Elena Adaal
@elenaadaal.bsky.social
3.8K followers 710 following 3.2K posts
I post mostly on Brexit. I try to think carefully before I post.
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Reposted by Elena Adaal
Telling poll showing majority of Brits preferring the pre-Brexit immigration system, incl. 37% of (confused) Reform voters.

Not necessarily a wish to go back to free movement, but certainly an acknowledgement that Brexit did not only not solve the issue but created new problems.
Brits are pining for the pre-Brexit migration system
The idea was that leaving the bloc would give the U.K. back “control” of its borders and create a fairer system. But the widespread perception is it didn’t turn out that way.
www.politico.eu
It would be fair to also include the costs of building the bycicle lane in the energy calculation.

Alternatively: look at the energy expended when driving a mountanbike off-road.
Reposted by Elena Adaal
Quality article by @andrewduffeu.bsky.social on a royal commission on Brexit.

Essentially there are two chapters to this.

The first is addressing the effect of Brexit on the UK.

The major issue is the lack of an established truth that Brexit was a mistake in public and across WM.

🧵
The proscription of Palestine Action is ridiculous, and is rightfully drawing scrutiny.

It is obvious to everyone but the willfully blind that UK wants to remove itself from the ECHR so that it can commit human rights violations at will, and seeks any excuse to do so.
All that would like to improve the situation in NI (and I know that the HoL has that desire) should step up their game.

(7/7)
- The European Commission appoints members of the Specialised Committee, but I see no line between them.

And so on, and so on.

The House of Lords does often admirable work on NI and the UK relation with the EU, but this does not look good.

(6/x)
- A treaty "the Belfast/Good Friday agreement", is placed somewhere in the drawing, linking to a government "UK gov".
- The UK gov is linked to a item called "Working group" (when, what, how, what does it do".
- why is there no link to the "NI Assembly" and the "Stormont Brake"

(5/x)
My issues with the figure:

1) the figure is supposed to show how complex the decision making regarding the Windsor Framework is, but the figure itself is trying to complicate matters:
- No serious attempt is made to order the various bodies, lines are drawn not straight, but in curves

(4/x)
Here is part 1 of the figure:

(2/x)
Bodies and institutions related to the Windsor Framework
This interesting report from the HoL on the 'complexity' of the Windsor Framework was published.

In general it is good to study this, and imv the right people have been asked for input.

This post is about one issue I have with one figure from the report (figure 1).

(1/x)
IF the UK wants the EU to take responsibility in NI,

THEN the UK needs to give EU the means to do so

You cannot have it both ways: ignore us, and then say we don't take responsibility.

(2/2)
Very good that there is some response from UK people to the EU.

I note that the UK is very often myopic in its handling with NI, and with the Windsor Framework. The EU - and its interests and desires are often completely ignored.

so, you may 'roll your eyes', but...

(1/2)
..I mean: what did UK expect?

UK does not pay in to EU, does not have to abide by EU laws, does not deliver MEPs, and has no policy inputs.

Somebody seems to think its a hobby of EU to ditch its own interests in favour of third countries.

(2/2)
Northern Ireland is 'concerned' that their voice is not sufficiently heard early on in the EU legislative process..

lol..., lol..., lol....,

The UK is out of the EU remember? The fact that NI can take part in the Single Market is a privilige granted by EU only because we in EU see the need

(1/2)
New HoL committee report on NI post Brexit. A surprising amount of agreement across a broad spectrum of witnesses that much more could be done to smooth the process of applying EU law in NI. Key recommendations for UKMis (FCDO in Brussels) & the UK Govt:

publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ld...
I see no wrong in the Labour position on Brexit.

Its quite logical and factual to state:
1) Yes, Brexit was hugely damaging and therefore we have to raise taxes
2) No, we will not do anything about it.

Sure it does not make anything better, but at least its honest.
This is good.

But what is missing is how would Labour “make #Brexit work”.
BREAKING: “There is no doubting that the impact of Brexit is severe and long lasting” says Chancellor Rachel Reeves

It’s about time!
Addendum:

On the particular case of NI not understanding or knowing what EU law applies in NI:

- NI officials and business should engage directly with EU on this. I am sure the EU - and likely Ireland - will want to help and show what applies.

(3/3)
..Was there any talk in the report about the UK doing what it promised - 6 years after Brexit?

I thought not.

bsky.app/profile/elen...
This is really not good:

Brexit was in 2020, and in 2025 the Northern Ireland part - the Sea Border - is still not implemented.

Worse: in the article the EU notes that UK checks are slipping….

The UK has a bad reputation on this, of saying one thing and doing another…

(1/2)
Over-optimistic UK briefings on how quickly an SPS deal can be agreed meet the reality of a very cautious EU that think existing arrangements show a lot more work is needed before they can trust food and drink coming from Great Britain. www.ft.com/content/7238...
For sure the EU will be open to discuss simplifications, provided that:
- The integrity of the EU Single Market is maintained
- The autonomy of EU decision making is maintained

Just out of curiosity:

(1/2)
UK schools should hire EU coach drivers for this.

Very good that the new EU entry/exit system will now flag this.
Translation: British coach drivers routinely overstay unlawfully in Schengen.
There may be some inital problems, but overall it will likely be more efficient than the manual passport stamping and thus faster and easier for everyone.
The EU's Entry/Exit System launched yesterday. British travellers now need fingerprints and facial scans when entering Europe. Expect longer queues and €7 ETIAS fees from next year. More Brexit red tape.
EU tightens Entry/Exit System: what it means for British travellers
The EU's new Entry/Exit System is live. Here's what has changed for British travellers.
www.europeanmovement.co.uk
We have a subsidy for isolation in the Netherlands. Its relatively simple on-line application system, centrally administered.

You provide the invoice, one picture and you get part of the money. It works ok.
This guy - Singham - was/is part of the IEA think tank that advocated for Brexit and the Truss mini-budget.

This shows that in the weird UK political ecosystem species survive that should - rightfully - have gone extinct long ago.
Excellent that this bad deal is challenged.

The UK did Brexit, and it should take care of its own refugee problems. The system is illogical, because admission to UK is contingent on boat people being sent back.

Shame on France for agreeing this, and let us all hope this scheme gets quashed.
Yet another ill thought out immigration policy is being legally challenged by human rights groups.
When will our politicians get with the programme & implement safe, legal routes for asylum seekers?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Human rights groups call for France to suspend ‘one in, one out’ treaty with UK
UK and French organisations file legal challenge against July agreement to swap asylum seekers
www.theguardian.com
A scheme to provide for home insulation could be drafted in the form of a subsidy, where people themselves are allowed to pick the company to insulate their home.

That way the home owners themselves are responsible for getting it right.