Philip Brown
@tidybox.bsky.social
In Glasgow...Film | Art & Design | Mental Health | European politics | EFTA-EEA & Single Market.
Supervising art director for film/TV #Shetland
Supervising art director for film/TV #Shetland
Reposted by Philip Brown
"Donald Trump calculates: How will this make my family richer if Jared Kushner's involved - and how will I gain political leverage over my enemies?"
How much influence does Trump have in the proposed $108 billion takeover of Warner Bros?
How much influence does Trump have in the proposed $108 billion takeover of Warner Bros?
December 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
"Donald Trump calculates: How will this make my family richer if Jared Kushner's involved - and how will I gain political leverage over my enemies?"
How much influence does Trump have in the proposed $108 billion takeover of Warner Bros?
How much influence does Trump have in the proposed $108 billion takeover of Warner Bros?
Wordle 1,634 2/6
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December 9, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Wordle 1,634 2/6
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Reposted by Philip Brown
For me, this is the point. The case has to be made in comparison to alternatives. I'd add a free trade agreement that reduces barriers further without requiring common external tariffs, so not a customs union but FTA++
There is a very useful major piece of work to do that looks at the various options (CU, CU+, SM etc etc) prospectively (ie gains) vs retrospectively (ie losses).
December 8, 2025 at 2:26 PM
For me, this is the point. The case has to be made in comparison to alternatives. I'd add a free trade agreement that reduces barriers further without requiring common external tariffs, so not a customs union but FTA++
Reposted by Philip Brown
A customs union is only for goods. What about services?
Joining the EU customs union means UK external tariffs will largely be set by the EU, and that includes things like tariffs to protect Mediterranean orange growers.
Good closer relations might involve more than a 2-word slogan.
Joining the EU customs union means UK external tariffs will largely be set by the EU, and that includes things like tariffs to protect Mediterranean orange growers.
Good closer relations might involve more than a 2-word slogan.
Fortunately David Lammy you have the chance to vote for a customs union by backing our bill next week.
See you in the Aye lobby?
See you in the Aye lobby?
December 6, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A customs union is only for goods. What about services?
Joining the EU customs union means UK external tariffs will largely be set by the EU, and that includes things like tariffs to protect Mediterranean orange growers.
Good closer relations might involve more than a 2-word slogan.
Joining the EU customs union means UK external tariffs will largely be set by the EU, and that includes things like tariffs to protect Mediterranean orange growers.
Good closer relations might involve more than a 2-word slogan.
An article that should have provided clarity on what Labour's position on EU should be. When I thought there was a sensible person in the room I am still left questioning. /1
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Britain is stuck with a failed Brexit that neither citizens nor leaders want. Here are three ways to fix that | Stella Creasy
While those who defend the status quo and those who say ‘simply rejoin’ the EU are both wrong, there is a new mood and a clear opportunity, says Stella Creasy MP, chair of the Labour Movement for Euro...
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:57 AM
An article that should have provided clarity on what Labour's position on EU should be. When I thought there was a sensible person in the room I am still left questioning. /1
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A useful Substack from Sam Lowe on what a customs union could mean for UK.
Outside some tariff-free trade, it doesn't remove security/safety checks or offer the kind of regulatory alignment and closer integration with EU that many might be expecting.
mostfavourednation.substack.com/p/customs-un...
Outside some tariff-free trade, it doesn't remove security/safety checks or offer the kind of regulatory alignment and closer integration with EU that many might be expecting.
mostfavourednation.substack.com/p/customs-un...
Customs Union
What do you know? You know ...
mostfavourednation.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:41 AM
A useful Substack from Sam Lowe on what a customs union could mean for UK.
Outside some tariff-free trade, it doesn't remove security/safety checks or offer the kind of regulatory alignment and closer integration with EU that many might be expecting.
mostfavourednation.substack.com/p/customs-un...
Outside some tariff-free trade, it doesn't remove security/safety checks or offer the kind of regulatory alignment and closer integration with EU that many might be expecting.
mostfavourednation.substack.com/p/customs-un...
Reposted by Philip Brown
Meanwhile the EU is this week going to make announcements most likely reducing UK access to the single market. UK politics is simply refusing to learn any lessons about dealing with Brussels as a third country inews.co.uk/news/politic...
UK on collision course with EU over 'breach' of Brexit trade deal
'Buy European' policy in the EU could shut British firms
inews.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Meanwhile the EU is this week going to make announcements most likely reducing UK access to the single market. UK politics is simply refusing to learn any lessons about dealing with Brussels as a third country inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Philip Brown
There's something here about the distance between politics and experts, because it isn't as if any of us are hard to find to say this Labour Customs Union chatter is going nowhere
Is there a trade expert out there arguing for a UK-EU customs union? I think it’s fair to say that @davidheniguk.bsky.social @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social and myself are hardly Euroskeptics, and while we emphasise different things in talking about a CU the conclusion is unanimous.
