Author

Mark Siraut

Mark is a U2 student currently pursuing a degree in Political Science and History. He specializes in International Security and European, particularly British politics. He was born on St Helena, an island in the South Atlantic Ocean, where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Saint Helena: Containing COVID-19 at the price of development

Mark Siraut Aug 30, 2020

Despite significant challenges, Saint Helena has been one of the few places able to successfully prevent COVID-19 from reaching its shores. Hopefully, the island can position itself to take advantage of the post-pandemic tourism resurgence.…
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Political Realignment in Ireland?

Mark Siraut Aug 7, 2020

At the general election to the Dáil Éireann on February 4, 2020, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were overtaken in the popular vote for the first time by another political party, the left-wing Sinn Féin. Ireland is clearly undergoing political…
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Belgium’s long wait for a Government

Mark Siraut Jun 28, 2020

The 2019 Belgium federal election laid bare the deep divisions in Belgium’s politics, and as a result the country has been without a government for four hundred days and counting.
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Reviewing European Collective Security on the 75th anniversary of VE Day

Mark Siraut Jun 15, 2020

On the 100th anniversary of the League of Nations founding and 75th anniversary of VE Day, it is worth reflecting on both the benefits that European collective security has brought, as well as its current poor condition.
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The Nationalist Challenge to the United Kingdom

Mark Siraut Nov 11, 2019

The upcoming December 12th UK General election offers nationalists the opportunity to increase support for independence and translate surging independence sentiment into electoral gains. The General election also offers a chance for the two…
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The United Kingdom’s Prorogation Crisis

Mark Siraut Oct 23, 2019

As a result of this prorogation, one of the central problems of the UK’s constitution, the lack of legal restraints on the powers of the Royal Prerogative, has now begun to be addressed. Considering that the UK's constitution is based on…
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Three Indecisive Brexit Days in March

Mark Siraut Mar 19, 2019

On March 29th, the United Kingdom (UK) is supposed to leave the European Union (EU) according to the two-year deadline imposed by Article 50. Prime Minister (PM) Theresa May’s Brexit Withdrawal Agreement was rejected by the House of Commons…
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Irish Reunification and the Irony Behind it

Mark Siraut Feb 23, 2019

The inflammatory Irish backstop needs to be understood within the wider context of Anglo-Irish relations going back centuries, from the Act of Union in 1800, the Irish War of Independence, the Troubles, and the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.…
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Brexit: The “Easiest Deal Ever”

Mark Siraut Jan 10, 2019

With less than 100 days to go before the UK officially leaves the EU on March 29th, 2019, it appears increasing likely that the UK will leave without any deal at all.
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Europe at a Crossroads: Comparing 1918 and 2018

Mark Siraut Nov 15, 2018

World War I officially concluded on November 11th, 1918 at 11:00 am, only ending after four bloody years of fighting and 16 million dead. It had started in 1914, and pitted the Central Powers, the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires,…
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The Executive vs the Legislature vs the People: Conflicts of British Constitutionalism

Mark Siraut Oct 14, 2018

Only five countries in the world do not have a codified constitution, or a written-down set of rules governing the running of their government: the United Kingdom, Israel, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and Canada. However, the UK does have two…
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Explaining the Northern Ireland’s Assembly Crisis: Will Stormont return?

Mark Siraut Apr 3, 2018

On January 10th 2017, the Northern Ireland Assembly, also known as Stormont, collapsed and does not appear likely to return at any point for the foreseeable future. The cause of the collapse was the withdrawal of the junior partner, Sinn…
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What Can Europe’s Centre-Left Learn from the Communist Manifesto on its 170th Anniversary?

Mark Siraut Feb 21, 2018

Throughout 19th century Europe, suffrage was restricted to the property-owning middle and upper classes. As a result, the dominant liberal and conservative parties across Europe had no impetus to introduce policies to help the working…
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Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points and the Liberal World Order

Mark Siraut Jan 18, 2018

On January 8th 1918, United States President Woodrow Wilson delivered his 14 Points Speech, which outlined his personal vision for the post-World War I conduct of international relations. The main theory applied to understand…
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