Richard Kavanagh
@richkav.bsky.social
After 30 great years there, I'll always be a bit of a Londoner, but very happy to be back in the EU, (wondering what the hell is happening to non-London England)
And as I've said a couple of times, the people you must ask is the UK govt. For it it for them to present how they will change, or what they will offer in order to get closer to the EU.
PS, I'm such a remainder that I moved back to the EU after the UK had an aneurism.
PS, I'm such a remainder that I moved back to the EU after the UK had an aneurism.
December 2, 2025 at 6:23 PM
And as I've said a couple of times, the people you must ask is the UK govt. For it it for them to present how they will change, or what they will offer in order to get closer to the EU.
PS, I'm such a remainder that I moved back to the EU after the UK had an aneurism.
PS, I'm such a remainder that I moved back to the EU after the UK had an aneurism.
Well you did ask...
December 2, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Well you did ask...
You were cursed with too many sheep in parliament.
December 2, 2025 at 6:18 PM
You were cursed with too many sheep in parliament.
Not much. One is a core pillar, the other is time limited tinkering.
Not sure what you mean by WA protection.
Not sure what you mean by WA protection.
December 2, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Not much. One is a core pillar, the other is time limited tinkering.
Not sure what you mean by WA protection.
Not sure what you mean by WA protection.
Parliament came within 3 votes of agreeing to join the Customs Union. So with better leadership, it was possible.
The key phrase the proved too powerful for most MPs was "The will of the people"
The key phrase the proved too powerful for most MPs was "The will of the people"
December 2, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Parliament came within 3 votes of agreeing to join the Customs Union. So with better leadership, it was possible.
The key phrase the proved too powerful for most MPs was "The will of the people"
The key phrase the proved too powerful for most MPs was "The will of the people"
Defeat the bill, withdraw A50, have a government that had the balls to call it as it was: an advisory referendum.
December 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Defeat the bill, withdraw A50, have a government that had the balls to call it as it was: an advisory referendum.
Correct. Trying to obtain full-fat FOM without the Acquis is an attempt at cheery picking. I for one would oppose allowing that.
A time limited and curtailed youth visa program is not FOM.
A time limited and curtailed youth visa program is not FOM.
December 2, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Correct. Trying to obtain full-fat FOM without the Acquis is an attempt at cheery picking. I for one would oppose allowing that.
A time limited and curtailed youth visa program is not FOM.
A time limited and curtailed youth visa program is not FOM.
The UK voted to relinquish those FOM rights. The (UK) PM at the time was uninterested in continuing any such arrangement.
I feel for you Andrew, and hope you get what you want. But your first port of call must be the UK govt to try and get them to shift their position
I feel for you Andrew, and hope you get what you want. But your first port of call must be the UK govt to try and get them to shift their position
December 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The UK voted to relinquish those FOM rights. The (UK) PM at the time was uninterested in continuing any such arrangement.
I feel for you Andrew, and hope you get what you want. But your first port of call must be the UK govt to try and get them to shift their position
I feel for you Andrew, and hope you get what you want. But your first port of call must be the UK govt to try and get them to shift their position
True. The political scene in the UK during this time was chaotic. But the bill still was voted through with a 99 majority.
December 2, 2025 at 4:23 PM
True. The political scene in the UK during this time was chaotic. But the bill still was voted through with a 99 majority.
Cherry picking is having the benefits of one or more of the 4 core pillars without being fully integrated on a legal basis by the Adopting the Acquis in whole.
What the EU wants is not cherry picking (it does not want to set a precedent). As already discussed YM is a limited visa scheme.
What the EU wants is not cherry picking (it does not want to set a precedent). As already discussed YM is a limited visa scheme.
December 2, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Cherry picking is having the benefits of one or more of the 4 core pillars without being fully integrated on a legal basis by the Adopting the Acquis in whole.
What the EU wants is not cherry picking (it does not want to set a precedent). As already discussed YM is a limited visa scheme.
What the EU wants is not cherry picking (it does not want to set a precedent). As already discussed YM is a limited visa scheme.
