Blog
7 august 2017, home alone
Though my other half and kids remain in budapest, I am back from a week in switzerland, and a second by lake balaton in hungary. Britons may be shunning fortnights away, but I have to say a longer break (still shorter than the august ecb grande vacances) is something I hugely appreciate. Unusually this year, we did several musical highlights, including reliving my youth at paleo nyon, an impromptu night with manchester's own david gray and a double dip into the paloznak jazz picnic, where we saw kool and the gang and matt bianco, who were apparently massive in eastern europe back in the day. We made a lovely start in geneva before mosying around the lake and then breaking new ground for me with 3 nights in interlaken (unremarkable but surrounded by gorgeous water & mountains) 2 in lucerne (gorgeous, amazing bridge)and 1 in zurich (lots to do, but 2 days enough). Mountains featured too of course, including eye-wateringly expensive trains up them, though in fairness the swiss have made an industry of building astounding complexes on top: saleve was our hors d'oeuvres, followed by the amazing la diablerets and then biggest of all jungfrau, where 3500 metres up are things james bondesque lifts flying up 8 floors of shops, restaurants, an ice-palace, a rope-bridge stringing peaks together and an unbelievable bob-sleigh ride. We drove a lot too, through gorgeous scenery, which I love, and managed tennis, spa and a chocolate workshop before jumping on board the night train from the swiss financial capital to our by-now regular hungarian campsite in balatonalmadi. In what has become my intense reading window of the year, I got through the excellent sapiens, the light disobedience, and about half of hugh young's monumental this blessed plot, aided by three hours on budapest's runway waiting for the summer storm to move far away from the airport enough for the them to refuel us, the spectacular lighting marking the end of a heatwave period even by hungarian summer standards, the mercury hitting 39/102. It was also raining when we touched down in manchester at 3am...
25 june 2017, wrong side of history
The basic building blocks of the world have long since moved from nation state to continental bloc, or at least giant states, like the us and china in its asian hinterland, that act in that way. Europe was partly constructed to be such a leader in a multipolar world. At its heart is trade, where as the world's largest investor abroad and exporter of goods and services, the eu is a recognised global actor and veto-player. The world trade organisation has 159 members, but a "g7" of australia, brazil, the eu, india, japan, the us and increasingly china who run the show. The picture is similar in most areas of global economic policymaking, such as the g20, imf and the actual g7, where the ecb president replaces the central bank governors of germany, france and italy; an overwhelming majority of oecd members are european. Other areas, such as oil producers, the gulf states and africa exhibit the same intention, if less successfully. Whilst the pendulum quickly moves across the unified representation to national self-interest spectrum in areas such as defence, energy and the un system, it is a broad truism that there are few power-wielding players on the world stage, and they tend to band together as blocs. The eu is one of those blocs and so it is hard, a year on from the uk's decision to leave, not to see the country as being on the wrong side of history. The tables that over the last decades have slowly made way for europe's representatives and interests will not easily make room for another player. A recent un vote on the rights of chagos islanders (moved to make way for an american air base) was notable for most eu countries not supporting the uk; a harbinger of things to come as the default support of the eu out there in the world is removed. This may be a particular uncomfortable position given the shakiness of global governance both longer-term, as europe and the us decline relative to china, india and brazil and the consequent battle for influence and in the shorter-term as an increasing number of diplomatically-illiberal players, including turkey, russia and amazingly perhaps the us, seek to gain tactical national advantage at the expensive of the global common of stability. However, whether born of reactionary, self-interest or global common welfare, leaving the big power the uk has made its home and done so much to build over the last decades is going to be a more powerless place: "it's cold outside" as the 1975 referendum campaign phrophetically warned us.
