Becket McGrath
@bmcgrath.bsky.social
British European, competition lawyer and proud centrist dad
Reposted by Becket McGrath
God this stuff is so embarrassing. There is so much about modern Britain that *should* offend conservative Christians, yet we get this complete wibble instead. The 'true' meaning of Christmas is being cancelled by consumerism, not 'the woke liberati'.
The UK far right is increasingly infiltrating the Anglican church so this is bang on trend.
December 13, 2025 at 11:56 AM
God this stuff is so embarrassing. There is so much about modern Britain that *should* offend conservative Christians, yet we get this complete wibble instead. The 'true' meaning of Christmas is being cancelled by consumerism, not 'the woke liberati'.
Reposted by Becket McGrath
Amazing piece…so funny….”when we told the Poles to go home we didn’t mean it literally”
Amazing, the @dailymail.co.uk manages to publish an entire lengthy feature bewailing (!!!!) the exodus of Poles from Britain without once mentioning Brexit. Apparently this outcome (which is surely exactly what they campaigned for in 2016) is all the fault of Keir Starmer.
mol.im/a/15379789
mol.im/a/15379789
The great exodus: How Poles are ditching UK for their booming homeland
New statistics reveal that while 7,000 Poles arrived in the year ending last June, 25,000 returned home: a net outflow of 18,000. The UK's total Polish population has shrunk to 750,000.
mol.im
December 13, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Amazing piece…so funny….”when we told the Poles to go home we didn’t mean it literally”
Reposted by Becket McGrath
Is the tide turning? New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog. Renewed talk of a customs union may well come to nothing, but rapidly changing geo-politics mean the UK needs urgently to face up to the failure of the entire Brexit ‘strategy’: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/is-t...
December 12, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Is the tide turning? New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog. Renewed talk of a customs union may well come to nothing, but rapidly changing geo-politics mean the UK needs urgently to face up to the failure of the entire Brexit ‘strategy’: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/is-t...
Reposted by Becket McGrath
The EU was established by the Christian democrats and the Socialists to pursue peace and prosperity, but now we’re departing from those values and goals - says @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu #politico28 @politico.eu
December 11, 2025 at 7:54 PM
The EU was established by the Christian democrats and the Socialists to pursue peace and prosperity, but now we’re departing from those values and goals - says @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu #politico28 @politico.eu
Reposted by Becket McGrath
It’s stupefying to see the debunked “change through trade” - agenda (that blinded Germany towards the totalitarian turn of 🇷🇺 & 🇨🇳) make a comeback in Witkoff/Trump‘s Russia dipomacy (make money, not war).
Putin doesn’t care for 💵, he wants his empire back. Germans learned it the hard way.
Putin doesn’t care for 💵, he wants his empire back. Germans learned it the hard way.
December 12, 2025 at 8:23 AM
It’s stupefying to see the debunked “change through trade” - agenda (that blinded Germany towards the totalitarian turn of 🇷🇺 & 🇨🇳) make a comeback in Witkoff/Trump‘s Russia dipomacy (make money, not war).
Putin doesn’t care for 💵, he wants his empire back. Germans learned it the hard way.
Putin doesn’t care for 💵, he wants his empire back. Germans learned it the hard way.
Reposted by Becket McGrath
The first paragraph of Judge Breyer‘s opinion granting an injunction in the California National Guard case is a banger.
December 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The first paragraph of Judge Breyer‘s opinion granting an injunction in the California National Guard case is a banger.
Reposted by Becket McGrath
"Our history binds us together, both the good and the bad chapters."
– German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the State Banquet at Windsor Castle, hosted by His Majesty King Charles III, during the German State Visit to the UK, 3 December 2025
– German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the State Banquet at Windsor Castle, hosted by His Majesty King Charles III, during the German State Visit to the UK, 3 December 2025
December 10, 2025 at 2:22 PM
"Our history binds us together, both the good and the bad chapters."
– German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the State Banquet at Windsor Castle, hosted by His Majesty King Charles III, during the German State Visit to the UK, 3 December 2025
– German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the State Banquet at Windsor Castle, hosted by His Majesty King Charles III, during the German State Visit to the UK, 3 December 2025
Reposted by Becket McGrath
Home Office Ministers state publicly, on the record, that they are deliberately making life worse for older people and people with disabilities who depend on care services, but it's worth it because it reduces net migration.
December 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Home Office Ministers state publicly, on the record, that they are deliberately making life worse for older people and people with disabilities who depend on care services, but it's worth it because it reduces net migration.
Reposted by Becket McGrath
Once more for the haters...
December 9, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Once more for the haters...
