John Springford
@johnspringford.bsky.social
Economist and occasional politics dabbler. Working on a project to improve labour markets. Associate fellow, Centre for European Reform. Visiting fellow, Institute for Policy Research, Bath University.
Yes definitely a risk, but they also need qualified majorities or unanimity to get Trump levels of radicalism.
January 26, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Yes definitely a risk, but they also need qualified majorities or unanimity to get Trump levels of radicalism.
Yes good point - can add 'swift market reactions to economic nationalism' to the strengths list.
January 26, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Yes good point - can add 'swift market reactions to economic nationalism' to the strengths list.
Strengths in the EU system - no party duopoly, power exercised through compromise/bargaining, independent judiciary.
Weaknesses - limited centralised power means far-right member-states can ignore EU law. Reprisal is largely political.
Weaknesses - limited centralised power means far-right member-states can ignore EU law. Reprisal is largely political.
January 26, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Strengths in the EU system - no party duopoly, power exercised through compromise/bargaining, independent judiciary.
Weaknesses - limited centralised power means far-right member-states can ignore EU law. Reprisal is largely political.
Weaknesses - limited centralised power means far-right member-states can ignore EU law. Reprisal is largely political.
Surely it's better to say nothing before the decision's made, while making the decision quickly.
January 25, 2026 at 2:49 AM
Surely it's better to say nothing before the decision's made, while making the decision quickly.
Live feeds are a problem - having to say something before editors agree on the reporting. Same as the holding statements No 10 has put out after Grok started creating CSAM or Trump announced tariffs on countries defending Greenland.
January 25, 2026 at 2:49 AM
Live feeds are a problem - having to say something before editors agree on the reporting. Same as the holding statements No 10 has put out after Grok started creating CSAM or Trump announced tariffs on countries defending Greenland.
The Conservatives will push for them but they won't manage to deliver them. Tax reform is what's really needed www.economist.com/britain/2026...
A scenario for a Conservative comeback in Britain
Even as top Tories defect to Reform UK, voters’ priorities are shifting
www.economist.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:24 PM
The Conservatives will push for them but they won't manage to deliver them. Tax reform is what's really needed www.economist.com/britain/2026...
Reposted by John Springford
"Sometimes it may be wise, in the national interest, to be flexible." is funny from the guy who, on principle, kept making demands on Northern Ireland that flew in the face of the already long in force Withdrawal Agreement and resigned when that didn't get anywhere
January 23, 2026 at 5:37 PM
"Sometimes it may be wise, in the national interest, to be flexible." is funny from the guy who, on principle, kept making demands on Northern Ireland that flew in the face of the already long in force Withdrawal Agreement and resigned when that didn't get anywhere
Perhaps Lord Frost really means we should do what the US wants if a MAGA figure is president?
January 23, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Perhaps Lord Frost really means we should do what the US wants if a MAGA figure is president?
The US has always done what it wants - see Suez, Iraq, Obama and Biden being anti-Brexit and anti-blowing up the Northern Ireland protocol. So we should do what it wants.
January 23, 2026 at 2:28 PM
The US has always done what it wants - see Suez, Iraq, Obama and Biden being anti-Brexit and anti-blowing up the Northern Ireland protocol. So we should do what it wants.