TheRealMrSteve
@reallymrsteve.bsky.social
Brexit broke the UK- we've got to fix it again!
Presenter of 'The Single Market Show'
Pro-HS2
Presenter of 'The Single Market Show'
Pro-HS2
Most people don't know the difference between the EEA (EFTA 4) and the Single Market (EU only) and neither does AI as it skim reads and looks for common patterns. So I started with a simple question then gave it prompts to get more detail.
November 10, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Most people don't know the difference between the EEA (EFTA 4) and the Single Market (EU only) and neither does AI as it skim reads and looks for common patterns. So I started with a simple question then gave it prompts to get more detail.
The LibDem plan is clueless nonsense.
There's no rejoining the Single Market but saving rejoining the EU for a later date- only people who don't know what the Single Market is think this is possible.
Norway etc. aren't in the SM because they can't freely export agri/fish into the EU- see attached
There's no rejoining the Single Market but saving rejoining the EU for a later date- only people who don't know what the Single Market is think this is possible.
Norway etc. aren't in the SM because they can't freely export agri/fish into the EU- see attached
November 9, 2025 at 11:26 AM
The LibDem plan is clueless nonsense.
There's no rejoining the Single Market but saving rejoining the EU for a later date- only people who don't know what the Single Market is think this is possible.
Norway etc. aren't in the SM because they can't freely export agri/fish into the EU- see attached
There's no rejoining the Single Market but saving rejoining the EU for a later date- only people who don't know what the Single Market is think this is possible.
Norway etc. aren't in the SM because they can't freely export agri/fish into the EU- see attached
There's actually no I in AI, but it can get to the right answer if you ask the right questions.
If you copy & paste the text in this link into google AI (pastebin.com/spQK9uWi), you too can have the answer to 'is Norway in the Single Market'.
Tell me how you get on...👍
If you copy & paste the text in this link into google AI (pastebin.com/spQK9uWi), you too can have the answer to 'is Norway in the Single Market'.
Tell me how you get on...👍
November 9, 2025 at 12:16 AM
There's actually no I in AI, but it can get to the right answer if you ask the right questions.
If you copy & paste the text in this link into google AI (pastebin.com/spQK9uWi), you too can have the answer to 'is Norway in the Single Market'.
Tell me how you get on...👍
If you copy & paste the text in this link into google AI (pastebin.com/spQK9uWi), you too can have the answer to 'is Norway in the Single Market'.
Tell me how you get on...👍
Switzerland is the only EFTA state you could label as 'bespoke' as it isn't in the EEA.
EFTA/EEA is as close as a non-EU country can ever get to the EU & that deal still has a trade/fiscal/customs border with the EU & doesn't help agri/fish exports.
NI needs to be back in the EU along with GB.
EFTA/EEA is as close as a non-EU country can ever get to the EU & that deal still has a trade/fiscal/customs border with the EU & doesn't help agri/fish exports.
NI needs to be back in the EU along with GB.
November 3, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Switzerland is the only EFTA state you could label as 'bespoke' as it isn't in the EEA.
EFTA/EEA is as close as a non-EU country can ever get to the EU & that deal still has a trade/fiscal/customs border with the EU & doesn't help agri/fish exports.
NI needs to be back in the EU along with GB.
EFTA/EEA is as close as a non-EU country can ever get to the EU & that deal still has a trade/fiscal/customs border with the EU & doesn't help agri/fish exports.
NI needs to be back in the EU along with GB.
Niall likes to think he knows everything & that his word is final on all things European, but it isn't & he gets stuff wrong even in that thread.
An association agreement is pretty much what we have now with the TCA- hard trade border with the EU, distant relationship, little integration.
An association agreement is pretty much what we have now with the TCA- hard trade border with the EU, distant relationship, little integration.
November 3, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Niall likes to think he knows everything & that his word is final on all things European, but it isn't & he gets stuff wrong even in that thread.
