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It will be the comms around we are not getting back the terms of our old deal which will be key

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johanbeerts.bsky.social @johanbeerts.bsky.social · 21h

One of the main problems with the UK is that many seem to think that staying out of the euro and out of Schengen is somehow "better" than joining some of the EU's finest achievements. That says it all about the country and why it isn't fit to be an EU member.

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 22h

@bestforbritain.org have legitimate worries over the staying power if the UK public in this matter. The only way to surely fix that is to build support for the full acquis, and for European identity, no matter what happens

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Mark Purchase 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🇪🇸 🇪🇺 @markpurch.bsky.social · 22h

As be usual it appears to be an article arguing against a different point I doubt anyone had ever tried to argue that a standard A49 application with no caveats would take decades When people say it will take decades they are talking about the years trying to achieve a non standard application

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 23h

Lastly, and this was very complimentary, a friend working for an MSs gov at a senior level said to me it was a "remarkable speech" , which contained "enough reforms for three governments" . Obviously, that brings its own challenges. Ends

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 23h

While ordinarily I would have said no chance, this is suddenly an even more vulnerable geopolitical moment for Europe which the UK might be able to exploit. I would hope our leadership would stay strong, but this type of approach could lead to the Union's unravelling. 3

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 23h

This seems to be confirmed: the strategy appears to be to continue to pick and choose from the single market, while looking for exemptions, avoiding a level playing field, with fhs softening of May-Johnson red lines as part of that. 2 bsky.app/profile/nial...

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 23h

The substance of this is correct: it shouldn't take this long. But the reason "simple" deals with the UK take this long is because of exceptionalism, cavilling and wanting special terms. If the UK enters with that attitude, it will take a decade. 1

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Jon Potter @rettopnoj.bsky.social · 18h

ETIAS will really drive it home if/when that ever starts.

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Cassandra 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺🌐 @troybairn.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

There is no UK. There is no Union. It is England + 2 colonies + part of a former colony.

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Thanks Kathy. This seems to be unknown in the UK, but the tendency of Britons to see themselves as automatically the good guys renders a kind of amnesia. That's not healthy. The UK needs to understand Europe.

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Kathy Love @kathylove.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

This is one of Niall’s most important threads, because it sets out the course of events that, although conveniently forgotten or dismissed by many in the UK, necessarily colours the EU’s assessment of the UK as a potential member, and explains why the EU cannot take the UK’s bona fides for granted.

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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 18h

🔥🔥 This phenomenal article shows how European Movement UK are now laying out a 10-year path back into full EU membership. All the stages, timings, complexities, ratifications and considerations in place. Could even be sooner if we get a lucky break. Read 👇

independent.co.uk

Labour voters overwhelmingly want Andy Burnham to commit to rejoining EU, poll shows

Exclusive: New 10-year plan for re-entry to the European Union in 2036 being put to the prime minister

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

And here is one area where I agree with you: leading English pols may not want to do this. Jury is still out. And that means Scotland has to look after itself and its European future.

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Cassandra 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺🌐 @troybairn.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Having witnessed the 2014 Scottish independence referendum and the 2016 Brexit referendum, one thing is crystal clear: the bad guys are going to play dirty as fuck. It the good guys want to win - that’s us folks - then we need to drop the doe-eyed naivety. Anticipate their attack lines and counter.

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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 08/10/2026

The easiest way to ‘bring the UK closer to Europe’? Rejoin the EU.

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Simon Pease @simonpease.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Really good thread Jacob. I think the debate is now open, and agree completely once it’s admitted that brexit does not work, political and economic logic lead inevitably to full accession. Personally I believe a sufficient majority could be achieved. But it needs a well funded and staffed…

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Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

In the politically & economically interconnected world order, no state is really sovereign in practice in the sense that they can act without concern for other states. All needs to adapt to the policies of other major players, the US, China & notably the large trading bloc which is called the EU.

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Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

So, what remains then, is it sovereignty? Yes, the UK would need to substantially lose some of its own legislative powers which would be delegated to the EU instiutions and the Council (where the UK would have a seat at the table). But sovereignty is largely a legal fiction.

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Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

The costs of accepting free movement of person is I think in the British public view non-negligble and the benefit of being able to conclude trade agreements with third countries also minimal given the limited added value those agreements would give to the UK economy per OBR calculations.

