I am deeply saddened to learn that my friend and EU Political Report’s Political Editor Philip Bushill-Matthews died on 10th December. His loss is sorely felt; Britain has lost both a witty political commentator and a fine statesman. I first met Philip when he was campaigning to be elected as a Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands in the 1990s. Coming from the world of business to politics, he quickly devoted his efforts to fighting the corner for UK business in Europe. In those days, Britain had influence in Europe; the conservatives were members of the EPP Group in the Parliament and Philip established himself as an authority on social and labour legislation. He was good at his job, and won many friends in business. His column in EU Political Report has been one of our most popular, thanks to his incisive wit, and shrewd political judgement. As a politician he had integrity, honesty and truthfulness, all qualities sadly in short supply in today’s political classes. I shall be publishing his last few remaining articles in the coming days as a small tribute to his memory. We send our sympathies and condolences to his widow Angela, his daughters Lucy and Julie and his son William.
