Elena Adaal
@elenaadaal.bsky.social
I post mostly on Brexit. I try to think carefully before I post.
An apt take on the state of UK gov. by someone far more learned than I:
Many times I noted that results seem secondary to UK gov., and that performance looks to be the most important thing.
The two reasons for that (lack of agency + no faith in governance) seem plausible.
Many times I noted that results seem secondary to UK gov., and that performance looks to be the most important thing.
The two reasons for that (lack of agency + no faith in governance) seem plausible.
I don’t think it’s difficult to see where we are today (literally) in this discussion.
But I think now the combination of perceived lack of agency plus lack of faith in government has caused a crisis of action in which policy is considered secondary to ‘performance’.
But I think now the combination of perceived lack of agency plus lack of faith in government has caused a crisis of action in which policy is considered secondary to ‘performance’.
November 26, 2025 at 9:30 AM
An apt take on the state of UK gov. by someone far more learned than I:
Many times I noted that results seem secondary to UK gov., and that performance looks to be the most important thing.
The two reasons for that (lack of agency + no faith in governance) seem plausible.
Many times I noted that results seem secondary to UK gov., and that performance looks to be the most important thing.
The two reasons for that (lack of agency + no faith in governance) seem plausible.
Good to keep reminding everyone that having so much poverty is a deliberate choice of UK gov., made every day.
Britain is one of the world’s richest countries. Why do a third of children live in poverty?
It is a political choice - years of austerity, real wage cuts, regressive taxation, unchecked profiteering, disappearance of social housing, hijacking of govts by corporations/rich.
It is a political choice - years of austerity, real wage cuts, regressive taxation, unchecked profiteering, disappearance of social housing, hijacking of govts by corporations/rich.
Britain is one of the world’s richest countries. So why do a third of its children live in poverty? | CNN
Child poverty has reached a record high in the United Kingdom as the country’s cost of living soars and its social security safety net falters following years of government austerity.
edition.cnn.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Good to keep reminding everyone that having so much poverty is a deliberate choice of UK gov., made every day.
Excellent by @rafaelbehr.bsky.social, on the UK Labour hesitance to keep administering only hard medicine, with nothing more than just hope that things will improve.
Interesting that also the non-economic effects of Brexit are explicity mentioned.
Interesting that also the non-economic effects of Brexit are explicity mentioned.
Labour seems frozen by “twin fears…that swing voters would freak out if they thought Reeves was a tax-and-spend fiend or Starmer might smuggle remainer convictions into Downing St”
But, the foreign state that benefits most from Brexit inaction is Putin’s Russia.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
But, the foreign state that benefits most from Brexit inaction is Putin’s Russia.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Rachel Reeves has many problems. She’s realising that her Brexit bind may be the biggest of all | Rafael Behr
Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament, asks Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Excellent by @rafaelbehr.bsky.social, on the UK Labour hesitance to keep administering only hard medicine, with nothing more than just hope that things will improve.
Interesting that also the non-economic effects of Brexit are explicity mentioned.
Interesting that also the non-economic effects of Brexit are explicity mentioned.
Reposted by Elena Adaal
For all the frenzy about how the Europeans or Ukrainians were doomed four days ago or speculation about what Russia is up to, nothing in concrete terms has changed for the moment for both sides of this war
Instead it's the Americans who ceremoniously shot themselves in both feet
Instead it's the Americans who ceremoniously shot themselves in both feet
November 25, 2025 at 10:39 PM
For all the frenzy about how the Europeans or Ukrainians were doomed four days ago or speculation about what Russia is up to, nothing in concrete terms has changed for the moment for both sides of this war
Instead it's the Americans who ceremoniously shot themselves in both feet
Instead it's the Americans who ceremoniously shot themselves in both feet
It seems strange to have someone like Witkoff in your government.
Three things about the Witkoff tapes:
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
November 25, 2025 at 9:45 PM
It seems strange to have someone like Witkoff in your government.
Very good:
Dutch public broadcaster NOS quits X over disinformation reut.rs/3KpybRU
Dutch public broadcaster NOS quits X over disinformation
Dutch public broadcaster NOS on Tuesday said it had stopped posting on Elon Musk's social media platform X, as it said it did not want to facilitate the spreading of disinformation.
reut.rs
November 25, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Very good:
November 25, 2025 at 2:57 PM
It is good to draw the conclusion that the Trump/Vance US is no longer a reliable ally, but it is especially important to act on that.
Europe should build up its own defense as rapidly as possible, of course including a full nuclear umbrella, and consider a new NATO, without the US.
Europe should build up its own defense as rapidly as possible, of course including a full nuclear umbrella, and consider a new NATO, without the US.
