Cleo Davies
@cleodavies.bsky.social
Assistant Professor in Politics and International Relations at Forward College in Paris. Formerly with PAIS Warwick Uni on project ‘Living with the Neighbours: the UK, the EU and wider Europe' - UK in a Changing Europe.
Can anyone help me: did Starmer attend‘ a gathering of EU leaders’ this week? @financialtimes.com Janan Ganesh starts his column yesterday with a reference to this meeting 👇 I remember Starmer attended the informal EU council in February 2025, which was the first time a UK PM attended since Brexit…
February 5, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Can anyone help me: did Starmer attend‘ a gathering of EU leaders’ this week? @financialtimes.com Janan Ganesh starts his column yesterday with a reference to this meeting 👇 I remember Starmer attended the informal EU council in February 2025, which was the first time a UK PM attended since Brexit…
Reposted by Cleo Davies
Amazing moment on French TV. A French judge explains how Trump sent people from the US Embassy basically trying to intimidate her during Le Pen's trial for embezzlement - something they've done to other judges around the world.
January 20, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Amazing moment on French TV. A French judge explains how Trump sent people from the US Embassy basically trying to intimidate her during Le Pen's trial for embezzlement - something they've done to other judges around the world.
Zahawi has been on a journey:
'There are some extremely unattractive figures campaigning to leave the EU, from George Galloway to Nigel Farage and it pains me to be dragged towards them on any issue'
written in his op-ed on why he backed #leave 🇪🇺 in Feb 2016
conservativehome.com/2016/02/22/n...
'There are some extremely unattractive figures campaigning to leave the EU, from George Galloway to Nigel Farage and it pains me to be dragged towards them on any issue'
written in his op-ed on why he backed #leave 🇪🇺 in Feb 2016
conservativehome.com/2016/02/22/n...
Nadhim Zahawi MP: Why I have decided to vote for Britain to leave the EU | Conservative Home
I believe that a change in our relationship with Europe could provide a fantastic opportunity to achieve this greater Britain we all want to see.
conservativehome.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Zahawi has been on a journey:
'There are some extremely unattractive figures campaigning to leave the EU, from George Galloway to Nigel Farage and it pains me to be dragged towards them on any issue'
written in his op-ed on why he backed #leave 🇪🇺 in Feb 2016
conservativehome.com/2016/02/22/n...
'There are some extremely unattractive figures campaigning to leave the EU, from George Galloway to Nigel Farage and it pains me to be dragged towards them on any issue'
written in his op-ed on why he backed #leave 🇪🇺 in Feb 2016
conservativehome.com/2016/02/22/n...
Our work on 🇫🇷-🇬🇧 bilateral relations reports 🇫🇷 has always taken view that Starmer would have to choose, that the strategy to ‘straddle both relationship with 🇪🇺 and Trump’s 🇺🇸’ would soon become untenable (🇫🇷 waiting to see)
@thibaudharrois.bsky.social
Read 👉
media.ukandeu.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
@thibaudharrois.bsky.social
Read 👉
media.ukandeu.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
January 12, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Our work on 🇫🇷-🇬🇧 bilateral relations reports 🇫🇷 has always taken view that Starmer would have to choose, that the strategy to ‘straddle both relationship with 🇪🇺 and Trump’s 🇺🇸’ would soon become untenable (🇫🇷 waiting to see)
@thibaudharrois.bsky.social
Read 👉
media.ukandeu.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
@thibaudharrois.bsky.social
Read 👉
media.ukandeu.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
Indeed 👌 opener! 👇
Joint statement by 4 former officials in Democratic and Republican Administrations—including four NATO Ambassadors, 3 Assistant Secretaries of State for Europe, and 3 NSC Senior Directors.
Excellent opening in particular.
Excellent opening in particular.
America’s Strategic Alliance with Denmark and NATO
A statement by 14 former officials in Democratic and Republican Administrations—including four NATO Ambassadors, 3 Assistant Secretaries of State for Europe, and 3 NSC Senior Directors
newsletter.ivodaalder.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Indeed 👌 opener! 👇
Reposted by Cleo Davies
It is very very rare for France to be outvoted - in public Council votes, it has been the least outvoted country every year.
