Richard Corbett
@richardcorbett.bsky.social
CBE. Previously: UK Labour Party Leader in EurParliament, Yorks&Humber MEP, NEC, ShadowCabinet. Currently: EM, LME, writing & lecturing
created August 20, 2024
10,043 followers 3,099 following 227 posts
view profile on Bluesky Posts
Bylines Network (@bylinesnetwork.co.uk) reposted
Brexit referendum’s 10th anniversary: time to think again? With 10 years of the Brexit referendum on the horizon, should a second referendum be in our sights? @nick1webb.bsky.social @centralbylines.co.uk
Jon Danzig FBPE (@jondanzig.bsky.social) reposted
👉 BBC Newsnight misled viewers by suggesting 𝗮𝘀𝘆𝗹𝘂𝗺 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 are part of the UK’s “𝘂𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀.” They are not. I’ve complained to the BBC - 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. Read more: FB: tinyurl.com/5a6zarnv LI: tinyurl.com/4u3xpxv2 YT: tinyurl.com/2x72s3ww #AsylumSeekers #HumanRights #BBCNewsnight
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
“There’s an obvious way to challenge Farage” | @rafaelbehr.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Where did Britain’s current problems originate? Brexit seen as the prime culprit by more people than any other reason
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Almost all countries in Western Europe have higher rates of top band income tax than Britain does
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Stringer is also a climate sceptic, denies that dyslexia is a real thing, and campaigned for Brexit. I don’t know how he was allowed to continue to stand for Labour at the last few elections.
Parody Keir Starmer (@parodypm.bsky.social) reposted
Once more for the dimwits at the back: a) Lucy Connolly pleaded guilty. b) She was convicted under legislation introduced under Thatcher. c) She was sentenced under guidance brought in under Boris Johnson. d) fuck off.
Best for Britain (@bestforbritain.org) reposted
A reminder: Asylum seekers are in hotels because of a huge application backlog that the gov't must work through. Robert Jenrick - now, bursting with creative solutions - processed applications slowly ***on purpose*** as a deterrent. Here he is, as Immigration Minister two years ago, saying so. ~AA
Jon Danzig FBPE (@jondanzig.bsky.social) reposted
→ 🥦🍓🥬🥩 Most of our imported #food comes from the #EU 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 #Brexit adds red tape, delays, and costs to our food imports from the EU. We need to talk about it.
Fionna O’Leary (@fascinatorfun.bsky.social) reposted
Trump’s “peace” efforts have resulted in Putin doubling Russia’s attacks on Ukraine. How does he explain that?
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
These figures are the proportion of the whole electorate, including don't-knows/don't-care/don't-vote. So, if you compare like with like: 2016: 37% of the electorate voted to leave, 34% to remain 2025: 34% (down 3%) want to stay out, 52% (up 18%) rejoin => Voters: 64.2% Rejoin, 35.8% stay out.
Best for Britain (@bestforbritain.org) reposted
Farage spread misinformation during the Brexit referendum and continues to do so now. We need to keep calling him out. 📣 Share if you agree. 🔁 https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/uk-eu-entry-travel-insurance-proof-farage-ees-b2806924.html
BremainInSpain (@bremaininspain.com) reposted
Another Brexit related dereliction of duty was Boris Johnson pulling the UK out of Horizon. Thankfully that’s been rectified & 18 months on the UK is quickly recovering a prime position in the EU’s science programme British scientists punching above their weight with €735m in grants in 2024
Graham Simpson (@grahambs.bsky.social) reposted
The Mirror's Kevin Maguire argues the only way for Britain to return to its former prosperity is with a plan to return to the EU after Brexit proved to be a giant con that only leaves us poorer and weaker. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Parody Keir Starmer (@parodypm.bsky.social) reposted
Nigel Farage posts a video from 2015 in Greece and claims it is the UK today. What more proof is needed that this lying, grifting sack of shit will do anything to incite hatred and division?
