Mark Purchase
@markpurch.bsky.social
“grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference”
Well at least the Beeb hasn’t been cowed into submission
November 13, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Well at least the Beeb hasn’t been cowed into submission
Reposted by Mark Purchase
🚨🚨 Excellent and hilarious must-read letter by @davidallengreen.bsky.social. Today's read. 👇👇
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
emptycity.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:01 PM
🚨🚨 Excellent and hilarious must-read letter by @davidallengreen.bsky.social. Today's read. 👇👇
Reposted by Mark Purchase
@aphclarkson.bsky.social made the point yesterday that the UK has to do the running on this, as Europe has so much in its inbox.
Instead, it is cavilling every detail and resisting common standards and paying its fair share, delaying everything.
Instead, it is cavilling every detail and resisting common standards and paying its fair share, delaying everything.
November 12, 2025 at 11:46 AM
@aphclarkson.bsky.social made the point yesterday that the UK has to do the running on this, as Europe has so much in its inbox.
Instead, it is cavilling every detail and resisting common standards and paying its fair share, delaying everything.
Instead, it is cavilling every detail and resisting common standards and paying its fair share, delaying everything.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
I do get the feeling that some of these problems on Erasmus and visas stem from the Treasury and Home Office, and are a result of a lack of a coordinated position, and, as many of said, a failure to explain and win over domestic stakeholders to that position.
Ends
Ends
November 12, 2025 at 12:13 PM
I do get the feeling that some of these problems on Erasmus and visas stem from the Treasury and Home Office, and are a result of a lack of a coordinated position, and, as many of said, a failure to explain and win over domestic stakeholders to that position.
Ends
Ends
Reposted by Mark Purchase
So the UK approach of fighting tooth and nail over every issue is self-sabotage. Better to concede with good grace on more symbolic (and cheaper in budget terms!) issues like erasmus or youth visas to build a receptive EU lobby when being tougher on SPS or carbon tax that involve more £s and €s
November 12, 2025 at 11:51 AM
So the UK approach of fighting tooth and nail over every issue is self-sabotage. Better to concede with good grace on more symbolic (and cheaper in budget terms!) issues like erasmus or youth visas to build a receptive EU lobby when being tougher on SPS or carbon tax that involve more £s and €s
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Merci, @nialloconghaile.bsky.social de remettre l’église au milieu du village (Auld French, sorry).⤵️
No country has any obligation to be part of our ever closer union. There are advantages and drawbacks. As difficult as it’s sometimes, we really work together.
It’s never been a zero-sum game.
No country has any obligation to be part of our ever closer union. There are advantages and drawbacks. As difficult as it’s sometimes, we really work together.
It’s never been a zero-sum game.
This article is an antidote to the all too common trope in the UK among Brexiters and exceptionalists that Europe is somehow a "global bully" (while simultaneously being too weak and unable to rein in emotional France and vengeful Germany. Or something)
No. Europe is a port in a storm.
A 🧵
No. Europe is a port in a storm.
A 🧵
November 12, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Merci, @nialloconghaile.bsky.social de remettre l’église au milieu du village (Auld French, sorry).⤵️
No country has any obligation to be part of our ever closer union. There are advantages and drawbacks. As difficult as it’s sometimes, we really work together.
It’s never been a zero-sum game.
No country has any obligation to be part of our ever closer union. There are advantages and drawbacks. As difficult as it’s sometimes, we really work together.
It’s never been a zero-sum game.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
I'm not sure if others have noticed this, but interesting that one of the Prescott criticisms of the BBC is based on those of the 'History Reclaimed' group, which is also associated with the 'Restore Trust' group's attacks on & so far unsuccessful attempts to take control of the National Trust. 1/3
November 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I'm not sure if others have noticed this, but interesting that one of the Prescott criticisms of the BBC is based on those of the 'History Reclaimed' group, which is also associated with the 'Restore Trust' group's attacks on & so far unsuccessful attempts to take control of the National Trust. 1/3
Reposted by Mark Purchase
This is it in a nutshell.
This is a key point that UK (and a lot of Joiners) don't get. They treat the EU like a sovereign country open to deals and big concessions. They do not appreciate it is an entity of laws and rules partly expressed via carefully constructed MS agreements. Hence the "UK is a special case" fallacy.
November 11, 2025 at 11:31 AM
This is it in a nutshell.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
The Kremlin show their card
I'm not sure the UK (England really) is able to fend off the far right / Kremlin threat.
There are too many confused English.
I'm not sure the UK (England really) is able to fend off the far right / Kremlin threat.
There are too many confused English.
November 11, 2025 at 11:49 AM
The Kremlin show their card
I'm not sure the UK (England really) is able to fend off the far right / Kremlin threat.
There are too many confused English.
I'm not sure the UK (England really) is able to fend off the far right / Kremlin threat.
There are too many confused English.
I’m expecting DeSantis to claim he was correct all along
November 11, 2025 at 2:15 PM
I’m expecting DeSantis to claim he was correct all along
Reposted by Mark Purchase
The government is reckless.
November 11, 2025 at 11:12 AM
The government is reckless.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
If only the left were as ruthlessly calculating and effective at conducting its campaigns of infiltration and subversion as the right says it is.
If only the left were as ruthlessly calculating and effective at conducting its campaigns of infiltration and subversion as the right actually is.
If only the left were as ruthlessly calculating and effective at conducting its campaigns of infiltration and subversion as the right actually is.
November 11, 2025 at 10:13 AM
If only the left were as ruthlessly calculating and effective at conducting its campaigns of infiltration and subversion as the right says it is.