December 8, 2025 at 8:22 AM
There's something here about the distance between politics and experts, because it isn't as if any of us are hard to find to say this Labour Customs Union chatter is going nowhere
Reposted by Philip Brown
Even a Turkish-type partial CU would de facto tie the UK very close to EU commercial policy without much say. And a completely integrated customs union is difficult to sustain because of the completely loss of sovereignty in this area it would entail.
December 8, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Even a Turkish-type partial CU would de facto tie the UK very close to EU commercial policy without much say. And a completely integrated customs union is difficult to sustain because of the completely loss of sovereignty in this area it would entail.
Reposted by Philip Brown
If European Digital Sovereignty is to mean anything, it ought to mean NOT posting on a platform owned and run by a fascist intent on undermining the EU!
And don't give me the bullshit you have to be there for "balance" or "reach" - the rules are stacked against you from the outset
And don't give me the bullshit you have to be there for "balance" or "reach" - the rules are stacked against you from the outset
December 7, 2025 at 8:18 PM
If European Digital Sovereignty is to mean anything, it ought to mean NOT posting on a platform owned and run by a fascist intent on undermining the EU!
And don't give me the bullshit you have to be there for "balance" or "reach" - the rules are stacked against you from the outset
And don't give me the bullshit you have to be there for "balance" or "reach" - the rules are stacked against you from the outset
Reposted by Philip Brown
If Nigel Farage claims he was just a teenage racist but grew out of it, here's what he had to say about Shamima Begum in 2019.
He was happy to judge her harshly as an adult for her teenage behaviour + beliefs even though she'd been groomed: "She clearly from these comments is a convinced jihadist."
He was happy to judge her harshly as an adult for her teenage behaviour + beliefs even though she'd been groomed: "She clearly from these comments is a convinced jihadist."
December 7, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Reposted by Philip Brown
I've said for years that the customs union idea will just confuse things.
1. People are mixing up "a" customs union with "The" Customs Union.
2. Neither is the Single Market.
3. Neither solves the major problems.
4. Neither includes Freedom of Movement.
5. Neither can be explained on the doorstep.
1. People are mixing up "a" customs union with "The" Customs Union.
2. Neither is the Single Market.
3. Neither solves the major problems.
4. Neither includes Freedom of Movement.
5. Neither can be explained on the doorstep.
December 7, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I've said for years that the customs union idea will just confuse things.
1. People are mixing up "a" customs union with "The" Customs Union.
2. Neither is the Single Market.
3. Neither solves the major problems.
4. Neither includes Freedom of Movement.
5. Neither can be explained on the doorstep.
1. People are mixing up "a" customs union with "The" Customs Union.
2. Neither is the Single Market.
3. Neither solves the major problems.
4. Neither includes Freedom of Movement.
5. Neither can be explained on the doorstep.
Reposted by Philip Brown
They aren't "patriots" they're a racist militia.
We have already seen vigilantes on the beaches of Dover, now we see them "hunting" people in towns. These are the people Starmer talks about "understanding the concerns of". Jfc, this is worrying on so many levels.
www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2143...
We have already seen vigilantes on the beaches of Dover, now we see them "hunting" people in towns. These are the people Starmer talks about "understanding the concerns of". Jfc, this is worrying on so many levels.
www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2143...
December 7, 2025 at 4:40 PM
They aren't "patriots" they're a racist militia.
We have already seen vigilantes on the beaches of Dover, now we see them "hunting" people in towns. These are the people Starmer talks about "understanding the concerns of". Jfc, this is worrying on so many levels.
www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2143...
We have already seen vigilantes on the beaches of Dover, now we see them "hunting" people in towns. These are the people Starmer talks about "understanding the concerns of". Jfc, this is worrying on so many levels.
www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2143...
Reposted by Philip Brown
"as voluntary as possible" - Labour's approach to deportations.
Imagine using that sort of formulation in other contexts, eg "as consensual as possible" of sex. That instantly exposes its weasel nature.
Imagine using that sort of formulation in other contexts, eg "as consensual as possible" of sex. That instantly exposes its weasel nature.
"He wanted the deportations of people born in Britain to be “as voluntary as possible”. So not "voluntary" then.
