Comments on: British press in petulant Frenchman controls the city shocker http://www.jonworth.eu/british-press-in-petulant-frenchman-controls-the-city-shocker/ At the intersection of the EU, UK politics and tech Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:21:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Nabil Ali http://www.jonworth.eu/british-press-in-petulant-frenchman-controls-the-city-shocker/comment-page-1/#comment-127374 Nabil Ali Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:58:31 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=2927#comment-127374 I don't mind that the UK negotiated to have a Brit as DG, but they got the wrong individual. They have replaced to well proven economist, one of whom is a Brit (David Wright) and one who has fairly pro-city views (Jorgen Holmquist) with someone with no background in finance and economics. If anything this might result in Barnier being even more unchecked during his time as commissioner. Big, big mistake. I don’t mind that the UK negotiated to have a Brit as DG, but they got the wrong individual. They have replaced to well proven economist, one of whom is a Brit (David Wright) and one who has fairly pro-city views (Jorgen Holmquist) with someone with no background in finance and economics. If anything this might result in Barnier being even more unchecked during his time as commissioner. Big, big mistake.

]]> By: Dr McGowan http://www.jonworth.eu/british-press-in-petulant-frenchman-controls-the-city-shocker/comment-page-1/#comment-126495 Dr McGowan Tue, 30 Mar 2010 02:35:02 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=2927#comment-126495 i like your comment that those who seek benefit for uk ... 'should be working diligently, preparing a lobby strategy, and getting ready to make their case in Brussels, just like any sensible people do about any legislation that could be brought up.' It is right that the British people should lobby the European Union for our interests, in fact the people who we are lobbying should be fully in charge of Britain. The time has come where we can no longer control our own affairs and instead we should pass the book on to the bureaucrats within the EU to control our country. i like your comment that those who seek benefit for uk … ‘should be working diligently, preparing a lobby strategy, and getting ready to make their case in Brussels, just like any sensible people do about any legislation that could be brought up.’
It is right that the British people should lobby the European Union for our interests, in fact the people who we are lobbying should be fully in charge of Britain. The time has come where we can no longer control our own affairs and instead we should pass the book on to the bureaucrats within the EU to control our country.

]]> By: Martin http://www.jonworth.eu/british-press-in-petulant-frenchman-controls-the-city-shocker/comment-page-1/#comment-125383 Martin Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:54:34 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=2927#comment-125383 Jon, first of all, have a good time in Africa. Second, I agree with everything you write but I am slightly uneasy about the sudden apparent politicisation of the nationality of top civil servants in Brussels and I think it would be better not to use their nationality as an argument. Jonathan Faull is an excellent and impartial top civil servant, full stop. His nationality doesn't and certainly shouldn't enter into consideration. Martin Jon, first of all, have a good time in Africa. Second, I agree with everything you write but I am slightly uneasy about the sudden apparent politicisation of the nationality of top civil servants in Brussels and I think it would be better not to use their nationality as an argument. Jonathan Faull is an excellent and impartial top civil servant, full stop. His nationality doesn’t and certainly shouldn’t enter into consideration. Martin

]]> By: french derek http://www.jonworth.eu/british-press-in-petulant-frenchman-controls-the-city-shocker/comment-page-1/#comment-125366 french derek Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:59:29 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=2927#comment-125366 Jon, you might have noted that Sarkozy is noted for this sort of jibe. He just can't resist poking people in their sensitive spots. OK, if it gives him a kick: it doesn't count for much on his home territory (unless it's the socialists in his line of fire ....!) Jon, you might have noted that Sarkozy is noted for this sort of jibe. He just can’t resist poking people in their sensitive spots. OK, if it gives him a kick: it doesn’t count for much on his home territory (unless it’s the socialists in his line of fire ….!)

]]> By: Jon http://www.jonworth.eu/british-press-in-petulant-frenchman-controls-the-city-shocker/comment-page-1/#comment-125355 Jon Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:47:41 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=2927#comment-125355 There will be 751 MEPs, but not just yet. The extra ones have not taken their seats yet, and the timetable is not yet fixed for that. It's not automatic after Lisbon. So it's 736 MEPs for a while longer yet. There will be 751 MEPs, but not just yet. The extra ones have not taken their seats yet, and the timetable is not yet fixed for that. It’s not automatic after Lisbon. So it’s 736 MEPs for a while longer yet.