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
That lead climbs and climbs, slowly but relentlessly…
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social) reply parent
You should do some basic research before making such comments
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
The Growing Network Bringing Trump’s Politics to Britain @kdenkwrites.com – Byline Times bylinetimes.com/2025/08/05/t...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
England’s swimming waters five times more likely to be polluted than waters in the EU, research finds. Brexit fans will no doubt hail this “benefit” of no longer having to follow the EU clean water standards… www.theguardian.com/environment/...
york4europe.bsky.social (@york4europe.bsky.social) reposted
European democracy all together - Great chapters in this by writers from across Europe, including our former MEP Richard Corbett
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Despite Brexit, Britain is actually becoming a more European country www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Keir Starmer should take note of this, as: - on this, Ed Davey is right - being too cautious on rebuilding our links to the EU, risks Labour haemorrhaging votes to the LibDems, Greens & SNP, ultimately helping the Tories/Reform www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Resisting the Trump assault: will American democracy survive and what can we do to help? yorkshirebylines.co.uk/politics/res...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social) reply parent
England following Scotland’s lead on this!
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social) reply parent
It’s not me, it’s an opinion poll published in the Times and it’s their headline. Worth noting to counter the ReformUK narrative
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
“Only 29% would back Brexit now — poll proves tables have turned” - @thetimes.com www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
The EU & all 22 members of the Arab League jointly call for Hamas to disarm, relinquish power in Gaza, hand over Governance & security to the Palestinian Authority, condemn the Oct2023 Hamas attack on Israel, &support the aim of a sovereign, independent Palestinian State: amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/07/...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
And yet another one of those many little things caused or worsened by Brexit: www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
“The EU was right to let Trump start a trade war with himself” - @jontybloom.bsky.social archive.ph/2025.07.31-1...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social) reposted
‘The growth strategy no one will say out loud: rejoin the European Union’ labourlist.org/2025/07/uk-r... – via LabourList
Aslak Berg (@aslak.bsky.social) reposted
The EU-US trade deal is here - it's probably not the end of uncertainty as the details are ironed out, but it's a momentous deal. In sum, it's a political defeat for the EU, but in economic terms I see it as, under the circumstances, a win of sorts. 🧵
Best for Britain (@bestforbritain.org) reposted
🚨NEW RESEARCH🚨 🎵Fresh analysis by Best for Britain reveals the number of UK musicians playing at music festivals in the EU is still down by a quarter compared to pre-Brexit levels🎤🎸🥁 www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli... /1
Peter Stefanovic (@peterstefanovic.bsky.social) reposted
How Britain privatised itself into failure Britain outsourced its state – now private firms profit while public services crumble yorkshirebylines.co.uk/politics/the...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
‘Genteel bias: how the BBC dismantles the Left without us noticing’. Analysis by @claireaj.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/bylinesn...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social) reply parent
Marci Shore (@marcishore.bsky.social) reposted
I'm thinking of the market in Odesa bombed by Russia. For those of you who want to look inside and see what a special place it is, here is one of my favorite videos of all time, the work of the magical conductor Hobart Earle:
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
New @UKandEU.bsky.social study on Britain’s service exports shows they are now facing higher trade costs, more red tape, & fewer opportunities, due to Brexit barriers: ukandeu.ac.uk/deglobalisat...
LabourList (@labourlist.bsky.social) reposted
🇬🇧🇪🇺 "By the time the next election manifestoes are written, it might be an idea whose time has come." Former leader of Labour's MEPs Richard Corbett on why rejoining the EU would unlock growth
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social) reply parent
That being, indeed, the second option
Carole Cadwalladr (@carolecadwalla.bsky.social) reposted
NEW: Landmark decision on UK's failure to investigate Russian interference to be handed down tomorrow. A five-year legal battle in UK and European courts comes to a head: will we finally - learn the truth about the Kremlin & the Brexit vote?
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Isn’t it about time that the remaining democracies in the world condemned what is happening in Serbia?
