I’ve been planning a long piece on this for months, but haven’t quite found the time. This isn’t that piece, but it is a start – a trailer, if you will… Continue reading
April 18, 2008
by Nosemonkey
57 Comments
Category Archives: EU
April 8, 2008
by Nosemonkey
12 Comments
Vaclav Havel for EU president?
In amongst some otherwise predictable poll findings, Cold War hero and former Czech president Vaclav Havel gets a brief mention. It’s the first time I can recall his name cropping up in relation to the job – but God damn, … Continue reading
March 27, 2008
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Has Sarkozy screwed Gordon?
Has Sarkozy screwed Gordon?
The Brown/Sarko press conference following the latter’s state visit to the UK is going on as I type. There’s been a lot of “one night stand” rhetoric in response to a question from the BBC’s Nick Robinson (along the lines … Continue reading
March 14, 2008
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
Two nutty anti-EU myths dispelled in one day
Myth 1: The EU blindly supports the climate change lobby (Oh noes! Teh Brussels bureaucrats am all Greenpeace activists!) Erm: EU dismisses Brown green VAT plan “Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s plan to slash VAT on environmentally-friendly goods has been given … Continue reading
March 11, 2008
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
EU reform: Impossible, a superstate, or multi-tier?
A perennial eurosceptic claim is that the EU is incapable of reform. So, what are the chances of real change? Continue reading
March 7, 2008
by Nosemonkey
31 Comments
EU blog directory
I’ve been in this game on and off for the last five years, and the world of EU blogging has changed rather a lot in that time. So, who are the players? Continue reading
March 6, 2008
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on All your EU news and blog RSS needs covered
All your EU news and blog RSS needs covered
Here you go – a handy compilation of RSS feeds of various EU news sites and blogs, courtesy of yours truly. It’s rather a work in progress – as you can see from the subject and country/region tabs, yet to … Continue reading
March 5, 2008
by Nosemonkey
20 Comments
Cameron, the Tories’ confusing EU politics, and a chance for reform
With the Commons voting on an EU referendum today, what is Cameron’s real EU gameplan? Continue reading
February 29, 2008
by Nosemonkey
15 Comments
The state of EU debate
When it comes to the EU, rational discourse seems impossible. Neither the pro- or the anti- camps are happy with this, but is there really any solution? Continue reading
February 28, 2008
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
“Underestimating Europe’s power is a mistake”
Just stumbled across an intriguing article in The Moscow Times (reprinted from the rather good Project Syndicate) by leading American international relations theorist (and former Carter and Clinton administration wonk) Joseph S Nye – intriguing because it’s a rare example … Continue reading
February 27, 2008
by Nosemonkey
7 Comments
EU-apathy
The lack of outrage over the lack of a referendum on the new EU treaty may be annoying the eurosceptics, but it should come as no surprise… Continue reading
February 22, 2008
by Nosemonkey
7 Comments
In defence of MEPs
Yes, I’ve been slagging them off a lot over the last couple of days – but there are always two sides to everything. Jon Worth makes a lot of sensible points about the current expenses scandal: MEPs get the same … Continue reading
February 22, 2008
by Nosemonkey
10 Comments
Erm, you remember that democracy thing?
Well, according to the European Parliament it can go jump in a lake. Because they’ve voted not to respect the result of the Irish referendum (constitutionally required, lest we forget) on the Lisbon Treaty. What we effectively have here is … Continue reading
February 21, 2008
by Nosemonkey
6 Comments
On free speech in the European Parliament
Quick question: why is there so little condemnation from the pro-EU camp of the European Parliament’s recent actions in trying to stifle eurosceptic proponents of referenda on the Lisbon Treaty? To redress the balance: I’m pro-EU and I’m anti-referendum – … Continue reading