GylesNaMopaleen
@gylesnamopaleen.bsky.social
Irish migrant living in Switzerland.. Post mostly about brexit with an Irish/European slant.
Pseudonym, for work reasons, is a deliberately misspelt hat tip to Brian O Nolan, the Irish novelist, playwright & contrarian.
Pseudonym, for work reasons, is a deliberately misspelt hat tip to Brian O Nolan, the Irish novelist, playwright & contrarian.
Yep. There's a growing feeling that we're witnessing the end of the UK.
NI is already half way out the door and NI leaving brings an end to the act of Union 1801 - the end of the "United Kingdom of Great Britain & NI" - the official title.
Scotland next?
NI is already half way out the door and NI leaving brings an end to the act of Union 1801 - the end of the "United Kingdom of Great Britain & NI" - the official title.
Scotland next?
December 11, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Yep. There's a growing feeling that we're witnessing the end of the UK.
NI is already half way out the door and NI leaving brings an end to the act of Union 1801 - the end of the "United Kingdom of Great Britain & NI" - the official title.
Scotland next?
NI is already half way out the door and NI leaving brings an end to the act of Union 1801 - the end of the "United Kingdom of Great Britain & NI" - the official title.
Scotland next?
it's like they forgot what it was like to be a teenager. Banning someting for teens makes it a *must have" and a workaround will exist in minutes. that's their job.
here's actual footage of the british online safety bill in action.
here's actual footage of the british online safety bill in action.
December 10, 2025 at 11:57 AM
it's like they forgot what it was like to be a teenager. Banning someting for teens makes it a *must have" and a workaround will exist in minutes. that's their job.
here's actual footage of the british online safety bill in action.
here's actual footage of the british online safety bill in action.
not widely reported in britain but englands trump, johnson, idea for a new commonwealth proved less popular than chewing tin foil.
Ukraine said "nah, we're joining the EU, thanks". Turkey was busy washing their hair and couldn't come to the phone.
Ukraine said "nah, we're joining the EU, thanks". Turkey was busy washing their hair and couldn't come to the phone.
December 10, 2025 at 11:55 AM
not widely reported in britain but englands trump, johnson, idea for a new commonwealth proved less popular than chewing tin foil.
Ukraine said "nah, we're joining the EU, thanks". Turkey was busy washing their hair and couldn't come to the phone.
Ukraine said "nah, we're joining the EU, thanks". Turkey was busy washing their hair and couldn't come to the phone.
did the public actually vote for labour last year?
as an outsider looking in, I noticed the way the #GTTO campaign went very viral on Müsks twitter platform. Being pro brexit obviously helped. Müsk was pushing pro brexit parties right across Europe.
does starmer have the mandate he thinks he has?
as an outsider looking in, I noticed the way the #GTTO campaign went very viral on Müsks twitter platform. Being pro brexit obviously helped. Müsk was pushing pro brexit parties right across Europe.
does starmer have the mandate he thinks he has?
December 10, 2025 at 10:58 AM
did the public actually vote for labour last year?
as an outsider looking in, I noticed the way the #GTTO campaign went very viral on Müsks twitter platform. Being pro brexit obviously helped. Müsk was pushing pro brexit parties right across Europe.
does starmer have the mandate he thinks he has?
as an outsider looking in, I noticed the way the #GTTO campaign went very viral on Müsks twitter platform. Being pro brexit obviously helped. Müsk was pushing pro brexit parties right across Europe.
does starmer have the mandate he thinks he has?
well, the "youth mobility scheme" request by the british has gone all over the place, in fairness, since 2020.
December 10, 2025 at 10:29 AM
well, the "youth mobility scheme" request by the british has gone all over the place, in fairness, since 2020.
6. Now, the UK is proposing a new mobility scheme which expects UK students to pay "home fees" and EU students to pay international fees, with a cap of 44,000.
7. The EU has renamed it the “freedom of movement replacement bus service”.
3/3
7. The EU has renamed it the “freedom of movement replacement bus service”.
3/3
December 10, 2025 at 10:27 AM
6. Now, the UK is proposing a new mobility scheme which expects UK students to pay "home fees" and EU students to pay international fees, with a cap of 44,000.
