The West has been in denial about Syria in many, many ways since the civil war there kicked off in the spring of 2011. In denial about its reasonable proximity, preferring to think of the conflict as being something happening far away, with no impact on Europe; in denial about the idea that because the […]
What Cameron closing in on the four year deal means
So after a week of dark clouds emerging from the Number 10 press office regarding Cameron’s ability to get the renegotiation deal he wants fully signed off at the summit to be held on February 18 and 19th, in order to facilitate a June referendum, suddenly this morning we got some good news on that […]
Are the EU Leave campaigns in real trouble?
There was a story in the Times this morning regarding Bernard Jenkins, a board member of Vote Leave, trying to oust its two main employees, Matthew Elliot and Dominic Cummings. This is pretty nuclear stuff given these are the two guys who have essentially run the campaign since its inception, and the man trying to […]
Are UKIP right in saying that BME voters could swing the EU referendum for the Leavers?
Steve Woolfe, a UKIP MEP who has that particular party’s migration spokesperson role (which is the UKIP equivalent of getting shadow chancellor), said at an event yesterday that: “EU freedom of movement has led to unsustainable levels of European migration to Britain. A major consequence is that in trying to reduce net migration, the government has discriminated […]
What line will the various members of the right of centre press take on the EU referendum?
This seems like a simple question to answer for some of you: they don’t like the European Union, never have, so of course the right of centre press is going to stick to its guns and try and chide the British public into voting to leave the EU in what may be its only chance […]
Bulletin: Dan Hannan may actually have a point here about Europe
There was an article in the Spectator late last week, authored by Dan Hannan, regarding what Brexit looks like as he sees it. I was excited – this is usually a topic the Eurosceptics run a mile from. And the piece was truly revealing. Hannan says that those campaigning for Britain to remain in the […]
My bizarre experience with Russia Today
Sitting in the office yesterday afternoon, the phone rings. None of the guys are around so I pick it up. Someone with a very heavy accent on the other end asks for me by name. “Speaking.” “Oh. I was wondering if you’d like to be on our TV programme today.” “Which channel?” I thought she […]
Why Cameron allowing cabinet members to go either way on the EU was a smart move – in truth, few will likely campaign to leave
Much has been said about David Cameron suspending collective cabinet responsibility in regards to campaigning to leave the European Union. Some have decried this move as some sort of weakness or betrayal (even though it has been clear for some time this was precisely what he was always going to do, and all previous examples […]
The odds of these things happening in 2016
After 2015 produced unpredictability on an epic scale, making guesses at what will happen this year has become tricky sport. So instead I have decided to look at a few possible 2016 events and gauge their likelihood. Wish me luck: 1. Corbyn ending this year on the backbenches There has been bold crystal ball gazing […]
My back pages: reflections on Hungary, Britain, liberal democracy and the European Union
The following is an original draft of an essay I did for the European Liberal Forum book, “Member State Violation Against Democratic Principles – What Can the EU Do?”, detailing my experiences in Budapest in the summer of 2015. As 2016 commences, I thought I might share it with you. In June of 2015, I […]