Jean Monnet, one of the fathers of the Union, had a vision of a unified Europe, probably a federal one. For Monnet, Europe was an ongoing process, a “work in progress”, aiming to create the best possible future for our children and grand-children. We must be honest, and admit that certain member states are not economically […]
Democracy
Theresa May Is Undermining Citizens’ Rights
During her recent visit to China, Theresa May has trampled on EU citizens’ rights, as well as evading the question of human rights in China. She has hardly the time to recover from jet-lag, before playing host to Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, world champion in human rights. Does Theresa May really believe in […]
British Citizens Fight For EU Rights In The Netherlands
A group of British citizens, living in the Netherlands, has launched a court case, in an attempt to preserve their rights as EU citizens, post-Brexit. They feel that some of these rights will be lost, after Brexit, and hope that their case will be heard by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Don’t get me wrong. I […]
Brexit Musings (13) – Don’t Panic, Mr Farage, The UK Is Leaving
The Leave side is in danger of not even making the argument. – Nigel Farage Nigel Farage is in a state of panic – big time. You know the feeling, I’m sure. You just know that something is going to go incredibly wrong in your life. Remember that summer, when you were having a romantic time […]
Play It Again, Nigel – The UK’s Second Referendum?
Nigel Farage, former Ukip leader and Brexitmania guru, seems very confident that a second referendum would lead to a massive vote in favour of the UK leaving the EU. I think if we had a second referendum on EU membership we’d kill it off for a generation. The percentage that would vote to leave next time […]
Brexit Musings (12) – “Fool Britannia”
I thought that I could peacefully finish the day, away from Brexit and Facebook, when I accidentally came across the following tweet from a leader of a Western democracy whose shoulders are probably hurting from the weight of responsibility that they carry. The tweet is so full of self-contemplation, disregard for others (bordering on contempt), […]
Brexit Musings (7) : Sparks and Larks in the City of Westminster
When I was a child, I used to cry my eyes out on Bonfire night. I was terrified of fireworks and had to stay inside and watch behind the safety of a closed window. For those of you who may not be familiar with this, Bonfire night or Guy Fawkes night, is celebrated in the […]
Cataluña Mi Amor – Catalonia’s Romantic Revolution
The Catalonian saga makes Brexit look positively boring and predictable. To begin with, an illegal referendum is so much more exciting and romantic than a legal one, even if the Brexit referendum was flawed. The Brits – bless them – are so fair-play, sticking to the rule book. In triggering Article 50, like all good […]
“Adios…Catalonia?”
(image: barcelonaconnect.com) It seems like a rotten sequel to an already very bad film. If you thought “Brexitmania” was bad, now we have the very latest cheap remake on a theme that is well past its “sell by” date. In deciding to go it alone, Catalonia has done exactly what the UK did, on 23rd […]
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How Much Is That DUPpy In The Window? – The Dutch Want One Too
Even from this side of the North Sea, it’s pretty obvious that, after the elections, Theresa May bought herself and her party 10 Democratic Union Party votes, costing 150 million quid a piece, in order to survive the Queen’s speech and get “back to work”. The question that must now be asked is if Theresa […]