Firstly, Mr Andreou says the UK hasn't been asked to by Europe. Well, yes. As @philsbodydouble.bsky.social points out, if you want Europe's opinion, you apply. (I would be confident the answer wouldn't be no) 4
Replies
Then he says the UK can't do this unilaterally Correct. It can apply. Or it can announce it wants that as a goal. Or it could even ask about a single-market relationship like third-pillar EEA. Or it can continue as now with Farage setting the agenda and Britons not being European citizens. 5
aug 31, 2025, 10:50 am • 39 8 • view
Then Mr Andreou says the time isn't right, because, you know, somebody might veto it. Well, yeah, that's right. You apply. You might get through. You might not. That's the process that everyone else goes through. (the UK is powerful with a huge diplomatic corps. It's well able for this) 6
aug 31, 2025, 10:50 am • 25 3 • view
Really, it seems that when it comes to fighting actual fascism, they're prepared to do anything. Except suffer the lèse-majesté of an actual application. While the UK waits to be invited, fascism creeps on. The original point by Naomi was that Europe needs to expedite negotiations. 7
aug 31, 2025, 10:50 am • 24 2 • view
There is nothing that fascists across Europe would like more that for us to follow Best for Britain's plans and give the UK the benefits of membership without obligations. Then they can turn to voters and say, see, we don't need 🇪🇺 Best go through the institutions 8 @nmwilkinson.bsky.social
aug 31, 2025, 10:50 am • 31 3 • view
It would amount to rewarding Brexit. Britons want to be European citizens, they want to trade freely across the continent, and they want to have the protections of European law. The time to deal with that is now. 9 @edwinhayward
aug 31, 2025, 10:50 am • 23 1 • view
Anyhow, Alex has asked me not to tag him. Fine. Here's the thread he asked for I know this thread will annoy many of you. Alex is a gem, righteous and generous of spirit. I just don't agree at all with this position. It is up to the UK to move. 10
aug 31, 2025, 10:50 am • 22 2 • view
He was the original post. 👇 As I say, the UK would be a valued member if it joined like everyone else and looked to contribute. I know that the destructive status quo outside Europe does not suit you at all and you're ready to change today. Ends bsky.app/profile/nial...
aug 31, 2025, 10:53 am • 14 0 • view
Tying himself in knots trying to justify the comments, rather than just acknowledging that they might possibly come across as being exceptionalism Breathtaking arrogance
aug 31, 2025, 11:27 am • 4 1 • view
And particularly, honestly, a contortionist justifying Labour's stance on Europe. Partisanship has destroyed any coherence.
aug 31, 2025, 11:41 am • 4 0 • view
The Labour Party is right about everything. All we need to do is adjust the terms of every debate so as to confirm that immutable verity.
aug 31, 2025, 1:26 pm • 3 2 • view
Perhaps the issue bsky.app/profile/tama...
aug 31, 2025, 11:03 am • 4 0 • view
Or indeed.... bsky.app/profile/dext...
aug 31, 2025, 11:05 am • 5 0 • view
Or indeed some of both.
aug 31, 2025, 11:42 am • 4 0 • view
I will say to Alex Andreou exactly the same as I say to James O'Brien. Hand back your EU passport and freedom of movement. Then you get to tell me how patient I should be in getting mine back.
aug 31, 2025, 5:32 pm • 0 0 • view
With apologies to @dawnbritten.bsky.social
aug 31, 2025, 10:54 am • 3 0 • view
Arghhhhhhhh
aug 31, 2025, 10:55 am • 1 0 • view
Sorry. But as much as I like him, this is wrong and it puts responsibility on us to fix the UK's decision Friends?
aug 31, 2025, 11:06 am • 2 0 • view
Ironic you apologise. I was blocked simply for providing her with an answer about why she should not be 'annoyed' about the ongoing conversation. Bless🙄 Not that she ever provides much herself of substance other than fluffy Facebook style one line chat....😉
aug 31, 2025, 12:17 pm • 3 0 • view
Britons ARE European citizens but not EU citizens. It is important to make that distinction.
aug 31, 2025, 10:50 am • 1 0 • view
erm. the distinction is britons are non-EU nationals now Simona. Because of brexit they have to undergo full SCHENGEN checks. I get Eurostar a lot and am tired of hearing "they're just punishing us" in the crazy EU schengen queues post brexit at St Pancras...because brits are non-EU nationals now.
