This morning’s Financial Times (17 March 2021) notes that the ‘US fires warning shot at Johnson on Northern Ireland’. President Joe Biden is said to be preparing to hold St. Patrick’s day talks with Irish premier Micheál Martin. President Biden reminds the world that he is Irish and will oppose any US-UK trade deal unless … Continue reading American Hubris on the UK and Northern Ireland
EU
Has Brexit Broken Parliament? No. This is Democracy!
The frustration of so many people over the machinations of the UK Parliament during the debates and votes over Brexit is understandable. So it is not surprising to see article after article, and opinion pieces piled on one another about how parliament, if not democracy itself, is broken. The GuardianJournal on 16 March notes: ‘Brexit … Continue reading Has Brexit Broken Parliament? No. This is Democracy!
Getting to a Brexit Strategy: Focus on the Process
Press coverage of Brexit negotiations is focused on the politicians in support of different exit strategies, from a no-deal Brexit to no Brexit at all. As one consequence, the debate then focuses on whose right or wrong and why. All very newsworthy, but not an approach to reaching any consensus on the approach the UK … Continue reading Getting to a Brexit Strategy: Focus on the Process
Watching How the EU Treats the UK
Sovereignty is one of the issues that led some politicians in Britain to vote for leaving. Since the vote for Brexit, the UK has been struggling with how to leave in a way that respects the vote, but also creates as positive of an outcome as possible for the UK and the EU. They are … Continue reading Watching How the EU Treats the UK
Brexit: A Response from the UK by Richard Collins
In response to my blog about Brexit, Richard Collins sent me the following, originally as a personal email message. Since Richard does not have a blog, I've asked and received his permission to post his thoughts here: "I am surprised by the result, it is momentous and intimidating. But, in fact, I voted for Brexit … Continue reading Brexit: A Response from the UK by Richard Collins
Brexit: No Advice from this American
After working over 12 years in the UK, I was frequently amused by visiting academics from the USA (my home), who would start giving me advice about everything from the university to the UK and Europe virtually as they were walking off the plane. So I am resisting my natural US-instinct to weigh in on … Continue reading Brexit: No Advice from this American