Niall Ó Conghaile
@nialloconghaile.bsky.social
🇪🇺
European.
Views my own; RT = interest, not endorsement.
European.
Views my own; RT = interest, not endorsement.
Pinned
I understand. We understand.
We understand the importance that Europe had in your lives and the sense of biting loss for many of you.
We understand what Brexit has done.
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We understand the importance that Europe had in your lives and the sense of biting loss for many of you.
We understand what Brexit has done.
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Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
There is one caveat - FPTP. While RefUK might struggle to get enough votes for the normal FPTP seat bonus, in a very divided electorate they could luck out and get a majority on a small percentage.
And that raises a more existential question.
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And that raises a more existential question.
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December 26, 2025 at 10:31 AM
There is one caveat - FPTP. While RefUK might struggle to get enough votes for the normal FPTP seat bonus, in a very divided electorate they could luck out and get a majority on a small percentage.
And that raises a more existential question.
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And that raises a more existential question.
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Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Judging by Farage's fellow travellers, and the UK's very weak constitutional protections, they may only need one chance.
To quote the IRA, "Today we were unlucky, but remember we have only to be lucky once, you will have to be lucky always."
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To quote the IRA, "Today we were unlucky, but remember we have only to be lucky once, you will have to be lucky always."
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December 26, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Judging by Farage's fellow travellers, and the UK's very weak constitutional protections, they may only need one chance.
To quote the IRA, "Today we were unlucky, but remember we have only to be lucky once, you will have to be lucky always."
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To quote the IRA, "Today we were unlucky, but remember we have only to be lucky once, you will have to be lucky always."
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Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
There aren't masses of options. Opposing Brexitism with every breath is essential.
Ending the legitimisation of Brexitist positions is important.
Being positive and committed to Europe, making Farage defend Brexit, it vital.
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Ending the legitimisation of Brexitist positions is important.
Being positive and committed to Europe, making Farage defend Brexit, it vital.
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December 26, 2025 at 10:37 AM
There aren't masses of options. Opposing Brexitism with every breath is essential.
Ending the legitimisation of Brexitist positions is important.
Being positive and committed to Europe, making Farage defend Brexit, it vital.
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Ending the legitimisation of Brexitist positions is important.
Being positive and committed to Europe, making Farage defend Brexit, it vital.
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Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Interesting you should say that. Have a read of this. As the excellent David Allen Green says, an incoming illiberal and radical (Reform) government would have the absolute power to do unimaginable & oppressive things. Labour could prevent that by getting a proper written constitution sorted.
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Nobody can read this from @davidallengreen.bsky.social and not think the UK's unwritten constitution is fit for purpose.
The UK is more exposed to authoritarianism that any established Western democracy.
Wake up!
You need a constitution. Even a revolution.
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The UK is more exposed to authoritarianism that any established Western democracy.
Wake up!
You need a constitution. Even a revolution.
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Yes, an incoming illiberal and radical UK government would have absolute constitutional power
27th August 2025 Only good fortune has prevented previous governments from misusing our constitutional arrangements more than they did * The constitution of the United Kingdom provides for two R…
davidallengreen.com
December 26, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Interesting you should say that. Have a read of this. As the excellent David Allen Green says, an incoming illiberal and radical (Reform) government would have the absolute power to do unimaginable & oppressive things. Labour could prevent that by getting a proper written constitution sorted.
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Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
This is not the only contradiction. Farage is trying to keep together those most dependent on state welfare with those attack benefits, and most obviously English naironalists with pro-Putin Atlanticists.
Without the uniting popular glue of Brexit, can Farage keep that coalition assembled?
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Without the uniting popular glue of Brexit, can Farage keep that coalition assembled?
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December 26, 2025 at 10:31 AM
This is not the only contradiction. Farage is trying to keep together those most dependent on state welfare with those attack benefits, and most obviously English naironalists with pro-Putin Atlanticists.
Without the uniting popular glue of Brexit, can Farage keep that coalition assembled?