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Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

UK struggles economically from #brexit and needs to find a way for more growth for their economy. Access to the EU single market would be a major uplift for their economy which a customs agreement with the EU could not seriously accomplish.

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Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

The EEA option sounds nice on paper but here the UK would be without a voice & a #ruletaker which would be too frustrating for British political establishment. In addition, it is highly uncertain that other EEA members would accept the UK as it would imbalance the well-functioning current EEA setup.

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Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

In short, I think there is no other way around for the UK than to think about a serious accession bid to the EU. All other options are underwhelming given the economic size of the UK and its political interests in influencing EU policy.

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Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Secondly, I think PM Burnham but also larger parts of the political establishment will and will need to "reopen" the politically divisive #brexit debate. There is no turning back from this public debate, it is more of framing it clearly and be transparent of the political choices ahead for the UK.

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Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

"Does the UK want to reopen the bitter Brexit debate?" asks Vicki Young. There is a way of reviewing our relationship with Europe that does not reopen "the bitter Brexit debate", which I think is underpriced. We could all be honest and agree that Brexit was a shit idea.

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Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

🚨🚨 My scattered thoughts on this: Yes, #brexit was exactly this, absolute crap (financially, socially politically and in all thinkable ways) and the Johnson-hammered #hardbrexit EU-UK TCA deal is obviously not working for the UK (surprise: works quite well for the EU).

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Alexander Clarkson @aphclarkson.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

FFS people this is not rocket science. It really is not that deep. EU wants x and y + UK accepts x and y = UK member of EU

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Alexander Clarkson @aphclarkson.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

The idea that "EU doesn't want Brits back in" is absurd as the claim that the "EU will let Brits back on British terms". The EU will want certain things if the UK wants to join, and if the UK government and its voters accept those things the Brits can become members of the EU again.

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Alexander Clarkson @aphclarkson.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

It's possible to point out that the EU will have a comprehensive range of demands and expectations towards the UK if the Brits want to Rejoin as well as that if the Brits meet those conditions the UK will be allowed back in. Whether Brits rejoin or not comes down to what Brits are ready to accept

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Georgina Wright (on leave) @georginaewright.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Another great piece by @samfr.bsky.social on the route back into the EU for the UK. That said, one thing that is massively underappreciated in the UK is the EU's own appetite to begin membership talks with the UK. samf.substack.com/p/the-route-...

samf.substack.com

The route back into the EU

Back in 2022 I wrote about the long-term prospects for undoing Brexit and made two predictions.

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johanbeerts.bsky.social @johanbeerts.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The sheer entitlement for the EU to bend its rules to suit an ex-member who doesn't believe in European ideals, rather than the UK itself adapting to meet the requirements laid out by the 27 member states of the EU. Almost on par with Bliar wanting to "reform" the EU from without.

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

I don't want to be so critical - I want to support UK pro-Europeans - but I am astounded how people are losing their faculties. The UK should get much closer to Europe. But you need to be straight about what that means. The full article 👇 Ends

labourlist.org

'Imaginary and real obstacles to Britain resuming its membership of the EU' - LabourList

Former EPLP leader Richard Corbett looks at the myths and real objects that arise in any conversation about rejoining the EU.

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The best way to fight the fat right is to work together, Richard Corbett CBE You know, monetary union, FoM, open borders in Schengen, and solidarity via, inter alia, the European budget The debate needs realism 👇 9

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Public ownership is not an issue for the Union. As for the far right, we have our problems, but the UK has been run by regimes to the right of the FN and has two of the three major parties committed to ending fundamental rights in the UK. Can the lectures. 8

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Why deny this? The rebate is dead. The UK should be proud not to have others pay it's share, which is what happened under Thatcher. You guys also need to dump the idea that getting one over Europe - France and Germany essentially - is a win. This is a community. 7

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

This won't happen overnight, but it's an lie to say Europe won't expect it or it won't be central to the UK debate, as it was for Iceland. Doubt Richard recommends conning us, but bear in mind: British attempts to destroy the euro are central to institutional memory 6

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

And this is empty sophistry. The UK will have to make a solemn declaration on the euro; that commitment will be part of the referendum; and it will have to make a serious political commitment to MSs to advance with that afterwards. 5

