Not that anyone asked me, but I think the proposed Queen Elisabeth Memorial looks rather tasteful and that equestrian statues are for conquerors or those who want to be portrayed as such.

First week for me after leaving the CER and good to see that nothing important or dramatic is happening that I would have wanted to write about.

Same for the Vox Populi, Vox Dei thing, which in the original context warned about the madness of crowds. But these people go back to the classics for contextless snippets, not any kind of real erudition

Ah, thank you - this would be a big difference! I like the theory of originalism in principle as it keeps political change with the politicians, but you'd have to stick to it from the start and not go back to it after a century or two

Doesn't sound awful, but I'm sure I'm not grasping the ramifications!

For those of us less familiar with US legal history, what would free speech originalism entail?

In the end, a lot of the details trade wonks worry a lot about don't matter all that much

My take on the Australia deal has mellowed a little in hindsight. Yes, the UK probably gave away more than it needed to, but in the end that was probably in line with the policy preferences of the gov't at the time. And I don't think Australia had much more of value to offer in any case.

My take on the Australia deal has mellowed a little in hindsight. Yes, the UK probably gave away more than it needed to, but in the end that was probably in line with the policy preferences of the gov't at the time. And I don't think Australia had much more of value to offer in any case.

Reading the Hobbit for the first time in decades and reminded what an excellent writer Tolkien could be, with long, fluid, vibrant sentences that seem to engage you in conversation. None of these short, bland and limp sentences so fashionable these days - just a joy to read. Merry Christmas!

Celebrating Christmas by fixing a leaky kitchen sink. Pro tip: get one of those silicon trays under your sink to protect from water damage

Reflections on the European Council decision to borrow €90 billion and lend it to Ukraine. Tl; dr: Ukraine benefits, but not enough; Putin & Trump will be encouraged; the EU & individual member-states have shown that it’s still too easy to intimidate them. 🧵1/13

The 2025-6 Clara Marina O'Donnell fellow, @thomasmaddock.bsky.social , with his first insight for @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social, on the EU's failed approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict - a topic close to Clara's own heart.

Often, Berlin is the main veto player when it comes to decisive EU action. But this week, for once, Berlin is a key driver of getting both the reparations loan and Mercosur over the finish line.

This time, the EU's ability to act act fully hinges on Rome's and Paris's will to jump.

Three hard lessons for European trade Global trade policy is now dominated by great power politics, putting Europe under pressure. The EU will have to accommodate the US, confront China and derisk from both.

It's been a rough year for European trade policy. The deal with the US, disputes with China and an overall sense of a worsening economic climate. My latest piece tries to draw out some lessons for Europe www.cer.eu/insights/thr...

Europe must boost its productivity through adopting foreign technologies - while also boosting its economic security. Can it manage both at once?

New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social policy brief by @aslak.bsky.social
& @zach-meyers.bsky.social

Read here: buff.ly/GyzXI4o

The Trump administration's industrial policy U-turn and aggressive trade policy are reshaping global clean tech markets. For EU manufacturers, it's a tale of two shocks: falling US demand + surging Chinese competition. Our new policy brief discusses what's happening and what Europe needs to do 🧵

When I finished writing this a couple of weeks ago, I didn't expect that the US would set out in its National Security Strategy how it could help Putin achieve his goals.

-Which case does “ad” take?
-..the ablative?
-that’s for moving away, with ad you’re…?
-moving towards
-so it takes which case?
-the accusative
-so it should be…?
-libros! Ad libros!
-now write that one hundred times

Every time I’m in Sweden I’m profoundly disturbed by this book store’s completely ungrammatical name

Resilient growth: Aligning productivity and security The European Competitiveness Fund could be a powerful tool to improve the EU's economic security. But the proposal needs reform to avoid pitting security and growth against each other.

This is a good paper from @aslak.bsky.social and CER colleagues on aligning productivity and security, particularly on the prioritisation that will be essential in considering dependencies, and the need to continue to be competitive globally. mailings.cer.eu/publications...

📅 JOIN US - 10/12/25: @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social /Swedish Enterprise discussion on 'Resilient Growth: Aligning Productivity and Security' with @aslak.bsky.social, @zach-meyers.bsky.social, Lotta Nymann-Lindegren, Maive Rute & Yannick Treige

Email: brussels@cer.eu for info and registration

Yes, but political elites obviously matter a lot!

My sense is that CU is unworkable politically for the UK. But as an unstable equilibrium it could be a way back into the EU. Far from the optimal process for it of course and it could also just end up collapsing

Do check out our new report - and come join us in Brussels for a round table discussion on it on Wednesday!

In isolation, yes.I think the political and practical barriers are too high, but I’d love to see your argument made in full !

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

Sam: technically it wouldn’t work because of X, Y, Z
David: the EU doesn’t really want it and would in any case extract a price
Me: it wouldn’t work politically for the UK
Different emphases, same conclusion

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.