Niall Ó Conghaile
@nialloconghaile.bsky.social
🇪🇺
European.
Views my own; RT = interest, not endorsement.
European.
Views my own; RT = interest, not endorsement.
Pinned
I understand. We understand.
We understand the importance that Europe had in your lives and the sense of biting loss for many of you.
We understand what Brexit has done.
2
We understand the importance that Europe had in your lives and the sense of biting loss for many of you.
We understand what Brexit has done.
2
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Post at the top of this thread says nothing about a referendum.
bsky.app/profile/nial...
bsky.app/profile/nial...
Don't think there is malice in this, but it displays the problem with a wholly anglocentric view of the world.
Europe's job is not to "fix Brexit or the economic damage from being outside the single market".
Europe's job is not to dissuade Britons of notions.
1
Jack Smyth
Europe's job is not to "fix Brexit or the economic damage from being outside the single market".
Europe's job is not to dissuade Britons of notions.
1
Jack Smyth
February 5, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Post at the top of this thread says nothing about a referendum.
bsky.app/profile/nial...
bsky.app/profile/nial...
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Scotland, rather the 28th country of the EU than the battered spouse of England.
Hmmmm
« Le Canada, plutôt 28ᵉ pays de l’UE que 51ᵉ Etat des Etats-Unis » share.google/dn3wFVvysdfH...
« Le Canada, plutôt 28ᵉ pays de l’UE que 51ᵉ Etat des Etats-Unis » share.google/dn3wFVvysdfH...
« Le Canada, plutôt 28ᵉ pays de l’UE que 51ᵉ Etat des Etats-Unis »
CHRONIQUE. Le premier ministre canadien souhaite une alliance des puissances moyennes pour faire face aux grandes puissances… Une belle idée, sur laquelle l’Europe travaille depuis soixante ans, relèv...
share.google
February 5, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Scotland, rather the 28th country of the EU than the battered spouse of England.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Yes, alongside France and the US, but the UK has benefited even more owing to, among many other things, the English language and having a giant financial centre, and communal defence against Soviet agression.
Only a fools would throw that away for a Trump promise
Only a fools would throw that away for a Trump promise
February 5, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Yes, alongside France and the US, but the UK has benefited even more owing to, among many other things, the English language and having a giant financial centre, and communal defence against Soviet agression.
Only a fools would throw that away for a Trump promise
Only a fools would throw that away for a Trump promise
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
And the figures for judgments against the UK in 2025, let's take a look at the vidiprinter*******
********************* 4 (four) *
(for a country the size of the UK, remarkable, a brilliant performance)
The UK has nothing to fear from international court oversight.
2
********************* 4 (four) *
(for a country the size of the UK, remarkable, a brilliant performance)
The UK has nothing to fear from international court oversight.
2
February 5, 2026 at 8:03 AM
And the figures for judgments against the UK in 2025, let's take a look at the vidiprinter*******
********************* 4 (four) *
(for a country the size of the UK, remarkable, a brilliant performance)
The UK has nothing to fear from international court oversight.
2
********************* 4 (four) *
(for a country the size of the UK, remarkable, a brilliant performance)
The UK has nothing to fear from international court oversight.
2
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Indeed, that was the point of the original post.
A CU might be offered, not to resolve Brexit, not as a path to membership, but because it is useful to Europe
Ends
A CU might be offered, not to resolve Brexit, not as a path to membership, but because it is useful to Europe
Ends
Important to state that even if the LDs consider this a "first step", Europe doesn't or would not
Each step is potentially final. So the responsibility of Europe is to consider that as an end state and to advantage citizens and MSs as much as possible.
1
Each step is potentially final. So the responsibility of Europe is to consider that as an end state and to advantage citizens and MSs as much as possible.
1
Lib Dems want a customs union as the first step towards joining the EU.
We want the UK back at the heart of Europe, but we're realistic enough to accept it'll take time.
We want the UK back at the heart of Europe, but we're realistic enough to accept it'll take time.
