Nick Stone
@europeannick.bsky.social
Lots of politics, plenty of travel, public transport geek & delving into the Eurovision Song Contest. My views are my own. Retweets not always endorsements.
Reposted by Nick Stone
". The central finding of this study is that Europe’s resilience remains situational rather than systemic. A strong performance by a select group of countries in specific domains contrasts with critical shortcomings in others..." hcss.nl/wp-content/u...
hcss.nl
December 2, 2025 at 11:41 AM
". The central finding of this study is that Europe’s resilience remains situational rather than systemic. A strong performance by a select group of countries in specific domains contrasts with critical shortcomings in others..." hcss.nl/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Nick Stone
It’s not ‘was it’, it’s ’has it been’. It’s ongoing. And living with it as is or at all isn’t inevitable.
December 2, 2025 at 7:45 AM
It’s not ‘was it’, it’s ’has it been’. It’s ongoing. And living with it as is or at all isn’t inevitable.
Reposted by Nick Stone
David Davis said there wouldn't be a single downside to Brexit.
Yorkshire Bylines recorded >2,000 of them from 2021-2024.
Yorkshire Bylines recorded >2,000 of them from 2021-2024.
The Davis Downside Dossier
David Davis famously said there would be no downsides to Brexit only considerable upsides - so we started recording them.
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 4:43 PM
David Davis said there wouldn't be a single downside to Brexit.
Yorkshire Bylines recorded >2,000 of them from 2021-2024.
Yorkshire Bylines recorded >2,000 of them from 2021-2024.
Reposted by Nick Stone
I wonder if it's time to retire the role of "political editor" altogether
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Watched BBC 6 o clock news. Just a completely unserious broadcast. Chris Mason, acting like a children's entertainer, giving a prolonged impenetrable editorial. Not a whiff of informative content about the Budget or what it means for the country. Just playschool blah blah bollocks.
December 1, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I wonder if it's time to retire the role of "political editor" altogether
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Reposted by Nick Stone
Watched BBC 6 o clock news. Just a completely unserious broadcast. Chris Mason, acting like a children's entertainer, giving a prolonged impenetrable editorial. Not a whiff of informative content about the Budget or what it means for the country. Just playschool blah blah bollocks.
December 1, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Watched BBC 6 o clock news. Just a completely unserious broadcast. Chris Mason, acting like a children's entertainer, giving a prolonged impenetrable editorial. Not a whiff of informative content about the Budget or what it means for the country. Just playschool blah blah bollocks.
Reposted by Nick Stone
Donald Trump’s drive to secure peace in Ukraine must not let Vladimir Putin off the hook for war crimes committed by Russian forces, a top EU official has warned, effectively setting a new red line for a deal.
www.politico.eu/article/dona...
www.politico.eu/article/dona...
EU tells Trump: You can’t pardon Putin for war crimes in Ukraine
Any move to “wipe the slate clean” for Russia in a peace deal would be “a historic mistake of huge proportions,” the EU justice commissioner tells POLITICO.
www.politico.eu
December 1, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Donald Trump’s drive to secure peace in Ukraine must not let Vladimir Putin off the hook for war crimes committed by Russian forces, a top EU official has warned, effectively setting a new red line for a deal.
www.politico.eu/article/dona...
www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Reposted by Nick Stone
Brexit: the trillion pound ‘mistake’
The recent NBER report suggests the Treasury’s 2016 analysis – slammed by Brexiters as a ‘hoax’– actually understated the impact of Brexit
By Anthony Robinson
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/opinion/brex...
The recent NBER report suggests the Treasury’s 2016 analysis – slammed by Brexiters as a ‘hoax’– actually understated the impact of Brexit
By Anthony Robinson
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/opinion/brex...
