As I sort my life out in Spain and get back into regular blogging, I’m pleased to offer this bit of continuity.
On the 14th and 21st of March, elections for the Conseils Regionals all over France will take place.
These will be a decisive test for French politics because, as it stands, the Parti Socialiste has [...]

Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice (UMP), has imposed a curfew on children aged 13 and under.
The curfew forbids children from going out on the streets without an adult after 11pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
In principle, there is no reason for a minor to be out on the streets alone at night. However, this curfew [...]

I have been working for our French colleagues in the Parti Socialiste for 6 months now, and though I don’t know what a Jedward is, I have been able to experience ‘continental democracy’.
The debate about electoral reform in Britain has always been “PR or not to PR”, with the third way of AV or AV+ [...]

Yesterday I spent Remembrance Day (Veterans’ Day to some) outside of Britain for the first time.
My grandfather took part in WWII as a sergeant and though he is still alive, I always try to attend something to attest to that fact.
I think it’s important to note that the day is a public holiday in France, [...]

There is a stigma that it is always the Left who will increase your taxes, as if the Right are completely incapable of doing it.
In fact, right-wing UMP Mayor Christian Estrosi has made Nice the champion of all of France… for local tax increases!
See the map for runners up:

The tax rises he has decided on [...]