An association agreement is pretty much what we have now with the TCA- hard trade border with the EU, distant relationship, little integration.
An association agreement is pretty much what we have now with the TCA- hard trade border with the EU, distant relationship, little integration.
Why would anyone believe Brexiteers- they all lied.
Norway+ was a fantasy- it would not have survived contact with reality due to EFTA's own rules stating no CUs with anyone.
If you want frictionless trade with the EU, you ask to rejoin the EU.
That's the only option we have now.
Norway+ was a fantasy- it would not have survived contact with reality due to EFTA's own rules stating no CUs with anyone.
If you want frictionless trade with the EU, you ask to rejoin the EU.
That's the only option we have now.
November 3, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Why would anyone believe Brexiteers- they all lied.
Norway+ was a fantasy- it would not have survived contact with reality due to EFTA's own rules stating no CUs with anyone.
If you want frictionless trade with the EU, you ask to rejoin the EU.
That's the only option we have now.
Norway+ was a fantasy- it would not have survived contact with reality due to EFTA's own rules stating no CUs with anyone.
If you want frictionless trade with the EU, you ask to rejoin the EU.
That's the only option we have now.
Ali- you are conflating the EEA with the SM.
The SM was designed in the 50's to remove all barriers to trade between members. To achieve that you need economic & poitical integration- that only happens when you are an EU member.
The EFTA 4 have barriers to trade with the EU so aren't in the SM.
The SM was designed in the 50's to remove all barriers to trade between members. To achieve that you need economic & poitical integration- that only happens when you are an EU member.
The EFTA 4 have barriers to trade with the EU so aren't in the SM.
November 3, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Ali- you are conflating the EEA with the SM.
The SM was designed in the 50's to remove all barriers to trade between members. To achieve that you need economic & poitical integration- that only happens when you are an EU member.
The EFTA 4 have barriers to trade with the EU so aren't in the SM.
The SM was designed in the 50's to remove all barriers to trade between members. To achieve that you need economic & poitical integration- that only happens when you are an EU member.
The EFTA 4 have barriers to trade with the EU so aren't in the SM.
Chris, no non-EU country can ever be in the Single Market & the Customs Union but not in the EU.
The EFTA 4 still have trade borders with the EU- the Single Market removes those borders- so they clearly aren't in it.
Plus EFTA's own rules state no customs unions with other countries.👇
The EFTA 4 still have trade borders with the EU- the Single Market removes those borders- so they clearly aren't in it.
Plus EFTA's own rules state no customs unions with other countries.👇
November 3, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Chris, no non-EU country can ever be in the Single Market & the Customs Union but not in the EU.
The EFTA 4 still have trade borders with the EU- the Single Market removes those borders- so they clearly aren't in it.
Plus EFTA's own rules state no customs unions with other countries.👇
The EFTA 4 still have trade borders with the EU- the Single Market removes those borders- so they clearly aren't in it.
Plus EFTA's own rules state no customs unions with other countries.👇
No, Chris, I'm not misleading anyone- I'm explaining why EFTA/EEA is inferior & not worth considering.
We left it in the 60's because it wasn't good enough then- that situation has not altered almost 60 years later.
Just look at all the areas that EFTA/EEA doesn't cover-
We left it in the 60's because it wasn't good enough then- that situation has not altered almost 60 years later.
Just look at all the areas that EFTA/EEA doesn't cover-
November 2, 2025 at 9:59 PM
No, Chris, I'm not misleading anyone- I'm explaining why EFTA/EEA is inferior & not worth considering.
We left it in the 60's because it wasn't good enough then- that situation has not altered almost 60 years later.
Just look at all the areas that EFTA/EEA doesn't cover-
We left it in the 60's because it wasn't good enough then- that situation has not altered almost 60 years later.
Just look at all the areas that EFTA/EEA doesn't cover-
Going EFTA would mean we keep our trade border with the EU because it lacks the economic & political integration of the EU and its Single Market.
