Rick Ball
@rickball.bsky.social
IP, Competition & EU Law, Derby County, LA Rams & wonderful Weymouth are my passions
Reposted by Rick Ball
Looks like this is topical again!
My piece on why the single market and customs union matter so much:
labourlist.org/2025/07/uk-r...
My piece on why the single market and customs union matter so much:
labourlist.org/2025/07/uk-r...
'The growth strategy no one will say out loud: rejoin the European Union' - LabourList
By the time the next election manifestoes are written, it might be an idea whose time has come.
labourlist.org
January 4, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Looks like this is topical again!
My piece on why the single market and customs union matter so much:
labourlist.org/2025/07/uk-r...
My piece on why the single market and customs union matter so much:
labourlist.org/2025/07/uk-r...
Reposted by Rick Ball
Exam quote of the day: "fair use is like asking your parents for money: they’ll give it to you as long as they agree with how you’ll use it."
January 4, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Exam quote of the day: "fair use is like asking your parents for money: they’ll give it to you as long as they agree with how you’ll use it."
What a clusterf*** of a world. Here’s something to make you feel wonderful
January 3, 2026 at 7:18 PM
What a clusterf*** of a world. Here’s something to make you feel wonderful
Reposted by Rick Ball
Days like this are a stark reminder that the UK undertook Brexit at historically the worst possible moment. Bloc politics is here to stay and fiddlearsing about with 2mm advances towards smoother customs arrangements with the EU is not the leadership Britain needs.
January 3, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Days like this are a stark reminder that the UK undertook Brexit at historically the worst possible moment. Bloc politics is here to stay and fiddlearsing about with 2mm advances towards smoother customs arrangements with the EU is not the leadership Britain needs.
Reposted by Rick Ball
I get told that Labour is going to bring in new safe routes for asylum seekers…
Great 😑 I’ll believe it when I see it.
Here’s why I have my doubts they’ll stop the boats:
Great 😑 I’ll believe it when I see it.
Here’s why I have my doubts they’ll stop the boats:
December 30, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I get told that Labour is going to bring in new safe routes for asylum seekers…
Great 😑 I’ll believe it when I see it.
Here’s why I have my doubts they’ll stop the boats:
Great 😑 I’ll believe it when I see it.
Here’s why I have my doubts they’ll stop the boats:
Reposted by Rick Ball
Poverty is a policy choice. Concentrated wealth is a policy choice. Inequality is a policy choice. None of it is natural or inevitable. Remember: We have the power to build a system that serves the many, not the powerful few.
December 28, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Poverty is a policy choice. Concentrated wealth is a policy choice. Inequality is a policy choice. None of it is natural or inevitable. Remember: We have the power to build a system that serves the many, not the powerful few.
Reposted by Rick Ball
Many will have missed this important announcement on 22 December on progress in a key aspect of the UK/EU reset: more details of the agreement that will provide for UK participation in the EU internal electricity market, a key part of ensuring the UK’s energy security. 🧵 www.gov.uk/government/p...
Outcome of the exploratory discussions on the possible participation of the United Kingdom in the European Union’s internal electricity market (HTML)
www.gov.uk
December 27, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Many will have missed this important announcement on 22 December on progress in a key aspect of the UK/EU reset: more details of the agreement that will provide for UK participation in the EU internal electricity market, a key part of ensuring the UK’s energy security. 🧵 www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Rick Ball
Reposted by Rick Ball
It’s the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote next year. Time, I think, to stop asking if leaving was a mistake and to start asking whether now trying* to join the EU is in the best interests of the country.
*This is to ward off people telling me accession is up to the current member states; I know.
*This is to ward off people telling me accession is up to the current member states; I know.
December 28, 2025 at 8:45 AM
It’s the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote next year. Time, I think, to stop asking if leaving was a mistake and to start asking whether now trying* to join the EU is in the best interests of the country.
*This is to ward off people telling me accession is up to the current member states; I know.
*This is to ward off people telling me accession is up to the current member states; I know.
Reposted by Rick Ball
Merry Christmas! Michelle and I hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with light and joy.
December 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Merry Christmas! Michelle and I hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with light and joy.
Reposted by Rick Ball
The Embassy staff of Germany, France and the United Kingdom sing Schedryk in the Kyiv underground.
Wonderful!
Wonderful!
December 24, 2025 at 10:29 PM
The Embassy staff of Germany, France and the United Kingdom sing Schedryk in the Kyiv underground.
Wonderful!
Wonderful!
Reposted by Rick Ball
Carol of the Bells ("Shchedryk") from Ukrainian Defenders at Sofiivska Square, in the heart of Kyiv.
Merry Christmas, friends!
📹: miarodriges / Threads
Merry Christmas, friends!
📹: miarodriges / Threads
December 24, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Carol of the Bells ("Shchedryk") from Ukrainian Defenders at Sofiivska Square, in the heart of Kyiv.
Merry Christmas, friends!
📹: miarodriges / Threads
Merry Christmas, friends!
📹: miarodriges / Threads
Reposted by Rick Ball
Britain could have joined Erasmus five years ago; an agreement on funding was completed between negotiators but vetoed “at the very last minute” by Boris Johnson. From Stefaan de Rynck’s book
December 17, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Britain could have joined Erasmus five years ago; an agreement on funding was completed between negotiators but vetoed “at the very last minute” by Boris Johnson. From Stefaan de Rynck’s book
Reposted by Rick Ball
my latest
Those opposed to the ECHR will never be satisfied by tinkering, just as Brexiters were never satisfied by the many opt-outs and rebates the UK received, writes @davidallengreen.bsky.social.
