Jon Worth's Euroblog

24.07.2006 Observations

Petty criminality

For the second time in just over a fortnight, I have been on the wrong end of some petty criminality. Today the front wheel of my bike was stolen from just outside the offices where I work close to Victoria

23.07.2006 Observations

1km of swimming, need more training

I feel quite pleased with myself today – I cycled over to the Tooting Bec Lido and swam there with some friends from the civil service. The pool is 90m long; make a bit of a change from normal swimming

23.07.2006 EU Politics

The Sego-Merkel-Brown axis?

I’ve just tried to wake my mind up a bit this Sunday morning by reading this article in The Observer about SÃƒÂ©golÃƒÂ¨ne Royal (Wikipedia about her). The picture that emerges from the article is a strange one, an image of

21.07.2006 UK Politics

Labour: please, please show some compassion

I’m lost for words. John Reid yesterday announced his new plans for the criminal justice system. 8000 more prison places. Less chances of early release. It makes dire, dire reading. The Guardian’s article about it is here. I uttely loathe

20.07.2006 UK Politics

Cameron: EPP decision in 2009

Quick note about Cameron, as the decision on the future of the Conservative MEPs in the EPP-ED group in the European Parliament has now been taken. The aim will be to establish a new eurosceptic group after the EP elections

20.07.2006 EU Politics

What price for power? SMER in Slovakia

Sometimes you have just been out of power too long, and you simply must have it back. That seems to be what has happened in Slovakia where the left-ish SMER party of new Prime Minister Robert Fico has formed a

10.07.2006 Technology

1-year anniversary for the Euroblog

It has been a short 12 months blogging. Thinking back, I started all of this off on (as far as I can tell) 7th July 2005 with a casual shrug of the shoulders, with little keen-ness and determination. Helena had

30.06.2006 Observations

Good service to a drunk man, and hen parties

Two strange experiences this morning – one good, one bad. I was waiting for the N35 night bus from Beford Road to Liverpool Street station. The bus stop was quiet at 03:45, but then a drunk man swayed his way

28.06.2006 UK Politics

Britain, Muslims and Palestine: what’s going on?

My attention was drawn to the story entitled Poll shows Muslims in Britain are the most anti-western in Europe in The Guardian a few days ago by my mother who sent the article to me, asking me what I thought.

27.06.2006 Observations

Winding down for the summer

I haven’t written much here over the last week for a number of reasons. Firstly, I spent 4 days in Sweden for Midsommar, sitting in the sunshine eating färsk potatis and jordgubbar. Secondly, I’ve been working away from London quite

22.06.2006 UK Politics

Blair force one – not a bad idea

If you were a head of state or Prime Minister, wouldn’t you want your own plane? Or perhaps the question should be how does the UK government not already have a dedicated plane for state business. Yet the decision this

20.06.2006 EU Politics

Cold Turkey? No, but cooler tempers would help

Yesterday evening the Young Fabians organised an event at the Turkish Embassy entitled “Cold Turkey? Is the EU dream dead?” – details of the event here. More than 60 people came along to the immensely grand residence of the Turkish