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.
who is "they"?
why not follow Ireland & Switzerlands approach of MORE democracy...not less?
sometimes they have 3 referenda on the same weekend here. On big topics. even the new EU-CH deal is up for a referendum soon.
are "they" in a flat cap? are they in the room with you right now?
why not follow Ireland & Switzerlands approach of MORE democracy...not less?
sometimes they have 3 referenda on the same weekend here. On big topics. even the new EU-CH deal is up for a referendum soon.
are "they" in a flat cap? are they in the room with you right now?
December 13, 2025 at 7:38 PM
who is "they"?
why not follow Ireland & Switzerlands approach of MORE democracy...not less?
sometimes they have 3 referenda on the same weekend here. On big topics. even the new EU-CH deal is up for a referendum soon.
are "they" in a flat cap? are they in the room with you right now?
why not follow Ireland & Switzerlands approach of MORE democracy...not less?
sometimes they have 3 referenda on the same weekend here. On big topics. even the new EU-CH deal is up for a referendum soon.
are "they" in a flat cap? are they in the room with you right now?
nope but I have heard Tony Benn outline the current labour party policy on the EU, from 50 years ago, before the 1st brexit referendum 👇
Tony Benn, whom I would rank as a principled person & politician - as opposed to a grifter - outlined labour's stance against the EEC on brexit 50 years ago.
TL;DW: "our rules, our laws, sovvringty, innit?"
They failed. Brits voted remain.
2/8
TL;DW: "our rules, our laws, sovvringty, innit?"
They failed. Brits voted remain.
2/8
December 13, 2025 at 7:15 PM
nope but I have heard Tony Benn outline the current labour party policy on the EU, from 50 years ago, before the 1st brexit referendum 👇
That's the labour & chris grey line. It's complete & utter rubbish.
The english (and some welsh) just fell, hook, line & sinker to the exact same anti-EU populism that's in Georgia, Ireland, Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria etc.
There's no such thing as "brexitism".
Finland says "Hei!"
The english (and some welsh) just fell, hook, line & sinker to the exact same anti-EU populism that's in Georgia, Ireland, Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria etc.
There's no such thing as "brexitism".
Finland says "Hei!"
As english politics leans even further to the right, with LAB now questioning the EHCR, alongside "Island of Strangers" & pro brexit rhetoric, here's a quick thread on how the Far Right utterly collapsed in Finland.
TL;DR: "r/w voters: I didn't think the leopards would eat MY face".
🧵
TL;DR: "r/w voters: I didn't think the leopards would eat MY face".
🧵
December 13, 2025 at 6:56 PM
That's the labour & chris grey line. It's complete & utter rubbish.
The english (and some welsh) just fell, hook, line & sinker to the exact same anti-EU populism that's in Georgia, Ireland, Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria etc.
There's no such thing as "brexitism".
Finland says "Hei!"
The english (and some welsh) just fell, hook, line & sinker to the exact same anti-EU populism that's in Georgia, Ireland, Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria etc.
There's no such thing as "brexitism".
Finland says "Hei!"
for those interested. There's no such thing as "unlimited FoM", there are four freedoms of movement in the EU Single Market.
Capital.
Goods
Services
People.
Here's a quick thread outlining the damage ending FoM of Capital & Services is having on the City of London 👇
Capital.
Goods
Services
People.
Here's a quick thread outlining the damage ending FoM of Capital & Services is having on the City of London 👇
companies delisting from Londons FTSE because of brexit is already catastrophic for the CoL.
There's a certain gravity with finance which is difficult to stop especially as the spoils are heading to (mostly) Dublin, Paris & Frankfurt.
A smart move by the EU but disastrous for britain.
🧵
There's a certain gravity with finance which is difficult to stop especially as the spoils are heading to (mostly) Dublin, Paris & Frankfurt.
A smart move by the EU but disastrous for britain.
🧵
December 13, 2025 at 6:35 PM
for those interested. There's no such thing as "unlimited FoM", there are four freedoms of movement in the EU Single Market.
Capital.
Goods
Services
People.
Here's a quick thread outlining the damage ending FoM of Capital & Services is having on the City of London 👇
Capital.