Brexit: the trillion pound ‘mistake’
The recent NBER report suggests the Treasury’s 2016 analysis – slammed by Brexiters as a ‘hoax’– actually understated the impact of Brexit
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Brexit: the trillion pound ‘mistake’
The recent NBER report suggests the Treasury’s 2016 analysis – slammed by Brexiters as a ‘hoax’– actually understated the impact of Brexit
By Anthony Robinson
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/opinion/brex...
The recent NBER report suggests the Treasury’s 2016 analysis – slammed by Brexiters as a ‘hoax’– actually understated the impact of Brexit
By Anthony Robinson
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/opinion/brex...
Reposted by Nick Stone
I have resigned in advance from any position I might hold in the future on the basis that I or someone else there will probably do something a bit wrong at some point.
December 1, 2025 at 7:16 PM
I have resigned in advance from any position I might hold in the future on the basis that I or someone else there will probably do something a bit wrong at some point.
Reposted by Nick Stone
The View from Westminster newsletter has gone out. Free sign-up here www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
December 1, 2025 at 6:11 PM
The View from Westminster newsletter has gone out. Free sign-up here www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by Nick Stone
Talked to a pollster yesterday about why a party led by a spectacularly unpopular man who helped bring about the spectacularly unpopular Brexit is polling so well. His view: Reform is essentially a “**** it” button. He thinks the Green’s policy of being “**** it but without racism” might do well.
December 1, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Talked to a pollster yesterday about why a party led by a spectacularly unpopular man who helped bring about the spectacularly unpopular Brexit is polling so well. His view: Reform is essentially a “**** it” button. He thinks the Green’s policy of being “**** it but without racism” might do well.
Reposted by Nick Stone
Feels similar to Davie in being a "I've had enough of this bullshit" resignation....
Both could have stayed had they really wanted to.
Both could have stayed had they really wanted to.
NEW: Richard Hughes resigns from the OBR over budget leak.
Along with BBC leadership, a recent resurgence of people in public service jobs taking responsibility.
Along with BBC leadership, a recent resurgence of people in public service jobs taking responsibility.
December 1, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Feels similar to Davie in being a "I've had enough of this bullshit" resignation....
Both could have stayed had they really wanted to.
Both could have stayed had they really wanted to.
Reposted by Nick Stone
He wasn't actually due to resign until an hour later
December 1, 2025 at 4:44 PM
He wasn't actually due to resign until an hour later
Reposted by Nick Stone
BREAKING - Richard Hughes resigns as chair of the OBR
December 1, 2025 at 4:34 PM
BREAKING - Richard Hughes resigns as chair of the OBR
Reposted by Nick Stone
The Budget leak was the worst error in the OBR's 15-year history, an investigation into the incident has said
The report said the OBR's process for publishing sensitive information should be overhauled, adding that similar leaks may have happened in the past, reports @matildamartin.bsky.social
The report said the OBR's process for publishing sensitive information should be overhauled, adding that similar leaks may have happened in the past, reports @matildamartin.bsky.social
Budget Leak Was Worst Error In The OBR's History, Says Investigation
An investigation into how the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) managed to publish details of the Budget early has concluded that the watchdog...
www.politicshome.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The Budget leak was the worst error in the OBR's 15-year history, an investigation into the incident has said
The report said the OBR's process for publishing sensitive information should be overhauled, adding that similar leaks may have happened in the past, reports @matildamartin.bsky.social
The report said the OBR's process for publishing sensitive information should be overhauled, adding that similar leaks may have happened in the past, reports @matildamartin.bsky.social
Reposted by Nick Stone
I am very suspicious of this 43 accesses by 32 IPs as I know I accessed it twice and I know at least half a dozen other people who accessed it at least once, probably more.
Do I really know a third of the people who got it early, directly? Or is this an undercount?
Do I really know a third of the people who got it early, directly? Or is this an undercount?
For the record, one of these was a sketchwriter who downloaded it to his phone for the LOLs.
December 1, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I am very suspicious of this 43 accesses by 32 IPs as I know I accessed it twice and I know at least half a dozen other people who accessed it at least once, probably more.
