Stuart Budd

The short version is, be careful of discussing what you don't want because that just looks like exceptionalist UK all over again. Which is true, and all the more reason why the absence of pro-EU voices making strong pro-EU arguments is even more striking.

Very good thread. 'We'd like to rejoin - we've changed!' 'How much have you changed?' 'We want our biggest opt-out back...'

If I was Ireland, I would insist on Schengen but I don't think other member states would. A functioning UK would wish to be a Schengen member though. We shall see.

The Guardian reporting Andy Burnham calling for an "honest discussion" on EU freedom of movement shows reality finally dismantling Brexit myths. Reciprocal mobility and shared security enriched Britain for decades. Why stay trapped in isolation? (1/2) 🤔 #RejoinEU

Day 2459 of #Brexit: ‘Andy Burnham says he wants an “honest discussion” with the British public about the possibility of a return to free movement between the UK and the EU as part of his plans for a new relationship with the bloc.’ www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Oh that’s a good movie I think I’ll watch that again soon

Very important analysis, especially given the current govt fixation on the auto industry and Made in Europe. Savour UKICE while you still can!

EU member states are considering temporarily shelving a push to secure lower tuition fees for their students at UK universities, paving the way for a long-delayed “reset” summit between the two sides next month. www.ft.com/content/4777...

This is why Scotland should go it alone It has been three years of a Labour government now and the EU still have to raise issues of the UK not respecting the rights of EU citizens under the TCA.

Dreadful scenes in France ❤️ to 🇫🇷 I see the fingerprints of the Kremlin causing trouble. The Kremlin take grievances and then ramp them up and are very good at it #HybridWar www.theguardian.com/world/2026/o...

There we have it (again): “European companies face “devastating” retaliation from Washington if Brussels presses ahead with plans to restrict American rivals such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX from parts of the European market, the US ambassador to the EU has warned.” Coercion is a short-term strategy.

Palestinians have expressed their support for the Greens after the party adopted an anti-Zionist stance, saying it was 'obvious' the ideology was 'racism' 👇 👉 www.thenational.scot/news/2...

100-150 km² is about half the size of the Isle of Wight, which is 381 km² 😂

🇬🇧 Dept for Business is in Brexity 'global Britain' 🦄 mode. 🇬🇧 Home Office is in hating foreigners mode 🇬🇧 / 🇪🇺 'reset' / EEA / whatever is dead without change. The November 'reset' still needs the Home Office to agree with 🇪🇺 youth agreement terms, after over two years of no movement. 🧐😂

Astute analysis (as always) from @davidheniguk.bsky.social. The UK still underestimates how profoundly the EU now views trade through the prism of strategic autonomy and economic security. It fails to notice that Brussels increasingly judges partners by policy alignment, not diplomatic sentiment

This government aren't up to the Brexit reality task. They are going to attempt to protect Brexity 'global Britain' at the expence of reality and EU power. They will end up without the 'global Britain' 🦄 while not protecting current UK vehicle manufacturing. www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data...

Some of these picture are heartbreaking

I read this and couldn't quite believe it! The BBC is so pathetic

In a referendum where Matt Goodwin makes the point that the EU is too right wing - vs - Aanand making the point that the UK can join the EU but pick which parts, such as the Euro and Schengen.... Matt Goodwin wins Remain types * MUST * do better in making the case for Europe.

NEW: Prime Minister Andy Burnham finally breaks a decade of UK govt silence…& reveals there was ‘clear’ Russian interference in the Brexit vote. 1/

More clear support for the International Criminal Court

Another part of the reset is in place for the summit, so focus remains on Youth Mobility www.politico.eu/article/uk-e...

Let me just say that anecdotally the mood of immigrants on the other side of academia is very much “get out of here, no matter what it takes.” A combination of nativist immigration policy and a complete disregard for higher education. Destroying a sector that this country could be proud of.

3. Every member state counts: membership talks start with a lot of intra-EU negotiating (member states, parliament and commission must agree one mandate). Many use this to table other demands: "sure I'll support opening talks with X, but in return, cd I get support on this (unrelated) file".

Here we go again. And opt-out from the euro, Schengen can be ignored and then we can welcome our British friends who do not believe in European integration back. All we have to do is bend the rules so our British friends can join the club once more while rejecting even our finest achievements.

Good luck to the Greens and Zack in Holborn and St Pancras

Reality check for UK's #rejoin movement

Here we are Schengen allows the UK to have a secure border via EU security databases. Euro allows the UK to have financial stability via a reserve currency. In the other place, 'remainers' are saying neither Schengen or the Euro are required Brexiters are saying they are. (both are required)

Timely...

This is why the chair of the Internal Market Committee is such a powerful role People in China are using EU supply chain legislation to gain better working conditions, which in turn will help EU manufacturers compete with China and help level the playing field.

Tbh Burnham thanked us,immigrants,for having come to🇬🇧 (par.#2 ⬆️) It hadn't happened since 2024,only insults+scorn ("squalid chapter","incalculable damage"). Sunak did thank us;likely no PMs before since 2016. I wasn't expecting that much,just let us be,but I'll take it even if it's just warm words.

Best part: "'My wallet was stolen and my Italian ID was inside,' she said. With a looming holiday, she contacted the Italian embassy to ask what she needed to do, but to her frustration quickly realised that it would be faster to gain Belgian citizenship than to wait for a remade Italian ID."

Greens don't lower their values to accomodate the far right Labour does

A couple of really radical options - engage in Brussels with why the UK wants to talk and what the EU is actually prepared to offer - learn from what has mostly failed in the approach to the EU question for the last ten years Which would quickly narrow the path forward.

So let’s see practical steps to rejoin asap. As global insecurity grows, anything less simply won’t do

Important thread on Labour and any 🇬🇧 / 🇪🇺 reset or join application I think this is the correct take Labour are too terrified and not that interested There are lots of 'pro EU' sounding words but the actions are anti EU on even things like treatment of EU citizens. Always watch the actions.

@trogdouser.bsky.social wrote this and I nicked it

Burnhamistas Pig-headed zealots who refuse to admit they've been lied to by an out and out narcissist chancer. 🤣

1473 EU citizens living in UK pre-Brexit have been told their settled status was granted in error. Home Office now facing legal action for "a clear breach of the Withdrawal Agreement". That's not going to aid the rebuilding of relations with the EU! www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

EU member states are creating a structure outside of NATO for the defence of Europe against Russian hybrid attacks. For me personally, it is odd the only political party within England with the right policy are the Greens. Everyone else is stuck with NATO. giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

Since I'm not going to Liverpool this year to discuss, a short state of play on UK EU relations and the Labour Party. The very short version - they're terrified. And trying to find ways to avoid the question none of which will work.