Eric Clive
@ericclive.bsky.social
Retired law professor and law reformer. Pro EU. Anti Brexit. Pro UN, pro international law and civilised international relations. Supporter of Scottish independence in Europe for pro European, internationalist, democratic, progressive and other reasons.
Reposted by Eric Clive
“Are you firmly in favour of rejoining the European Union?" - Robert Peston
“Firmly very much in favour. Brexit has been a disaster under any criteria, under any measure" - Zack Polanski
“Firmly very much in favour. Brexit has been a disaster under any criteria, under any measure" - Zack Polanski
February 12, 2026 at 6:54 AM
“Are you firmly in favour of rejoining the European Union?" - Robert Peston
“Firmly very much in favour. Brexit has been a disaster under any criteria, under any measure" - Zack Polanski
“Firmly very much in favour. Brexit has been a disaster under any criteria, under any measure" - Zack Polanski
Keir Starmer looked and sounded liberated yesterday - almost as if free to be his own man and a better Prime Minister now that Morgan McSweeney has gone. We'll see, but a big shift leftwards would help.
Starmer:
"The real fight is not in the Labour Party. It's with the right-wing politics that challenges that. The politics of Reform... Divide, divide, divide. Grievance, grievance, grievance. That will tear our country apart... I will be in that fight as long as I have breath in my body."
"The real fight is not in the Labour Party. It's with the right-wing politics that challenges that. The politics of Reform... Divide, divide, divide. Grievance, grievance, grievance. That will tear our country apart... I will be in that fight as long as I have breath in my body."
February 11, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Keir Starmer looked and sounded liberated yesterday - almost as if free to be his own man and a better Prime Minister now that Morgan McSweeney has gone. We'll see, but a big shift leftwards would help.
Reposted by Eric Clive
Also: we really need to push back on this constant mantra that settlement (permanent residence) in the UK is a “privilege”.
The very least people are entitled to after spending years here and/or developing family ties is that they shouldn’t have to worry about re-applying to stay every few years.
The very least people are entitled to after spending years here and/or developing family ties is that they shouldn’t have to worry about re-applying to stay every few years.
Imagine being presented with these accounts of stark unfairness and insecurity caused by the earned settlement plans and your response being ‘It is a privilege not a right to settle in the UK and it must be earned’ - the Home Secretary needs to go www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Nurses’ families fear being torn apart in UK immigration crackdown, survey says
Exclusive: Most people in charity’s study say they worry about being separated from relatives under Mahmood plans
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Also: we really need to push back on this constant mantra that settlement (permanent residence) in the UK is a “privilege”.
The very least people are entitled to after spending years here and/or developing family ties is that they shouldn’t have to worry about re-applying to stay every few years.
The very least people are entitled to after spending years here and/or developing family ties is that they shouldn’t have to worry about re-applying to stay every few years.
Bad idea for Labour. A successful Streeting challenge would exacerbate the leftward leak. A failed one would mean chaos and division.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Streeting still ready to challenge Starmer despite show of unity, allies say
Health secretary poised to make leadership bid after May local elections to pre-empt a potential challenge from rival Rayner, MPs close to him say
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Bad idea for Labour. A successful Streeting challenge would exacerbate the leftward leak. A failed one would mean chaos and division.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Eric Clive
It is so embarrassing that it has taken nearly a decade for a British minister to say this, a statement of the absolute bloody obvious
February 11, 2026 at 7:40 AM
It is so embarrassing that it has taken nearly a decade for a British minister to say this, a statement of the absolute bloody obvious
Anas Sarwar was trying to get rid of Starmer the millstone. He has just made himself an even bigger millstone.
February 10, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Anas Sarwar was trying to get rid of Starmer the millstone. He has just made himself an even bigger millstone.
Keir Starmer being nice to the disloyal Anas Sarwar. In other words it's a bit too close to the May elections to do anything about him.
www.thenational.scot/news/2584084...
www.thenational.scot/news/2584084...
Scottish Secretary gives verdict on Anas Sarwar's future as Scottish leader
KEIR Starmer is still “determined” that Anas Sarwar should be Scotland’s next first minster – despite the Scottish Labour leader yesterday…
www.thenational.scot
February 10, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Keir Starmer being nice to the disloyal Anas Sarwar. In other words it's a bit too close to the May elections to do anything about him.
www.thenational.scot/news/2584084...
www.thenational.scot/news/2584084...
Reposted by Eric Clive
This week, the #ScottishGovernment published a new report on the importance of natural capital to our economy. In our latest blog we discuss why Scotland MUST invest more in sustainable agriculture if we are to meaningfully support our farmers, communities and economy.
