Britain hit by harsh political and economic storms
It is alone in a world in which the rules-based global order of the last half-century is set to be replaced by dog-eat-dog, survival of the fittest, beggar-thy-neighbour trade policy chaos, writes…
European Union
Complex issues turned into simple slogans have worked – until now
This political reality is already apparent in polls that show some of the steady gains by right-wing populist parties have stalled or are in reverse, writes Geoff Kitney. The rise of right-wing…
Tangle Trade Talk: when economic viability is at stake
The UK needs to develop a clear economic framework for the post-Brexit era before even thinking about who they could have as negotiating partners, reports Geoff Kitney. The first step towards a…
Opération Séduction: a week in the life of the President
Emmanuel Macron continues to surf the wave that swept him to power in the French presidential election in 2017. John Egan reviews a week in which his engagements with the global elite…
Brexit’s international cheer squad loses its voice
Geoff Kitney explains why UK voters have good reason to be anxious about the long-term consequences of the Brexit vote. Brexit’s international cheer squad appears to have fallen silent. The thinning of…
Lesson 1: No nation makes deals based on compassion
Potential trade partners see a weak negotiating partner so desperately in need of markets to replace the EU that the UK will have little choice but to make concessions favouring other parties,…
Brexit – how they conspire to confuse
There is no way the EU in its present mood of disenchantment with the UK will give us a break. Why would it, asks Murray Ritchie. So there we have it. We…
When regulation is not a dirty word
In a week of political brinkmanship regulations have become a thorny subject, but aligning regulations is a practical way to make relationships work, as is eminently demonstrated in healthcare, John Egan writes….
The rise of the Little People – the EU’s challenge
Determined to deal directly and only with state capitals, the EU has always kept the regions at arm’s length, writes Murray Ritchie. All across the European Union the “little people” are asserting…
Universities fight McCarthyite witch hunt
A Conservative MP stands accused of compiling a ‘hit list’ of university professors who teach Brexit courses, reports Aban Contractor. Theresa May’s Government was today forced to defend the independence of the…