Elena Adaal
@elenaadaal.bsky.social
I post mostly on Brexit. I try to think carefully before I post.
Every time the Protocol/Windsor Framework is trashed for no good reason it gains credibility - and its detractors lose that.
An idea is gaining traction in pieces like this that NI is stuck with old EU rules even if the EU tightened its immigration policies. This is a significant misreading of WF Art 2 - if "but for" Brexit, EU law would permit UK action, then Art 2 doesn't prevent it:
www.irishnews.com/opinion/newt...
www.irishnews.com/opinion/newt...
Newton Emerson: Is Northern Ireland facing a Windsor Framework immigration fiasco?
Framework is so poorly conceived that the whole of Europe could tighten up its immigration rules and Northern Ireland might be unable to follow
www.irishnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Every time the Protocol/Windsor Framework is trashed for no good reason it gains credibility - and its detractors lose that.
Defense spending is comparable to spending on research.
It is very, very difficult to explain to your own citizens that research in other countries should be financed by their money.
For that, you need shared institutions - like the EU.
Without that, it is simply not happening.
It is very, very difficult to explain to your own citizens that research in other countries should be financed by their money.
For that, you need shared institutions - like the EU.
Without that, it is simply not happening.
“Major differences remain between the two sides over the level of financial contributions the U.K. would need to make and the minimum mandatory share of components produced inside the EU, with senior British figures signaling they would not seek entry at any price.”
www.politico.eu/article/uk-a...
www.politico.eu/article/uk-a...
UK and EU hit impasse in defense deal talks
The EU wants London to pay between €4.5 billion and €6.5 billion to take part in SAFE, while the U.K. has offered €200 million to €300 million.
www.politico.eu
November 20, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Defense spending is comparable to spending on research.
It is very, very difficult to explain to your own citizens that research in other countries should be financed by their money.
For that, you need shared institutions - like the EU.
Without that, it is simply not happening.
It is very, very difficult to explain to your own citizens that research in other countries should be financed by their money.
For that, you need shared institutions - like the EU.
Without that, it is simply not happening.
Being rude and myopic - like the UK gov communications on foreigners - does not go down well.
Good that this is called out, and more European nations should do this.
Good that this is called out, and more European nations should do this.
🤷♀️
November 19, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Being rude and myopic - like the UK gov communications on foreigners - does not go down well.
Good that this is called out, and more European nations should do this.
Good that this is called out, and more European nations should do this.
The drab un-ambition of the UK labour government, that has nothing to offer but cruelty and tax rises is masterfully depicted:
On Labour MPs in a dark place. Featuring King Lear. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Starmer’s squandering of a historic election victory is a tragedy nearing its finale | Rafael Behr
The tactics that gave Labour its huge majority in 2024 were no preparation for government – and the prime minister has proved he has nothing more to offer, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:04 AM
The drab un-ambition of the UK labour government, that has nothing to offer but cruelty and tax rises is masterfully depicted:
Oi, oi, oi.... Not good.
The strange thing here is that - as the author notes - effective subsidy control is in the interest of everybody - including the UK.
Also on this part the UK should do as promised, establish a truly independent subsidy control unit, and make work of enforcement.
(1/2)
The strange thing here is that - as the author notes - effective subsidy control is in the interest of everybody - including the UK.
Also on this part the UK should do as promised, establish a truly independent subsidy control unit, and make work of enforcement.
(1/2)
The EU has openly criticised the UK’s Subsidy Control regime at the WTO.
There’s long been concerns that the UK’s enforcement regime is weak, but this public criticism marks an escalation and does not bode well for post-Brexit trade talks next year.
www.lexxion.eu/uksci/the-eu...
There’s long been concerns that the UK’s enforcement regime is weak, but this public criticism marks an escalation and does not bode well for post-Brexit trade talks next year.
www.lexxion.eu/uksci/the-eu...
The European Union publicly expresses concern about the effectiveness of the UK's Subsidy Control regime - Lexxion
The European Union has published concerns about the effectiveness of the UK's Subsidy Control regime – a strong indication that the enforcement provisions of
www.lexxion.eu
November 19, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Oi, oi, oi.... Not good.
The strange thing here is that - as the author notes - effective subsidy control is in the interest of everybody - including the UK.
Also on this part the UK should do as promised, establish a truly independent subsidy control unit, and make work of enforcement.
(1/2)
The strange thing here is that - as the author notes - effective subsidy control is in the interest of everybody - including the UK.
