The short version is, be careful of discussing what you don't want because that just looks like exceptionalist UK all over again. Which is true, and all the more reason why the absence of pro-EU voices making strong pro-EU arguments is even more striking.

Simon Usherwood@simonusherwood.bsky.social · yesterday

Today's diversion: how the EU might handle UK non-participation in the Eurozone tl;dr understandings bump into obligations 1/

Very good thread. 'We'd like to rejoin - we've changed!' 'How much have you changed?' 'We want our biggest opt-out back...'

Simon Usherwood@simonusherwood.bsky.social · yesterday

Today's diversion: how the EU might handle UK non-participation in the Eurozone tl;dr understandings bump into obligations 1/

If I was Ireland, I would insist on Schengen but I don't think other member states would. A functioning UK would wish to be a Schengen member though. We shall see.

Steve Peers@stevepeers.bsky.social · 2d ago

Burnham is correct to imply a de facto link between free movement of people and Dublin/Eurodac - all of the non-EU countries agreeing to free movement with the EU are also associated with the Dublin rules. BUT they are all also associated with Schengen. Would the EU insist on it for the UK too?

The Guardian reporting Andy Burnham calling for an "honest discussion" on EU freedom of movement shows reality finally dismantling Brexit myths. Reciprocal mobility and shared security enriched Britain for decades. Why stay trapped in isolation? (1/2) 🤔 #RejoinEU

Andy Burnham says he wants ‘honest discussion’ about freedom of movement with EU

Prime minister is considering different options for new relationship with Brussels ahead of summit in November

theguardian.com

Day 2459 of #Brexit: ‘Andy Burnham says he wants an “honest discussion” with the British public about the possibility of a return to free movement between the UK and the EU as part of his plans for a new relationship with the bloc.’ www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Andy Burnham says he wants ‘honest discussion’ about freedom of movement with EU

Prime minister is considering different options for new relationship with Brussels ahead of summit in November

theguardian.com

As I've been saying for a while, set aside PM Burnham's rhetoric, nice as it is, and look at his actions. This has been well signposted. He is not especially interested in Europe and treatsour kids as the problem. This has to change. Ends

Oh that’s a good movie I think I’ll watch that again soon

Stacey Shepherd@stacey-shepherd.bsky.social · 5d ago

Very important analysis, especially given the current govt fixation on the auto industry and Made in Europe. Savour UKICE while you still can!

UK in a Changing Europe@ukandeu.bsky.social · 2w ago

🚗 "Britain’s decline came in two Brexit stages: years of uncertainty post-referendum weakened the industry, before the trade arrangements that replaced EU membership did more lasting damage." @shepotylo.bsky.social explains how Brexit has damaged the UK car industry. ukandeu.ac.uk/from-pace-se...

EU member states are considering temporarily shelving a push to secure lower tuition fees for their students at UK universities, paving the way for a long-delayed “reset” summit between the two sides next month. www.ft.com/content/4777...

EU set to delay push for cheaper UK university fees for bloc’s students

[FREE TO READ] Concession could help the two sides finalise a ‘reset’ deal at a summit next month

ft.com

This is why Scotland should go it alone It has been three years of a Labour government now and the EU still have to raise issues of the UK not respecting the rights of EU citizens under the TCA.

Simon Usherwood@simonusherwood.bsky.social · last wk.

Good reminder that, before talking about new areas of cooperation, the EU is doing to make sure that: A) existing agreements are functioning properly, and B) current negotiations are concluded to its satisfaction

Dreadful scenes in France ❤️ to 🇫🇷 I see the fingerprints of the Kremlin causing trouble. The Kremlin take grievances and then ramp them up and are very good at it #HybridWar www.theguardian.com/world/2026/o...

Macron criticises ‘unbridled violence’ after days of unrest and 2,400 arrests across France

Ministers, officials and police under pressure over response to protests as government holds crisis talks amid ‘colossal failure of the state’

theguardian.com

There we have it (again): “European companies face “devastating” retaliation from Washington if Brussels presses ahead with plans to restrict American rivals such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX from parts of the European market, the US ambassador to the EU has warned.” Coercion is a short-term strategy.

Katja Bego@katjabego.bsky.social · 2w ago

Two brief excerpts from Deep Connections on Starlink - The US has become aggressive about weaponizing entrenched dependencies to serve its coercive foreign policy - but is also undermining this dominance in the process. It’s a single use weapon. The world is watching and *will* diversify away.

Palestinians have expressed their support for the Greens after the party adopted an anti-Zionist stance, saying it was 'obvious' the ideology was 'racism' 👇 👉 www.thenational.scot/news/2...

