A Prime Minister cannot afford to give the impression of being the victim of the events. In Brussels on Thursday, Theresa May looked to the entire world like a person who was not in control of events. She will now struggle to live down that image.
As up to 70 countries and 20 international agencies gather, corruption in the country is at a record high. In the two years since it was established, the National Unity Government (NUG) has very limited economic achievements, such as completing the previous Government’s left-over development projects or signing off a couple of international agreements for power and gas supply.
We will need to hold the government to account – the years of blaming Brussels will soon be at an end. The fact is most of our trade deals will need to be renegotiated. There is an opportunity to put fairness at the core of the UK’s future international trade. Whatever the outcome of the current chaos, we at Fairtrade will redouble our efforts to make trade fair. Now, more than ever, producers need the support of shoppers, businesses and politicians to make this happen.
As MEPs we are in a grieving process and so experiencing a range of emotions. A lot of the time I feel rage about the poor level of the debate we have just been through and fear about the consequences of the decision we have taken. I am also trying to see positive Green possibilities of operating outside the single market. And quite often I just feel deeply sad.
Green MEP for the South West of England and member of the Economics and Monetary Affairs Committee in the European Parliament
On hearing the Brexit result, my grandad texted me saying “Hopefully we’ll find a way to fix things and make this OK”. Like me he was shocked, disappointed and hurt that this was the choice made by such a significant proportion of Brits.
Despite being born and raised in England, I no longer identify as British. It feels unsettling to say so, and I should add that I still hold a UK passport and have a deep affection for my country of origin. However, having having spent almost a third of my life living in France and Belgium, and learned a second language, I now see myself as European.
Unfortunately, we have become lazy; lazy to the point that we can’t even recognise the EU referendum is our Magna Carta moment. Leaving the EU will allow us to reclaim control over our economy and our borders. But more importantly, it will allow us to reclaim our democracy.
I was having a drink with a Socialist the other night (it’s something that can easily happen in Paris), and naturally we got on to the subject of wate…
Stephen Clarke is a writer living in Paris. His books include A Year in the Merde and 1000 Years of Annoying the French. He also curated the collection at the Centre Culturel de l’Entente Cordiale in Hardelot, France.
In short, the eurocrats are scared of a fight. They’re as unlike Hitler as you could get. But European pacifism is apparently not something that Messrs Cameron and Johnson want to hear about.
Stephen Clarke is a writer living in Paris. His books include A Year in the Merde and 1000 Years of Annoying the French. He also curated the collection at the Centre Culturel de l’Entente Cordiale in Hardelot, France.
As an ordinary British citizen similar to the 16% of the voters unsure whether they should support Britain staying in the European Union or join the c…
Munching down fish and chips while enjoying a pint of Broadside is a must-do when visiting Southwold. Even if your face is more battered by the wind than your cod is by the fryer; and even if you’re soggier from the rain than your chips are from the vinegar. In fact it all tends to add to the whole experience.
Instead of worrying about the spread of ISIS, we need more uplifting spirits. We must remember that we are the majority. Individually we may not be able to do a lot, but collectively we have the power to make a difference. It is up to us to filter through the sea of fear-mongering and ignorance and make a stand for the oppressed, regardless of race or gender.
Blogger, photographer, second year Classicist and a slave to social media
Don’t expect Muslim to explain what happened in Brussels any better than non-Muslims; but that does not mean that Muslims can wash our hands of trying to find solutions to stop people from misusing our God to cause carnage.
Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament
We can’t let terror win – the common refrain in the aftermath of the now all too frequent terror attacks. But ISIS is already winning. There’s no shame in admitting because the terrorists have effectively rigged the game, in two important and connected ways.
Writer with a particular interest in sports, arts and travel
Having witnessed the aftermath of the London bombings firsthand outside a stricken King’s Cross station on July 7, 2005, I certainly understand that fear.
Editor-in-Chief of The World Weekly, freelance journalist, Labour
In the last half of March 2016, three separate but interrelated events have served to heighten concerns about the European venture: The deaths of young people studying in Spain, the self-serving behaviour of some British politicians, and the horror of the recent terrorist attacks in Brussels.
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