Switzerland has less market access into the EU than the other EFTA members because they haven't signed the EEA agreement.
Switzerland has less market access into the EU than the other EFTA members because they haven't signed the EEA agreement.
November 2, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Going EFTA would mean we keep our trade border with the EU because it lacks the economic & political integration of the EU and its Single Market.
Switzerland has less market access into the EU than the other EFTA members because they haven't signed the EEA agreement.
Switzerland has less market access into the EU than the other EFTA members because they haven't signed the EEA agreement.
Chris- there is no option of rejoining the Single Market & Customs Union but not rejoining the EU.
This is a far-too-common error that people shouldn't still be making.
Even this guy knew what was what back in 2016 (amazingly).👇
This is a far-too-common error that people shouldn't still be making.
Even this guy knew what was what back in 2016 (amazingly).👇
October 11, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Chris- there is no option of rejoining the Single Market & Customs Union but not rejoining the EU.
This is a far-too-common error that people shouldn't still be making.
Even this guy knew what was what back in 2016 (amazingly).👇
This is a far-too-common error that people shouldn't still be making.
Even this guy knew what was what back in 2016 (amazingly).👇
The EU's AAs seem to be a more distant relationship than the EEA, so it can't be a 3rd EEA pillar- looking at Ukraine on my tweaked Barnier staircase.
And AAs seem to only be with poorer nations that want a reliable trading partner (the UK is getting there...!)
How far we have fallen...
And AAs seem to only be with poorer nations that want a reliable trading partner (the UK is getting there...!)
How far we have fallen...
October 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
The EU's AAs seem to be a more distant relationship than the EEA, so it can't be a 3rd EEA pillar- looking at Ukraine on my tweaked Barnier staircase.
And AAs seem to only be with poorer nations that want a reliable trading partner (the UK is getting there...!)
How far we have fallen...
And AAs seem to only be with poorer nations that want a reliable trading partner (the UK is getting there...!)
How far we have fallen...
I've highlighted the 2 quotes where Chowns gets it wrong.👇
October 11, 2025 at 11:45 AM
I've highlighted the 2 quotes where Chowns gets it wrong.👇
Common error- EFTA is not the same as the EU and its Single Market, hence the EFTA 4 have trade borders with the EU- farming/fisheries don't get free movement of goods into the EU, no common VAT area etc.
Plus EFTA's own rules say no customs unions.
EFTA is not a solution to our problems.
Plus EFTA's own rules say no customs unions.
EFTA is not a solution to our problems.
September 23, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Common error- EFTA is not the same as the EU and its Single Market, hence the EFTA 4 have trade borders with the EU- farming/fisheries don't get free movement of goods into the EU, no common VAT area etc.
Plus EFTA's own rules say no customs unions.
EFTA is not a solution to our problems.
Plus EFTA's own rules say no customs unions.
EFTA is not a solution to our problems.
Correct- that is why Switzerland is on a lower step on Barnier's ladder than the other EFTA members- less integration with the EU.
The EFTA model remains a poor choice for the UK.
The EFTA model remains a poor choice for the UK.
September 20, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Correct- that is why Switzerland is on a lower step on Barnier's ladder than the other EFTA members- less integration with the EU.
The EFTA model remains a poor choice for the UK.
The EFTA model remains a poor choice for the UK.
Correct.
The Single Market is the TFEU in operation between EU members
The EFTA 4, by signing the EEA agreement, get enhanced trade with the EU compared to a FTA, but face some restrictions on what they can export into the EU- see highlighted sections attached.
The Single Market is the TFEU in operation between EU members
The EFTA 4, by signing the EEA agreement, get enhanced trade with the EU compared to a FTA, but face some restrictions on what they can export into the EU- see highlighted sections attached.
September 20, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Correct.