February 4, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Indeed, that was the point of the original post.
A CU might be offered, not to resolve Brexit, not as a path to membership, but because it is useful to Europe
Ends
A CU might be offered, not to resolve Brexit, not as a path to membership, but because it is useful to Europe
Ends
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
OK this makes me extremely angry. Has everyone forgotten the massive profiteering from thousands of avoidable pandemic deaths?? The unconstitutional suspension of parliament to force through an act of nationalist destruction that cost our children their future??
“It’s potentially the biggest political scandal of this century”
As MPs force Keir Starmer to publish files about Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador Skys Beth Rigby provides a detailed summary of how we got here
As MPs force Keir Starmer to publish files about Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador Skys Beth Rigby provides a detailed summary of how we got here
February 5, 2026 at 8:45 AM
OK this makes me extremely angry. Has everyone forgotten the massive profiteering from thousands of avoidable pandemic deaths?? The unconstitutional suspension of parliament to force through an act of nationalist destruction that cost our children their future??
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Britain's best at his best. Worth your time. What power.
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Britain's best at his best. Worth your time. What power.
Hmmmm
« Le Canada, plutôt 28ᵉ pays de l’UE que 51ᵉ Etat des Etats-Unis » share.google/dn3wFVvysdfH...
« Le Canada, plutôt 28ᵉ pays de l’UE que 51ᵉ Etat des Etats-Unis » share.google/dn3wFVvysdfH...
« Le Canada, plutôt 28ᵉ pays de l’UE que 51ᵉ Etat des Etats-Unis »
CHRONIQUE. Le premier ministre canadien souhaite une alliance des puissances moyennes pour faire face aux grandes puissances… Une belle idée, sur laquelle l’Europe travaille depuis soixante ans, relèv...
share.google
February 5, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Hmmmm
« Le Canada, plutôt 28ᵉ pays de l’UE que 51ᵉ Etat des Etats-Unis » share.google/dn3wFVvysdfH...
« Le Canada, plutôt 28ᵉ pays de l’UE que 51ᵉ Etat des Etats-Unis » share.google/dn3wFVvysdfH...
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
As we know it’s all part of the libertarian right agenda
Don’t worry about your rights….you can trust us to look after you
Don’t make us pay taxes….you can trust us to spend our money wisely
Give us your data…..you can trust us
Don’t worry about your rights….you can trust us to look after you
Don’t make us pay taxes….you can trust us to spend our money wisely
Give us your data…..you can trust us
February 5, 2026 at 12:30 PM
As we know it’s all part of the libertarian right agenda
Don’t worry about your rights….you can trust us to look after you
Don’t make us pay taxes….you can trust us to spend our money wisely
Give us your data…..you can trust us
Don’t worry about your rights….you can trust us to look after you
Don’t make us pay taxes….you can trust us to spend our money wisely
Give us your data…..you can trust us
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
It’s one of the tragic ironies of the new British exceptionalism and it’s baby brother euroscepticism that much of the UK body politic has now turned its back on Britain’s leading role in the creation of the modern Rule of Law-based international constitutional order.
February 5, 2026 at 11:06 AM
It’s one of the tragic ironies of the new British exceptionalism and it’s baby brother euroscepticism that much of the UK body politic has now turned its back on Britain’s leading role in the creation of the modern Rule of Law-based international constitutional order.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
They're fools.
Remember, each of those applications that didn't come to Strasbourg is someone's rights not abused or someone able to get satisfaction before the UK courts.
It's literally the UK working for UK citizens and residents
Remember, each of those applications that didn't come to Strasbourg is someone's rights not abused or someone able to get satisfaction before the UK courts.
It's literally the UK working for UK citizens and residents
February 5, 2026 at 10:58 AM
They're fools.
Remember, each of those applications that didn't come to Strasbourg is someone's rights not abused or someone able to get satisfaction before the UK courts.