Read more:🔗
buff.ly/7XwKYBd
Read more:🔗
buff.ly/7XwKYBd
February 10, 2026 at 8:00 AM
This week, the #ScottishGovernment published a new report on the importance of natural capital to our economy. In our latest blog we discuss why Scotland MUST invest more in sustainable agriculture if we are to meaningfully support our farmers, communities and economy.
Read more:🔗
buff.ly/7XwKYBd
Read more:🔗
buff.ly/7XwKYBd
Never has the reference to "the broken Westminster system" been more apt - and he doesn't even mention foreign policy (incl Gaza and the EU) and various regressive and intolerant domestic policies.
Three months until Scotland’s choice.
On May 7, vote SNP to choose hope, fairness and real action on the cost of living.
Let’s escape the broken Westminster system and choose our own future with the fresh start of independence. 🏴
On May 7, vote SNP to choose hope, fairness and real action on the cost of living.
Let’s escape the broken Westminster system and choose our own future with the fresh start of independence. 🏴
February 10, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Never has the reference to "the broken Westminster system" been more apt - and he doesn't even mention foreign policy (incl Gaza and the EU) and various regressive and intolerant domestic policies.
Desperate, disloyal, deluded and daft - but for supporters of Scottish independence also delightful. Anas Sarwar has shown that politically, and probably for both countries, Scotland and England would be better apart.
February 10, 2026 at 6:54 AM
Desperate, disloyal, deluded and daft - but for supporters of Scottish independence also delightful. Anas Sarwar has shown that politically, and probably for both countries, Scotland and England would be better apart.
Your Party could pick up list votes in Scotland from disillusioned voters who are looking for a new party but find the policies and personnel of Reform UK abhorrent. They could also pick up tactical second votes from some pro-independence voters.
www.thenational.scot/news/2583628...
www.thenational.scot/news/2583628...
Your Party Scotland votes to officially become pro-independence party
Your Party Scotland have voted to officially become a pro-independence party
www.thenational.scot
February 9, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Your Party could pick up list votes in Scotland from disillusioned voters who are looking for a new party but find the policies and personnel of Reform UK abhorrent. They could also pick up tactical second votes from some pro-independence voters.
www.thenational.scot/news/2583628...
www.thenational.scot/news/2583628...
I found a mouse in the kitchen bin. I thought it would be irresponsible to release it. So I took the closed bin liner outside and struck it with a garden spade. The bag burst and, like grey lightning, the mouse escaped. I was not unhappy. I did my best but I'm really with Robert Burns.
February 8, 2026 at 9:09 AM
I found a mouse in the kitchen bin. I thought it would be irresponsible to release it. So I took the closed bin liner outside and struck it with a garden spade. The bag burst and, like grey lightning, the mouse escaped. I was not unhappy. I did my best but I'm really with Robert Burns.
Reposted by Eric Clive
Post-Brexit sales of British farm products to EU fall by 37%
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Post-Brexit sales of British farm products to EU fall by 37%
NFU warn it could take years to restore Brexit losses despite efforts to smooth negotiations on farming and other elements of UK-EU reset
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:57 AM
Post-Brexit sales of British farm products to EU fall by 37%
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Eric Clive
New on FT website:
Downing Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer knew Palantir was a client of Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm when they both visited the company in Washington last February — ahead of it winning a £240mn UK government contract.
www.ft.com/content/5bba...
Downing Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer knew Palantir was a client of Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm when they both visited the company in Washington last February — ahead of it winning a £240mn UK government contract.
www.ft.com/content/5bba...
Starmer faces questions over visit to Palantir office alongside Mandelson
Former ambassador was also shareholder in lobbying group that counted US tech firm as a client
www.ft.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:20 AM
New on FT website:
Downing Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer knew Palantir was a client of Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm when they both visited the company in Washington last February — ahead of it winning a £240mn UK government contract.
www.ft.com/content/5bba...
Downing Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer knew Palantir was a client of Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm when they both visited the company in Washington last February — ahead of it winning a £240mn UK government contract.
www.ft.com/content/5bba...
There's a sort of compulsory Overton window around - not the window of things a mainstream politician can say but the window of things he or she must say. Recent examples:
"I apologise to Epstein's victims"
"We respect the Supreme Court's judgment".
"I apologise to Epstein's victims"
"We respect the Supreme Court's judgment".
February 6, 2026 at 8:54 AM
There's a sort of compulsory Overton window around - not the window of things a mainstream politician can say but the window of things he or she must say. Recent examples:
"I apologise to Epstein's victims"
"We respect the Supreme Court's judgment".
"I apologise to Epstein's victims"
"We respect the Supreme Court's judgment".
