Tag: Brexit

The EU after Brexit – A Vision for Success

Much has been written about the effects of Brexit on the UK, but there has been little thought given to the future of the EU itself.

The problems of the EU are well known. What Europe needs is a Julius Caesar, Charlemagne, Napoleon or a Bismark (or all of them). Angela Merkel showed hints of European leadership, until her disastrous error in allowing unlimited numbers of “refugees” into Germany. Even though there is the lack of leadership, clear common goals and periodic crises, the EU muddles through, in spite of the British press gleefully predicting the imminent break-up of the EU and the collapse of the Euro

Continue reading “The EU after Brexit – A Vision for Success”

Taxing the Multinationals

 

Recently, the EU has ruled that Apple owes Ireland €13 billion in back taxes. The CEO of Apple reacted with the sort of indignation only an American can achieve when dealing with non-Americans. Columnists tended to side with Apple on the basis of their ideological biases.

Yet the central issue of taxing corporations is that globalisation and the rise of mega-corporations has not been mirrored by a rise in inter-governmental co-operation. Only such co-operation can deal with the problems.

Continue reading “Taxing the Multinationals”

The Hypocrisy of Angela Merkel

The chief reason the British voted to leave the EU was the issue of immigration. Before the vote, David Cameron (Britain’s Prime Minister) “re-negotiated” the relationship of Britain with the rest of the EU. However, he was unable to get any concessions on EU immigration because it is one of the “four freedoms” which is central to the EU.

Could there be a conspiracy at work?

Continue reading “The Hypocrisy of Angela Merkel”

Is Boris Johnson’s Optimism about London’s Financial Centre Justified?

In his first trip to the US, Boris Johnson, Britain’s new Foreign Minister and a leader in the Brexit campaign, claimed that UK financial firms will keep EU ‘passporting’, which allows banks to sell their services to clients across the EU. He claimed that the “City” (as London Financial district is called) offers the deepest pools of liquidity, talent and skill for the capital formation needs of businesses across Europe (Julian Ambrose, in Daily Telegraph, July 23rd).

The “talent and skill” is crucial. As someone who was brought up in the UK, I cannot shake the suspicion that, for every financial whizz-kid in the City, there are ten upper-class twits (good example of an upper-class twit – John Cleese in the Monty Python sketch “The Ministry of Silly Walks”).

Is Johnson’s optimism justified? Several reasons suggest that it is not: Continue reading “Is Boris Johnson’s Optimism about London’s Financial Centre Justified?”

Understanding Jeremy Corbyn

For those who do not follow British politics, Jeremy Corbyn is the leader of the Labour Party and, as such, is the leader of the opposition in the British parliament.

Jeremy Corbyn has had a difficult start as leader of the Labour Party. He has floundered on a number of issues such as anti Semitism in the Labour Party and more recently, his support for Britain remaining in the European Union (EU) has been weak and lukewarm, even though the party is strongly pro-remaining in the EU.

The key to understanding Jeremy is his academic record. At A-levels (equivalent of Grade 12 exams) it is normal to take three subjects.  Corbyn passed two with E grades[which is the lowest pass mark] and presumably failed the third.  He then went to the North London Polytechnic  college to take Trade Union studies and flunked out after one year.  This shows that Corbyn has limited intelligence, certainly lower than the intelligence required the lead the opposition in parliament, or potentially to be a future Prime Minister. Continue reading “Understanding Jeremy Corbyn”

INTRODUCTION

I am starting this blog because I believe I have insights, views and opinions which are not expressed elsewhere, whether in the media or by other commentators. My main items of interest are:

  • Climate change
  • Current events
  • Economics
  • Canadian Issues

Future topics on this blog include:

  • Does Brexit doom London as a Financial Centre?
  • Understanding Jeremy Corbyn
  • Where will Putin strike next?
  • What does the data say about global warming?
  • The elites in the West are under attack – what are the issues they are not addressing?

The following describes my attitudes and credentials on the main topics: Continue reading “INTRODUCTION”