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On the (imho futile) hope that the debate on UK Rejoining will be to a higher standard. Why would that be the case? Just one small example: Brexit is a failure. This will mean that proponents will try all they can to steer the debate away from the damage that Brexit did.

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Why is the UK-France ‘one in, one out’ migration deal being scrapped?

Besides illogical and principally wrong, the "one-in-one-out scheme" between UK and France was also cruel and working badly. (Very) good riddance. Until developments lead to actual change; the fact remains that UK did Brexit and has to solve its own problems. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

theguardian.com

Agreement expected to end on Thursday after running for 423 days, during which it has been beset by problems

One of the reasons the EU insists on Free Movement is that it provides freedom to EU citizens. So, it is good for citizens and it works - already for decades, due to the trust between the member states. Good to see others making that case:

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Elena Adaal @elenaadaal.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

If you travel around a bit in Brussels you can hear any opinion you want. As of now, the EU has no opinion on any UK rejoining - or partial effort. First its the UK’s turn, and only when there is something to react to the Brussels machine will kick into gear.

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It would be good if in the new discussion on a new EU-UK relation the below mindsets are put away: The UK was never punished, and this was - and is - not needed nor desirable. And it would be very weird if ‘the people’ in UK are more stupid than those of other countries.

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Reposted by Elena Adaal

Buck Frexit @beany.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Brexiters should be rejoicing at Burnham’s speech. They can campaign on all the ways Brexit has improved our lives and the fortunes of our country. They can set their case out clearly and with facts for all to see. Bet they can’t wait.

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Dr Stylite @columnist.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

People are at risk of focusing on the trees vs the wood and the *wood* is now that there’s a live conversation about the UK rejoining the EU. The box has been opened…

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Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

You either bow down to the assumption that voters’ preferences are fixed or at least exogenous. Or you decide that they’re malleable and endogenous - and so prepare to make a political argument. Better, perhaps, to risk dying on your feet than live on your knees.

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Reposted by Elena Adaal

Nicolai von Ondarza @nvondarza.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

"Our partnership may become a model for other countries seeking friendship in a challenging world." @politico.eu has leaked the draft EU-Canada declaration, with no mention of an 'Associate Membership', but lots of interesting ambitions for a much deeper partnership:

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Burnham clears path to EU summit with post-Brexit breakthrough

The EU should not agree to this ‘deal’ that is proposed: Trading an additional demand from UK (Made in Europe) for a real issue (home fees for EU students) is not acceptable. We don’t need the Reset. UK should show it wants to get closer to EU. www.ft.com/content/ef10...

ft.com

UK and Brussels to go ahead with key November meeting after agreeing to kick talks on industrial subsidies into next year

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Dr Stylite @columnist.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

One for all those strange people who think this is a rare view.

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UK-France ‘one in one out’ deal to expire on Thursday, say sources

And now the non-paywalled version of the end of the one-in-one-out scheme. Good riddance. The UK did Brexit, and now it has to solve its own problems. It is for the best if all involved forget and never talk about this bad scheme again. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

theguardian.com

Deal aimed at deterring small boat arrivals set to end as talks stall over French demand for EU-wide scheme

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This is good news. This 'one-in-one-out' rule is arbitrary, and illogical: A boat refugee is needed so that a 'genuine refugee' can get in UK. Is the 'genuine refugee' less genuine when there is not a boat person to expel? UK did Brexit and has to solve its own boat problem.

We in the Netherlands have some folklore about our great neighbors, the Belgians😀

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The good thing is that this is firstly pitched as an internal discussion (within UK), instead of a dialog with EU. The key to better relations with EU rests within UK, and the rough parameters of the spectrum of possible relations with EU are (should be) known in UK.

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Reform of the electoral system would be very good for UK. FPTP breeds a kind of confrontational politics that benefits extremism, and leads to weak governance.

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Joël Reland @jreland.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

To me the positive spin is more appropriate, since these remarks are definitely different from the "make Brexit work approach". On the summit there is less clarity: there will be a summit on the Reset, but immigration?? UK has nothing to offer EU on that, so why discuss it?