If only the left were as ruthlessly calculating and effective at conducting its campaigns of infiltration and subversion as the right actually is.
If only the left were as ruthlessly calculating and effective at conducting its campaigns of infiltration and subversion as the right actually is.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Labour’s stance on Europe is as untenable as their tax pledge. In order to achieve the growth this country desperately needs, Labour must now advocate & work towards rejoining the SM & CU.
Excellent piece by @sjwrenlewis.bsky.social
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/labo...
Excellent piece by @sjwrenlewis.bsky.social
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/labo...
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 10:14 AM
Labour’s stance on Europe is as untenable as their tax pledge. In order to achieve the growth this country desperately needs, Labour must now advocate & work towards rejoining the SM & CU.
Excellent piece by @sjwrenlewis.bsky.social
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/labo...
Excellent piece by @sjwrenlewis.bsky.social
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/labo...
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Very accurate. The lack of realism and pathological need for special treatment is killing the UK
November 11, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Very accurate. The lack of realism and pathological need for special treatment is killing the UK
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Wouldn’t be surprising. The EU just doesn’t have time for repetitive negotiating sessions in which the UK still maintains it has some special status halfway between third country and member state that entitles it to a special deal. This approach was tested to destruction in the Brexit negotiations.
November 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Wouldn’t be surprising. The EU just doesn’t have time for repetitive negotiating sessions in which the UK still maintains it has some special status halfway between third country and member state that entitles it to a special deal. This approach was tested to destruction in the Brexit negotiations.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Negotiations on the outstanding issues will chunter on, but the main EU takeaway is likely to be that the UK is still as exceptionalist as ever, and is unlikely to be a suitable partner for any closer structural relationship any time soon.
November 10, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Negotiations on the outstanding issues will chunter on, but the main EU takeaway is likely to be that the UK is still as exceptionalist as ever, and is unlikely to be a suitable partner for any closer structural relationship any time soon.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Sigh. The meeting in May is fundamentally misunderstood in the UK press. Its purpose was to show that, after a decade of rudeness and unreliability, the UK was now prepared play nicely with others again. Consequently it resulted in just one actual agreement, viz extension of fishing quotas.
November 10, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Sigh. The meeting in May is fundamentally misunderstood in the UK press. Its purpose was to show that, after a decade of rudeness and unreliability, the UK was now prepared play nicely with others again. Consequently it resulted in just one actual agreement, viz extension of fishing quotas.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
November 10, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Wow. Just wow. We can safely say that leaving Europe is very bad for your economic health.
So what are UKG doing about it, and why is the answer not dropping the May-Johnson redlines?
So what are UKG doing about it, and why is the answer not dropping the May-Johnson redlines?
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
November 10, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Wow. Just wow. We can safely say that leaving Europe is very bad for your economic health.
So what are UKG doing about it, and why is the answer not dropping the May-Johnson redlines?
So what are UKG doing about it, and why is the answer not dropping the May-Johnson redlines?
I expect the “we’ve had enough of experts” responses will soon be out in force
The “red lines” always were nonsensical and self defeating
Having an open mind and being open to debate and possibly changing your mind if circumstances change is what a sensible Government would do
The “red lines” always were nonsensical and self defeating
Having an open mind and being open to debate and possibly changing your mind if circumstances change is what a sensible Government would do
Wow. Just wow. We can safely say that leaving Europe is very bad for your economic health.
So what are UKG doing about it, and why is the answer not dropping the May-Johnson redlines?
So what are UKG doing about it, and why is the answer not dropping the May-Johnson redlines?
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
November 10, 2025 at 12:34 PM
I expect the “we’ve had enough of experts” responses will soon be out in force
The “red lines” always were nonsensical and self defeating
Having an open mind and being open to debate and possibly changing your mind if circumstances change is what a sensible Government would do
The “red lines” always were nonsensical and self defeating
Having an open mind and being open to debate and possibly changing your mind if circumstances change is what a sensible Government would do
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Good video from Caroline Lucas.
This is how campaigners should work, showing the value of community.
1
This is how campaigners should work, showing the value of community.
1
What Does Europe Mean To You? | European Movement UK
For people across the UK, Europe means many different things - from culture, adventure and diversity, to opportunities for work, collaboration and friendship.
Watch our video, introduced by European Movement Co-President Caroline Lucas, as people in Manchester and London share their perspective.
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Good video from Caroline Lucas.
This is how campaigners should work, showing the value of community.
1
This is how campaigners should work, showing the value of community.
1
Reposted by Mark Purchase
A "strategic messenger"...seriously? He's a Brexiter full on and full bore. His every utterance is about how the EU needs to bend to make Brexit work. Absolute bilge, dross, and most fundamentally lacking in any intellectual rigour.
November 9, 2025 at 11:44 PM
A "strategic messenger"...seriously? He's a Brexiter full on and full bore. His every utterance is about how the EU needs to bend to make Brexit work. Absolute bilge, dross, and most fundamentally lacking in any intellectual rigour.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
No "questions were left unresolved" the UK left...story ends.
November 9, 2025 at 11:45 PM
No "questions were left unresolved" the UK left...story ends.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
You'd think so. But he barely mentions his campaigns to separate Spain from Schengen's common visa waivers, or for Europe to make Brexit work.
November 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
You'd think so. But he barely mentions his campaigns to separate Spain from Schengen's common visa waivers, or for Europe to make Brexit work.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
And no mention of his setting up 180 days in Spain and SaveFom? Those would surely be his USPs. 🤔
November 9, 2025 at 3:51 PM
And no mention of his setting up 180 days in Spain and SaveFom? Those would surely be his USPs. 🤔