Peter Beckett
@peterbeckett.bsky.social
Founder of Three Six One. EU public policy with a smile. Yoga and cooking enthusiast.
That didn't take long.
September 19, 2025 at 6:39 AM
That didn't take long.
This is not rocket science. But it's apparently beyond anyone with control in government.
Sir John Curtice explains how Labour is mostly haemorrhaging support to the LibDems & Greens, and the Tories losing theirs to Reform.
=> Labour needs to consolidate the socially liberal, pro-European left and centre, not echo Reform
bbc.com/news/article...
=> Labour needs to consolidate the socially liberal, pro-European left and centre, not echo Reform
bbc.com/news/article...
Sir John Curtice: How Reform's capture of the Brexit vote could be enough to win an election
The party has now been ahead in the polls for five months, but can it keep the momentum?
bbc.com
September 6, 2025 at 6:46 AM
This is not rocket science. But it's apparently beyond anyone with control in government.
Reposted by Peter Beckett
If you honestly believe the Russians hit the EU delegation in Kyiv by accident, I don't think you should be allowed to operate heavy machinery and I frankly question if letting you dress and bathe yourself is a violation of our collective duty of care.
August 28, 2025 at 9:09 AM
If you honestly believe the Russians hit the EU delegation in Kyiv by accident, I don't think you should be allowed to operate heavy machinery and I frankly question if letting you dress and bathe yourself is a violation of our collective duty of care.
Reposted by Peter Beckett
In trying to emulate the Far Right the Starmer Labour Party will lose the liberal and leftish voters that helped win it the 2024 election and fail to gain the right-wing voters that didn't vote for it then and never will in future
August 27, 2025 at 2:10 PM
In trying to emulate the Far Right the Starmer Labour Party will lose the liberal and leftish voters that helped win it the 2024 election and fail to gain the right-wing voters that didn't vote for it then and never will in future
Good.
Farmers fume as EU budget slashes agricultural funds
Farmers fume as EU budget slashes agricultural funds
Farmers warn of deep cuts and a dismantled CAP as the EU unveils its next long-term budget.
dlvr.it
July 16, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Good.
Once again, our tiny news operation beats the mainstream #EU #brussels media to the scoop on #tobacco and #nicotine policy.
This time, we learned that tobacco and #vape excise will become part of the EU budget!
Take note Euractiv, POLITICO, Contexte and the rest!
This time, we learned that tobacco and #vape excise will become part of the EU budget!
Take note Euractiv, POLITICO, Contexte and the rest!
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Vaping and nicotine pouch taxes are being baked directly into the EU’s long-term budget. Health policy? No. This is now a money grab. Full story 👇 #EU #EUPolitics #EUPolicy clearingtheair.eu/en/post/excl...
EXCLUSIVE: vaping and nicotine tax to be part of the EU budget
The long awaited EU Tobacco Excise Directive - which, as we revealed on Clearing the Air - will include massive increases on taxes for vapes and nicotine pouches - could be designed to directly…
clearingtheair.eu
July 8, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Reposted by Peter Beckett
It's all very well calling the Netherlands "the Italy of the North", but it's in fact pretty unfair to Italy which has a boringly stable government these days.
June 3, 2025 at 8:00 AM
It's all very well calling the Netherlands "the Italy of the North", but it's in fact pretty unfair to Italy which has a boringly stable government these days.
From surrender to strategy: the quiet return of UK-EU co-operation.
Me for the French Dispatch.
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/surrender-...
Me for the French Dispatch.
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/surrender-...
🇬🇧From Surrender to Strategy: the Quiet Return of EU Co-Operation
A subtler Brexit shift is underway, with Starmer eying deeper EU ties and dodging headlines while hardliners howl and Britain edges back towards pragmatism.
www.frenchdispatch.eu
May 20, 2025 at 6:10 AM
From surrender to strategy: the quiet return of UK-EU co-operation.
Me for the French Dispatch.
