February 5, 2009
by Nosemonkey
6 Comments
Interesting analysis from European Voice today: Some members of the European Monetary Union (EMU) – Ireland and Greece obviously, and Italy, too – are discovering that what the International Monetary Fund (IMF) adjudges a global recession is cruelly exposing their … Continue reading
October 3, 2008
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
Here she is – Baroness Ashton. Never heard of her? Neither’s pretty much anyone else. I think that’s part of the point. Continue reading
November 16, 2007
by Nosemonkey
7 Comments
Well, he may have ignored it for months, but now it’s finally taking shape – although it hardly seems to be overly well thought-out. So, was Foreign Secretary David Miliband’s choice of Bruges to deliver his first EU policy speech … Continue reading
October 6, 2007
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
Not ruling out an election sooner. This insane hyperbole (“humiliating retreat”? “cling to office”? “extraordinary indecision and extraordinary weakness”? You what?) shows just how worried the Tories still are. Yes, Cameron made a storming speech at the conference the other … Continue reading
July 18, 2007
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
What with the ongoing spat with Russia (hyped out of all proportion, I reckon, and hope I’m not proved wrong), the fact that our dear new Prime Minister has made his first overseas jaunt while in office seems to have … Continue reading
June 29, 2007
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Business as usual
– Foiled terrorist attack – Public service sector strike – Prisoners released early – People overreacting to one-off events by calling for wholesale reform – Left-wingers feeling alienated – Tories making futile noises they know will have no effect – … Continue reading
June 28, 2007
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
Update note: It’s entirely possible that there should be a question-mark in the headline to this post. He’s not stupid enough to have made this move without thinking it through, but I can’t for the life of me work out … Continue reading
June 28, 2007
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
Because, you see, in The Wizard of Oz, they all head off to the Emerald city in the expectation that the Wizard will be the answer to all their ills, only for him to be revealed as little more than … 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
February 27, 2007
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
On Sunday, the News of the World claimed that Tony Blair has already decided to ratify the EU constitution – with or without the support of either the public or his party (let alone his heir, Gordon Brown). Today, the … Continue reading
February 13, 2007
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
OK, so what have I missed while I’ve been busy? The Centre For European Reform blog has been discussing the failure of the EU constitution and the need for a new kind of “pro-Europeanism”, in relation to that “Europe’s Story” … Continue reading
November 21, 2006
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
Yes kids, that’s right! It’s the most exciting day of the year – EU budget day! Weeeeeeeeeee! If you really, really must, EU Politix have a nice (mercifully short) summary of the usual potential issues – notably the spat between … Continue reading
July 17, 2006
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
One of the perennial problems for an aspiring UK Prime Minister is the need to juggle domestic popularity with workable international relationships – especially with our EU partners. Because if you’re seen to suck up too much to the French … Continue reading
July 6, 2006
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
Had I gone to some press junket as I was supposed to, rather than head home to watch the France/Portugal game (fairly tedious), I would have been within easy assassination distance of Margaret Thatcher last night. I have failed in … Continue reading