I'd be more interested in polling for rejoin where the only opt out was the Euro as I suspect that's the big wavering point for a lot of generally pro-EU Brits and suspect that it's lower priority for the EU than other opt outs.

The narrative that the UK is a third country no different to, say, Korea or Japan but one that is somehow obligated to present a united European front on trade is wild.

We aren't going to, we'll spend 3.5% (maybe, let's see in 2035) and then count existing spending towards the 1.5% of defence adjacent stuff. The 5% headline is just Trump management.

I wonder how this is informing the in flight SDR. Seems... Relevant. 👀

And I think if we're being honest with ourselves any referendum needs to reflect the genuine settled will of the UK public, not another 50%+1 nonsense. Not just for internal stability but to demonstrate to the EU that this is a real shift and not a flip flop that can be easily reversed again.

What would be the motivation for the EU to agree to accession if we are in EFTA-like? They would have full access to UK market with us having no input on SM rules. Seems like a perfect scenario for them, and very unstable for the UK.

I think we should rejoin, but I've never got this proposed route.

Brexit derangement goes both ways.

Europe right now.

While this might be true, I feel as though if the UK had proposed linkage in this way it would be accused of being mercenary at best.

The UK, Italy and Japan are all F35B operators... Let's go VTOL GCAP.

If we're attacked by Russia will the EU help defend or require a veterinary standards agreement first?

Linking a trade matter to defence is a bad look. I think at the time when Europe is facing an existential crisis and the UK is putting forward proposals for British troops in Ukraine, the EU requiring fish linkage is petty.

Probably fine, easy to sign a defence agreement so long as you don't have fishing rights the EU wants to try and hold over the agreement. 🤷

When that defence and security agreement sounds as though it's predicated on fishing agreements and youth mobility? So we're only European enough to _buy from_ if we give the EU fishing rights and subsidise EU students at UK universities?

5% points higher than the Lizardman Constant as well. That's awkward.

I'm personally viewing this issue as a yard stick for seriousness on both sides. It's such an obvious win win, particularly if we want to start developing more European space assets (ISR Sats etc...).

Quite. Britain needs to get access to Galileo PRS ASAP. I hope Whitehall knows that but I'd be surprised if it just isn't being pushed up the agenda because politicians and civil servants are still processing or are in denial about the implosion of the US as a reliable security partner.