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Without the uniting popular glue of Brexit, can Farage keep that coalition assembled?
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Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
voters that have a natural inclination to destroy systems, as well as those just fed up with the quality of life the UK has provided and want to start again.
This is in direct contradiction to me ch if the authoritarian right, which values patriotism and institutions, who don't like agitation
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This is in direct contradiction to me ch if the authoritarian right, which values patriotism and institutions, who don't like agitation
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December 26, 2025 at 10:31 AM
voters that have a natural inclination to destroy systems, as well as those just fed up with the quality of life the UK has provided and want to start again.
This is in direct contradiction to me ch if the authoritarian right, which values patriotism and institutions, who don't like agitation
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This is in direct contradiction to me ch if the authoritarian right, which values patriotism and institutions, who don't like agitation
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Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
UK to re-join Erasmus+ – here are six benefits of the European exchange scheme
Brexit didn't have to mean the end of Erasmus+, and the government has now announced we will join the scheme again
@centralbylines.co.uk
Brexit didn't have to mean the end of Erasmus+, and the government has now announced we will join the scheme again
@centralbylines.co.uk
UK to re-join Erasmus+ – here are six benefits of the European exchange scheme
Brexit didn't have to mean the end of Erasmus+, and the government has now announced we will join the scheme again
centralbylines.co.uk
December 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM
UK to re-join Erasmus+ – here are six benefits of the European exchange scheme
Brexit didn't have to mean the end of Erasmus+, and the government has now announced we will join the scheme again
@centralbylines.co.uk
Brexit didn't have to mean the end of Erasmus+, and the government has now announced we will join the scheme again
@centralbylines.co.uk
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Electoral reform to some sensible form of proportional representation seems to be essential to me as well. A lot of the dysfunction and vulnerability to hijack by corporate/far right influences has been facilitated by first past the post in both the U.K. and the U.S.
December 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Electoral reform to some sensible form of proportional representation seems to be essential to me as well. A lot of the dysfunction and vulnerability to hijack by corporate/far right influences has been facilitated by first past the post in both the U.K. and the U.S.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
It's the "any unionism will do" phenomenon.
Reform in Scotland is largely made up of exScotTories. The fact that racist, anti-EU and immigration views have always made up a section of the unionist vote. Is only a surprise to some because it's been VERY inconvenient for the press to acknowledge it.
Reform in Scotland is largely made up of exScotTories. The fact that racist, anti-EU and immigration views have always made up a section of the unionist vote. Is only a surprise to some because it's been VERY inconvenient for the press to acknowledge it.
December 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM
It's the "any unionism will do" phenomenon.
Reform in Scotland is largely made up of exScotTories. The fact that racist, anti-EU and immigration views have always made up a section of the unionist vote. Is only a surprise to some because it's been VERY inconvenient for the press to acknowledge it.
Reform in Scotland is largely made up of exScotTories. The fact that racist, anti-EU and immigration views have always made up a section of the unionist vote. Is only a surprise to some because it's been VERY inconvenient for the press to acknowledge it.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
At the moment, indications are he will inherit a lot of fhat Tory coalition, while expanding the English nationalist agenda in Scottish and Welsh constituencies (impressive, whatever way you look at it)
That appeal in 🏴🏴 is down to his and Brexitism's appeal to wreckers:
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That appeal in 🏴🏴 is down to his and Brexitism's appeal to wreckers:
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December 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM
At the moment, indications are he will inherit a lot of fhat Tory coalition, while expanding the English nationalist agenda in Scottish and Welsh constituencies (impressive, whatever way you look at it)
That appeal in 🏴🏴 is down to his and Brexitism's appeal to wreckers:
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That appeal in 🏴🏴 is down to his and Brexitism's appeal to wreckers:
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Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Actually, it will be Starmer's fault.
One certain way to stop Farridge in 2029 is to switch to a proper system of PR. That is something that Starmer can deliver, now. If he doesn't, he has no-one else to blame but his own stupidity. And the process needs to start NOW, as it can't be done overnight.
