BrianinFrance
@brianinfrance.bsky.social
Proud citizen of the world | Retired to 🇫🇷 | #FBPE | UK must #RejoinEU | Pro-PR | #CitizensRights | #FreedomOfMovement | #ClimateCrisis is real | Ex-X | Multiculturalism works | Big band jazz | My close family is from three continents | Slava Ukraini
Pinned
BrianinFrance
@brianinfrance.bsky.social
· Oct 29
Ending EU free movement a ‘disaster’ for Britain, says Green Party’s Zack Polanski
The party’s new leader calls for the migration pact to be reinstated as he sets out his stall on Brexit.
www.politico.eu
Finally, a politician talking sense...
@zackpolanski.bsky.social:
“I think rejoining the CU is something we should be doing as soon as possible”
“Over longer term, absolutely we should be rejoining the EU".
“I think Brexit was a catastrophic decision".
@zackpolanski.bsky.social:
“I think rejoining the CU is something we should be doing as soon as possible”
“Over longer term, absolutely we should be rejoining the EU".
“I think Brexit was a catastrophic decision".
Reposted by BrianinFrance
UK Labour: This is presumably fine with you?
Thames Water has deferred £2.5m bonus, disguised as retention payments, to execs.
First tranche of £2.5m already paid, millions more promised
Bonus for what - fleecing customers, dumping sewage in ruvers, not investing, boosting profits?
Let customers vote on exec pay/bonuses.
First tranche of £2.5m already paid, millions more promised
Bonus for what - fleecing customers, dumping sewage in ruvers, not investing, boosting profits?
Let customers vote on exec pay/bonuses.
Thames Water defers controversial £2.5m in bonuses to bosses
Heavily indebted utility puts back ‘retention payments’ for 21 executives until new year amid search for rescue deal
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:26 AM
UK Labour: This is presumably fine with you?
Keir Starmer has authorised an "urgent" review about the extent of foreign interference in British politics, as he prepares to change the law to tighten donation rules.
About f*cking time. It's been urgent for years.
About f*cking time. It's been urgent for years.
December 16, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Keir Starmer has authorised an "urgent" review about the extent of foreign interference in British politics, as he prepares to change the law to tighten donation rules.
About f*cking time. It's been urgent for years.
About f*cking time. It's been urgent for years.
Trump is seeking damages of no less than $5bn under a defamation lawsuit.
He has also filed a lawsuit for $5bn for alleged violation of a trade practices law.
The response should be two words to do with sex and travel.
Stop. Appeasing. Dictators.
He has also filed a lawsuit for $5bn for alleged violation of a trade practices law.
The response should be two words to do with sex and travel.
Stop. Appeasing. Dictators.
December 16, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Trump is seeking damages of no less than $5bn under a defamation lawsuit.
He has also filed a lawsuit for $5bn for alleged violation of a trade practices law.
The response should be two words to do with sex and travel.
Stop. Appeasing. Dictators.
He has also filed a lawsuit for $5bn for alleged violation of a trade practices law.
The response should be two words to do with sex and travel.
Stop. Appeasing. Dictators.
Zelenskiy is testing the US & Europe by offering to drop Ukraine’s quest to join NATO as part of a deal to end Russia’s war
Instead he wants to reach a network of agreements with countries that would be similar to the Art 5 collective-defense pact that underpins the military alliance
~Bloomberg
Instead he wants to reach a network of agreements with countries that would be similar to the Art 5 collective-defense pact that underpins the military alliance
~Bloomberg
December 15, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Zelenskiy is testing the US & Europe by offering to drop Ukraine’s quest to join NATO as part of a deal to end Russia’s war
Instead he wants to reach a network of agreements with countries that would be similar to the Art 5 collective-defense pact that underpins the military alliance
~Bloomberg
Instead he wants to reach a network of agreements with countries that would be similar to the Art 5 collective-defense pact that underpins the military alliance
~Bloomberg
Reposted by BrianinFrance
The prime minister and his counterpart in Denmark want a concerted effort to weaken human rights across Europe. This isn’t pragmatism – it’s cruelty
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Starmer is lobbying Europe to join him in watering down the ECHR. This illiberalism will harm us all | Steve Valdez-Symonds
The prime minister and his counterpart in Denmark want a concerted effort to weaken human rights across Europe. This isn’t pragmatism – it’s cruelty, says Steve Valdez-Symonds, refugee and migrant rig...
www.theguardian.com
December 13, 2025 at 9:37 AM
The prime minister and his counterpart in Denmark want a concerted effort to weaken human rights across Europe. This isn’t pragmatism – it’s cruelty
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“The convention and the whole human rights system emerged out of the most barbarous hierarchisation of rights holders that you could imagine, where you had not only some humans more worthy than others, but certain humans, because of their origin, as having no value whatsoever".
