tidybox.bsky.social
In Glasgow...Film | Art & Design | Mental Health | European politics | EFTA-EEA & Single Market.
Supervising art director for film/TV. Sometimes do graphic design.
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Conservatives introduced a cap on non-EU migration to reduce numbers coming into UK. In 2016 it would've been difficult to get a clear picture of what was happening. Cameron didn't wait to find out. May pushed an even harsher policy, whilst knowing UK had been working with EU on tighter borders.
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Farage's position of an Australian-style visa would've reached the same ends, despite him having been inspired by Switzerland and champion of a Norwegian-type arrangement at various times before and during the campaign- Both which have a free movement arrangement with EU.
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Not sure how the international community can simply look on as a billionaire dictates the outcome of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. One man should not have that much power.
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Its certainly not cherry-picking to be open in principle to UK-Spain, UK-Italy, UK-Germany deals that resemble existing Spain-Canada, Germany-Canada, UK-Australia policies!
However, it may be good for the UK-EU relationship to agree to now have a different UK-EU27 approach at the EU's request
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We currently offer 80,000 places on [under-subscribed] youth mobility schemes - a strong reciprocal flow from Australia, quite a few Canadians and New Zealanders in the 25k
UK offers reciprocal youth mobility opportunities to San Marino, Japan and South Korea, but not France, Germany or Spain.
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It doesn't make sense for politics to consist of Ref, Cons & Lab scrabbling about for a slice of the same, fairly narrow, voter segment as if it were the only group of people who matter, just from an electoral POV, never mind the way it disfigures & narrows the terms of political debate. 2/2
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Very welcome changes. Unfortunately, the decision by Labour to continue with Sunak's cancellation of HS2 will ensure local services fighting with fast trains to deliver a reliable service for many years to come.
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A lot of countries need to wake up to the new reality. Not the least of which, Britain, still thinking we can rely on old alliances. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
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Very true. It's all or nothing. Whatever reasons Labour have for this slow approach to resetting UK-EU trade relations Starmer has got to change the direction of conversation. It won't be as easy for Labour next time around. People don't vote if they think they're not being listened to.
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...but do you sing your own theme tune!!?
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I suppose Tice thinks the hole in the ozone was a natural phenomenon too. We have accelerated the pace of environmental change. Wealthy businessmen like Tice do not want to admit it because they are the ones in position to make the changes necessary. He is well aware of what that would cost him.
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Dynamic alignment. Equivalence on animal and food exports, via a comprehensive SPS/veterinary agreement, would go further to ensure a quality inspection system than TCA currently provides for. This is one area Labour do seem open to discussing despite their reluctance on removing other red lines.
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The wealth centred around London and South East disguises how under invested and impoverished UK is as a country, compared to other advanced economies in Europe and across the world. In this regard, I am still surprised Labour are putting self preservation above the good of the economy.
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Trump won't last a third term. He will be 82 years old. The same age as Biden. The GOP won't risk it. I honestly expect to see his health and wellbeing deteriorate in the latter half of his presidency and the US media will do their best to conceal it.
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They have themselves to blame. Across every continent, most other countries in the world are in a trading bloc with their closest neighbours, yet Labour rule out joining EEA or a customs union because it crosses a red line- A red line Parliament created for themselves.
Pride comes before a fall.
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Is it not the case that outside full EU membership, EEA has no direct oversight from CJEU? Application and monitoring of law is via ESA and EFTA court. Likewise, there are no direct budget payments. Contributions are made towards joint EU-EEA programmes and EEA grants, as Norway, Iceland etc.
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Basically Labour has no realistic and coherent view of the UK or global economy, or where the EU fits in to that. And I suspect that's true of other policy areas as well. Which is always going to be a problem for governing.
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Really good to hear this said so clear and concisely.
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We see exactly the same here in UK. Had it with Johnson, and now with the continued media obsession with Farage and Reform. It would be nice to get real journalism that cuts through in the mainstream. Many of us have already turned off but what does it matter if the majority don't?
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If UK wanted to participate in the Single Market, via EEA, CJEU oversight is indirect. Application of law and safeguarding of individuals is monitored by EFTA surveillance authority and court. This was the solution if MPs had taken it in 2016/17, but there is little evidence they understood it.
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Kink in the slinky has to be the best response.
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It doesn't directly. The refugee crisis and subsequent displacement through war would've seen the largest number cross into Europe. MPs conflate this with FoM. We sometimes see it in reporting of small boats. If MPs are open to public consultation then it is a positive step forwards- long overdue.
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We cannot keep something we haven't got. If Labour were paying attention they'd note that FoM is being reformed within EU. Notably, ETIAS, which increases security on external Schengen borders to lessen the impact of non-EU migration. UK should seek to offer safe legal routes from within Europe too.
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Why do you think that narrative is not breaking through? Right wing press will always find ways to attack Labour, but what is the excuse for other mainstream broadcasters, social media and commentators. Is it because we have been so used to the gesture politics of Johnson, Truss and Sunak?
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No President should ever be allowed to profit from the ravages of war. The global community must unite in condemnation of Trump if he intends to exploit the death and suffering of millions in Palestine to generate personal wealth and ownership of land.
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No President should ever be allowed to profit from the ravages of war. The global community must unite in condemnation of Trump if he intends to exploit the death and suffering of millions in Palestine to generate personal wealth and ownership of land.
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This will never get old. Farage pushed for a Norway/Swiss-type deal right up until June 2016, before unleashing his Breaking Point campaign fearful he had lost the referendum. He knows perfectly well that remaining in EU orbit would reduce red tape and bureaucracy. If only interviewers reminded him.
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Looking forward, it will remain challenging and tempting to believe that there are quick fixes to complex problems facing the world. But there aren't, and we progressive centrists need to stay the course, act long-term and in time, prove that our way provides better outcomes.
5/5
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A CU won’t “tear down trade barriers”. (You only have to listen to Turkey’s evidence to the Brexit Select Committees to understand that). It would be progress but still limited esp as the TCA largely removes tariffs on goods that PROVABLY meets the required standards.
bsky.app/profile/edda...
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Caught Catherine Barnard, UK in a Changing Europe, on LBC. I just wish Government was forthcoming if Starmer intends to cover other significant areas beyond veterinary agreement and mutual recognition. Staying quiet on details so as not to agitate Brexiters will only lose pro-European support.
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No one in politics seems to want to admit that the refugee crisis and freedom of movement were two different things, or to call out Reform for conflating them both. Farage had cited Norway and Switzerland, only launching his Breaking Point campaign in June- fearing he'd lost the fight.
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I didn't see why Cooper felt the need to do this. Labour are making it far more difficult for themselves that it needs to be. Phillips only asked about a customs agreement.
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In this scenario, I wondered why Lib Dems lose seats, whilst Greens see no change. If last election is anything to go by, I would expect the Greens to see further gains and Lib Dems holding onto or improving theirs. Why is all commentary on the hypothetical success of Reform?
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If Labour weren't so intent on burying their heads this should be the leading argument. Europe witnessed one of the largest refugee crises in recent history. UK, with other EU states, insisted on tightening external border security. Which EU has now done. Nothing to do with freedom of movement.