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/surrender-...
Me for the French Dispatch.
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/surrender-...
Reposted by Peter Beckett
Almost three-quarters of Brits said it was a romantic red flag
May 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Almost three-quarters of Brits said it was a romantic red flag
Surprised it took this long to look at primary legislation that doesn't require unanimity.
Interesting report @financialtimes.com on EU institutions exploring alternative legal basis for coercive action against Russia, in the search for majority voting.
Speaks volumes on why the EU needs QMV in foreign policy (and why HU will never accept it).
Speaks volumes on why the EU needs QMV in foreign policy (and why HU will never accept it).
EU readies capital controls and tariffs to safeguard Russia sanctions
Alternative legal options explored to circumvent Hungarian veto
on.ft.com
May 13, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Surprised it took this long to look at primary legislation that doesn't require unanimity.
Reposted by Peter Beckett
Good thread.
This policy on immigration shares the dishonesty that has characterised the last ∞ such initiatives: it acknowledges no trade-offs. We can attract the best migrants, while trashing migrants; we can give up cheap labour, but pay no more; we can all retire, while birth rate falls. ~AA
This policy on immigration shares the dishonesty that has characterised the last ∞ such initiatives: it acknowledges no trade-offs. We can attract the best migrants, while trashing migrants; we can give up cheap labour, but pay no more; we can all retire, while birth rate falls. ~AA
OK now that I've read the white paper recommendations I'd say closing the care system to overseas recruitment is the single most substantive system change.
That can only plausibly work if salaries go up significantly.
That can only plausibly work if salaries go up significantly.
May 12, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Good thread.
This policy on immigration shares the dishonesty that has characterised the last ∞ such initiatives: it acknowledges no trade-offs. We can attract the best migrants, while trashing migrants; we can give up cheap labour, but pay no more; we can all retire, while birth rate falls. ~AA
This policy on immigration shares the dishonesty that has characterised the last ∞ such initiatives: it acknowledges no trade-offs. We can attract the best migrants, while trashing migrants; we can give up cheap labour, but pay no more; we can all retire, while birth rate falls. ~AA
Closing off overseas recruitment of social care workers during a slow-motion social care crisis in the UK is completely incomprehensible.
How many votes can there possibly be in that?
How many votes can there possibly be in that?
May 12, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Closing off overseas recruitment of social care workers during a slow-motion social care crisis in the UK is completely incomprehensible.
How many votes can there possibly be in that?
How many votes can there possibly be in that?
Reposted by Peter Beckett
🇫🇷 France plans 5-year prison sentences for nicotine pouch users. Maximum fine: €375,000.
Imagine buying nicotine pouches legally in Luxembourg... then getting 5 YEARS jail in France just for carrying them. Welcome to public health, French-style. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/five...
Imagine buying nicotine pouches legally in Luxembourg... then getting 5 YEARS jail in France just for carrying them. Welcome to public health, French-style. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/five...
FIVE YEARS?! Pouch users in France could face jail time under new law
Nicotine pouch users in France could face jail time and six figure fines under a new law currently being reviewed by the European Commission. Under the new law, which would apply later this year,…
clearingtheair.eu
April 25, 2025 at 8:11 PM
🇫🇷 France plans 5-year prison sentences for nicotine pouch users. Maximum fine: €375,000.
Imagine buying nicotine pouches legally in Luxembourg... then getting 5 YEARS jail in France just for carrying them. Welcome to public health, French-style. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/five...
Imagine buying nicotine pouches legally in Luxembourg... then getting 5 YEARS jail in France just for carrying them. Welcome to public health, French-style. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/five...
It's a fairly simple equation:
(Tariffs + excise taxes + sales taxes) = Taxes on taxes on taxes.
And a massive black market for #vaping in both the US and Europe.
Me for @clearingtheair.bsky.social
(Tariffs + excise taxes + sales taxes) = Taxes on taxes on taxes.
