I digress … thoughts on fish & the environment
On 10 July 2018, the College of Commissioners had their first exchange of what should be in the Commission’s 2019 Work Programme. Titled ‘Preparation of the Commission Work Programme for 2019 and organisation of interinstitutional work’ (link), represents the last chance for any Commission department to get their new initiative considered to be in the … Read more
A lot of people come to Brussels to work. Quite a few hold themselves out as lobbyists and expert consultants. I am perplexed at how many people who hold themselves out advising on EU law making have never worked on the passage of a law. I spent a lot of time in hospitals. My … Read more
I am reminded how deeply unfashionable some of my ideas are. For example, if you want to understand the position of governments on an issue you can speak to them, or even easier, read what they write. I find Peter Ludlow’s EuroCcomment briefing subscription essential reading. Read alongside the European Council Conclusions it provides a … Read more
On 10 July, the European Commission published the Report ‘Active Subsidiarity: A new way of working’. The European Commission does a lot. Arguably too much. And, on top of too much, new demands from security, defence and migration are being added. The resources are not going up. They are going down. Something has to give. … Read more