A little over a decade ago, the rage amongst economists was predicting the impact of the launch of the euro. I remember a study came across my desk predicting a slump in world nickel prices because euro-coins contained no nickel in case it irritated the sensitive skins of Finns. Another favourite report was that the […]
It is astonishing that the European Commission is responding to the European sovereign debt crisis by proposing to regulate credit rating agencies. Its proposals, leaked in Brussels, include silencing the rating agencies – such as Standard & Poor and Moody’s – in exceptional circumstances. I don’t think those circumstances will include those where the rating […]
If you chose not to take part in a debate, you can’t complain when it doesn’t go your way. It is the reason why I have long urged those who believe in science, aspiration, markets and modernity to engage in environment debates, otherwise they will be won by default by those who don’t believe in […]
The current immigration furore is an unwelcome return to the sort of headlines we came to expect under Labour, and had been largely avoided until now by the Coalition government (and it will clearly push immigration up the political agenda). Debate will clearly rumble on about the details, but there is one aspect that no […]
It is easy politics for Ed (or as the Independent calls him, David) Miliband to launch a new front in the class war against David Cameron, who he said is only interested in looking after the top 1%, and didn’t have “fairness” in his DNA. As Tim Montgomerie pointed out, that is in itself unfair […]
Well, we will get to enjoy watching a European referendum after all, even if it is not us who get to vote. The only new thing about the contempt poured on the Greek referendum proposal by European leaders is that are not bothering to conceal it; when I worked in Brussels, the contempt for referendums […]
Moving the clocks forward an hour to align our timezone with Europe would benefit all parts of the UK. It would be good for Scotland – but the Scottish government will oppose it (working against the interests not just of UK citizens, but of Scottish ones). It is a classic example of a good policy […]
It is ironic beyond belief that Angela Merkel has raised the prospect of a return to war in Europe if the euro – the EU's grandest projet – fails. Traditionally, over the last half century, European leaders have said not having 'more Europe' will lead to a return to us killing eachother. When Brussels correspondent […]
The bear went behind a tree in the woods. The Pope said the catechism. And the Europe issue exploded amidst the parliamentary Conservative Party. It was a big rebellion, tempers were frayed, two MPs resigned government positions and one MP fainted. But (and I hope you are seated comfortably) the Tory party is actually fare […]
Whatever the arguments for and against holding a referendum (of any sort) on Europe, there is one point made by europhiles that cannot be left unopposed. It has been said repeatedly that now is not the time to have a referendum because Europe is in crisis - it would just be unfair of us taking advantage of it, like […]
“Fog in Channel – Europe cut off” is the old joke headline, but the fact we laugh in self-recognition is very telling. As a country we like nothing better than being able to ignore what is happening in Europe, but there are times when we simply can’t. This is one of them. The Economist magazine […]
This might be wishful thinking on my part – and it certainly goes against a recent opinion poll in the Sun newspaper – but the temperature on the immigration issue appears to be cooling. There is noticeably less news on it, the articles are less alarmist and more managerial, the tone of pundits is less […]
I must admit, even as a former political journalist, I find all this Fox hunting a bit of journalistic hyper-ventilation. It is like a pack of dogs chasing prey just because the prey is running. Clearly, mistakes were made, and boundaries blurred, but (at the time of writing) there is no smoking gun. Indeed, hardly […]
Despite the wishes of the party leadership, the issue of Europe refuses to go away. It is a drama in the wings which keeps forcing itself into the foreground; background music that keeps drowning out the conversation. Fears that the issue would derail the Conservative conference fortunately failed to materialise (it was a successfully uneventful […]
It is good news that Jeremy Heywood is to succeed Gus O’Donnell as Cabinet Secretary – and a good indication that reformist momentum will be maintained. As permanent secretary at Number 10, he has been very effective at making sure that the Prime Minister’s wishes are carried out across Whitehall. He is a deft hand […]