And a massive black market for #vaping in both the US and Europe.
Me for @clearingtheair.bsky.social
Trump’s tariffs don’t just raise prices — they trigger a tax avalanche.
🧾 Tariff + 🧾 State excise + 🧾 Sales tax +🧾 Retail markup, all stacked on top of each other.
Vapes up to $63. Cigarettes? Still $11.
🧾 Tariff + 🧾 State excise + 🧾 Sales tax +🧾 Retail markup, all stacked on top of each other.
Vapes up to $63. Cigarettes? Still $11.
Explainer: why vape prices will more than double with Trump tariffs
Trump’s tariffs look set to ruin the US vaping industry and send consumers back to cigarettes en masse thanks to sky high price rises. To understand why, and in particular why this is so acutely bad…
clearingtheair.eu
April 8, 2025 at 2:38 PM
It's a fairly simple equation:
(Tariffs + excise taxes + sales taxes) = Taxes on taxes on taxes.
And a massive black market for #vaping in both the US and Europe.
Me for @clearingtheair.bsky.social
(Tariffs + excise taxes + sales taxes) = Taxes on taxes on taxes.
And a massive black market for #vaping in both the US and Europe.
Me for @clearingtheair.bsky.social
@euobserver.com just fyi, the document you have is dated 2022 and was first covered by the @financialtimes.com that November. It's not new.
www.eureporter.co/politics/eur...
www.eureporter.co/politics/eur...
Leaked EU document reveals tax shock on white snus amid economic, political and criminal concerns
A leaked European Commission document has exposed a controversial plan to impose a sharp EU-wide tax increase on white snus, potentially igniting serious economic, political, and criminal consequences...
www.eureporter.co
March 29, 2025 at 5:34 PM
@euobserver.com just fyi, the document you have is dated 2022 and was first covered by the @financialtimes.com that November. It's not new.
www.eureporter.co/politics/eur...
www.eureporter.co/politics/eur...
Reposted by Peter Beckett
“Vaping causes lung damage”? Not according to CoEHAR. Their new review of 12 studies found no significant changes in lung function—even among daily users. Time to cut through the smoke. #harmreduction
Vapes have no significant impact on lung function, new CoEHAR umbrella review finds
No short or medium-term respiratory impact from vaping found Findings true regardless of the pattern of vaping 12 systematic reviews analysed by respected CoEHAR team Findings follow separate study…
clearingtheair.eu
March 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM
“Vaping causes lung damage”? Not according to CoEHAR. Their new review of 12 studies found no significant changes in lung function—even among daily users. Time to cut through the smoke. #harmreduction
Reposted by Peter Beckett
Banning Pride and calling NGOs, judges, journalists and activists parasites to be wiped out: Orbán radicalises even further.
And if Orbán is not backing down, neither should the EU.
Together with @kimvsparrentak.bsky.social and 31 MEPs we are calling upon the Commission to take decisive action.
And if Orbán is not backing down, neither should the EU.
Together with @kimvsparrentak.bsky.social and 31 MEPs we are calling upon the Commission to take decisive action.
March 18, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Banning Pride and calling NGOs, judges, journalists and activists parasites to be wiped out: Orbán radicalises even further.
And if Orbán is not backing down, neither should the EU.
Together with @kimvsparrentak.bsky.social and 31 MEPs we are calling upon the Commission to take decisive action.
And if Orbán is not backing down, neither should the EU.
Together with @kimvsparrentak.bsky.social and 31 MEPs we are calling upon the Commission to take decisive action.
Can confirm 😂
Trump & the revolution in the new U.S. international security and policy apparently further steer away the world from the predictable, linear evolution, increasing the daily rate of various consultants, including trade, IT, energy, and geopolitics. Interested? Drop me an email 🤣
March 15, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Can confirm 😂
Reposted by Peter Beckett
Interesting to see among FT proposals for greater European growth one around increasing de minimis between UK and EU, not as far as I know on anyone's agenda right now, and in general under pressure from Chinese exporters...
