You get nowhere in America if you do not understand that Ireland is in the warp and weft of the Republic. It is the other story from that of the Pilgrim Fathers. Bonnie Greer -Full Article here. Introduction The relationship between Ireland an the US has been described as a 250 year love affair, with… Read more
Category:
Ireland
Covering Ireland both North and South
Back to the Backstop (Possibly the DUP are not sensible?)
Introduction It has been a fairly grim week Brexit-wise with the HoC again putting fantasy over reality. I have to admit to being so depressed by the whole saga I have found it difficult to put pen to paper. Fortunately three of my favourite commentators, Prof Chris Grey, Ian Dunt and Prof Simon-Wren Lewis have… Read more
Three Reasons for Brexit?
I have heard only three arguments which carry some weight in going ahead with Brexit. All from private conversations but there are echoes elsewhere. The first was a senior criminal lawyer, who dealt in fraud cases such as motor accident claims. Deliberately causing crashes, by for example slamming on brakes without any notice, so that… Read more
Freedom of Movement – Cultural Attitudes and comparison with Ireland
Introduction UK politics has been for many years split on a Left/Right – Labour/Tory axis, but over Brexit this is breaking down. Prof. Richard Murphy gives a succinct definition that difference between Left and Right is how widely ‘us’ is defined. Left wing people cast the definition of ‘us’ very widely; ideally incorporating the whole… Read more
Less safe after any Brexit…
It is sobering to hear the Commissioner of the Met Police, Cressida Dick, state that Britain is likely to be less safe after any Brexit at all – and in any case it is likely to be financially costly. This is to most, I suggest, unsurprising. What might encourage Conservative remainers to ensure there is… Read more
Scotland and Ireland the Road to Independence (part III)
Introduction In part I the common heritage of the Scots and Irish was explored. Part II explored the comparative performance of the two economies over the past few hundred years. In part III the current situation is examined. Has independence been a success for Ireland? Should Scotland look at Ireland with envy or pity? Ireland… Read more
Scotland and Ireland the Road to Independence (part II)
Introduction As discussed in Part I, Scotland and Ireland are very similar countries with a largely shared people: the Scots. Ireland is now independent apart from the NE corner. Many in Scotland hope to follow Ireland’s example. Are there lessons that might be learned from Ireland? The countries have had contrasting fortunes over the past… Read more
Scotland and Ireland the Road to Independence (part 1)
Introduction Should Scotland follow Ireland in becoming an independent country? The answer may lie in comparing the history and economy of our two countries and the prospects for the future. There seem to be a lack of knowledge in the UK in general and Scotland in particular regarding Ireland. Part I will concentrate on where… Read more
The Withdrawal Agreement and Westminster
Introduction Now that we have a stabilised draft Withdrawal Agreement (WA), agreed by the EU 27 and the UK, there is effectively zero probability of altering the text significantly. It must be remembered of course that whilst the WA is just the terms of the divorce settlement, it is nonetheless a legally binding treaty. The … Read more
Liberté de Mouvement, la Paix en Irlande et la Dinde de Noël
“Freedom of Movement, Peace in Ireland and Christmas Turkey” Liberté de Mouvement -Freedom of Movement The summer of ’76 lives on in the English imagination as a gloriously hot summer. For me it was a Continental one, with a DAAD scholarship in Germany from June to mid September and at the end of the summer… Read more