Heart of Darkness

Nigel Farage and I have one thing in common: We both hate Brussels. It's fair to say that the anti-EU campaigner hasn't really warmed to the place despite spending the last eighteen years there. For him and for other eurosceptics it will always be seen as the heart of darkness, the capital of the vile …

The Best Laid Plans…

I have been walking for four days. Everything is going to plan. The plan, in actual fact, is to sweat off some of the excess calories gained during the football season by taking a long walk down the Rhine valley. It is being executed with military precision. Discipline is tight. I will cover at least …

Islanders

Sometimes -- not often I admit -- but sometimes, I think that it is Germany and not Britain which is the island nation. From a physical perspective this is of course impossible. With a grand total of nine land borders no nation is anchored more securely to the European mainland than Germany. All of these …

Hung

Well I mean it just wouldn't be British, would it? Seven weeks ago, Theresa called an election in order to get a ringing endorsement of her policy on Brexit. She should have known that ringing endorsements are quite simply not a part of the British mentality. Praise does not come easily to a nation renowned …

Turnout

"What can I get you today, Sir?" "I'll have the maxi burger, please." "Do you want cheese on that?" "Yes. Obviously." "Gouda, maasdamer, pepperjack or cheddar?" "I beg your pardon?" "The cheese." "There's a choice? I dunno -- pepperjack?" "Do you want fries with that?" "Of course." "Ketchup and mayonnaise on the fries?" "Not unless …