The former MP has compiled a wish list of grand plans for world peace and global free trade, patched together with a half-baked proposal on UK membership of the EU’s Single Market. I'm not convinced... This weekend the Telegraph ran a story with the striking headline “Burnham told to trade nuclear umbrella for access to … Continue reading A sceptical take on Nick Boles’ proposal for a “European Confederation”
Tag: single market
The Brexit Debates: Has Brexit been good for Britain’s economy?
400 words for The Independent, published on 24 June 2026 A decade ago, the British people voted to leave the EU and restore sovereignty to the UK government. Westminster has since regained control over laws and borders, run its own trade policy, and saved tens of billions of pounds in contributions to the EU budget. … Continue reading The Brexit Debates: Has Brexit been good for Britain’s economy?
Four reasons to resist the siren calls for a new ‘customs union’
The Liberal Democrats have long argued in favour of some new form of ‘customs union’ between the UK and the EU. But it now appears that key figures in the Labour administration are swinging behind the idea as well, including the Prime Minister’s chief economic adviser Minouche Shafik and Treasury minister Torsten Bell. These two … Continue reading Four reasons to resist the siren calls for a new ‘customs union’
The UK probably should rejoin the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention – but it’s not a big deal either way
First, the short version… In my opinion, the UK should rejoin the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention, which would allow British firms to use components sourced from anywhere within this zone and still qualify for tariff-free trade with other members. This would not be a ‘betrayal of Brexit’, despite what some are claiming. Crucially, the PEM Convention is … Continue reading The UK probably should rejoin the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention – but it’s not a big deal either way
Plain-speaking Economics 