Monthly Archives: September 2009

MEPs are frequently allocated no more than 60 or 90 seconds speaking time in plenary debates, so we become very practised at making our point succinctly.  The same applies at the dinner-debates we have in the parliament.  It’s normal to … Continue reading →

Here’s a riddle for you.  What does Peter Mandelson have in common with Lewis Carroll’s Red Queen?  Answer: Both could believe half a dozen impossible things before breakfast.  Trouble is, in Mandelson’s case, he not only believes them (or appears … Continue reading →

On Wednesday I attended the launch of the East Midlands Obesity Platform, at the Peepul’s Centre (sic) in Leicester.  The Platform is designed to “provide a forum for stakeholders” in the region.  We heard presentations from Robert Madelin, the EU’s … Continue reading →

I’ve just had the privilege of attending the Rutland & Melton Conservative Association lunch at Northfield Farm, Cold Overton.  Guest of Honour Clarissa Dickson Wright was signing copies of her new book, “Rifling Through My Drawers”, and was introduced by … Continue reading →

David MacKay is a Professor at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge.  He is an expert on renewable energy, and has just published a book with the above title (find it at http://www.withouthotair.com).  His opinions on renewables in general, and wind … Continue reading →

EMS, the (former) Conservative MEP, has just been expelled from the Party, for failing to fulfil the solemn commitment he gave in writing before the June 2009 election regarding the formation of a new group in the European parliament.  Urbane … Continue reading →

With the British government planning to obtain up to 35% of UK generating capacity from wind turbines by 2020, it is instructive to consider the case of Denmark, one of the few countries that has got anywhere near that level. … Continue reading →

Here, at last, is a Good News story — although you might prefer not read it over lunch, given the subject matter!   I’ve just been to visit a modern, hi-tech, sunrise company here in the East Midlands, at Nottingham … Continue reading →

Dear Roger,   Whereas I agree with the gist of what you say about wind turbines, a lot of research is still going on with some quite interesting developments, particularly by some small and imaginative firms. The attached refers. I, … Continue reading →

Our new group, the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), is up and running.  Last week we had our first group conference in Prague.  It has been a revelation to find ourselves, at last, working with other conservatives who broadly share … Continue reading →

To bowdlerise a well-known phrase, Gordon Brown is an apologetic man with much to apologise about.  And now he has decided to issue a “personal apology” for the treatment of mathematician Alan Turing in 1952.   Alan Turing was an … Continue reading →

I’ve recently received a copy of a new report by the NIPCC (Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change) — a body set up deliberately in parallel to the IPCC, to provide a voice for independent and sceptical scientists.  The report … Continue reading →

On Friday Sept 4th I found myself at the Thoresby coal mine at Edwinstowe, north Nottinghamshire — and 2000 feet below ground.  I was a guest of Colliery Manager Stuart Hoult (who also took the photographs).   Thoresby is approaching … Continue reading →

The European Commission has announced a new policy to reduce immigration.  It will allow a substantial number of foreign nationals to enter the EU every year.  It will allocate them between member states (so we in Britain will have no … Continue reading →

Australia’s Federal Court has refused to extradite a former Serb military leader accused of war crimes, Dragan Vasiljkovic, to Croatia, on the grounds that he faced a “substantial or real chance of prejudice” if he was sent to Croatia. Compare … Continue reading →