iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Andy Burnham will "lay out to the country, what I believe the different options are for Britain’s long-term relationship with our European partners". Britain? Did he mean the UK? NI can't be ignored and the potentially different views in, and interests of, Scotland and Wales should not be ignored.

163

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Another thing about Andy Burnham's speech seen from Scotland. He said re Brexit that Britain "has changed dramatically since 2016". Dead right. And it has changed even more dramatically since 2014. So no more of this "once in a generation" nonsense please.

12212

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying the union has been bad for Scotland and England. I think it has in the past benefited both - often, to an extent now seen as shameful, at the expense of other people and peoples. But that is in the past.

220

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I didn't want to comment on Andy Burnham's speech until I had read it in full. I now have. It is 90% about England - housing, water, social care, education. On the GB union he says it gave us trade unions, the cooperative movement, the NHS and a country that stood up to fascism. The union? Really?

131

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I wonder if "the different options ... for Britain’s long-term relationship with our European partners” will include the different parts of Britain being independent members in their own right if they so choose. Much to be said for that. No mention of N Ireland. Its options might also be included.

043

Reposted by Eric Clive

Yes for EU @yesforeu.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

@yes.cymru it's great news that activists from the #CelticAlliance nations are working together to promote self determination! Check out our email to you @scottishindypod.bsky.social @laurapollock.bsky.social @nationalyesnetwork.eurosky.social @alynsmith.bsky.social @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social

1129

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Andy Burnham was impressive on the Laura Kuenssberg show. All about England though. It would be a kindness to him if Scotland just left and let him get on with it.

131

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Good to see pressure building for a UK shift towards the EU. Important for Scotland to be strongly represented in any talks. Any reset agreement should e.g. provide in principle for the new arrangements to continue re Scotland in the period after leaving UK but before joining EU.

132

Reposted by Eric Clive

Steven Seggie @stevenhseggie.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I bet she didn’t do maths A level

384

Reposted by Eric Clive

GylesNaMopaleen @gylesnamopaleen.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Quick 🧵on the NI life & times survey released today. On identity, "Irish" & "Northern Irish" identities now eclipse "British" among young people in Northern Ireland, according to the NI life & times survey released today. TL;DR: Yikes! 1/4

Question on national identity.

How would you describe your national identity? (Multiple Response Table)
Northern Irish 50
Irish 45
British 23
English 2
Scottish 1
Welsh <1
Other 6
I don't know 2
I prefer not to say 1

263

Reposted by Eric Clive

Jim Russell 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿. @jazzyrussell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

It is notable that Infant mortality in England is over 18% higher than in Scotland. Why is this not highlighted in the press? Because it is not the story our English MP's want you to hear.

25743

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I've lost count of the politicians who say "We'll cut taxes but not expenditure and we'll finance it out of growth." Now the LibDems are at it. It is profoundly depressing. Nobody believes it.

020

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

SNP, Greens and Labour back motion “that the Parliament agrees that Scotland is a nation that has a right to decide its own future”. Cons and, remarkably, LibDems against. %raw(article_headline)https://www.thenational.scot/news/26572674.msps-overwhelmingly-back-scotlands-right-decide-future/?ref=li

034

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

So the question of Scottish independence is not off limits for the new leader of Labour in Scotland. Interesting. %raw(article_headline)https://www.thenational.scot/news/26569650.scotland-right-decide-future--michael-marra-says/?ref=li

110

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Police Scotland have arrested people for holding placards saying "Genocide in PALESTINE. Time to take ACTION". The UK's official position is not far from that.. %raw(article_headline)https://www.thenational.scot/news/26562217.police-scotland-must-come-clean-terror-arrests-lawful-slogan/?ref=li

143

Reposted by Eric Clive

Fionna O’Leary @fascinatorfun.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Restoring EU membership was the most popular choice across all constituencies save for 4 ReFuk constituencies Proposals offering a “halfway house”, such as a CU, or the EU single market, drew limited support from Lab, Lib Dem & Green Party supporters, & were even less popular with Tory or ReFukkers

