“Politicians recognise that serious, informed debate does not translate into votes, so the primary focus is on finding a scapegoat, not a solution.”
Positive momentum for a stronger and better Europe is a process that could start in Britain. Remarks to European Parliament, expanded version, June 30, 2016
"They can hardly call for a General Election. For they will have to state in their Manifesto whether they intend to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty."
“Do not uproot their belonging to a diverse multicultural country, whose real problems are not the immigrants but the politicians you elected and their neoliberal policies.”
Britain is in a deep crisis, but not a 2008-style emergency. And it reveals much about the underlying forces in our politics.
“Focusing too heavily on the « national identity » model has hindered European leaders from finding alternative ways for constructing a sense of community that has respect for Europe’s growing diversity.”
“You can’t make them change; the only thing we can change is ourselves.”
"The country has been irrevocably damaged by this referendum, and the place I left eight years ago is gone. I don’t think the damage can, or will, be mended any time soon."
Introducing the ebook available here as a free PDF that foresaw Brexit was possible, and was written weekly for oD through the referendum campaign
"Remain in the EU and you're a righteous liberal who stands for modern values, or leave the EU and you're a dumb, misinformed xenophobe."
"Ultimately, it was this wave of anger and disillusion that decided this election."
"The irony of the BREXIT referendum result is that it may well move the UK towards a federal Britain based on clear principles of mutual accountability and shared decision-making."
