Rick Ball
@rickball.bsky.social
IP, Competition & EU Law, Derby County, LA Rams & wonderful Weymouth are my passions
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
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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
Reposted by Rick Ball
Brexit costs the tax payer £40 billion a year. How the fuck is this not the main story around the budget?!
John Major, "Our links to Europe and America may be loser now than once they were and that is a loss"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
November 19, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Brexit costs the tax payer £40 billion a year. How the fuck is this not the main story around the budget?!
Reposted by Rick Ball
Just listen to Major. Brexit has ruined our economy and ruined the fabric of our society. The racist Farage and Russian money was central to Brexit. For Farage to be in government totally absurd.
John Major, "Our links to Europe and America may be loser now than once they were and that is a loss"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
November 19, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Just listen to Major. Brexit has ruined our economy and ruined the fabric of our society. The racist Farage and Russian money was central to Brexit. For Farage to be in government totally absurd.
Reposted by Rick Ball
John Major is well and truly to the left of Kier Starmer now
John Major, "Our links to Europe and America may be loser now than once they were and that is a loss"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
November 19, 2025 at 7:33 PM
John Major is well and truly to the left of Kier Starmer now
Reposted by Rick Ball
I simply do not understand why these figures have not become as famous as the ones on the side of that stupid fucking bus.
Imagine what could have been done with this kind of money.
And why is it not mentioned to Farage every time he opens his lying malodorous face hole.
Imagine what could have been done with this kind of money.
And why is it not mentioned to Farage every time he opens his lying malodorous face hole.
John Major, "Our links to Europe and America may be loser now than once they were and that is a loss"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
November 19, 2025 at 11:31 PM
I simply do not understand why these figures have not become as famous as the ones on the side of that stupid fucking bus.
Imagine what could have been done with this kind of money.
And why is it not mentioned to Farage every time he opens his lying malodorous face hole.
Imagine what could have been done with this kind of money.
And why is it not mentioned to Farage every time he opens his lying malodorous face hole.
Reposted by Rick Ball
From a values perspective, it appears a former Tory PM is now on the notionally more liberal side of the fence than our current PM - Major has a respect for reality sadly lacking elsewhere.
John Major, "Our links to Europe and America may be loser now than once they were and that is a loss"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
November 19, 2025 at 10:28 PM
From a values perspective, it appears a former Tory PM is now on the notionally more liberal side of the fence than our current PM - Major has a respect for reality sadly lacking elsewhere.
Reposted by Rick Ball
The burglar and ransacked home analogy is a new one for Brexiteers, but a good one.
I’m glad there are Tory grandees like Major & Hesseltine etc. still calling out, loudly.
Their Party should have listened - and still should.
I’m glad there are Tory grandees like Major & Hesseltine etc. still calling out, loudly.
Their Party should have listened - and still should.
John Major, "Our links to Europe and America may be loser now than once they were and that is a loss"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
November 19, 2025 at 9:43 PM
The burglar and ransacked home analogy is a new one for Brexiteers, but a good one.
I’m glad there are Tory grandees like Major & Hesseltine etc. still calling out, loudly.
Their Party should have listened - and still should.
I’m glad there are Tory grandees like Major & Hesseltine etc. still calling out, loudly.
Their Party should have listened - and still should.
Reposted by Rick Ball
John Major, "Our links to Europe and America may be loser now than once they were and that is a loss"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
November 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
John Major, "Our links to Europe and America may be loser now than once they were and that is a loss"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
Reposted by Rick Ball
If "loser", then because 'looser'!
John Major, "Our links to Europe and America may be loser now than once they were and that is a loss"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
"The loss of trade with Europe alone costs us £100 billion of lost trade every year"
"That's a tax yield of £40 billion"
"How useful would that have been in recent months to the Chancellor?"
November 19, 2025 at 9:59 PM
If "loser", then because 'looser'!
Reposted by Rick Ball
Without the ability to tour, bands would never get the chance to play, succeed and make us all memories that last a lifetime. That’s why @labour4europe.bsky.social campaigning to fix the problems Brexit has created - warning contains singing and dancing in the streets again …
November 19, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Without the ability to tour, bands would never get the chance to play, succeed and make us all memories that last a lifetime. That’s why @labour4europe.bsky.social campaigning to fix the problems Brexit has created - warning contains singing and dancing in the streets again …