Individualism, patriotism, nationalism?…A spectre of human interpretations of the world around us – each one a potential danger. Maybe I have no sense of patriotism due to my upbringing – loving two cultures and living in a third. However, more importantly, the world I live in is my representation and no-one else’s. For Donald Trump, […]
UK
British and EU Expats – Our EU Citizen Status Remains In The Balance
The European Union has a common mission to extend, enhance and expand rights, not reduce them. We will never endorse their retroactive removal. The European parliament will reserve its right to reject any agreement that treats EU citizens, regardless of their nationality, less favourably than they are at present. This is a question of the […]
Brexit Musings (II) – Whistle While You Work
Welcome to Brexit Musings – part II. Last week, the Brexit boys and girls stayed at home. 12th July Boris Johnson has an uncanny knack of coming out with great statements. Some time ago, in one of his more sober moments, he remarked My chances of being PM are about as good as the chances […]
Brexit Musings 1 : “I’ve Started, So I’ll Finish”
Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, the Brexit negotiations are finally upon us. And this is where I get really busy because from now on, I’m going to follow what happens in Brussels very closely. Not surprising, because I’m one of those bargaining chips up for grabs – or, at least my UK qualification […]
Brexit And EU Nationals (II) – The UK’s Proposals
For over a year, Theresa May has prided herself in refusing to reassure EU nationals about the impact of Brexit on their personal lives, until the Brexit negotiations had started, and the EU had given similar reassurances concerning UK nationals in the EU. It must be said that she has kept to her word, and […]
Brexit And EU Nationals (I) – The European Council’s Proposals
The prospective deal that Theresa May offers EU citizens already living in the UK, is a minimalist view on an ideal world for EU nationals. Once again, she has failed to make a connection with ordinary people, this time with genuinely worried EU expats in the UK, and British expats living in the EU. Her […]
Article 50: “Je T’Aime, Moi Non Plus” (I Love You, Me Neither)
A year after the Brexit vote, the long negotiations between the UK and the EU have begun. Having been deeply saddened by the referendum result and the UK’s triggering of Article 50, I now ask myself if the UK has ever been a true EU member and has European ideals. It is now clear that […]
UK Election: “And The Winner Is…Democracy.”
By calling a snap general election, Theresa May took a gamble and failed miserably. From having a small majority in the last parliament and a 20-point lead in the opinion polls, she has ended up with neither. On hearing the news, on Friday morning, I got out of bed with a spring in my step. […]
Taming The (Lone) Wolves
Saturday’s London terrorist attack affects us all deeply, whether we were directly involved, or watching it from a distance. I feel particularly saddened by the attack because it took place in a part of London that I’m so familiar with, having qualified at Guy’s Hospital, all those years ago. The attack is just the latest […]
Why You Should All Vote For Jeremy Corbyn
Plato And Jeremy Corbyn: “Whose Idea Was This Anyway?” With the June election rapidly approaching, I’m going to dedicate a post to the current leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn. I know that my views don’t matter one iota, and, what’s more, I cannot even vote. Well, that should make you listen […]