Gavin Budge
@gavinbudge.bsky.social
Chair, North Herts for Europe. Check out our YouTube channel, NorthHerts 4Europe for regular pro-Rejoin political commentary from qualified experts
Reposted by Gavin Budge
The Guardian: Finally, Labour is finding its nerve and getting Britain's bad Brexit deal undone | Polly Toynbee
Rejoining Erasmus should just be a first step – as the economic evidence piles up, the need for closer ties with Europe could not be clearer
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Rejoining Erasmus should just be a first step – as the economic evidence piles up, the need for closer ties with Europe could not be clearer
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Finally, Labour is finding its nerve and getting Britain’s bad Brexit deal undone | Polly Toynbee
Rejoining Erasmus should just be a first step – as the economic evidence piles up, the need for closer ties with Europe could not be clearer, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The Guardian: Finally, Labour is finding its nerve and getting Britain's bad Brexit deal undone | Polly Toynbee
Rejoining Erasmus should just be a first step – as the economic evidence piles up, the need for closer ties with Europe could not be clearer
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Rejoining Erasmus should just be a first step – as the economic evidence piles up, the need for closer ties with Europe could not be clearer
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Gavin Budge
MPs laughed when Jake Richards dismissed Jeremy Corbyn’s request for a meeting on the Palestine Action hunger strikers.
Laughed.
This is who we’re governed by, people entrusted to represent a nation, yet so insulated by power they respond to human suffering with indifference and mockery.
Laughed.
This is who we’re governed by, people entrusted to represent a nation, yet so insulated by power they respond to human suffering with indifference and mockery.
December 18, 2025 at 8:59 AM
MPs laughed when Jake Richards dismissed Jeremy Corbyn’s request for a meeting on the Palestine Action hunger strikers.
Laughed.
This is who we’re governed by, people entrusted to represent a nation, yet so insulated by power they respond to human suffering with indifference and mockery.
Laughed.
This is who we’re governed by, people entrusted to represent a nation, yet so insulated by power they respond to human suffering with indifference and mockery.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
Farage's failed Brexit promised the world and has delivered nothing but misery. So why trust Farage's Reform with the UK economy? They can't even run councils they've won.
#SpottedNews
#SpottedNews
December 19, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Farage's failed Brexit promised the world and has delivered nothing but misery. So why trust Farage's Reform with the UK economy? They can't even run councils they've won.
#SpottedNews
#SpottedNews
Reposted by Gavin Budge
Self-deception allowed Brexiter narrative on trade to exist.
Firstly, that there was a special relationship and the UK should be in the US orbit (which without recourse to courts in like doing deals with the mob.)
1
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Firstly, that there was a special relationship and the UK should be in the US orbit (which without recourse to courts in like doing deals with the mob.)
1
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
MPs warn that UK agreements with Donald Trump are ‘built on sand’
Exclusive: Health select committee chair says UK government’s ‘naive belief’ Trump is a good faith actor ‘could cost UK taxpayer billions’
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Self-deception allowed Brexiter narrative on trade to exist.
Firstly, that there was a special relationship and the UK should be in the US orbit (which without recourse to courts in like doing deals with the mob.)
1
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Firstly, that there was a special relationship and the UK should be in the US orbit (which without recourse to courts in like doing deals with the mob.)
1
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Gavin Budge
First thing to say is UKG holding this inquiry is the right thing to do.
We can cavil that it's late (it is, but then the Tories were not going to do it), but ultimately this has to be about the *next* election, not the last one.
A 🧵
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
We can cavil that it's late (it is, but then the Tories were not going to do it), but ultimately this has to be about the *next* election, not the last one.
A 🧵
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
UK to hold inquiry into foreign financial interference in domestic politics
Review, which will focus on effectiveness of political finance laws, follows conviction of former Reform politician for accepting bribes
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:28 PM
First thing to say is UKG holding this inquiry is the right thing to do.
We can cavil that it's late (it is, but then the Tories were not going to do it), but ultimately this has to be about the *next* election, not the last one.
A 🧵
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
We can cavil that it's late (it is, but then the Tories were not going to do it), but ultimately this has to be about the *next* election, not the last one.
A 🧵
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Gavin Budge
December 17, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Reposted by Gavin Budge
This is a huge win for young people across Britain.
Leaving Erasmus was a mistake. The programme opens doors for students from all backgrounds to experience new cultures, build skills, and gain confidence for their future.
Leaving Erasmus was a mistake. The programme opens doors for students from all backgrounds to experience new cultures, build skills, and gain confidence for their future.
