Europe
European solidarity or national responsibility?
“For anyone who regards the European project as essential and is dismayed by the events of recent years, the creation of a new and revitalised vision for Europe seems essential. Is this it? Is the…
What should Labour’s pro-Europeans do now?
Brexiteers won the first skirmish but experienced former parliamentarian Mark Lazarowicz explains why the battle in the House of Commons is far from over, and urges pro-EU MPs to resist triggering a ‘Hard Brexit’ Article…
EU citizens must keep rights to vote after Brexit
Voting is a founding block of citizenship. Mark Lazarowicz urges UK and Scottish governments to make a clear declaration on maintaining legal rights of EU citizens to vote in devolved parliaments and local elections after…
A new-style Scottish foreign policy
“There would be six EU members with a population less than Scotland. Size is only one factor in foreign policy. Ideas, principles, commitment, talent and domestic support are more important. Scotland does not lack in…
Politically savvy and nigh impossible
“For Scotland to meet the obligations of EEA-EFTA membership, almost all areas of policy would have to be devolved – immigration, business regulations, employment law, competition policy, product standards to name just a few. This…
Devo max, #indyref2 or holding op?
“Sturgeon’s paper is a serious in-depth piece of analysis. It respects the original Scottish Parliament vote by 92-0…The Scottish Government has followed up and respected that vote – but the politics has moved on. A…
Sturgeon’s fantasy plan for Brexit
“The ruling Scottish politicians could play a major role in ensuring Brexit is as least damaging as possible and even be delayed or attenuated. But this surreal Sturgeon proposal which will have zero impact in…
Imagining a ‘progressive communitarianism’
Communitarianism doesn’t have to be regressive: the pre-war origins of social democracy hold lessons for today’s left.
A day is a long time in EU politics
“His (van der Bellen’s) victory should certainly not be seen as an encouragement of those, in the UK and EU as a whole just as much as Austria, who hope that politics does not need…
Trump: a silver lining for progressives?
“Trump’s triumph comes with a silver lining. It demonstrates that we are at a crossroads when change is inevitable, not just possible. But to ensure that it is not the type of change that humanity…
The Press attacks the rule of law
“Theresa May has other problems to confront. The court ruling has emboldened the opposition and is likely to unite them around a ‘soft-Brexit’ line – wanting to keep Britain in the single European market, or…
Art 50 decision restores politics to Brexit
“Might there be an early general election? This looks very likely if MPs did succeed in passing a vote that either rejected Theresa May’s Brexit negotiating goals or if they passed a vote for a…