Labour and Reform are essentially aligned on anti-immigration. The only difference being that Labour claims its xenophobic cruelty is "progressive".
archive.today/6jlRL
Labour and Reform are essentially aligned on anti-immigration. The only difference being that Labour claims its xenophobic cruelty is "progressive".
archive.today/6jlRL
December 7, 2025 at 9:45 AM
"as voluntary as possible" - Labour's approach to deportations.
Imagine using that sort of formulation in other contexts, eg "as consensual as possible" of sex. That instantly exposes its weasel nature.
Imagine using that sort of formulation in other contexts, eg "as consensual as possible" of sex. That instantly exposes its weasel nature.
Very positive words from @stellacreasy.bsky.social - I feel quite often she is the only MP in the room that really understands the nuances with regards to the UK-EU relationship. I am glad she is upfront about problems facing this Government and what they can do going into the review next year.
‘I’m not saying we should negotiate to rejoin… but there is a deal to be done.’
Labour MP @stellacreasy.bsky.social
reacts to David Lammy’s refusal to rule out reversing Brexit.
Labour MP @stellacreasy.bsky.social
reacts to David Lammy’s refusal to rule out reversing Brexit.
December 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Very positive words from @stellacreasy.bsky.social - I feel quite often she is the only MP in the room that really understands the nuances with regards to the UK-EU relationship. I am glad she is upfront about problems facing this Government and what they can do going into the review next year.
I think this shows a great weakness than real strength in leadership. Whilst I do not support this obsession MPs have with joining a customs union, the failure of Starmer, Reeves etc. to grasp such opportunities and drop the hard stance on those red lines is absurd. It just gives ground to Reform.
This is madness. Lammy has now been told off merely for admitting (very reluctantly) in an interview that the UK would be better off in a Customs Union with the EU, even though he was extra careful not to join the dots to any sort of suggestion that it was Labour policy.
archive.ph/2025.12.05-1...
archive.ph/2025.12.05-1...
December 6, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I think this shows a great weakness than real strength in leadership. Whilst I do not support this obsession MPs have with joining a customs union, the failure of Starmer, Reeves etc. to grasp such opportunities and drop the hard stance on those red lines is absurd. It just gives ground to Reform.
The way a/the is used interchangeably by MPs and journalists alike to describe a customs union shows a distinct lack of understanding on existing models EU has with third countries. Limiting input on trade policy and being tied to CET with no say will not provide the growth this government needs.
‘The only idea around’: will Labour return to a customs union with the EU?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘The only idea around’: will Labour return to a customs union with the EU?
The desperate search for economic growth is pushing the party to confront the issue that dare not speak its name
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:46 AM
The way a/the is used interchangeably by MPs and journalists alike to describe a customs union shows a distinct lack of understanding on existing models EU has with third countries. Limiting input on trade policy and being tied to CET with no say will not provide the growth this government needs.
Reposted by Philip Brown
But Labour's EU reset is going to be in deep trouble unless they can find a way to push back against an EU in aggressively maximalist mood. Negotiating trade deals isn't meant to be easy. The UK needs to grow up fast, otherwise both sides will end up disappointed.
December 5, 2025 at 6:56 PM
But Labour's EU reset is going to be in deep trouble unless they can find a way to push back against an EU in aggressively maximalist mood. Negotiating trade deals isn't meant to be easy. The UK needs to grow up fast, otherwise both sides will end up disappointed.
Reposted by Philip Brown
Too late!
Mahmood, and Labour by extension, are a gift to Reform and the far-right, both with their policies and rhetoric. Rather than countering hostile and misleading narratives about migrants they are reinforcing them, and fuelling division in the process.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Mahmood, and Labour by extension, are a gift to Reform and the far-right, both with their policies and rhetoric. Rather than countering hostile and misleading narratives about migrants they are reinforcing them, and fuelling division in the process.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
December 5, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Too late!
Mahmood, and Labour by extension, are a gift to Reform and the far-right, both with their policies and rhetoric. Rather than countering hostile and misleading narratives about migrants they are reinforcing them, and fuelling division in the process.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Mahmood, and Labour by extension, are a gift to Reform and the far-right, both with their policies and rhetoric. Rather than countering hostile and misleading narratives about migrants they are reinforcing them, and fuelling division in the process.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Philip Brown
Sick of constant demonisation of migrants on #bbcqt & failed cruelty being the only answer from spineless politicians?
Look out for my report launching at 11am with 9 evidence-backed proposals to ACTUALLY fix the immigration system!
With @anothereurope.bsky.social & @fesonline.bsky.social
👀👀👀
Look out for my report launching at 11am with 9 evidence-backed proposals to ACTUALLY fix the immigration system!
With @anothereurope.bsky.social & @fesonline.bsky.social
👀👀👀
December 5, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Sick of constant demonisation of migrants on #bbcqt & failed cruelty being the only answer from spineless politicians?