aug 31, 2025, 6:16 pm • 0 0 • view
That is what I said except I used EU citizens and yes they have to undergo those checks. Still Britons are Europeans as born in the continent of Europe. The choice to leave the UK was that of the voters, they can cling to their idiocy about punishment. It’s what, sadly, it means being a 3rd country.
aug 31, 2025, 6:23 pm • 1 0 • view
you're right and well said. I have had many a Eurostar journey ruined trying to explain to brits who claim "but we were never in schengen!" that as EU nationals, they skipped schengen checks. Now they can't. They will find out soon enough.
aug 31, 2025, 6:30 pm • 1 0 • view
So many details about leaving the EU should have been on that bus in addition to take back control which, in the immigration issue, the UK lost. It’s mind boggling how much lack of information is still out there after 9 years 🥲
aug 31, 2025, 6:36 pm • 1 0 • view
I like the BfB folks, but it sometimes feels like a "defend Labour brexitism" effort, and this kind of strawmanning (instead of addressing) opposing arguments only strengthens the impression of partisanship as policy 🧐 bsky.app/profile/nmwi...
aug 31, 2025, 5:38 pm • 6 1 • view
Yeah, it's a pity, because they are right on so much. But they're adulterating their pro-European credentials in a major way.
aug 31, 2025, 6:02 pm • 3 0 • view
Yeah. Undermines the "let's all stick together" message too, when sticking together actually means "shut up and do what you're told, whilst we mischaracterise your arguments"
aug 31, 2025, 6:09 pm • 4 1 • view
Veyr much so. Alex simply Was unable to rebut any of the points made. Poor, in truth.
aug 31, 2025, 6:17 pm • 3 0 • view
(in order to ridicule them)
aug 31, 2025, 6:10 pm • 1 0 • view
what a strange thread. Niall was called out by Alex for cherry picking 2 sentences from the entire podcast to single out @pimlicat.bsky.social and bully her. As a result, that Pro EU B4B group is "pro brexit" now - Is that right? Good job Niall didn't support Labours reset summit stance, eh?
aug 31, 2025, 7:11 pm • 1 0 • view
Which thread? No, am saying BfB acts like a Brexitist Labour defence league, and has for years now. AA posted a page of text, ostensibly to show Niall was cherry picking. But on my reading, it showed the opposite. But of course, AA didn't want to talk about it. See👇🏻 bsky.app/profile/nmwi...
aug 31, 2025, 7:19 pm • 2 0 • view
It was just another "something something...british exceptionalism" thread from Niall that cherry picked 2 sentences from @pimlicat.bsky.social I'm not going to repeat the discussion. I can see you were part of it. I listened to the same podcast and agree with Alex. It is a form of bullying.
aug 31, 2025, 7:23 pm • 2 0 • view
Are you bullying Niall now?
aug 31, 2025, 7:25 pm • 2 0 • view
Interesting. So the Pro EU group, B4B, is pro brexit now...and now I'm bullying Niall for flagging up Niall got called out for bullying @pimlicat.bsky.social. is that the general gist?
aug 31, 2025, 7:32 pm • 1 0 • view
How is what Niall did to pimlicat more bullying than what you are doing to Niall? Also, what are you trying to achieve in this convo with me right now?
aug 31, 2025, 8:01 pm • 1 0 • view
it sounded like you supported his bullying of @pimlicat.bsky.social and I interjected to point out that I listened to the same podcast and agree with @sturdyalex.bsky.social - Niall was being completely offside with his singling out of Naomi and ranting on "something, something...exceptionalism".
aug 31, 2025, 8:14 pm • 3 0 • view
If one makes a current affairs podcast, and then someone discusses it on social media, with no worse name-calling than 'exceptionalist', that's just normal life. Tbh I find it weird and hyperbolic to call this bullying. And I note you are a bit obsessed with Niall. Think you might be the bully here.
aug 31, 2025, 8:30 pm • 2 0 • view
Or take note that Scotland has been 'rolling the pitch' since we were dragged out of EU. There have been many sympathetic declarations of support.
