November 11, 2019
As I write, the political parties in the UK are beginning their campaigns for a general election, to be held on the 12th December. It’s the first December general election since 1923; December elections are generally avoided because of the weather and small amounts of daylight. The past few weeks have seen the government agree… » read more
Posted by pbye
July 23, 2019
In an interview with the Financial Times[1], Vladimir Putin claimed that liberalism was obsolete: ‘…the Russian president said “the liberal idea” had “outlived its purpose” as the public turned against immigration, open borders and multiculturalism’. He made the following statement. ‘This liberal idea presupposes that nothing needs to be done (about immigration). That migrants can… » read more
Posted by pbye
July 18, 2018
As the dust settles over the wreckage left by President Trump’s visit to Europe, two things have caught my attention. The first concerns his attitude to the allies of the US, in the form of NATO and members of the EU. He gave everyone a hard time but I noticed – perhaps I am alone… » read more
Posted by pbye
February 12, 2018
The past two years or so have seen an alarming departure from the political centre ground in many democracies. Brexit has polarised the UK, where the major parties and indeed the whole population are split into Remainers and Leavers. Even those wanting to leave the EU are divided between so-called hard and soft approaches, such… » read more
Posted by pbye
April 3, 2017
I was thinking of calling this piece ‘In defence of internationalism’ but I decided that praise is the best form of defence. And we need to speak up in favour of internationalism. After decades of increasing openness, nationalism and xenophobia are on the rise in the West. We hear politicians coming out with statements such… » read more
Posted by pbye