‘Who’s it going to be next time?’: ECHR rethink is ‘moral retreat’, say rights experts
As 27 European countries urge changes to laws forged after second world war, human rights chief says politicians are playing into hands of populists
www.theguardian.com
December 13, 2025 at 8:36 AM
“The convention and the whole human rights system emerged out of the most barbarous hierarchisation of rights holders that you could imagine, where you had not only some humans more worthy than others, but certain humans, because of their origin, as having no value whatsoever".
Reposted by BrianinFrance
Solidarity with the hunger strikers.
It is an egregious violation for them to be held on remand - without trial or conviction.
All for protesting against a genocide. Shameful.
It is an egregious violation for them to be held on remand - without trial or conviction.
All for protesting against a genocide. Shameful.
December 11, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Solidarity with the hunger strikers.
It is an egregious violation for them to be held on remand - without trial or conviction.
All for protesting against a genocide. Shameful.
It is an egregious violation for them to be held on remand - without trial or conviction.
All for protesting against a genocide. Shameful.
UK economy...
0% growth in August
-0.1% in September
-0.1% in October
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Brexit having the desired effect then. 🙄
#BrexitBrokenBritain
0% growth in August
-0.1% in September
-0.1% in October
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Brexit having the desired effect then. 🙄
#BrexitBrokenBritain
December 12, 2025 at 8:22 AM
UK economy...
0% growth in August
-0.1% in September
-0.1% in October
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Brexit having the desired effect then. 🙄
#BrexitBrokenBritain
0% growth in August
-0.1% in September
-0.1% in October
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Brexit having the desired effect then. 🙄
#BrexitBrokenBritain
Why does this message not sink in with our so-called leaders?
👇👇
👇👇
How many times do we need to point this out?
By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it.
While weakening your own position.
There's a vast amount of academic research showing this.
But Labour will not listen.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it.
While weakening your own position.
There's a vast amount of academic research showing this.
But Labour will not listen.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
Starmer urges Europe’s leaders to curb ECHR to halt rise of far right
Exclusive: PM calls for members of European convention on human rights to allow tougher action to protect borders
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Why does this message not sink in with our so-called leaders?
👇👇
👇👇
Reposted by BrianinFrance
How many times do we need to point this out?
By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it.
While weakening your own position.
There's a vast amount of academic research showing this.
But Labour will not listen.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it.
While weakening your own position.
There's a vast amount of academic research showing this.
But Labour will not listen.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
Starmer urges Europe’s leaders to curb ECHR to halt rise of far right
Exclusive: PM calls for members of European convention on human rights to allow tougher action to protect borders
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:56 AM
How many times do we need to point this out?
By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it.
While weakening your own position.
There's a vast amount of academic research showing this.
But Labour will not listen.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it.
While weakening your own position.
There's a vast amount of academic research showing this.
But Labour will not listen.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
Tied vote in Commons sees bid to join customs union with EU passed to a second reading.
December 9, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Tied vote in Commons sees bid to join customs union with EU passed to a second reading.
Such a travesty that this level of positivity for FOM is not reflected in our representatives in parliament.
Brits want mutual free movement restored 79% of us in a recent Omnisis poll believe we should have FOM to travel & work across Europe (88% after removing ‘don’t know’), and 73% believe, there should be ‘mutual free movement’ (84% after removing ‘don’t know’)
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...
‘Mutual free movement’ for UK and EU citizens supported by 84% of Brits, in stunning new poll
Omnisis poll suggests opposition to free movement was based on lack of awareness and the UK government failing to enforce the rules
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Such a travesty that this level of positivity for FOM is not reflected in our representatives in parliament.
European Council president Antonio Costa on Monday rejected any attempt by the United States to meddle in Europe's politics.
~France24
~France24
Antonio Costa says Europe cannot accept US 'threat to interfere'
www.france24.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
European Council president Antonio Costa on Monday rejected any attempt by the United States to meddle in Europe's politics.