Yes, but it is also a fact now that there is a pattern to it.
As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you, fool my twice, shame on me. The Europeans should no longer dellude themselves that a Trump/Vance US can be a reliable ally.
As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you, fool my twice, shame on me. The Europeans should no longer dellude themselves that a Trump/Vance US can be a reliable ally.
The Trump cycle on Russia-Ukraine. Some pro-Russian plan emerges. Instant commentariat renew their "Trump as Russian plant" stories. Plan is amended under EU (and US) pressure. Putin rejects it. Instant commentariat is puzzled. Rinse and repeat. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
November 25, 2025 at 9:15 AM
It is good to draw the conclusion that the Trump/Vance US is no longer a reliable ally, but it is especially important to act on that.
Europe should build up its own defense as rapidly as possible, of course including a full nuclear umbrella, and consider a new NATO, without the US.
Europe should build up its own defense as rapidly as possible, of course including a full nuclear umbrella, and consider a new NATO, without the US.
Reposted by Elena Adaal
Turns out I wasn’t the only one who thought this paper was an excellent x-ray of the UK economy.
It features prominently in Martin Wolfs new FT column
It features prominently in Martin Wolfs new FT column
November 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Turns out I wasn’t the only one who thought this paper was an excellent x-ray of the UK economy.
It features prominently in Martin Wolfs new FT column
It features prominently in Martin Wolfs new FT column
Further proof that the UK is closed for business.
UK does not like foreigners, and that goes for an awful lot of people in the UK.
Sensible people avoid going to UK.
UK does not like foreigners, and that goes for an awful lot of people in the UK.
Sensible people avoid going to UK.
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 6:38 PM
Further proof that the UK is closed for business.
UK does not like foreigners, and that goes for an awful lot of people in the UK.
Sensible people avoid going to UK.
UK does not like foreigners, and that goes for an awful lot of people in the UK.
Sensible people avoid going to UK.
The Tories hardly feature in the public discourse anymore, but sometimes they resurface and remind all of us again why that is the case.
Keep pushing austerity Tories...
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
...I look forward to never seeing you in power again
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
...I look forward to never seeing you in power again
Badenoch says growth being held up because ‘the state is too big’ and claims she is getting better at being Tory leader – UK politics live
Kemi Badenoch tells CBI conference that fewer people are working to support more people out of work
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
The Tories hardly feature in the public discourse anymore, but sometimes they resurface and remind all of us again why that is the case.
UK and Europe will become strangers to each other.
Note: the reason Europeans won't come to study in UK anymore is likely a practical one: For Europeans, studying in UK costs 10 times or more what it costs in Europe.
Note: the reason Europeans won't come to study in UK anymore is likely a practical one: For Europeans, studying in UK costs 10 times or more what it costs in Europe.
No European country left in the top 10 countries of origin for international students.
Matching the pattern in overall migration to the UK, after Brexit there was a sharp drop off from the EU, and a rise from the rest of the world.
Matching the pattern in overall migration to the UK, after Brexit there was a sharp drop off from the EU, and a rise from the rest of the world.
November 24, 2025 at 11:53 AM
UK and Europe will become strangers to each other.
Note: the reason Europeans won't come to study in UK anymore is likely a practical one: For Europeans, studying in UK costs 10 times or more what it costs in Europe.
Note: the reason Europeans won't come to study in UK anymore is likely a practical one: For Europeans, studying in UK costs 10 times or more what it costs in Europe.
I hope that these extremists that try to undermine European democracies will be investigated and exposed in all European countries.
This is one of the big accounts boosting Tommy Robinson, Farage and Reform and ‘English Patriots’.
It’s Russian.
It’s Russian.
November 24, 2025 at 11:32 AM
I hope that these extremists that try to undermine European democracies will be investigated and exposed in all European countries.
Excellent.
For sure a referendum on a United Ireland will be like Brexit, with the uninformed in fruitless discussion with the zealots, while reason takes the back seat, but the effort of trying to have a good debate beforehand is laudable.
For sure a referendum on a United Ireland will be like Brexit, with the uninformed in fruitless discussion with the zealots, while reason takes the back seat, but the effort of trying to have a good debate beforehand is laudable.
November 24, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Excellent.
For sure a referendum on a United Ireland will be like Brexit, with the uninformed in fruitless discussion with the zealots, while reason takes the back seat, but the effort of trying to have a good debate beforehand is laudable.
For sure a referendum on a United Ireland will be like Brexit, with the uninformed in fruitless discussion with the zealots, while reason takes the back seat, but the effort of trying to have a good debate beforehand is laudable.
The odious stench emanating from UK..
November 24, 2025 at 7:59 AM
The odious stench emanating from UK..