Do I really know a third of the people who got it early, directly? Or is this an undercount?
Do I really know a third of the people who got it early, directly? Or is this an undercount?
@benchu.bsky.social essential thread on the 2025 Reeves budget story.
This thread is good because it’s more economics and less politics.
This thread is good because it’s more economics and less politics.
Did Rachel Reeves and the Government “mislead” people about the state of the public finances and the need for tax rises before the Budget?
I think this is a rather complex question & the answer is not black and white.
A thread…🧵1/12
I think this is a rather complex question & the answer is not black and white.
A thread…🧵1/12
December 1, 2025 at 3:17 PM
@benchu.bsky.social essential thread on the 2025 Reeves budget story.
This thread is good because it’s more economics and less politics.
This thread is good because it’s more economics and less politics.
Reposted by Nick Stone
There is an actual interesting little deceit in the budget, namely ther have the OBR still forecasting based on increasing net immigration back to 300-350k whilst the Home Secretary is promising to bring it down from 200k, which does dissolve about half the headroom, but somehow we're doing vibes.
Think this is exactly right - political journalism that is completely abstracted from policy, which was not the norm before 2017, has become the default. Impossible to have a serious attempt to either shrink what the state does or widen the tax base (have to do at least one) on that basis.
All this budget news, claims, counter claims is confusing, but two things of consequence.
1. We're all talking about that, not any financial benefits (or losses) of the budget.
2. Yet more focus on the very weird few weeks and politics of it all. Starting to feel dangerously like a norm.
1. We're all talking about that, not any financial benefits (or losses) of the budget.
2. Yet more focus on the very weird few weeks and politics of it all. Starting to feel dangerously like a norm.
December 1, 2025 at 1:38 PM
There is an actual interesting little deceit in the budget, namely ther have the OBR still forecasting based on increasing net immigration back to 300-350k whilst the Home Secretary is promising to bring it down from 200k, which does dissolve about half the headroom, but somehow we're doing vibes.
Reposted by Nick Stone
Reposted by Nick Stone
Jonathan Gullis defects to Reform saying his former party has "lost touch with the people it was meant to serve".
He should know. When he was in Government he took a five-figure donation from JCB, then stayed silent when it axed hundreds of his constituents' jobs just two weeks later
He should know. When he was in Government he took a five-figure donation from JCB, then stayed silent when it axed hundreds of his constituents' jobs just two weeks later
Conservatives Promote JCB's 'Revolutionary' Pothole Machine While Taking Millions of Pounds in Donations from the Company
Senior Conservatives have repeatedly promoted a pothole repair machine made by a company which has donated huge sums to the party and its MPs
bylinetimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Jonathan Gullis defects to Reform saying his former party has "lost touch with the people it was meant to serve".
He should know. When he was in Government he took a five-figure donation from JCB, then stayed silent when it axed hundreds of his constituents' jobs just two weeks later
He should know. When he was in Government he took a five-figure donation from JCB, then stayed silent when it axed hundreds of his constituents' jobs just two weeks later
Reposted by Nick Stone
A deadly US boat strike is sparking war crime accusations. And while Pete Hegseth is pushing back on the story, Donald Trump has been distancing himself from it.
“Just makes me wonder if there’s a bit more to this,” Jack Blanchard says on #playbookpod 👇
pod.link/1169056746/e...
“Just makes me wonder if there’s a bit more to this,” Jack Blanchard says on #playbookpod 👇
pod.link/1169056746/e...
December 1, 2025 at 1:16 PM
A deadly US boat strike is sparking war crime accusations. And while Pete Hegseth is pushing back on the story, Donald Trump has been distancing himself from it.
“Just makes me wonder if there’s a bit more to this,” Jack Blanchard says on #playbookpod 👇
pod.link/1169056746/e...
“Just makes me wonder if there’s a bit more to this,” Jack Blanchard says on #playbookpod 👇
pod.link/1169056746/e...