]]> By: Anders Ekberg http://www.jonworth.eu/british-press-in-petulant-frenchman-controls-the-city-shocker/comment-page-1/#comment-125351 Anders Ekberg Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:09:11 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=2927#comment-125351 Jon, I thought there will be 751 MEPs...;) Jon, I thought there will be 751 MEPs…;)

]]> By: Jo http://www.jonworth.eu/british-press-in-petulant-frenchman-controls-the-city-shocker/comment-page-1/#comment-125346 Jo Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:04:53 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=2927#comment-125346 This is getting confusing - it's the Lord Mayor that represents the City of London, whereas Boris represents the city of London... so I wonder how much lobbying his offices are able to do? I'd also suggest that the penultimate paragraph of this http://euobserver.com/19/29063 EU Obs article is interesting reading. This is getting confusing – it’s the Lord Mayor that represents the City of London, whereas Boris represents the city of London… so I wonder how much lobbying his offices are able to do?
I’d also suggest that the penultimate paragraph of this http://euobserver.com/19/29063 EU Obs article is interesting reading.

]]> By: Ralf Grahn http://www.jonworth.eu/british-press-in-petulant-frenchman-controls-the-city-shocker/comment-page-1/#comment-125345 Ralf Grahn Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:00:52 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=2927#comment-125345 As a country the UK was well served by getting the High Representative and Commissioner with responsibility for external relations. I still believe that this "double-hatted" post is potentially more important for the EU as a whole than any one of the economic Commission portfolios. The internal market is based on the rule of law and, as we know, detailed regulation. Still, it is important to follow how Barnier and all the other Commissioners use their margin of appreciation. Naturally, British businesses, including the financial sector, can see the issues from their own angle of self-interest. Barnier has not been on the internal market job for a day yet, so it is early to judge him on his record. Being French is not a ground for disqualification. President Nicolas Sarkozy must have felt an irresistible urge to turn into Santa Claus for the British anti-Europeans, handing them a Christmas present to keep them happy for a long time. He must have felt empathy with their worn out arguments and downtrodden airs, when Europe finally has started life under the Lisbon Treaty and is busy putting its modest house in order. If I understand correctly, the finance ministers were about 26 to 1 before knitting together the (watered-down) deal on financial supervision. Can we be absolutely sure that all the other member states are wrong with regard to the common European interest and that they are only out to destroy the City of London? The UK Labour government will be at the receiving end of much criticism, until someone starts thinking about the prospects for coalition-building in Europe for a Conservative government, which has burnt many bridges long before taking office. As a country the UK was well served by getting the High Representative and Commissioner with responsibility for external relations. I still believe that this “double-hatted” post is potentially more important for the EU as a whole than any one of the economic Commission portfolios.

The internal market is based on the rule of law and, as we know, detailed regulation. Still, it is important to follow how Barnier and all the other Commissioners use their margin of appreciation.

Naturally, British businesses, including the financial sector, can see the issues from their own angle of self-interest. Barnier has not been on the internal market job for a day yet, so it is early to judge him on his record. Being French is not a ground for disqualification.

President Nicolas Sarkozy must have felt an irresistible urge to turn into Santa Claus for the British anti-Europeans, handing them a Christmas present to keep them happy for a long time. He must have felt empathy with their worn out arguments and downtrodden airs, when Europe finally has started life under the Lisbon Treaty and is busy putting its modest house in order.

If I understand correctly, the finance ministers were about 26 to 1 before knitting together the (watered-down) deal on financial supervision. Can we be absolutely sure that all the other member states are wrong with regard to the common European interest and that they are only out to destroy the City of London?

The UK Labour government will be at the receiving end of much criticism, until someone starts thinking about the prospects for coalition-building in Europe for a Conservative government, which has burnt many bridges long before taking office.

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