Mark Purchase
@markpurch.bsky.social
“We just don't recognize life's most significant moments while they're happening. Back then I thought, "Well, there'll be other days."
“I didn't realize that that was the only day”
Dr. Archibald "Moonlight" Graham - Field of Dreams
“I didn't realize that that was the only day”
Dr. Archibald "Moonlight" Graham - Field of Dreams
Reposted by Mark Purchase
It would be quite amusing if Farage now said 'nope, we don't want him either'
January 15, 2026 at 12:21 PM
It would be quite amusing if Farage now said 'nope, we don't want him either'
Reposted by Mark Purchase
A predatory class, which demands not just the shirt off your back, but the skin as well. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
How a billionaire with interests in Greenland encouraged Trump to acquire the territory
US president’s friend Ronald Lauder – who first proposed Arctic expansion – is now making deals in the island
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:54 PM
A predatory class, which demands not just the shirt off your back, but the skin as well. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Tonight's turret meeting will be pretty awkward
January 15, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Tonight's turret meeting will be pretty awkward
Reposted by Mark Purchase
exactly this 👆
nobody is talking about "Labours brexit".
Farage doesn't have a huge majority of seats in parliament.
Labour do. Labour have even admitted brexit has caused huge economic problems - but they refuse to fix it.
nobody is talking about "Labours brexit".
Farage doesn't have a huge majority of seats in parliament.
Labour do. Labour have even admitted brexit has caused huge economic problems - but they refuse to fix it.
Henry Zeffman: Less than meets the eye to Starmer's words on Brexit
This week, the PM was trying to set the scene for what is to come on the UK-EU relationship, sources say.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 10:19 AM
exactly this 👆
nobody is talking about "Labours brexit".
Farage doesn't have a huge majority of seats in parliament.
Labour do. Labour have even admitted brexit has caused huge economic problems - but they refuse to fix it.
nobody is talking about "Labours brexit".
Farage doesn't have a huge majority of seats in parliament.
Labour do. Labour have even admitted brexit has caused huge economic problems - but they refuse to fix it.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Thanks to the (also a "Schengen") CTA...
(Of course, Brits used to be able to do this to another extra 30 countries too)
"Make your move from the UK to Ireland" visa free share.google/9npJDEw31g3B...
(Of course, Brits used to be able to do this to another extra 30 countries too)
"Make your move from the UK to Ireland" visa free share.google/9npJDEw31g3B...
Make your move from the UK to Ireland
You don’t need a visa to relocate to the Emerald Isle, which is part of the EU — but property prices are high there
share.google
January 15, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Thanks to the (also a "Schengen") CTA...
(Of course, Brits used to be able to do this to another extra 30 countries too)
"Make your move from the UK to Ireland" visa free share.google/9npJDEw31g3B...
(Of course, Brits used to be able to do this to another extra 30 countries too)
"Make your move from the UK to Ireland" visa free share.google/9npJDEw31g3B...
Reposted by Mark Purchase
This year, we’re celebrating 40 years since Portugal and Spain joined the EU! 🇵🇹 🇪🇸
What has EU membership meant for citizens in these two countries? Find out in this video 🎥👇
What has EU membership meant for citizens in these two countries? Find out in this video 🎥👇
January 15, 2026 at 8:26 AM
This year, we’re celebrating 40 years since Portugal and Spain joined the EU! 🇵🇹 🇪🇸
What has EU membership meant for citizens in these two countries? Find out in this video 🎥👇
What has EU membership meant for citizens in these two countries? Find out in this video 🎥👇
Because he a loud mouth gobshite with more opinions that he has knowledge
From being a pisspoor NBA analyst to becoming the ESPN go to expert on just about every sport imaginable, he has made a career out of bad takes and always being wrong
Branching out into politics was always going to end badly
From being a pisspoor NBA analyst to becoming the ESPN go to expert on just about every sport imaginable, he has made a career out of bad takes and always being wrong
Branching out into politics was always going to end badly
Why is Stephen A Smith blaming Renee Good for her own death?
The ESPN broadcaster’s comments about the ICE shooting in Minnesota moves him closer to the stance of another media figure he has long attacked
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Because he a loud mouth gobshite with more opinions that he has knowledge
From being a pisspoor NBA analyst to becoming the ESPN go to expert on just about every sport imaginable, he has made a career out of bad takes and always being wrong
Branching out into politics was always going to end badly
From being a pisspoor NBA analyst to becoming the ESPN go to expert on just about every sport imaginable, he has made a career out of bad takes and always being wrong
Branching out into politics was always going to end badly
Reposted by Mark Purchase
The ”classe dominante” - the English Establishment - is screwed.
When Toto pulls back the curtain in the Wizard of Oz, observe how frightened the little man operating the machinery is. That’s them. Their façade is crumbling.
When Toto pulls back the curtain in the Wizard of Oz, observe how frightened the little man operating the machinery is. That’s them. Their façade is crumbling.
January 14, 2026 at 8:58 AM
The ”classe dominante” - the English Establishment - is screwed.
When Toto pulls back the curtain in the Wizard of Oz, observe how frightened the little man operating the machinery is. That’s them. Their façade is crumbling.