Also on this part the UK should do as promised, establish a truly independent subsidy control unit, and make work of enforcement.
(1/2)
Very true - but also revealing in another way:
There is a lot of trust within EU societies that EU institutions manage these relations well.
There is a lot of trust within EU societies that EU institutions manage these relations well.
The thing people in the UK really haven't realised is that there is zero public interest in the EU about any of this. Zero. Nothing. Nobody cares.
It's not even mentioned in Ireland - which is the only EU country that has a political/econ/security interest in ensuring relations normalise & stablise
It's not even mentioned in Ireland - which is the only EU country that has a political/econ/security interest in ensuring relations normalise & stablise
November 19, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Very true - but also revealing in another way:
There is a lot of trust within EU societies that EU institutions manage these relations well.
There is a lot of trust within EU societies that EU institutions manage these relations well.
Excellent from Thierry Breton. On the need for an own EU approach to digital safety.
I note that just one look at the US and or X is enough to be persuaded:
If we as EU do not control - and pay for - this, someone else will.
I note that just one look at the US and or X is enough to be persuaded:
If we as EU do not control - and pay for - this, someone else will.
Under pressure.
We have fought for our 🇪🇺 digital safety laws.
Some want to unravel them. We must not give in.
Op-ed @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We have fought for our 🇪🇺 digital safety laws.
Some want to unravel them. We must not give in.
Op-ed @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 18, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Excellent from Thierry Breton. On the need for an own EU approach to digital safety.
I note that just one look at the US and or X is enough to be persuaded:
If we as EU do not control - and pay for - this, someone else will.
I note that just one look at the US and or X is enough to be persuaded:
If we as EU do not control - and pay for - this, someone else will.
Farage has a a deep hostility towards Europe and all Europeans:
The stupidity of Farage’s latest ‘plan’ is staggering.
Claiming they’d save British taxpayers money by ripping up international commitments and starting a trade war with Europe is the puerile foot-stamp of a party that uses prejudice as policy. Ruinous nonsense.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Claiming they’d save British taxpayers money by ripping up international commitments and starting a trade war with Europe is the puerile foot-stamp of a party that uses prejudice as policy. Ruinous nonsense.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform would ‘cut benefits for EU nationals and hike NHS immigration surcharge’
Party claims its policies would eliminate ‘black hole’ Rachel Reeves faces in the budget – but Labour says the ‘fantasy numbers don’t add up’
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Farage has a a deep hostility towards Europe and all Europeans:
I saw UK politics become increasingly unhinged from 2016 onwards. Never admitting your own mistakes leads to increasingly bizarre policies.
For sure the demise of both main parties - Conservatives and Labour - would be highly beneficial for UK.
For sure the demise of both main parties - Conservatives and Labour - would be highly beneficial for UK.
In many ways the Labour and Conservative Party embrace of Brexit remains the original sin of British politics.
Of course other factors need to come into play too, but if UK governments are to break free from populist delusions they need to start being honest about the impact of leaving the EU.
Of course other factors need to come into play too, but if UK governments are to break free from populist delusions they need to start being honest about the impact of leaving the EU.
November 17, 2025 at 7:36 PM
I saw UK politics become increasingly unhinged from 2016 onwards. Never admitting your own mistakes leads to increasingly bizarre policies.
For sure the demise of both main parties - Conservatives and Labour - would be highly beneficial for UK.
For sure the demise of both main parties - Conservatives and Labour - would be highly beneficial for UK.
A meticulous explanation of the UK policy towards refugees, including the many ways in which the Rwanda policy - and also the current UK gov ones are flawed
Just one add: It is beyond time UK takes in its fair share of refugees. Absence of sensible policies will only make matters worse - as we see
Just one add: It is beyond time UK takes in its fair share of refugees. Absence of sensible policies will only make matters worse - as we see
Very long thread: As with many of Labour's anti-immigration policies, this isn't new. British police have been stationed in other countries for this purpose for a long time
It does however show how Labour is pushing more on anti-immigration than previous governments. 1/
www.lbc.co.uk/article/shab...
It does however show how Labour is pushing more on anti-immigration than previous governments. 1/
www.lbc.co.uk/article/shab...