Goods
Services
People.
Here's a quick thread outlining the damage ending FoM of Capital & Services is having on the City of London 👇
you just said: "I hope it is very clear what people are voting for: unlimited FOM, Schengen, Euro"
- There's no such thing as "unlimited FOM". That's a nigel farage line.
- The UK cannot join schengen without Irelands permission
- Sweden joined 1995 (after maastricht) and still use the SEK.
- There's no such thing as "unlimited FOM". That's a nigel farage line.
- The UK cannot join schengen without Irelands permission
- Sweden joined 1995 (after maastricht) and still use the SEK.
December 13, 2025 at 6:31 PM
you just said: "I hope it is very clear what people are voting for: unlimited FOM, Schengen, Euro"
- There's no such thing as "unlimited FOM". That's a nigel farage line.
- The UK cannot join schengen without Irelands permission
- Sweden joined 1995 (after maastricht) and still use the SEK.
- There's no such thing as "unlimited FOM". That's a nigel farage line.
- The UK cannot join schengen without Irelands permission
- Sweden joined 1995 (after maastricht) and still use the SEK.
wonderful, isn't it?
brexit and english politics is often the funny bit at the end of the news, where I am, "and finally.....on brexit island..."
It's on my list of favourite brexit benefits. 👇
brexit and english politics is often the funny bit at the end of the news, where I am, "and finally.....on brexit island..."
It's on my list of favourite brexit benefits. 👇
BENEFIT #6 Entertainment Value.
A swiss colleague put it beautifully, "brexit & english politics makes monty python look like a documentary"
the role "Minister for brexit benefits" still makes me chuckle.
7/11
A swiss colleague put it beautifully, "brexit & english politics makes monty python look like a documentary"
the role "Minister for brexit benefits" still makes me chuckle.
7/11
December 13, 2025 at 5:28 PM
wonderful, isn't it?
brexit and english politics is often the funny bit at the end of the news, where I am, "and finally.....on brexit island..."
It's on my list of favourite brexit benefits. 👇
brexit and english politics is often the funny bit at the end of the news, where I am, "and finally.....on brexit island..."
It's on my list of favourite brexit benefits. 👇
Europeans have been paying close attention for 10 years. brexit & english politics is often the funny bit at the end of the news, where I am. "and finally, on brexit island....."
It's on my list of favourite brexit benefits 👇
It's on my list of favourite brexit benefits 👇
BENEFIT #6 Entertainment Value.
A swiss colleague put it beautifully, "brexit & english politics makes monty python look like a documentary"
the role "Minister for brexit benefits" still makes me chuckle.
7/11
A swiss colleague put it beautifully, "brexit & english politics makes monty python look like a documentary"
the role "Minister for brexit benefits" still makes me chuckle.
7/11
December 13, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Europeans have been paying close attention for 10 years. brexit & english politics is often the funny bit at the end of the news, where I am. "and finally, on brexit island....."
It's on my list of favourite brexit benefits 👇
It's on my list of favourite brexit benefits 👇
that's a chris grey line. I notice he, like labour, are terrified of confronting reform and the idea of the electorate making a choice.
Here's chris grey advocating labour sticking to brexit red lines 7 months ago 👇 - before the so-called "reset" summit.
it is genuinely very funny to watch.
Here's chris grey advocating labour sticking to brexit red lines 7 months ago 👇 - before the so-called "reset" summit.
it is genuinely very funny to watch.
I agree but the underlying logic that Starmer should not bend on brexity red lines is flawed.
they are 6 years old now. a lot has happened in the world since then e.g. Trump + ukraine war + fiscal crisis facing britain.
Someone (on UK side) needs to be more vocal about it to counter farage.
1/2
they are 6 years old now. a lot has happened in the world since then e.g. Trump + ukraine war + fiscal crisis facing britain.
Someone (on UK side) needs to be more vocal about it to counter farage.
1/2
December 13, 2025 at 4:42 PM
that's a chris grey line. I notice he, like labour, are terrified of confronting reform and the idea of the electorate making a choice.
Here's chris grey advocating labour sticking to brexit red lines 7 months ago 👇 - before the so-called "reset" summit.
it is genuinely very funny to watch.