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The UK would not get an opt-out for Schengen and would have to commit to joining it, either when Ireland chooses to, or when three is a united Ireland, or when checks are arranged between Ireland and UK. This has to be addressed in advance of a referendum. Ignoring European law is very Brexity 4

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

To imagine that getting graded by the Commission will make UKG and the public more willing to not play politics is naïve. So, good starting point, but form not demonstrated. 3

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

*Negotiable* is key here too. The reason negotiations with UKG are so slow and on the point of falling apart is cavilling. Often over European law, but certainly over stuff the UK knows has to happen. So two years accession assumes *willingness* and *compliance* to levels UKG has not shown. 2

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Richard Corbett CBE in Labour List. Corrections needed. A 🧵 What's often left unsaid by heads of gov. is "you know the conditions." The UK must meet the conditions. Otherwise goodwill counts for nothing. And terms must be negotiable, as in they're known but UKG has to sign up.

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Bilodea @wjdee.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Great article. I would though respectfully offer that the problem among UK politicians is perhaps not so much "exceptionalism" but simple ignorance. Understanding how the EU works is difficult in a country where school children are not even taught how their own parliamentary system works.

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Realism still needed for Europe debate in UK. Will Andy Burnham provide it? Me in @eastangliabylines.co.uk Enjoy! eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...

eastangliabylines.co.uk

Britain still hasn’t learnt what being outside the EU means

Closer ties with Europe require Britain to abandon exceptionalism and understand what being outside the EU means

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Michael @vivamjm.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Brexit Britain: continuing to look good ... "UK haulage company enters liquidation after 13 years | Messenger Newspapers" share.google/J93DHkkf3oq2...

share.google

'Family-run' UK haulage company falls into liquidation after 13 years

"Family-run" UK haulage and warehousing company Q Delivery Services has entered liquidation after more than 13 years in business.

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Ruth Watson @ruthwatson.eurosky.social · 06/10/2026

As a Scot, from the country in the UK which voted Remain but was dragged out anyway, A nation whose people have voted repeatedly for a 2nd independence referendum because Brexit exposed the lack of fairness and lack of democracy within the existing constitutional framework This is all infuriating.

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AdamT @adamt1966.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Sick of everything being "in the next manifesto". Labour is in power now! With a huge majority! No guarantee they'll even head a coalition government after the next election. Stop promising, start doing!

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

For all that, this is the best chance pro-Europeans have had to influence the debate in a while. Momentum will be vital. As will knuckling down. My strong suspicion is PM Burnham sees the first action points as many years away. Ends

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I know this all seems like it's new because a new PM, but we've all been here before, particularly with big speeches promised by Starmer, Sunak and May on Europe which failed The jaded reaction of some Brexit watchers and many in the Brussels-sphere is understandable. 5

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

For me the most worrying aspect is the PM's seeming total inability to say anything positive about Europe, his case mainly seeming to be the UK can deport people easier to our counties. It can't be said strongly enough, UK needs a very durable majority for accession. This argument won't make it. 4

Concerns

The deeper concern about Burnham’s announcement relates to immigration and asylum. It is a concern with several dimensions. One is the specific way in which, in this speech and elsewhere, he suggests that Brexit meant that “control over immigration was weakened when we lost collaboration with our European partners.” He is obviously referring to asylum-seeking and the Dublin Regulations, and the fact that, like many other politicians, he conflates immigration and asylum is a problem in itself. But it is also a problem that he at least overstates the significance of Brexit in relation to asylum.

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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

It is very odd to want to do this around a Euro-UK summit given that he doesn't seem to want to close the outstanding issues in the relationship, all the more so given this will he speaking to the British people. Worrying too is the absence of structure unlike his other proposals. Why? 3

Questions

So this is a genuinely significant moment in the Brexit ‘story’. But there are some worms in the apple. One of these is that, at least so far, there is no indication what process Burnham envisages, and especially what the process would be to “find consensus”. Unlike the electoral reform announcement, there was no suggestion there will be a cross-party commission to explore options. Unlike the National Care Service or youth unemployment policies which have been announced, no equivalent of the Casey or Milburn reviews has, as yet anyway, been proposed.

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