100-150 km² is about half the size of the Isle of Wight, which is 381 km² 😂

Roland Smith@rolandmcs.bsky.social · 2w ago

The Institute for the Study of War says Russia has now only taken 100-150 square kilometres in Ukraine during the whole of 2026 (due to recent Ukrainian counter offensives)

🇬🇧 Dept for Business is in Brexity 'global Britain' 🦄 mode. 🇬🇧 Home Office is in hating foreigners mode 🇬🇧 / 🇪🇺 'reset' / EEA / whatever is dead without change. The November 'reset' still needs the Home Office to agree with 🇪🇺 youth agreement terms, after over two years of no movement. 🧐😂

David Henig@davidheniguk.bsky.social · 2w ago

There is also a belief in the EU that the Department for Business does not want a reset, an institutional view along with the Home Office making Number 10's job harder. All a reminder that EU relations are very challenging and still not really under control.

Astute analysis (as always) from @davidheniguk.bsky.social. The UK still underestimates how profoundly the EU now views trade through the prism of strategic autonomy and economic security. It fails to notice that Brussels increasingly judges partners by policy alignment, not diplomatic sentiment

David Henig@davidheniguk.bsky.social · 2w ago

Does the UK government realise, I was asked yesterday in Brussels, that their actions on China are crucial for the future relationship. Unfair, but such is life as the smaller player, and probably not... www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

This government aren't up to the Brexit reality task. They are going to attempt to protect Brexity 'global Britain' at the expence of reality and EU power. They will end up without the 'global Britain' 🦄 while not protecting current UK vehicle manufacturing. www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data...

Simon Usherwood@simonusherwood.bsky.social · 2w ago

Today's exhibit in "making EU policy isn't easy" news www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Some of these picture are heartbreaking

Po-LINA-tergeist 👻 لينا@agirlcalledlina.bsky.social · 2w ago

These photos are heartbreaking but also inspiring, do click on www.instagram.com/p/DeY5_laCGa...

Instead of arguing about what happened 10 years ago, perhaps the British debate should focus on 1) the very real threat emanating from Russia NOW, including but not limited to disinformation 2) Britain‘s future strategy in a geopolitically turbulent world which makes Brexit look even more absurd

I read this and couldn't quite believe it! The BBC is so pathetic

The Guardian@theguardian.com · 2w ago

BBC defends editing out trans rights slogan on Strictly contestant’s T-shirt

In a referendum where Matt Goodwin makes the point that the EU is too right wing - vs - Aanand making the point that the UK can join the EU but pick which parts, such as the Euro and Schengen.... Matt Goodwin wins Remain types * MUST * do better in making the case for Europe.

Anand Menon@anandmenon.bsky.social · 2w ago

Couldn't ask for a better start to the week than Matt Goodwin arguing we shouldn't rejoin the EU because it's become so right wing and populist.

NEW: Prime Minister Andy Burnham finally breaks a decade of UK govt silence…& reveals there was ‘clear’ Russian interference in the Brexit vote. 1/

It’s funny how when Zack says nato needs to think about what it looks like without America everyone gets mad

Politico@politico.com · 2w ago

Trump says Zelenskyy ‘better damn well stop' attacks on Russian oil refineries, calls for new Ukrainian leader politi.co/4yGCP1I

Worth pointing out the greens had a fairly lacklustre locals in Camden so none of this is surprising AT ALL - they won in Somers town on Thursday which is interesting as that’s the most socially deprived part of the constituency

More clear support for the International Criminal Court

Joint statement on support for the International Criminal Court

Joint statement from the Foreign Ministries of Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and the UK.

gov.uk

Jane@localnotail.bsky.social · 3w ago

Joint statement on support for the International Criminal Court from Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands & UK 9 Oct 2026 As committed supporters of the ICC we regret and strongly disagree with the announcement of sanctions to be imposed upon the Court by the United States

Another part of the reset is in place for the summit, so focus remains on Youth Mobility www.politico.eu/article/uk-e...

UK and EU reach Brexit agreement to link carbon emissions trading systems

The two sides are now just “tying a ribbon” on the agreement, according to one EU diplomat.

politico.eu

Let me just say that anecdotally the mood of immigrants on the other side of academia is very much “get out of here, no matter what it takes.” A combination of nativist immigration policy and a complete disregard for higher education. Destroying a sector that this country could be proud of.

Times Higher Education (THE)@timeshighered.bsky.social · 3w ago

Visa applications to study in the UK fell by 10.3 per cent for the key recruitment month of September, new Home Office figures show. @jgro-the.bsky.social reports #highered #visas #internationalstudents #edusky https://ow.ly/3LSs50ZVPAE

As long as significant figures among joiners keep portraying Europe's finest achievements as traps to be avoided, then the UK won't join because a) why would thay convince the UK public?, and b) why would Europe want such a member?

Niall Ó Conghaile@nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 3w ago

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.

3. Every member state counts: membership talks start with a lot of intra-EU negotiating (member states, parliament and commission must agree one mandate). Many use this to table other demands: "sure I'll support opening talks with X, but in return, cd I get support on this (unrelated) file".

Here we go again. And opt-out from the euro, Schengen can be ignored and then we can welcome our British friends who do not believe in European integration back. All we have to do is bend the rules so our British friends can join the club once more while rejecting even our finest achievements.

South-East London for Europe (Selfe)@selfe.bsky.social · 3w ago

The door is open, We must walk through, #RejoinEU #JoinEU