Virtue Politics

Britain, EFTA and the EU

Jonathan Saxty — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:01:07 +0000

There was a time when claiming that the United Kingdom should leave the European Union would have been akin to a medieval surf cursing the name of the Pope. But alas, times change. For years alleged “extremists” like MEP Daniel Hannan have been calling for the UK to withdraw from the EU and rejoin EFTA [...]

Fiscal cliff hangover: now what for Uncle Sam?

Jonathan Saxty — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:39:06 +0000

About a month ago I wrote that “Every day brings fresh news about negotiations between President Barack Obama and Republican House Speaker John Boehner over the fiscal cliff – the economic effects which could ensue from tax increases, spending cuts and a reduction in the budget deficit beginning in 2013 if existing laws are not [...]

2013: any broad predictions?

Jonathan Saxty — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 17:17:23 +0000

Happy New Year from everyone at Virtue Politics, ushering in 2013 with trepidation as uncertainty looms in the United States, Europe and beyond. Predicting where this year will take us is a hard task, but we can perhaps make some broad guesses at the overall trends and direction which this year will take. In Washington, [...]

In defence of monarchy

Jonathan Saxty — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:34:52 +0000

“Working for the Free French in London during the war, Simone Weil found herself pondering why, among the European powers, only England had maintained ‘a centuries-old tradition of liberty’”, according to Mark Steyn in The Spectator. “She was struck by the paradox of the Westminster system — that ultimate power is vested in one who [...]

When the British came back

Jonathan Saxty — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:43:42 +0000

In 2000, British forces intervened decisively in the Sierra Leoneon civil war, bringing the conflict in the West African country to a swift conclusion. Twelve years on and British administrators remain in the country. Together with Sierra Leoneon officials, they are helping to co-administer the country which Britain established for freed slaves 220 years ago. [...]

China considers changing one-child policy

Jonathan Saxty — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:25:59 +0000

“China is mulling changes to its one-child policy, a former family planning official said, with government advisory bodies drafting proposals in the face of a rapidly ageing society in the world’s most populous nation,” according to Reuters’ Michael Martina and Michael Perry. “Proposed changes would allow for urban couples to have a second child, even [...]

Is China destined to repeat the West’s mistakes?

Jonathan Saxty — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:23:52 +0000

Where has he gone? That’s the question on everyone’s lips over the whereabouts of China’s missing leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping. Social media is abuzz with theories as to why he has not been seen for over a week. China in general remains a hot topic in Western news rooms. Western media flits between characterising China as [...]

Surely now is the time for an Anglo-Celtic rapprochement

Jonathan Saxty — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:20:01 +0000

This week has witnessed ugly scenes in Northern Ireland as Loyalists reacted violently to a decision to no longer fly the Union Jack on Belfast City Hall all year around. There were also disturbances in the town of Ballymena in County Antrim, as well as Carrickfergus and Bangor. In light of the progress made in [...]

Attack the British Government if you want, but really what is the alternative?

Jonathan Saxty — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:29:02 +0000

Today Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne got to his feet and delivered the Autumn Statement in the House of Commons, a run-down of all affairs economic. Among Mr Osborne’s pledges were scrapping a 3 pence rise in fuel duty, a cut in corporation tax to 21% by 2014 and a cut of 2% [...]

New Corruption Perceptions Index shows little change from a year ago

Jonathan Saxty — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:52:26 +0000

Transparency International has published its latest Corruption Perceptions Index for 2012. The scoring system has changed from the 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index but little else it seems, as the developed world – and, in particular, the Nordic states and Commonwealth Realms – remain the cleanest governments in the world, with Asia, Africa and Latin America [...]