A future that must also look to the past
It would be consistent with the nationalistic mood of the times if, whatever the outcome of the election, France seeks to tilt the rear view mirror to see its colonial past in…
Politics
Macron and Le Pen win French presidential first round
To represent the status quo and the existing political establishment tonight proved a toxic cocktail in French politics, writes John Egan in Paris. In tonight’s first round of the French presidential election,…
Whatever happened to “now is not the time”?
If this election is going to be the Brexit election it is also going to be one that could decide the future of the British Union, reports Murray Ritchie from Scotland. So…
Tide of protectionism makes economic life precarious
It is going to be a hard road to haul to achieve the great Britain of Brexit dreams, writes Geoff Kitney. In all the discussion about what sort of Britain will emerge…
Le Grand Debat
With 19 days to go before the first round of the French presidential election, last night a Grand Debat – that lasted almost four hours – was held for all 11 candidates…
Between the Rock and a hard Brexit
Murray Ritchie explains why Scottish nationalists are smiling. Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon could be forgiven if she let out a shout of delight when the Spanish let it be known they…
Today the UK is in a state of consistency
In the week leading up to delivery of the Brexit divorce letter, public opinion in the UK appeared to be a strange mix of short-term pragmatism and long-term pessimism, writes John Egan….
Leadership: France’s chance to restore hope
Geoff Kitney poses the question: could a Macron presidency in France do what the Obama presidency in the US failed to do? France may be about to embrace a political insurgent of…
Energy policy: a case study in political failure
Australia illustrates all that can go wrong with bad planning, poor decision making and putting politics ahead of the national interest, writes Geoff Kitney. It is not only its climate and beaches…
The SNP prepares to back off the EU – for now
Being seen to go cold on the European Union will annoy many in the SNP’s mainstream but Nicola Sturgeon’s personal standing and unchallenged authority should be enough to pacify critics, says Murray…