Author Archives: Grahame Pigney

Ever Closer Union of People – not Nations – but what comes next is the most important.

One of the things that is often forgotten when talking about the Treaty of Rome, the keystone of the European Union, is what comes after the phrase “determined to lay the foundations of an ever closer union among the peoples … Continue reading

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The soft peace is just as important as the hard peace

We, on the yes side of the debate, the commonsense, modern, forward thinking side of the debate, are ourselves far too divided and far too focused on the economic arguments for staying in (overwhelming though they are). The key is … Continue reading

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Why are we thinking about dividing and winning, wouldn’t it be better to unite and lead?

There are a couple of spats going on at the moment that people are using to justify the idea that the anti-EU camp is splitting. There is the inevitable competition between the two main No/Out/Leave campaign groups and a rift … Continue reading

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The EU Referendum campaign must belong to the public.

A day over three months ago I wrote a piece called “EU Referendum & the grassroots campaign” about how the grassroots pro-EU groups were filling a need for an apolitical/cross-party pro-EU movement. Little did I think that they would be the only … Continue reading

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I worry about a Brexit

As a young person on the cusp of setting up a professional life, the threat of a British exit from the EU is very worrying indeed. I am in my twenties and have grown up with the notion that as … Continue reading

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Why we are planning a grassroots campaign.

The “No” campaigners are getting organised and seem to be learning from past mistakes. Rather than relying on rather unpredictable politicians, they are planning on a business-led campaign with a “flock of birds” leadership, i.e. one that frequently changes, as … Continue reading

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Two countries at opposite ends of Europe

Slightly more than 70 years ago two countries at opposite ends of Europe stood firm against a culture, a force, which ran contrary not only to their national interests and democratic instincts but their perception of what was acceptable. Those … Continue reading

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Safe European Home

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Yasmin Ali In a large European city last night, a small, but remarkable meeting took place. It was the initiative of one man, young, unsectarian, committed to the public good. It is an example of how, perhaps … Continue reading

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EU Referendum & the grassroots campaign

The two main parties are starting to organise for the referendum with “Yes” and “No” campaign groups being formed in both parties. A “No” cross-party alliance has been formed. At the moment there is no sign of a cross party alliance emerging for the “Yes” campaign despite … Continue reading

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