Reposted by Nick Stone
"The PM wanted today to talk about... benefits reform and the UK's relationship with the EU and about regulation, which were interesting in and of themselves, but all of the questions were about the pre-budget process."
A neat summary by Mason - but he led that questioning. ~AA #PoliticsLive
A neat summary by Mason - but he led that questioning. ~AA #PoliticsLive
December 1, 2025 at 12:42 PM
"The PM wanted today to talk about... benefits reform and the UK's relationship with the EU and about regulation, which were interesting in and of themselves, but all of the questions were about the pre-budget process."
A neat summary by Mason - but he led that questioning. ~AA #PoliticsLive
A neat summary by Mason - but he led that questioning. ~AA #PoliticsLive
Reposted by Nick Stone
For the UK, worst net government satisfaction with Ipsos has been
Starmer -71
Sunak -74
Truss -69 (probably lower had there been time for more polls)
Johnson -67
May -77
Cameron -45
Brown -62
Blair -45
Major -78
Thatcher -63
Starmer's normal for post-Brexit UK, which isn't a really good sign.
Starmer -71
Sunak -74
Truss -69 (probably lower had there been time for more polls)
Johnson -67
May -77
Cameron -45
Brown -62
Blair -45
Major -78
Thatcher -63
Starmer's normal for post-Brexit UK, which isn't a really good sign.
December 1, 2025 at 12:47 PM
For the UK, worst net government satisfaction with Ipsos has been
Starmer -71
Sunak -74
Truss -69 (probably lower had there been time for more polls)
Johnson -67
May -77
Cameron -45
Brown -62
Blair -45
Major -78
Thatcher -63
Starmer's normal for post-Brexit UK, which isn't a really good sign.
Starmer -71
Sunak -74
Truss -69 (probably lower had there been time for more polls)
Johnson -67
May -77
Cameron -45
Brown -62
Blair -45
Major -78
Thatcher -63
Starmer's normal for post-Brexit UK, which isn't a really good sign.
@stephenkb.bsky.social explains the Reeves budget entanglement.
Indeed. This is not the BBC's job and to make it worse, in the same piece, Chris Mason again lurches into opinion and gives government carte blanche when he absolutely should not have!
No that's not *your* on *our behalf*. Your job is to report the story, presenting all sides fairly and then *we* call it. What Mason is saying here is fundamentally not what the bbc is for!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
December 1, 2025 at 12:37 PM
@stephenkb.bsky.social explains the Reeves budget entanglement.
Reposted by Nick Stone
Very odd for Starmer to roll the pitch like this after not joining this phase of SAFE last week
www.politico.eu/article/uk-p...
www.politico.eu/article/uk-p...
Starmer: Brexit ‘significantly’ hurt British economy
U.K. needs to “keep moving” towards a closer relationship, says British PM.
www.politico.eu
December 1, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Very odd for Starmer to roll the pitch like this after not joining this phase of SAFE last week
www.politico.eu/article/uk-p...
www.politico.eu/article/uk-p...
Reposted by Nick Stone
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 29% (+1)
LAB: 20% (=)
CON: 18% (-2)
LDM: 13% (=)
GRN: 12% (+2)
Via @focaldata.bsky.social, 26-28 Nov.
Changes w/ 18-21 Nov.
RFM: 29% (+1)
LAB: 20% (=)
CON: 18% (-2)
LDM: 13% (=)
GRN: 12% (+2)
Via @focaldata.bsky.social, 26-28 Nov.
Changes w/ 18-21 Nov.
December 1, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 29% (+1)
LAB: 20% (=)
CON: 18% (-2)
LDM: 13% (=)
GRN: 12% (+2)
Via @focaldata.bsky.social, 26-28 Nov.
Changes w/ 18-21 Nov.
RFM: 29% (+1)
LAB: 20% (=)
CON: 18% (-2)
LDM: 13% (=)
GRN: 12% (+2)
Via @focaldata.bsky.social, 26-28 Nov.
Changes w/ 18-21 Nov.