UK will rejoin Erasmus student scheme in 2027
The UK left in December 2020 as part of the post-Brexit trade deal with the EU negotiated by Boris Johnson.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 4:50 PM
This is a huge win for young people across Britain.
Leaving Erasmus was a mistake. The programme opens doors for students from all backgrounds to experience new cultures, build skills, and gain confidence for their future.
Leaving Erasmus was a mistake. The programme opens doors for students from all backgrounds to experience new cultures, build skills, and gain confidence for their future.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
Goodwin (like similar voices) is being totally dishonest about this. Despite the equal dishonesty of its headline, the Mail story shows these weren't "anti-immigration tweets", they were calls for "slaughter" and mass violence against MPs. It's incredible that this is being openly condoned.
December 17, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Goodwin (like similar voices) is being totally dishonest about this. Despite the equal dishonesty of its headline, the Mail story shows these weren't "anti-immigration tweets", they were calls for "slaughter" and mass violence against MPs. It's incredible that this is being openly condoned.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
The 'betrayal of Brexit' response to rejoining Erasmus is obviously predictable, and stupid (Brexit = leaving EU). But what's more striking is how *dated* it seems, like someone still waving a 'Thatcher out' placard.
December 17, 2025 at 8:13 PM
The 'betrayal of Brexit' response to rejoining Erasmus is obviously predictable, and stupid (Brexit = leaving EU). But what's more striking is how *dated* it seems, like someone still waving a 'Thatcher out' placard.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
Europe is the frog that's being boiled. The cumulative effect of Russian sub-threshold warfare is an erosion of the public's trust in institutions, fraying social cohesion in Europe.
The below is an excellent investigation/resource with all (publicly known) instances of interference in one place 👏
The below is an excellent investigation/resource with all (publicly known) instances of interference in one place 👏
I've tracked 145 cases of sabotage and disruption @apnews.com that Western officials blame on Russia.
They say Moscow wants to drain Europe's security resources and identify weak spots.
Arson & explosives plots particularly increased:
2023: 1
2024: 26
2025: 6
apnews.com/projects/rus...
They say Moscow wants to drain Europe's security resources and identify weak spots.
Arson & explosives plots particularly increased:
2023: 1
2024: 26
2025: 6
apnews.com/projects/rus...
Russia wants to drain Europe's security resources with sabotage campaign, officials say | AP News
The Associated Press has tracked 145 cases of sabotage and disruption that Western officials blame on Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. They say Moscow wants to drain Europe’s investigative r...
apnews.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Europe is the frog that's being boiled. The cumulative effect of Russian sub-threshold warfare is an erosion of the public's trust in institutions, fraying social cohesion in Europe.
The below is an excellent investigation/resource with all (publicly known) instances of interference in one place 👏
The below is an excellent investigation/resource with all (publicly known) instances of interference in one place 👏
Reposted by Gavin Budge
"The optimism of the immediate aftermath of May may have given way to stoic realism, but relations between the EU and the UK are far better than they have been for the past decade."
✍️ @husseinkassim.bsky.social & @cleodavies.bsky.social on UK-EU relations since May
ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/t...
✍️ @husseinkassim.bsky.social & @cleodavies.bsky.social on UK-EU relations since May
ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/t...
The UK-EU reset six months after the summit: Where are we? - UK in a changing Europe
Hussein Kassim and Cleo Davies explain what progress has been made since the UK-EU Summit in May 2025 and what the main challenges are.
ukandeu.ac.uk
December 18, 2025 at 3:16 PM
"The optimism of the immediate aftermath of May may have given way to stoic realism, but relations between the EU and the UK are far better than they have been for the past decade."
✍️ @husseinkassim.bsky.social & @cleodavies.bsky.social on UK-EU relations since May
ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/t...
✍️ @husseinkassim.bsky.social & @cleodavies.bsky.social on UK-EU relations since May
ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/t...
Reposted by Gavin Budge
And what a tedious bit of 'Brexit wasn't done properly' nonsense he has come up with. Tho' I did enjoy the delicious stupidity of: "Post-Brexit, London also could have become more of a hub for blockchain and stablecoins. But many Bitcoin traders prefer Portugal and Milan because of the tax regime."
Paul Marshall, 'a writer' who also owns GB News, Unherd and The Spectator, and is chief stoker of the culture wars.
December 19, 2025 at 8:26 AM
And what a tedious bit of 'Brexit wasn't done properly' nonsense he has come up with. Tho' I did enjoy the delicious stupidity of: "Post-Brexit, London also could have become more of a hub for blockchain and stablecoins. But many Bitcoin traders prefer Portugal and Milan because of the tax regime."
