Jon Worth's Euroblog

28.06.2007 EU Politics

Europe is out, and Woodward is in – oh dear

Gordon Brown’s cabinet is taking shape and overall it looks fine – I’m especially happy to see David Miliband as Foreign Secretary. But there are 2 matters of concern. Firstly the Minister of State for Europe (most recently Geoff Hoon

Albert Borschette Â© European Commission

27.06.2007 EU Politics

John Prescott implicated in the death of a European Commissioner?

There’s a nasty conference centre that belongs to the European Commission in Brussels called the Albert Borschette building. It’s close to Place Jourdan and is a 1970s construction. But the story behind its name is an intriguing one. Albert Borschette

25.06.2007 EU Politics

London is just that bit less European as Henry bids farewell

As anyone who reads this blog often will know, I don’t make a habit of writing about sport. But today I’ll make an exception. For it was with considerable sadness that I read today that it has been confirmed that

25.06.2007 EU Politics

EU, turning back the clock

I’ve been away in Sweden for Midsommar, but have been reflecting on the Treaty compromise while sat on the plane back to London. Overall the actual result could have been a lot worse – the main elements of the Constitution

25.06.2007 EU Politics

Summer plans

I can’t remember in recent years getting to June and not having any plans for the summer. Anyway, things have now more or less fallen into place for a 2 week trip north with Helena at the end of July

24.06.2007 EU Politics

Harriet elected Deputy Leader – wahey!!!

We’ve won! Harriet was elected deputy leader of the Labour Party with 50.43% of the vote. I’ve been responsible for the website of the campaign that has at least played a small part in the successful result. Harriet defeated Alan

17.06.2007 EU Politics

Treaty of Nice version 2

It’s summit week. Finally. The EU news sites, and the mainstream media to a certain extent, have been trying to analyze what may or may not emerge from the European Council at the end of this week in Brussels. It

16.06.2007 EU Politics

Brussels – content

I’ve just spent the last 2 days in Brussels for work and I’m left asking myself this question: why did I ever leave? First of all I know so many people there – I keep on bumping into people I

10.06.2007 EU Politics

Principles make for a EU budget Balls up

I’ve been reading ‘Britain and Europe: A City minister’s perspective’ by Ed Balls MP [more details from the CER]. It all strikes me as reasonably standard Brownite fare – realising that Britain has to be part of the EU, but

07.06.2007 UK Politics

Deputy Leadership – now’s the time to vote for Harriet

So it’s almost decision time. Ballot papers for the Deputy Leadership are being sent out and all members should get them by the end of the week. It’s with some mixed feelings that this decision time approaches – the Deputy

06.06.2007 EU Politics

The Finnish Presidency of the G8

Every Presidency has to have its logo. But it seems that ideas are running a bit thin. Finland, for its 2006 EU Presidency, choose the rather graceful logo pictured at the top. Germany, for its ongoing 2007 G8 Presidency has

04.06.2007 UK Politics

Royal Mail mysteries

Every London cyclist must have experienced it. The revving of a small commercial vehicle engine behind you and – whooosh – a red Royal Mail LDV van powers past. Like more passionate versions of White Van Man, Royal Mail drivers