“I can confirm that the Metropolitan Police has now launched an investigation into a 72-year-old man, a former government minister, for misconduct in public office offences."
Who could it be?
Who could it be?
February 5, 2026 at 8:40 AM
“I can confirm that the Metropolitan Police has now launched an investigation into a 72-year-old man, a former government minister, for misconduct in public office offences."
Who could it be?
Who could it be?
Reposted by Eric Clive
Three parties - SNP, Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru - now asking for the police to investigate Mandelson.
Hard to recall a worse public scandal than a cabinet minister allegedly colluding with foreign bankers to share market sensitive info and encourage threats against Chancellor
Hard to recall a worse public scandal than a cabinet minister allegedly colluding with foreign bankers to share market sensitive info and encourage threats against Chancellor
February 2, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Three parties - SNP, Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru - now asking for the police to investigate Mandelson.
Hard to recall a worse public scandal than a cabinet minister allegedly colluding with foreign bankers to share market sensitive info and encourage threats against Chancellor
Hard to recall a worse public scandal than a cabinet minister allegedly colluding with foreign bankers to share market sensitive info and encourage threats against Chancellor
Reposted by Eric Clive
Let he who hasn't accidentally received 75K from a convicted sex offender which found its way into his account without anyone noticing cast the first stone.
February 1, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Let he who hasn't accidentally received 75K from a convicted sex offender which found its way into his account without anyone noticing cast the first stone.
Gordon Brown blames Better Together for Labour's collapse in Scotland. He might have a point in a different way. Scottish Labour might do better if it separated off from UK Labour and was either agnostic on, or supportive of, Scottish independence in the EU.
www.thenational.scot/news/2581500...
www.thenational.scot/news/2581500...
Gordon Brown still blames Better Together for Labour's collapse in Scotland
GORDON Brown still blames the Better Together campaign for the collapse of Labour support in Scotland.
www.thenational.scot
February 2, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Gordon Brown blames Better Together for Labour's collapse in Scotland. He might have a point in a different way. Scottish Labour might do better if it separated off from UK Labour and was either agnostic on, or supportive of, Scottish independence in the EU.
www.thenational.scot/news/2581500...
www.thenational.scot/news/2581500...
Reposted by Eric Clive
What you see today are the logical consequences of leaving the EU, not of bad negotiations to #brexit.
Starmer's completely lost me here. I'm done with this.
article link: www.itv.com/news/2026-02...
Starmer's completely lost me here. I'm done with this.
article link: www.itv.com/news/2026-02...
February 2, 2026 at 6:55 AM
What you see today are the logical consequences of leaving the EU, not of bad negotiations to #brexit.
Starmer's completely lost me here. I'm done with this.
article link: www.itv.com/news/2026-02...
Starmer's completely lost me here. I'm done with this.
article link: www.itv.com/news/2026-02...
Can he be stripped of the '- Mountbatten'?
February 1, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Can he be stripped of the '- Mountbatten'?
Statement from the Scottish Justice Secretary on The Marinera.
"The Scottish government wants to play our part in international justice because that is appropriate and responsible.
"But that starts with the recognition and respect that must be afforded to Scottish jurisdiction and Scots law."
"The Scottish government wants to play our part in international justice because that is appropriate and responsible.
"But that starts with the recognition and respect that must be afforded to Scottish jurisdiction and Scots law."
January 31, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Statement from the Scottish Justice Secretary on The Marinera.
"The Scottish government wants to play our part in international justice because that is appropriate and responsible.
"But that starts with the recognition and respect that must be afforded to Scottish jurisdiction and Scots law."
"The Scottish government wants to play our part in international justice because that is appropriate and responsible.
"But that starts with the recognition and respect that must be afforded to Scottish jurisdiction and Scots law."
Reposted by Eric Clive
This is worth reading. Reform offers nothing but tax cuts (esp for the rich), ill-thought out cuts to public services and anti-immigrant dog(e) whistles. Tired old Tories. Tired old Tory policies.
www.thenational.scot/news/2580092...
www.thenational.scot/news/2580092...
Reform's Scottish leader struggles as BBC ask: 'Where's the logic in your plan?'
REFORM UK’s Scottish leader struggled through a BBC interview on Tuesday morning as he was challenged on “dogwhistle” politics and proposed…
www.thenational.scot
January 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM
This is worth reading. Reform offers nothing but tax cuts (esp for the rich), ill-thought out cuts to public services and anti-immigrant dog(e) whistles. Tired old Tories. Tired old Tory policies.
www.thenational.scot/news/2580092...
www.thenational.scot/news/2580092...