aug 31, 2025, 4:14 pm • 2 1 • view
The biggest issue will always be that the UK and the EU have different ideas of what joining should look like. A majority in the UK support rejoining if the UK has its old opt-outs – without them, support drops considerably. The reverse is true in the EU – support is high for the UK joining
aug 31, 2025, 1:45 pm • 3 2 • view
I'd be confident that the British public would support Europe fully were it explained. But either way, there are other solutions. A UK using European standards by law would be so exposed to the US and so forth, and wouldn't be in such peril from its lack of a fixed constitution
aug 31, 2025, 2:25 pm • 2 0 • view
I'd like to think that was the case, but lack your confidence
aug 31, 2025, 2:44 pm • 1 0 • view
It's not the UK though, is it? You really mean engerland. Scots (62%), NI (56%) and Gibraltar (97%) voted remain in 2016 and that pro EU sentiment has increased since. In Wales too, I suspect. Not sure the EU would fancy a UK gov with Farage's reform party. We already have Orban to deal with.
aug 31, 2025, 3:10 pm • 0 0 • view
The survey didn't specify who the Brits were, but it's quite possible that at least some who voted remain in Scot meant under the arrangement the UK had. Less so in NI/Gib prob, given their different situations
aug 31, 2025, 3:44 pm • 1 0 • view
falklanders would have voted remain too, if given the chance.
aug 31, 2025, 4:23 pm • 0 0 • view
if you're referring to the yougov poll in July, yes it did. Total GB support for re-joining the EU is now 54% according to that poll of 2005 adults in britain. Scotland 66% Wales 53% and england 54% ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/In...
aug 31, 2025, 4:22 pm • 0 0 • view
OK, but the bit you haven't highlighted in your screenshot is that even Scotland doesn't have a majority choosing EU membership with Euro and Schengen, only 48%. It doesn't change the fact that the majority of the UK – England, Wales & Scotland – only want to rejoin the EU with previous opt outs
aug 31, 2025, 7:59 pm • 0 0 • view
that's not correct. It's britain - not the UK: NI was not included in the poll. Neither was Gibraltar who voted 97% remain in 2016. Don't forget that over 62% of Scots voted remain in 2016. Their only chance of that now is to go Independent. they would happily join the EURO. GBP£ has crashed.
aug 31, 2025, 8:10 pm • 0 0 • view
England, Scotland and Wales are the majority of the UK, NI and Gibraltar are too small in terms of population. It doesn't matter how Scotland voted in 2016, the majority don't want to rejoin with the Euro and Schengen now.
aug 31, 2025, 8:15 pm • 0 0 • view
The UK is a union of three countries and a region (NI), along with lots of overseas territories. Post brexit: - NI still in the EU SM for goods. - Gibraltar in EU CU & Schengen. - Scotland are leaning towards joining EU as an indy Scotland if NI completely leaves the Act of UK union 1801 ends.
aug 31, 2025, 8:22 pm • 1 0 • view
Again, you are ignoring the fact that Scotland does not want to rejoin the EU if the Euro and Schengen are required. Look at your own link, the data is there
aug 31, 2025, 8:33 pm • 1 0 • view
Oh I see what you mean. fair point. I see the gap between the 2016 remain (62%) vote and indyref1 (45%) leaning towards a YES indyref2 vote. In NI, we noticed brexit changed the conversation there. I think it's changed the conversation in Scotland too.👇
aug 31, 2025, 8:43 pm • 1 0 • view
The U.K. is a single state. You don’t even understand the basics.
sep 1, 2025, 7:09 am • 0 0 • view
For what it's worth, you don't have to convince me that joining the EU fully is the right thing for the UK. I am a Brit living in the EU and think Brexit was the most idiotic thing a country has chosen to do to itself. It doesn't change the fact that the majority population of the UK doesn't want to
aug 31, 2025, 8:17 pm • 0 0 • view
rejoin without opt-outs and I don't think the EU will, or should, agree to that.
aug 31, 2025, 8:17 pm • 0 0 • view
the EU won't force anyone to join the EURO. Sweden joined the EU in 1995 and still uses the Swedish Krone. the UK cannot join schengen without Ireland's permission. As an aside, it's more likely NI will leave the UK to re-join Ireland, bringing an end to the United Kingdom (act of union 1801).
aug 31, 2025, 8:24 pm • 1 1 • view
without opt-outs, but drops considerably if opt-outs are included. (should have said citizens of the UK and the EU) parliamentnews.co.uk/54-of-brits-...
aug 31, 2025, 1:47 pm • 2 0 • view