Reposted by Gavin Budge
It’s exactly this kind of dismal, prejudiced bollox from the Daily Mail that’s got us into the ruinous Brexit mess we’re in. What a moronic response to us rejoining Erasmus and all the benefits that brings. If they’re really worried about cost, they should push to cancel Brexit altogether.
December 18, 2025 at 7:21 AM
It’s exactly this kind of dismal, prejudiced bollox from the Daily Mail that’s got us into the ruinous Brexit mess we’re in. What a moronic response to us rejoining Erasmus and all the benefits that brings. If they’re really worried about cost, they should push to cancel Brexit altogether.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
But of course Trump's already had his beeping second State Visit. And Starmer has surrendered a vast amount of the UK ethanol market, and made a wide range of other concessions.
And for what? Nothing.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
And for what? Nothing.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
MPs warn that UK agreements with Donald Trump are ‘built on sand’
Exclusive: Health select committee chair says UK government’s ‘naive belief’ Trump is a good faith actor ‘could cost UK taxpayer billions’
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:13 PM
But of course Trump's already had his beeping second State Visit. And Starmer has surrendered a vast amount of the UK ethanol market, and made a wide range of other concessions.
And for what? Nothing.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
And for what? Nothing.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Gavin Budge
As far as I can tell, EVERY deal Labour have agreed with the USA is smoke and mirrors.
None have been negotiated to completion and signed into law.
The other commonalities: breathless press releases, and Labour talk about them like they're real.
The pharmaceutical one is just the latest example.
None have been negotiated to completion and signed into law.
The other commonalities: breathless press releases, and Labour talk about them like they're real.
The pharmaceutical one is just the latest example.
December 17, 2025 at 8:13 PM
As far as I can tell, EVERY deal Labour have agreed with the USA is smoke and mirrors.
None have been negotiated to completion and signed into law.
The other commonalities: breathless press releases, and Labour talk about them like they're real.
The pharmaceutical one is just the latest example.
None have been negotiated to completion and signed into law.
The other commonalities: breathless press releases, and Labour talk about them like they're real.
The pharmaceutical one is just the latest example.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
If you're still on Twitter, take a look at the thread the Secret Barrister called: "This might be - and I am not being hyperbolic - one of the greatest threads ever written by a lawyer on this hellsite."
It's a 🤦♂️ analysis of Lammy's attempt to get rid of most trials by jury.
x.com/joanna__hard...
It's a 🤦♂️ analysis of Lammy's attempt to get rid of most trials by jury.
x.com/joanna__hard...
x.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:47 AM
If you're still on Twitter, take a look at the thread the Secret Barrister called: "This might be - and I am not being hyperbolic - one of the greatest threads ever written by a lawyer on this hellsite."
It's a 🤦♂️ analysis of Lammy's attempt to get rid of most trials by jury.
x.com/joanna__hard...
It's a 🤦♂️ analysis of Lammy's attempt to get rid of most trials by jury.
x.com/joanna__hard...
Reposted by Gavin Budge
US TV hits very differently from British TV.
The BBC would be apologising for the next hundred years if a guest said that on their news bulletin.
(I agree with the comment, btw. I am talking about the wild difference in style.)
The BBC would be apologising for the next hundred years if a guest said that on their news bulletin.
(I agree with the comment, btw. I am talking about the wild difference in style.)
"This man is going to fellate himself to the ends of the earth about all of these accomplishments that he's going to will into existence, because he has to sell himself to compensate for the fact that when it comes to actual accomplishments, he's far underperforming."
December 18, 2025 at 4:01 AM
US TV hits very differently from British TV.
The BBC would be apologising for the next hundred years if a guest said that on their news bulletin.
(I agree with the comment, btw. I am talking about the wild difference in style.)
The BBC would be apologising for the next hundred years if a guest said that on their news bulletin.
(I agree with the comment, btw. I am talking about the wild difference in style.)
Reposted by Gavin Budge
Has any political party blown itself up as comprehensively as Labour did in 2025?
They had EVERYTHING going for them after the election: a gigantic majority and a population desperate for a positive respite from 14 calamitous Tory years.
And yet it's been own goal after own goal after own goal.
They had EVERYTHING going for them after the election: a gigantic majority and a population desperate for a positive respite from 14 calamitous Tory years.
And yet it's been own goal after own goal after own goal.
🧵/ How has political opinion changed over 2025?
