Articles by Anthony Pickles

Anthony is a Parliamentary Researcher and Conservative activist

The union is in a state

The union is in a state, but it doesn't have to be. Time to think again about FTT
by Anthony Pickles - 13 September 2012
Politicians may be on the beaches but the Euro crisis isn't resting

As it did last summer, the Euro crisis has slipped off the news agenda. Don't be fooled into thinking it's gone on vacation too
by Anthony Pickles - 16 August 2012
For Conservative success, look to Sweden

Given the similarity between Sweden and Britain, not least in certain economic issues, the coalition government should take comfort from a neighbour who has achieved what it has
by Anthony Pickles - 16 April 2012
The UK – Represented in the French Parliament?

Who would have known that the statue of Nelson at Trafalgar Square would one day look over a French Parliamentary constituency?
by Anthony Pickles - 19 March 2012
Who'd be an MP?

Wooly job description; 70 hour working week; intense pressure; unrelenting scrutiny; and for around £37,000 per hours worked, per year. Who'd be an MP?
by Anthony Pickles - 12 January 2012
Fascists, Europhobes, deluded imperialists. Anybody would think Eurosceptics were advocating all out war

Never mind the Europhiles. Being aware of the world around you is not delusional; thinking Europe is the only answer is
by Anthony Pickles - 22 December 2011
'Britain isolated, like the Swiss'. If only

Lord Oakeshott, if the worst scenario for Britain is to become a "super Switzerland", then all I can say is: yes please!
by Anthony Pickles - 12 December 2011
We're not Germanophobes, but neither are we all Europhiles

Germanophobia shouldn’t exist in the UK. What must happen though is a robust critique of any new plans, wherever they come from, or else ‘Eurogeddon’ may not be long off
by Anthony Pickles - 6 December 2011
The Greek Tragedy continues, even if we're not watching

Unless a credible means of collecting tax is found, alongside real political will and a solution from the EU to help ease the sovereign debt, it looks as though Greece will be in real trouble for decades to come
by Anthony Pickles - 28 November 2011
Will there ever be accountability in European spending?

For the seventeenth year on the trot, the Court of Auditors has been unable to sign off the EU budget. Sadly, it would have been a bigger shock if they were successful
by Anthony Pickles - 14 November 2011
Greek Hoi Polloi: Eurozone crisis refusing to budge.

The Brussels elite may be furious at the decision to hold a referendum in Greece, but when the figures look so dire, and people are becoming increasingly agitated, we should remember how things were in Greece not too long ago.
by Anthony Pickles - 2 November 2011
Beating the Euro-crisis: why not become Scandinavian?

With seventeen Eurozone countries looking down the barrel of ‘ever closer union’, being in the wilderness with successful Nordics may be no bad thing.
by Anthony Pickles - 30 October 2011
Au revoir, Strasbourg

With the eurozone in grave financial risk from very worried markets, the EU ought to take the chance to make a small but meaningful gesture by waving au revoir to Strasbourg.
by Anthony Pickles - 2 October 2011
Integration, but not with your debt!

The debt cocktail in the eurozone is becoming more poisonous and it will take more than George Osborne to call for fiscal union. It will take a level of political bravery that Europe is not renowned for to contain the problems.
by Anthony Pickles - 15 September 2011