Tim Hedges had a career in corporate finance before moving to Rome where he works as a freelance writer, novelist, and farmer
EU refugee chaos continues to spiral out of control
In defiance of everything the European Union is supposed to stand for, France and Austria have closed their borders with Italy to stop refugees. Let us remember this the next time some drivelling Europhile Remainer talks about the EU being a force for peace
- 10 July 2017
Why Italy's migrant problem has not led to terrorism
With huge numbers of undocumented migrants from hot spot Muslim countries one might have thought Italy would have a major terrorism problem. It doesn't, and that is because it just does its intelligence, policing, and community management better, and unshackled from political correctness
- 29 June 2017
Death by socialism: Demise of the world's oldest bank
You could only get on in Italy's MPS bank if you were a socialist. Founded in 1472, it was owned by a socialist foundation, and if your family were something in local lefty politics you could get a job in the bank. It is rather as if Alitalia had decreed all its pilots should be short-sighted. Shockingly, now it's going under
- 13 June 2017
Donald Trump's loud European vacation
In continental Europe it really isn't the done thing to start telling it like it is. So when Donald Trump lectured Europeans about defence expenditure and refugees and trade he offended a lot of people merely by telling the truth. Good on Donald Trump!
- 29 May 2017
There's something wrong with President Macron
Is Emmanuel Macron, possibly with Italy's Matteo Renzi, the future of Europe?Doesn't seem likely. The problems of Europe are too deeply set, and there's no real imagination to put things right
- 15 May 2017
Alitalia's crazy woes are a metaphor for modern Italy
Ryanair has fewer employees than Alitalia but twice as many pilots, flying three times as many planes, carrying five times as many passengers. Chaotic Alitalia is a metaphor for modern Italy
- 2 May 2017
Italy, France, and the madness of the Euro
It is just possible that France will elect two candidates in the first round presidential elections who want to pull out of the euro. Italy, which is flat on its back due to a euro massively overvalued compared to its fundamentals, can only srcratch its head. Meanwhile, the lunacy will have to end some time
- 21 April 2017
Comic opera as Brussels comes to Rome
The EU farce in Rome was widely trumpeted. Italy has contributed more than its fair share to European culture, but no one reminded us that Michelangelo and Puccini did their bit without the help of an unelected supranational body in Belgium. Meanwhile, the euro continues to strangle the Italian economy and Britain heads out the door
- 28 March 2017
The EU's diesel fiasco
Wherever you stand on climate change, the utterly cynical policy in Brussels to promote diesel caused a pollution nightmare. Now they're preparing to prosecute at least 5 governments for having polluted cities! And the European taxpayer is left with the bill for this fiasco. Thank goodness we voted for Brexit
- 17 March 2017
A tale of two revolutions
It was 25 years ago when Nigel Farage started out as a parliamentary candidate, taking the first steps to a very British revolution. At the same time, Italy began a revolution against corruption. One revolution succeeded, the other did not
- 26 February 2017
EU countries like Italy want a smooth Brexit deal
Having failed in the ‘we can’t go it alone’ shtick, the Remoaners’ second argument ‘we will be left high and dry by a determined, united 27’ might also be complete tosh. Italy, for one big country, is mightly concerned about all the Italians living in the UK who send money home. They'll want a smooth Brexit deal
- 13 February 2017
Farce in the Vatican
Pope Francis has got himself into a right old mess over condoms. The problem is that he can't say condoms are OK, but he doesn't want the rules enforced too strictly. Add in the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, and a gay butler, and you have the makings of very Vaticanesque pickle
- 7 February 2017
Italy gets it: The problems begin in Brussels
Confronted by Trump, Putin and Brexit, Europe has reverted to type. Its answer to problems, as it always has been, is ‘more Europe’, which, of course, means more poison for an already dying patient. Italy, it seems, is waking up to this suicidal course
- 24 January 2017
Italy kicks off another big year for Europe
In 2017 we reach the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, but the main concern is that Europe will remain in denial and stupor. But the economic difference between Europe's north and south continues to widen, as turbulent Italy so clearly demonstrates. Hold on to your seats
- 9 January 2017
Il Gattopardo in Italy: All change or no change?
The way in which elites across the democratic world cynically seek to rig the system to protect themselves is now being played out in Italy. After the failed referendum, the powers that be are scrambling to avoid real change. Sound familiar?
- 17 December 2016
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