David Cameron starts EU reform road show with Jean-Claude Juncker vow May 25, 2015 European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker last night promised to help solve David Cameron’s EU dilemma, as the Prime Minister sets off on a month-long European tour to drum up support for his reform plan. Cameron began his charm offensive by hosting Juncker for a working dinner at his Chequers country estate. The Prime Minister laid [...]
Putin praises David Cameron for 7 May win but talk on Ukraine crisis remains icy May 25, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron received a rare phone call yesterday when Russian president Vladimir Putin rang Number 10 to congratulate Cameron on the Conservatives’ success at the General Election. According to Downing Street, the two leaders spoke about Syria and the Ukraine during the 30-minute phone call. A Number 10 spokesperson said that Cameron and [...]
Despite Obama’s silver tongue, the future of Iraq is looking pretty bleak after fall of Ramadi to Islamic State May 25, 2015 No Mr President, losing Ramadi is not a “tactical setback” – it is a catastrophe. Having also got by on my wits in graduate school, I always had a sense that I understood the elusive failings of Barack Obama far too well. When he obfuscates, he does so elegantly, often speaking in half-truths, illustrating his [...]
EU referendum: Over one million migrants will be barred from voting May 25, 2015 Over 1m European migrants living in Britain will not be able to vote in the EU referendum, unless they qualify to vote in General Elections David Cameron has decided. The prime minister’s move will placate some Eurosceptics on the right of the Conservative party, who were afraid voting restrictions would follow the looser rules of [...]
Labour has performed a U-turn on the EU membership referendum, as Cameron prepares legislation May 24, 2015 Labour has performed a balletic U-turn this morning, abandoning its opposition to EU membership referendum. Harriet Harman, the acting leader of the party, has given David Cameron a boost by saying her party will vote in favour of the Conservative’s bill, which would see a vote on the UK’s EU membership before the end of [...]
David Cameron refuses to be drawn on timeline for an EU referendum during negotiations in Riga May 22, 2015 Talks in Riga over the UK's position in Europe were merely "scratching the surface", David Cameron said today, and refused to be drawn on the timing of an EU referendum. Read more: Spencer – EU referendum must not be rushed "I will not give time lines and deadlines and a running commentary on the referendum plans," [...]
General Election 2015: Has Nigel Farage damaged “brand Ukip”? May 22, 2015 Nigel Farage was one of the founding members and leader of Ukip in 2006, but it wasn’t until he returned as leader in 2010 that he began to inject a modicum of acceptability into the party. Prior to that Ukip was so right-wing that it was considered by many to be a party of [...]
Mario Draghi: Structural reforms needed as growth is “too low everywhere” May 22, 2015 European governments must increase efforts to adopt structural reform if “lasting stability and prosperity” is to return to the Eurozone, Mario Draghi has said today. Reforms were needed to avoid future shocks to the system, making resilience “part of our common DNA”, he said in a speech at the start of the ECB’s annual [...]
David Cameron fires starting gun for grand bargain with Europe May 22, 2015 Newly re-elected Prime minister David Cameron will hold his first talks with European Union leaders today, as he attempts to renegotiate the terms of Britain's membership in the bloc ahead of a referendum in 2017. "Today I will start discussions in earnest with fellow leaders on reforming the EU and renegotiating the UK's relationship with [...]
Why it’s highly unlikely that David Cameron’s immigration crackdown will work May 21, 2015 The government yesterday unveiled its latest plan to crack down on illegal immigration, by making it significantly less attractive for people to remain in the UK, working illegally. To achieve this, it is proposing to introduce a new criminal offence – “illegal working” – together with plans to seize the wages of those working illegally. [...]