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
As a former MEP for Yorkshire, I am delighted that there will now be a proper inquiry into Orgreave and the police brutality that took place. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
This majority wanting to rejoin the EU continues to grow, slowly but relentlessly…
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
‘The growth strategy no one will say out loud: rejoin the European Union’ labourlist.org/2025/07/uk-r... – via LabourList
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
“Britons Embrace the EU: In turn, Britons are shifting back towards the EU, with 62% of Britons believing the UK should move closer to the EU as a result of President Trump’s actions.” [BFPG Annual Survey] bfpg.co.uk/2025/07/2025...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
The loophole that allows billionaires, foreign governments, and companies to pour millions into influencing British politics, while remaining completely anonymous: open.substack.com/pub/democrac...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Brexit forces choices on Britain: - stay outside the European single market, and take a costly economic hit - OR align with it, attenuating the economic damage, but becoming a rule taker - OR rejoin EU, reap economic (& other) benefits, co-decide on the rules @feps-europe.eu
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Poll in 4 largest EU countries show that Britain would be welcomed back into EU if it chose to rejoin… www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Sarah Murphy (@13sarahmurphy.bsky.social) reposted
Doesn’t it prove exactly the opposite? That you’re better off and safer staying in the EU SM and CU, not torching your economy and isolating yourself, making you vulnerable to the mad whims of powerful nations happy to screw you over because you can’t stand up for yourself or retaliate. Thought so.
FEPS Europe (@feps-europe.eu) reposted
🇪🇺 🇬🇧 The EU-UK Common Understanding Summit on May 19th laid the foundations for a new era of partnership - but what happens now? Register for the conference “The EU-UK Progressive Forum”. 👉https://bit.ly/EUUKProgressiveForum
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
How does the far-right normalise fascistic ideas? It starts with "a joke"... @georgemonbiot.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Farrukh (@implausibleblog.bsky.social) reposted
President Macron speaking at Guildhall, "The European Union was stronger with the UK, and the UK was stronger with the European Union" "We want to write our future and not be the story written by another continent.. The only way to chose our future is to do it together"
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Trump is working on regime change in Europe - and backing far-right parties across Europe: euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Brexit is a 'complete disaster' and a second referendum should be held to reverse it say vast majority of Daily Mirror readers www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social) reposted
Another reminder, in the midst of the debate about spending cuts, tax, borrowing, and the dire state of UK public finances: Brexit costs £40 billion a year in lost tax revenues! consoc.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Anne Applebaum (@anneapplebaum.bsky.social) reposted
I had to read this twice to believe it...Meloni, who ran for office on an anti-immigration platform, has now announced plans to let in hundreds of thousands of immigrants, in order to deal with the Italian labor shortage www.reuters.com/world/italy-...
Graham Simpson (@grahambs.bsky.social) reposted
Brexit has been slammed as a 'complete disaster' that 'ruined most of the country' in a poll marking nine years since the UK voted to leave the EU. Mirror readers slammed the European Union referendum, overwhelmingly voting that Brexit has failed. - Yep! www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
I will be on France 24 TV Debate “Ici L'Europe” at 14h00 French time (13h00 UK time), discussing the prospects for UK - EU relations, ahead of Macron’s visit to Britain next week
Mike Galsworthy (@mikegalsworthy.bsky.social) reposted
It cost £154mn to convert a field in Sevington into a giant, fenced slab of concrete… - to act as a border inspection lorry park for purposes of a just-in-case Brexit scenario. It now looks likely to be sold. But for how much? Thanks for the eye-watering waste, Brexit.
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Another reminder, in the midst of the debate about spending cuts, tax, borrowing, and the dire state of UK public finances: Brexit costs £40 billion a year in lost tax revenues! consoc.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Farrukh (@implausibleblog.bsky.social) reposted
The Ages of Rod Stewart 2018: Advocates for a second Brexit referendum saying that voters might have been misled in the first one 2021: Brexit has been a “disaster for the UK” 2025: "Give Nigel Farage a chance" He wants to give the person who misled the British people in 2016, a chance? 🤷♂️
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
This time #bbcqt is in Scotland, where ReformUK (REFUK) don’t have any MPs or MSPs, while the Greens and LibDems, who do, are excluded. Yet they platform REFUK, yet again!
