Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash Margaret Thatcher was a great believer in privatisation. She said it was crucial for ‘reversing the corrosive and corrupting effects of socialism…. ensuring the power of the people is enhanced….and reclaiming the territory for freedom’, writes Philip Bushill-Matthews. She was equally clear that Governments were inherently inefficient at running businesses, and few…
Photo by Mulyadi on Unsplash The independent Public Inquiry to examine the Government’s handling of the Covid pandemic in the UK will open the hearing on its first module on Valentine’s Day 14th February. Conservatives should not expect any loving responses, writes Philip Bushill-Matthews. Boris Johnson, though no longer Prime Minister, continues to boast that when in office…
Photo by Taras Chernus on Unsplash Freedom of speech is regarded as one of the most fundamental freedoms underpinning western democracies. The problem now is how to handle abuses of this freedom, writes Philip Bushill-Matthews. The EU Charter on Fundamental Rights was proclaimed by the European Parliament in 2000. Article 11 proudly stated that ‘everyone has the right…
Photo by Dustin Humes on Unsplash Germany’s slowness in authorising the supply of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine was bad news for Ukraine, European security and Germany itself. But other Western leaders should not be too smug, writes Ian Bond. Just days after Russia launched its full-scale assault on Ukraine in February 2022, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz described it as…
Photo by Katie Moum on Unsplash EU countries are all facing immigration pressures, but despite Brexit, immigrants from other countries are still keen to come to the UK, writes Philip Bushill-Matthews. Nigel Farage as Leader of the UK Independence Party had his own solution: the UK needed an Australian-style points system (although ironically the Australian system helped immigrants…
Photo by Marissa Beletti on Unsplash This year’s European Rail Champion Award 2023 has been awarded to Ukrainian Railways. The award is made by the Association of the European Rail Supply Industry and the community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies It aims to celebrate the achievements of inspired individuals whose bright ideas, ingenious innovations and bold policy initiatives have contributed to enhance, grow…
Photo by Troy T on Unsplash Medvedev has warned the West not to prevent Russia from destroying Ukraine. Russia has always used blackmail as one of its key methods of information influence. Currently, the Russian army is in a strategic impasse: the winter campaign has not brought any significant results at the front, and losses in the Russian…
We reprint in full here EU Council President Charles Michel’s speech to the Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv today:- Dear Speaker, dear Ruslan, Distinguished Members of the Verkhovna Rada, Excellencies, dear friends, thank you for your warm welcome. I am moved to be here amongst you. For nearly a year, the world has looked with horror…
Photo by Carlos “Grury” Santos on Unsplash Climate change is the biggest issue facing the future of our planet. As President of COP26 in Glasgow last year it was UK Cabinet member Alok Sharma who secured world-wide agreement of a realistic programme to address it. Sharma would later condemn the Egyptian President of COP27 from failing to build…
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash In 2003 Tony Blair appointed the first UK Ethics Adviser to investigate ministerial sleaze. Why the UK should need such a role while no EU Prime Minister has felt a similar need says something about the unique state of UK politics, writes Philip Bushill-Matthews. Voters have the right to expect that anyone…
