David Phinnemore
@dphinnemore.bsky.social
Professor of European Politics, Queen's University Belfast. EU politics, treaty reform, enlargement, Brexit/Protocol/Windsor Framework
Late addition to today's ECOFIN Council.
It could have been left to General Affairs Council next week which is 'taking stock' of the state of play in EU-UK relations
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
It could have been left to General Affairs Council next week which is 'taking stock' of the state of play in EU-UK relations
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
November 13, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Late addition to today's ECOFIN Council.
It could have been left to General Affairs Council next week which is 'taking stock' of the state of play in EU-UK relations
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
It could have been left to General Affairs Council next week which is 'taking stock' of the state of play in EU-UK relations
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
EU regional/structural policies 👇
November 12, 2025 at 5:32 PM
EU regional/structural policies 👇
EU(27) moving towards adoption of mandates for negotiations on SPS and ETS agreements with the UK.
data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
November 11, 2025 at 7:12 AM
EU(27) moving towards adoption of mandates for negotiations on SPS and ETS agreements with the UK.
data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
“The overall result for the six month period is that 96% of the value of goods moved under freight did so within the Internal Market system. The UK Government’s Internal Market Guarantee of 80% has therefore been met for this period.’
Caveats and recommendations
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Caveats and recommendations
www.gov.uk/government/p...
November 10, 2025 at 7:45 PM
“The overall result for the six month period is that 96% of the value of goods moved under freight did so within the Internal Market system. The UK Government’s Internal Market Guarantee of 80% has therefore been met for this period.’
Caveats and recommendations
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Caveats and recommendations
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Could do with sight of the proposed 'joint statements'
November 7, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Could do with sight of the proposed 'joint statements'
Do we know that the EU(27) are demanding contributions to regional funds?
Commission's proposal for negotiating mandate made no mention of it
Commission's proposal for negotiating mandate made no mention of it
November 7, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Do we know that the EU(27) are demanding contributions to regional funds?
Commission's proposal for negotiating mandate made no mention of it
Commission's proposal for negotiating mandate made no mention of it
November 7, 2025 at 7:33 AM
The poll was conducted by LucidTalk on 3-6 October 2025 and the findings draw on a sample of 1201 respondents weighted to be representative of the adult population of Northern Ireland. Results are accurate to a margin of error of +/-2.3% at 95% confidence.
Full report: www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-b...
Full report: www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-b...
October 24, 2025 at 7:47 AM
The poll was conducted by LucidTalk on 3-6 October 2025 and the findings draw on a sample of 1201 respondents weighted to be representative of the adult population of Northern Ireland. Results are accurate to a margin of error of +/-2.3% at 95% confidence.
Full report: www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-b...
Full report: www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-b...
On the recommendations made by Lord Murphy following his Independent Review of the Windsor Framework, most popular are:
- UK Government considering all possibilities to reduce frictions on GB-NI movement of goods
- UK Government and NI Executive emphasising benefits of dual market access
- UK Government considering all possibilities to reduce frictions on GB-NI movement of goods
- UK Government and NI Executive emphasising benefits of dual market access
October 24, 2025 at 7:47 AM
On the recommendations made by Lord Murphy following his Independent Review of the Windsor Framework, most popular are:
- UK Government considering all possibilities to reduce frictions on GB-NI movement of goods
- UK Government and NI Executive emphasising benefits of dual market access
- UK Government considering all possibilities to reduce frictions on GB-NI movement of goods
- UK Government and NI Executive emphasising benefits of dual market access
The survey is the first to be conducted since the UK-EU Summit in May.
NI voters are most supportive of UK-EU plans for:
- closer cooperation on health security (e.g. in relation to pandemics)
- an SPS agreement likely to reduce the impact of the Irish Sea border.
NI voters are most supportive of UK-EU plans for:
- closer cooperation on health security (e.g. in relation to pandemics)
- an SPS agreement likely to reduce the impact of the Irish Sea border.
October 24, 2025 at 7:47 AM
The survey is the first to be conducted since the UK-EU Summit in May.
NI voters are most supportive of UK-EU plans for:
- closer cooperation on health security (e.g. in relation to pandemics)
- an SPS agreement likely to reduce the impact of the Irish Sea border.
NI voters are most supportive of UK-EU plans for:
- closer cooperation on health security (e.g. in relation to pandemics)
- an SPS agreement likely to reduce the impact of the Irish Sea border.
When placed alongside nine other issues, only 15% of respondents rank the Windsor Framework in their top three issues of concern.
For most respondents, priority concerns are around health and social care provision, and the economy and cost of living...
For most respondents, priority concerns are around health and social care provision, and the economy and cost of living...
October 24, 2025 at 7:47 AM
When placed alongside nine other issues, only 15% of respondents rank the Windsor Framework in their top three issues of concern.
For most respondents, priority concerns are around health and social care provision, and the economy and cost of living...
For most respondents, priority concerns are around health and social care provision, and the economy and cost of living...
Few actors are more trusted than distrusted on managing the interests of Northern Ireland with respect to the Windsor Framework.
Only business representatives are trusted by the majority of voters...
Only business representatives are trusted by the majority of voters...
October 24, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Few actors are more trusted than distrusted on managing the interests of Northern Ireland with respect to the Windsor Framework.
Only business representatives are trusted by the majority of voters...
Only business representatives are trusted by the majority of voters...
Views continue to be divided on the impact of the Windsor Framework.
46% currently view its impact on the economy as positive, so down on February 2024 (56%); 36% view the impact as negative...
46% currently view its impact on the economy as positive, so down on February 2024 (56%); 36% view the impact as negative...
October 24, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Views continue to be divided on the impact of the Windsor Framework.