611034

Reposted by Eric Clive

“Rebellious Scots” 😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺 @markrich68.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

🇬🇧 Khaled Hassan of ‘The Telegraph’ getting well and truly telt 👏 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ☘️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🇪🇺 😎

711838

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

This piece ignores a question. Does the UK have to rejoin as one? NI has a way back into the EU via reunification: Scotland via independence. %raw(article_headline)https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/viewpoint/26557004.brexit-opinion-shift-support-rejoining-eu-hits-record-high/?ref=li

000

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Re the Cardiff MoU Andy Burnham's official spokesperson said “The Prime Minister is committed to delivering change across all four nations of the United Kingdom and believes strongly in the Union." But change seems to mean fiddling around with mayors and ignoring the bigger defects in the Union.

030

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

There are four parts of the UK - England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. When First Ministers are discussing its future, and the ambitions of the parts, who speaks for England? Nobody. There is nobody. It is very odd.

210

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Could a leader of a party committed to English independence have signed up to key principles of the Cardiff MoU? Why not? A new economic model. Expanding renewable energy. EU membership. A right to national self-determination. Cooperation based on equality, respect and mutual benefit.

062

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

The MOU of Cardiff doesn't have the ring of the Declaration of Arbroath but its words are more appropriate for our times and it could have a greater significance. The creation and attempted preservation of the British union has caused wounds. The MOU could be potentially healing.

164

Reposted by Eric Clive

GylesNaMopaleen @gylesnamopaleen.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Beyond flags & unionist tantrums over Trumps' UI comment, one of the most significant bullet points on the MoU signed today (between the First Ministers of devolved governments in Scotland, Wales & NI) is the commitment to being back in the EU. That puts bigly pressure on Burnham to re-join. 1/2

extract from the MoU specifically talking about the EU.

Europe and international cooperation: Brexit has damaged our economies and limited opportunities for our people. We believe the future of our nations belongs in the European Union.

We want to work together to rebuild and strengthen those European relationships, creating greater opportunities for trade, investment, culture and cooperation.

MoU signed by Plaid Cymru SNP & Sinn Féin

Scotland, Wales and Ireland have distinct histories, identities and political traditions. Each of our nations has the right to determine its own future, through democratic means and in accordance with the wishes of its people. Today, Plaid Cymru, the Scottish National Party and Sinn Féin are coming together to reaffirm our commitment to working constructively with one another in the shared interests of our people. We share a belief that the nations and communities we represent deserve greater ambition, greater economic opportunity and a stronger voice in determining their own futures.

Full version:
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/read-full-snp-plaid-cymru-104357283.html

6128

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

If you’re in trouble about a lie, tell a bigger one. If you’re in trouble about a donation, tell about bigger ones.

020

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Laura Kuenssberg asks the question everybody is asking about these obscene donations to Reform - is this going to lead to an americanisation of British politics?

110

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Off the cuff, maybe, but interesting. Just like Andy Burnham's remarks on 9 September on having a referendum on Scottish independence if it was likely that a majority of those voting would support it. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026... Donald Trump says he would ‘love’ to see united Ireland

theguardian.com

Donald Trump says he would ‘love’ to see united Ireland

US president says on visit to republic that unification will happen eventually so ‘may as well happen now’

120

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I don't want to put this too strongly but the voting on the assisted dying Bill shows that there could be some advantages for England in being independent - or at least having a Parliament of its own.

140

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

The assisted dying Bill would have passed if no MPs representing Scottish or Northern Irish constituencies had voted. No SNP members voted (a principled decision) but some other MPs from Scot or NI did - and mainly against. Serious constitutional implications here. The Bill was for E & W.

173

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Maybe worth quoting key words of the Good Friday Agreement as they might apply to Scotland the Secretary of State shall exercise the power .. if at any time it appears likely to him that a majority of those voting would express a wish that [Scotland] should cease to be part of the United Kingdom

061

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Andy Burnham says on Thursday that in the run up to the 2014 vote on Scottish independence, but not now, there was a consensus in favour of a referendum. There was only a consensus then because the No side were sure they would win. They are not sure now.

