“Kicking ass” is not a phrase Europeans would expect to hear from a President, but it is understandable why President Obama used it.  What is not understandable is why he calls the company ‘British Petroleum” and not “BP”.  Ironically, British Petroleum changed its name to BP after the merger with US oil giant Amoco in [...]

‘David & Nick’, prime minister and deputy prime minister leading a five year coalition.  No political commentator seems to have predicted this.  I don’t intend to go over events that have already been covered by thousands of words – just a few reflections.  • Five days to agree the principles of a coalition deal, the first [...]

The United Kingdom is in economic and budgetary crisis.  The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have joined forces to provide a strong government, able to take the necessary unpleasant measures. David Cameron and Nick Clegg and their parties have admirably compromised to establish a much needed consensual political culture.  There of course remain major differences.  The [...]

The UK has never faced such a fascinating General Election than the forthcoming one on 6 May.  The list of uncertain factors is long.  For example the effects of: the size of the turnout tactical voting the influence of Scottish and Welsh nationalists achieving or preventing a hung parliament on the Liberal Democrat vote social [...]

The British House of Commons all-party Foreign Affairs Committee has concluded that the phrase “the special relationship” no longer reflects the current Anglo-American relationship.  The MPs believe the link to be “profound and valuable” but the British government needs to be “less deferential” towards the US and more willing to say no to Washington.   [...]