Home Secretary orders police and border 'hit squads' to Albania to stamp out people smugglers | LBC
Shabana Mahmood will send hit squads of police and border force teams to Albania in a fresh drive to stamp out people-smuggling gangs upstream.
www.lbc.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM
A meticulous explanation of the UK policy towards refugees, including the many ways in which the Rwanda policy - and also the current UK gov ones are flawed
Just one add: It is beyond time UK takes in its fair share of refugees. Absence of sensible policies will only make matters worse - as we see
Just one add: It is beyond time UK takes in its fair share of refugees. Absence of sensible policies will only make matters worse - as we see
Very clear that the the UK does not like foreigners.
Sensible people avoid the UK.
Sensible people avoid the UK.
If this really is what is being proposed, I think adding the jewellery confiscation policy + the 20 year policy could kick off the kind of PLP revolt that (without rapid u-turn) could entirely destabilise a struggling government that risks falling over on every front
www.thesun.co.uk/news/3734007...
www.thesun.co.uk/news/3734007...
Small boat migrants to have jewellery & assets seized to pay for accommodation
ILLEGAL migrants’ valuables such as jewellery and watches will be seized and sold to pay towards their accommodation costs, The Sun can reveal today. Necklaces and chains — but not wedding rings — …
www.thesun.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Very clear that the the UK does not like foreigners.
Sensible people avoid the UK.
Sensible people avoid the UK.
For sure this means that refugees will never integrate.
This is another way of saying that UK does not want any foreigners. UK is closing itself off.
This is another way of saying that UK does not want any foreigners. UK is closing itself off.
Here's the thing, removing permanent settlement is utterly counterproductive, as well as cruel. As @t0nyyates.bsky.social points out, most people seeking asylum don't know the asylum policies of countries they seek it in, so it isn't in any way a "deterrent". 1/3
It will reduce the effort refugees make to integrate, something that the racists in Labour and elsewhere claim to worry about. As asylum experts point out, grasp of local policies is often not great so it probably won't reduce the flow of asylum seekers, which is presumably the hope.
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
For sure this means that refugees will never integrate.
This is another way of saying that UK does not want any foreigners. UK is closing itself off.
This is another way of saying that UK does not want any foreigners. UK is closing itself off.
This from the person that accurately predicted the Truss downfall weeks before it became clear to everyone.
The UK political system is indeed weak: Results do generally not matter - until they do.
Bonus points for "metronomically" 😀
The UK political system is indeed weak: Results do generally not matter - until they do.
Bonus points for "metronomically" 😀
I wasn’t able to skeet quickly enough about the huge danger of a government giving the impression that it’s completely useless and doesn’t care about economic outcomes. The Truss debacle is the most egregious example (and had specific factors) but this is the same overall territory imv.
November 14, 2025 at 8:29 AM
This from the person that accurately predicted the Truss downfall weeks before it became clear to everyone.
The UK political system is indeed weak: Results do generally not matter - until they do.
Bonus points for "metronomically" 😀
The UK political system is indeed weak: Results do generally not matter - until they do.
Bonus points for "metronomically" 😀
This shows parallels with the Dutch government collapse in June this year:
Avoiding hard choices may be a populist refuge, but it does not make a government popular.
Before it collapsed, the Dutch government drifted around rudderless, facing critisism from all sides.
Avoiding hard choices may be a populist refuge, but it does not make a government popular.
Before it collapsed, the Dutch government drifted around rudderless, facing critisism from all sides.
This would be the end of this particular Labour government, I think. A budget in very difficult circumstances whose economic logic is so nakedly determined by the political interests of its proponents is a recipe for disaster - also deeply unserious from a market perspective.
“All pain, no gain,” says government source of extraordinary FT story that Reeves has abandoned income tax rise after weeks of pitch-rolling. www.ft.com/content/6cbb...
November 14, 2025 at 8:02 AM
This shows parallels with the Dutch government collapse in June this year:
Avoiding hard choices may be a populist refuge, but it does not make a government popular.
Before it collapsed, the Dutch government drifted around rudderless, facing critisism from all sides.
Avoiding hard choices may be a populist refuge, but it does not make a government popular.
Before it collapsed, the Dutch government drifted around rudderless, facing critisism from all sides.
Canada in? Sure! Closer to us than Australia and that was/is also never a problem.
I would advise the Canadians to first go see a Eurovision 😀
I would advise the Canadians to first go see a Eurovision 😀
November 13, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Canada in? Sure! Closer to us than Australia and that was/is also never a problem.
I would advise the Canadians to first go see a Eurovision 😀
I would advise the Canadians to first go see a Eurovision 😀
You can call this indecision, but it can also be called simply for what it is: amateurism.