Look out for my report launching at 11am with 9 evidence-backed proposals to ACTUALLY fix the immigration system!
With @anothereurope.bsky.social & @fesonline.bsky.social
👀👀👀
Look out for my report launching at 11am with 9 evidence-backed proposals to ACTUALLY fix the immigration system!
With @anothereurope.bsky.social & @fesonline.bsky.social
👀👀👀
Reposted by Philip Brown
Thank God for Bluesky: A little love letter to the people who would not compromise with Nazis iandunt.substack.com/p/thank-god-...
Thank God for Bluesky
Yes, it's eager. Yes, it's censorious. But it has the very considerable advantage of not being fascist.
iandunt.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Thank God for Bluesky: A little love letter to the people who would not compromise with Nazis iandunt.substack.com/p/thank-god-...
Reposted by Philip Brown
Starmer needs to find the courage to follow his arguments about the failures and costs of Brexit to their logical conclusion. His recent foreign policy speech fell short by continuing to gloss over hard truths, and pretend Britain can keep muddling through.
December 5, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Starmer needs to find the courage to follow his arguments about the failures and costs of Brexit to their logical conclusion. His recent foreign policy speech fell short by continuing to gloss over hard truths, and pretend Britain can keep muddling through.
Reposted by Philip Brown
And HEEEERE it is!!
The REAL solutions to fix immigration for all - for a system we can be proud of!
bsky.app/profile/anot...
The REAL solutions to fix immigration for all - for a system we can be proud of!
bsky.app/profile/anot...
HOT OFF THE PRESS: Time for Change is here!
Sick of the constant demonisation of migrants?
Want to see an alternative plan?
Our new report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social outlines 9 steps to a system that delivers dignity for all.
Read it here: www.anothereurope.org/time-for-cha...
Sick of the constant demonisation of migrants?
Want to see an alternative plan?
Our new report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social outlines 9 steps to a system that delivers dignity for all.
Read it here: www.anothereurope.org/time-for-cha...
Time For Change: The evidence-based policies that can actually fix the immigration system
A new report from prominent migration expert Zoe Gardner has been enthusiastically welcomed by senior Labour backbenchers.
www.anothereurope.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:23 AM
And HEEEERE it is!!
The REAL solutions to fix immigration for all - for a system we can be proud of!
bsky.app/profile/anot...
The REAL solutions to fix immigration for all - for a system we can be proud of!
bsky.app/profile/anot...
Is there evidence that the change in policy exposes girls to harassment or is it just prejudices held by the parent in this instance?
Were these same concerns ever raised towards Scouts, which has been co-educational since the 90s and required all groups to accept both girls/boys since mid 2000s?
Were these same concerns ever raised towards Scouts, which has been co-educational since the 90s and required all groups to accept both girls/boys since mid 2000s?
"Girlguiding had been facing legal action from a parent over its policy allowing transgender girls to join as members and trans women to volunteer in roles reserved for women, claiming it “exposes girls to harassment”
And presumably feared a sustained campaign.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
And presumably feared a sustained campaign.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Trans girls banned from joining Girlguiding
Girls’ adventure charity says it made decision after seeking legal advice in wake of supreme court ruling on gender
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Is there evidence that the change in policy exposes girls to harassment or is it just prejudices held by the parent in this instance?
Were these same concerns ever raised towards Scouts, which has been co-educational since the 90s and required all groups to accept both girls/boys since mid 2000s?
Were these same concerns ever raised towards Scouts, which has been co-educational since the 90s and required all groups to accept both girls/boys since mid 2000s?
Reposted by Philip Brown
All of us: Why, in our judgement, Chris Mason is misleading on most political points, all the time.
Because he’s incapable of political commentary that isn’t marinated in his own rightwing bias. Allegations for Labour. Free passes for Tories/Reform. Every Single Time.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Because he’s incapable of political commentary that isn’t marinated in his own rightwing bias. Allegations for Labour. Free passes for Tories/Reform. Every Single Time.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Chris Mason: Why, in my judgement, Reeves was misleading on one specific point
The Chancellor chose not to share some information on tax receipts in an unusual press conference, given before the Budget.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 7:22 PM
All of us: Why, in our judgement, Chris Mason is misleading on most political points, all the time.
Because he’s incapable of political commentary that isn’t marinated in his own rightwing bias. Allegations for Labour. Free passes for Tories/Reform. Every Single Time.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Because he’s incapable of political commentary that isn’t marinated in his own rightwing bias. Allegations for Labour. Free passes for Tories/Reform. Every Single Time.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...