Feature archive

EU and some nations not taking animal welfare seriously
Despite the ban on individual pig stalls, some 80 per cent of countries still do not comply with the EU legislation – meaning 'illegal' meat continues to end up on our plates – writes Nikki Sinclaire MEP

Middle class citizens receive little value for their taxes - MEP
As time goes on and government spending spirals, middle class workers in the private sector who pick up the tab for the welfare state might say 'I want out' - claims Godfrey Bloom MEP

Higher car insurance for women 'political correctness'
New EU rules to bring insurance charges for female drivers in line with their male counterparts are 'clearly gender equality for gender equality's sake', claims Marina Yannakoudakis MEP

Parlamentarium: a 'shrine to EU propaganda'
The European Parliament visitors' centre in Brussels – known as the Parlamentarium – aims to convince rather than inform but it is nevertheless worth a visit, writes Justin Stares

Federalist denounces 'scandalous' EU law-making
European Union law-making has become fundamentally undemocratic – and that comes from the mouth not of a typical Eurosceptic but from one of the bloc's biggest supporters, writes Justin Stares

Monti decision is wild card in Italian political drama
The turmoil in Italian politics caused by the return of Silvio Berlusconi overshadowed the latest EU summit in Brussels, but the options for Rome suggest reasons for optimism, writes Francesco Guarascio

Israel's security depends on two-state solution
The EU has a responsibility to object loudly to the illegal expansion of the occupation of Palestine and to make Israel 'pay a heavy price' when it comes to relations with Europe, writes Ana Gomes MEP

Despite EU Nobel Prize - radicalism and nationalism on the rise
To stop the rise of radicalism and nationalism, elites will have to step up to the plate and give Europe the confident leadership that it so badly needs - writes Bruno Lété

Shale gas in the EU: is fracking the future?
The shale gas revolution could be about to hit the EU. Justin Stares takes the pulse of expert opinion in Brussels, where health and the environment get only a passing mention

The evolution of SMS over 20 years and its future - LOL!
Whether SMS will still be around in another 20 years remains to be seen – especially with email, Skype and other free communication tools being rapidly introduced and adopted – writes Andy Kemshall

'Shadow state' being created by privatisation of public services
Excessive profiteering by private companies has no place in our public service markets but it is already damaging many sectors and hurting ordinary citizens – warns Sam Simmons

'Political elite' - Tony Blair's grandiose EU pretensions
The former British prime minister is still an enthusiastic proponent of the single currency and the need to concentrate more powers with Brussels but why – asks Marc Glendening

Synaesthesia - from great art to learning a language in hours
A natural neurological process known as 'synaesthesia' can result in a blending of the senses and moments of genius – writes James Wannerton

The global warming 'standstill' continues
What is an obvious standstill to some – the global temperature has not increased for 15 years – is to others a not-so-rapid warming – claims Dr David Whitehouse

Biogas - thinking globally and acting locally
Community leadership on biogas is necessary to boost local prosperity and environmental sustainability, declares SORPA chief executive Björn H Halldórsson