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The European Debate: The Need for Open Discussion
Last Saturday, with light snow drifting across the Oxfordshire Golf Course near Thame, more than 80 Conservative Party Members from across the South-East region gathered to participate in a seminar on...
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Digital Business First Launch!
Around 100 leading business and political figures gathered in London last Wednesday to participate in a conference organised by the Digital Policy Alliance and the European Internet Foundation on...
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The European Parliament: Does It Matter?
At times over the past few decades, there have been moments where I stand in disbelief at the difference between perception and reality, between what normally rational people might dream and what is...
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Will the Euro survive?
About this time last year, I wrote a blog entitled “The Euro: Beware! Construction underway“. I return to this theme today, aware that local elections in Britain have just taken place, no doubt with a...
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40 Years in the European Union: the next steps?
This year marks the 40th year of Britain’s membership in the European Union…an anniversary shared with Ireland and Denmark. At a well-attended event to mark this historical milestone, the European...
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What do the Polls tell us about the state of the European Union?
In recent months, as the economic crisis in the European Union has continued unabated, there have been frequent references to how unpopular the EU is becoming in certain countries. The need for reform...
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The global race: better inside the EU than out
In the past few months, I have written a few blogs on the global race. I now return to this theme as there are still a considerable number of those involved in British politics who think that, once out...
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Transatlantic Partnership: the breezes are picking up
Last week, I discussed the belief sometimes raised in Conservative Party circles that the UK will be much better off outside the European Union to deal with the global race. I believe that ongoing...
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Red Lines for Pro-Europeans in the Conservative Party
When I was first elected to the European Parliament in June 1984, the world was a very different place, as indeed was the Conservative Party. This was a time when, responding to a positive British...
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Referendum Ahead: Major Issues Involved
Last week’s blog provoked the largest reaction to any blog that I have ever written. I have posted all the comments made so that they can be judged on their merits. This week’s blog is to measure their...
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Reasons for German Success: Lessons to be learnt
Something extraordinary has been happening in Germany over the past decade. At a time of austerity across Europe and strained Public Budgets, Germany is now in a position of growth with the lowest...
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Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership: The Real Deal
This week has seen the opening of formal talks to negotiate a Trade and Investment Partnership agreement between the EU and the US. Arguments against the agreement have been forcibly presented, some...
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Renaissance of Transatlantic Relations on the way:
This last blog before the summer recess will continue on from the last one, looking at the Transatlantic dimension and see where this is likely to take us. This is not a theme with which the Tory...
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European Union: a more optimistic view takes hold
As the European Parliament reconvenes after the summer recess, thoughts are now turning to the agenda ahead before the European elections in May next year. Apart from the serious ramifications of the...
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European Union: looking ahead towards the European elections in May 2014
Last week, I commented that a more optimistic view is taking hold amongst European leaders. Although trouble spots undoubtedly remain, the economic and financial situation of the EU and the Eurozone...
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The German election results: where to now?
Previous blogs this month have focused on the changing nature of the economic and political climate within the European Union in the run up to the next European elections in May 2014. One key element...
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EU/US relations: never lose sight of longer-term goals…
Agencies all over the US have been closing down this week, affecting, inter alia, the Department of Transport, Energy, Defense and Trade. This is due to the decision of the US Congress to withhold...
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ESPAS: Broadening support for its objectives
It has been some time since I have given an update on the progress of ESPAS. The European Strategy and Policy analysis system (see blog of 22 Feb 2013), reporting on the annual conference entitled...
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Hard Times: The Business case for Europe
From current reports, the economy is on its way out of the doldrums, but there remains a lot to do. As of today, Britain carries a large deficit and debt is growing. The Independent Office for Budget...
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Great Expectations: Time to Lower Them…
As the European Council meets in Brussels to discuss the Digital Economy, the pace quickens in moves to make the European Union more competitive. A large article in the Financial Times this week,...
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