Alan Smyth-Williams
@alanbstard77.bsky.social
exile from the other place. had enough. new here. anti brexit. pro EU. anti orange too.
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
The two-tier EU membership introduced to accelerate the process of countries like Ukraine & Moldova joining the EU, has actually opened up a fresh look at the EU model.
This video looks at the potential opportunities of that e.g. as Canada pushes away from Trumps America and looks east.
7/8
This video looks at the potential opportunities of that e.g. as Canada pushes away from Trumps America and looks east.
7/8
How Europe Can Lead a Union of Middle Powers
YouTube video by EU Made Simple
www.youtube.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:06 PM
The two-tier EU membership introduced to accelerate the process of countries like Ukraine & Moldova joining the EU, has actually opened up a fresh look at the EU model.
This video looks at the potential opportunities of that e.g. as Canada pushes away from Trumps America and looks east.
7/8
This video looks at the potential opportunities of that e.g. as Canada pushes away from Trumps America and looks east.
7/8
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
Sylvian Kahns «L'Europe : un État qui s'ignore» argues the EU has accidentally built the "new state": mutualising sovereignty while promoting the freedom of member states.
A quick 🧵on the crossroads the EU faces as it expands east and Canada says hi.
TL;DR: "Atlanticism is dead. Long live the EU".
A quick 🧵on the crossroads the EU faces as it expands east and Canada says hi.
TL;DR: "Atlanticism is dead. Long live the EU".
February 10, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Sylvian Kahns «L'Europe : un État qui s'ignore» argues the EU has accidentally built the "new state": mutualising sovereignty while promoting the freedom of member states.
A quick 🧵on the crossroads the EU faces as it expands east and Canada says hi.
TL;DR: "Atlanticism is dead. Long live the EU".
A quick 🧵on the crossroads the EU faces as it expands east and Canada says hi.
TL;DR: "Atlanticism is dead. Long live the EU".
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
Neverspoons
Multimillionaire Brexiter, Tim Martin, urges pubs to back Reform. Just like he urged the country to vote for Brexit. Too bad if it makes you poorer. Too bad for the children he’ll push back into poverty. Tim wants more money. And he couldn’t give a shit about the cost for everybody else.
(iPaper)
(iPaper)
February 10, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Neverspoons
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
Given Wes Streeting's links with Mandelson and Palantir, both stronger than Starmer's, the question MPs ought really to be asking themselves is, if we replace Starmer with Streeting are we hopping out of the frying pan and into the fire?
February 10, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Given Wes Streeting's links with Mandelson and Palantir, both stronger than Starmer's, the question MPs ought really to be asking themselves is, if we replace Starmer with Streeting are we hopping out of the frying pan and into the fire?
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
Starmer is in the death zone - there's only one way to save him inews.co.uk/opinion/star...
Starmer is in the death zone - there's only one way to save him
He's battered, mortally wounded, bleeding out - but also getting back on his feet
inews.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Starmer is in the death zone - there's only one way to save him inews.co.uk/opinion/star...
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
MPs are about to debate Russian interference in Britain’s democracy.
We’ll be live on this thread with what matters 🧵
We’ll be live on this thread with what matters 🧵
February 9, 2026 at 4:04 PM
MPs are about to debate Russian interference in Britain’s democracy.
We’ll be live on this thread with what matters 🧵
We’ll be live on this thread with what matters 🧵
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
We've had 5 new Prime Ministers since June 2016 Brexit referendum in 9 & a half years
- May (3 yesrs)
- Johnson (3 years)
- Truss (50 days)
- Sunak (20 momths)
- Starner (19 momths, 2 years by July)
Previous 5 PMs lasted 37 years,1979-2016
Average: 7
Thatcher 11
Major 7
Blair 10
Brown 3
Cameron 6
- May (3 yesrs)
- Johnson (3 years)
- Truss (50 days)
- Sunak (20 momths)
- Starner (19 momths, 2 years by July)
Previous 5 PMs lasted 37 years,1979-2016
Average: 7
Thatcher 11
Major 7
Blair 10
Brown 3
Cameron 6
February 9, 2026 at 4:38 PM
We've had 5 new Prime Ministers since June 2016 Brexit referendum in 9 & a half years
- May (3 yesrs)
- Johnson (3 years)
- Truss (50 days)
- Sunak (20 momths)
- Starner (19 momths, 2 years by July)
Previous 5 PMs lasted 37 years,1979-2016
Average: 7
Thatcher 11
Major 7
Blair 10
Brown 3
Cameron 6
- May (3 yesrs)
- Johnson (3 years)
- Truss (50 days)
- Sunak (20 momths)
- Starner (19 momths, 2 years by July)
Previous 5 PMs lasted 37 years,1979-2016
Average: 7
Thatcher 11
Major 7
Blair 10
Brown 3
Cameron 6
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
This is worth watching in toto. And though I am loath to single out any politician given the existential threats of Russian interference in Ukraine our democracies, @danjarvismp.bsky.social’s grasp and reach and generosity on this issue is stunning.
www.youtube.com/live/BXlk5uf...
www.youtube.com/live/BXlk5uf...
