Varadkar was wrong! Irish ex-diplomat demands EU be replaced with UK 'anglophone alliance' (msn.com)
Ray Bassett was speaking at a time of increasingly strained post-Brexit relations between Britain and the EU, exacerbated by the row over European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's recent threat to ban exports of AstraZeneca vaccines. However, reports last week suggested Boris Johnson's Government was considered offering 3.7 million vaccines to the Republic, something former ambassador to Canada, Jamaica and the Bahamas Mr Bassett said would be extremely helpful going forward.
According to the Our World in Data website, as of March 31, the number of vaccines per 100 people which Ireland has so far administered (16.6) was slightly below the average for the EU27 (17.03), and less than one-third of the UK's rate (52.53).
He told Express.co.uk: "This vaccination fiasco demonstrates beyond doubt that the Euro devotion of our leaders comes at a high price.
"The move for the UK to offer some vaccines to the Republic of Ireland would be a good idea as the post Brexit period has been difficult for Ireland.
"There is a serious need to reset the relationship between London and Dublin and a magnanimous gesture, particularly after the unhelpful conduct of Leo Varadkar during Brexit, would be greatly appreciated and strategically good for the UK."
Mr Bassett outlined his vision for the future of British/Irish relations in Ireland and the EU Post Brexit, the book which he published last year.
He explained: "Ireland, under Taoiseach Micheal Martin, has moved subtly away from Varadkar's anti-British stance.
"Martin, along with Dutch PM Mark Rutte, helped lead the opposition inside the EU to tighter export controls on vaccines, something that was in the UK's interest.
"An Irish/British anglophone alliance could be very useful for both countries."
Speaking about the possibility of the UK giving Ireland some of its excess vaccines last week, Simon Coveney, Ireland's Foreign Minister, welcomed the idea, in theory at least, while remaining guarded.
Ray Bassett was speaking at a time of increasingly strained post-Brexit relations between Britain and the EU, exacerbated by the row over European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's recent threat to ban exports of AstraZeneca vaccines. However, reports last week suggested Boris Johnson's Government was considered offering 3.7 million vaccines to the Republic, something former ambassador to Canada, Jamaica and the Bahamas Mr Bassett said would be extremely helpful going forward.
According to the Our World in Data website, as of March 31, the number of vaccines per 100 people which Ireland has so far administered (16.6) was slightly below the average for the EU27 (17.03), and less than one-third of the UK's rate (52.53).
He told Express.co.uk: "This vaccination fiasco demonstrates beyond doubt that the Euro devotion of our leaders comes at a high price.
"The move for the UK to offer some vaccines to the Republic of Ireland would be a good idea as the post Brexit period has been difficult for Ireland.
"There is a serious need to reset the relationship between London and Dublin and a magnanimous gesture, particularly after the unhelpful conduct of Leo Varadkar during Brexit, would be greatly appreciated and strategically good for the UK."
Mr Bassett outlined his vision for the future of British/Irish relations in Ireland and the EU Post Brexit, the book which he published last year.
He explained: "Ireland, under Taoiseach Micheal Martin, has moved subtly away from Varadkar's anti-British stance.
"Martin, along with Dutch PM Mark Rutte, helped lead the opposition inside the EU to tighter export controls on vaccines, something that was in the UK's interest.
"An Irish/British anglophone alliance could be very useful for both countries."
Speaking about the possibility of the UK giving Ireland some of its excess vaccines last week, Simon Coveney, Ireland's Foreign Minister, welcomed the idea, in theory at least, while remaining guarded.