27 may 2017, manchester
As someone who fled when I was 18, never to return, it's only slowly that manchester crept up on me since I actually did, even though my role in life for many years was its boosting and (weird word alert) agglomeration. Now of course I'm a proud native and suffered with everyone on hearing of the bomb and cheered at our response. There may be other things going on, but my emotions were on my sleeve as the dead kids were identified, probably as I now have my own and they both had friends there (thankfully everyone totally fine). My obvious resonance was to israel, as there was a time I was there in the early 90s when bus bombs were going off weekly. I had one very good friend who took the same bus every morning to university in jerusalem, missed it one day and it blew up. The boyfriend of a very good friend was actually on the number 5 bus blown up in the middle of tel aviv. 20-odd people died, but he walked away with cuts & bruises (always sit at the back). Somehow though my attitude then was cavalier and removed. All life was a risk and we lived it daily. Now though I feel for families and somehow internalise the devastation of lives rather more. I also shared in the defiance. After its dress rehearsal at everyone's everyman steve mycio's funeral, the wonderful this is the place (worth a watch) found its ancestral home in front of the town hall and gave words to everyone for this tough world. Meanwhile, at the bottom of p8, at least 28 people were killed yesterday in a bus bomb in egypt (see 15 november 2015, paris-to-paris, a heavily-edited story of 2015. Meanwhile, today is the city games, which will see bigger crowds than ever on manchester's streets. We live each day.
10 april 2017, going it a loan
Britain and the union have set out their initial positions on uk withdrawal. They are some way apart. Despite wanting a "deep and special partnership", the uk confirmed it does not want to remain in the single market. Though that is unambiguously the best economic outcome, the three political stooges of parliamentary control, paying in big money and free movement of people made it impossible. The same logic may seem to rule out joining the eea too, though I continue to suspect that if we do actually exit, that's where we'll go (see 11 june 2016, building the post brexit boat). Britain is also leaving the customs union, as, again politically, a whole government department has been pinned on britain making its own way in the world. Hence this week's trip to indonesia (which accounts for 0.1% of uk exports). As for britain's largest trading partner, the eu (45%), when to start negotiating that deal is the first big negotiating point. London wants discussion to start immediately; the eu insists on sorting out the divorce terms first - or in eurospeak "satisfactory agreement on the arrangements for an orderly withdrawal". They specify those all-important withdrawal arrangements: the status of individuals and their families; legal certainty for businesses (presumably including financial services passporting rights); britain's leaving bill (big issue alert); ireland; uk sovereign territory in cyprus (yes we have some, and yes it's going to get tangled in too); uk and eu representation in international fora (see powerless europe); relocating uk-based eu agencies; the ecj/commission docket on the day of exit; and dispute resolution. The uk also linked the economy (where britain's hand is weak) with security (stronger), though two can play at that game, as the eu did, mentioning gibraltor. As everyone has an ultimate veto, more issues will bubble up. On the taxing question of the rights of eu citizens in the uk and vice-versa (see 18 march 2017, I am a european citizen), agreement is achievable, but don't expect anything soon, as the eu guidelines inevitably insist that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed (and duly not vetoed by the european parliament and ratified by all 27 other member states). It is also flagged that everything eu-side will be on the basis of a single unified position. This may be the draft's most toxic principle, as once something is negotiated and agreed by the 27, it is highly unlikely britain will shift it. How strongly the eu sticks to this may be the most important determinant of all, and so far it's been pretty cast-iron solid. Finally, it is also set out very clearly that "a non-member of the union... cannot have the same rights and enjoy the same benefits as a member". Only now, decades on, might the uk begin to understand what those rights and benefits are...
25 march 2017, eu can check out any time you like...
The brits have always been sceptical. Their delegate at messina in 1955 left before the famous political declaration that 2 years later created what is today the eu, saying "I leave because you will never agree, and if you agree you will never implement it, and if you implement it, it will be a disaster". They only joined in the 70s when stuck in the economic doldrums while europe's benelux writ seemed to be spreading the german economic miracle across the continent. Back in the early noughties, when my job was the first half of the "prepare and decide" policy on joining the euro, it was clear the uk would only sign up when, again, the uk economy seemed to be heading terminally south whilst the euro area was soaring. That has not yet happened. Indeed, far from just standing at the back as a rather dazed eu celebrates 60 years, britain has taken the unprecedented step of trying to leave altogether. In this case, the disaster will befall everyone, but predominantly impact the smaller and weaker party. Back in euroland, french and german elections look set to underpin renewed and perhaps even strong, pro-eu leadership. With europe nearing the end of its decade of eurosclerosis, sunlight may at last be gingerly peeping through, even as the grey clouds of trump, putin and the rest threaten renewed storms. Indeed, external threats often cause communities to get bound more tightly together. As for blighty, striking off in its red, white and blue (now-german) mini coopers, don't lose hope that once it becomes evident in a few years what a catastrophic proposition leaving actually is, the politics of common sense and self-interest may reassert themselves (the negotiations can theoretically go on endlessly). Otherwise, the sooner everyone starts redesigning europe's outer area for us to dock into the better (see 11 june 2016, building the post-brexit boat). It's all rather hotel california, though the bill for checking-out is going to be rather substantial and an early point of great contention. Divorces are never swift or easy, and sometimes so hard the couple just ends up getting back together...
