Britain & EU member-states
An open letter to David Cameron
29 July 2014
David Cameron will have to work hard to detoxify the British brand, if he wants to persuade other member-states to help him reform the EU.
The EU and an independent Scotland
23 July 2014
John Kerr explains why breaking up is hard to do, and why no-one knows how exactly to reconnect an independent Scotland with the EU.
Will the eurozone gang up on Britain?
14 July 2014
Britain's eurosceptics and its continental critics agree that the eurozone will push it out of the EU. But eurozone and UK interests are more aligned than opposed.
The eurozone is no place for poor countries
27 June 2014
The gap between the eurozone’s richer and poorer members is as wide as in 1999 and is growing. Poorer prospective members should take note.
Why the push to install Juncker is so damaging
23 June 2014
The battle for Juncker does not pit the British against Europe's democrats. It is a power grab by the European Parliament, combined with self-interested haggling by governments.
More investment, for Germany’s sake
13 June 2014
German investment is low while German borrowing costs are at record lows. Convincing the German government to invest will not be easy, for political reasons.
The economic consequences of leaving the EU
09 June 2014
A group of experts finds that, after leaving the EU, the UK would face an invidious choice: sign up to the single market’s rules, or suffer economic damage.In April 2016 an updated version of the report The economic consequences of leaving the EU: The final report of the CER commission on Brexit 2016 was published.
Business as usual is not acceptable
06 June 2014
The electoral success of populists in Britain and France has reinforced German dominance of the EU. It also makes a new EU treaty less likely.
Issue 96 - 2014
06 June 2014
- Business as usual is not acceptable, Charles Grant
- The eurozone economy needs a kick-start, Christian Odendahl, Simon Tilford
- Will Europe scratch Japan's back?, Rem Korteweg
Presidential candidates, European federalism and Charles Grant
03 June 2014
The EU needs economic and political federalism. And it should be more respectful of democracy. That means Jean-Claude Juncker should become Commission president.
Presidential candidates, European federalism and Tony Giddens
15 May 2014
The problem with ‘federalism’ is that most European citizens do not want it. This makes the federalist proposals in Tony Giddens’ new book unrealistic.
The consequences of Brexit for the City of London
08 May 2014
If Britain leaves the EU, the City of London will lose access to European markets – unless the UK aligns its financial rules with those of the EU.
What is wrong with German foreign policy?
06 May 2014
Events in Ukraine give Germany a chance to lead EU foreign policy - if its own policy become less commercially-driven, and more strategic.
The green benefits of Britain's EU membership
30 April 2014
European rules have delivered cleaner air and water in Britain, and protected wildlife. Outside the EU, Britain would again be 'the dirty man of Europe'.
Why a British exit is not inevitable
17 April 2014
Lord Ashcroft’s polling shows that pro-Europeans can win an in/out referendum. But what are the best arguments to use in such a campaign?
How to reduce dependence on Russian gas
10 April 2014
Europe should improve energy efficiency, develop all alternative gas sources, and expand renewable, CCS and nuclear energy. The foreign policy advantages would justify the cost.
Poland and Ukraine: A tale of two economies
31 March 2014
The EU finally needs to fulfil its moral obligation to Ukraine: to treat it like any other sovereign country trying to escape Russia's grasp.
Human rights and policy wrongs
31 March 2014
British politicians love to criticise the European Convention on Human Rights. A closer look would show them that they should praise it, not bury it.
Issue 95 - 2014
31 March 2014
- Poland and Ukraine: A tale of two economies, Simon Tilford
- Who will run Europe?, Charles Grant
- Human rights and policy wrongs, Ian Bond
Why Cameron's timing on EU reform is off
26 March 2014
Cameron may face an EU reform deal when the new Commission takes office later this year, threatening his renegotiation strategy.