When Toto pulls back the curtain in the Wizard of Oz, observe how frightened the little man operating the machinery is. That’s them. Their façade is crumbling.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
You have EXACTLY the Brexit people voted for, when they decided to stop being part of the European Union!! 🤦🤦🤦
I don’t think we’ve got the Brexit people voted for. Our traders face a daily nightmare getting goods across the border.
Here’s one example of just why. Toby Ovens of Broughton Transport told us about the 26 stamps he needs on loads of forms. To move one trailer across the Channel…
Here’s one example of just why. Toby Ovens of Broughton Transport told us about the 26 stamps he needs on loads of forms. To move one trailer across the Channel…
January 14, 2026 at 3:58 AM
You have EXACTLY the Brexit people voted for, when they decided to stop being part of the European Union!! 🤦🤦🤦
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Yes, they got the Brexit they voted for.
They got the only Brexit available.
The failure is Brexit. Brexit is a failure.
They got the only Brexit available.
The failure is Brexit. Brexit is a failure.
I don’t think we’ve got the Brexit people voted for. Our traders face a daily nightmare getting goods across the border.
Here’s one example of just why. Toby Ovens of Broughton Transport told us about the 26 stamps he needs on loads of forms. To move one trailer across the Channel…
Here’s one example of just why. Toby Ovens of Broughton Transport told us about the 26 stamps he needs on loads of forms. To move one trailer across the Channel…
January 13, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Yes, they got the Brexit they voted for.
They got the only Brexit available.
The failure is Brexit. Brexit is a failure.
They got the only Brexit available.
The failure is Brexit. Brexit is a failure.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
New piece by me
🔴The EU’s ‘Farage Clause’ Shows the Damage Reform Is Already Doing to the UK
As well as making us poorer each year, Farage’s Brexit is also making us more vulnerable to those who wish to do us harm, argues @chrisgrey.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2026/01/13/t...
As well as making us poorer each year, Farage’s Brexit is also making us more vulnerable to those who wish to do us harm, argues @chrisgrey.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2026/01/13/t...
The EU's 'Farage Clause' Shows the Damage Reform Is Already Doing to the UK
As well as making us poorer each year, Farage's Brexit is also making us more vulnerable to those who wish to do us harm, argues Chris Grey
bylinetimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:07 PM
New piece by me
Reposted by Mark Purchase
After having left the very big room called EU, which cost the UK economy about 6-8% of GDP, Starmer still claims there is no case to re-enter that room, but there IS a case spending all his time travelling all over the world to enter much smaller rooms which boost our economy by 0.1% or less.
Starmer tells Labour MPs his foreign trips can help fix cost of living crisis
Prime minister tells parliamentary party that ‘being in the room’ for trade and defence talks will boost UK economy
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:16 AM
After having left the very big room called EU, which cost the UK economy about 6-8% of GDP, Starmer still claims there is no case to re-enter that room, but there IS a case spending all his time travelling all over the world to enter much smaller rooms which boost our economy by 0.1% or less.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
The cream of the crap.
A senior Tory MP once told me the ‘worst’ conservatives gathered around Boris Johnson.
When it comes to Tories defecting to Farage and Reform, we can be sure they are the worst of the worst - la crème de la crème ou la merde de la merde
When it comes to Tories defecting to Farage and Reform, we can be sure they are the worst of the worst - la crème de la crème ou la merde de la merde
January 12, 2026 at 7:55 PM
The cream of the crap.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Personally it is the one good thing about Brexit, It made me reconsider who I was. To try and understand my Irish family history.
January 12, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Personally it is the one good thing about Brexit, It made me reconsider who I was. To try and understand my Irish family history.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
I'd been planning to claim citizenship for a long time, just never got around to it. Brexit made me sit up and do it.
January 12, 2026 at 7:31 PM
I'd been planning to claim citizenship for a long time, just never got around to it. Brexit made me sit up and do it.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
That's complete nonsense. Only an Irish citizen can hold an Irish passport. People can indeed qualify for citizenship via descent - it doesn't make them any less of an Irish citizen. Like almost every republic, there are not different classes of citizenship.
January 12, 2026 at 7:40 PM
That's complete nonsense. Only an Irish citizen can hold an Irish passport. People can indeed qualify for citizenship via descent - it doesn't make them any less of an Irish citizen. Like almost every republic, there are not different classes of citizenship.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Indeed.
My son wants an Irish passport. It's a 2-stage process:
1. He has to apply for Irish citizenship (means meeting the rules for citizenship);
2. If he is successful, he can then apply for an Irish passport.
My son wants an Irish passport. It's a 2-stage process:
1. He has to apply for Irish citizenship (means meeting the rules for citizenship);
2. If he is successful, he can then apply for an Irish passport.
January 12, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Indeed.
My son wants an Irish passport. It's a 2-stage process:
1. He has to apply for Irish citizenship (means meeting the rules for citizenship);
2. If he is successful, he can then apply for an Irish passport.
My son wants an Irish passport. It's a 2-stage process:
1. He has to apply for Irish citizenship (means meeting the rules for citizenship);
2. If he is successful, he can then apply for an Irish passport.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Only exceptionalists would perceive the locals as the foreigners when they're in a foreign country
January 12, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Only exceptionalists would perceive the locals as the foreigners when they're in a foreign country
Reposted by Mark Purchase
It absolutely is true. 100%. You cannot have an Irish passport without being an Irish citizen. Same as every other country.