E-petition debate relating to Russian influence on UK politics & democracy - Monday 9 February 2026.
YouTube video by UK Parliament
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:49 PM
This is worth watching in toto. And though I am loath to single out any politician given the existential threats of Russian interference in Ukraine our democracies, @danjarvismp.bsky.social’s grasp and reach and generosity on this issue is stunning.
www.youtube.com/live/BXlk5uf...
www.youtube.com/live/BXlk5uf...
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a new alert warning that Russian state-aligned hacktivist groups continue to target UK organisations with disruptive cyber attacks.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/russian-hack...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/russian-hack...
Russian hacktivists targeting UK online services
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a new alert warning that Russian state-aligned hacktivist groups continue to target UK organisations with disruptive cyber attacks.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 9, 2026 at 7:04 AM
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a new alert warning that Russian state-aligned hacktivist groups continue to target UK organisations with disruptive cyber attacks.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/russian-hack...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/russian-hack...
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
New analysis @ippr.org that 300,000 children currently in Britain will be adversely affected by government’s settlement reforms. The government consultation closes on Thursday. Dozens of MPs are concerned that impacts to their constituents & families feel unfair
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
300,000 children face 10-year wait for settled status under UK plans, says IPPR
Thinktank analysis says proposed ‘earned settlement’ changes could trap families in prolonged insecurity
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:14 AM
New analysis @ippr.org that 300,000 children currently in Britain will be adversely affected by government’s settlement reforms. The government consultation closes on Thursday. Dozens of MPs are concerned that impacts to their constituents & families feel unfair
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
Mandelson revelations show need for tougher UK constraints to resist rule of the rich
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Mandelson revelations show need for tougher UK constraints to resist rule of the rich | Heather Stewart
Labour must protect democracy and learn lessons from Jeffrey Epstein’s efforts to influence government policy
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Mandelson revelations show need for tougher UK constraints to resist rule of the rich
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
Epstein was in and out of Russia every few months according to his travel documents, but Mandelson was partying in nightclubs in St Petersburg and regularly in Moscow.
How did our intelligence services fail to pick this up? Or were their reports and investigations suppressed?
How did our intelligence services fail to pick this up? Or were their reports and investigations suppressed?
February 8, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Epstein was in and out of Russia every few months according to his travel documents, but Mandelson was partying in nightclubs in St Petersburg and regularly in Moscow.
How did our intelligence services fail to pick this up? Or were their reports and investigations suppressed?
How did our intelligence services fail to pick this up? Or were their reports and investigations suppressed?
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
Excellent piece by @emmadesouza.bsky.social in Irish News.
A quick 🧵on why it may not actually be a choice.
TL;DR: English Nationalists and their planned ECHR exit only takes a few months, rips up the Good Friday Agreement and suggests NI does not feature in their future plans.
1/5
A quick 🧵on why it may not actually be a choice.
TL;DR: English Nationalists and their planned ECHR exit only takes a few months, rips up the Good Friday Agreement and suggests NI does not feature in their future plans.
1/5
February 1, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Excellent piece by @emmadesouza.bsky.social in Irish News.
A quick 🧵on why it may not actually be a choice.
TL;DR: English Nationalists and their planned ECHR exit only takes a few months, rips up the Good Friday Agreement and suggests NI does not feature in their future plans.
1/5
A quick 🧵on why it may not actually be a choice.
TL;DR: English Nationalists and their planned ECHR exit only takes a few months, rips up the Good Friday Agreement and suggests NI does not feature in their future plans.
1/5
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
Important piece from @tonyvaughanmp.bsky.social on turming the (so far little noticed) commitment to safe routes and expanded community sponsorship of refugees into a substantive commitment to show the UK government is combining control with compassion
labourlist.org/2026/01/name...
labourlist.org/2026/01/name...
'Named community sponsorship puts control and compassion at the heart of refugee resettlement' - LabourList
Community sponsorship is set to become the main way the UK resettles refugees. Named sponsorship can combine public consent, local leadership and compassion – but only if ministers now deliver a clear...
labourlist.org
January 22, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Important piece from @tonyvaughanmp.bsky.social on turming the (so far little noticed) commitment to safe routes and expanded community sponsorship of refugees into a substantive commitment to show the UK government is combining control with compassion
labourlist.org/2026/01/name...
labourlist.org/2026/01/name...
