Europe
Apart from a few years in the middle-east, I've lived my whole life in europe; the great majority in britain. I am a european, both from conviction and pragmatism. Europe, of which the uk remains a part, is helping forge a new way forward for the world. It is a lighthouse of how old enemies can become not just new allies, but so closely bound and integrated that their future prosperity depends on them hanging ever closer together. At its best, europe brings real benefits from bigger and freer flowing markets, economies of scale, the circulation of best practice and safety in numbers. I have written a lot about europe, mainly in my guise of new europe, and you can read it all here. Watch the clip, by oscar-winning producer alice doyard
the state we’re in (July 2006)
Talk of a European state is strange, but if it walks like duck and quacks like a duck..?
time for europe (May 2006)
Unlike smaller Member States, which generally only have regional or border policies, the bigs have perceived political interests around the world, and glittering embassies and other historical baggage to match. They are not ready for foreign policy by committee...
give a man a fish (August 2006)
Trade is a rare area where the EU has one policy and one voice. The European Commission occupies a single chair at the WTO: Member States can't speak...
permission slips (October 2006)
NATO's protective blanket solved Franco-German security, allowing the EU to be born and the German economic miracle's era of growth and prosperity...
the perfect storm (November 2006)
A desperate need for economic reform, widespread resistance to it, deep exposure to devaluation, an increasingly polarised society, economically and politically, a weak government and a samsonesque opposition, determined to win at any cost: the perfect storm ?