January 12, 2026 at 5:02 PM
It absolutely is true. 100%. You cannot have an Irish passport without being an Irish citizen. Same as every other country.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
When I received my Irish citizenship, the letter didn’t say ‘congratulations on becoming Irish’, but recognised that I had always been Irish.
January 12, 2026 at 5:09 PM
When I received my Irish citizenship, the letter didn’t say ‘congratulations on becoming Irish’, but recognised that I had always been Irish.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
This thread raises an interesting point. Remaining with a slim majority in the #Frauderendum, or ignoring the result, would not have addressed the issues exposed by the #Brexit debate and they would have continued to fester. However, I can't help thinking nothing will ever... 1/2
January 12, 2026 at 9:22 AM
This thread raises an interesting point. Remaining with a slim majority in the #Frauderendum, or ignoring the result, would not have addressed the issues exposed by the #Brexit debate and they would have continued to fester. However, I can't help thinking nothing will ever... 1/2
Reposted by Mark Purchase
🎼Happy birthday to the #EuropeanAnthem, adopted by the Council of Europe 54 years ago today!
Lauding shared values between nations, it became the EU anthem in 1985.
Click below to listen to the orchestra's rendition and more than 30 other versions ➡ www.coe.int/en/web/about...
Lauding shared values between nations, it became the EU anthem in 1985.
Click below to listen to the orchestra's rendition and more than 30 other versions ➡ www.coe.int/en/web/about...
January 12, 2026 at 9:09 AM
🎼Happy birthday to the #EuropeanAnthem, adopted by the Council of Europe 54 years ago today!
Lauding shared values between nations, it became the EU anthem in 1985.
Click below to listen to the orchestra's rendition and more than 30 other versions ➡ www.coe.int/en/web/about...
Lauding shared values between nations, it became the EU anthem in 1985.
Click below to listen to the orchestra's rendition and more than 30 other versions ➡ www.coe.int/en/web/about...
It appears that @jonawils.bsky.social isn't a huge fan of the newly released film Saipan
"Here, beyond stick-it-up-your-bollocks, there isn’t much else – and what there is takes some highly questionable liberties with what actually happened"
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
"Here, beyond stick-it-up-your-bollocks, there isn’t much else – and what there is takes some highly questionable liberties with what actually happened"
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Beyond Keane’s stick-it-up-your-bollocks, there isn’t much else to Saipan | Jonathan Wilson
Why is the film of Ireland’s 2002 World Cup falling-out not a documentary but a drama that takes liberties with events?
www.theguardian.com
January 11, 2026 at 3:15 PM
It appears that @jonawils.bsky.social isn't a huge fan of the newly released film Saipan
"Here, beyond stick-it-up-your-bollocks, there isn’t much else – and what there is takes some highly questionable liberties with what actually happened"
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
"Here, beyond stick-it-up-your-bollocks, there isn’t much else – and what there is takes some highly questionable liberties with what actually happened"
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Favourite lines in this weeks @chrisgrey.bsky.social Brexit & Brexitism blog
'the domestic discussion of Brexit is one of endless repetition'
"None of that is worth taking the time to unpick" ... the nonsense objections to Erasmus+
"Starmer’s constipated, uninspiring leadership"
'the domestic discussion of Brexit is one of endless repetition'
"None of that is worth taking the time to unpick" ... the nonsense objections to Erasmus+
"Starmer’s constipated, uninspiring leadership"
Enemies within and without
<a rel="me" href="https://mastodon.online/@ChrisGrey">Mastodon</a>
chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Favourite lines in this weeks @chrisgrey.bsky.social Brexit & Brexitism blog
'the domestic discussion of Brexit is one of endless repetition'
"None of that is worth taking the time to unpick" ... the nonsense objections to Erasmus+
"Starmer’s constipated, uninspiring leadership"
'the domestic discussion of Brexit is one of endless repetition'
"None of that is worth taking the time to unpick" ... the nonsense objections to Erasmus+
"Starmer’s constipated, uninspiring leadership"
Reposted by Mark Purchase
"Rachel Reeves could be forced to raise taxes to make up for a shortfall of billions of pounds caused by a collapse in immigration numbers, experts have warned." Times
Oh dear. At first they do all they can to stop immigration incl. Brexit and now they cry because it could completely collapse 🤡
Oh dear. At first they do all they can to stop immigration incl. Brexit and now they cry because it could completely collapse 🤡
January 10, 2026 at 5:26 PM
"Rachel Reeves could be forced to raise taxes to make up for a shortfall of billions of pounds caused by a collapse in immigration numbers, experts have warned." Times
Oh dear. At first they do all they can to stop immigration incl. Brexit and now they cry because it could completely collapse 🤡
Oh dear. At first they do all they can to stop immigration incl. Brexit and now they cry because it could completely collapse 🤡