The dynamics of these historic events are now too fluid for any prediction of the outcome. The latest declaration by France and Germany about the need for a treaty change and closer economic integration is to state the obvious cause of the crisis, but it useless to resolve it. This is because this is not […]
The reason why we have arguments about pensions is because there is an unreal approach to a benefit which should not be the financial responsibility of the state at all. Neither should private companies be required or expected to contribute to employee retirement schemes. Instead there should be universal reform on these lines. Every worker in whatever […]
Given the reality of the situation and ignoring the phony shock of some economists, George Osborne did the best he could with a very bad hand on Tuesday. This is not to say he got it all right, but he got as much right as anyone can expect, given the underlying facts. These are that […]
The government has signalled that it may introduce more stringent rules over strike ballots if the unions proceed, as they intend, with their disruptive day of action at the end of the month. It is certainly true that some of the votes for action were little better than a derisory minority, with percentages in the […]
Cameron has upset the Germans, who, in response, have started to say things which will catapult Tory backbenchers into orbit. Essentially the message from David is, get your act together and find solutions to the euro crisis. The message from Angela and her followers is, even though Britain is not in the Euro, it will […]
Even this Blog cannot answer that question. The classic symptom of a situation out of control is that nobody can tell what is coming next. We can be sure that this is the end of the euro zone Mark I, which sought to run its currency with loose undertakings, declarations and conflicting, but powerless, institutions. […]
It’s too early to tell if the chaos in the UKBA is about to prove fatal to the Home Secretary. What is not in doubt is the confusion. The Minister says one thing and the former departmental boss says another, backing his challenge with lawyers. Whatever this looks, it is not good. Cameron will wish […]
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The announcement of the Unison ballot result shows how little support the posturing union leadership, with its trade mark confrontational style, actually has among its rank and file. A 29% turnout is a slap in the face for any idea of an angry membership spoiling for a strike. Of those 78% voted for action; that […]
There is now such political confusion in Greece, with splits opening up even within the government itself, that it is not possible to prophesy what will be the situation even by the end of today. Oddly however, the situation in the Euozone has become much clearer. People can be masters of their own destiny and organise affairs to lead […]