Another step in the alienation of foreigners by UK.
Some say this is done by UK gov to woo Reform voters. This never works, so the conclusion must be that UK gov. is anti-foreigner.
Sensible people should avoid UK.
UK is closed for business.
Some say this is done by UK gov to woo Reform voters. This never works, so the conclusion must be that UK gov. is anti-foreigner.
Sensible people should avoid UK.
UK is closed for business.
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 24, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Another step in the alienation of foreigners by UK.
Some say this is done by UK gov to woo Reform voters. This never works, so the conclusion must be that UK gov. is anti-foreigner.
Sensible people should avoid UK.
UK is closed for business.
Some say this is done by UK gov to woo Reform voters. This never works, so the conclusion must be that UK gov. is anti-foreigner.
Sensible people should avoid UK.
UK is closed for business.
The Russia-US plan is funny:
100 billion from Russia frozen in Europe will be unfrozen, 100 billion will be added by the Europeans, the US will get 50% of it, and US-Russia will get the rest.
So, met effect is that Russia gets its money back, and the Europeans pay the US 100 billion.
lol....
100 billion from Russia frozen in Europe will be unfrozen, 100 billion will be added by the Europeans, the US will get 50% of it, and US-Russia will get the rest.
So, met effect is that Russia gets its money back, and the Europeans pay the US 100 billion.
lol....
Have been thinking about comments from people saying the "peace plan" also includes things that Russia won't like, and citing the use of Russia's frozen assets for reconstruction of Ukraine. But nothing in the plan says the money couldn't be spent in Russian-occupied Ukraine.
November 23, 2025 at 2:58 PM
The Russia-US plan is funny:
100 billion from Russia frozen in Europe will be unfrozen, 100 billion will be added by the Europeans, the US will get 50% of it, and US-Russia will get the rest.
So, met effect is that Russia gets its money back, and the Europeans pay the US 100 billion.
lol....
100 billion from Russia frozen in Europe will be unfrozen, 100 billion will be added by the Europeans, the US will get 50% of it, and US-Russia will get the rest.
So, met effect is that Russia gets its money back, and the Europeans pay the US 100 billion.
lol....
There is as of yet no deal on UK’s access to SAFE funding.
An interesting question is why not? My theory is that the UK cannot find the funds to pay for it.
Is the UN such a cheapskate? It looks like it, but there is also something else going on:
(1/x)
An interesting question is why not? My theory is that the UK cannot find the funds to pay for it.
Is the UN such a cheapskate? It looks like it, but there is also something else going on:
(1/x)
Do increasingly wonder what the EU communications strategy is when an obviously false statement like "EU officials said that London is under the impression that there's no sense of urgency" is stated with regard to SAFE access. Seems a deal may be possible. www.politico.eu/article/no-d...
No deal on UK access to EU’s defense spending plan
The Commission wanted to wrap talks with the U.K. on taking part in the SAFE program by the end of the week, but that deadline is slipping.
www.politico.eu
November 22, 2025 at 8:28 PM
There is as of yet no deal on UK’s access to SAFE funding.
An interesting question is why not? My theory is that the UK cannot find the funds to pay for it.
Is the UN such a cheapskate? It looks like it, but there is also something else going on:
(1/x)
An interesting question is why not? My theory is that the UK cannot find the funds to pay for it.
Is the UN such a cheapskate? It looks like it, but there is also something else going on:
(1/x)
The UK media - especially written media - are such low-quality dismal rags.
Everyone working for them should be ashamed.
Everyone working for them should be ashamed.
Quite the correction by the Telegraph. The publication in question is @freemovement.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 10:57 PM
The UK media - especially written media - are such low-quality dismal rags.
Everyone working for them should be ashamed.
Everyone working for them should be ashamed.
A 10 and a half year jail time sentence.
This sounds like al lot. In the Netherlands such sentences are reserved for those convicted of multiple murders.
What he did must have been bad.
This sounds like al lot. In the Netherlands such sentences are reserved for those convicted of multiple murders.
What he did must have been bad.
BREAKING | Reform UK’s former leader in Wales Nathan Gill jailed over pro-Russia bribes
Reform UK’s former leader in Wales Nathan Gill jailed over pro-Russia bribes
www.independent.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 1:11 PM
A 10 and a half year jail time sentence.
This sounds like al lot. In the Netherlands such sentences are reserved for those convicted of multiple murders.
What he did must have been bad.
This sounds like al lot. In the Netherlands such sentences are reserved for those convicted of multiple murders.
What he did must have been bad.
Interesting to see what a sentence is given to the Reform person that betrayed UK in favour of Russia, especially since more or less open betrayal of UK is happening in public discourse.
The sentencing hearing of Nathan Gill has begun.