~France24
~France24
Labour manifesto:
'Labour is committed to replacing the House of Lords with an alternative second chamber that is more representative of the regions and nations.
...the second chamber of Parliament has become too big'
Labour 2025: Nah, let's stuff some more in, including recycled Tories.
'Labour is committed to replacing the House of Lords with an alternative second chamber that is more representative of the regions and nations.
...the second chamber of Parliament has become too big'
Labour 2025: Nah, let's stuff some more in, including recycled Tories.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Excuse me, what?!
The Conservative Iceland boss to become a Labour Peer?
Whatever happened to abolishing the Lords I wonder?
Hmmmm🤔
Excuse me, what?!
The Conservative Iceland boss to become a Labour Peer?
Whatever happened to abolishing the Lords I wonder?
Hmmmm🤔
Iceland boss Richard Walker to become Labour peer, sources say
The supermarket chair quit the Conservative Party to throw his support behind Sir Keir Starmer.
www.bbc.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Labour manifesto:
'Labour is committed to replacing the House of Lords with an alternative second chamber that is more representative of the regions and nations.
...the second chamber of Parliament has become too big'
Labour 2025: Nah, let's stuff some more in, including recycled Tories.
'Labour is committed to replacing the House of Lords with an alternative second chamber that is more representative of the regions and nations.
...the second chamber of Parliament has become too big'
Labour 2025: Nah, let's stuff some more in, including recycled Tories.
Reposted by BrianinFrance
In the last 24hours the @CalaisAppeal fundraiser total has increased THREE TIMES OVER.
Like the Grinch, my heart is growing 3 sizes today ❤️❤️🥹🥹
Thank you so much to the good people sharing & donating - please keep passing it on! Love wins!!
Like the Grinch, my heart is growing 3 sizes today ❤️❤️🥹🥹
Thank you so much to the good people sharing & donating - please keep passing it on! Love wins!!
This year I’m doing something different - I’m only going to talk about this one appeal.
Please donate at the link here if you possibly can, or share this to beat the far right vigilante groups 👉 www.justgiving.com/campaign/tog...
Please donate at the link here if you possibly can, or share this to beat the far right vigilante groups 👉 www.justgiving.com/campaign/tog...
December 7, 2025 at 11:57 AM
In the last 24hours the @CalaisAppeal fundraiser total has increased THREE TIMES OVER.
Like the Grinch, my heart is growing 3 sizes today ❤️❤️🥹🥹
Thank you so much to the good people sharing & donating - please keep passing it on! Love wins!!
Like the Grinch, my heart is growing 3 sizes today ❤️❤️🥹🥹
Thank you so much to the good people sharing & donating - please keep passing it on! Love wins!!
It is now being reported that Downing Street has played down comments from David Lammy, the deputy prime minister & justice secretary, about the chances of the UK joining a customs union with the EU.
The current occupant of Downing Street seems determined to destroy any chance of the UK recovering.
The current occupant of Downing Street seems determined to destroy any chance of the UK recovering.
December 5, 2025 at 1:37 PM
It is now being reported that Downing Street has played down comments from David Lammy, the deputy prime minister & justice secretary, about the chances of the UK joining a customs union with the EU.
The current occupant of Downing Street seems determined to destroy any chance of the UK recovering.
The current occupant of Downing Street seems determined to destroy any chance of the UK recovering.
Reposted by BrianinFrance
There it is - EU Commission fines X €120 million under the Digital Services Act (for deceptive blue ticks, also ad repository, researchers access issues) - ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
For the legal background, see my thread (starting with my pinned tweet)
For the legal background, see my thread (starting with my pinned tweet)
Commission fines X €120 million under the Digital Services Act
Today, the Commission has issued a fine of €120 million to X for breaching its transparency obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
ec.europa.eu
December 5, 2025 at 11:20 AM
There it is - EU Commission fines X €120 million under the Digital Services Act (for deceptive blue ticks, also ad repository, researchers access issues) - ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
For the legal background, see my thread (starting with my pinned tweet)
For the legal background, see my thread (starting with my pinned tweet)
We have got to the point now where 'Lammy states the bleeding' obvious' is a headline.
Don't worry though, he added: 'Rejoining the customs union was not currently government policy'.