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Britain considers re-joining European customs pact www.politico.eu/article/uk-b...
UK in a Changing Europe (@ukandeu.bsky.social) reposted
"And so, for all the warm words, for all the good intentions, the summit has done little to compensate for the economic impact of Brexit." @anandmenon.bsky.social & @jdportes.bsky.social on the economic impact of May's UK-EU summit ukandeu.ac.uk/the-economic...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
www.linkedin.com/pulse/brexit... A business voice:
Led By Donkeys (@ledbydonkeys.org) reposted
Nine years ago the godfather of Brexit, Lord Daniel Hannan, predicted life in Brexit Britain in June 2025. Roll the tape… (VO by @gavinesler.bsky.social. Part 2 below👇)
Jon Danzig FBPE (@jondanzig.bsky.social) reposted
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗧 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆. On the 9th anniversary of the EU referendum, watch the 5-minute trailer for my new documentary: how Putin-backed interference helped push #Brexit. 📺 youtu.be/7geWA0YYYaQ #Putin #Russia #Ukraine #DemocracyUnderThreat
Liz Webster 🏴🇬🇧🇪🇺 (@lizwebster.bsky.social) reposted
9 years on from the Brexit vote, the verdict is in and predictions correct: 🕳️£40 billion hole in public finances 📉4% hit to UK productivity 📦15% drop in trade 💷 £100bn in tax rises—40% of which Brexit made necessary Happy Brexitversary! 🇬🇧🎉 www.thetimes.com/article/346e...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social) reply parent
Subtract the “Don’t Knows/Don’t Cares”, then, of those who have reached a view, it’s 62.2% to 37.8% for rejoining the EU !
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social) reposted
If you take away the “Don’t Knows”, then, of those who have reached a view: - by 64.4% to 35.6%, the British public think it was wrong to leave the EU - by 62.2% to 37.8%, they want to rejoin the EU And this even despite no leading politician (yet) making the case to rejoin…
BladeoftheSun (@bladeofthes.bsky.social) reposted
Before Brexit the UK was about as rich as Germany, and richer than France. Now it is much poorer than either, by 2030 we will be poorer than Poland, and by 2040 we will be poorer than all 27 EU countries. The magic of Brexit.
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Trump is openly supportive of far-right parties & politicians across Europe: the AfD in Germany, Orban in Hungary, Simion in Romania, LePen in France, Nawrocki in Poland. Money from right wing groups in the US makes its way to Europe. Trump is seeking regime change in Europe & a roll-back of the EU
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social) reposted
The BBC’s blatant bias against Labour, and in favour of Brexit, is not a surprise when you see who is still in charge of the organisation:
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
If you take away the “Don’t Knows”, then, of those who have reached a view: - by 64.4% to 35.6%, the British public think it was wrong to leave the EU - by 62.2% to 37.8%, they want to rejoin the EU And this even despite no leading politician (yet) making the case to rejoin…
Good Law Project (@goodlawproject.bsky.social) reposted
Another back door for dark money 💸 With the far right on the rise around the world we need to clean up election funding once and for all
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
A fascinating, well-written book by @lewisbaston.bsky.social about Europe’s numerous borderlands and their varied histories of harmony & conflict, unity & diversity, humour & horror, tragedy & resilience. Well worth reading…
Good Law Project (@goodlawproject.bsky.social) reposted
MPs say it's time to look at taking the profit motive out of the water industry as Thames Water uses a £3bn emergency loan to pay out bonuses. Because clearly bosses need rewarding for record levels of sewage dumping 🫠 www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Peter Jukes (@peterjukes.bsky.social) reposted
I see a lot of Conservative right wing Brexiters pointing out a number of factors behind British economic decline. Quite amazingly they omit the biggest factor, and the one they were responsible for. Brexit @anthonybarnett.bsky.social
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Who’s funding Reform – and why? www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-mone...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social) reposted
“The public doesn’t like Brexit. Has anyone told the media?” @jonnelledge.bsky.social www.newstatesman.com/politics/med...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Just a little reminder in the midst of the debate about budgets, spending reviews, tax, borrowing, and the state of public finances: Brexit costs £40 billion a year in lost tax revenues!
