October 17, 2006
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
The winning logo for next year’s celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome: And in the accompanying story, the killer quote: “The winner was named amid reports that the EU is scaling back celebration plans, fearing public … Continue reading
September 26, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on A new Euromyth…
It’s been a while, but something new from me over at The Sharpener: the snappily-titled A new Euromyth – born from the EU doing its job exactly as it should. (I’ll never make a Sun Sub-editor…)
September 6, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on The UK backs ditching “adequate” data protection
Sounds boring, eh? Especially when you find out that the EU, the most boring institution in the world bar the International Confederation of Accountancy and Algebra, is also involved. However, following earlier outrage from the elected portion of the EU … Continue reading
August 30, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on “Une sorte de maladie de langueur, de fatigue generalisee”
Thus spake France’s Minister for European Affairs, Catherine Colonna, giving her opinion of the state of the EU to the assembled ranks of the French Ambassadorial elite. Packed with (if we’re honest, fairly astute) criticisms of the current way the … Continue reading
August 29, 2006
by Nosemonkey
9 Comments
Colman is spot on about Angela Merkel’s suggestion that God should have a place in any new EU constitution. Merkel contests that “[the constitution] should be connected to Christianity and God, as Christianity has forged Europe in a decisive way” … Continue reading
July 28, 2006
by Nosemonkey
6 Comments
The Department for the Environment, Foor and Rural Affairs (Defra) under Margaret Beckett – now off fixing the Middle East as Condoleeza Rice’s bitch Britain’s Foreign Secretary – has repeatedly cocked up farm subsidy payments through an ongoing mismanagement that … Continue reading
July 20, 2006
by Nosemonkey
9 Comments
I’ve long been convinced that a sizable amount of the anger generated by EU legislation is due more to the British government’s own implementation than the legislation itself. In the UK, we always seem to implement directives and other Brussels-generated … 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
June 19, 2006
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
In case you missed it, final proof that the EU is interminably dull: even Eddie Izzard can’t make it entertaining. (But he does try, bless him…)(Oh and a handy summary of the outcome of last week’s summit – the EU’s … Continue reading
June 17, 2006
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
Weekend reading, shamelessly lifted wholesale from the always superb Political Theory Daily Review – as much to remind me to read them later as anything. (Warning: last few links are to .pdf files): Charles Kupchan, author of The End of … 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 9, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Strasbourg: pointless
Liberation notes that the online petition to end the European Parliament’s pointless moves between Brussels and Strasbourg has now reached over 500,000 signatories (not bad considering the site was only registered on 28th April) – and that EP President Josep … 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