economy. No wonder Leave supporters distrust its neutrality. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64450882 “What impact has Brexit had on the UK economy?” Quotations from the BBC’s report are in black, italic … More Is the Beeb Biased?
In one month, three years will have passed since the UK finally left the European Union yet still many experts (plus media and social media commentators) bombard us with distorted facts and figures. Economics is rife with this behaviour, although science itself is not immune. Ask a rocket scientist how long it would take to … More It’s Not Rocket Science (It’s Only Economics)
The EU Observer (https://euobserver.com) has two recent articles on this theme. We quote extensively from the two articles, rather than repeat points we have made earlier in our linked posts. The first article (https://euobserver.com/opinion/156549) is by Emily O’Reilly, the European Ombudsman, who is responsible for investigation maladministration within the EU institutions, and is headed “How … More Corruption – Again?
The world is scarcely ‘at one’ today; we are referring to the BBC Radio 4 programme at 1pm on Monday, 4th July where the lead news item was that Keir Starmer, Labour’s leader, was about to announce that his party will not be working towards rejoining the EU, the Customs Union or the Single market. … More The World at One
We have been writing about the faults and failings of the European Union since before the Brexit referendum, for more than six years now. Meanwhile Covid and Ukraine have preoccupied the Government and masked the overall effects of leaving the EU. Is there anything more to say at present? Brexit got ‘done’, except for resolving … More What More Is There To Say?
The founding principle of the European Union was as ‘a project for peace’ in Europe, and yet there is war. How relevant is the EU to peace? Here are three approaches to ensuring peace between nations. ‘If you want peace, prepare for war.‘ This is not the EU’s preferred maxim, understandably so in Germany’s case, … More The Project for Peace
Whilst it is not clear what the EU means by ‘European Values’ a major stated value of the Union is that itself and all member states are genuinely democratic. In practice this requirement is usually trumped by an even higher ‘value’ – full union. The EUObserver has an update on the ‘cases’ of the EU … More Valuing Democracy
This EU Won't Work 