Articles archive
Bowles warns of 'ticking time bomb' of UK exit from EU
Influential MEP Sharon Bowles criticises Eurosceptics for living in a '1930s fantasy of imperial power' and describes those who promote the demise of the euro as 'mad'
Eurosceptics 'totally potty' says senior British Lib Dem
Danny Alexander calls those who want the UK to leave the EU as 'potty' while describing a potential referendum on the issue as a 'total distraction'
How to apologise when you are a public figure
It would seem that many public personalities need guidance on how to apologise while protecting their reputations. Drawing on all his years of experience inside the EU corridors of power, our secret columnist puts forward some cynical top tips on damage limitation - with his tongue planted firmly in cheek
Abu Hamza and Babar Ahmad fail to block extradition to US
The European Court of Human Rights denies Abu Hamza al-Masri, Babar Ahmad and three other terrorism suspects a final appeal and clears the path for their extradition to the United States from Britain
Reforming the British education system - a new approach
If qualifications are to regain, and then maintain, the public's confidence - then their design and administration must be wrested of government control – claim James Croft and Anton Howes
Parliament takes 'strong steps' in fight against corruption
The European Parliament has taken the first step towards improving transparency in developing countries by requiring multinational companies to disclose worldwide payments to governments, writes Rebecca Taylor
Civil liberties and the EU - the next step
Hugo Brady puts forward the case for a European Civil Liberties Union to protect and uphold rights across the continent – a bold idea indeed
'Key moment' in drive for transparency hailed by MEP
A European Parliament vote in favour of new rules on disclosure for large companies in the extractive industries – together with a similar law in the US – marks progress towards strong global transparency standards, says Arlene McCarthy
Are we moving towards a eurozone fiscal federal authority?
Democracy rests on checks and balances and who controls the controllers - as the Romans used to say. But how would this work out with a fiscal federal authority for the single currency area? Our secret columnist investigates
Europe's reaction to the Arab Spring - could do better
The European Union's focus on the European Neighbourhood Policy as the main vehicle for its response looks increasingly like displacement activity before normal politics are resumed – claim Nick Witney and Anthony Dworkin
The new Silk Road: a highway for radical Islam?
As the EU's trade with China grows, a new land route through central Asia is being developed – but there is a danger it might be exploited by radical Islam, Francesco Guarascio reports from Kazakhstan
'No guarantees' banking union will work
A mechanism to avoid bank runs and resolve cross-border insolvencies is worth considering but there is no certainty that the EU's banking union plan will be fair to taxpayers, writes Enrique Schroth
Higher education 'integral' to growth in Europe
Young people in particular suffer disproportionately during a financial downturn, making higher education more critical than ever for the social and economic development of every nation in Europe, writes Jan Muehlfeit
Barroso's successor: the runners and riders
As seasoned Brussels-watchers know, predicting the outcome of the race to be the next European Commission president is a fool's game – but the candidates are already beginning to emerge, writes Kevin Doran
Biotech lobbying 'cannot dispel fears' about GMOs
The fresh controversy about GMOs is fully justified – the science does not have public support and there are potential risks to health and the environment, writes Nikos Chountis