It's literally the UK working for UK citizens and residents
Remember, each of those applications that didn't come to Strasbourg is someone's rights not abused or someone able to get satisfaction before the UK courts.
It's literally the UK working for UK citizens and residents
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Millions of Americans would wish there was someone providing oversight in relation to ICE and Trump's denial of human rights. How many Brits will want it in relation to Farage's excesses if he ever gets any power?
February 5, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Millions of Americans would wish there was someone providing oversight in relation to ICE and Trump's denial of human rights. How many Brits will want it in relation to Farage's excesses if he ever gets any power?
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
It reveals the arrogance of the Britmind and all the empirical thinking behind it.
"Why should we bow to anyone? We are the mother of Parliaments. We gave democracy to the world." etc
Same types also fail to see why they need any supra national courts. Not The Hague, not anyone. Hubris of empire!
"Why should we bow to anyone? We are the mother of Parliaments. We gave democracy to the world." etc
Same types also fail to see why they need any supra national courts. Not The Hague, not anyone. Hubris of empire!
February 5, 2026 at 10:54 AM
It reveals the arrogance of the Britmind and all the empirical thinking behind it.
"Why should we bow to anyone? We are the mother of Parliaments. We gave democracy to the world." etc
Same types also fail to see why they need any supra national courts. Not The Hague, not anyone. Hubris of empire!
"Why should we bow to anyone? We are the mother of Parliaments. We gave democracy to the world." etc
Same types also fail to see why they need any supra national courts. Not The Hague, not anyone. Hubris of empire!
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Unfortunately the “little Englanders” will look at the 4 as outrageous interference
They’ve travelled so far along this road already that they missed all the off ramps
They’ve travelled so far along this road already that they missed all the off ramps
February 5, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Unfortunately the “little Englanders” will look at the 4 as outrageous interference
They’ve travelled so far along this road already that they missed all the off ramps
They’ve travelled so far along this road already that they missed all the off ramps
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
The UK judicial system is indeed excellent, even though successive governments have starved it of funds. But the objection to ECHR oversight has nothing to so with this. It’s all do do with the word “European” in its title. I suggest renaming it VCHR (V for Vulcan) - the problem would go away.
February 5, 2026 at 9:16 AM
The UK judicial system is indeed excellent, even though successive governments have starved it of funds. But the objection to ECHR oversight has nothing to so with this. It’s all do do with the word “European” in its title. I suggest renaming it VCHR (V for Vulcan) - the problem would go away.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Sadly, for some (exceptionalist) Brits, the problem lies, not in outcomes, but in the boo-word "oversight".
February 5, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Sadly, for some (exceptionalist) Brits, the problem lies, not in outcomes, but in the boo-word "oversight".
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Agree talking is essential, also agree with @kathylove.bsky.social that we need to be sanguine in our expectations but then again and as I have often said, never to say never:
bsky.app/profile/madr...
bsky.app/profile/madr...
I agree, but I hope I'm proven wrong in the fullness of time just as I was just four years after I visited Berlin in 1985 (my photo) and feared the Wall would never come down.
February 5, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Agree talking is essential, also agree with @kathylove.bsky.social that we need to be sanguine in our expectations but then again and as I have often said, never to say never:
bsky.app/profile/madr...
bsky.app/profile/madr...
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
As a commissioner, giving financial pieces of information to an adversary superpower ($ against €) is high treason.
First, he should be prosecuted for that.
Secondly, it proves that he’s been an enemy of the EU, from the beginning.
Thirdly, Starmer called that guy in his close team.
1
First, he should be prosecuted for that.
Secondly, it proves that he’s been an enemy of the EU, from the beginning.
Thirdly, Starmer called that guy in his close team.
1
🚨🚨 #Mandelson falls even more in disgrace as @ec.europa.eu is examining and will likely conclude that British politician broke the EU Ethics code due to his contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey #Epstein. This is welcome news: 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/mand...
www.politico.eu/article/mand...
