Monthly Archives: May 2008

Bill misses the point. Again.

Posted on May 30, 2008 by rogeroffice

Plagiarism is important in politics (as is also alliteration!).  Many of my best ideas come from other people.  And a fair number of those come from my good friend and colleague Dan Hannan MEP (South East).  Dan recently wrote a … Continue reading →

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EU plans higher air fares

Posted on May 29, 2008 by rogeroffice

The European Commission plans to include the aviation industry in its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) from 2012, piling new costs on airlines already struggling to cope with exceptional prices for fuel.  Airlines will be allocated a limited carbon allowance based … Continue reading →

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The Flat Tax Debate

Posted on May 28, 2008 by rogeroffice

Imagine that we had an income tax rate of 10% (wishful thinking!), and we reduced the rate to 5%.  Chances are tax revenues would fall by roughly half.  But what if we had a starting rate of 60% and reduced … Continue reading →

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Karl Heinz Report

Posted on May 28, 2008 by rogeroffice
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Don’t do it, Mr. McCain!

Posted on May 27, 2008 by rogeroffice

Wednesday May 14th found me in Washington at the famous “Wednesday Meeting” organised by Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform.  This regular weekly fixture attracts the central players from Washington’s conservative community — think-tankers and policy wonks, and a … Continue reading →

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Explanation of the vote on Climate Change – Part 2

Posted on May 27, 2008 by rogeroffice
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Explanation of the vote on Climate Change part 1

Posted on May 26, 2008 by rogeroffice
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The gutter press comes to town

Posted on May 20, 2008 by rogeroffice

A few weeks back, a young lady calling herself Arabella Ridge, and purporting to be a work-experience student, showed up in Brussels.  She was shadowing Tom Wise MEP, formerly of UKIP.   Most MEPs, in my experience, are keen to … Continue reading →

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“Junketing” in America?

Posted on May 20, 2008 by rogeroffice

At the UPS Offices in Atlanta, with an early UPS delivery van.  May 15th.  CHH, Syed Kamall, RFH The media’s theme of the week seems to be MEPs’ junkets — foreign trips on which they have a marvellous time and … Continue reading →

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The CAP is a disgrace

Posted on May 17, 2008 by rogeroffice

Everyone, even farmers, loves free money.  But there is a good case that in the medium term, the CAP has done farmers few favours.  It has certainly been a huge burden for consumers and tax-payers — as well as a … Continue reading →

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Triumph on May 1st…..

Posted on May 17, 2008 by rogeroffice

Everything that needs to be said about the May 1st results has been said, so I will add nothing except congratulations to the winners, and to all of you who worked on the campaigns.  And one other thing: there is … Continue reading →

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….and maybe on June 12th?

Posted on May 17, 2008 by rogeroffice

The mood in Ireland is swinging against the Yes Campaign.  A recent poll of small businessmen in Ireland showed 74% against.  Ten thousand Irish farmers marched in Dublin against the Lisbon Treaty.  They are worried about Peter Mandelson’s world trade … Continue reading →

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Galileo Explanation of Vote

Posted on May 5, 2008 by rogeroffice
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Politics Show – East Midlands

Posted on May 4, 2008 by rogeroffice

I was interviewed today (4th May) on the East Midlands part of The Politics Show. You can access the video of the show here. My bit is 53 minutes 50 seconds in. However you can access a podcast of what … Continue reading →

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High Court orders review of EU referendum decision

Posted on May 2, 2008 by rogeroffice

The High Court has just decided that a petitioner, Stuart Wheeler, can pursue a judicial review of the government’s decision not to hold a referendum on the Renamed European Constitution, or Lisbon Treaty.   Stuart Wheeler, former owner of the … Continue reading →

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