Phil Simmonds
@europeanphil.bsky.social
I'm British/European. Want to be back in the EU. Semi retired civil servant. Spent 17 years living in, working in and loving Brussels.
Localisation & Translation Professional.
Localisation & Translation Professional.
Hi @christl.bsky.social I notice you just added this guy to the "MAGA, their russian Trollaccounts + followers" moderation list.
Do you mind me asking why? I find i t very difficult to disagree with his anti brexit and anti Trump stance.
Or is it just one of these modern day witch hunts?
Do you mind me asking why? I find i t very difficult to disagree with his anti brexit and anti Trump stance.
Or is it just one of these modern day witch hunts?
December 15, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Hi @christl.bsky.social I notice you just added this guy to the "MAGA, their russian Trollaccounts + followers" moderation list.
Do you mind me asking why? I find i t very difficult to disagree with his anti brexit and anti Trump stance.
Or is it just one of these modern day witch hunts?
Do you mind me asking why? I find i t very difficult to disagree with his anti brexit and anti Trump stance.
Or is it just one of these modern day witch hunts?
that's a fake account you're responding to and resposting Fionn. the photo belongs to this guy on linked in.
December 11, 2025 at 3:49 PM
that's a fake account you're responding to and resposting Fionn. the photo belongs to this guy on linked in.
that's a fake account you're responding to. the photo belongs to this guy on linked in.
December 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
that's a fake account you're responding to. the photo belongs to this guy on linked in.
this, about SAFE, is not correct. 👇
December 10, 2025 at 5:45 PM
this, about SAFE, is not correct. 👇
2 points.
1. The bill isn't "Passed". 13 labour MPs voted for it. yes, thirteen. It will likely not get to the second reading.
2. The chainsaw is funny but treating an EU treaty as a gimmick or joke is the exact opposite of how a 3rd country should be behaving.
1. The bill isn't "Passed". 13 labour MPs voted for it. yes, thirteen. It will likely not get to the second reading.
2. The chainsaw is funny but treating an EU treaty as a gimmick or joke is the exact opposite of how a 3rd country should be behaving.
December 10, 2025 at 9:33 AM
2 points.
1. The bill isn't "Passed". 13 labour MPs voted for it. yes, thirteen. It will likely not get to the second reading.
2. The chainsaw is funny but treating an EU treaty as a gimmick or joke is the exact opposite of how a 3rd country should be behaving.
1. The bill isn't "Passed". 13 labour MPs voted for it. yes, thirteen. It will likely not get to the second reading.
2. The chainsaw is funny but treating an EU treaty as a gimmick or joke is the exact opposite of how a 3rd country should be behaving.
13 labour MPs voted for it Ben. thirteen.
The bill is also not "Passed". It will likely not get to another reading.
Not sure who told them the chainsaw was a good idea but milei is on his knees now.
Treating an EU treaty as a joke or gimmick is *NOT* how 3rd countries should behave.
The bill is also not "Passed". It will likely not get to another reading.
Not sure who told them the chainsaw was a good idea but milei is on his knees now.
Treating an EU treaty as a joke or gimmick is *NOT* how 3rd countries should behave.
December 10, 2025 at 9:27 AM
13 labour MPs voted for it Ben. thirteen.
The bill is also not "Passed". It will likely not get to another reading.
Not sure who told them the chainsaw was a good idea but milei is on his knees now.
Treating an EU treaty as a joke or gimmick is *NOT* how 3rd countries should behave.
The bill is also not "Passed". It will likely not get to another reading.
Not sure who told them the chainsaw was a good idea but milei is on his knees now.
Treating an EU treaty as a joke or gimmick is *NOT* how 3rd countries should behave.
that's a fake account you're responding to Alex. the photo belongs to this guy on linked in.
December 9, 2025 at 5:42 PM
that's a fake account you're responding to Alex. the photo belongs to this guy on linked in.
that's a fake account you're responding to MD.
December 9, 2025 at 11:59 AM
that's a fake account you're responding to MD.
that's a fake account you're responding to.
December 9, 2025 at 11:43 AM
that's a fake account you're responding to.
December 9, 2025 at 11:35 AM
December 9, 2025 at 11:29 AM
daniel hannans dream - SM access without membership. I notice @nialloconghaile.bsky.social advocates for the same Charlie.
meanwhile the EU is trying to move away from bespoke cherry picking deals like that.
meanwhile the EU is trying to move away from bespoke cherry picking deals like that.
