Monthly Archives: December 2011

Conservative Party members often write to Europe Minister David Lidington, or to William Hague, or the Prime Minister, to express their concern about our continued membership of the EU.  They are often taken aback by the almost surreally naïve responses … Continue reading →

When I saw Cameron’s latest wheeze to crack down on binge drinking — minimum alcohol pricing — I instinctively hated it.  I hate higher taxes.  I hate the Nanny State.  I hate social engineering.  Of course I know that I … Continue reading →

Cameron and Osborne have a clear line on the eurozone.  While they think the €uro was a misguided venture, and they don’t want to join — ever — the argument goes that a disorderly breakdown of the €uro would be … Continue reading →

I picked up an incoming Tweet this morning from my good friend and colleague Dan Hannan MEP.  It reads: “Denis MacShane told me, didactically, that we sell more to Belgium than Brazil. That, Denis, is precisely our problem.” Dan makes … Continue reading →

The Armenian Genocide (as it is known) took place in 1915, ninety-six years ago.  But the circumstances, and indeed whether it was in fact an act of genocide, remain hotly disputed, and arouse great passions on both sides of the … Continue reading →

A couple of days back I received an e-mail from Jonathan Isaby, formerly a luminary of the Daily Telegraph and Conservative Home, but now with that excellent operation Tax Payers’ Alliance (what a CV — Jonathan is a sound man).  … Continue reading →

I wrote recently about the reported replacement of “Grumpy Old Men” by “New Golden Agers”, and remarked that as a conservative, I felt no urge to stop being a grumpy old man. To justify the appellation, and to add a festive note … Continue reading →

£25 billion from the UK to save the €uro?  That’s what Brussels is asking for.  And our answer?  No way José (Manuel Barroso).  No way Herman (Rumply Pumpy).  No way, Mario (Draghi).  You must be joking. A couple of days … Continue reading →

I was recently listening to an interview with a French journalist on the BBC, and it brought home to me a point I suppose I’d been vaguely aware of.  The French actually believe that the €uro crisis was caused by … Continue reading →

Alex Salmond is a sharp political operator.  For a long time I’ve admired his dexterity, his plausibility, his confidence, his ready wit — and let’s be honest, his uncanny ability to irritate the mainstream politicians. I had the pleasure of … Continue reading →

The great Veto is passing, if not into history, at least into last week, so maybe it’s time to take stock.  It seems to have generated a great number of claims and misconceptions which, when examined, are just not true.  … Continue reading →

Mr. Mark Thompson, Director General, BBC     Dear Mr. Thomas, Thought for the Day, Dec 10th I write to complain about your “Thought for the Day” slot on the Today Programme on December 10th, with the Reverend Rob Marshall, … Continue reading →

My good colleague Martin Callanan MEP (NE) has been elected as Chairman of the ECR Group.  Martin, of course, is a very sound man indeed, and was associated with “The H-Block” in the good old days — Hannan, Heaton-Harris, myself … Continue reading →

It is interesting to try to analyse quite why our European partners — most notably Merkozy — have responded in quite the way they have to Cameron’s historic veto.  Sarkozy’s petulance was hilarious to watch. Boris Johnson (whom I seem … Continue reading →

Boris Johnson says that Cameron played a blinder in Brussels last week, and I agree. But I’m also astonished.  I was becoming increasingly disillusioned with Party and Coalition policy on Europe.  I argued (for example on ConHome, and on my blog) … Continue reading →