Andrew Marr’s interview of David Cameron on the BBC’s AM today was disappointing on Europe.  Marr tried to persuade the Conservative leader and likely next British prime minister to say what he would do if the Lisbon Treaty is fully ratified before the general election. Cameron refused to answer this question, saying that it would [...]

25 down, two to go.  With the Irish referendum behind us, the focus is now on Poland and the Czech Republic.  Polish President Lech Kaczy?ski will presumably honour his commitment to sign the ratification instrument if the Irish vote in favour.  That leaves the irrepressible Czech President, Vaclav Klaus.  I know nothing about Czech constitutional [...]

Following the Positive Irish referendum result, the race for who completes the EU leadership trio quickens.  The President of the Commission will be José Manuel Barroso (EPP, Portugal).  He will be joined by the President of the European Council and the EU ‘Foreign Minister’.  It would be preferable for the President of the European Council [...]

I had the good fortune to be in Beijing on 1 October and witnessed the parade and evening gala concert.  Only superlatives do justice to the quality and organisation of the events, which involved perhaps 250 000 participants. Contrary to what a number of commentators have said, I believe that the military parade, which began [...]