This is also because usually France strikes a compromise. Here my reading is that Macron wants to be seen to be outvoted to evade blame for Mercosur in France.
This is also because usually France strikes a compromise. Here my reading is that Macron wants to be seen to be outvoted to evade blame for Mercosur in France.
Emmanuel Macron has just confirmed that France will vote against the EU-Mercosur trade deal.
The vote is scheduled to take place tomorrow. If Italy votes yes, as it has telegraphed it will, there will be a qualified majority in favour and Ursula von der Leyen will be able to sign it in Paraguay.
The vote is scheduled to take place tomorrow. If Italy votes yes, as it has telegraphed it will, there will be a qualified majority in favour and Ursula von der Leyen will be able to sign it in Paraguay.
January 8, 2026 at 6:28 PM
It is very very rare for France to be outvoted - in public Council votes, it has been the least outvoted country every year.
This is also because usually France strikes a compromise. Here my reading is that Macron wants to be seen to be outvoted to evade blame for Mercosur in France.
This is also because usually France strikes a compromise. Here my reading is that Macron wants to be seen to be outvoted to evade blame for Mercosur in France.
This is 👌 overview on 🇪🇸 PM Sanchez stances on US and Trump.
‘Sánchez’s criticism of Trump may be less risky than it first appears – but he is still being bold in articulating what many other European leaders think, but dare not say.’ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
‘Sánchez’s criticism of Trump may be less risky than it first appears – but he is still being bold in articulating what many other European leaders think, but dare not say.’ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Why Spain’s prime minister has broken ranks in Europe – and dared to confront Trump
Outrage at the US, close ties with Venezuela and mounting domestic challenges have prompted Pedro Sánchez to take a stand, says the Spanish journalist Maria Ramirez
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:55 AM
This is 👌 overview on 🇪🇸 PM Sanchez stances on US and Trump.
‘Sánchez’s criticism of Trump may be less risky than it first appears – but he is still being bold in articulating what many other European leaders think, but dare not say.’ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
‘Sánchez’s criticism of Trump may be less risky than it first appears – but he is still being bold in articulating what many other European leaders think, but dare not say.’ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Cleo Davies
On the case for Starmer’s refusal to criticise Trump and the strategic paralysis it conceals. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Is Starmer’s reluctance to criticise Trump smart tactics – or the sign of a man without a plan? | Rafael Behr
The PM won’t call out Trump over Venezuela, and won’t commit to Europe. His refusal to choose leaves vital choices for Britain to be made by others, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:38 AM
On the case for Starmer’s refusal to criticise Trump and the strategic paralysis it conceals. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
If ‘tariffs’ ended up being one of the key terms for the global political economy in 2025, I admit I did not have ‘imperialism’ being one of them for 2026
January 6, 2026 at 10:22 PM
If ‘tariffs’ ended up being one of the key terms for the global political economy in 2025, I admit I did not have ‘imperialism’ being one of them for 2026
Starmer speaking to Kuenssberg this morning on 🇬🇧 approach to 🇪🇺 = tautological formulation: ‘we made the sovereign decision [sic] as a gvt to align rules’ on food & agriculture ‘so that we can access the single market’. Going forward… 1/2 m.youtube.com/watch?v=qHU7...
Keir Starmer tells BBC he'll still be UK prime minister in 2027 | BBC News
YouTube video by BBC News
m.youtube.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Starmer speaking to Kuenssberg this morning on 🇬🇧 approach to 🇪🇺 = tautological formulation: ‘we made the sovereign decision [sic] as a gvt to align rules’ on food & agriculture ‘so that we can access the single market’. Going forward… 1/2 m.youtube.com/watch?v=qHU7...