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Gibraltar, Spain, Britain and the EU agree a deal which will effectively see Gibraltar join the EU Customs Union, thereby ensuring the free flow of goods, and Schengen, to ease movement of people. Good move to reverse some of the damaging effects of Brexit - at least for Gibraltar!
Peter Stefanovic (@peterstefanovic.bsky.social) reposted
The ‘Millionaire Exodus’ the UK Media Told You About Never Actually Happened The equivalent of 30 stories a day were published about an exodus of wealthy people that a new study finds was "non existent" bylinetimes.com/2025/06/10/t...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
The BBC’s blatant bias against Labour, and in favour of Brexit, is not a surprise when you see who is still in charge of the organisation:
Adam Bienkov (@adambienkov.bsky.social) reposted
🔴How the Media is Trying to Talk a Nigel Farage Government Into Reality Why for much of the British press, the unlikely story of Reform UK's rise to power is simply "too good to check" www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/how-the-me...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social) reposted
Since 2019 (the last full year of EU membership), the volume of UK trade growth fell to an annual 0.3%, well below: -0.7% France -0.8% Germany -1.9% EU -1.4% Japan -2.4% US And well below our previous 4.9% from 1980-2008 For an open economy like Britain’s, this is very bad news. Bloody Brexit!
Robert Saunders (@robertsaunders.bsky.social) reposted
I recently heard a high-profile pundit argue that the Trump movement cannot be Fascistic as -its supporters don't wear uniforms; -Trump dislikes foreign wars; -he hasn't tried to amend the Constitution. It's a dangerously complacent view, that misses the sheer gravity of the current situation. 🧵
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
“The public doesn’t like Brexit. Has anyone told the media?” @jonnelledge.bsky.social www.newstatesman.com/politics/med...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
“After the Brexit reset, how about a Brexit review?” : chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/06/afte...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social) reply parent
richardcorbett.org.uk/category/myt...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
50 years ago today, when Britain voted to remain in Europe (and not by a small majority but a large one), the Sun, Daily Mail, Telegraph, etc were not owned by three far-right Europhobes.
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Since 2019 (the last full year of EU membership), the volume of UK trade growth fell to an annual 0.3%, well below: -0.7% France -0.8% Germany -1.9% EU -1.4% Japan -2.4% US And well below our previous 4.9% from 1980-2008 For an open economy like Britain’s, this is very bad news. Bloody Brexit!
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
Trump ‘s USA is pursuing regime change across Europe: open.substack.com/pub/davekeat...
Hereda (@hereda.bsky.social) reposted
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
We’ve pressed the Brexit reset button. It's a start. But we need to go further to reboot Britain observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
www.cer.eu/insights/per... A worrying report on the cumulative challenges facing post Brexit Britain:
Farrukh (@implausibleblog.bsky.social) reposted
Ursula von der Leyen, "The diary of Anne Frank." "A painful reminder to Europe to be vigilant and unyielding towards all those who see hatred and want to divide our society" "Europe knows this path all too well. And never, never again must we embark on this path"
Mike Galsworthy (@mikegalsworthy.bsky.social) reposted
From Europol to isolation: how Brexit weakened criminal justice Brexit impedes cross border criminal investigations – the UK is now unable to participate in the systems it helped create.
Chasbell 🏴🇮🇪🇮🇹🇨🇦 (@chasbell.bsky.social) reposted
Richard Corbett (@richardcorbett.bsky.social)
EU officially retires its ‘no cherry-picking’ Brexit line www.politico.eu/article/eu-r...