Articles by the commentator

Hysteria at Sweden's successful COVID strategy is irresponsible, and silly

The terribly inconvenient truth is that Sweden has not suffered relative to most by adopting the kind of "lax" policies that many European countries, without daring to admit it, are now starting to emulate. We need to drop the anti-Swedish hysteria, and the ridiculous national stereotypes about COVID-19 while we're at it
by the commentator - 14 April 2020
Criticism shifts from Sweden to Austria as exits from lockdowns begin

As Austria prepares to implement a phased withdrawal from its COVID-19 lockdown next Tuesday, and Sweden continues with the laxest lockdown in Europe, others look on in envy, fear, and not a little loathing
by the commentator - 9 April 2020
Italy COVID deaths could be much higher than estimated, mortality rate 25 times lower

Controversy erupts from Italy with a new study suggesting total deaths may have been significantly underestimated while the actual death rate from COVID-19 may have been significantly overestimated
by the commentator - 4 April 2020
Prepare for the mother of all s**t storms if Sweden pulls this off

If Sweden, which has not locked down its economy and society, emerges with a death toll from COVID-19 that is somewhere in the middle of the pack of European countries, there is going to be a lot of recrimination, particularly against those who have tried to silence any discussion about the true extent of the threat that COVID-19 actually poses
by the commentator - 3 April 2020
Food for thought on "peaked" European COVID deaths

Given there is a "long" lead time (two to three weeks or more, it seems) between contracting the virus and dying from it, the peak and then the beginnings of the decline in the daily new death rates, arguably, may take place before the severe lockdowns could have had an effect. This is a public policy debate that will run and run
by the commentator - 30 March 2020
China air traffic data suggests we could beat COVID-19 by June

Data shows that Chinese air traffic could be heading back to normal by April. If that is a lead indicator of the progression of COVID-19 and its impact on society, the US and Britain may be over the worst of this by June
by the commentator - 21 March 2020
Poland breaks ranks, others to follow, as EU faces growing Italy crisis

While Barnier and Juncker present united front against re-opening Brexit deal, Poland hints at potential for compromise. Meanwhile, Italy slips into recession highlighting Brussels need to avert messy UK exit
by the commentator - 31 January 2019
How Theresa May can get her way with Brussels

Theresa May can win the day, but she'll have to be tough. She should openly threaten three things if Brussels won't now sign a meaningful guarantee on the backstop: 1) An end to the UK's Article 5 NATO commitments to hostile EU nations; 2) Divide and rule with EU nations on visas; 3) Make trouble for Brussels with the Americans. Do this Mrs. May, and you'll get your way
by the commentator - 30 January 2019
UK employment data confounds Project Fear projections yet again

The record high employment figures represent another in a series of blows to the credibility of anti-Brexit establishment "analysts" in outlets and institutions such as the Financial Times, the Bank of England and the Treasury, who issued warnings of economic slump and mass joblessness should Britain opt to leave the European Union
by the commentator - 29 January 2019
Anti-Brexit camp makes bizarre new claims about dire consequences of Brexit for turtles and orangutans

The latest dire warning about the consequences of Brexit from advocates of the pro-EU campaign known informally as Project Fear is that it will lead to the deaths of orangutans and sea turtles
by the commentator - 19 January 2019
Latest polling tells a sorry tale about Corbyn's Labour

The latest polls make grim reading for the Labour Party. Despite Theresa May's roller coaster ride she has significantly increased her lead over Jeremy Corbyn
by the commentator - 17 January 2019
Neo-authoritarians push for new Brexit referendum

The dreary spectacle of a neo-authoritarian insurgency will remain long after Brexit is done and dusted. Those calling for a second referendum will fail. But these enemies of democracy will be with us for a long time to come
by the commentator - 16 April 2018
Brussels now flanked by mortal enemies on four sides

In the first half of the 20th century, the German armies foundered by fighting on two fronts at the same time. Brussels is now in a four front war that threatens the EU's very existence
by the commentator - 25 February 2018
No, the EU hasn't kept the peace in Europe since WWII

A quick survey of the historical facts makes a nonsense of the widely touted claim the EU has kept the peace in Europe since WWII. It is only since 2004, just 14 years ago, that the majority of European states were even members of the EU. Peace has been preserved by the US presence in Europe and NATO, the rest is Europhile fantasy land
by the commentator - 12 February 2018
Government launches anti-fake news unit to tackle disinformation

Prime Minister Theresa May takes aim at misinformation as part of a new national security drive. Announcing a new anti-fake news unit, the government hopes to extinguish the growing volumes of untrue stories flooding the internet and having a negative impact on society
by the commentator - 24 January 2018