June 6, 2007
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
In lieu of inspiration I’ve been reading a few precursors to bloggers to try and get the creative juices flowing. As such, pertinent find from Dr Johnson’s Rambler (No.3, June 5th 1750): It is… quickly discoverable, that consultation and compliance … Continue reading
May 23, 2007
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on The UK’s current EU policy: nonexistent
A revealing interview with Geoff Hoon in Le Figaro (in English) has confirmed something I’ve suspected for quite a while now – the UK simply does not have an EU policy. Hoon, following his poor showing with the Defence portfolio … Continue reading
May 14, 2007
by Nosemonkey
6 Comments
You see, the thing about the EU is that it’s first and foremost supposed to promote and facilitate free trade. Of course, as not every country in the world is a member of the EU, what it’s ended up being … Continue reading
May 9, 2007
by Nosemonkey
10 Comments
Well THERE’s a surprise – the European Commission has announced that the Imperial system of weights and measures can continue to be used indefinitely. This was always going to be the outcome – though it would have been nicer if … Continue reading
April 23, 2007
by Nosemonkey
20 Comments
One of my most unrelenting (and occasionally nutty) eurosceptic visitors popped up the other day reckoning that I must hate St George’s Day because I’m pro-EU (yes, he’s one of those who rarely reads/understands what I write, so has me … Continue reading
January 3, 2007
by Nosemonkey
13 Comments
Even with the reduced readership brought by the recent switch to a new address, two largely contradictory posts on the [tag]EU[/tag] within the space of a few days have caused some concern. Personally, I’d have called them cynical and idealistic … Continue reading
November 28, 2006
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
Everyone’s focussing on the collapse of the talks about Turkish entry (Guardian, Independent, Times, Financial Times, Le Monde (in French), Le Figaro (in French), EU Observer, Deutsche Welle (German press review – in English), EurActiv) – but, let’s face it, … Continue reading
November 24, 2006
by Nosemonkey
11 Comments
He really just doesn’t get it, does he? “A new contract between the state and the citizen setting out what individuals must do in return for quality services from hospitals, schools and the police is one of the key proposals … Continue reading
August 24, 2006
by Nosemonkey
18 Comments
Finally, an admission from the government, in Ruth Kelly’s speech launching Britain’s own Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Commission on Integration and Cohesion: “Muslims feel the reverberations from the Middle East. Wider global trends have an impact.” So despite all … Continue reading
August 10, 2006
by Nosemonkey
52 Comments
Yesterday: Major terrorism policy announcement by Home Secretary John Reid Today: A ‘plot to blow up planes’ is apparently foiled, and Heathrow airport shut down. And my first reaction? Utter disbelief and a sigh of resignation. They’ve simply cried wolf … Continue reading
June 15, 2006
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
Our dear national leaders are meeting today in the Belgian capital to discuss the little problem of the EU no longer having tedious little things like “a purpose”, “a direction”, or “a viable way of continuing to function for more … Continue reading
June 1, 2006
by Nosemonkey
19 Comments
It has been a full year since the rejection of the EU constitution by France (29th May) and the Netherlands (1st June) – and still the European “political elites” (their phrase, not mine) can seemingly agree on only one thing: … Continue reading
May 15, 2006
by Nosemonkey
6 Comments
The way the British system works is that the legislature makes the laws, and the judiciary then applies them. If, as head of the executive (and therefore the person responsible for ensuring that new laws that pass through the legislature … Continue reading
March 2, 2006
by Nosemonkey
8 Comments
Piss off, chum – if you hadn’t done such a half-arsed job of drawing up a draft constitution for the EU we wouldn’t be in this mess. Yep, the chap who headed up the Convention on the Future of Europe … Continue reading