46% currently view its impact on the economy as positive, so down on February 2024 (56%); 36% view the impact as negative...
46% currently view its impact on the economy as positive, so down on February 2024 (56%); 36% view the impact as negative...
Just over half of voters (52%) view the Windsor Framework as an appropriate way to manage the effects of Brexit.
The issue on which there is most consensus is that Brexit is on balance a bad thing for Northern Ireland: 63% think so, including 55% strongly, compared to 31% thinking it good...
The issue on which there is most consensus is that Brexit is on balance a bad thing for Northern Ireland: 63% think so, including 55% strongly, compared to 31% thinking it good...
October 24, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Just over half of voters (52%) view the Windsor Framework as an appropriate way to manage the effects of Brexit.
The issue on which there is most consensus is that Brexit is on balance a bad thing for Northern Ireland: 63% think so, including 55% strongly, compared to 31% thinking it good...
The issue on which there is most consensus is that Brexit is on balance a bad thing for Northern Ireland: 63% think so, including 55% strongly, compared to 31% thinking it good...
48% of respondents regard the Windsor Framework as ‘on balance a good thing for Northern Ireland’, the lowest level since June 2021; 36% disagree...
October 24, 2025 at 7:47 AM
48% of respondents regard the Windsor Framework as ‘on balance a good thing for Northern Ireland’, the lowest level since June 2021; 36% disagree...
Out today, the findings of latest polling of NI voters' views on Brexit, the Windsor Framework and UK-EU relations.
While most voters in Northern Ireland are either generally accepting or supportive of the Windsor Framework, overall support has weakened...
www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-b...
While most voters in Northern Ireland are either generally accepting or supportive of the Windsor Framework, overall support has weakened...
www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-b...
October 24, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Out today, the findings of latest polling of NI voters' views on Brexit, the Windsor Framework and UK-EU relations.
While most voters in Northern Ireland are either generally accepting or supportive of the Windsor Framework, overall support has weakened...
www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-b...
While most voters in Northern Ireland are either generally accepting or supportive of the Windsor Framework, overall support has weakened...
www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-b...
And on that labyrinthine complexity...
October 15, 2025 at 6:26 AM
And on that labyrinthine complexity...
Among the aims: 'help[ing increase the countries’ competitiveness and ultimately prepares the WB 6 for EU Membership'
October 9, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Among the aims: 'help[ing increase the countries’ competitiveness and ultimately prepares the WB 6 for EU Membership'
‘Polling commissioned by POLITICO shows the government’s agri-food deal agreed in principle with Brussels is popular with Remainers and Leavers alike — even when they're told it means following EU rules.
‘Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of voters back the deal…
‘Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of voters back the deal…
October 3, 2025 at 6:35 AM
‘Polling commissioned by POLITICO shows the government’s agri-food deal agreed in principle with Brussels is popular with Remainers and Leavers alike — even when they're told it means following EU rules.
‘Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of voters back the deal…
‘Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of voters back the deal…
Joint Statement from today's EU-UK Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework.
Work still to be done on 'full, timely and faithful' implementation.
More detail than in past statements
Value of stakeholder engagement flagged
commission.europa.eu/document/dow...
Work still to be done on 'full, timely and faithful' implementation.
More detail than in past statements
Value of stakeholder engagement flagged
commission.europa.eu/document/dow...
October 2, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Joint Statement from today's EU-UK Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework.
Work still to be done on 'full, timely and faithful' implementation.
More detail than in past statements
Value of stakeholder engagement flagged
commission.europa.eu/document/dow...
Work still to be done on 'full, timely and faithful' implementation.
More detail than in past statements
Value of stakeholder engagement flagged
commission.europa.eu/document/dow...
Next meeting of the EU-UK Specialised Committee on the Windsor Framework meets tomorrow, 2 October 2025.
Agenda 👇 (same as for previous meeting in June)
commission.europa.eu/publications...
Agenda 👇 (same as for previous meeting in June)
commission.europa.eu/publications...
October 1, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Next meeting of the EU-UK Specialised Committee on the Windsor Framework meets tomorrow, 2 October 2025.
Agenda 👇 (same as for previous meeting in June)
commission.europa.eu/publications...
Agenda 👇 (same as for previous meeting in June)
commission.europa.eu/publications...
And a nod to a previous Bruges speech 37 years ago…
September 17, 2025 at 6:36 AM
And a nod to a previous Bruges speech 37 years ago…
Latest speech on UK-EU relations from Nick Thomas-Symonds… in Bruges
“Sovereignty is not some delicate fossil…
…it should be a modern tool which helps us to make pragmatic decisions about the future.
All this means some alignment on standards…”
www.gov.uk/government/s...
“Sovereignty is not some delicate fossil…
…it should be a modern tool which helps us to make pragmatic decisions about the future.
All this means some alignment on standards…”
www.gov.uk/government/s...
September 17, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Latest speech on UK-EU relations from Nick Thomas-Symonds… in Bruges
“Sovereignty is not some delicate fossil…
…it should be a modern tool which helps us to make pragmatic decisions about the future.
All this means some alignment on standards…”
www.gov.uk/government/s...
“Sovereignty is not some delicate fossil…
…it should be a modern tool which helps us to make pragmatic decisions about the future.
All this means some alignment on standards…”
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Initial response from UKG 👇
... to be followed by written response to the recommendations of the report within six months
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
... to be followed by written response to the recommendations of the report within six months
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
September 4, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Initial response from UKG 👇
... to be followed by written response to the recommendations of the report within six months
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
... to be followed by written response to the recommendations of the report within six months
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
'Issues for Business and Trade'... and Article 2
September 4, 2025 at 11:44 AM
'Issues for Business and Trade'... and Article 2