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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

There is no option of rejoining the Single Market & saving the tricky bit of rejoining the EU for later. The Single Market is set out in the EU treaties & applies to EU members only- see TFEU, from Art.26 The Norway option is also off because EFTA said no in March 2019, so that leaves...?

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Sorry, but you are confusing the EEA with the Single Market, and Switzerland isn't even in the EEA and has a worse trading relationship with the EU than Norway. The Single Market, the internal market of the EU, only exists between EU members- do read TFEU Art. 26 onwards.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

It's almost as if this is the instruction manual for the current German Schengen policy...

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Which structures might change? What evidence do you have? The EU won't offer non-EU countries a level of access that jeopardises the integrity of its Single Market- is that a familiar phrase? Here's France's J-N Barrot earlier this year reminding us of this:

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

So TFEU, Art.26 onwards is wrong then? That's quite the claim you're making.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

LOL that you think the EU's Customs Union is separate to the Single Market- go & reread TFEU from Art.26 again. The Single Market is a *development* of the customs union- the one that launched in '68- you can't have one without the other. And here's Delors stating the bleedin' obvious.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I know which countries are in the EU and which are in the EEA. And I know that the phrase 'part of the EU's single market' is meaningless. Only EU countries are *in* the Single Market- it's there for you to read for yourself in TFEU, from Art.26.👍

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

They aren't and you've clearly got a gap in your knowledge. I'll help you- here's the EU itself explaining what the Single Market is and who is in it. Can you see any hint of the EFTA 4 getting a mention here?

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Glad you took it with good humour- thank you. The belief that there is a 'SM+CU but not in the EU deal' is far too prevalent here, and makes us look like clueless exceptionalists and cherry-pickers. And in case you were interested here's a screenshot from EFTA's faqs a few years ago.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Wera- there is no option of joining the EEA (what you erroneously refer to as the Single Market) and forming a CU with the EU. The EFTA secretariat had this in their FAQ section for years- EFTA members can't form CUs as it is against their little club's rules. And EFTA said no to the UK in 2019.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Those are among the primary reasons why we joined the EU project in the first place, and they remain valid reasons to rejoin. It is most odd that you find that in any way 'weird', but here's the polling from just before the '75 referendum to illustrate the point.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I'm not wrong- the Single Market is all of the political & economic integration of the EU treaties. The EEA agreement doesn't replicate what the Single Market does- it wasn't meant to by design. And as you think the Single Market & Customs Union are separate things, do read Delors here:

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Reread it- it's attached. Again. Art.26.2 refers to the internal market (that's literally what the Single Market is) Art 28.1 very clearly refers to the Customs Union. Norway & Switzerland are both EFTA members & Norway is also in the EEA (which is not the Single Market). See- it's simple.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This shouldn't be so hard for you to grasp- Norway is not in the Single Market because it's not an EU member. Here's the EU explaining what the Single Market is and who is in it. Hint- the EFTA 4 aren't in it...

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Leaving the EU automatically means you leave the Single Market & Customs Union. It's there for all to see in TFEU from Art.26. So now you've learnt something new will you stop saying variants of 'no-one voted to leave the Single Market'?

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Incorrect- there is in fact no way to join the Single Market & Customs Union outside of the EU. Here's why:

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

No, Switzerland's relationship with the EU is more distant than the other EFTA members that signed up to the EEA agreement in the 90's. Yet they all still have trade borders with the EU- we want to get rid of ours, not keep it in place!

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

The Single Market is for EU members only- only the EU's treaties create it and only EU members are in it.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

The EEA is not the Single Market- never has been, never will be.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

There is no option of 'at least' rejoining the customs union and single market. but staying out of the EU. The Single Market (which is a development of the 1968 customs union) is the exclusive preserve of EU members- it's literally there in black and white in TFEU, from Art.26.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

It really is quite extraordinary that you persist in thinking you know better than an actual Professor of EU law.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Final point- the UK's opt-outs still exist to this day- if I was you I would heed the words of a Professor of EU law. The UK's rejoin negotiations would not be like any other country joining the EU.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Wrong- you are not a Professor of EU law so we can safely disregard your opinion on this point.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

No- the UK joined the *European Communities*. The EEC was one of the communities we joined. It was even on the stamps at the time... We joined a project to create the European Union- everyone knew this at the time because it was everywhere.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The first sentence in the 'SINGLE MARKET' section get this-

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

So the correct answer is no- the CU is not separate to the SM. If you knew your EU history you would know that the CU is the foundation of the entire EU project that began in the 50's before the Treaty of Rome. It went live in '68 with the next stage of development being the Single Market.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

'Take part in' = sell to the EU. You seem to be making the common error of conflating the SM with the EEA- they are not the same thing. Here's the EU explaining things↙️, and here's a brief explainer on why the EEA isn't the SM↘️

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Let me help you again- the Single Market is the internal market of the EU- only EU members get to be in it. No non-EU country can be in the SM but not be an EU member- it's that simple. Here's the EU describing its SM & who is in it...do you understand yet?

