Harbour Express

Writing for the Bruges Group , Christopher Lim explains what the election of new Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole in Canada means for the future of CANZUK. The election of Erin O'Toole as the Canadian Tories' new leader demonstrates that value-based politics and value-based trading partnerships are truly possible. Erin O'Toole, previously his party's Shadow Foreign Minister, was one of the most vocal advocates in favour of a CANZUK (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom) alliance and helped passed the motion at a party conference two years ago committing his party to CANZUK talks. For those unaware, CANZUK is a proposed economic and trading alliance between Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. This could come in various forms, at various levels. From freer movement to more market access, the terms of CANZUK can be negotiated, but the broad support for such an agreement is a matter of values. Current political support for CANZUK is less ...

Writing for the Bruges Group , Christopher Lim explains the history of Fianna Fail and Ireland, as well as why Ireland's unique position in the EU is at risk. "Sinne Fianna Fáil, Atá faoi gheall ag Eirinn" are the first two stanzas of Amhrán na bhFiann, Ireland's national anthem, and translates to "Soldiers are we, whose lives are pledged to Ireland". This is the essence of how Fianna Fail, the major party in Ireland's governing coalition, led by Taoiseach (PM) Micheal Martin, sees itself: as the purveyor of heartfelt patriotism. Slowly, however, the EU is centralising, and Ireland's unique position within the union is being compromised, and it's starting to look like Ireland's post-COVID future is in the EU's hands. To understand Ireland, it is key to understand the evolution of Fianna Fail and its relationship with the European Union. What federalism meant and still means to Fianna Fail and Ireland is so vastly different to the UK's...

The Prime Minister has warned of a second wave to come (Photo: Getty Images) The warning signs are there, the Prime Minister says, of a second wave, and we should all be worried. John Bawltrey explains what this means politically, and within the government. Ever since the beginning of lockdown in the UK, there's been a cabinet divide that was especially clear during the lockdown period. The doves, on one hand, were in favour of a health-first approach, even if it came at the expense of the economy. The hawks, on the other hand, were in favour of an approach that controlled the virus, but also compromised to mitigate its socio-economic consequences. Doves include the Health Secretary Matt Hancock and the Prime Minister, who were long more cautious about easing the lockdown, and are now looking closely at the consequences of a 'second wave' in Europe, particularly at a worrying spike in countries such as Spain. Clearly, when it came with the sudden quarantine rule change, the...

Source: SCMP, Photo: Edmond So Benny Tai, co-founder of the pro-democracy Occupy Movement and an associate professor of law at the University of Hong Kong, has been dismissed from his position over his criminal convictions. Pan-democrats and foreign anti-China activists are claiming an 'erosion to academic freedom', but the  Express'  John Bawltrey thinks otherwise. Just to set some of the facts straight, Tai was the co-founder of the Occupy Movement, which sought to paralyse Hong Kong's streets in 2014, which was already illegal and adversely affected Hong Kong's economy. Moreover, Tai has spoken at anti-China meetings in Taiwan and elsewhere, once claiming Hong Kong could consider becoming independent when China became 'democratic' , something which already called his position into question. It is one thing to have opinions, and to be a pan-democrat, but it is another thing to have criminal convictions for an illegal rally (a result of a fair trial, may I ...

The PRC Foreign Ministry has announced that the SAR government will be suspending extradition and mutual assistance arrangements with Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom after the three governments suspended their agreements. HX News'  Ken Moran explains. Credit: AP Photo/Kin Cheung The Hong Kong SAR government will be suspending its extradition arrangements with the three countries in response to their decision to suspend extradition deals with Hong Kong, in response to the security law.  These governments were of the opinion the security law, a domestic matter, was in fact a contravention of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, despite the fact that the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution, already stated the commitment to an anti-treason, secession, sedition, and subversion law in Hong Kong. This was no surprise as this was a reciprocation of actions taken by those foreign governments. However, what was interesting to note was that New Zealand was off the list, as ...

The Hong Kong government sought to stem the Covid resurgence this afternoon by introducing new, stricter coronavirus restrictions, and increases testing. Chief Sec. Matthew Cheung reaffirmed the need to 'strike a balance' with Covid response, denying accusations that the government was slow. Photo: Sam Tsang, SCMP As of now, restaurant dining and gatherings of more than 2 people have been suspended, mandatory face masks, and the temporary closure of sports facilities, the Chief Secretary announced. In addition, he advised employers and employees to work from home.  In terms of testing, the Health Secretary Sophia Chan assured the media that testing will be expanded to minibus drivers, tenants in markets, and some teaching staff. H&B Opinions - The politics of this Harrett : It's clear that Matthew Cheung's trying to maintain confidence in the government's ability to manage the situation. We all know this virus is difficult to control and that immediate action wo...

What are the chances of a second independence referendum in Scotland and what will that mean? How does the UK government intend to counteract sustained support for independence? James Harrett looks at the issues. Recent polls showing sustained support for Scottish independence, in the wake of Covid-19 and Brexit, are worrying for the future of the union. However, the British government has its levers and its solutions to this problem. The precedent set by the 2014 referendum was that if the ruling pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP) was to win a majority in Holyrood (the Scottish Parliament), there would be an agreement between the two governments of a referendum. As Holyrood is elected via proportional representation, this will give ground for the SNP to implement their referendum plans. In fact, the SNP's Commons Leader Ian Blackford promised a referendum if the SNP won a Holyrood majority. So, how can the government counteract this issue? One thing the British governm...