Articles by Tom Gallagher

Tom Gallagher is Emeritus Professor of Politics at Bradford University and is researching a book on why Britain’s ability to avoid the internal conflicts which have marked continental Europe is disappearing.

The Cuckoo In Pope Francis’s Nest

Politics has evolved from a sometimes stern defence of core values to the championing of sentimental causes by politicians who often have no other way of showing that they are still in touch with the voters
by Tom Gallagher - 16 May 2013
The EU and the spider in the Italian labyrinth

Giulio Andreotti died on May 6th as a role model for the European system of decision-making that has emerged in the previous generation
by Tom Gallagher - 8 May 2013
Nationalist renewal in England, double-speak in Scotland

A nationally-minded party, British in orientation, which concentrates on restoring national control over key policy issues surrendered to Brussels, will make the SNP very nervous
by Tom Gallagher - 3 May 2013
Scotland’s parliament confronts Margaret Thatcher

What to make of the debate about Thatcher's legacy, held at Holyrood the day after her funeral?
by Tom Gallagher - 22 April 2013
The battle for Scotland’s future begins

Purveyors of neurotic Scottishness ranged against advocates of an outward-looking equivalent; the outcome is likely to have reverberations stretching beyond these islands
by Tom Gallagher - 21 March 2013
Dave permits Alex to exploit Scottish youth, but to little avail

The bitter winds of economic recession have weakened the impact of nationalism’s tunes of glory. Nothing near a majority of under 18 year-olds is dancing to the independence beat
by Tom Gallagher - 15 October 2012
Scottish Nationalists recoil from militant Quebec parallel

Quebec has become stuck with a nationalism that has no positive vision for society. Responses to EU supra-nationalism would do well to avoid falling into a similar trap
by Tom Gallagher - 7 September 2012
The EU takes a huge risk in Romania

Even in the midst of an increasingly scary and complex crisis like that of the failing currency union, the EU has shrunk from decisive action. But the EU institutions have reacted with speed and firmness to the escalating crisis in Romania
by Tom Gallagher - 18 July 2012
Top Liberal who backs the "Cheat’s Uprising" in Romania

Liberal Democrat stances on Romania are good clues to what they are prepared to stomach at home - and it's not promising
by Tom Gallagher - 10 July 2012
Return of the Godfather: Tony Blair and Romania

Perhaps it's time Tony Blair explained why he should be let anywhere near European power in the future when his rash actions seem to have robbed Romania of the chance of normal democracy
by Tom Gallagher - 3 July 2012
Scotland – Separatist versus Unionist nationalism

The campaign to foil Alex Salmond's dream of a post-British Scotland was finally launched yesterday. Will it be a success?
by Tom Gallagher - 26 June 2012
Hacks, luvvies and has-beens battle for the soul of Scotland

Bold and eloquent nationalists could have a decisive advantage over timid and self-selecting Unionists, drawn from the salons of London, if the financial storm melts all political certainties
by Tom Gallagher - 28 May 2012
A German Social Democrat who has Ireland by the throat

Even the most vigilant among us would have had difficulty in imagining just how far Eurocrats like Jorg Asmussen are prepared to go in building a proto-European state, thoroughly drained of democracy
by Tom Gallagher - 16 April 2012
A talented agitator exploits Britain’s dangerous social fracture

George Galloway has cleverly, and worryingly, exploited a sense of abandonment that actually unites many Muslims and indigenous whites in places like Bradford, with his own, unique brand of populism
by Tom Gallagher - 30 March 2012
European chicanery and the French election

As long as European power-holders feel no need for popular legitimacy and rule increasingly through fear and subterfuge, Europe’s time of troubles will only get worse
by Tom Gallagher - 14 March 2012