John Alty
@johnalty1.bsky.social
Ex - UK Civil servant; now at LSE; Trustee Director at Chartered Institute of Export; Competition Appeals Tribunal; NED at Trade Remedies Authority; adviser to Pagefield. Mostly trade and competition. And Liverpool FC.
In fact, more seriously, there is a real reeducation job needed @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social and @davidheniguk.bsky.social by people who know of what they speak. In terms which people get who don’t immerse themselves in this stuff but listen to politicians/commentators. How about an “expert” panel ?!
December 7, 2025 at 9:12 AM
In fact, more seriously, there is a real reeducation job needed @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social and @davidheniguk.bsky.social by people who know of what they speak. In terms which people get who don’t immerse themselves in this stuff but listen to politicians/commentators. How about an “expert” panel ?!
And EFTA. I’m getting agonising flashbacks.
December 7, 2025 at 8:51 AM
And EFTA. I’m getting agonising flashbacks.
We could be in CU like Turkey, and we could agree to follow all SM rules, like countries in EEA do (apart from agriculture in Norway’s case). That would mean we could trade pretty much friction free with the EU. It would replicate being in the EU for trade purposes. At least that’s my view !
December 6, 2025 at 6:58 PM
We could be in CU like Turkey, and we could agree to follow all SM rules, like countries in EEA do (apart from agriculture in Norway’s case). That would mean we could trade pretty much friction free with the EU. It would replicate being in the EU for trade purposes. At least that’s my view !
PS could you do the EEA as well. I’m being dragged into answering complex questions about Norway which I can’t be bothered to look up !
December 6, 2025 at 6:07 PM
PS could you do the EEA as well. I’m being dragged into answering complex questions about Norway which I can’t be bothered to look up !
Eyes of all commentators pontificating with certitude glaze over….
December 6, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Eyes of all commentators pontificating with certitude glaze over….
Final contribution: This shows which countries are in what groupings though it doesn’t explain exactly what the relationship with the SM is. But unless you are in the SM and CU for everything then yes you will face barriers of some sorts.
December 6, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Final contribution: This shows which countries are in what groupings though it doesn’t explain exactly what the relationship with the SM is. But unless you are in the SM and CU for everything then yes you will face barriers of some sorts.
Sorry if my earlier post was shorthand. I have no wish to relive years of doing Brexit !
December 6, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Sorry if my earlier post was shorthand. I have no wish to relive years of doing Brexit !
Also tariffs are governed not by the EEA. It by customs union. My recollection is that none of these countries are in a CU with EU. What following the SM means is that they can eg sell services cross border without requiring EU presence and their goods are accepted as meeting EU standards.
December 6, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Also tariffs are governed not by the EEA. It by customs union. My recollection is that none of these countries are in a CU with EU. What following the SM means is that they can eg sell services cross border without requiring EU presence and their goods are accepted as meeting EU standards.
EFTA is not the EEA (includes Switzerland which is not in EEA) and Norway for one has excluded agriculture. So no they don’t have full access because they don’t participate fully. I’m quoting from memory as it is all quite complex, but where they are following single market rules they have access.
December 6, 2025 at 5:23 PM
EFTA is not the EEA (includes Switzerland which is not in EEA) and Norway for one has excluded agriculture. So no they don’t have full access because they don’t participate fully. I’m quoting from memory as it is all quite complex, but where they are following single market rules they have access.
I don’t know but EEA members outside the EU (Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland) follow the rules of and have full access to the single market. They don’t however have a real influence over what the rules are.
December 6, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I don’t know but EEA members outside the EU (Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland) follow the rules of and have full access to the single market. They don’t however have a real influence over what the rules are.
I think he just didn’t have a clue about what Canada had otherwise he would have corrected the journalist who was pressing him why Canada could get a deal the UK couldn’t.
December 4, 2025 at 9:06 AM
I think he just didn’t have a clue about what Canada had otherwise he would have corrected the journalist who was pressing him why Canada could get a deal the UK couldn’t.
It yes he should have been !
December 4, 2025 at 7:35 AM
It yes he should have been !
I meant that the Canadian deal was the same as the UK already has.
December 4, 2025 at 7:34 AM
I meant that the Canadian deal was the same as the UK already has.
Interestingly the relevant UK Cabinet Minister is not aware of this.
December 3, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Interestingly the relevant UK Cabinet Minister is not aware of this.
Truly depressing for anyone who wants Europe to succeed. And almost certain not to happen for reasons you say, whilst wasting everyone’s time. This is not what the single market was about.
December 3, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Truly depressing for anyone who wants Europe to succeed. And almost certain not to happen for reasons you say, whilst wasting everyone’s time. This is not what the single market was about.
I assume @davidheniguk.bsky.social means that the agreement is not legally binding, as none of the Trump agreements are. It would be good to see some text, for sure.
December 3, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I assume @davidheniguk.bsky.social means that the agreement is not legally binding, as none of the Trump agreements are. It would be good to see some text, for sure.
So you’ve got taller too ?
December 3, 2025 at 2:36 PM
So you’ve got taller too ?
Ok I’m sure they will write that into the procurement specs. As someone who was in charge of the UK’s policy on the EU single market for several years, I’ve seen plenty of the pluses and minuses of the way the EU works !
December 2, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Ok I’m sure they will write that into the procurement specs. As someone who was in charge of the UK’s policy on the EU single market for several years, I’ve seen plenty of the pluses and minuses of the way the EU works !
The scale depends on exactly what you measure but 3-4 times seems fair. From a procurement perspective Defence ministries should buy the best value kit and nobody should have to pay to play, other than admin costs. I think that’s the UK position.
December 2, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The scale depends on exactly what you measure but 3-4 times seems fair. From a procurement perspective Defence ministries should buy the best value kit and nobody should have to pay to play, other than admin costs. I think that’s the UK position.
As I said I have nothing against Canada and clearly they have a serious capability but the UK defence manufacturing sector is about 3-4 times as big.
December 2, 2025 at 3:31 PM
As I said I have nothing against Canada and clearly they have a serious capability but the UK defence manufacturing sector is about 3-4 times as big.