Steve Whitworth
@stevewhitto.bsky.social
European. Left of Centre. Struggling with Starmer. Exiled Grimbarian. Grimsby Town fan. UTM.
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
Thing is, there really were people who conceded this would happen and claimed it was nevertheless outweighed by the sovereignty Britain would gain. I wonder what happened to them.
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
siepr.stanford.edu
November 28, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Thing is, there really were people who conceded this would happen and claimed it was nevertheless outweighed by the sovereignty Britain would gain. I wonder what happened to them.
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
More powerful evidence of the disaster of #Brexit from @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social. If we’re to avoid yet more austerity, we need to start by rejoining the customs union & single market. Brexit was a reckless waste of money we simply can’t afford @europeanmovement.co.uk
Rachel Reeves is studiously ignoring the cause of Britain’s woes: the Brexit-shaped hole in its roof | Jonathan Freedland
The autumn budget will mop up some damage, but the true source of the economic crisis is clear. The government should now fix it – tragically, it won’t, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:13 AM
More powerful evidence of the disaster of #Brexit from @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social. If we’re to avoid yet more austerity, we need to start by rejoining the customs union & single market. Brexit was a reckless waste of money we simply can’t afford @europeanmovement.co.uk
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
Absolutely withering by Rafael Behr, describing Starmer and Reeves as splashing futilely in the shallows, unable to take the plunge, and speak honestly about Britain’s travails. Good policy cannot be built on such obfuscation. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Rachel Reeves has many problems. She’s realising that her Brexit bind may be the biggest of all | Rafael Behr
Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament, asks Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Absolutely withering by Rafael Behr, describing Starmer and Reeves as splashing futilely in the shallows, unable to take the plunge, and speak honestly about Britain’s travails. Good policy cannot be built on such obfuscation. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
If it's true, if the US is willing to allow borders to be redrawn by force and let aggressors be rewarded, then the gates of hell are about to be opened.
This may prove to be the single most destabilizing and conflict-spawning decision of the 21st century.
A truly Black Friday.
This may prove to be the single most destabilizing and conflict-spawning decision of the 21st century.
A truly Black Friday.
November 28, 2025 at 2:02 PM
If it's true, if the US is willing to allow borders to be redrawn by force and let aggressors be rewarded, then the gates of hell are about to be opened.
This may prove to be the single most destabilizing and conflict-spawning decision of the 21st century.
A truly Black Friday.
This may prove to be the single most destabilizing and conflict-spawning decision of the 21st century.
A truly Black Friday.
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
Trade deals since #Brexit haven’t come close to replacing the best deal of all – #EU membership.
@yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk letter says #ProEU campaigners are right to demand we #RejoinEU – it’s in Britain’s interest to be at the heart of the #EuropeanUnion.
@yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk letter says #ProEU campaigners are right to demand we #RejoinEU – it’s in Britain’s interest to be at the heart of the #EuropeanUnion.
November 28, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Trade deals since #Brexit haven’t come close to replacing the best deal of all – #EU membership.
@yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk letter says #ProEU campaigners are right to demand we #RejoinEU – it’s in Britain’s interest to be at the heart of the #EuropeanUnion.
@yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk letter says #ProEU campaigners are right to demand we #RejoinEU – it’s in Britain’s interest to be at the heart of the #EuropeanUnion.
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
Remember -
Net migration rises: The government has lost control of the borders
Net migration fails: The government has trashed the country so badly that no one wants to come here
Net migration rises: The government has lost control of the borders
Net migration fails: The government has trashed the country so badly that no one wants to come here
November 27, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Remember -
Net migration rises: The government has lost control of the borders
Net migration fails: The government has trashed the country so badly that no one wants to come here
Net migration rises: The government has lost control of the borders
Net migration fails: The government has trashed the country so badly that no one wants to come here
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
Stephen Miller’s family fled pogroms in Russia and escaped to America, where the people who said his family would never assimilate didn’t have veto power over their settlement. Now he pretends every other immigrant family is different than and inferior to his because he’s a bigoted hypocrite.
November 28, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Stephen Miller’s family fled pogroms in Russia and escaped to America, where the people who said his family would never assimilate didn’t have veto power over their settlement. Now he pretends every other immigrant family is different than and inferior to his because he’s a bigoted hypocrite.
