Catio Miles
@catiomiles.bsky.social
Liberal. Economics. Governance.
Making the argument for Britain’s return at the heart of Europe.
Making the argument for Britain’s return at the heart of Europe.
Pinned
Catio Miles
@catiomiles.bsky.social
· Aug 30
As we discuss flags and their meaning and values, the 🇪🇺 is banned in the U.K. according to a 2021 Boris Johnson law still in place under Starmer.
But the flag represents everything for people in Ukraine, or Budapest, Romania or Tbilisi. 👇
But the flag represents everything for people in Ukraine, or Budapest, Romania or Tbilisi. 👇
Banning the 🇪🇺 only shows the post #Brexit British insecurity and provincialism.
Reposted by Catio Miles
Russia scrambling to save the world’s third longest rail network as Putin’s war economy cools.
Rail there now a whopping $51 billion in debt. When the dominoes start falling, they’ll fall fast.
Rail there now a whopping $51 billion in debt. When the dominoes start falling, they’ll fall fast.
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Russia scrambling to save the world’s third longest rail network as Putin’s war economy cools.
Rail there now a whopping $51 billion in debt. When the dominoes start falling, they’ll fall fast.
Rail there now a whopping $51 billion in debt. When the dominoes start falling, they’ll fall fast.
Reposted by Catio Miles
Varoufakis was useless, not a serious politician.
And at a time of absolute crisis for Greece and Europe when the situation was crying out for honesty and sobriety
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
And at a time of absolute crisis for Greece and Europe when the situation was crying out for honesty and sobriety
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Former Greek PM Tsipras savages ‘celebrity’ ex-finance minister Varoufakis in memoir
Alexis Tsipras says that during debt crisis Yanis Varoufakis was more interested in promoting his books
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Varoufakis was useless, not a serious politician.
And at a time of absolute crisis for Greece and Europe when the situation was crying out for honesty and sobriety
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
And at a time of absolute crisis for Greece and Europe when the situation was crying out for honesty and sobriety
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Catio Miles
Prices for Chinese export goods to Russia have increased by 87% during the last 12 months. Compare this with the West and you see that in the same amount of time prices increased only by 9%.
November 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Prices for Chinese export goods to Russia have increased by 87% during the last 12 months. Compare this with the West and you see that in the same amount of time prices increased only by 9%.
Very interesting 👇
In practice they do. I ran the numbers here. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
A European way of war: Towards doctrine to defend against Russia, without the US - Garvan Walshe, 2025
Recent changes in US foreign policy and strategic posture have forced Europe to think about meeting its security needs without US support. One issue that requir...
journals.sagepub.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Very interesting 👇
Reposted by Catio Miles
absolutely batshit insane for a government to drag out the fuel duty "freeze" (annual tax cut) even further
When can you declare an emergency over?
The 5p “emergency” petrol tax cut was introduced in March 2022, to offset a spike in prices
They are now about 30p down on that month, & about 50p down on the absolute peak
The 5p “emergency” petrol tax cut was introduced in March 2022, to offset a spike in prices
They are now about 30p down on that month, & about 50p down on the absolute peak
November 25, 2025 at 4:37 PM
absolutely batshit insane for a government to drag out the fuel duty "freeze" (annual tax cut) even further
Reposted by Catio Miles
Brexit has cost each and every one of us £3,700 a year.
But instead of solving the problem, Labour are using Brexit as an excuse to raise your taxes.
My message ahead of the Budget: Stop blaming Brexit and start fixing it!
But instead of solving the problem, Labour are using Brexit as an excuse to raise your taxes.
My message ahead of the Budget: Stop blaming Brexit and start fixing it!
November 25, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Brexit has cost each and every one of us £3,700 a year.
But instead of solving the problem, Labour are using Brexit as an excuse to raise your taxes.
My message ahead of the Budget: Stop blaming Brexit and start fixing it!
But instead of solving the problem, Labour are using Brexit as an excuse to raise your taxes.
My message ahead of the Budget: Stop blaming Brexit and start fixing it!
Many people forget that territory is not just about territory.
There are millions of people who will be forced to leave or unable to return and millions who will have to live under a dictatorial regime rather than a democratic one.
There are millions of people who will be forced to leave or unable to return and millions who will have to live under a dictatorial regime rather than a democratic one.
Scoop @financialtimes.com: Under the US-Ukraine deal, Kyiv agreed to cap the size of its army at 800,000, according to senior officials who say they're pleased with the plan. Points left are territorial matters and security guarantees, which are TBD by Zelensky and Trump. www.ft.com/content/b0d9...