Good idea though ---> www.ft.com/content/1531...
Good idea though ---> www.ft.com/content/1531...
March 14, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Interesting to see among FT proposals for greater European growth one around increasing de minimis between UK and EU, not as far as I know on anyone's agenda right now, and in general under pressure from Chinese exporters...
Good idea though ---> www.ft.com/content/1531...
Good idea though ---> www.ft.com/content/1531...
Reposted by Peter Beckett
British PM Starmer hugged Zelenskyy. That’s how bad U.S. foreign policy has gotten—it’s driving the Brits to physical displays of emotion.
March 5, 2025 at 8:26 PM
British PM Starmer hugged Zelenskyy. That’s how bad U.S. foreign policy has gotten—it’s driving the Brits to physical displays of emotion.
Reposted by Peter Beckett
I cannot believe national governments like Poland are still blocking🇪🇺spending on🇺🇦defence because of this old 'national sovereignty' concern
It is so selfish & short-sighted. This has to be done as a union for it to be effective. If not 🇪🇺then who?
Leaders talk the talk then don't rise to the moment
It is so selfish & short-sighted. This has to be done as a union for it to be effective. If not 🇪🇺then who?
Leaders talk the talk then don't rise to the moment
EU leaders fear Commission power grab on defense after Trump’s exit
Tensions around defense spending will take center stage during an emergency meeting of EU leaders on Thursday.
www.politico.eu
March 3, 2025 at 10:15 AM
I cannot believe national governments like Poland are still blocking🇪🇺spending on🇺🇦defence because of this old 'national sovereignty' concern
It is so selfish & short-sighted. This has to be done as a union for it to be effective. If not 🇪🇺then who?
Leaders talk the talk then don't rise to the moment
It is so selfish & short-sighted. This has to be done as a union for it to be effective. If not 🇪🇺then who?
Leaders talk the talk then don't rise to the moment
Quite the statement from Mark Carney. The US has gone from being "our closest ally" to "just our neighbour".
"It's geography as opposed to kinship".
Ouch.
open.spotify.com/episode/0K4P...
"It's geography as opposed to kinship".
Ouch.
open.spotify.com/episode/0K4P...
123. Canada Decides: Who will be the next Prime Minister? (Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney)
Leading · Episode
open.spotify.com
March 3, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Quite the statement from Mark Carney. The US has gone from being "our closest ally" to "just our neighbour".
"It's geography as opposed to kinship".
Ouch.
open.spotify.com/episode/0K4P...
"It's geography as opposed to kinship".
Ouch.
open.spotify.com/episode/0K4P...
Reposted by Peter Beckett
Finland’s crackdown on nicotine pouches is another step towards prohibition. Safer nicotine options should be regulated responsibly—not banned. #TobaccoHarmReduction buff.ly/i1vsuM9
Finland to ban nicotine pouch flavours - Clearing the Air
Finland is set to ban all nicotine pouch flavours except menthol and mint.
buff.ly
March 3, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Finland’s crackdown on nicotine pouches is another step towards prohibition. Safer nicotine options should be regulated responsibly—not banned. #TobaccoHarmReduction buff.ly/i1vsuM9
Reposted by Peter Beckett
I don't say this lightly, but the BBC are really not up to this moment.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
How Zelensky's lack of a suit may have fuelled Oval Office spat
The Ukrainian president's military-style attire came up before he was upbraided by President Trump and JD Vance.
www.bbc.com
March 2, 2025 at 8:44 AM
I don't say this lightly, but the BBC are really not up to this moment.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Peter Beckett
The best way to waste a pleasant afternoon is to try reading into election turnout patterns. It is always a useless indicator, and even if it weren't it comes so close to exit polls, it has no value.
February 23, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The best way to waste a pleasant afternoon is to try reading into election turnout patterns. It is always a useless indicator, and even if it weren't it comes so close to exit polls, it has no value.