Here's chris grey advocating labour sticking to brexit red lines 7 months ago 👇 - before the so-called "reset" summit.
it is genuinely very funny to watch.
more ad hominem. charming!
is that your go-to point to win arguments Miles?
And people wonder how the english voted for brexit and this gombeen. 👇
is that your go-to point to win arguments Miles?
And people wonder how the english voted for brexit and this gombeen. 👇
one of the strangest reactions from the british is the way they point the finger across the pond, aghast at Americans for electing a hopeless incompetent narcissist, from a wealthy background, peddling r/w populism and spaffing nonsense into high office!!
It's truly extraordinary.
3/5
It's truly extraordinary.
3/5
December 13, 2025 at 4:16 PM
more ad hominem. charming!
is that your go-to point to win arguments Miles?
And people wonder how the english voted for brexit and this gombeen. 👇
is that your go-to point to win arguments Miles?
And people wonder how the english voted for brexit and this gombeen. 👇
why then does he support labour sticking to brexit red lines?
"Not for this parliament", I think was how he put it. an utterly bonkers notion given how damaging brexit is.
Fun fact: supporting brexit red lines is not anti brexit.
"Not for this parliament", I think was how he put it. an utterly bonkers notion given how damaging brexit is.
Fun fact: supporting brexit red lines is not anti brexit.
I think I have seen it all now.
britons, 8 years after the vote, are promoting a white paper that suggests regulatory alignment with other countries would actually be quite handy.
Not long now before they invent the Single Market.
chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/02/how-...
britons, 8 years after the vote, are promoting a white paper that suggests regulatory alignment with other countries would actually be quite handy.
Not long now before they invent the Single Market.
chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/02/how-...
December 13, 2025 at 4:14 PM
why then does he support labour sticking to brexit red lines?
"Not for this parliament", I think was how he put it. an utterly bonkers notion given how damaging brexit is.
Fun fact: supporting brexit red lines is not anti brexit.
"Not for this parliament", I think was how he put it. an utterly bonkers notion given how damaging brexit is.
Fun fact: supporting brexit red lines is not anti brexit.
erm, re-join isn't an option david.
how many referendums on the EU has the electorate been offered in the last 9 years?
I notice the Greens Party england is in favour of calling for a referendum to trigger article 49. They are now ahead of labour in polls. Funny that.
how many referendums on the EU has the electorate been offered in the last 9 years?
I notice the Greens Party england is in favour of calling for a referendum to trigger article 49. They are now ahead of labour in polls. Funny that.
December 13, 2025 at 4:11 PM
erm, re-join isn't an option david.
how many referendums on the EU has the electorate been offered in the last 9 years?
I notice the Greens Party england is in favour of calling for a referendum to trigger article 49. They are now ahead of labour in polls. Funny that.
how many referendums on the EU has the electorate been offered in the last 9 years?
I notice the Greens Party england is in favour of calling for a referendum to trigger article 49. They are now ahead of labour in polls. Funny that.
that's a great way of putting it: "the tabloidisation of the national intellect"
I notice it's mainly just an english (not a british) thing. I think education plays a big role too. THat becomes very obvious when contrasting with West Germans 👇
I notice it's mainly just an english (not a british) thing. I think education plays a big role too. THat becomes very obvious when contrasting with West Germans 👇
Close to where I live, W German kids are taught not just what happened in WWII but HOW it happened and the role populism played.
They don't carry generational guilt but are remarkably well equipped to spot populism from a distance.
No binoculars needed.
2/5
They don't carry generational guilt but are remarkably well equipped to spot populism from a distance.
No binoculars needed.
2/5
What a Prime Minister Boris Johnson Could Mean for Europe
Boris Johnson has always wanted to make it to the top, and he's almost there. The man who helped Brexit pass will now likely have the job of delivering it. But it's possible that even he doesn't know ...
www.spiegel.de
December 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
that's a great way of putting it: "the tabloidisation of the national intellect"
I notice it's mainly just an english (not a british) thing. I think education plays a big role too. THat becomes very obvious when contrasting with West Germans 👇
I notice it's mainly just an english (not a british) thing. I think education plays a big role too. THat becomes very obvious when contrasting with West Germans 👇
you're right but can the english really still claim ignorance, as an excuse, almost 10 years later?
