Richard Kavanagh
@richkav.bsky.social
After 30 great years there, I'll always be a bit of a Londoner, but very happy to be back in the EU, (wondering what the hell is happening to non-London England)
Part of the introduction to that report to which the Telegraph refers:
November 29, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Part of the introduction to that report to which the Telegraph refers:
Jesus. Sam. Take off those Brexit tinted specs.
November 29, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Jesus. Sam. Take off those Brexit tinted specs.
Ah. Those carefully curated factoids. Again. If it keeps you warm at night...
November 29, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Ah. Those carefully curated factoids. Again. If it keeps you warm at night...
Cowardice is too prevalent down by the Volga, more's the pity
November 29, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Cowardice is too prevalent down by the Volga, more's the pity
'Love Spreads' is a masterful ediface of high pomp grandeur.
November 28, 2025 at 10:24 PM
'Love Spreads' is a masterful ediface of high pomp grandeur.
Totally agree. So, UK, pay the fuck up!
(which is ⅔ the original calculated amount)
(which is ⅔ the original calculated amount)
November 28, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Totally agree. So, UK, pay the fuck up!
(which is ⅔ the original calculated amount)
(which is ⅔ the original calculated amount)
That ship has sailed (and sunk)
November 28, 2025 at 2:48 PM
That ship has sailed (and sunk)
Then sadly, and I have two (adult) children there, in that case the UK will never rejoin. Those opt outs are not on the table, not even in the same street as the other side table
(however they have Irish passports, so they have options. Eg my daughter has just moved to Amsterdam (where I am now))
(however they have Irish passports, so they have options. Eg my daughter has just moved to Amsterdam (where I am now))
November 28, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Then sadly, and I have two (adult) children there, in that case the UK will never rejoin. Those opt outs are not on the table, not even in the same street as the other side table
(however they have Irish passports, so they have options. Eg my daughter has just moved to Amsterdam (where I am now))
(however they have Irish passports, so they have options. Eg my daughter has just moved to Amsterdam (where I am now))
That's what I'm beginning to realise (sadly): after a steady rise, the mood to rejoin has plateaued at 'not enough'.
November 28, 2025 at 2:36 PM
That's what I'm beginning to realise (sadly): after a steady rise, the mood to rejoin has plateaued at 'not enough'.
For a rejoin, no it's not "fantastic".
The current support for rejoin without the previous opt outs is circa 35%, *opposition* to rejoining without previous opt outs is circa 45%.
You may sincerely want to rejoin Andrew, but not enough of your compatriots do (assuming you are UK voter).
The current support for rejoin without the previous opt outs is circa 35%, *opposition* to rejoining without previous opt outs is circa 45%.
You may sincerely want to rejoin Andrew, but not enough of your compatriots do (assuming you are UK voter).
November 28, 2025 at 2:29 PM
For a rejoin, no it's not "fantastic".
The current support for rejoin without the previous opt outs is circa 35%, *opposition* to rejoining without previous opt outs is circa 45%.
You may sincerely want to rejoin Andrew, but not enough of your compatriots do (assuming you are UK voter).
The current support for rejoin without the previous opt outs is circa 35%, *opposition* to rejoining without previous opt outs is circa 45%.
You may sincerely want to rejoin Andrew, but not enough of your compatriots do (assuming you are UK voter).
I believe the ball is in the UKs court to prove it is serious about the EU. While the main parties are not leading on this (or actively anti EU) , nothing will change
It's time for all UK leaders to call out Brexit as a mistake and begin serious rehabilitation
Then we will see the EU reciprocate 3
It's time for all UK leaders to call out Brexit as a mistake and begin serious rehabilitation
Then we will see the EU reciprocate 3
November 28, 2025 at 1:22 PM
I believe the ball is in the UKs court to prove it is serious about the EU. While the main parties are not leading on this (or actively anti EU) , nothing will change
It's time for all UK leaders to call out Brexit as a mistake and begin serious rehabilitation
Then we will see the EU reciprocate 3
It's time for all UK leaders to call out Brexit as a mistake and begin serious rehabilitation
Then we will see the EU reciprocate 3
And for that to happen voters of the UK need to express a far greater desire to reintegrate. The current level (55-58%) is far too low. (and even lower if opt outs are ruled out).
I want the UK to have nice things, but I also want a large dose of realism from voters and the political classes. 2
I want the UK to have nice things, but I also want a large dose of realism from voters and the political classes. 2
November 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
And for that to happen voters of the UK need to express a far greater desire to reintegrate. The current level (55-58%) is far too low. (and even lower if opt outs are ruled out).