Mohamed Harbi: A great historian, whose work on Algerian nationalism I was very privileged to have discovered during my degree in history. An inspirational scholar who has shaped some of the great work on the recent history of Algeria-France relations www.lemonde.fr/disparitions...
Mohammed Harbi, historien iconoclaste du nationalisme algérien, est mort à l’âge de 92 ans
L’auteur d’« Aux origines du Front de libération nationale » (1975) et « FLN, mirage et réalité » (1980) est mort, à Paris, à l’âge de 92 ans. Il aura puisé, dans son expérience de cadre du mouvement ...
www.lemonde.fr
January 2, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Mohamed Harbi: A great historian, whose work on Algerian nationalism I was very privileged to have discovered during my degree in history. An inspirational scholar who has shaped some of the great work on the recent history of Algeria-France relations www.lemonde.fr/disparitions...
Others doing 👌 challenging author’s take on 🇬🇧 domestic politics & policy. But on ‘🇪🇺 “friends” wanting to punish us for leaving’ it’s a serious strategic failure of 🇬🇧 gvts & analysts not to have anticipated 🇪🇺 reaction to what 🇪🇺 perceived as an existential threat. Brexit not only about 🇬🇧 #realpolitik
December 19, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Others doing 👌 challenging author’s take on 🇬🇧 domestic politics & policy. But on ‘🇪🇺 “friends” wanting to punish us for leaving’ it’s a serious strategic failure of 🇬🇧 gvts & analysts not to have anticipated 🇪🇺 reaction to what 🇪🇺 perceived as an existential threat. Brexit not only about 🇬🇧 #realpolitik
Our latest explainer @husseinkassim.bsky.social for @ukandeu.bsky.social (👇)can be read as a double bill with the one we did on 'How the 🇪🇺 manage and organise its relationship with the 🇬🇧 post-Brexit'.
👉 ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/h...
👉 ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/h...
December 18, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Our latest explainer @husseinkassim.bsky.social for @ukandeu.bsky.social (👇)can be read as a double bill with the one we did on 'How the 🇪🇺 manage and organise its relationship with the 🇬🇧 post-Brexit'.
👉 ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/h...
👉 ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/h...
👇 also covers the different types of instruments needed for each area of deeper 🇪🇺🇬🇧 cooperation + procedure for adopting these. Builds on @husseinkassim.bsky.social & my longstanding work on 🇬🇧🇪🇺 relations + regular meetings with parties involved.
Disclaimer: published before 🇬🇧 agreement on Erasmus+
Disclaimer: published before 🇬🇧 agreement on Erasmus+
Nearly 7 months have passed since the UK-EU Summit in May 🇬🇧🇪🇺
In this explainer, @husseinkassim.bsky.social and @cleodavies.bsky.social outline:
1️⃣ What was agreed at the summit
2️⃣ Who are the key negotiators
3️⃣ What has happened since
4️⃣ The key points of contention
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/t...
In this explainer, @husseinkassim.bsky.social and @cleodavies.bsky.social outline:
1️⃣ What was agreed at the summit
2️⃣ Who are the key negotiators
3️⃣ What has happened since
4️⃣ The key points of contention
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/t...
The UK-EU reset six months after the summit: Where are we? - UK in a changing Europe
Hussein Kassim and Cleo Davies explain what progress has been made since the UK-EU Summit in May 2025 and what the main challenges are.
ukandeu.ac.uk
December 18, 2025 at 8:31 AM
👇 also covers the different types of instruments needed for each area of deeper 🇪🇺🇬🇧 cooperation + procedure for adopting these. Builds on @husseinkassim.bsky.social & my longstanding work on 🇬🇧🇪🇺 relations + regular meetings with parties involved.
Disclaimer: published before 🇬🇧 agreement on Erasmus+
Disclaimer: published before 🇬🇧 agreement on Erasmus+
Reposted by Cleo Davies
This is fair 👇
Probably the best status report written so far.
Probably the best status report written so far.