I fear the realisation for judith & chris grey types on how damaging brexit actually is will come too late.
The UK has a life expectancy of less than 10 years now with NI expected to leave soon.👇
I fear the realisation for judith & chris grey types on how damaging brexit actually is will come too late.
The UK has a life expectancy of less than 10 years now with NI expected to leave soon.👇
this might be quite a significant moment in the future of the UK Union.
"A cross party group of Irish MEPs has written to the president of the European Parliament requesting that Northern Ireland political representatives be granted observer status at the Brussels and Strasbourg chambers."
"A cross party group of Irish MEPs has written to the president of the European Parliament requesting that Northern Ireland political representatives be granted observer status at the Brussels and Strasbourg chambers."
Observer status sought for NI reps in Euro parliament
A cross party group of Irish MEPs has written to the president of the European Parliament requesting that Northern Ireland political representatives be granted observer status at the Brussels and Stra...
www.rte.ie
December 13, 2025 at 2:15 PM
you're right but can the english really still claim ignorance, as an excuse, almost 10 years later?
I fear the realisation for judith & chris grey types on how damaging brexit actually is will come too late.
The UK has a life expectancy of less than 10 years now with NI expected to leave soon.👇
I fear the realisation for judith & chris grey types on how damaging brexit actually is will come too late.
The UK has a life expectancy of less than 10 years now with NI expected to leave soon.👇
ouch. sorry to hear that. the chesty cough does linger..I still have it a week later.
December 13, 2025 at 1:15 PM
ouch. sorry to hear that. the chesty cough does linger..I still have it a week later.
there was a planet in the hitchikers guide to the galaxy where the inhabitants loved filling out forms and queuing.
That's the level brexit britain has reached now, I think.
A quick recap on how they got here:
That's the level brexit britain has reached now, I think.
A quick recap on how they got here:
Youth Mobility Scheme Latest!
(aka “freedom of movement replacement bus service” in Brussels now)
Quick recap:
1. the british turned down an offer from the EU post brexit to re-join Erasmus+
2. the british realised their unis were going bankrupt and asked for a youth mobility scheme.
1/3
(aka “freedom of movement replacement bus service” in Brussels now)
Quick recap:
1. the british turned down an offer from the EU post brexit to re-join Erasmus+
2. the british realised their unis were going bankrupt and asked for a youth mobility scheme.
1/3
Launch UK-EU youth experience scheme with initial 44,000 cap, says cross-party commission — UK Trade and Business Commission
A new cross-party report recommends the UK and EU should launch the UK’s largest and most generous scheme to restore opportunities for young people who have been denied them by Brexit.
www.tradeandbusiness.uk
December 13, 2025 at 1:12 PM
there was a planet in the hitchikers guide to the galaxy where the inhabitants loved filling out forms and queuing.
That's the level brexit britain has reached now, I think.
A quick recap on how they got here:
That's the level brexit britain has reached now, I think.
A quick recap on how they got here:
yeah. it is that bad. I hope your daughter is okay.
It floored me for about 4 days. I've never experienced a fever like it. It was so sore to cough after a few days. Not sure if "flu" is an accurate description, it was so nasty.
It floored me for about 4 days. I've never experienced a fever like it. It was so sore to cough after a few days. Not sure if "flu" is an accurate description, it was so nasty.
December 13, 2025 at 1:05 PM
yeah. it is that bad. I hope your daughter is okay.
It floored me for about 4 days. I've never experienced a fever like it. It was so sore to cough after a few days. Not sure if "flu" is an accurate description, it was so nasty.
It floored me for about 4 days. I've never experienced a fever like it. It was so sore to cough after a few days. Not sure if "flu" is an accurate description, it was so nasty.
it's a particularly nasty strain of flu folks. if you have a chance to get a flu jab, take it.
December 13, 2025 at 11:11 AM
it's a particularly nasty strain of flu folks. if you have a chance to get a flu jab, take it.