UK gov should be well aware of what the EU and the MS think is important - be helpful and not tranactional .
Even taking into account all the institutional turf wars, UK gov plays like its in 3rd league.
UK gov should be well aware of what the EU and the MS think is important - be helpful and not tranactional .
Even taking into account all the institutional turf wars, UK gov plays like its in 3rd league.
This sums up how narrowminded UK Treasury penny-pinching and Home Office paranoia are sabotaging efforts by UK negotiators to make gains in areas where there is less EU unity like SPS and SAFE which also happen to involve far more money.
Another sign of Downing Street indecision.
on.ft.com/4oZhtHC
Another sign of Downing Street indecision.
on.ft.com/4oZhtHC
November 13, 2025 at 11:01 AM
You can call this indecision, but it can also be called simply for what it is: amateurism.
UK gov should be well aware of what the EU and the MS think is important - be helpful and not tranactional .
Even taking into account all the institutional turf wars, UK gov plays like its in 3rd league.
UK gov should be well aware of what the EU and the MS think is important - be helpful and not tranactional .
Even taking into account all the institutional turf wars, UK gov plays like its in 3rd league.
For sure the rearmament of the EU should include a full nuclear component.
As is clear from the message below, we cannot count on third parties doing that for us.
As is clear from the message below, we cannot count on third parties doing that for us.
The U.K. maintains, at great expense, a nuclear deterrent- which is assigned to the defence of NATO (unlike the French - whose policy is to defend French ‘vital interests’).
If the U.K. is to accept a role as a medium sized nation with little power, why should it continue to do this?
If the U.K. is to accept a role as a medium sized nation with little power, why should it continue to do this?
November 13, 2025 at 10:53 AM
For sure the rearmament of the EU should include a full nuclear component.
As is clear from the message below, we cannot count on third parties doing that for us.
As is clear from the message below, we cannot count on third parties doing that for us.
This is right and proper.
Labour offers timidity and a future with empty words and tax increases.
Labour offers timidity and a future with empty words and tax increases.
🚨Exclusive: Half of voters who backed Labour at the last general election have deserted the party, according to internal polling shared with Labour MPs www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Half of 2024 Labour Voters Have Gone Elsewhere, Party Privately Tells MPs
Half of voters who backed Labour at the last general election have deserted the party, according to internal polling shared with Labour MPs.
www.politicshome.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:45 PM
This is right and proper.
Labour offers timidity and a future with empty words and tax increases.
Labour offers timidity and a future with empty words and tax increases.
Nice thread. My comment would be that tax raises would have been unavoidable even without Brexit.
If the UK wants to be a European nation - and they want that - they need to have tax levels that are comparable with that.
Brexit is not the sole reason for that but it merely makes it worse.
If the UK wants to be a European nation - and they want that - they need to have tax levels that are comparable with that.
Brexit is not the sole reason for that but it merely makes it worse.
The mansion house speech last week was really more for financial markets than UKvoters. Reeves was waving a big sign saying "I won't do a Truss!".
Quick 🧵on why tax rises means the majority of brits can't say "Brexit hasn't really affected me" anymore.
TL;DR: There's no Sunlit uplands Shocker!
Quick 🧵on why tax rises means the majority of brits can't say "Brexit hasn't really affected me" anymore.
TL;DR: There's no Sunlit uplands Shocker!
Rachel Reeves avoids answering question on tax rises in pre-budget speech
YouTube video by Guardian News
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Nice thread. My comment would be that tax raises would have been unavoidable even without Brexit.
If the UK wants to be a European nation - and they want that - they need to have tax levels that are comparable with that.
Brexit is not the sole reason for that but it merely makes it worse.
If the UK wants to be a European nation - and they want that - they need to have tax levels that are comparable with that.
Brexit is not the sole reason for that but it merely makes it worse.
Very true.
With a large majority and still years to govern, it should not be too difficult for Labour to get its act together.
With a large majority and still years to govern, it should not be too difficult for Labour to get its act together.
On a more serious note: British politics have been in crisis mode for ten years and this is a real problem whatever your politics. It undermines trust in government and democracy, fuels populism, and makes the UK an unstable partner at a time when the geopolitical situation is very dangerous.
The important story behind this story is that someone in Downing Street is having a breakdown:
November 12, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Very true.