18 march 2017, I am a european citizen
The first words on my passport are "european union". That's odd, as a passport is a primary embodiment of nationality. Yet, though few of us realise, since 1992,we have all been dual citizens (see the state we're in), thanks to the maastricht treaty's bold assertion that "citizenship of the union is hereby established. Every person holding the nationality of a member state shall be a citizen of the union". I am proud and appreciative of my european citizenship, which gives me the right to move freely to, and reside and retire in, 27 other countries, to vote and stand as a candidate in local elections there and to access diplomatic services in parts of the world where britain lacks them. Essentially, it means I can live in another eu country and claim the same rights as anyone there. That's why guy verhofstadt's idea about brits keeping their eu citizenship has a serious foundation. Sure, you only acquire eu citizenship by your country becoming a member of the eu, but no-one has yet tested whether your country leaving automatically removes your citizenship. In fact we may, as individuals, have acquired rights, as might non-uk eu citizens living here. Its a universal legal principle that once an individual acquires rights (by whatever means) and exercises them, they cannot be easily removed and this does not automatically happen when the power that granted them seeks to reverse. Unlike any other international treaty, it is a long-established principle that eu law can grant individual rights, going right back to van gend en loos (see court in the act, for the lawyers amongst us), buttressed by the eu charter of fundamental rights. Whether the uk's "great repeal bill" can remove these rights, granted as individuals by the eu during a period when the uk gave them the power to do so, is an open question. Article 50 only mentions the treaties cease to apply to the state; nothing about its eu citizens. Other international law might help, notably the vienna convention, which states (article 70) that termination of an international treaty 'does not affect any right, obligation or legal situation of the parties created through the execution of the treaty prior to its termination.' As with most things though, determination of this question is likely to be political and subject to negotiation. It is worth reflecting that verhofstadt leads brexit negotiations for the european parliament, a body which has a total brexit veto and has never been shy of using leverage to get what it wants; indeed that is its modus operandi for building its power over decades. What better cause than its citizens' rights for a body of the people's representatives to pick as its battering ram ? Watch this space...
19 february 2017, not there yet
Well obviously he-who-must-not-be-remained got there before me (well done, tony), but I'll happily jump on that bandwagon, as just like the last-tory-remainer standing ken clarke, I too somehow missed out on that great epiphany on 24 june that convinced so many other people that despite what they may have thought previously, leaving the eu is not such a bad idea after all. It is. And if staying in is the right thing to do, then it's worth fighting for. The 48% have not yet given up. Though hsbc and various european orchestras may not yet presage the great exodus, there is no doubt that things cannot be better afterwards for those that want to encourage liberal, create, innovative people, of whatever nationality, to congregate in the uk and do their thing. Similarly, as peter mandelson said just this morning, trade, at least with the eu, cannot be better afterwards, it's just a question of how much worse and what we get in return; potentially nothing. Andrew marr made a a pithy point when interviewing liz truss immediately afterwards. Though she supported remain, she conceded she had changed her mind - so shouldn't the people have the right to change their mind too ? It's a shame that blair is such damaged goods in the public eye, as he remains britain's most eloquent and rational leader. The people do have a right to change their mind he asserted and it is the task of those who think brexit wrong to persuade them to do so. "I don't know if we can succeed" he said, "but I do know we will suffer a rancorous verdict from future generations if we do not try". He talks about the surreal nature of the curious absence of a big argument as to why brexit continues to be a good idea; the speech is worth reading in full. He goes much further, lining brexit up as a direction of travel against liberty, democracy and the rule of law. "As the world changes and opens up across boundaries of nation and culture, which values will govern the 21st century? Today, for the first time in my adult life, it is not clear that the resolution of this question will be benign." Worth fighting for.