Nearly 7 months have passed since the UK-EU Summit in May 🇬🇧🇪🇺
In this explainer, @husseinkassim.bsky.social and @cleodavies.bsky.social outline:
1️⃣ What was agreed at the summit
2️⃣ Who are the key negotiators
3️⃣ What has happened since
4️⃣ The key points of contention
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/t...
In this explainer, @husseinkassim.bsky.social and @cleodavies.bsky.social outline:
1️⃣ What was agreed at the summit
2️⃣ Who are the key negotiators
3️⃣ What has happened since
4️⃣ The key points of contention
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/t...
The UK-EU reset six months after the summit: Where are we? - UK in a changing Europe
Hussein Kassim and Cleo Davies explain what progress has been made since the UK-EU Summit in May 2025 and what the main challenges are.
ukandeu.ac.uk
December 15, 2025 at 12:33 PM
This is fair 👇
Probably the best status report written so far.
Probably the best status report written so far.
Echoes of past in today’s @financialtimes.com @andybounds.bsky.social on Starmer effort to keep 🇬🇧-🇪🇺 reset on track. 🇪🇺 negotiating stance will harden the more it perceives Starmer as weak domestically because 🇪🇺 will want to ´future proof’ any agreement. In turn, makes it harder for 🇬🇧 to agree
December 3, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Echoes of past in today’s @financialtimes.com @andybounds.bsky.social on Starmer effort to keep 🇬🇧-🇪🇺 reset on track. 🇪🇺 negotiating stance will harden the more it perceives Starmer as weak domestically because 🇪🇺 will want to ´future proof’ any agreement. In turn, makes it harder for 🇬🇧 to agree
One to follow👇
Hi Bluesky. We’re Contemporary European Politics (CEP) a journal by Wiley & UACES, publishing cutting-edge research on the politics, governance & societies of Europe.
Follow us for new articles, special issues, & insights shaping Europe’s future.
#EuropeanPolitics #AcademicResearch #UACES #Wiley
Follow us for new articles, special issues, & insights shaping Europe’s future.
#EuropeanPolitics #AcademicResearch #UACES #Wiley
October 15, 2025 at 8:18 PM
One to follow👇
Surprising how little analysis there is outside of Spain on explaining the country's performance.
Spain's coalition government agrees to bind the right to an abortion within the constitution.
Just as the IMF upgrades Spain's economic performance for 2025 (+0.4 to 2.9%) and 2026.
As basic liberal ideas and a successful economy sit well together.
Still.
elpais.com/espana/2025-...
Just as the IMF upgrades Spain's economic performance for 2025 (+0.4 to 2.9%) and 2026.
As basic liberal ideas and a successful economy sit well together.
Still.
elpais.com/espana/2025-...
PSOE y Sumar pactan el texto para blindar el derecho al aborto en la Constitución
“El ejercicio de este derecho será garantizado por los poderes públicos, asegurando su prestación en condiciones de igualdad efectiva, así como la protección de los derechos fundamentales de las mujer...
elpais.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Surprising how little analysis there is outside of Spain on explaining the country's performance.
At this stage, the only other ones who would have said yes to the job were the socialists but Macron wouldn't go there. Shame for Lecornu who has done a solid job since 2017 in Macron's party in government. However his second term as PM ends, he will probably be burnt politically.
🇫🇷
Macron has reappointed Lecornu
Incredible
(Not in a good sense)
Macron has reappointed Lecornu
Incredible
(Not in a good sense)
October 10, 2025 at 8:30 PM
At this stage, the only other ones who would have said yes to the job were the socialists but Macron wouldn't go there. Shame for Lecornu who has done a solid job since 2017 in Macron's party in government. However his second term as PM ends, he will probably be burnt politically.
And indeed, Macron has just re-appointed Lecornu as PM & asked him to form a gvt... A reminder Macron appointed Lecornu as PM on 9 September; the latter finally announced a govt on Sunday before resigning Monday morning. So France keeps same caretaker govt for now. 1/2 🧵
Another scenario in immediate aftermath of 🇫🇷 PM quitting is: Macron does nothing. It took him two months to nominate Barnier after2024 elections, an unprecedented, though not strictly anticonstitutional,amount of time. He may think he can just leave this govt in place to manage things for months...
