As today, a question to be answered was "what form of particularly close association could be developed with certain European countries that might believe they cannot become members of the customs union"
aei.pitt.edu/995/1/Spaak_...
70 years ago today, 21 April 1956, 'the Six' adopted the Spaak Report that led to the establishment of the EEC.
With the UK having abandoned observer status at the preceding talks, the report referenced 'certain European countries that might believe they cannot become members of the customs union'
“diplomats and analysts warn that Starmer may already have missed his opportunity for a grand pivot to Europe. Time is running out, both for negotiations and also to show voters any real economic benefit from closer links to the trade superpower across the English Channel”
www.ft.com/content/2007...
‘Germany is pushing for “associate membership” status — where Kyiv would sit in ministerial and leaders’ meetings but have no voting rights and “no automatic application” of the shared EU budget.
‘France dubs such a halfway membership “integrated state status…’
www.ft.com/content/d44b...
“While 61% of all voters supported the government’s current approach to EU relations, only 19% did so “strongly”…
“A full return to the EU was supported by 53% of all voters with support at 83% among Labour voters, 84% Liberal Democrat and 82% Green”
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
“the UK can choose the broad depth of its chosen relationship, but the EU will shape the exact balance… whether it is a relationship based on a Free Trade Agreement, Customs Union, or Single Market it will be about what fits with the EU approach” - @davidheniguk.bsky.social
ecipe.org/insights/new...
“the bounds of conceivable scenarios for the current government. It involves British ministers and parliamentarians exercising significant leverage – including vetoes – over the rules and overall direction of the EU from seats in all of its governing institutions. It is the model called membership.”
“There is no escaping the trade-off between a political promise of undiluted national sovereignty and the blurring of borders required to maximise economic gains from integration. Or rather, there is an elegant solution to that problem, but it exists beyond…
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
🇪🇺🇬🇧EU and UK cooperation moves forward.
Today the legal texts bringing the UK formally into Erasmus+in 2027 were signed.
The 🇬🇧 association to Erasmus in 2027 will open thousands of opportunities for students, staff and youth to learn, travel and thrive across the EU and the UK.
New post
Some thoughts on the suggestion by pro-Brexit politicians that the government's proposal for "dynamic alignment" with EU rules would be a constitutional affront or would be an undemocratic subversion of the 2016 referendum.
(It wouldn't.)
publiclawforeveryone.com/2026/04/13/t...
New divergence tracker is out. If there's one clear message it's that - for a govt increasingly intent on EU alignment - there is an awful lot of divergence going on.
Speaks to how hard it is to keep pace with the EU without formal mechanisms for dynamic alignment.
With the UK contemplating dynamic regulatory alignment with the EU worth hearing from other non-member states already involved or signing up:
committees.parliament.uk/event/27022/...
There’s a lot of confusion right now among journalists and MP about secondary legislation and what a possible EU deal would mean.
A quick thread to clear a few things up on votes, Henry VIII powers & parliamentary scrutiny. 🧵
1/ First: what is a “normal parliamentary vote”?
Experience of Northern Ireland could be relevant here.
Key will be the definition of ‘new’ acts
Parliamentary scrutiny for new EU acts to be added to those subject to dynamic alignment… but not for those ‘amending’ or ‘replacing’ EU acts already applying?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
even with EU support, it remains unclear how far Nicosia can go, given the SBA’s value for both London and Washington...
“The European Commission declined to comment whether it shares Nicosia’s view that the British bases are a “colonial remnant.”
www.euractiv.com/news/cyprus-...
“The EU itself would also legitimately hesitate about even starting the process of negotiating a British re-entry, until it was backed by a clear national consensus in the UK. Having gone through Brexit once, there is zero appetite in Brussels, Berlin or Paris to repeat the exercise.”
“in reality, getting back in would be no simple matter. Britain would probably have to commit to joining the euro and would not get a full restoration of the budget rebate… Initial public enthusiasm for rejoining… might swiftly erode when confronted with those realities…
www.ft.com/content/b02b...
As the EU edges its way towards further enlargement it needs to be thinking hard about whether and how domestic ratification will be secured.... all member states must ratify each accession treaty
And there are challenges ahead
Here, arguably the largest: France
institutdelors.eu/en/publicati...
“This would also make it easier to test British proposals in other areas, in dialogue with the EU and member states, ultimately increasing their chances of success.”
“the UK must invest time and resources in understanding the evolving priorities in Brussels and in member states. London needs to consider what contribution the UK can usefully make to strengthening Europe’s resilience and security…
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-eus-pers...
“It is increasingly clear, as the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the EU..
"We want to be more ambitious and build closer economic... and closer security co-operation"
www.ft.com/content/9f3d...
EU-UK Agreement on Gibraltar expected to enter into provisional application on 15 July 2026.
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
“to substantively move on beyond the current negotiating agenda, [UK] will need to make a much bigger leap, rub out some of those red lines, and start being prepared to talk about substantial financial contributions, movement of people..." - @davidheniguk.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/uk-k...
Paving the way for more from the 'reset' in EU-UK relations.
And a reminder that being on the outside can often seem like a process of constant negotiations with the EU
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...?
‘British officials close to the negotiations said that while the idea of some kind of “emergency brake” system was “interesting”, it was still a “non-starter” and that the UK would insist on a cap on numbers before the youth scheme started.’
www.ft.com/content/4eaa...?
“Britain wants an outright cap, but the EU opposes this on the basis that the scheme is supposed to be a positive one aimed at celebrating and preserving links with the EU.”
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Excerpt from NISC letter to UK Government
Latest from @lordsniscom.parliament.uk for UK government on the Windsor Framework
Includes need for 'accessible and interactive UK-developed database of the EU law that applies to NI on a dynamic basic'
Such could be useful for a UK-EU SPS agreement
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
Useful overview of House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee's report on NI Voice on the Windsor Framework and the UK Government's response
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
“Some Labour officials are hoping… the bill will provoke a Brexit row with the Conservatives and Reform UK, reminding voters that their opponents supported Leave in the EU referendum…
“So far, there is little sign that [Farage or Badenoch] want a new fight over Brexit”
www.ft.com/content/b031...