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
Excellent thread on how "Labours Brexit"....not "Farage's Brexit" is the biggest problem the UK faces today.
One of the most popular british blogs on brexit is Chris Greys "brexit" blog.
Going for 10+ years, it's well written but as a European outsider looking in, the underlying logic is utterly bonkers and ironically, provides an insight into why the UK is still in a massive mess.
quick 🧵
Going for 10+ years, it's well written but as a European outsider looking in, the underlying logic is utterly bonkers and ironically, provides an insight into why the UK is still in a massive mess.
quick 🧵
January 15, 2026 at 11:06 AM
Excellent thread on how "Labours Brexit"....not "Farage's Brexit" is the biggest problem the UK faces today.
do it!
Imagine the boost in the polls Labour would get if Starmer banned Twitter and told Trump to do one.
Musk and Trump must be two of the most hated people in the UK.
Musk and Trump must be two of the most hated people in the UK.
January 10, 2026 at 4:17 PM
do it!
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
Standing up for international law means condemning leaders when they break it whether that’s Vladmir Putin or Donald Trump.
January 4, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Standing up for international law means condemning leaders when they break it whether that’s Vladmir Putin or Donald Trump.
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
Liz Truss has broken her silence on Venezuela.
January 5, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Liz Truss has broken her silence on Venezuela.
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
I really enjoyed this. Very informative. I remember boggling at that Chavez show during a (very frightening and ill thought out) week's stopover in Venezuela, where I owe my life to the Venezuelan people who helped me. Those people must be so scared now. I hope that they got out.
🚨🚨EMERGENCY EPISODE🚨🚨
Very few people can claim to have met and known 🇻🇪's Maduro, Chavez & interim president Delcy Rodriguez. Well, my guest @catheriner.bsky.social, former 🇬🇧 ambassador in Caracas, is one of them and she spoke to me earlier today.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Very few people can claim to have met and known 🇻🇪's Maduro, Chavez & interim president Delcy Rodriguez. Well, my guest @catheriner.bsky.social, former 🇬🇧 ambassador in Caracas, is one of them and she spoke to me earlier today.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
January 5, 2026 at 11:43 AM
I really enjoyed this. Very informative. I remember boggling at that Chavez show during a (very frightening and ill thought out) week's stopover in Venezuela, where I owe my life to the Venezuelan people who helped me. Those people must be so scared now. I hope that they got out.
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
It’s not that simple. I’m not saying I approve the action, but does Starmer want to appear to be siding with Maduro’s regime, or the democratic opposition in Venezuela, whose leader Maria Machado just won the Nobel peace prize. What happens next is crucial.
The US attack on Venezuela is an illegal act of aggression against a sovereign country (with lots of oil). Venezuela has become a more deeply repressive dictatorship & urgently needs democratic solution but this is unjustified & unjustifiable. Look forward to seeing swift UK Government condemnation.
January 3, 2026 at 12:25 PM
It’s not that simple. I’m not saying I approve the action, but does Starmer want to appear to be siding with Maduro’s regime, or the democratic opposition in Venezuela, whose leader Maria Machado just won the Nobel peace prize. What happens next is crucial.
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
🚨🚨 Re #leavingx topic: #French prosecutors to investigate #deepfakes of women stripped naked by #grok.
Utterly reprehensible and disgusting. 👇
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
Utterly reprehensible and disgusting. 👇
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France to investigate deepfakes of women stripped naked by Grok
Hundreds of women and teenagers have reported their photos published on social media have been “undressed” by Grok.
www.politico.eu
January 2, 2026 at 6:52 PM
🚨🚨 Re #leavingx topic: #French prosecutors to investigate #deepfakes of women stripped naked by #grok.
Utterly reprehensible and disgusting. 👇
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
Utterly reprehensible and disgusting. 👇
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
Reposted by Alan Smyth-Williams
Before Twitter was taken over by a Nazi: Twitter is not Britain, you see.
After Twitter became X, home of the Nazis: we have to stay on Twitter, because that's where Britain is.
After Twitter became X, home of the Nazis: we have to stay on Twitter, because that's where Britain is.
I love the idea that governments have to stay on Twitter because that's where "their audience" is.
Like if you only announced your cabinet reshuffles on Bluesky Harry bloody Cole wouldn't make an account to read about it.
Like if you only announced your cabinet reshuffles on Bluesky Harry bloody Cole wouldn't make an account to read about it.
January 2, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Before Twitter was taken over by a Nazi: Twitter is not Britain, you see.
After Twitter became X, home of the Nazis: we have to stay on Twitter, because that's where Britain is.
After Twitter became X, home of the Nazis: we have to stay on Twitter, because that's where Britain is.