Reposted by Becket McGrath
From a European perspective, this vote and today's earlier admission by Kemi Badenoch that Brexit cause economic harm to the UK are signs that the UK debate on its relationship to the EU might be on the verge of some movement.
But it does not seem like the moment for real movement is there.
But it does not seem like the moment for real movement is there.
December 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
From a European perspective, this vote and today's earlier admission by Kemi Badenoch that Brexit cause economic harm to the UK are signs that the UK debate on its relationship to the EU might be on the verge of some movement.
But it does not seem like the moment for real movement is there.
But it does not seem like the moment for real movement is there.
Reposted by Becket McGrath
Reposted by Becket McGrath
But the good news is, by doing this, we defeated racism in the UK.
Government has now - belatedly -published the impact assessment for the changes to skilled worker and care worker visas announced in May.
Impact is estimated between -£2 billion and £-10 billion (central - £10 billion).
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6937e6...
Impact is estimated between -£2 billion and £-10 billion (central - £10 billion).
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6937e6...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
December 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
But the good news is, by doing this, we defeated racism in the UK.
Reposted by Becket McGrath
Welcome to Britain, a country so short of dentists that an MP's 87-year-old mum pulled her teeth out with pliers. Also a country with thousands of foreign-qualified dentists who can’t work until they pass an exam so oversubscribed it’s like trying to book Glasto tickets. www.ft.com/content/f4e5...
December 9, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Welcome to Britain, a country so short of dentists that an MP's 87-year-old mum pulled her teeth out with pliers. Also a country with thousands of foreign-qualified dentists who can’t work until they pass an exam so oversubscribed it’s like trying to book Glasto tickets. www.ft.com/content/f4e5...
Reposted by Becket McGrath
We have opened an investigation into potential anti-competitive conduct by Google.
The investigation will assess whether Google has breached EU competition rules by using web publishers’ content for artificial intelligence purposes.
Read more ↓
link.europa.eu/RpvRRH
The investigation will assess whether Google has breached EU competition rules by using web publishers’ content for artificial intelligence purposes.
Read more ↓
link.europa.eu/RpvRRH
December 9, 2025 at 11:29 AM
We have opened an investigation into potential anti-competitive conduct by Google.
The investigation will assess whether Google has breached EU competition rules by using web publishers’ content for artificial intelligence purposes.
Read more ↓
link.europa.eu/RpvRRH
The investigation will assess whether Google has breached EU competition rules by using web publishers’ content for artificial intelligence purposes.
Read more ↓
link.europa.eu/RpvRRH
Reposted by Becket McGrath
I've so missed these discussions about UK-EU relations that are solely about us, and political positioning here, rather than about the, you know, UK-EU relationship 4/3
December 9, 2025 at 9:34 AM
I've so missed these discussions about UK-EU relations that are solely about us, and political positioning here, rather than about the, you know, UK-EU relationship 4/3
Reposted by Becket McGrath
I feel compelled to write a review thread 🧵 for The Liz Truss Show because in the madness of the content, other aspects - vital aspects - are being missed.
1. The Aesthetics
Unless they were aiming for "Harley Street urologist waiting room circa 1992" this interview area is just unacceptable. 1/
1. The Aesthetics
Unless they were aiming for "Harley Street urologist waiting room circa 1992" this interview area is just unacceptable. 1/
December 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I feel compelled to write a review thread 🧵 for The Liz Truss Show because in the madness of the content, other aspects - vital aspects - are being missed.
1. The Aesthetics
Unless they were aiming for "Harley Street urologist waiting room circa 1992" this interview area is just unacceptable. 1/
1. The Aesthetics
Unless they were aiming for "Harley Street urologist waiting room circa 1992" this interview area is just unacceptable. 1/
Reposted by Becket McGrath
🇺🇸 attempts to force 🇺🇦 surrender are currently 0 from 3. Europe is winning, even if it doesn't realise.
Trump's national security strategy exposes weakness. Its attitude to Europe is like the obsessive ex stalking the former partner, wondering who that new guy is.
open.substack.com/pub/arthursn...
Trump's national security strategy exposes weakness. Its attitude to Europe is like the obsessive ex stalking the former partner, wondering who that new guy is.
open.substack.com/pub/arthursn...
America's Weakness, Europe's Strength
The 'new' national security strategy is the admission of defeat from a declining country
open.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:07 PM
🇺🇸 attempts to force 🇺🇦 surrender are currently 0 from 3. Europe is winning, even if it doesn't realise.
Trump's national security strategy exposes weakness. Its attitude to Europe is like the obsessive ex stalking the former partner, wondering who that new guy is.
open.substack.com/pub/arthursn...