Follow @thenerve.news for updates throughout the day.
1/
Follow @thenerve.news for updates throughout the day.
1/
November 21, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Interesting to see what a sentence is given to the Reform person that betrayed UK in favour of Russia, especially since more or less open betrayal of UK is happening in public discourse.
Good news that more foreigners are leaving UK, as it starts to become clear how unwelcoming the UK is towards foreigners.
When more foreigners leave UK, less of them will be subjected to UK negativity and corresponding detrimental activities of UK gov.
When more foreigners leave UK, less of them will be subjected to UK negativity and corresponding detrimental activities of UK gov.
You see the Government embracing a far right anti-foreigner ideology, criticised by the Opposition for not going far enough. The party leading the polls is even more extreme. As an overseas doctor, able to work anywhere in the world. What are you going to do?
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Overseas-trained doctors leaving the UK in record numbers
Medical bodies warn that hostility towards migrants is behind a 26% rise in departures last year that imperils NHS
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Good news that more foreigners are leaving UK, as it starts to become clear how unwelcoming the UK is towards foreigners.
When more foreigners leave UK, less of them will be subjected to UK negativity and corresponding detrimental activities of UK gov.
When more foreigners leave UK, less of them will be subjected to UK negativity and corresponding detrimental activities of UK gov.
It is strange why this "plan" gets so much attention.
The US has practically no leverage anymore, since it is not deliverying aid or weapons, and it is increasingly unstable.
Nobody believes the US will give any security guarantees.
If nothing is offered to Ukraine, why even look at it?
The US has practically no leverage anymore, since it is not deliverying aid or weapons, and it is increasingly unstable.
Nobody believes the US will give any security guarantees.
If nothing is offered to Ukraine, why even look at it?
It’s not a “US plan”, it’s Moscow’s plan, dictated to guilty men in the White House. Setting aside the injustices being pushed on Ukraine, this would be a disaster for European security & guarantee a war with 🇷🇺 in a few years, in which, presumably, 🇺🇸 and 🇷🇺 are on the same side.
on.ft.com/3LYajoR
on.ft.com/3LYajoR
US plan for Ukraine-Russia peace calls on Kyiv to cede land under its control
Ukrainian officials say President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is being pressed to agree to terms negotiated by the US and Russia
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:59 AM
It is strange why this "plan" gets so much attention.
The US has practically no leverage anymore, since it is not deliverying aid or weapons, and it is increasingly unstable.
Nobody believes the US will give any security guarantees.
If nothing is offered to Ukraine, why even look at it?
The US has practically no leverage anymore, since it is not deliverying aid or weapons, and it is increasingly unstable.
Nobody believes the US will give any security guarantees.
If nothing is offered to Ukraine, why even look at it?
Every time the Protocol/Windsor Framework is trashed for no good reason it gains credibility - and its detractors lose that.
An idea is gaining traction in pieces like this that NI is stuck with old EU rules even if the EU tightened its immigration policies. This is a significant misreading of WF Art 2 - if "but for" Brexit, EU law would permit UK action, then Art 2 doesn't prevent it:
www.irishnews.com/opinion/newt...
www.irishnews.com/opinion/newt...
Newton Emerson: Is Northern Ireland facing a Windsor Framework immigration fiasco?
Framework is so poorly conceived that the whole of Europe could tighten up its immigration rules and Northern Ireland might be unable to follow
www.irishnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Every time the Protocol/Windsor Framework is trashed for no good reason it gains credibility - and its detractors lose that.
Defense spending is comparable to spending on research.
It is very, very difficult to explain to your own citizens that research in other countries should be financed by their money.
For that, you need shared institutions - like the EU.
Without that, it is simply not happening.
It is very, very difficult to explain to your own citizens that research in other countries should be financed by their money.
For that, you need shared institutions - like the EU.
Without that, it is simply not happening.
“Major differences remain between the two sides over the level of financial contributions the U.K. would need to make and the minimum mandatory share of components produced inside the EU, with senior British figures signaling they would not seek entry at any price.”
www.politico.eu/article/uk-a...
www.politico.eu/article/uk-a...
UK and EU hit impasse in defense deal talks
The EU wants London to pay between €4.5 billion and €6.5 billion to take part in SAFE, while the U.K. has offered €200 million to €300 million.
www.politico.eu
November 20, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Defense spending is comparable to spending on research.
It is very, very difficult to explain to your own citizens that research in other countries should be financed by their money.
For that, you need shared institutions - like the EU.
Without that, it is simply not happening.
It is very, very difficult to explain to your own citizens that research in other countries should be financed by their money.
For that, you need shared institutions - like the EU.
Without that, it is simply not happening.