7. The EU has renamed it the “freedom of movement replacement bus service”.
3/3
7. The EU has renamed it the “freedom of movement replacement bus service”.
3/3
3. The EU said "okay then" and negotiated a decent mobility scheme with the EU27.
4. Labour Gov said "no thanks, coz freedom of movement, innit?"
5. EU, scratching their heads, likened it to dealing with a toddler.
2/3
4. Labour Gov said "no thanks, coz freedom of movement, innit?"
5. EU, scratching their heads, likened it to dealing with a toddler.
2/3
December 10, 2025 at 10:27 AM
3. The EU said "okay then" and negotiated a decent mobility scheme with the EU27.
4. Labour Gov said "no thanks, coz freedom of movement, innit?"
5. EU, scratching their heads, likened it to dealing with a toddler.
2/3
4. Labour Gov said "no thanks, coz freedom of movement, innit?"
5. EU, scratching their heads, likened it to dealing with a toddler.
2/3
johnsons gig was to get brexit done and drag down the EU.
brexit made EU stronger while UK has a life expectancy of less than 8 years now.
Fun fact: bearded guy is now a member of UK parliament for life in the house of lards! His dad is so close to putin he's personally sanctioned by Ukraine.👇
brexit made EU stronger while UK has a life expectancy of less than 8 years now.
Fun fact: bearded guy is now a member of UK parliament for life in the house of lards! His dad is so close to putin he's personally sanctioned by Ukraine.👇
December 9, 2025 at 11:06 AM
johnsons gig was to get brexit done and drag down the EU.
brexit made EU stronger while UK has a life expectancy of less than 8 years now.
Fun fact: bearded guy is now a member of UK parliament for life in the house of lards! His dad is so close to putin he's personally sanctioned by Ukraine.👇
brexit made EU stronger while UK has a life expectancy of less than 8 years now.
Fun fact: bearded guy is now a member of UK parliament for life in the house of lards! His dad is so close to putin he's personally sanctioned by Ukraine.👇
Dublin was a few steps ahead of everyone. they pushed for Michel Barnier to be the chief brexit negotiator for the EU27.
He was very familiar with the british border in Ireland.
He was very familiar with the british border in Ireland.
December 8, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Dublin was a few steps ahead of everyone. they pushed for Michel Barnier to be the chief brexit negotiator for the EU27.
He was very familiar with the british border in Ireland.
He was very familiar with the british border in Ireland.
Not part of the NIP afaik.
EU’s External Action Service (EEAS) opened a London office 1st Feb 2020 and around the same time, the Belfast office idea was put forward but the UK gov rejected it.
EU’s External Action Service (EEAS) opened a London office 1st Feb 2020 and around the same time, the Belfast office idea was put forward but the UK gov rejected it.
December 8, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Not part of the NIP afaik.
EU’s External Action Service (EEAS) opened a London office 1st Feb 2020 and around the same time, the Belfast office idea was put forward but the UK gov rejected it.
EU’s External Action Service (EEAS) opened a London office 1st Feb 2020 and around the same time, the Belfast office idea was put forward but the UK gov rejected it.
Northern Ireland is not recognised as a nation or sovereign state. It's a region and unable to join the EU in the same way an independent Scotland can.
in 2017, not long after the brexit vote, the EU confirmed a United Ireland would be an automatic full member.
in 2017, not long after the brexit vote, the EU confirmed a United Ireland would be an automatic full member.
![EU says united Ireland would be automatic full member
European Union leaders promised on Saturday (29 April) to welcome Northern Ireland into the EU if a referendum in the future were to unite it with the Republic of Ireland.
Politics
Euractiv.com with Reuters
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny holds a news conference after the special European summit in Brussels, Belgium, 29 April 2017. [<a href="http://www.epa.eu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[Julien Warnand / EPA]</a>]
European Union leaders promised on Saturday (29 April) to welcome Northern Ireland into the EU if a referendum in the future were to unite it with the Republic of Ireland.
At a summit on the EU’s plan for negotiating with Britain as it leaves the bloc, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny asked fellow members to acknowledge that Northern Ireland would, like East Germany in 1990, automatically enter the EU in the event of unification with existing member state.
https://www.euractiv.com/news/eu-says-united-ireland-would-be-automatic-full-member/](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wl6hu2taknxe2igvmaq53fwu/bafkreid532fw5kqqwrgm4vypoqo573cncto3sdlshmddmku2bqztyeqdr4@jpeg)
December 8, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Northern Ireland is not recognised as a nation or sovereign state. It's a region and unable to join the EU in the same way an independent Scotland can.
in 2017, not long after the brexit vote, the EU confirmed a United Ireland would be an automatic full member.
in 2017, not long after the brexit vote, the EU confirmed a United Ireland would be an automatic full member.
for those following the situation in Ireland & N.Ireland post brexit, this news today sees the NI Assembly vote to allow an EU Commission office in Belfast.
this comes a week after a motion seeking agreement to write to the European Parliament for observer status for NI Assembly Members.
this comes a week after a motion seeking agreement to write to the European Parliament for observer status for NI Assembly Members.
