Reading Time: 6 minutes Some time ago I wrote a post entitled, “Democracy menaced by…democracy,” concerning what I believe are the dangers of holding a referendum in a parliamentary democracy. With March 29th 2019 fast approaching, and an EU/UK deal far from being certain, the demand for a second referendum – the people’s vote – is gaining momentum, and […]
Brexit Negotiations
Brexit Musings (30) – Never Read The Morning Newspaper Before Breakfast
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s just so tough getting up, in the morning. One thing I never do before, during, or straight after breakfast, is take a glance at newspaper headlines on my tablet. That would really put me in a bad mood. The EU leaders who assembled in the beautiful Austrian town of Salzburg, should have done the same. […]
When Progressive Rock Meets Progressive Politics
Reading Time: 7 minutes As we made our way to the concert hall, not a single one of us under the age of 55, I didn’t really know what to expect from a progressive rock band that I last saw at the Hammersmith Odeon, in 1981. Progressive rock is rather like progressive politics. It’s complicated, sometimes pretentious, and even […]
Brexit Musings (28) – “There’s No Deal Like No-Deal!”
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s not only the heavens that run out of water, in the summer, the Brexit negotiations also seem to be running dry. At least with the heavens, we can hope for rain. For the Brexit deal, it seems that the best that the Brexiteers will get is two doses of “nothing at all.” Why two […]
Yes, Prime Minister – Jacob Rees-Mogg: Clown Fish Or Great White Shark?
Reading Time: 5 minutes Jacob Rees-Mogg’s comments on just about everything – from the inevitable Brexit, his hatred of anything remotely gay, to the acceptance of adultery – contain an acrid mix of intellect and populism. In contrast to Donald Trump, whose lack of knowledge concerning so many world matters, makes him hard to be taken seriously, Rees-Mogg mixes […]
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Is EU Citizenship Meaningless? – The Dutch Seem To Think So
Reading Time: 4 minutes Last January, a short adaptation of one of my blog posts concerning citizens’ rights after Brexit, was published in the Dutch national newspaper, “Trouw.” I pointed out the problems facing British citizens who will still be living and working in the EU-27 after Brexit. In particular, I stressed the dangers of the upcoming bureaucracy, and the […]
Brexit Musings (27) – Love Island: A Glimmer Of Hope For Remainers
Reading Time: 4 minutes He stole a kiss on a rock, overlooking the still ocean. A silhouette of love, a shadow of feelings. And as the sun disappeared over their new horizon, they were encompassed by the warm glow of dusk. He took her closer and whispered tenderly, “You know, my love. You know that this could never have […]
Anyone For Brexit? Theresa May Is Running Out Of Partners
Reading Time: 6 minutes Friday 6th July will go down in the history books as the day we finally got to know what “Brexit means Brexit” actually means, if you know what I mean. This is the day when Theresa May told the UK and the world at large, her “collective position for the future of our negotiations.” Two years […]
Brexit Musings (23) – “La Maison De Monsieur Lawson”
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s nearly two years since the UK Referendum on EU membership, and I’m not going to moan about it, like a lot of people will do, to mark the second anniversary of the Brexit vote. Others will do it much better than me. Such a shame though, the Brexit vote, but what is done, is […]
Going Dutch – Citizenship And Freedom Of Movement
Reading Time: 5 minutes Freedom has a price. Most people aren’t willing to pay it. – Jack Kevorkian (American activist) The government’s recent decision to sharply increase the cost of giving up British citizenship represents a new low point in the Brexit saga. Just as you thought that the UK government couldn’t get any more cynical in its treatment […]