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
🔴Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
“Orwell would have enjoyed the irony” of the former Conservative minister’s appointment, say critics
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
“Orwell would have enjoyed the irony” of the former Conservative minister’s appointment, say critics
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:25 PM
🔴Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
“Orwell would have enjoyed the irony” of the former Conservative minister’s appointment, say critics
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
“Orwell would have enjoyed the irony” of the former Conservative minister’s appointment, say critics
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
As co-convener of Vote Leave, Michael Gove occupied a position of legal responsibility. The unlawful spending & campaign coordination happened on his watch. The denials - proven to be false - ditto. Vote Leave, ultimately, accepted the finding & paid the fine.
There were no other consequences.
3/
There were no other consequences.
3/
November 25, 2025 at 6:19 PM
As co-convener of Vote Leave, Michael Gove occupied a position of legal responsibility. The unlawful spending & campaign coordination happened on his watch. The denials - proven to be false - ditto. Vote Leave, ultimately, accepted the finding & paid the fine.
There were no other consequences.
3/
There were no other consequences.
3/
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
Brexit has cost each and every one of us £3,700 a year.
But instead of solving the problem, Labour are using Brexit as an excuse to raise your taxes.
My message ahead of the Budget: Stop blaming Brexit and start fixing it!
But instead of solving the problem, Labour are using Brexit as an excuse to raise your taxes.
My message ahead of the Budget: Stop blaming Brexit and start fixing it!
November 25, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Brexit has cost each and every one of us £3,700 a year.
But instead of solving the problem, Labour are using Brexit as an excuse to raise your taxes.
My message ahead of the Budget: Stop blaming Brexit and start fixing it!
But instead of solving the problem, Labour are using Brexit as an excuse to raise your taxes.
My message ahead of the Budget: Stop blaming Brexit and start fixing it!
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
Abysmal, mindless, utterly zombified. You can't even call it policymaking because that implies a degree of thought which simply isn't present. Pretty soon they might actually hit Cameron's 'tens of thousands' target and then they'll shit themselves with horror at the consequences.
PM describes net migration of 205k as "a step in the right direction". His govt has no public position on a sustainable level of immigration is, nor any known process to decide what, why & how. Starmer is now implying he wants it significantly lower
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
Net migration drop ‘step in the right direction’ – Starmer
Net migration peaked at a record 944,000 in the year to March 2023 but has fallen sharply since then.
www.standard.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Abysmal, mindless, utterly zombified. You can't even call it policymaking because that implies a degree of thought which simply isn't present. Pretty soon they might actually hit Cameron's 'tens of thousands' target and then they'll shit themselves with horror at the consequences.
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
Which begs the question: if even the cheerleaders for Brexit can see the damage it's causing, why can't Labour?
(If Labour were utterly honest about Brexit's impacts they wouldn't be fiddling around the edges of our EU deal making microscopic adjustments that won't make a shred of real difference.)
(If Labour were utterly honest about Brexit's impacts they wouldn't be fiddling around the edges of our EU deal making microscopic adjustments that won't make a shred of real difference.)
November 28, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Which begs the question: if even the cheerleaders for Brexit can see the damage it's causing, why can't Labour?
(If Labour were utterly honest about Brexit's impacts they wouldn't be fiddling around the edges of our EU deal making microscopic adjustments that won't make a shred of real difference.)
(If Labour were utterly honest about Brexit's impacts they wouldn't be fiddling around the edges of our EU deal making microscopic adjustments that won't make a shred of real difference.)
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
Why do they want us to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)?
The Government moots leaving the ECHR as a pragmatic solution to an immigration “crisis”, but is there a more sinister motive behind the push?
The Government moots leaving the ECHR as a pragmatic solution to an immigration “crisis”, but is there a more sinister motive behind the push?
Why do they want us to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)?
The Government moots leaving the ECHR as a pragmatic solution to an immigration “crisis”, but is there a more sinister motive behind the push?
westenglandbylines.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Why do they want us to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)?
The Government moots leaving the ECHR as a pragmatic solution to an immigration “crisis”, but is there a more sinister motive behind the push?
The Government moots leaving the ECHR as a pragmatic solution to an immigration “crisis”, but is there a more sinister motive behind the push?
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
‘The way Brexit was mishandled’ is designed to con you into thinking there is a Labour piloted Brexit that won’t carry those costs.
Labour’s James Murray "The report that the OBR put out alongside the budget shows the impact on productivity from the previous government"
"Austerity, the way Brexit was mishandled" #BBCQT
Labour Brexit right now costs us £90 billion a year in lost tax revenue
"Austerity, the way Brexit was mishandled" #BBCQT
Labour Brexit right now costs us £90 billion a year in lost tax revenue
November 28, 2025 at 7:37 AM
‘The way Brexit was mishandled’ is designed to con you into thinking there is a Labour piloted Brexit that won’t carry those costs.