Russia signals it could reject modified US peace plan for Ukraine
Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov suggests Moscow would walk away from proposal that differs substantially from Alaska talks
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Many people forget that territory is not just about territory.
There are millions of people who will be forced to leave or unable to return and millions who will have to live under a dictatorial regime rather than a democratic one.
There are millions of people who will be forced to leave or unable to return and millions who will have to live under a dictatorial regime rather than a democratic one.
Tax on foreign students at 6%
Now a tax on foreign tourists as well.
Also, the £10 entry fee for EU tourists.
These are taxes on exports, but likely we will see fewer foreigners around I guess…
Now a tax on foreign tourists as well.
Also, the £10 entry fee for EU tourists.
These are taxes on exports, but likely we will see fewer foreigners around I guess…
Tourist Tax is fine I think. Worth noting though how this started as an idea for local authority discretion but seems likely to end as a Treasury imposition on England. The unchanging policy that HMT must control as much as possible. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reeves Budget to Embrace Tourist Tax for Cities Including London
The UK will allow Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and other local leaders to impose a “tourist tax” on overnight stays in English cities.
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Tax on foreign students at 6%
Now a tax on foreign tourists as well.
Also, the £10 entry fee for EU tourists.
These are taxes on exports, but likely we will see fewer foreigners around I guess…
Now a tax on foreign tourists as well.
Also, the £10 entry fee for EU tourists.
These are taxes on exports, but likely we will see fewer foreigners around I guess…
Reposted by Catio Miles
The just-released US consumer sentiment numbers are in.
Three disappointments overshadow optimism from positive revisions to prior data:
The Headline Miss: The overall index landed at 88.7, well short of the 93.3 consensus forecast.
...
1 of 2
Three disappointments overshadow optimism from positive revisions to prior data:
The Headline Miss: The overall index landed at 88.7, well short of the 93.3 consensus forecast.
...
1 of 2
November 25, 2025 at 3:13 PM
The just-released US consumer sentiment numbers are in.
Three disappointments overshadow optimism from positive revisions to prior data:
The Headline Miss: The overall index landed at 88.7, well short of the 93.3 consensus forecast.
...
1 of 2
Three disappointments overshadow optimism from positive revisions to prior data:
The Headline Miss: The overall index landed at 88.7, well short of the 93.3 consensus forecast.
...
1 of 2
Reposted by Catio Miles
This is exactly what the recent Trump-BBC 'scandal' was designed to achieve. The BBC is now self-censoring criticisms of Trump in the name of "impartiality"
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 AM
This is exactly what the recent Trump-BBC 'scandal' was designed to achieve. The BBC is now self-censoring criticisms of Trump in the name of "impartiality"
So the guy who claims to KNOW what the people in Britain want, that guy didn’t KNOW his right hand man for many years was taking bribes from Putin for political activities?
The former leader of Reform in Wales pled GUILTY to accepting bribes from Russia.
As hard as Farage may try, he cannot duck the scrutiny...
We need a full investigation into Russian interference in our politics - the people of Wales deserve full transparency.
As hard as Farage may try, he cannot duck the scrutiny...
We need a full investigation into Russian interference in our politics - the people of Wales deserve full transparency.
November 25, 2025 at 11:41 AM
So the guy who claims to KNOW what the people in Britain want, that guy didn’t KNOW his right hand man for many years was taking bribes from Putin for political activities?
6 Russian drones fell in Moldova last night and couple more continued towards Romania, a NATO country.
November 25, 2025 at 10:42 AM
6 Russian drones fell in Moldova last night and couple more continued towards Romania, a NATO country.
Reposted by Catio Miles
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:10 AM
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
Reposted by Catio Miles
According to a new study from a respected US think tank, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), Britain’s decision to leave the EU has meant that its GDP is between 6 per cent and 8 per cent smaller than it would have been.
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 AM
According to a new study from a respected US think tank, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), Britain’s decision to leave the EU has meant that its GDP is between 6 per cent and 8 per cent smaller than it would have been.
Farage is on his way down.
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 25% (-2)
LAB: 19% (=)
CON: 18% (+1)
GRN: 16% (-1)
LDM: 15% (+2)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 23-24 Nov.
Changes w/ 16-17 Nov.
RFM: 25% (-2)
LAB: 19% (=)
CON: 18% (+1)
GRN: 16% (-1)
LDM: 15% (+2)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 23-24 Nov.
Changes w/ 16-17 Nov.
November 25, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Farage is on his way down.
Reposted by Catio Miles
It is significant that Martin Lewis (and not, say, Richard Tice) is blaming government 'policy costs' for energy price rises.
