How European is the UK? Five charts that show how we differ from the EU in alcohol consumption, living costs and working hours August 18, 2015 It's a potent question at the moment: what does it really mean to be “European”? It turns out our living costs, alcohol consumption and general life satisfaction make the UK the sixth most European country in the EU, according to analytics firm Qlik. In a study pulling together statistics about how we live, work and [...]
EU referendum: Almost half of Britons think EU integration has “gone too far” August 13, 2015 Almost half (well, 47 per cent) of Britons think integration between EU countries has "gone too far" and that powers of individual EU countries must be repatriated, a poll has suggested. The survey, by pollster Opinium, found 42 per cent of Dutch adults also thought powers should be returned to individual countries. Meanwhile, 24 per [...]
The wheels are falling off David Cameron’s EU renegotiation: It can still be saved August 11, 2015 Are the wheels falling off the government’s EU renegotiation? It’s a legitimate question to ask given that, in the Prime Minister’s first hundred days of leading a majority Conservative government, we have already seen a significant reduction in what David Cameron appears to be asking for and what he is likely to achieve. Despite having [...]
Eurosceptic group Business for Britain research shows the European Union spends over £500m a year promoting itself August 11, 2015 The European Union spent €664m (£536m) directly on publicity and communication in 2014, according to research from Eurosceptic group Business for Britain. The spending came through budgets “where their primary purpose was promoting the EU and the political priorities of the Union", a report by the organisation said. According to the research, the EU committed [...]
Publicis boss Maurice Levy says Brexit would be a “bloody disaster” August 10, 2015 The boss of one of the world’s largest advertising firms has said that it would be a “bloody disaster” if the UK left the European Union. Maurice Levy, the chief exec and chairman of Publicis Group, accused Prime Minister David Cameron of opening Pandora’s box by seeking to renegotiate the terms of Britain’s relationship with [...]
Nigel Farage returns to the spotlight with rallying cry for Eurosceptics July 31, 2015 UKIP leader Nigel Farage called on fellow Eurosceptics to “get cracking” yesterday as a major new poll from Survation showed 45 per cent of Britons saying that they planned to vote to stay in the European Union, compared to 37 per cent who said they would vote to leave. “There is no doubt at all [...]
As Nigel Farage stakes his claim in the EU Out campaign, will he do more harm than good? July 30, 2015 Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos Mori, says Yes Nigel Farage is a very skilled politician. Just witness Ukip’s remarkable rise after 2012. Our data shows the public thinks he has charisma, a clear vision, and he receives particularly enthusiastic ratings from his own supporters – which could be important in any referendum [...]
Nigel Farage: If the yes vote wins it is a step towards joining the euro July 30, 2015 A "Yes" vote to staying in the European Union could lead to the UK joining the single currency, said Ukip leader Nigel Farage said today. Read more: Ukip leader Nigel Farage gets tough on Brexit Speaking at Westminster about how the "No" campaign can win the referendum, Farage said: There is no doubt if we vote [...]
Chancellor George Osborne: Links with the European Union should be based on free trade July 29, 2015 As negotiations between the UK and European Union around terms of the UK's membership continue, George Osborne has said the relationship should be based around free trade. Read more: Osborne says France and UK can strike deal The economic benefits are key to EU membership, and should therefore be at the heart of renegotiation, the chancellor [...]
Population growth: UK to become biggest country in European Union by 2050 July 28, 2015 The UK will become the most populous country in the European Union by 2050, according to new estimates. That is, as long as we are still in the EU by then. Eurostat's predicts that the UK's population will continue to rise, from 65 million in 2015 to 67m in 2020. By 2050 it will [...]