I fear the realisation of how bad brexit actually is will arrive too late for chris grey & labour types.
The UK has a life expectancy of less than 10 years now, with NI likely to leave soon to re-join Ireland. That brings an end to the Act of Union (1801)...an end to the UK. Because of brexit.
The UK has a life expectancy of less than 10 years now, with NI likely to leave soon to re-join Ireland. That brings an end to the Act of Union (1801)...an end to the UK. Because of brexit.
this might be quite a significant moment in the future of the UK Union.
"A cross party group of Irish MEPs has written to the president of the European Parliament requesting that Northern Ireland political representatives be granted observer status at the Brussels and Strasbourg chambers."
"A cross party group of Irish MEPs has written to the president of the European Parliament requesting that Northern Ireland political representatives be granted observer status at the Brussels and Strasbourg chambers."
Observer status sought for NI reps in Euro parliament
A cross party group of Irish MEPs has written to the president of the European Parliament requesting that Northern Ireland political representatives be granted observer status at the Brussels and Stra...
www.rte.ie
December 13, 2025 at 11:02 AM
I fear the realisation of how bad brexit actually is will arrive too late for chris grey & labour types.
The UK has a life expectancy of less than 10 years now, with NI likely to leave soon to re-join Ireland. That brings an end to the Act of Union (1801)...an end to the UK. Because of brexit.
The UK has a life expectancy of less than 10 years now, with NI likely to leave soon to re-join Ireland. That brings an end to the Act of Union (1801)...an end to the UK. Because of brexit.
agreed. to this day it still baffles me how we thought it was okay to smoke on planes. In a few rows of seats, at the back!
December 13, 2025 at 10:58 AM
agreed. to this day it still baffles me how we thought it was okay to smoke on planes. In a few rows of seats, at the back!
alignment & removing barriers were 2 of the founding principles of the EU single market. 50 years ago. We already know how successful that is.
Readmission to EU is not "a journey". That's a myth pushed by Labour & Chris Grey, I notice.
The EU has moved on a lot since 2016. Joining is much simpler.
Readmission to EU is not "a journey". That's a myth pushed by Labour & Chris Grey, I notice.
The EU has moved on a lot since 2016. Joining is much simpler.
December 13, 2025 at 10:51 AM
alignment & removing barriers were 2 of the founding principles of the EU single market. 50 years ago. We already know how successful that is.
Readmission to EU is not "a journey". That's a myth pushed by Labour & Chris Grey, I notice.
The EU has moved on a lot since 2016. Joining is much simpler.
Readmission to EU is not "a journey". That's a myth pushed by Labour & Chris Grey, I notice.
The EU has moved on a lot since 2016. Joining is much simpler.
I should add. Zack Polanksi of the Greens England Party, has promised a referendum on triggering article 49 i.e. apply to join the EU.
Support for his party has shot up since.
Support for his party has shot up since.
December 13, 2025 at 10:21 AM
I should add. Zack Polanksi of the Greens England Party, has promised a referendum on triggering article 49 i.e. apply to join the EU.
Support for his party has shot up since.
Support for his party has shot up since.
For me, UK adhering to all EU SM laws, rules & regs (with no say!) and accepting ECJ oversight, without benefitting from all of the benefits of being inside the SM, is carved bronze bonkers.
meanwhile...I'm pretty certain brits are unaware of this 👇
meanwhile...I'm pretty certain brits are unaware of this 👇
Spot checks have already revealed the scale of illegal meat entering the british food chain and it's quite staggering.
Meanwhile the UKGov, incredibly, has not fully informed the public of the issue and postponed checks until 2027, which is a very long time to play dice with food safety.
5/8
Meanwhile the UKGov, incredibly, has not fully informed the public of the issue and postponed checks until 2027, which is a very long time to play dice with food safety.
5/8
December 13, 2025 at 10:14 AM
For me, UK adhering to all EU SM laws, rules & regs (with no say!) and accepting ECJ oversight, without benefitting from all of the benefits of being inside the SM, is carved bronze bonkers.
meanwhile...I'm pretty certain brits are unaware of this 👇
meanwhile...I'm pretty certain brits are unaware of this 👇