Well you have sympathetic friends. I find that EU citizens that I know are happy to make tweaks which work for both. But there is zero appetite to pick apart the 4 core pillars for a country that left in such an acrimonious way. That's not to say trust and good-feeling can't be built back up
December 2, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Well you have sympathetic friends. I find that EU citizens that I know are happy to make tweaks which work for both. But there is zero appetite to pick apart the 4 core pillars for a country that left in such an acrimonious way. That's not to say trust and good-feeling can't be built back up
The UK parliament had to put the withdrawal from the EU into law. It did that via the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020
December 2, 2025 at 4:08 PM
The UK parliament had to put the withdrawal from the EU into law. It did that via the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020
Finally, I hope the UK does rejoin. Its just that I’m not holding my breath 10 End
December 2, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Finally, I hope the UK does rejoin. Its just that I’m not holding my breath 10 End
My opinion, and theirs, is that there should be no cherry picking. As far as they, and I am concerned, the UK chose to tear up its privileges and rights. Not the EU. However, a prolonged period of good faith co-operation (not the naughty step) may change opinions here. 9
December 2, 2025 at 1:03 PM
My opinion, and theirs, is that there should be no cherry picking. As far as they, and I am concerned, the UK chose to tear up its privileges and rights. Not the EU. However, a prolonged period of good faith co-operation (not the naughty step) may change opinions here. 9
But nearly everyone I come across in the EU (I have family and friends in Italy, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and live for months at a time in France) are not in support of doing the UK any favours. 8
December 2, 2025 at 1:03 PM
But nearly everyone I come across in the EU (I have family and friends in Italy, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and live for months at a time in France) are not in support of doing the UK any favours. 8
Financial Contributions, and Oversight and Enforcement. If you think the UK will agree to these any time soon you are an optimistic person (and probably good at a dinner party) 7
December 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Financial Contributions, and Oversight and Enforcement. If you think the UK will agree to these any time soon you are an optimistic person (and probably good at a dinner party) 7
True FOM only comes with either EEA , EFTA or rejoin. Each of those have a price tag attached: the 4 pillars, obligation to adopt and implement EU law (with little formal input),... 6
December 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
True FOM only comes with either EEA , EFTA or rejoin. Each of those have a price tag attached: the 4 pillars, obligation to adopt and implement EU law (with little formal input),... 6
A limited visa program for 18-30 is likely. But it will be time limited and restricted in other ways that you don’t find attractive. And it will have to work both ways. 5
December 2, 2025 at 1:01 PM
A limited visa program for 18-30 is likely. But it will be time limited and restricted in other ways that you don’t find attractive. And it will have to work both ways. 5
I can see mobility/FOM is your key ask. If you get that then you are (relatively) happy. But I don’t see that happening any time soon (though you are within your rights to campaign for it). 4
December 2, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I can see mobility/FOM is your key ask. If you get that then you are (relatively) happy. But I don’t see that happening any time soon (though you are within your rights to campaign for it). 4
It became politically and even societally impossible for any walk-back of that pre vote promise. (yes, I know all about the advisory nature of the referendum). In the end Parliament voted to leave and thus it is now the law of the UK. I feel for you. 3
December 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
It became politically and even societally impossible for any walk-back of that pre vote promise. (yes, I know all about the advisory nature of the referendum). In the end Parliament voted to leave and thus it is now the law of the UK. I feel for you. 3
We both agree; Brexit was a huge mistake. I know circa 16.4 million people voted for remaining, but as was made clear at the time, a vote to leave across the entire UK would mean the UK would leave. 2
December 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
We both agree; Brexit was a huge mistake. I know circa 16.4 million people voted for remaining, but as was made clear at the time, a vote to leave across the entire UK would mean the UK would leave. 2
Thanks for your thanks. I’ve thought on your thoughts. And in return I offer mine (a thread) 1
December 2, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Thanks for your thanks. I’ve thought on your thoughts. And in return I offer mine (a thread) 1
Still just "the deal". When will the UK government speak the truth; that Brexit itself, (no matter what trade-offs are negotiated), is the thing causing economic damage
December 1, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Still just "the deal". When will the UK government speak the truth; that Brexit itself, (no matter what trade-offs are negotiated), is the thing causing economic damage
Thanks for your answers
November 30, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Thanks for your answers