The Single Market is the TFEU in operation between EU members
The EFTA 4, by signing the EEA agreement, get enhanced trade with the EU compared to a FTA, but face some restrictions on what they can export into the EU- see highlighted sections attached.
The Single Market is the TFEU in operation between EU members
The EFTA 4, by signing the EEA agreement, get enhanced trade with the EU compared to a FTA, but face some restrictions on what they can export into the EU- see highlighted sections attached.
No, you are still mistaken as to what the Single Market is.
The Single Market, which *only* exists between EU members, removes *all* barriers to trade between members because they have signed TFEU.
The EEA agreement does not replicate what TFEU does, nor was it ever designed to do so- do read 👇
The Single Market, which *only* exists between EU members, removes *all* barriers to trade between members because they have signed TFEU.
The EEA agreement does not replicate what TFEU does, nor was it ever designed to do so- do read 👇
September 14, 2025 at 2:45 PM
No, you are still mistaken as to what the Single Market is.
The Single Market, which *only* exists between EU members, removes *all* barriers to trade between members because they have signed TFEU.
The EEA agreement does not replicate what TFEU does, nor was it ever designed to do so- do read 👇
The Single Market, which *only* exists between EU members, removes *all* barriers to trade between members because they have signed TFEU.
The EEA agreement does not replicate what TFEU does, nor was it ever designed to do so- do read 👇
Putin thinks this guy does a lot of great work him.
August 3, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Putin thinks this guy does a lot of great work him.
Classic Brexitard- can't even type a coherent sentence in English.
August 3, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Classic Brexitard- can't even type a coherent sentence in English.
Peter Brown makes the basic error of believing that Norway is in the Single Market & has/can have a customs union with the EU.
EFTA's own rules say no customs unions with anyone & they all have trade borders with the EU...because they aren't in the Single Market (which removes trade borders).
EFTA's own rules say no customs unions with anyone & they all have trade borders with the EU...because they aren't in the Single Market (which removes trade borders).
June 5, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Peter Brown makes the basic error of believing that Norway is in the Single Market & has/can have a customs union with the EU.
EFTA's own rules say no customs unions with anyone & they all have trade borders with the EU...because they aren't in the Single Market (which removes trade borders).
EFTA's own rules say no customs unions with anyone & they all have trade borders with the EU...because they aren't in the Single Market (which removes trade borders).
You have, of course, missed the key point I made earlier- that no non-EU country can be in the EU's SM & CU.
That's why I stated (correctly) that EFTA members can't form CUs with anyone- i.e. the EU.
Also, from EFTA's own faq section.⬇️
That's why I stated (correctly) that EFTA members can't form CUs with anyone- i.e. the EU.
Also, from EFTA's own faq section.⬇️
May 28, 2025 at 10:09 PM
You have, of course, missed the key point I made earlier- that no non-EU country can be in the EU's SM & CU.
That's why I stated (correctly) that EFTA members can't form CUs with anyone- i.e. the EU.
Also, from EFTA's own faq section.⬇️
That's why I stated (correctly) that EFTA members can't form CUs with anyone- i.e. the EU.
Also, from EFTA's own faq section.⬇️
Conflating the Single Market with the EEA was a successful tactic used by the Eurosceptics to convince people that Brexit would have few, or no drawbacks.
Only TFEU creates the Single Market via the 4 freedoms.
The EEA agrmnt was a later initiative by Delors- do read this thing from '89.👇
Only TFEU creates the Single Market via the 4 freedoms.
The EEA agrmnt was a later initiative by Delors- do read this thing from '89.👇
May 20, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Conflating the Single Market with the EEA was a successful tactic used by the Eurosceptics to convince people that Brexit would have few, or no drawbacks.
Only TFEU creates the Single Market via the 4 freedoms.
The EEA agrmnt was a later initiative by Delors- do read this thing from '89.👇
Only TFEU creates the Single Market via the 4 freedoms.
The EEA agrmnt was a later initiative by Delors- do read this thing from '89.👇