I want the UK to have nice things, but I also want a large dose of realism from voters and the political classes. 2
I want the UK to have nice things, but I also want a large dose of realism from voters and the political classes. 2
It's not daft. But you are correct, nothing is certain.
However if all the parties that could form a government come out and call for rejoin (or much closer co-operation) and have that as formal policy, then things become firm enough. 1
However if all the parties that could form a government come out and call for rejoin (or much closer co-operation) and have that as formal policy, then things become firm enough. 1
November 28, 2025 at 1:15 PM
It's not daft. But you are correct, nothing is certain.
However if all the parties that could form a government come out and call for rejoin (or much closer co-operation) and have that as formal policy, then things become firm enough. 1
However if all the parties that could form a government come out and call for rejoin (or much closer co-operation) and have that as formal policy, then things become firm enough. 1
Labour have only tinkered around the edges, afraid to upset their brexity constituency. The conservatives are basically anti EU and reform hate the EU. Can anyone be surprised if there is scepticism in Brussels? 3
November 27, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Labour have only tinkered around the edges, afraid to upset their brexity constituency. The conservatives are basically anti EU and reform hate the EU. Can anyone be surprised if there is scepticism in Brussels? 3
This is a big problem for the EU: how do you enter good faith negotiations with a country that may well elect an anti EU govt in 4 years? A country that left the the union in an antiginistic way only a few years ago. 2
November 27, 2025 at 10:58 PM
This is a big problem for the EU: how do you enter good faith negotiations with a country that may well elect an anti EU govt in 4 years? A country that left the the union in an antiginistic way only a few years ago. 2
Not at all. FPTP rewards a 'tipping point' across many constituencies. Labour got a massive majority on circa 34% of the vote. Although I would be broadly a Labour supporter, that is anti democratic.
Reform are reaching a level that could give them a tipping point with a similar level of vote. 1
Reform are reaching a level that could give them a tipping point with a similar level of vote. 1
November 27, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Not at all. FPTP rewards a 'tipping point' across many constituencies. Labour got a massive majority on circa 34% of the vote. Although I would be broadly a Labour supporter, that is anti democratic.
Reform are reaching a level that could give them a tipping point with a similar level of vote. 1
Reform are reaching a level that could give them a tipping point with a similar level of vote. 1
Well let those humans make it very clear to their political leaders that the UK must change to deserve nice things.
The ball is very much in the UKs court if it wants to make the case that it is a dependable good faith long term partner.
That's the UK I want inside the EU.
The ball is very much in the UKs court if it wants to make the case that it is a dependable good faith long term partner.
That's the UK I want inside the EU.
November 27, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Well let those humans make it very clear to their political leaders that the UK must change to deserve nice things.
The ball is very much in the UKs court if it wants to make the case that it is a dependable good faith long term partner.
That's the UK I want inside the EU.
The ball is very much in the UKs court if it wants to make the case that it is a dependable good faith long term partner.
That's the UK I want inside the EU.
Do we not want to live in a society where we can tolerate or even accommodate sad men with warped views?
November 27, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Do we not want to live in a society where we can tolerate or even accommodate sad men with warped views?
Get a new voting system.
November 27, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Get a new voting system.
First past the post must be consigned to the rubbish bin where it belongs.
November 27, 2025 at 9:22 PM
First past the post must be consigned to the rubbish bin where it belongs.
Not holding anything against you. Just judging how dependable a partner the UK is, or likely will be over the long term
Having an avowed anti EU party on course for control of the UK government in 4 years does not give any sort of surity as to the UKs commitment to the EU project.
Having an avowed anti EU party on course for control of the UK government in 4 years does not give any sort of surity as to the UKs commitment to the EU project.
November 27, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Not holding anything against you. Just judging how dependable a partner the UK is, or likely will be over the long term
Having an avowed anti EU party on course for control of the UK government in 4 years does not give any sort of surity as to the UKs commitment to the EU project.
Having an avowed anti EU party on course for control of the UK government in 4 years does not give any sort of surity as to the UKs commitment to the EU project.
I think the first past the post system will also have to go. Having such an anti democratic system is incompatible with the ideal of a stable partner.
November 27, 2025 at 9:17 PM
I think the first past the post system will also have to go. Having such an anti democratic system is incompatible with the ideal of a stable partner.