In voting intention, Labour have made the biggest losses, while the Greens have gained most, and Reform UK have established a clear lead
Ref: 28% (+3 from 12-13 Jan)
Lab: 18% (-8)
Grn: 17% (+9)
Con: 17% (-5)
LD: 14% (=)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
In voting intention, Labour have made the biggest losses, while the Greens have gained most, and Reform UK have established a clear lead
Ref: 28% (+3 from 12-13 Jan)
Lab: 18% (-8)
Grn: 17% (+9)
Con: 17% (-5)
LD: 14% (=)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
December 18, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Has any political party blown itself up as comprehensively as Labour did in 2025?
They had EVERYTHING going for them after the election: a gigantic majority and a population desperate for a positive respite from 14 calamitous Tory years.
And yet it's been own goal after own goal after own goal.
They had EVERYTHING going for them after the election: a gigantic majority and a population desperate for a positive respite from 14 calamitous Tory years.
And yet it's been own goal after own goal after own goal.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
FYI
No10 has sneaked out, at 4.50pm on the last day before Christmas, that they are cancelling the daily afternoon lobby briefing for journalists.
And they'll sometimes be cancelling the morning one too, to in favour of a televised press conference, to which "content creators" will be invited.
And they'll sometimes be cancelling the morning one too, to in favour of a televised press conference, to which "content creators" will be invited.
December 18, 2025 at 7:05 PM
FYI
Reposted by Gavin Budge
A late but very strong entry for "Least Surprising News of the Year".
It was always going to be thus.
It was always going to be thus.
Nigel Farage said that the 'Raise the Colours' campaign was a "grassroots movement driven by ordinary people”.
Kemi Badenoch said they should be "welcomed" as a symbol of "unity"
Now the campaign has pivoted to racially abusing migrants and intimidating charity workers on the beaches of France
Kemi Badenoch said they should be "welcomed" as a symbol of "unity"
Now the campaign has pivoted to racially abusing migrants and intimidating charity workers on the beaches of France
Nigel Farage-Backed 'Raise the Colours' Campaign Pivots to Racially Abusing Migrants and Harassing Aid Workers on French Beaches
Far-right activists were seen stabbing dinghies and releasing dogs to intimidate migrants and aid workers
bylinetimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
A late but very strong entry for "Least Surprising News of the Year".
It was always going to be thus.
It was always going to be thus.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
Since David Frost has NEVER been right about anything at any point when it comes to Brexit, this feels like a strong endorsement for our participation in Erasmus.
December 19, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Since David Frost has NEVER been right about anything at any point when it comes to Brexit, this feels like a strong endorsement for our participation in Erasmus.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
What Badenoch so egregiously misses is that these 11 year old boys, whether “native” or migrant, turn into men who are capable of perpetrating violence against women and girls.
This is a desperately poor show from her, not unexpected in that it happened, but worse than usual.
This is a desperately poor show from her, not unexpected in that it happened, but worse than usual.
December 18, 2025 at 4:23 PM
What Badenoch so egregiously misses is that these 11 year old boys, whether “native” or migrant, turn into men who are capable of perpetrating violence against women and girls.
This is a desperately poor show from her, not unexpected in that it happened, but worse than usual.
This is a desperately poor show from her, not unexpected in that it happened, but worse than usual.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
The idea of “imported” violence against women and girls is a deeply comforting fiction - one that allows people to avoid looking at where it actually happens: within our homes and behind closed doors.
The Violence Isn’t Imported. It’s Domestic.
Kemi Badenoch’s attempt to blame violence against women on migrants doesn’t just collapse under scrutiny - it actively distracts us from where the harm really happens, and who is actually responsible.
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk
December 19, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The idea of “imported” violence against women and girls is a deeply comforting fiction - one that allows people to avoid looking at where it actually happens: within our homes and behind closed doors.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
Most definitively ruled myself out of contention of visiting the US in the next three years by saying what trade folk and I suspect most in UK government know, that any trade deal with Trump could be renounced by him tomorrow. Worry that some are still naive. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
MPs warn that UK agreements with Donald Trump are ‘built on sand’
Exclusive: Health select committee chair says UK government’s ‘naive belief’ Trump is a good faith actor ‘could cost UK taxpayer billions’
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Most definitively ruled myself out of contention of visiting the US in the next three years by saying what trade folk and I suspect most in UK government know, that any trade deal with Trump could be renounced by him tomorrow. Worry that some are still naive. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Gavin Budge
The government's keenness to protect "good jobs" in manufacturing contrasts with its inaction in the face of the destruction of "good jobs" in universities. What's going on here is something other than economics.
December 18, 2025 at 11:23 AM
The government's keenness to protect "good jobs" in manufacturing contrasts with its inaction in the face of the destruction of "good jobs" in universities. What's going on here is something other than economics.