One certain way to stop Farridge in 2029 is to switch to a proper system of PR. That is something that Starmer can deliver, now. If he doesn't, he has no-one else to blame but his own stupidity. And the process needs to start NOW, as it can't be done overnight.
December 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Actually, it will be Starmer's fault.
One certain way to stop Farridge in 2029 is to switch to a proper system of PR. That is something that Starmer can deliver, now. If he doesn't, he has no-one else to blame but his own stupidity. And the process needs to start NOW, as it can't be done overnight.
One certain way to stop Farridge in 2029 is to switch to a proper system of PR. That is something that Starmer can deliver, now. If he doesn't, he has no-one else to blame but his own stupidity. And the process needs to start NOW, as it can't be done overnight.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Ditto King of Sweden’s Christmas speech.
Key themes: hope, humanity and responsibility in the midst of a troubled time of conflicts and crises. Hold on to faith in the future, show solidarity and appreciate the efforts of civil society. Importance of cooperation. That the dark never wins.
Key themes: hope, humanity and responsibility in the midst of a troubled time of conflicts and crises. Hold on to faith in the future, show solidarity and appreciate the efforts of civil society. Importance of cooperation. That the dark never wins.
December 26, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Ditto King of Sweden’s Christmas speech.
Key themes: hope, humanity and responsibility in the midst of a troubled time of conflicts and crises. Hold on to faith in the future, show solidarity and appreciate the efforts of civil society. Importance of cooperation. That the dark never wins.
Key themes: hope, humanity and responsibility in the midst of a troubled time of conflicts and crises. Hold on to faith in the future, show solidarity and appreciate the efforts of civil society. Importance of cooperation. That the dark never wins.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Isokon building looking fine in the pale light of a winter afternoon.
December 26, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Isokon building looking fine in the pale light of a winter afternoon.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
(the former group distrusted Brexiter Corbyn profoundly, seeing him as a wrecker, unpatriotic and with a party that's soft on Europe)
If Farage wants to get into government, he needs to assemble just such a coalition.
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If Farage wants to get into government, he needs to assemble just such a coalition.
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December 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM
(the former group distrusted Brexiter Corbyn profoundly, seeing him as a wrecker, unpatriotic and with a party that's soft on Europe)
If Farage wants to get into government, he needs to assemble just such a coalition.
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If Farage wants to get into government, he needs to assemble just such a coalition.
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Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
There were contradictions, such as Lexiters and the far right being bedfellows. United by Brexit, within the Johnson voter coalition were people who believed Brexit was a patriotic reassertion of British democracy and institutional strength, and those that just wanted to wreck everything.
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December 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM
There were contradictions, such as Lexiters and the far right being bedfellows. United by Brexit, within the Johnson voter coalition were people who believed Brexit was a patriotic reassertion of British democracy and institutional strength, and those that just wanted to wreck everything.
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Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Their claim to be ‘patriots’ is entirely spurious. Their aims are all about self-interest and they never put country above their greed for money and power. The EU by its nature got in the way of that.
December 26, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Their claim to be ‘patriots’ is entirely spurious. Their aims are all about self-interest and they never put country above their greed for money and power. The EU by its nature got in the way of that.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
He'll want to close Holyrood & Sennedd, He'll want to send troops in to opposition constituencies, EDF will get ICE powers..... Spanish Trawlers will be fair game...... We'll get incessant AI photos of him & he'll be spouting shit 24 hours a day..... and EVERYTHING will be Starmer's fault 🤣🤣🤣
December 26, 2025 at 2:36 PM
He'll want to close Holyrood & Sennedd, He'll want to send troops in to opposition constituencies, EDF will get ICE powers..... Spanish Trawlers will be fair game...... We'll get incessant AI photos of him & he'll be spouting shit 24 hours a day..... and EVERYTHING will be Starmer's fault 🤣🤣🤣
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Scotland would quickly have a very clear pro-indy majority. Farage might try to remove devolution from the Commons. The SNP might try to seize the moment. Or Farage won’t get off his arse to do anything and Scottish politicians may want to manage the chaos to bide their time.