Don't worry though, he added: 'Rejoining the customs union was not currently government policy'.
Lammy says rejoining EU customs union could boost UK economy
Deputy PM joins growing chorus of support in Labour to undo Brexit
www.independent.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 8:49 AM
We have got to the point now where 'Lammy states the bleeding' obvious' is a headline.
Don't worry though, he added: 'Rejoining the customs union was not currently government policy'.
Don't worry though, he added: 'Rejoining the customs union was not currently government policy'.
Reposted by BrianinFrance
Finally someone says it.
Daisy Cooper, "In 2017 there was not a single asylum seeker that arrived on a boat"
"Today we have 46,000 a year"
"And do you know why?"
"Brexit"
"Pushed through by Boris Johnson and championed by Nigel Farage"
*audience erupts in applause" #BBCQT
"Today we have 46,000 a year"
"And do you know why?"
"Brexit"
"Pushed through by Boris Johnson and championed by Nigel Farage"
*audience erupts in applause" #BBCQT
December 4, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Finally someone says it.
"Starmer rules out rejoining EU customs union but..."
There is no 'but' that makes any sense.
There is no 'but' that makes any sense.
Starmer rules out rejoining EU customs union but steps up ‘reset’ efforts
UK prime minister has given two speeches this week promising closer ties with Brussels
www.ft.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:32 PM
"Starmer rules out rejoining EU customs union but..."
There is no 'but' that makes any sense.
There is no 'but' that makes any sense.
There are none so blind as those that will not see...
Time to admit the truth: Brexit has been an unmitigated economic failure, says The Telegraph.
Brexit Effect:
UK GDP down 8%
Investment down 18%
Productivity down 4%
Employment down 4%
Immigration not cut
No trade benefits
No regulatory freedom
Why do some still vote for Farage?
archive.ph/L2Gqp
Brexit Effect:
UK GDP down 8%
Investment down 18%
Productivity down 4%
Employment down 4%
Immigration not cut
No trade benefits
No regulatory freedom
Why do some still vote for Farage?
archive.ph/L2Gqp
Access Restricted
www.telegraph.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 8:26 PM
There are none so blind as those that will not see...
UK is plagued with politicians too scared to speak the truth.
After 9 years we are only now seeing timid admissions that Brexit has not been good.
We need to hear politicians say that Brexit has been an unmitigated disaster and it must be addressed now.
1/2
After 9 years we are only now seeing timid admissions that Brexit has not been good.
We need to hear politicians say that Brexit has been an unmitigated disaster and it must be addressed now.
1/2
November 30, 2025 at 4:03 PM
UK is plagued with politicians too scared to speak the truth.
After 9 years we are only now seeing timid admissions that Brexit has not been good.
We need to hear politicians say that Brexit has been an unmitigated disaster and it must be addressed now.
1/2
After 9 years we are only now seeing timid admissions that Brexit has not been good.
We need to hear politicians say that Brexit has been an unmitigated disaster and it must be addressed now.
1/2
Shabana Mahmood clearly has no morals or empathy, which is presumably why Starmer chose her for Home Secretary.
The UK has, by any measure, totally lost its way, morally, culturally and financially.
The UK has, by any measure, totally lost its way, morally, culturally and financially.
Shabana Mahmood said this month that her migration policies are a "moral mission".
Where is the morality in blocking an eight-year-old girl made destitute by a Hurricane from coming to the UK to join her parents?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Where is the morality in blocking an eight-year-old girl made destitute by a Hurricane from coming to the UK to join her parents?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK rejects visa for girl left destitute in Jamaica by Hurricane Melissa
Lati-Yana Brown’s parents had asked for application to be expedited so she could join them in UK after house ruined
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Shabana Mahmood clearly has no morals or empathy, which is presumably why Starmer chose her for Home Secretary.
The UK has, by any measure, totally lost its way, morally, culturally and financially.
The UK has, by any measure, totally lost its way, morally, culturally and financially.
Reposted by BrianinFrance
A brief reminder that everyone should leave X and let that heil hole rot away as it deserves to
Small changes to ‘for you’ feed on X can rapidly increase political polarisation www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Small changes to ‘for you’ feed on X can rapidly increase political polarisation
Study finds that a week of political content can bring about a shift in views that previously would have taken three years
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:55 AM
A brief reminder that everyone should leave X and let that heil hole rot away as it deserves to