December 8, 2025 at 4:55 PM
for those following the situation in Ireland & N.Ireland post brexit, this news today sees the NI Assembly vote to allow an EU Commission office in Belfast.
this comes a week after a motion seeking agreement to write to the European Parliament for observer status for NI Assembly Members.
this comes a week after a motion seeking agreement to write to the European Parliament for observer status for NI Assembly Members.
We'll soon find out.
Lib dems have forced a "customs union bill" debate and vote in the HoC tomorrow Aslak. Dec 9th.
Lib dems have forced a "customs union bill" debate and vote in the HoC tomorrow Aslak. Dec 9th.
December 8, 2025 at 4:02 PM
We'll soon find out.
Lib dems have forced a "customs union bill" debate and vote in the HoC tomorrow Aslak. Dec 9th.
Lib dems have forced a "customs union bill" debate and vote in the HoC tomorrow Aslak. Dec 9th.
as an outsider looking in, it's clear the EU has moved on considerably since 2016, while the english appear to be still negotiating brexit amongst themselves.
e.g. the graphic you posted, Barniers Steps, is from 2017 and it represents well current "brexit reset" thinking.
Fintan puts it well.
e.g. the graphic you posted, Barniers Steps, is from 2017 and it represents well current "brexit reset" thinking.
Fintan puts it well.
December 8, 2025 at 2:23 PM
as an outsider looking in, it's clear the EU has moved on considerably since 2016, while the english appear to be still negotiating brexit amongst themselves.
e.g. the graphic you posted, Barniers Steps, is from 2017 and it represents well current "brexit reset" thinking.
Fintan puts it well.
e.g. the graphic you posted, Barniers Steps, is from 2017 and it represents well current "brexit reset" thinking.
Fintan puts it well.
there's also the minor matter of the 2025 enlargement package, which underlines the EU moving away from bespoke deals towards a more streamlined membership.
EU 2025 package: ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
With NI already half way out the door. Will an indy Scotland trigger article 49 before england?
EU 2025 package: ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
With NI already half way out the door. Will an indy Scotland trigger article 49 before england?
December 8, 2025 at 2:13 PM
there's also the minor matter of the 2025 enlargement package, which underlines the EU moving away from bespoke deals towards a more streamlined membership.
EU 2025 package: ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
With NI already half way out the door. Will an indy Scotland trigger article 49 before england?
EU 2025 package: ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
With NI already half way out the door. Will an indy Scotland trigger article 49 before england?
I cringe when I see british politicians point at the Swiss deal.
Renegotiations started in 2014 and only finished in Dec 2024. It exhausted both teams and will never be repeated.
The EU is moving away from bespoke deals. The 2025 enlargement package underlines that: ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Renegotiations started in 2014 and only finished in Dec 2024. It exhausted both teams and will never be repeated.
The EU is moving away from bespoke deals. The 2025 enlargement package underlines that: ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
December 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
I cringe when I see british politicians point at the Swiss deal.
Renegotiations started in 2014 and only finished in Dec 2024. It exhausted both teams and will never be repeated.
The EU is moving away from bespoke deals. The 2025 enlargement package underlines that: ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Renegotiations started in 2014 and only finished in Dec 2024. It exhausted both teams and will never be repeated.
The EU is moving away from bespoke deals. The 2025 enlargement package underlines that: ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
I think you misunderstand how the EU works. VDL isn't like a trump overlord. The EU was never designed to be a European NATO. Nor will the EU become a military powerhouse.
It can provide a platform for a new NATO to evolve, but, at it's heart, It's just a bunch of trade treaties & travel deals.
It can provide a platform for a new NATO to evolve, but, at it's heart, It's just a bunch of trade treaties & travel deals.
December 8, 2025 at 1:09 PM
I think you misunderstand how the EU works. VDL isn't like a trump overlord. The EU was never designed to be a European NATO. Nor will the EU become a military powerhouse.
It can provide a platform for a new NATO to evolve, but, at it's heart, It's just a bunch of trade treaties & travel deals.
It can provide a platform for a new NATO to evolve, but, at it's heart, It's just a bunch of trade treaties & travel deals.
that's a very strange article. the language wreaks of "they're just punishing us" and lots of babble about bespoke deals.
The EU is not playing games with brexit britain over SAFE @stellacreasy.bsky.social, Europe is at war with Russia.
The EU is not playing games with brexit britain over SAFE @stellacreasy.bsky.social, Europe is at war with Russia.
December 8, 2025 at 12:41 PM
that's a very strange article. the language wreaks of "they're just punishing us" and lots of babble about bespoke deals.
The EU is not playing games with brexit britain over SAFE @stellacreasy.bsky.social, Europe is at war with Russia.