2135

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The gist of Andy Burnham's Thursday position on a Scottish independence referendum (as opposed to his Wednesday position) seems to be that there are more important governmental issues to be getting on with. For him maybe. The UK gov will always be able to say this. It is not a respectable answer.

1217

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Well, that’s the fastest U-turn yet. Yesterday Andy Burnham said in Parliament that the rules on triggering a Scottish independence referendum should be the same as for Northern Ireland. Today he rows that right back and says a Scottish referendum is “off limits”.

153

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

For the first time since Andy Burnham took over as UK PM I have the impression that this really is different from the Starmer era - a much tougher line on Israel and a reasonable response to the question of an exit mechanism for Scotland, namely the same mechanism as for Northern Ireland. Well done.

010

Reposted by Eric Clive

Liz Webster 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧🇪🇺 @lizwebster.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Brexit did not restore sovereignty. It exposed Britain to subjugation as America’s poor relation: a market to penetrate, an asset to strip and a country too isolated to negotiate as an equal. The answer is not another flimsy reset, Britain needs to return to the European table.

12310

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Jason Arday and James Orr. Cambridge University is clearly a broad church.

110

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Time for Nigel Farage to trigger another Clacton by-election.

030

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Two Edinburgh council by-election results. In one, the top 3 parties were Scottish Greens, SNP and Scottish Labour: in the other, Scottish Labour, Scottish Greens and SNP. OK results if Scottish Labour can still be regarded as a progressive party. But can it? That is the big question.

141

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Gripping overage by Channel 4 of Reform's fundraising. What is surprising is not the gullibility, not the sleaze, not the blatant enthusiasm for bending the rules to get American money. What is surprising is that any respectable donor would want to be seen anywhere near Reform.

011

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Andy Burnham in the UK House of Commons. “Can anyone in this House say that the water industry is sufficiently accountable to their constituents? Can anyone?” Of course MPs from Scotland and Northern Ireland could say that. He really does behave like a prime minister of England.

03313

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

This would be a reasonable way forward. There is a view that dissolution of the union between England (which in 1707 was regarded as including Wales) and Scotland should require the consent of both parties. That could be discussed. It does not seem compatible with the idea of a voluntary union.

142

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Gordon Brown predicts that Ireland will be united. He also points out that Scotland has close ties geographically, economically, socially and culturally with "parts of Ireland". So, if he wants political and constitutional ties also, the best way would be via EU membership.

020

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Gordon Brown says that Scotland is "geographically, economically, socially, culturally linked to the rest of the United Kingdom" and so it should be part of the United Kingdom. That does not follow. The same argument leads to the conclusion that Canada should be the 51st State of the United States.

130

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

“Scotland’s got to find a way of living in cooperation with other countries, and independence would not be the right way forward.” It's a view. It's Gordon Brown's view in today's Guardian. Another view would be "and independence within the EU would be a good way forward".

010

Eric Clive @ericclive.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

On a matter of great public boredom “My decision to seek leave to appeal this ruling to the Supreme Court has not been taken lightly,” said David Hamilton, the Scottish Information Commissioner. I await with some interest the day when a public official says "My decision has been taken lightly".

151

Reposted by Eric Clive

Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

UK offshore tax havens are epicenters of global corruption. Secrecy is used to launder money, evade taxes, bust sanctions, shield crooks. Money flows to the City of London. Despite promises, they obstruct transparency. UK has legal responsibility for good governance of its tax havens. Must act.

theguardian.com

‘A mockery’: how offshore tax havens are thwarting the UK’s transparency push

Critics say ownership registers are too costly and too complicated, scuppering attempts to expose alleged money laundering

37498250

Reposted by Eric Clive

The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

John Swinney reacts to Andy Burnham completely avoiding Scotland on his cost-of-living 'UK listening tour' 'If he did come to Scotland people would be wanting to say to him that they're deeply concerned'

53520