What would they have done about this “new fiscal compact” agreed at the recent European Council: General government budgets shall be balanced or in surplus; this principle shall be deemed respected if, as a rule, the annual structural deficit does not exceed 0.5% of nominal GDP. Such a rule will […]
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Remember, remember, the 5th of November
As CNN reports, the V for Vendetta-style Guy Fawkes mask has inspired Occupy protesters around the world. CNN points out: Ironically Fawkes, far from being the anti-establishment hero he has come to be seen as in the years since his death, was a monarchist who merely wanted to replace the […]
Read MorePAUL: One year to go – Washington Times
Via PAUL: One year to go – Washington Times (and twitterer @tomjdalton): I firmly believe the American people are serious about cutting spending and fixing our debt crisis now. Those struggling to make ends meet and provide for their families while also trying to save for the future know we must […]
Read MoreSometimes, a US presidential candidate inspires: “End the Fed”
There is no greater threat to the security and prosperity of the United States today than the out-of-control, secretive Federal Reserve. Imagine that parents, overwhelmed by debt and months behind on their bills, sent their spendthrift teenagers out each weekend for a night on the town with credit cards and […]
Read MoreThe horror of the European Stability Mechanism
On the horror of the European Stability Mechanism: The path on which the EU is embarked is not only profoundly anti-democratic but it also tramples the classical Rule of Law. The benefits of trade are tremendous but that shouldn’t stop us being concerned that our neighbours are headed this way. […]
Read MoreVia BBC News – EU referendum: Cameron says no bad blood towards rebels
“There’s no, on my part, no bad blood, no rancour, no bitterness. These are valued Conservative colleagues, I understand why people feel strongly and we will go forward together and tackle the difficult decisions the country faces.” via BBC News – EU referendum: Cameron says no bad blood towards rebels. […]
Read MoreRemarks on the Eurozone crisis at the People’s Pledge Congress
At the People’s Pledge Congress today, I appeared on a panel discussing the political implications of the Eurozone crisis. I would have loved to focus on democracy, freedom and the rule of law but the cause of the crisis was the key theme. As ever, I blamed our statist, inflationary […]
Read MoreSpeech on the third reading of the Pensions Bill
Via House of Commons Hansard Debates for 18 Oct 2011 (pt 0004): The right hon. Member for East Ham (Stephen Timms) set out his misgivings about the Bill. I share some of his trepidation about the effects on the group of women that we have discussed, but I shall be […]
Read MoreSpeech yesterday against HS2
Via Hansard – Commons | Houses of Parliament, Today in the Commons (13th October 2011): Page 17: Contrary to certain assumptions, I am the only Buckinghamshire MP whose constituency is not affected by the high-speed rail proposal. I know that your constituency is affected by it, Mr Speaker, and that your […]
Read MoreProtection of Freedoms Bill at Report Stage today
As you can see via the Order of Business for Monday 10 October 2011, today and tomorrow will see the Protection of Freedoms Bill in Report Stage in the Commons. I served on the Bill committee which examined the Bill clause-by-clause. You can find the record here. I found the Bill to […]
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