December 26, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Scotland would quickly have a very clear pro-indy majority. Farage might try to remove devolution from the Commons. The SNP might try to seize the moment. Or Farage won’t get off his arse to do anything and Scottish politicians may want to manage the chaos to bide their time.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Similarly the far-right in Spain are in a huff after the king had the temerity in his Xmas speech to denounce "extremism and populism.. doctrines whose adverse consequences we have long known in Spain", which anyone here knows is a reference to Franco.
December 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Similarly the far-right in Spain are in a huff after the king had the temerity in his Xmas speech to denounce "extremism and populism.. doctrines whose adverse consequences we have long known in Spain", which anyone here knows is a reference to Franco.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
The fuss they are making over some postponed local elections makes me fear they are laying the groundwork for doing something similar at some point with a GE if they ever get in
The Democrats didn’t do anything much to reign in MAGA when they had the opportunity, we can’t make that mistake too
The Democrats didn’t do anything much to reign in MAGA when they had the opportunity, we can’t make that mistake too
December 26, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The fuss they are making over some postponed local elections makes me fear they are laying the groundwork for doing something similar at some point with a GE if they ever get in
The Democrats didn’t do anything much to reign in MAGA when they had the opportunity, we can’t make that mistake too
The Democrats didn’t do anything much to reign in MAGA when they had the opportunity, we can’t make that mistake too
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
As Orbàn showed in 2010 and especially when he was able to alter the constitution a few years later, and now as Trump is showing when a populist with a radical plan gets into power there seems to be little that can be done to stop them
They can keep saying “he’s not allowed to do that” but unless
They can keep saying “he’s not allowed to do that” but unless
December 26, 2025 at 1:14 PM
As Orbàn showed in 2010 and especially when he was able to alter the constitution a few years later, and now as Trump is showing when a populist with a radical plan gets into power there seems to be little that can be done to stop them
They can keep saying “he’s not allowed to do that” but unless
They can keep saying “he’s not allowed to do that” but unless
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
I agree with you on much but not on this. I think they do see it as cruelty, indeed as cruelty that's deserved by the victims. American culture is puritanical (literal sense) above all, and Providence is key to the deserving and undeserving, and the performative cruelty imposed on the latter.
December 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
I agree with you on much but not on this. I think they do see it as cruelty, indeed as cruelty that's deserved by the victims. American culture is puritanical (literal sense) above all, and Providence is key to the deserving and undeserving, and the performative cruelty imposed on the latter.
Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
The voter coalition that Boris Johnson managed to assemble in 2019 is remarkable, as it included "left social conservatives" alongside authoritarians of the right and traditional right-liberals.
We can parse the Tory agenda, but that was down to the popularity of Brexit
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We can parse the Tory agenda, but that was down to the popularity of Brexit
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December 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM
The voter coalition that Boris Johnson managed to assemble in 2019 is remarkable, as it included "left social conservatives" alongside authoritarians of the right and traditional right-liberals.
We can parse the Tory agenda, but that was down to the popularity of Brexit
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We can parse the Tory agenda, but that was down to the popularity of Brexit
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Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
Traditionally, nationally, the UK divided into two camps: economically right, with both socially liberal and conservative voters; and economically left, again with conservative and liberal voters.
That picture looks very different when you zoom in to UK's constituent nations in particular
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That picture looks very different when you zoom in to UK's constituent nations in particular
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December 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Traditionally, nationally, the UK divided into two camps: economically right, with both socially liberal and conservative voters; and economically left, again with conservative and liberal voters.
That picture looks very different when you zoom in to UK's constituent nations in particular
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That picture looks very different when you zoom in to UK's constituent nations in particular
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Reposted by Niall Ó Conghaile
And turning back equality, particularly for women, foreigners, non-whites and gays
December 26, 2025 at 11:55 AM
And turning back equality, particularly for women, foreigners, non-whites and gays