Trump's national security strategy exposes weakness. Its attitude to Europe is like the obsessive ex stalking the former partner, wondering who that new guy is.
open.substack.com/pub/arthursn...
Reposted by Becket McGrath
The EU has slapped a fine on Musk's X because it is untransparent and supports deceptive practices. Nothing to do with "censorship."
December 7, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The EU has slapped a fine on Musk's X because it is untransparent and supports deceptive practices. Nothing to do with "censorship."
Reposted by Becket McGrath
Rant alert: Trump’s national security strategy trashing the EU and core values at heart of transatlantic alliance makes it all the more urgent for Starmer to pursue bolder reset with EU. His timidity loses valuable time and risks leaving us even more subject to events rather than shaping them. 🧵
🔴‘Keir Starmer’s Brexit Blind Spot Leaves Britain With a Major Missed Opportunity’
It was striking that the most impressive recent speech on Britain’s future in Europe came not from our current Prime Minister, but from one of his Conservative predecessors, argues @alexhh.bsky.social
It was striking that the most impressive recent speech on Britain’s future in Europe came not from our current Prime Minister, but from one of his Conservative predecessors, argues @alexhh.bsky.social
'Keir Starmer's Brexit Blind Spot Leaves Britain With a Major Missed Opportunity'
It was striking that the most impressive speech on Britain's future in Europe this week came not from our current Prime Minister, but from one of his Conservative predecessors, argues Alexandra Hall H...
bylinetimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Rant alert: Trump’s national security strategy trashing the EU and core values at heart of transatlantic alliance makes it all the more urgent for Starmer to pursue bolder reset with EU. His timidity loses valuable time and risks leaving us even more subject to events rather than shaping them. 🧵
Reposted by Becket McGrath
Die Frage von Krieg und Frieden ist eine allein europäische geworden. Die USA stehen nicht mehr an unserer Seite. Wir Europäer müssen uns selbst behaupten, wenn wir Frieden und Freiheit auf unserem Kontinent sichern wollen. Das ist die Aufgabe, vor der wir jetzt stehen.
December 6, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Die Frage von Krieg und Frieden ist eine allein europäische geworden. Die USA stehen nicht mehr an unserer Seite. Wir Europäer müssen uns selbst behaupten, wenn wir Frieden und Freiheit auf unserem Kontinent sichern wollen. Das ist die Aufgabe, vor der wir jetzt stehen.
Reposted by Becket McGrath
The headline, the main takeaway from a European viewpoint is this:
The transatlantic relationship as we know it is over. Yes, we kinda knew this. But this is now official US White House policy. Not a sppech, not a statement. The West as it used to be no longer exists.
The transatlantic relationship as we know it is over. Yes, we kinda knew this. But this is now official US White House policy. Not a sppech, not a statement. The West as it used to be no longer exists.
December 5, 2025 at 9:49 AM
The headline, the main takeaway from a European viewpoint is this:
The transatlantic relationship as we know it is over. Yes, we kinda knew this. But this is now official US White House policy. Not a sppech, not a statement. The West as it used to be no longer exists.
The transatlantic relationship as we know it is over. Yes, we kinda knew this. But this is now official US White House policy. Not a sppech, not a statement. The West as it used to be no longer exists.
Reposted by Becket McGrath
This is what government censorship actually looks like: defunding entire fields, deporting researchers, and quite effectively chilling speech that helps people understand how our information systems are being exploited and calls out powerful people and platforms for their bullshit.
For the last decade, the pervasive spread of bullshit & manipulation of online platforms have been widely recognized societal concerns. Now non US citizens studying those subjects can be labeled “censors” & denied visas or deported from the US. Censorship, indeed. www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Exclusive: Trump administration orders enhanced vetting for applicants of H-1B visa
An internal State Department memo said that anyone involved in "censorship" of free speech should be considered for rejection.
www.reuters.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:27 PM
This is what government censorship actually looks like: defunding entire fields, deporting researchers, and quite effectively chilling speech that helps people understand how our information systems are being exploited and calls out powerful people and platforms for their bullshit.
Great stuff
As part of the State Visit, Elke Büdenbender, who worked as a judge, visited the Royal Courts of Justice, where she met with Sue Carr, The Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales.
Together with other female judges and law officials they discussed the topic of women in law.
Together with other female judges and law officials they discussed the topic of women in law.
December 4, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Great stuff
Reposted by Becket McGrath
So Deutsche Bahn is finally, after all these years waiting, going TO RUN TRAINS FROM GERMANY TO LONDON! #crosschannelrail
December 4, 2025 at 5:45 PM
So Deutsche Bahn is finally, after all these years waiting, going TO RUN TRAINS FROM GERMANY TO LONDON! #crosschannelrail