Category: Politics

If I might

It’s offally risky talking politics here but I for one was pleased to see David Cameron’s bid to loosen the Eurocuffs which are dragging the members towards a state of bondage. Even more pleased that Angela Merkel wrong-footed Francoise Hollande by recognising that not every EU member wants totalitarian Eurocracy and will talk about the implications. Meanwhile don’t I hear many millions of Europeans shouting, “Yes! At last somebody is standing up and challenging the system.”?

Back at home, Labour doesn’t know what to say, except to reject the promised referendum or perhaps not. In fact Cameron’s tactics will be hard for Labour to oppose since they involve negotiating a ‘looser’ membership deal and asking the voters “Yes or No? In or Out”. They can’t oppose renegotiation because they know the strength of public feeling but equally they can’t jump on board. The Milimess will continue. But luckily even they won’t be proposing the Chinese model for the future!

French leave – again

Complaining of gross injustice at home, the gross Gerard Depardieu left for Moscow – a Napoleonic choice, I fear. We’ll see (as my 6-year-old granddaughter is wont to observe). But soft, what other luminary at yonder port of entry breaks cover? It is not Rosy-fingered Dawn but Carla and Nicolulla with a couple of sons, migrating to London – allegedly. Now I can see why Carla might fancy it – some of her ‘best friends’ are natives – but will the little fella really let a high tax-rate drive him out of (one of) his ancestral home(s)? I can only applaud his good taste if he does.

Fractures in the US/Saudi alliance

There was a report in yesterday’s The Times (sorry no link, Times Online is a pay site) regarding the soaring production of shale oil in the US. BP forecasts that this year the States will overtake Russia and Saudi Arabia as the world’s largest producer of oil, most of it from rising shale output. Understandably, OPEC is not amused and will have to cut production to avoid a collapse and keep prices steady.

The loss of hegemony for OPEC in the oil market can only be good for consumers. Analysts predict that the price of a barrel of oil will drop by 20% in the next decade. Europe seems to be lagging behind in the development of shale reserves because of environmental concerns, fracking bans and lack of infrastructure.

The shale revolution has thrown on its head, for the time being anyway, the general consensus that global oil production is in decline. While welcoming the fact that the Arabs are squirming, the Middle East might become a more volatile place in the upcoming years.

Primogeniture for girls

One’s favourite royal is concerned. He’s afraid his future first grandchild might be female, marry an RC and thereby convert the monarchy to the Roman way of worship. Which raises a few interesting questions, I’m sure. Like: Wouldn’t it be best for him and his subjects if he himself abjured his Divine Right on accession? He must be one of only a few who a) believe that he is on an equal footing with the Godfather in the Vatican, b) want him (the PoW) as head of the CoE and c) care what a monarch does in the privacy of his/her own chapel. Or is he?

Big Ears also worries about all his fellow dukes and other hereditary peers, if the first-born son should no longer inherit as of right. What is the problem? As far as I can see the silver-spooned girls seem to be perfectly capable of rivalling their brothers in privileged education, conspicuous consumption and proxy child-rearing. Or does Charles suffer from the ‘Enry ‘Iggins Syndrome? ” Why can’t a woman……….be more like me?”