Monthly Archives: August 2009

Recently on an American TV show, my good friend and colleague Dan Hannan MEP had the temerity to suggest that the NHS was not the ideal solution to our nation’s healthcare problems — or to America’s.  His statement was demonstrably … Continue reading →

Year after year we get better and better exam results announced, followed by the ritual fisticuffs between those who argue that the standard has been dumbed down, and the other side who say such claims demean the excellent work of … Continue reading →

Sometimes I wish the Conservative Party would get off the fence on Nuclear Energy and face up to the reality, which is that this Labour government will leave us a legacy of energy insecurity, and quite possibly of brown-outs, rolling … Continue reading →

Possibly the biggest climate change ever experienced on earth took place around 700 million years ago.  Temperatures changed by tens of degrees.  There was glaciation close to the Equator.  Sea level dropped by as much as 600 metres, as much … Continue reading →

You can listen to my latest podcasts on my reflections on the “homophobia” debate here, and my views on the recent debate about the NHS here.

Next April, Britain is expected to sign up to the next stage of the European Arrest Warrant (there’s always a next stage with any aspect of European integration).  This is called Schengen Information II.  It will ensure that anyone against … Continue reading →

One of the most gratifying things in politics is to go out on a bit of a limb, and then find that other authoritative commentators are rowing in behind.  In various media interventions, I had sought to reaffirm that the … Continue reading →

If you believe the media, David Cameron supports the NHS, while Dan Hannan has gone out on a limb by criticising it.  But note the logical fallacy.  Note the implicit assumption, which is that if you support something, you should … Continue reading →

Australia’s Senate yesterday rejected the government’s climate-change legislation, forcing Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to amend the bill or call an early election.Senators voted 42 to 30 against the law, which included plans for a carbon trading system similar to one … Continue reading →

A story tucked into the Telegraph Business News (Aug 10th) deserves the widest circulation.  The government’s Renewable Energy Strategy, published last month, gives figures for both the costs and claimed benefits of the plan (of which the largest element is, … Continue reading →

Rather belatedly, I picked up the story of a Labour flyer at the recent Norwich North by-election.  The slogan read “Vote Labour or the fox gets it”, and it argued the case that animal lovers should vote Labour to prevent … Continue reading →

One of the great privileges of being an MEP is the opportunity it provides to promote activities and issues that matter to constituents.  The East Midlands is the heart and soul of English fox-hunting country, with many of the oldest … Continue reading →

Now even the Independent is challenging the nonsense of wind power.  In a report today (August 2nd) they quote the work of American Doctor Nina Pierpont, a leading New York paediatrician, who has conducted extensive research on the symptoms displayed … Continue reading →