The EU is not playing games with brexit britain over SAFE @stellacreasy.bsky.social, Europe is at war with Russia.
I don't follow.
As an outsider looking in, the english appear to be utterly terrified of basic democracy.
Polanksi has called for a referendum on triggering art 49 and their support is rising, not falling, in england.
encompass-europe.com/comment/the-...
As an outsider looking in, the english appear to be utterly terrified of basic democracy.
Polanksi has called for a referendum on triggering art 49 and their support is rising, not falling, in england.
encompass-europe.com/comment/the-...
December 8, 2025 at 12:16 PM
I don't follow.
As an outsider looking in, the english appear to be utterly terrified of basic democracy.
Polanksi has called for a referendum on triggering art 49 and their support is rising, not falling, in england.
encompass-europe.com/comment/the-...
As an outsider looking in, the english appear to be utterly terrified of basic democracy.
Polanksi has called for a referendum on triggering art 49 and their support is rising, not falling, in england.
encompass-europe.com/comment/the-...
the EU isn't designed to be a European NATO and the in-built veto's are already holding it back from, e.g. passing the billions frozen in russian assets to Ukraine.
the SAFE weapons programme will include Canada and many 3rd countries but is outside the existing core EU treaties.
the SAFE weapons programme will include Canada and many 3rd countries but is outside the existing core EU treaties.
December 8, 2025 at 11:48 AM
the EU isn't designed to be a European NATO and the in-built veto's are already holding it back from, e.g. passing the billions frozen in russian assets to Ukraine.
the SAFE weapons programme will include Canada and many 3rd countries but is outside the existing core EU treaties.
the SAFE weapons programme will include Canada and many 3rd countries but is outside the existing core EU treaties.
there are so many, you're right.
Another gem was this moment, when Leo Varadkar, circa 2018 explaining to johnson, outside government buildings in Dublin, how brexit is going to be a long and difficult journey. Particularly with the border in NI.
(Sound on)
Another gem was this moment, when Leo Varadkar, circa 2018 explaining to johnson, outside government buildings in Dublin, how brexit is going to be a long and difficult journey. Particularly with the border in NI.
(Sound on)
December 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
there are so many, you're right.
Another gem was this moment, when Leo Varadkar, circa 2018 explaining to johnson, outside government buildings in Dublin, how brexit is going to be a long and difficult journey. Particularly with the border in NI.
(Sound on)
Another gem was this moment, when Leo Varadkar, circa 2018 explaining to johnson, outside government buildings in Dublin, how brexit is going to be a long and difficult journey. Particularly with the border in NI.
(Sound on)
are you thinking of the "best of both worlds" speech sunak famously gave in Belfast?
That still makes me chuckle.
That still makes me chuckle.
December 7, 2025 at 1:55 PM
are you thinking of the "best of both worlds" speech sunak famously gave in Belfast?
That still makes me chuckle.
That still makes me chuckle.
I'm mistaken..it was poor information, not russian interference! freudian slip maybe.
www.theguardian.com/world/2019/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2019/a...
December 7, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I'm mistaken..it was poor information, not russian interference! freudian slip maybe.
www.theguardian.com/world/2019/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2019/a...
Sept 2025
Does Brexit make a united Ireland more or less likely?
(% 2016-2024 by identity)
Unionist
2016: more: 17% Less: 12%
2024: more: 44% Less: 8%
Unaligned / Neither
2016: More: 25% Less: 10%
2024: More: 56% Less: 5%
Nationalist
2016: More: 37% Less: 9%
2024: More: 82% Less: 3%
2/4
Does Brexit make a united Ireland more or less likely?
(% 2016-2024 by identity)
Unionist
2016: more: 17% Less: 12%
2024: more: 44% Less: 8%
Unaligned / Neither
2016: More: 25% Less: 10%
2024: More: 56% Less: 5%
Nationalist
2016: More: 37% Less: 9%
2024: More: 82% Less: 3%
2/4
December 7, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Sept 2025
Does Brexit make a united Ireland more or less likely?
(% 2016-2024 by identity)
Unionist
2016: more: 17% Less: 12%
2024: more: 44% Less: 8%
Unaligned / Neither
2016: More: 25% Less: 10%
2024: More: 56% Less: 5%
Nationalist
2016: More: 37% Less: 9%
2024: More: 82% Less: 3%
2/4
Does Brexit make a united Ireland more or less likely?
(% 2016-2024 by identity)
Unionist
2016: more: 17% Less: 12%
2024: more: 44% Less: 8%
Unaligned / Neither
2016: More: 25% Less: 10%
2024: More: 56% Less: 5%
Nationalist
2016: More: 37% Less: 9%
2024: More: 82% Less: 3%
2/4