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

If fellow pro-Europeans had bothered to read this 10 years ago we wouldn't have to still be correcting them now...

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

It's very simple- the Single Market & Customs Union are the exclusive preserves of EU members. No non-EU country can be in the Single Market &/or the Customs Union. It's there in black & white in TFEU from Art. 26.👇 This is basic stuff that many people still get wrong- even Khan.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

You seem as confused as Boles, Phil. The SM is the internal market of the EU- you only have to read TFEU from Art.26 to understand this point. The EEA is not the SM- it was a Delors initiative to grant certain non-EU countries enhanced trade with the EU- but trade borders stay in place.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

You have much to learn about how Europe functions. There is no option of being in the SM & CU but not in the EU- it simply does not exist- no non-EU has this arrangement even now. I can recommend reading TFEU from Art. 26 to clear up your misunderstanding here.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The advisors will do the same, or talk to an expert (who knows more than them but still gets stuff wrong). I bet most people/politicians never read this & of those that did, I bet they missed the errors/omissions in it because as it was written by our top people it must be 100% accurate...

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Because they will read wikipedia, or ask AI a question & because the answer will always match their preconceived idea there is no further curiosity. I've been using this screenshot from TFEU with pro-EUers & they just do not believe it- they will still think EEA=SM afterwards.🤦

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

I'm so glad someone has been paying attention- yes, EFTA members said no several times in 2019 & there is no indication this position has changed since. Plus you've got the fact that EFTA's own rules state no customs unions with anyone...from their FAQs...👇 www.theguardian.com/politics/201...

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Of course, internal market and Single Market refer to the exact same thing- the internal market of the EU as set out in TFEU from Art. 26 (attached). If you see anyone claiming that the EFTA 4 are in the Single Market, give them short shrift because they are wrong/clueless/lying.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

There is no confusion- EFTA members can't form customs unions with anyone because it is against EFTA's own rules. I've shown you actual proof from *EFTA's website* that was available for everyone to read for years. Here it is again.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Sorry Ivey- EFTA's own rules state *no customs unions with anyone*, so you're wrong there. The EFTA secretariat had to explain this in simple language in the FAQs on their website for Brits that thought they knew better than them. And Norway said no to us joining EFTA at least 3 times in 2019.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

And for the avoidance of doubt, here's you stating 'SM & CU but not in the EU' is possible, then you citing Switzerland as an example of a country being in the SM & CU but not in the EU. See- you're the one that got basic stuff wrong, petal, not me. Oh dear.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I should caveat that Steve said this on twitter back in 2022. He may have a slightly different opinion now, of course.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Because the protocol wordings haven't been amended to remove references to the UK. They could have, but they haven't- that is a choice. I've attached all my Steve Peers screenshots on this topic- you know who he is?

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

He is partly right- our opt-outs are still in the protocols to this day & would apply again upon rejoining (rebate is gone). The EU27 could have amended the treaty wording when we left but they haven't so far. And yes- Steve Peers has confirmed this position quite a few times in the recent past...

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

If being pedantic means the UK gets taken seriously in Brussels, I'll go with that. Look- you still don't know what the Single Market is and who is in it, and why you can't be in the SM & CU but in the EU. Please, get the basics right.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Read the 3 attachments- each one substantiates each point I made. There is no magic deal for the UK outside of the EU- stick to reality, not the 3rd pillar EEA guff that some are pushing (to keep the UK out of the EU).

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Single Market access is just the ability to sell into the EU's internal market. It does not mean you are in the Single Market-. Only EU members are in the SM- see TFEU from Art.26. And Norway said no to us joining EFTA/EEA in 2019- there is zero evidence that position has changed since.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Basic stuff that you still keep getting wrong... The EFTA 4 are not in the Single Market- never have been, never will be unless they join the EU. Try reading TFEU, from Art.26- if you read it & still think the EFTA 4 are in the Single Market then we've got a 'you' problem.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

No, the EFTA 4 are not in the Single Market. Here's the EU explaining what the Single Market is and who is in it.↙️ And here's the treaty text to confirm- TFEU, from Art. 26.↘️

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Fortunately, SM & CU but not in the EU doesn't exist out in the real world. But it's very odd that people don't know the basics of how Europe functions in 2026. It's like they've never bothered to go beyond wikipedia and read, say, Article 26 onwards of TFEU.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

They were both wrong (or were both lying). This guy got it right because he had actually read his brief and listened to what Wolfgang Schäuble had told him.

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TheRealMrSteve @reallymrsteve.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

The other thing to remember is that the Single Market and Customs Union are inseparable- you can't have one without the other. And they are both exclusively for EU members. The Single Market is a further development of the Customs Union, hence TFEU Art.26 onwards↙️, and Delors saying this↘️

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