Schadenfreude archive

Tory splits over EU follow Cameron to US
David Cameron talking up one of the EU's major policy ambitions on one side of the Atlantic, while his party back home squabbles about whether it even wants to be part of the club, is quite a spectacle – notes our secret columnist in Brussels

The EU and the eurozone: out of work
The level of unemployment in Europe is a tragedy that deserves some sort of recognition of collective failure on the part of the authorities, writes our secret columnist in Brussels

Treaty change debate creates EU policy vacuum
Not too long ago it seemed that European leaders had finally taken decisive action with promises of a banking union – but reluctance to entertain treaty change has stopped the progress in its tracks, writes our secret columnist in Brussels

Dealing with the EU's democratic deficit
To make the EU, and in particular the European Commission, more democratic might be a noble goal but doing it would reduce the influence of national governments, our secret columnist in Brussels points out

The United States and a less united Europe
A free trade deal between the EU and US would create a bloc that would dominate global trade and possibly wider economic policies – a sound reason for Britain to stay in, says our secret columnist in Brussels

Britain's review of EU law - any progress?
The UK's review of how EU legislation impacts on national law has so far not been a shining example of information management by the government, writes our secret columnist in Brussels

Unearthing a European charter of protectionism
Our secret columnist in Brussels studies a document demonstrating that current members of the EU have not always been champions of free trade, and considers just how much things have changed

Do we really need the European Union?
In light of the European Union's recent troubles, our secret columnist asks the big question – is it necessary to have it at all? – and sets out how things could work if it did not exist

Hard times push EU into spring hibernation
Our secret columnist surveys the scene in Brussels and finds that the EU – with the question of 'what next in the financial crisis' still hanging over it – has recently been starved of good news on all fronts

Glee at Thatcher's death reveals decline of respect
It is perfectly proper to attack Margaret Thatcher's decisions and the damage they did, but there is no possible justification for rejoicing at her death or organising celebratory events, writes our secret columnist in Brussels

The lasting European legacy of Margaret Thatcher
From the single market to her role in ending the Cold War and her ability to get her own way in Brussels, Margaret Thatcher's impact on Europe was significant – writes our secret columnist in Brussels

'Try again, Dave' - Cameron at the giddy limit
Our secret columnist is worked up about David Cameron's assertion that Britain needs to renew its nuclear deterrent in light of the threat from North Korea – and angry at the use of the tragic deaths of six children for political gain

Britain's image takes a hit in wake of scandals
Our secret columnist in Brussels looks at how revelations about the behaviour of the British press, its police, politicians and others have been received in the rest of Europe

Forward planning: EU already discussing the next Cyprus
Our secret columnist in Brussels is wondering what comes next. He has heard rumours from well-placed sources of contingency plans should another Cyprus-type situation develop

Behind the scenes of the discussions about Cyprus
Our secret columnist has been piecing together reports from his intelligence network about the discussions in Berlin, early in March, when Cyprus emerged as the latest eurozone problem. It is a murky tale of Machiavellian statecraft