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
We have a UK government intellectually and psychologically unprepared to cope with potential labour shortages or market crashes because these scenarios don't match entreched assumptions about the trajectory of the global order
Fewer workers. Fewer international students. More people leaving.
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK net migration falls sharply with drop in arrivals for work and study
Provisional figures for net migration to the UK show levels dropped to 204,000 in the year to June 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 8:30 PM
We have a UK government intellectually and psychologically unprepared to cope with potential labour shortages or market crashes because these scenarios don't match entreched assumptions about the trajectory of the global order
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
'This isn't an opinion. This is counting.'
- A 100,000 drop in net migration costs us £7bn
- Scrapping the two-child benefit cap costs us £3bn
What gets more attention?
James O’Brien says 'we have become a ludicrous country'.
- Scrapping the two-child benefit cap costs us £3bn
What gets more attention?
James O’Brien says 'we have become a ludicrous country'.
November 27, 2025 at 11:29 AM
'This isn't an opinion. This is counting.'
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
The reality is that for every migrant that we’ve driven away by being racist, hostile or unwelcoming we loose so much tax revenue. It’ll be one of the reasons we have to pay more tax in years to come.
Migration is a positive. A net positive.
Migration is a positive. A net positive.
November 27, 2025 at 10:49 AM
The reality is that for every migrant that we’ve driven away by being racist, hostile or unwelcoming we loose so much tax revenue. It’ll be one of the reasons we have to pay more tax in years to come.
Migration is a positive. A net positive.
Migration is a positive. A net positive.
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
We are pleased to announce we have made the UK a much less attractive place to live
UK net migration falls sharply with drop in arrivals for work and study
Provisional figures for net migration to the UK show levels dropped to 204,000 in the year to June 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 8:23 PM
We are pleased to announce we have made the UK a much less attractive place to live
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
Fewer workers. Fewer international students. More people leaving.
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK net migration falls sharply with drop in arrivals for work and study
Provisional figures for net migration to the UK show levels dropped to 204,000 in the year to June 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Fewer workers. Fewer international students. More people leaving.
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
Despite the numerous sanctions against Russian energy companies, banks, military suppliers, and "shadow fleet", there are still invisible vulnerabilities that often go unnoticed⤵️
November 27, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Despite the numerous sanctions against Russian energy companies, banks, military suppliers, and "shadow fleet", there are still invisible vulnerabilities that often go unnoticed⤵️
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
Fun piece, but I think Duncan must mean "of Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, Sunak, Starmer, the last is the most left wing", which is certainly right but meh. NOT "50 years", or shall we have a quick look at the 1975 Industry Act, or the Cabinet debates around 1976? 1/
Starmer and Reeves run probably the most economically left-wing government of past five decades and yet bleeding support to its left thanks to dumb strategy www.economist.com/britain/2025...
November 27, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Fun piece, but I think Duncan must mean "of Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, Sunak, Starmer, the last is the most left wing", which is certainly right but meh. NOT "50 years", or shall we have a quick look at the 1975 Industry Act, or the Cabinet debates around 1976? 1/
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
John Major, "Our links to Europe and America may be loser now than once they were and that is a loss"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
November 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
John Major, "Our links to Europe and America may be loser now than once they were and that is a loss"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
Net migration to UK drops 69% year on year, ONS figures show…Figure of 204,000 in 12mnth to June 2025 is lowest since 2021
apple.news/AUQKpv7j9TKi...
Net migration peaked at a record 944,000 in the yr to March 2023 as part of the “Boriswave” of foreign workers but has fallen sharply since then.
apple.news/AUQKpv7j9TKi...
Net migration peaked at a record 944,000 in the yr to March 2023 as part of the “Boriswave” of foreign workers but has fallen sharply since then.
November 27, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Net migration to UK drops 69% year on year, ONS figures show…Figure of 204,000 in 12mnth to June 2025 is lowest since 2021
apple.news/AUQKpv7j9TKi...
Net migration peaked at a record 944,000 in the yr to March 2023 as part of the “Boriswave” of foreign workers but has fallen sharply since then.
apple.news/AUQKpv7j9TKi...
Net migration peaked at a record 944,000 in the yr to March 2023 as part of the “Boriswave” of foreign workers but has fallen sharply since then.
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
Today we’ll get latest net immigration figures - They’ll show immigration for work is plummeting.
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
November 27, 2025 at 8:49 AM
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit.
Reposted by Steve Whitworth
Today we’ll get latest net immigration figures - They’ll show immigration for work is plummeting.
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
November 27, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Today we’ll get latest net immigration figures - They’ll show immigration for work is plummeting.
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today