Thuy Tran
@thuytran.bsky.social
Used to be a faceless bureaucrat. Still faceless, but no longer a bureaucrat.
And even the alliance that was mooted by brexiters as being the UK's natural family (CANZUK) did not materialise.
January 18, 2026 at 8:44 PM
And even the alliance that was mooted by brexiters as being the UK's natural family (CANZUK) did not materialise.
Russia and Belarus are the main European countries that are left outside the EU's sphere of influence. I rest my case.
January 18, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Russia and Belarus are the main European countries that are left outside the EU's sphere of influence. I rest my case.
I wouldn't say vulnerable. UK is a major economy with enough power to stand on its own 2 feet. But it is isolated: out of 44 European countries, there are only a handful that are not in or associated with the EU one way or another. The scope for forming alliances outside EU simply does not exist.
January 18, 2026 at 8:13 PM
I wouldn't say vulnerable. UK is a major economy with enough power to stand on its own 2 feet. But it is isolated: out of 44 European countries, there are only a handful that are not in or associated with the EU one way or another. The scope for forming alliances outside EU simply does not exist.
I'm definitely referring to national elections which result in the leadership of the EU (aka the Council). The EU Parliament doesn't get a say if the Council blocks any initiative.
January 16, 2026 at 10:34 PM
I'm definitely referring to national elections which result in the leadership of the EU (aka the Council). The EU Parliament doesn't get a say if the Council blocks any initiative.
If European voters see how the Trump vote is going in the US and want the same then they deserve to get it good and hard.
January 16, 2026 at 10:19 PM
If European voters see how the Trump vote is going in the US and want the same then they deserve to get it good and hard.
Turkeys and Christmas comes to mind. They don't like what they have? See if they like what they will be voting for.
January 16, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Turkeys and Christmas comes to mind. They don't like what they have? See if they like what they will be voting for.
The EU leadership is the heads of state and government of the Member States. The only way to dismantle it is through national elections. But as long as Hungarian voters elect Urban or Italian voters elect Meloni etc., the EU will be paralysed. It all goes back to the voters.
January 16, 2026 at 9:21 PM
The EU leadership is the heads of state and government of the Member States. The only way to dismantle it is through national elections. But as long as Hungarian voters elect Urban or Italian voters elect Meloni etc., the EU will be paralysed. It all goes back to the voters.
The UK needs to realise how isolated it is, as countries that are not in the EU are either accession countries or countries it would prefer not to be associated with. Chances of forming a counterweight block to the EU are practically zero.
January 16, 2026 at 3:22 PM
The UK needs to realise how isolated it is, as countries that are not in the EU are either accession countries or countries it would prefer not to be associated with. Chances of forming a counterweight block to the EU are practically zero.
There are not enough countries nowadays to form a bloc outside of the EU that would be big enough to force its own view of Europe (assuming said countries can come to a unified view, which is highly doubtful). UK tried with the early EFTA and failed even though the EC then had fewer members.
January 16, 2026 at 3:13 PM
There are not enough countries nowadays to form a bloc outside of the EU that would be big enough to force its own view of Europe (assuming said countries can come to a unified view, which is highly doubtful). UK tried with the early EFTA and failed even though the EC then had fewer members.
Can you expand your thoughts?
January 16, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Can you expand your thoughts?
Sanction. Means to approve and to punish.
January 13, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Sanction. Means to approve and to punish.
I agree. The EU wants a non-compliance clause, knowing that Farage would not honour it, so that they have a legal basis to apply sanctions.
January 11, 2026 at 10:49 PM
I agree. The EU wants a non-compliance clause, knowing that Farage would not honour it, so that they have a legal basis to apply sanctions.
What would that achieve? They probably negotiated with other MS with less farmer lobbies and will return the favour on a matter which is in those countries' interest. It's usually how it works.
January 9, 2026 at 4:33 PM
What would that achieve? They probably negotiated with other MS with less farmer lobbies and will return the favour on a matter which is in those countries' interest. It's usually how it works.
Any chance that France was in favour but voted against for domestic reasons, knowing that there would be enough votes to pass it?
January 9, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Any chance that France was in favour but voted against for domestic reasons, knowing that there would be enough votes to pass it?
This is so wrong. There is no scenario in which a third country gets anything that hasn't been approved by the Member States.
January 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM
This is so wrong. There is no scenario in which a third country gets anything that hasn't been approved by the Member States.
It's usually the Commission which is more open and the Member States more intransigent.
January 6, 2026 at 11:58 AM
It's usually the Commission which is more open and the Member States more intransigent.
Or, all the Brits who want to stay in Spain longer than 90 days could go to Canada instead?
January 5, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Or, all the Brits who want to stay in Spain longer than 90 days could go to Canada instead?
Keep hoping. L'espoir fait vivre.
January 5, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Keep hoping. L'espoir fait vivre.
2) is not possible. The EU cannot offer any deal that has not been approved by its MS. They would shut the proposal down faster than you can say goodbye.
January 5, 2026 at 4:16 AM
2) is not possible. The EU cannot offer any deal that has not been approved by its MS. They would shut the proposal down faster than you can say goodbye.
I bought a bottle of chili vinegar dressing. £7.80 for 250ml. The premium soy sauce is £16 for 250ml.
January 4, 2026 at 7:21 PM
I bought a bottle of chili vinegar dressing. £7.80 for 250ml. The premium soy sauce is £16 for 250ml.
Pavlova, you just buy the meringue nests.
January 4, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Pavlova, you just buy the meringue nests.
No, the term doesn't imply bad faith. It implies exceptionalism as the UK was constantly doing while in the EU and is trying to do again now outside. It means only wanting the best bits selectively. Remember Tusk to May "Cake? Sorry no cherries".
January 4, 2026 at 11:35 AM
No, the term doesn't imply bad faith. It implies exceptionalism as the UK was constantly doing while in the EU and is trying to do again now outside. It means only wanting the best bits selectively. Remember Tusk to May "Cake? Sorry no cherries".
You are just regurgitating eurosceptic fabrications. Most people who know how the EU works gasped at what was conceded. But it was never going to be enough. There was a very vocal group of MPs who were determined to refuse everything even if they'd been given the moon.
January 4, 2026 at 10:13 AM
You are just regurgitating eurosceptic fabrications. Most people who know how the EU works gasped at what was conceded. But it was never going to be enough. There was a very vocal group of MPs who were determined to refuse everything even if they'd been given the moon.