Monthly Archives: November 2007

A Disheartening Tale

Posted on November 28, 2007 by

At a lunch today sponsored by the EuroCommerce Business Group, and organised by my good colleague Philip Bushill-Matthews MEP, I heard Commission Director Xavier Prats Monné (sic), of the Unemployment Directorate, announce that “Flexicurity” will be the main theme of  … Continue reading →

Posted in Flexicurity | 2 Comments

What you need to know about the Renamed EU Constitution

Posted on November 27, 2007 by

Flying to Brussels this month, I sat next to an industrial psychologist on her way to Barcelona.  We fell into conversation, and she remarked that the Lisbon Treaty (a.k.a. the Renamed Constitution) was too difficult for the average punter to … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitution | 2 Comments

Scared to Death

Posted on November 27, 2007 by

The last twenty years have seen a succession of media scare stories, which have all followed a remarkably similar trajectory.  They start with a scientific fact, or observation, or conjecture.  They are picked up by the media, whose job is … Continue reading →

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EU enlargement: good or bad?

Posted on November 22, 2007 by

A constituent recently wrote to me about EU enlargement, expressing concern about new accession states with porous borders to the East and South.  I replied as follows:   Good question about dodgy accession states.  The Conservative Party is pro-enlargement, on … Continue reading →

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Letter I’ve sent to the Daily Telegraph’s Environment Editor Charles Clover

Posted on November 21, 2007 by

Dear Charles,   I was surprised to read in your piece in the DT yesterday that “no politician from a British party would side with the flat earthers” (in your charming phrase) in the climate debate.  I am afraid you … Continue reading →

Posted in Telegraph | 3 Comments

EU Fisheries disaster

Posted on November 21, 2007 by

Today the press have picked up on the story about how much fish is being wasted due to rules making fisherman throw their catch back once they have landed it, even though the fish have died. I took the time … Continue reading →

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EU Emissions Trading: Building on failure

Posted on November 21, 2007 by

The EU is proposing to extend its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to the aviation industry.  Below is a recent piece I have just written for an aviation magazine which I thought I would share here on the blog:- There are … Continue reading →

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Bali: Building on Failure

Posted on November 14, 2007 by

Sir William Herschel was an 18th century astronomer famous for discovering Uranus.  In 1782 he was honoured by the title “The King’s Astronomer”.  Yet he made one observation that brought ridicule on his head.  Studying the pattern of sunspots over … Continue reading →

Posted in Bali | 3 Comments

Identity cards and Nick Clegg

Posted on November 13, 2007 by

Nick Clegg MP, the Lib-Dem leadership hopeful, has announced that he would refuse to own and carry an ID card, and would if necessary go to jail rather than do so.  Nick of course was an MEP from 1999 to … Continue reading →

Posted in Nick Clegg | 4 Comments

Myself, David Cameron, and Emma McClarkin at the recent Conservative Party Race DAY

Posted on November 10, 2007 by
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Corporatism: a huge threat to democracy

Posted on November 9, 2007 by

I have just attended the European Parliament’s “Agora” in Brussels, Nov 8th/9th.  “Agora” is Greek for a market place or forum for public debate, and is the pretentious title adopted by the parliament for its “civil society debate” on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Corporatism | 1 Comment

Clear and Present Danger – The EU threatens motoring as we know it

Posted on November 9, 2007 by

A new proposal from the EU represents a clear threat to motoring as we know it.  It seeks to reduce the average emissions of CO2 across each manufacturer’s range to 120 gms/km.  And it wants to do it by 2012.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Motoring | 7 Comments

EU Debate “Defies Democracy”

Posted on November 8, 2007 by

A copy of a press release I’ve issued today  An MEP has attacked a debate taking place today and tomorrow in Brussels as “a charade” and “defiance of democracy”.   Styled an “Agora” (a Greek word meaning market-place or forum … Continue reading →

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Conservative Race day at Uttoxeter

Posted on November 6, 2007 by

Myself, Candidate Emma McClarkin and Owen Paterson MP at the Conservative Race Day at Uttoxeter on Friday Nov 2nd.

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Broughton Astley Village poll

Posted on November 6, 2007 by

At the count at the Broughton Astley village poll (England’s largest village), on Nov 1st.  L to R:  Candidate Emma McClarkin, Andrew Robathan MP, RFH, local campaigner Ron Clements.  800+ villagers turned out to vote, and 95% said they wanted … Continue reading →

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