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Reposted by Elena Adaal

What's that Andy? You want to look at the different options for the UK's relationship with the EU? If only someone had set them out already... ukandeu.ac.uk/introducing-...

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Agathe Demarais @agathedemarais.com · 29/09/2026

The seven-year ritualistic dance around the EU budget 😀 While it looks like an existential conflict with tremors reaching the outer edges of Europe, it is in fact a bog-standard, drawn-out negotiation revolving on tiny details, with the inevitable 'ugly' (but ok) compromise in the end.

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Reposted by Elena Adaal

Mainstream narrative of China shock decimating EU industry may be overblown • Over past decade, China accounted for just one quarter of growth in bloc's extra-EU imports • China's share of EU’s imports has barely moved over past decade, rising from 20.5% to 22.3% www.economist.com/business/202...

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Why the EU fears Britain becoming a back door for Chinese cars

On the the risk of UK becoming a back door into the EU for cars. The article nicely shows the dangers of letting UK in on EU markets - if the EU wants to combat China, it has to work indirectly, via UK. This increases uncertainty, and gives UK leverage. Best avoided. www.ft.com/content/6b21...

ft.com

Brussels is urging UK tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, but it might take more than that

Elena Adaal @elenaadaal.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Its good to be in another country and see the UK experiment with lowering immigration (a.k.a. "how to become poorer") is going. Surely the answer UK gov will come up with is to further decrease immigration.

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Elena Adaal @elenaadaal.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Report on EU trade agreements and the trade that they facilitate. Generally looking good, with positive outliers being Canada, Japan and Chili. It looks like Mercosur is not showing up in the numbers yet.

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Elena Adaal @elenaadaal.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

UK gov is actively discouraging foreigners to come, by charging visa costs that are far too high, a specific foreigner-only NHS Surcharge, and extra costs for international students. Good to see that those outside of UK are noticing that UK is closed for business.

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Elena Adaal @elenaadaal.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Labour likes the near-certainty of a gradual stroll towards oblivion above undoing Brexit.

Elena Adaal @elenaadaal.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Excellent from Chris Grey. He articulates clearly one of my recurring themes; namely that UK gov seem so adrift. Bumbling along like its alone in the world, deaf and blind to any outside input.

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Elena Adaal @elenaadaal.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Time for Ireland/EU to start paying some attention to NI. It is - obviously - of prime importance to ensure the continuous protection of the rights of our citizens.

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Elena Adaal @elenaadaal.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

This would be in sharp contrast to the current Burnham moves, like holding up Labour’s own Reset for no good reason. There is always hope, but if I read that being more pro-EU would “sharply boost the party’s seat tally.”, immediately the thought comes that Labour don’t want those voters.

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Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Indeed but they should do it, #reversebrexit because it is the responsible thing to do as a government referring to Chris Grey earlier #brexit blog today (although he was talking about a number of other matters).

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Dr Stylite @columnist.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Quite amusing to watch the growing Brexiteer panic that Burnham might actually do something materially positive with the EU…

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How wonderful this is. Introducing people to art, making it accessible on an equal footing.

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EU warns UK not to put itself in a corner on Brexit reset

Another article on the UK efforts to blow up its own Reset by tying it up with "Made in Europe" legislation. First the key: Made in Europe is EU legislation in progress. This means that the total EU 'circus' of EU Comm, Council and EP are working on it... (1/x) www.politico.eu/article/eu-u...

politico.eu

European officials warn the U.K. would be playing a high-risk game if it delays an upcoming summit over Brussels’ protectionist push.

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EU urges UK to raise tariffs on Chinese cars to avoid ‘made in Europe’ barriers

Currently, the UK is pausing its own Reset, to gain access to Made in Europe. This FT article shows the folly of it: Without aligning on trade, the UK would become a backdoor for China to skip EU tariffs. There is not a lot of UK thoughts going into this. www.ft.com/content/5453...

ft.com

London has lobbied intensely to secure equal treatment for British products but continues to rule out a customs union

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