1st february 2017, few frankfurters
"DON'T bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses..." I continue to focus on our big event this weekend and remain in denial. Meanwhile, work took me back to frankfurt; a somewhat melancholy return. Although we came back a couple of times after leaving in 2007, it is many years now since I have actually been, although I have tried, with inevitable diminishing returns, to keep in touch with my dwindling band of ecb friends. Many have moved on, across the city to other agencies, to brussels, to london, or beyond. After work I camped out at a restaurant across the road from the sparkling new eurotower, which looks like the architects let themselves go one night on some good drugs and then applied them to the old building. It is spectacular though, if rather unfortunate timing as it worked out, to make such a grand and permanent statement. Outside the bubble, frankfurt seemed rather staid. Eating croissants at a large coffee place, it was cash only, creating a mild panic. Buying a souvenir for the kids, they couldn't take uk cards. The barber I momentarily thought of getting a haircut at closed at 4. Meanwhile, the new ecb is in part of the city that despite my seven years there I don't know at all, so I somehow bypassed that blanket of familiarity I was rather looking forward to pulling over myself. No matter, less reminiscing is probably for the best. The return on my dinner invite was slender (though 100% wonderful). It seems time wears away at connections, as do kids and the day-to-day hassles that make pitching up at short notice quite a high bar. Adds to the melancholy though; life in frankfurt seems a long time ago, although not a continent away. Something else I remain in denial about...
12 january 2017, somewhere over the rainbow
And so that momentous event of 20 january 2017 has passed: my son's 13th birthday. It has been an all-consuming business, so much so that I have hardly noticed the comings and goings on the other side of the atlantic, or maybe I am still trying denial on for size. Life is busy: home, family, work taking up every nook and cranny of my existence. Late nights, early mornings, hardly a moment for reflection or relaxation, or perhaps all this is in fact relaxation of sorts, or at least enjoyment. Our big event (see and the wonderful) is on is 4th february, around which we have wrapped a whole weekend of friends and family, if not from the 4 corners of the world, then at least from several. This will be the last, though certainly not the least, of a string of joyous occasions in our lives, but with two full-blown teenagers on our hands, I have no doubt we will not be short of events. Our first has his gcse's this summer (o-levels in old money), but the spotlight is on the other for now and I am sure he will live up to the hype and enjoy his next few weeks. As will we.
23 december 2016, 2016. Fool stop.
I thought I'd get in early with my "2016, what a year !". So: 2016, what a year ! I predicted it would be the year of leaving (see 1 january 2016). Sad to say I was right, though my crystal ball didn't extend across the atlantic (though my other half's did). John oliver and the rest of us can outrage all we want, but here we are, with that incredible photo of farage in trump's gold lift the photo of the era. This is who we are now. Whilst there isn't, nor is there likely to be, any imminent catastrophe, history has turning points. This was one, and it will have consequences. 1995 was one, at least in my corner of the middle east. When rabin was shot and peres (see 29 september, below) then lost the election to netanyahu, the can-do momentum of oslo, towards a two-state solution, was lost. Slowly but decisively, lobster in a pot style, the direction of travel changed, towards one-state permanence of occupation that 500,000 settlers later we have today. 2016 feels like that. European integration's momentum may have been faltering since 2008, but this year it was existentially-challenged, by refugees from afar and populists from close. That they won in britain meant they could win elsewhere too, confirming this as a decade of stagnation for europe, at best. In britain, brexit demolished labour (see 19 november below). Again, the faltering went back far earlier, but this was the year of crystallisation, from which there looks no turning back from a decade of conservative governments. For today's world, trump raises so many slowburn issues (balkans, anyone ?). It won't take much retreat by america from its role at the centre of a fragile lattice for that world to sag and gentle rips to grow. No other american president has taken office believing the postwar world order washington constructed is one that does not serve america's interests but does it down. It's hard to see 2017 being any better.