December 9, 2025 at 9:58 AM
daniel hannans dream - SM access without membership. I notice @nialloconghaile.bsky.social advocates for the same Charlie.
meanwhile the EU is trying to move away from bespoke cherry picking deals like that.
meanwhile the EU is trying to move away from bespoke cherry picking deals like that.
the windsor framework or the Swiss deal might give some hope that there's flexibility there but the last thing the EU wants to start doing is getting into lengthy, drawn out negotiations with the UK.
These 2 para's scream of "learnings from brexit" to me.
These 2 para's scream of "learnings from brexit" to me.
December 8, 2025 at 2:27 PM
the windsor framework or the Swiss deal might give some hope that there's flexibility there but the last thing the EU wants to start doing is getting into lengthy, drawn out negotiations with the UK.
These 2 para's scream of "learnings from brexit" to me.
These 2 para's scream of "learnings from brexit" to me.
I think they already know but are simply scared to talk about it. Apart from Zack Polanksi, Green party.
He is the only political leader calling for a referendum on triggering article 49. Support rose very sharply for them and now I notice David Lammy is talking about joining the EU Customs Union.
He is the only political leader calling for a referendum on triggering article 49. Support rose very sharply for them and now I notice David Lammy is talking about joining the EU Customs Union.
December 7, 2025 at 3:21 PM
I think they already know but are simply scared to talk about it. Apart from Zack Polanksi, Green party.
He is the only political leader calling for a referendum on triggering article 49. Support rose very sharply for them and now I notice David Lammy is talking about joining the EU Customs Union.
He is the only political leader calling for a referendum on triggering article 49. Support rose very sharply for them and now I notice David Lammy is talking about joining the EU Customs Union.
@nialloconghaile.bsky.social supports the notion of cherry picking access to the SM without membership - even inventing a "third pillar EEA" just for britain.
He's very badly mistaken and that's actually daniel hannans brexit idea.
triggering art 49 is the only fix for brexit.
He's very badly mistaken and that's actually daniel hannans brexit idea.
triggering art 49 is the only fix for brexit.
December 7, 2025 at 12:18 PM
@nialloconghaile.bsky.social supports the notion of cherry picking access to the SM without membership - even inventing a "third pillar EEA" just for britain.
He's very badly mistaken and that's actually daniel hannans brexit idea.
triggering art 49 is the only fix for brexit.
He's very badly mistaken and that's actually daniel hannans brexit idea.
triggering art 49 is the only fix for brexit.
@nialloconghaile.bsky.social supports the notion of cherry picking access to the SM without membership - even inventing a "third pillar EEA" just for britain.
He's very badly mistaken and that's actually daniel hannans brexit idea.
triggering art 49 is the only fix for brexit.
He's very badly mistaken and that's actually daniel hannans brexit idea.
triggering art 49 is the only fix for brexit.
December 7, 2025 at 11:56 AM
@nialloconghaile.bsky.social supports the notion of cherry picking access to the SM without membership - even inventing a "third pillar EEA" just for britain.
He's very badly mistaken and that's actually daniel hannans brexit idea.
triggering art 49 is the only fix for brexit.
He's very badly mistaken and that's actually daniel hannans brexit idea.
triggering art 49 is the only fix for brexit.
there's another group who claim that it's possible to cherry pick bespoke access to the Single Market without membership..even inventing a new EEA "third pillar", just for britain!!!
That is Daniel Hannans Brexit dream.
Triggering art 49 is the only fix.
That is Daniel Hannans Brexit dream.
Triggering art 49 is the only fix.
December 7, 2025 at 11:51 AM
there's another group who claim that it's possible to cherry pick bespoke access to the Single Market without membership..even inventing a new EEA "third pillar", just for britain!!!
That is Daniel Hannans Brexit dream.
Triggering art 49 is the only fix.
That is Daniel Hannans Brexit dream.
Triggering art 49 is the only fix.
this is good news for everyone but mortifying for the british negotiators - why didn't they do this years ago when the EU offered?
the ukgovs brexit strategy is seasonal👇
the ukgovs brexit strategy is seasonal👇
December 3, 2025 at 3:44 AM
this is good news for everyone but mortifying for the british negotiators - why didn't they do this years ago when the EU offered?
the ukgovs brexit strategy is seasonal👇
the ukgovs brexit strategy is seasonal👇
Europeans marvel at how we brits resist simple facts like that while pointing the finger across the pond aghast at americans for electing a hopeless incompetent narcissist spaffing nonsense.
December 3, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Europeans marvel at how we brits resist simple facts like that while pointing the finger across the pond aghast at americans for electing a hopeless incompetent narcissist spaffing nonsense.