November 25, 2025 at 6:30 AM
It is significant that Martin Lewis (and not, say, Richard Tice) is blaming government 'policy costs' for energy price rises.
Politicians and the media also forget the huge debt we have, which despite being lower than Italy’s or Greece’s we pay much higher interest rate on our debt as being outside a big currency union comes with a risk premium, hence a higher interest rate.
There's a very very very simple reason why nothing Labour do ever moves the needle on the parlous state of the UK economy.
They have deliberately and repeatedly chosen to ignore the elephant filling every nook and cranny of the room.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
They have deliberately and repeatedly chosen to ignore the elephant filling every nook and cranny of the room.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
November 25, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Politicians and the media also forget the huge debt we have, which despite being lower than Italy’s or Greece’s we pay much higher interest rate on our debt as being outside a big currency union comes with a risk premium, hence a higher interest rate.
Where is Britain?
The second day of the #AUEU2025 summit has just started.
The two regions celebrate 25 years of a close and comprehensive alliance based on:
🔹 shared values
🔹 cooperation for peace, prosperity and multilateralism
More facts and figures ⬇️
link.europa.eu/fgCDfr
The two regions celebrate 25 years of a close and comprehensive alliance based on:
🔹 shared values
🔹 cooperation for peace, prosperity and multilateralism
More facts and figures ⬇️
link.europa.eu/fgCDfr
November 25, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Where is Britain?
Reposted by Catio Miles
"It is more popular to expect our country’s problems to be solved by business alone than it is to accept that we should all contribute to making life at the bottom of the income distribution scale better"
on.ft.com/4iDP6x3 by
@stephenkb.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4iDP6x3 by
@stephenkb.bsky.social
The minimum wage is not a cure all — we’re asking too much of business
Politicians spend too much time uttering cheap rhetoric about cheap labour
on.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:52 AM
"It is more popular to expect our country’s problems to be solved by business alone than it is to accept that we should all contribute to making life at the bottom of the income distribution scale better"
on.ft.com/4iDP6x3 by
@stephenkb.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4iDP6x3 by
@stephenkb.bsky.social
Rephrase this as “is it ok to tax exports 6%?” and let’s see the answer…
With Rachel Reeves reportedly set to apply a new tax on tuition fees paid by overseas students, most Britons support such a move at the previously mooted level of 6%
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
November 24, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Rephrase this as “is it ok to tax exports 6%?” and let’s see the answer…
Reposted by Catio Miles
Remember this when the whining about Etias starts.
November 24, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Remember this when the whining about Etias starts.
Reposted by Catio Miles
BBC News cover claims of Nigel Farage's racism
"One Jewish pupil said he was targeted by Mr Farage, who would tell him: Hitler was right and gassed them"
"Another public who was non-white was told to go back to where he came from"
"One Jewish pupil said he was targeted by Mr Farage, who would tell him: Hitler was right and gassed them"
"Another public who was non-white was told to go back to where he came from"
November 24, 2025 at 10:23 PM
BBC News cover claims of Nigel Farage's racism
"One Jewish pupil said he was targeted by Mr Farage, who would tell him: Hitler was right and gassed them"
"Another public who was non-white was told to go back to where he came from"
"One Jewish pupil said he was targeted by Mr Farage, who would tell him: Hitler was right and gassed them"
"Another public who was non-white was told to go back to where he came from"
They are not even trying to hide it.
Go into Venezuela to steal the oil.
Go into Venezuela to steal the oil.
BREAKING: GOP Congresswoman Maria Salazar says the US is about to invade Venezuela:
“Maduro understands that we’re about to go in. He’s been our enemy for 25 years… we need to go in … Venezuela for the American oil companies will be a field day.”
“Maduro understands that we’re about to go in. He’s been our enemy for 25 years… we need to go in … Venezuela for the American oil companies will be a field day.”
November 24, 2025 at 11:21 PM
They are not even trying to hide it.
Go into Venezuela to steal the oil.
Go into Venezuela to steal the oil.
But it’s OK for non doms billionaires to wire billions within seconds and without any checks or restrictions to tax havens…
Trevor Phillips proposes banning "remittances" (ie: imposing currency/exchange controls on international cash transfers by foreign nationals from Britain). He says this would disincentivise immigration, in a Times piece saying the Home Secretary needs to go [much] further
archive.ph/RlXPj
archive.ph/RlXPj
November 24, 2025 at 11:16 PM
But it’s OK for non doms billionaires to wire billions within seconds and without any checks or restrictions to tax havens…