Mandelson should lose pension if he broke EU rules in Epstein scandal, campaigners say
European officials are “assessing” whether the ex-commissioner contravened the ethics code.
www.politico.eu
February 5, 2026 at 8:19 AM
As a commissioner, giving financial pieces of information to an adversary superpower ($ against €) is high treason.
First, he should be prosecuted for that.
Secondly, it proves that he’s been an enemy of the EU, from the beginning.
Thirdly, Starmer called that guy in his close team.
1
First, he should be prosecuted for that.
Secondly, it proves that he’s been an enemy of the EU, from the beginning.
Thirdly, Starmer called that guy in his close team.
1
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
It is entirely up to 450 million of us and our elected representatives to decide what is acceptable. In any case and as I have said before, relations with a third country like the UK aren't even on the radar screen:
bsky.app/profile/madr...
bsky.app/profile/madr...
Indeed Kathy and as I have said before, EU-UK relations simply does not appear as an issue of concern to Spaniards in opinion polls, is simply not mentioned in statements from the PM's office or Foreign Ministry here (I read them all), in parliamentary debates or media coverage.
February 5, 2026 at 7:37 AM
It is entirely up to 450 million of us and our elected representatives to decide what is acceptable. In any case and as I have said before, relations with a third country like the UK aren't even on the radar screen:
bsky.app/profile/madr...
bsky.app/profile/madr...
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
That's not the view this on side of the Channel, from where I've been reporting on EU affairs for decades. Above all the perspective is different.
February 5, 2026 at 7:21 AM
That's not the view this on side of the Channel, from where I've been reporting on EU affairs for decades. Above all the perspective is different.
The UK has nothing to fear from international court oversight.
Annual report from the European Court in Strasbourg indicates that the UK has the *lowest* rate of applications proportionally in Europe in 2025
The UK has nothing to fear from international court oversight.
1
Annual report from the European Court in Strasbourg indicates that the UK has the *lowest* rate of applications proportionally in Europe in 2025
The UK has nothing to fear from international court oversight.
1
February 5, 2026 at 8:03 AM
The UK has nothing to fear from international court oversight.
Annual report from the European Court in Strasbourg indicates that the UK has the *lowest* rate of applications proportionally in Europe in 2025
The UK has nothing to fear from international court oversight.
1
Annual report from the European Court in Strasbourg indicates that the UK has the *lowest* rate of applications proportionally in Europe in 2025
The UK has nothing to fear from international court oversight.
1
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
I agree with both you and Niall. Current situation is short term but chatting will allow a faster resolution in the future, when the UK is ready. My guess? After 2036. But if they are ready in 2036, having had regular meetings, it'll be faster.
February 5, 2026 at 6:28 AM
I agree with both you and Niall. Current situation is short term but chatting will allow a faster resolution in the future, when the UK is ready. My guess? After 2036. But if they are ready in 2036, having had regular meetings, it'll be faster.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
The UK is not a moral organisation. Today it is debating legislation to defrock a noble. That describes the UK perfectly.
February 4, 2026 at 11:17 PM
The UK is not a moral organisation. Today it is debating legislation to defrock a noble. That describes the UK perfectly.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Why chat when nothing has changed and when every thing that might eventually be agreed to is unlikely to survive past 2029.
The UK is not even among our top 5 most important issues.
Sideline the UK. Make them think and improve while we take on more pressing issues.
The UK is not even among our top 5 most important issues.
Sideline the UK. Make them think and improve while we take on more pressing issues.
February 4, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Why chat when nothing has changed and when every thing that might eventually be agreed to is unlikely to survive past 2029.
The UK is not even among our top 5 most important issues.
Sideline the UK. Make them think and improve while we take on more pressing issues.
The UK is not even among our top 5 most important issues.
Sideline the UK. Make them think and improve while we take on more pressing issues.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
In no functioning country is this allowed.
Fucking surreal that people dressed like this and carrying assault rifles are permitted to kidnap people off our streets
February 4, 2026 at 4:16 AM
In no functioning country is this allowed.