Don't be fooled by brexit commentators who claim that it's possible to cherry pick bespoke deals or inventing a new EEA "third pillar", just for the british, to gain access to the Single Market without membership.
That is Daniel Hannans Brexit dream.
Triggering art 49 (join EU) is the only fix.
That is Daniel Hannans Brexit dream.
Triggering art 49 (join EU) is the only fix.
November 29, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Don't be fooled by brexit commentators who claim that it's possible to cherry pick bespoke deals or inventing a new EEA "third pillar", just for the british, to gain access to the Single Market without membership.
That is Daniel Hannans Brexit dream.
Triggering art 49 (join EU) is the only fix.
That is Daniel Hannans Brexit dream.
Triggering art 49 (join EU) is the only fix.
we all remember the 2019 campaign "get brexit done" with "oven ready deals".
Well it's 5 years later and it's abundantly clear that it was a disastrous decision. It's pushing up taxes in the UK now because of the lack of real economic growth.
@roystoncartoons.bsky.social
Well it's 5 years later and it's abundantly clear that it was a disastrous decision. It's pushing up taxes in the UK now because of the lack of real economic growth.
@roystoncartoons.bsky.social
November 29, 2025 at 10:20 AM
we all remember the 2019 campaign "get brexit done" with "oven ready deals".
Well it's 5 years later and it's abundantly clear that it was a disastrous decision. It's pushing up taxes in the UK now because of the lack of real economic growth.
@roystoncartoons.bsky.social
Well it's 5 years later and it's abundantly clear that it was a disastrous decision. It's pushing up taxes in the UK now because of the lack of real economic growth.
@roystoncartoons.bsky.social
has anyone thought about sticking a slogan on the side of a big red bus and driving around the country?
November 29, 2025 at 8:58 AM
has anyone thought about sticking a slogan on the side of a big red bus and driving around the country?
yes. that's a more accurate way of describing it.
I think I was one of the few brits who knew that Michel Barnier - chief brexit negotiator for the EU27 was also a key player in the GFA initiative.
I think I was one of the few brits who knew that Michel Barnier - chief brexit negotiator for the EU27 was also a key player in the GFA initiative.
November 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM
yes. that's a more accurate way of describing it.
I think I was one of the few brits who knew that Michel Barnier - chief brexit negotiator for the EU27 was also a key player in the GFA initiative.
I think I was one of the few brits who knew that Michel Barnier - chief brexit negotiator for the EU27 was also a key player in the GFA initiative.
EU firms realigned supply chains very quickly.
Ireland benefitted enormously with new direct sea routes, bypassing britain, to the EU SM.
For brits in the EU or others looking for a bespoke deal, the urgency is not on the EU side.
This is not true btw👇the EU is moving away from bespoke deals.
Ireland benefitted enormously with new direct sea routes, bypassing britain, to the EU SM.
For brits in the EU or others looking for a bespoke deal, the urgency is not on the EU side.
This is not true btw👇the EU is moving away from bespoke deals.
November 24, 2025 at 5:39 PM
EU firms realigned supply chains very quickly.
Ireland benefitted enormously with new direct sea routes, bypassing britain, to the EU SM.
For brits in the EU or others looking for a bespoke deal, the urgency is not on the EU side.
This is not true btw👇the EU is moving away from bespoke deals.
Ireland benefitted enormously with new direct sea routes, bypassing britain, to the EU SM.
For brits in the EU or others looking for a bespoke deal, the urgency is not on the EU side.
This is not true btw👇the EU is moving away from bespoke deals.
SM for goods is the theresa may deal Anand.
All this talk is just "make brexit work" waffle.
We would earn much more respect if we just said to Europe "listen, we made a massive mistake over brexit and we want to be at the heart of Europe again", instead of cherry picking crumbs.
All this talk is just "make brexit work" waffle.
We would earn much more respect if we just said to Europe "listen, we made a massive mistake over brexit and we want to be at the heart of Europe again", instead of cherry picking crumbs.
November 22, 2025 at 9:59 AM
SM for goods is the theresa may deal Anand.
All this talk is just "make brexit work" waffle.
We would earn much more respect if we just said to Europe "listen, we made a massive mistake over brexit and we want to be at the heart of Europe again", instead of cherry picking crumbs.
All this talk is just "make brexit work" waffle.
We would earn much more respect if we just said to Europe "listen, we made a massive mistake over brexit and we want to be at the heart of Europe again", instead of cherry picking crumbs.