Another PM quits in 🇫🇷, less than 24 hours after announcing the ministers in his government. Sébastien Lecornu quit this morning; he was nominated by President Macron immediately after Francois Bayrou quit as PM 9 September after loosing a vote of confidence. This is what could happen next 1/4
October 10, 2025 at 8:11 PM
And indeed, Macron has just re-appointed Lecornu as PM & asked him to form a gvt... A reminder Macron appointed Lecornu as PM on 9 September; the latter finally announced a govt on Sunday before resigning Monday morning. So France keeps same caretaker govt for now. 1/2 🧵
On polls mentioned in article in case of a parliamentary election: one must recall how very difficult if it is to make any projections because of the two round system and what French call 'le jeu des alliances' (party alliances) & voting instructions between rounds.
How domestic deadlock brought Jupiterian Macron back to earth on.ft.com/3KHU92u | opinion
How domestic deadlock brought Jupiterian Macron back to earth
Only the spectre of the far right in government might save the embattled French president and his ambitions for Europe
on.ft.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:00 PM
On polls mentioned in article in case of a parliamentary election: one must recall how very difficult if it is to make any projections because of the two round system and what French call 'le jeu des alliances' (party alliances) & voting instructions between rounds.
Well well. The latest twist in the fallout of #Brexit for Gibraltar.
Gibraltar suspends applications for residence after treaty news prompted flood of requests from Brits.
www.chronicle.gi/new-residenc...
www.chronicle.gi/new-residenc...
October 10, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Well well. The latest twist in the fallout of #Brexit for Gibraltar.
Such a silly piece. Analysis (🤔) is shockingly shallow. And style/metaphors ridiculous: 'Europeans are attached to their cuddlier form of capitalism'... All pink and fluffy this side of the pond... 'job security was once Europe's comfort blanket. It now feels more like a straightjacket'. 🙄
Words cannot describe how tone-deaf it is to publish this article at this moment.
But The Economist has been consistently tone-deaf in their Europe coverage for years. They will never get over their obsession with America, even as the US descends toward dictatorship or civil war.
But The Economist has been consistently tone-deaf in their Europe coverage for years. They will never get over their obsession with America, even as the US descends toward dictatorship or civil war.
October 6, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Such a silly piece. Analysis (🤔) is shockingly shallow. And style/metaphors ridiculous: 'Europeans are attached to their cuddlier form of capitalism'... All pink and fluffy this side of the pond... 'job security was once Europe's comfort blanket. It now feels more like a straightjacket'. 🙄
Another scenario in immediate aftermath of 🇫🇷 PM quitting is: Macron does nothing. It took him two months to nominate Barnier after2024 elections, an unprecedented, though not strictly anticonstitutional,amount of time. He may think he can just leave this govt in place to manage things for months...
Another PM quits in 🇫🇷, less than 24 hours after announcing the ministers in his government. Sébastien Lecornu quit this morning; he was nominated by President Macron immediately after Francois Bayrou quit as PM 9 September after loosing a vote of confidence. This is what could happen next 1/4
October 6, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Another scenario in immediate aftermath of 🇫🇷 PM quitting is: Macron does nothing. It took him two months to nominate Barnier after2024 elections, an unprecedented, though not strictly anticonstitutional,amount of time. He may think he can just leave this govt in place to manage things for months...
Another PM quits in 🇫🇷, less than 24 hours after announcing the ministers in his government. Sébastien Lecornu quit this morning; he was nominated by President Macron immediately after Francois Bayrou quit as PM 9 September after loosing a vote of confidence. This is what could happen next 1/4
October 6, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Another PM quits in 🇫🇷, less than 24 hours after announcing the ministers in his government. Sébastien Lecornu quit this morning; he was nominated by President Macron immediately after Francois Bayrou quit as PM 9 September after loosing a vote of confidence. This is what could happen next 1/4