International
#People’s Vote and #Revoke: good options badly placed
Parliamentary paralysis: the real error is placing #PeoplesVote and #Revoke options alongside options for a deal, says Robert Sharp
Northern Ireland border poll
‘An early poll, particularly if it takes place in a political atmosphere that is strained following a hard Brexit, could seriously destabilise both parts of Ireland, and put at risk the political gains and civil…
Brexit, the people and the politics of loss
‘The foundational reality of British democracy is that the winner takes all. This reality cannot be reconciled with the current national crisis in which everyone, ultimately, must lose something.’
New conversation about Scottish HE
‘ Based on patterns of investment, Scotland is closer to the approach taken in Serbia than Sweden.’ ‘But free higher education has to be well-funded higher education for it to mean anything.’
Brexit and Scottish devolution
‘If reforms are to be effective, rebuild trust and be regarded as legitimate by all governments, collaboration and mutual consent will need to go hand in hand.
Brexit, SNP and Indy
The 2014 indy proposals stressed close integration, maintenance of the currency union, close economic and social ties, and open borders, a model facilitated by membership of both countries in the EU. Back to the drawing…
Citizen’s assembly to break Brexit deadlock?
We should not imagine that they could magic away all the current quandaries over Brexit. But they could play several important roles in clarifying options, reflecting on solutions, overcoming division, and reinvigorating democracy in the…
Beyond the Irish backstop
Could Brexit pave the way for a united Ireland? A recent RTÉ/BBC poll demonstrated that although 62 per cent of Northern Ireland voters perceive that Brexit increases the likelihood of a united Ireland, just 35…
Euro at 20: time for reform
Post-Brexit (if/when?) the EU will undertake a big debate on how to reform the eurozone: does Scotland wish to take part?
Labour’s Brexit abyss
What is far from clear is what Corbyn really thinks and wants other than some form of “socialism in one country” outside the current EU or inside a “reformed” EU.
Labour’s Brexit trilemma: the least bad outcome? (2)
One silver lining from the Brexit debacle is that the Tories have been exposed as deeply divided and hopelessly incompetent. If Labour can successfully exploit these divisions, there is a very real opportunity to put…
Commons Brexit choices narrowing
Soft, hard, Norway plus, no deal or second referendum? However divided the parties and however unstable UK politics becomes, the UK’s politicians cannot put the choice off any longer.’ Kirsty Hughes on Tuesday’s Commons vote