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.

Greek Eurofudge threatens to detonate a bankrupt new order

As Syriza's success in Greece shows, Marxists, of a kind, are making a comeback in Europe. Along with far-Right populists they are taking advantage of paralysis in the contemporary European project. A new and bankrupt order could now follow
by Tom Gallagher - 8 July 2015
SNP's Sturgeon finds kindred spirits in 3rd rate Greek populists

Confused, superficial, and shallow, it is quite possible that the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon sees a kindred spirit in Greece's Syriza. Responsible governing in the interests of real people comes second to this collection of third-rate, far-left chancers and demagogues
by Tom Gallagher - 2 July 2015
Cameron's world: Peril and opportunity for the Union

Cameron needs to understand that his second term is about preserving the Union. This requires a total re-think on strategy. In their hearts and minds, most Scots want the Union to prevail. Cameron needs to get clever, and ignore opportunistic Tories just as much as the neo-authoritarian SNP
by Tom Gallagher - 12 May 2015
Rise of Nicola Sturgeon: Shallow empress of north Britain

Scotland’s insurgents offer no original formula for politics. SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon is, in reality, a shallow political hack with no coherent vision. Her primary drive is to end the durable British experiment and entrench a bossy, introspective state in the north irrespective of whether it is economically viable or not
by Tom Gallagher - 22 April 2015
Scotland 2015: Total electoral polarisation

Scotland is convulsed by confrontation as the SNP and its supporters intimidate opponents. Democratic civility is treated with contempt, and prejudice and disdain are the order of the day
by Tom Gallagher - 13 April 2015
Religion and Trotskyism mix well in Scotland

The SNP's Nicola Sturgeon has made quite a splash this week. But if people knew what SNP supporters were playing at with the minds of Scottish kids they might have pause for thought
by Tom Gallagher - 4 April 2015
Uncrowned King Alex Salmond-Napoleon remembers

There has been a strange alliance between Alex Salmond and Rupert Murdoch. Salmond the supreme egotist lets rip (about himself as much as Scotland) in his tragicomic, melodramatic account of the failed independence referendum campaign
by Tom Gallagher - 25 March 2015
Seeds of tyranny being sown in Scotland?

Is the nationalist camp in Scotland really creating an atmosphere of intimidation against opponents of independence? There are now real fears of a creeping soft authoritarianism
by Tom Gallagher - 3 March 2015
EU crisis: Mediterranean Game of Thrones

The real story of Greece's talks with the EU on austerity is of a massive climbdown by the supposedly anti-austerity Syriza. In this game of thrones the Germans have outgamed the Greeks, and will do the same to Spain, all because of their addiction to the euro
by Tom Gallagher - 23 February 2015
Why charlatans and demagogues are flourishing

The Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset knew a thing or two about the modern world, and the shallow populism that seduces it. Modern Europe should re-read his penetrating analysis on how democracy dies
by Tom Gallagher - 12 February 2015
Greek crisis foreshadows new European order

Far-Left Syriza's victory in Greece could herald the beginning of an even more bureaucratic, state-dominated and anti-democratic European Union than we already have
by Tom Gallagher - 5 February 2015
Perfect European storm approaches from Greece

The Greek elections threaten to send the Euro crisis into overdrive as the structural flaws in the whole project of monetary and political union risk an epic row. Can the project survive?
by Tom Gallagher - 23 January 2015
UKIP currently clueless about fighting separatism

The UK could be tested to destruction if the SNP is turned into a major Westminster force by dumb UKIP electoral tactics in Scotland. And dumb tactics are exactly what UKIP looks to be going for
by Tom Gallagher - 30 December 2014
No Papal bull for the Eurocrats

Belief in a progressive, kaleidoscopic multi-cultural society in which numerous lifestyles are promoted along with diverse ethnic cultures has seized the commanding heights of the EU. The Pope's moral clarity does not sit well with the Eurocrats
by Tom Gallagher - 28 November 2014
The band plays on the broken Eurozone

The post-1999 currency union is easily the costliest mistake in the history of the European integration process, as Tom Gallagher's new book demonstrates with alarming clarity. Damage, damage, nothing but damage
by Tom Gallagher - 9 November 2014