The good, the bad and the ugly of ‘rebalancing’ the ECHR
Human rights law should be kept under review, but that does not mean it should be weakened
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 8:01 AM
my latest
Reposted by Rick Ball
WHY ARE YOU ANNOYED THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO HAPPEN
December 13, 2025 at 6:41 PM
WHY ARE YOU ANNOYED THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO HAPPEN
Reposted by Rick Ball
His mother was an immigrant.
His wife is an immigrant.
His grandfather and grandmother were immigrants.
Four of his five offspring are the children of immigrants.
His wife is an immigrant.
His grandfather and grandmother were immigrants.
Four of his five offspring are the children of immigrants.
December 12, 2025 at 7:52 PM
His mother was an immigrant.
His wife is an immigrant.
His grandfather and grandmother were immigrants.
Four of his five offspring are the children of immigrants.
His wife is an immigrant.
His grandfather and grandmother were immigrants.
Four of his five offspring are the children of immigrants.
Reposted by Rick Ball
How should the European Public Prosecutor's Office be further developed?
Analysis by @profjacob.bsky.social - eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2025/12/euro...
Analysis by @profjacob.bsky.social - eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2025/12/euro...
European Public Prosecutor’s Office: the tension between supranationalism, sovereignty and legitimacy
Jacob Öberg , Professor of EU law, University of Southern Denmark Photo credit : EPPO The aim of this blog post is to summarise the ke...
eulawanalysis.blogspot.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:37 AM
How should the European Public Prosecutor's Office be further developed?
Analysis by @profjacob.bsky.social - eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2025/12/euro...
Analysis by @profjacob.bsky.social - eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2025/12/euro...
Reposted by Rick Ball
The EU was created in by people who lived through WWII and saw political and economic integration as a means to bringing peace and stability to the continent.
It is being opposed by Putin, Musk and the others who support Neo Nazis in Europe.
It is being opposed by Putin, Musk and the others who support Neo Nazis in Europe.
December 8, 2025 at 4:31 AM
The EU was created in by people who lived through WWII and saw political and economic integration as a means to bringing peace and stability to the continent.
It is being opposed by Putin, Musk and the others who support Neo Nazis in Europe.
It is being opposed by Putin, Musk and the others who support Neo Nazis in Europe.
In Germany at the mo & there is some celebrating at that World Cup draw 🤷🏻♂️
December 5, 2025 at 7:45 PM
In Germany at the mo & there is some celebrating at that World Cup draw 🤷🏻♂️
Reposted by Rick Ball
Daisy Cooper, "In 2017 there was not a single asylum seeker that arrived on a boat"
"Today we have 46,000 a year"
"And do you know why?"
"Brexit"
"Pushed through by Boris Johnson and championed by Nigel Farage"
*audience erupts in applause" #BBCQT
"Today we have 46,000 a year"
"And do you know why?"
"Brexit"
"Pushed through by Boris Johnson and championed by Nigel Farage"
*audience erupts in applause" #BBCQT
December 4, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Daisy Cooper, "In 2017 there was not a single asylum seeker that arrived on a boat"
"Today we have 46,000 a year"
"And do you know why?"
"Brexit"
"Pushed through by Boris Johnson and championed by Nigel Farage"
*audience erupts in applause" #BBCQT
"Today we have 46,000 a year"
"And do you know why?"
"Brexit"
"Pushed through by Boris Johnson and championed by Nigel Farage"
*audience erupts in applause" #BBCQT
Reposted by Rick Ball
Keir Starmer: UK still facing consequences of Brexit vote's 'wild promises'
www.itv.com/news/2025-12...
www.itv.com/news/2025-12...
December 2, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Keir Starmer: UK still facing consequences of Brexit vote's 'wild promises'
www.itv.com/news/2025-12...
www.itv.com/news/2025-12...
Reposted by Rick Ball
BREAKING: “The idea that leaving the EU was the answer to all our cares and concerns has clearly been proved wrong."
Keir Starmer says that "wild promises were made" about Brexit.
He adds: "The same argument is now being made about the European Convention on Human Rights"
Keir Starmer says that "wild promises were made" about Brexit.
He adds: "The same argument is now being made about the European Convention on Human Rights"
December 1, 2025 at 9:58 PM
BREAKING: “The idea that leaving the EU was the answer to all our cares and concerns has clearly been proved wrong."
Keir Starmer says that "wild promises were made" about Brexit.
He adds: "The same argument is now being made about the European Convention on Human Rights"
Keir Starmer says that "wild promises were made" about Brexit.
He adds: "The same argument is now being made about the European Convention on Human Rights"
Reposted by Rick Ball
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
Reposted by Rick Ball
A former UK prime minister held responsible for tens of thousands of deaths while the US president calls for elected politicians to be hanged.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
November 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
A former UK prime minister held responsible for tens of thousands of deaths while the US president calls for elected politicians to be hanged.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
Reposted by Rick Ball
The government has established a new public services cabinet committee. It will be chaired by Darren Jones, with Streeting, Phillipson and Reed also permanent members.
Yesterday we called for govt to urgently establish a cross-govt approach to public services, so this is potentially promising
Yesterday we called for govt to urgently establish a cross-govt approach to public services, so this is potentially promising
November 20, 2025 at 9:45 AM
The government has established a new public services cabinet committee. It will be chaired by Darren Jones, with Streeting, Phillipson and Reed also permanent members.
Yesterday we called for govt to urgently establish a cross-govt approach to public services, so this is potentially promising
Yesterday we called for govt to urgently establish a cross-govt approach to public services, so this is potentially promising