Jon Worth's Euroblog

12.04.2007 UK Politics

Back from 18 Doughty Street, and not blogging much for the next few days

Just back from my 2nd appearance on 18 Doughty Street’s Vox Politics and End of the Day programmes. Iain Dale was hosting this time – first time I’ve met him and he’s very friendly and personable for a Tory. There

11.04.2007 EU Politics

Thinking back to 17th September 2006, reflections about Gordon Brown

17th September 2006. Not a vital day in UK politics, but crucial for Sweden. It was the day of the Swedish general election when the Social Democrats lost control of the Riksdagen after 12 years in power. I was at

11.04.2007 UK Politics

Into the enemy den again, but with allies – 18 Doughty Street

Bit slow to post it here, but I’m on Vox Politix on 18 Doughty Street tonight at 22:00 BST, together with Sean Fear, a regular pundit on PoliticalBetting.com, writer of the Dave’s Part blog, Dave Osler, and former Paddy Ashdown

11.04.2007 EU Politics

PES – getting its act together on childcare

The Party of European Socialists has been highlighting childcare issues over the last week, encouraging its member parties and PES Activists to get together, discuss the issue, and highlight where there are problems. They have also published some interesting research

10.04.2007 Technology

Bloggers’ code of conduct – fine in principle

Following hot on the heels of Oliver Kamm’s criticism of blogging and democracy (see this post), there’s a heated debate going on about Tim O’Reilly’s ideas for a broad code of conduct for bloggers – and it’s even considered important

09.04.2007 EU Politics

Reflections on federalist strategy (or lack of it)

This blog is syndicated at the JEF-related online magazine Taurillon, and from time to time some interesting articles appear there. Today I happened to come across Paolo Vacca’s appeal for a Core Europe. For anyone who has ever been to

09.04.2007 UK Politics

The value of political blogging – Kamm is misguided

I came across Oliver Kamm’s article ‘A Parody of Democracy‘ in which the author tries to make the case that political blogs poison debate, rather than enhance it. Kamm is obviously sufficiently keen to avoid debate that it’s not actually

08.04.2007 Observations

Hastings, The Stade

A long weekend, no travel to faraway places, so what better than the take Victor the Streetcar (yes, their cars do have names) and head off to the South Coast – Eastbourne for some inline skating, Bexhill for a potter

08.04.2007 UK Politics

Little hope in the spring sunshine

I’m sat typing at the table in the window in my small flat in Walworth. A small vase of daffodils stands on the table and the April sun is shining on the cars parked in the road outside. It’s Easter

05.04.2007 EU Politics

UK Budget Rebate – do I dislike Brown or the reaction more?

The UK press has been up in arms with reports that Gordon Brown has ‘backed down’ and the Tories are having a rant about the rebate bombshell. The whole thing makes really sickening reading. See The Guardian and BBC. A

05.04.2007 Technology / UK Politics

UK elected representatives – not leading the way online

The New Statesman is running its New Media Awards again this year, and I’ve just been casting my eye over the list of nominees in the Elected Representative category. What a terrible collection! There are some better efforts at interactivity

03.04.2007 EU Politics

Why large EU states are no longer so equal

I’ve had a go at Poland’s approach to the EU here previously and – as before – it cannot be defended. The dual majority system for Council voting, as proposed by the European Constitution, is the way to go to