Year: 2014

Two countries, two successful internet entrepreneurs, two clashes with government.

Juncker has not even started his new job as President of the European Commission yet and he is already showing why there was so much resistance to his appointment, particularly in economically liberal and conservative circles.

The problems with forming the European Commission are manifold, but there is only one written rule: Every EU member state will be represented by one commissioner, nominated by national governments.

If we do not work on these parts of the equation, we will never be able to restore housing affordability – irrespective of whether the Reserve Bank sticks to its LVR regulations.

In the past, a French prime minister or president visiting Germany would have not only been greeted with military honours but also been treated with polite interest and respect, maybe even admiration.

Key has proved himself to be an exceptionally skilled politician, especially when operating with slim majorities.

We do not need big plans and visions and we do not need government to think on our behalf.

As Scotland votes on independence from the UK today, it would be courageous to speculate on the result.