I’m trying to understand, and have an interest in, a European phenomenon that has withstood the test of time, in a similar fashion to the iconic Doctor Who, but one that I have no understanding of, or interest in, at all. And, before all you unconditional Europhiles take a pick at me on Facebook, let […]
European ideals
May 1968 – I Love Paris In The Springtime
It may not have escaped your notice that this month marks the 50th anniversary of the riots that took Paris by the scruff of the neck. The widespread violence, of May 1968, resulted in… well not much, apart from transforming Parisian little brats, dependent on their parents’ money into… liberated Parisian little brats, dependent on […]
Brexit Musings (19) – The Federal Train From Lisbon
The EU is a community of values and a partnership of 27 sovereign member states, that make each other stronger, when a joint approach is needed…The EU is not an unstoppable train speeding towards federalism. – Mark Rutte Just as Theresa May was thanking the heavens for Brexit, in Mansion House, a little known […]
Brexit Musings (17) – Brits In Europe: Status Quo Or Status Gone?
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose, the more it changes, the more it is the same thing. The EU and UK have done it again, and our EU rights, as British citizens living elsewhere in the EU, are close to being officially trampled on. The British fish, swimming in the North Sea, are likely […]
Brexit Is No Longer Divorce – It’s Adultery
The Mansion House speech, delivered by Theresa May, clearly attempted to define what the UK wants out of Brexit. What it did not do, is deliver concrete solutions. If the EU is to abide by its principles, and not sell its soul to a potential bidder, Theresa May should have very little, if anything, to […]
The EU’s Problem Is Not Brexit, It’s Eastern Europe
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 […]
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 […]
David Cameron Has Disrespected The Young
David Cameron’s latest inept remarks about the seriousness of Brexit, remind me of a schoolboy’s minimization of the importance of the bad mark he just obtained in history, thinking that the subject is not important. A former UK prime minister, and founder of the “Brexit generation”, Cameron described the Brexit vote as, “a mistake”, and not, […]
Brexit Musings (14): Emmanuel Macron – Jupiter Or Icarus?
He’s quite articulate, isn’t he? – Andrew Marr French president, Emmanuel Macron’s television interview, broadcast on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, was nothing short of impressive. Macron showed a degree of confidence and self-belief, that were quite bewildering – especially if you consider that he was speaking to Andrew Marr, in English. From a linguistic […]
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 […]