With a large majority and still years to govern, it should not be too difficult for Labour to get its act together.
With a large majority and still years to govern, it should not be too difficult for Labour to get its act together.
Very good if this stalls, together with the Reset.
The UK is simply not ready yet to be a partner and a team player.
We can try again in a few years.
The UK is simply not ready yet to be a partner and a team player.
We can try again in a few years.
The EU expect the UK to "pay to play".
Seems we're not willing to - still expecting something for nothing because we're special?
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Seems we're not willing to - still expecting something for nothing because we're special?
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
UK ready to quit crucial Brexit reset defence deal due to EU demanding billions
Defence exports are a key part of the Government's plan to grow the economy
inews.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Very good if this stalls, together with the Reset.
The UK is simply not ready yet to be a partner and a team player.
We can try again in a few years.
The UK is simply not ready yet to be a partner and a team player.
We can try again in a few years.
Reposted by Elena Adaal
Lots of stuff here that you won't read in most of the legacy media which seems completely uninterested in the backgrounds, associations and possible motivations of those behind the BBC crisis.
Why was the BBC having its homework marked by a lobbyist who hasn't worked as a journalist for 20 years?
Why was the BBC having its homework marked by a lobbyist who hasn't worked as a journalist for 20 years?
🧵On our revelations today about the BBC Coup and the Prescott Dossier.
The leaked ‘BBC Bias’ memo Trump used to attack the BBC was authored by Michael Prescott — a Hanover lobbyist paid by US tech/media giants tied to Trump. Full story: bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b... 1/12
The leaked ‘BBC Bias’ memo Trump used to attack the BBC was authored by Michael Prescott — a Hanover lobbyist paid by US tech/media giants tied to Trump. Full story: bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b... 1/12
'BBC Bias' Memo Was Authored by Lobbyist Tied to Pro-Trump Tech Giants
The leaked memo that fuelled Trump’s attack on the BBC was written by a lobbyist at a firm paid by US tech giants tied to the President
bylinetimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Lots of stuff here that you won't read in most of the legacy media which seems completely uninterested in the backgrounds, associations and possible motivations of those behind the BBC crisis.
Why was the BBC having its homework marked by a lobbyist who hasn't worked as a journalist for 20 years?
Why was the BBC having its homework marked by a lobbyist who hasn't worked as a journalist for 20 years?
Very good from @sjwrenlewis.bsky.social.
Note this:
"...the boost to growth that either joining the EU's customs union or single market would give. This is likely to be bigger than anything else this government could do to increase living standards."
Note this:
"...the boost to growth that either joining the EU's customs union or single market would give. This is likely to be bigger than anything else this government could do to increase living standards."
~ mainly macro: Labour’s Brexit stance is as untenable as their tax pledge ~
https://mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/labours-brexit-stance-is-as-untenable.html
https://mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/labours-brexit-stance-is-as-untenable.html
mainly macro: Labour’s Brexit stance is as untenable as their tax pledge
In my last post about the prospect of Labour breaking its tax pledge, I did something I don’t often do, which is indulge in some ‘I told y...
mainlymacro.blogspot.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Very good from @sjwrenlewis.bsky.social.
Note this:
"...the boost to growth that either joining the EU's customs union or single market would give. This is likely to be bigger than anything else this government could do to increase living standards."
Note this:
"...the boost to growth that either joining the EU's customs union or single market would give. This is likely to be bigger than anything else this government could do to increase living standards."
Key point on the EU-UK Reset talks: The UK has deliberately chosen not to build popular support for the "Reset". This means that its heart is not in it. The slightest wind blows this off-track.
In that case, we as EU should accept that UK is not ready yet, end the Reset, and try again later.
In that case, we as EU should accept that UK is not ready yet, end the Reset, and try again later.
That brings up a real risk: what if UKG isn't in a position politically to make the push necessary to keep things on track? What if it doesn't care? Some of this reset looks like a façade to be seen to be doing something, to keep pro-Europeans happy, while not upsetting the Brexit status quo.
2
2
November 11, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Key point on the EU-UK Reset talks: The UK has deliberately chosen not to build popular support for the "Reset". This means that its heart is not in it. The slightest wind blows this off-track.
In that case, we as EU should accept that UK is not ready yet, end the Reset, and try again later.
In that case, we as EU should accept that UK is not ready yet, end the Reset, and try again later.
On the UK’s awful media:
November 11, 2025 at 6:21 AM
On the UK’s awful media: