TheRealMrSteve
@reallymrsteve.bsky.social
Brexit broke the UK- we've got to fix it again!
Proud member of the tofu-eating Rejoinerati
Presenter of 'The Single Market Show'
Pro-HS2
Proud member of the tofu-eating Rejoinerati
Presenter of 'The Single Market Show'
Pro-HS2
The FT article was from March 2018- the Grauniad one I posted was from 2019- the latter remains the current position.
If we add an SPS deal onto the TCA then we get closer to a Swiss deal & that will be as close as we can get outside of the EU.
We do need to ask the EU about rejoining though.
If we add an SPS deal onto the TCA then we get closer to a Swiss deal & that will be as close as we can get outside of the EU.
We do need to ask the EU about rejoining though.
December 15, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The FT article was from March 2018- the Grauniad one I posted was from 2019- the latter remains the current position.
If we add an SPS deal onto the TCA then we get closer to a Swiss deal & that will be as close as we can get outside of the EU.
We do need to ask the EU about rejoining though.
If we add an SPS deal onto the TCA then we get closer to a Swiss deal & that will be as close as we can get outside of the EU.
We do need to ask the EU about rejoining though.
Exactly, why waste time and effort negotatiating to make our crap TCA deal very slightly less crappy- we've had enough of the endless 🍰 & 🍒.
We need to put all our efforts into getting back into the EU.
We need to put all our efforts into getting back into the EU.
December 15, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Exactly, why waste time and effort negotatiating to make our crap TCA deal very slightly less crappy- we've had enough of the endless 🍰 & 🍒.
We need to put all our efforts into getting back into the EU.
We need to put all our efforts into getting back into the EU.
You're going to have to provide a source for your claim because this is from 2018- it's clearly a no, and that position has not changed.
Joining EFTA doesn't bring free movement of goods & won't remove our EU trade border- it's a dead duck.
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
Joining EFTA doesn't bring free movement of goods & won't remove our EU trade border- it's a dead duck.
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
Efta countries wary of UK's interest in 'Norway' option
Iceland says UK would have to accept free movement of labour, while Norway wants to avoid being seen as interfering in Brexit politics
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:21 PM
You're going to have to provide a source for your claim because this is from 2018- it's clearly a no, and that position has not changed.
Joining EFTA doesn't bring free movement of goods & won't remove our EU trade border- it's a dead duck.
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
Joining EFTA doesn't bring free movement of goods & won't remove our EU trade border- it's a dead duck.
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
That article is hopeless.
Norway already politely said no to the UK joining EFTA/EEA- they didn't even want San Marino to join when the EU asked them.
Asking to join EFTA temporarily would be met with laughter.
So don't waste time & effort chasing unicorns- stick to seeking to rejoin the EU.
Norway already politely said no to the UK joining EFTA/EEA- they didn't even want San Marino to join when the EU asked them.
Asking to join EFTA temporarily would be met with laughter.
So don't waste time & effort chasing unicorns- stick to seeking to rejoin the EU.
December 15, 2025 at 12:23 AM
That article is hopeless.
Norway already politely said no to the UK joining EFTA/EEA- they didn't even want San Marino to join when the EU asked them.
Asking to join EFTA temporarily would be met with laughter.
So don't waste time & effort chasing unicorns- stick to seeking to rejoin the EU.
Norway already politely said no to the UK joining EFTA/EEA- they didn't even want San Marino to join when the EU asked them.
Asking to join EFTA temporarily would be met with laughter.
So don't waste time & effort chasing unicorns- stick to seeking to rejoin the EU.
Because people in 2025 still saying we can rejoin the CU &/or SM, but not the EU, are perpetuating the leave lies. That needs to stop as it makes us look ignorant about Europe.
Come back to me when you've found the articles in the EEA that replicate the effect of the TFEU.
Come back to me when you've found the articles in the EEA that replicate the effect of the TFEU.
December 12, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Because people in 2025 still saying we can rejoin the CU &/or SM, but not the EU, are perpetuating the leave lies. That needs to stop as it makes us look ignorant about Europe.
Come back to me when you've found the articles in the EEA that replicate the effect of the TFEU.
Come back to me when you've found the articles in the EEA that replicate the effect of the TFEU.
Please show me where in the EEA agreement it refers to the removal of all barriers to trade between EFTA/EEA states and the EU.
You have the TFEU wording to look out for- come back to me when you find it.
NB Turkey etc. all have *partial* customs unions with the EU- they are not in the EU CU.
You have the TFEU wording to look out for- come back to me when you find it.
NB Turkey etc. all have *partial* customs unions with the EU- they are not in the EU CU.
December 12, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Please show me where in the EEA agreement it refers to the removal of all barriers to trade between EFTA/EEA states and the EU.
You have the TFEU wording to look out for- come back to me when you find it.
NB Turkey etc. all have *partial* customs unions with the EU- they are not in the EU CU.
You have the TFEU wording to look out for- come back to me when you find it.
NB Turkey etc. all have *partial* customs unions with the EU- they are not in the EU CU.
You got my hopes up there but...
...alas, you make the common error of conflating the EEA with the Single Market- they are different things with different histories, and, crucially, very different legal texts.
The EEA agreement does not give rise to the same outcome as TFEU does.
...alas, you make the common error of conflating the EEA with the Single Market- they are different things with different histories, and, crucially, very different legal texts.
The EEA agreement does not give rise to the same outcome as TFEU does.
December 11, 2025 at 7:01 PM
You got my hopes up there but...
...alas, you make the common error of conflating the EEA with the Single Market- they are different things with different histories, and, crucially, very different legal texts.
The EEA agreement does not give rise to the same outcome as TFEU does.
...alas, you make the common error of conflating the EEA with the Single Market- they are different things with different histories, and, crucially, very different legal texts.
The EEA agreement does not give rise to the same outcome as TFEU does.
Excellent.
I'm still not sure if you have understood the differences beteween the EEA and the Single Market though?
I'm still not sure if you have understood the differences beteween the EEA and the Single Market though?
December 11, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Excellent.
I'm still not sure if you have understood the differences beteween the EEA and the Single Market though?
I'm still not sure if you have understood the differences beteween the EEA and the Single Market though?
Those EEA plans were just a unicorn fart dust topping on the Brexit cake.
EFTA/EEA + a CU with the EU (Norway+) = impossible.
The EFTA Secretariat got so bored of being asked this they had to spell it out very simply for thick Brits in their FAQ section during the Brexit years:
EFTA/EEA + a CU with the EU (Norway+) = impossible.
The EFTA Secretariat got so bored of being asked this they had to spell it out very simply for thick Brits in their FAQ section during the Brexit years:
December 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Those EEA plans were just a unicorn fart dust topping on the Brexit cake.
EFTA/EEA + a CU with the EU (Norway+) = impossible.
The EFTA Secretariat got so bored of being asked this they had to spell it out very simply for thick Brits in their FAQ section during the Brexit years:
EFTA/EEA + a CU with the EU (Norway+) = impossible.
The EFTA Secretariat got so bored of being asked this they had to spell it out very simply for thick Brits in their FAQ section during the Brexit years:
It didn't need to be on the ballot paper- it's in the EU treaties- read the TFEU here:
eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
Single Market- TFEU Art. 26 onwards
Customs Union- TFEU Art. 28-37
So if you leave the EU, you leave everything- it's that simple.
eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
Single Market- TFEU Art. 26 onwards
Customs Union- TFEU Art. 28-37
So if you leave the EU, you leave everything- it's that simple.
eur-lex.europa.eu
December 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
It didn't need to be on the ballot paper- it's in the EU treaties- read the TFEU here:
eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
Single Market- TFEU Art. 26 onwards
Customs Union- TFEU Art. 28-37
So if you leave the EU, you leave everything- it's that simple.
eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
Single Market- TFEU Art. 26 onwards
Customs Union- TFEU Art. 28-37
So if you leave the EU, you leave everything- it's that simple.
You're going to need to show some sources for your position because everyone is politely saying 'no' here in the Grauniad and I can't anything recent with a hint of the positivity you suggest.
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
Efta countries wary of UK's interest in 'Norway' option
Iceland says UK would have to accept free movement of labour, while Norway wants to avoid being seen as interfering in Brexit politics
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:44 PM
You're going to need to show some sources for your position because everyone is politely saying 'no' here in the Grauniad and I can't anything recent with a hint of the positivity you suggest.
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
John- everyone that voted to leave the EU voted to leave the Single Market & Customs Union- they are exclusive to EU members.
Leavers conned people into voting out- their promises were worthless in 2016 & are still worthless today.
This guy was quite clear what leaving the EU meant:
Leavers conned people into voting out- their promises were worthless in 2016 & are still worthless today.
This guy was quite clear what leaving the EU meant:
December 11, 2025 at 4:12 PM
John- everyone that voted to leave the EU voted to leave the Single Market & Customs Union- they are exclusive to EU members.
Leavers conned people into voting out- their promises were worthless in 2016 & are still worthless today.
This guy was quite clear what leaving the EU meant:
Leavers conned people into voting out- their promises were worthless in 2016 & are still worthless today.
This guy was quite clear what leaving the EU meant:
In Europe there are the 2 EEA pillars- EU & EFTA/EEA.
Norway has said we can't join EFTA/EEA, so that route is closed- ask AI 'would norway let the uk join efta?'
So I repeat- why waste time & effort on a solution that does little to remove our Brexit trade border with the EU?
Rejoining is best.
Norway has said we can't join EFTA/EEA, so that route is closed- ask AI 'would norway let the uk join efta?'
So I repeat- why waste time & effort on a solution that does little to remove our Brexit trade border with the EU?
Rejoining is best.
December 11, 2025 at 4:04 PM
In Europe there are the 2 EEA pillars- EU & EFTA/EEA.
Norway has said we can't join EFTA/EEA, so that route is closed- ask AI 'would norway let the uk join efta?'
So I repeat- why waste time & effort on a solution that does little to remove our Brexit trade border with the EU?
Rejoining is best.
Norway has said we can't join EFTA/EEA, so that route is closed- ask AI 'would norway let the uk join efta?'
So I repeat- why waste time & effort on a solution that does little to remove our Brexit trade border with the EU?
Rejoining is best.
But your third way isn't possible- no amount of wishful thinking can change that fact.
December 11, 2025 at 2:10 PM
But your third way isn't possible- no amount of wishful thinking can change that fact.
Joining the EEA (which isn't the same as the SM) means joining EFTA & wouldn't make our Brexit trade border with the EU go away.
Look at all the things the EEA agreement lacks, including no common VAT area- why would you wish that on the UK?
And Norway has already said no, so it's a dead duck.
Look at all the things the EEA agreement lacks, including no common VAT area- why would you wish that on the UK?
And Norway has already said no, so it's a dead duck.
December 11, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Joining the EEA (which isn't the same as the SM) means joining EFTA & wouldn't make our Brexit trade border with the EU go away.
Look at all the things the EEA agreement lacks, including no common VAT area- why would you wish that on the UK?
And Norway has already said no, so it's a dead duck.
Look at all the things the EEA agreement lacks, including no common VAT area- why would you wish that on the UK?
And Norway has already said no, so it's a dead duck.
It is highly unlikely that the UK would join EFTA- Norway is the controlling country and they have said no previously- they didn't even want San Marino in their little club.
And thinking we could join EFTA temporarily is beyond deluded.
And thinking we could join EFTA temporarily is beyond deluded.
December 9, 2025 at 4:51 PM
It is highly unlikely that the UK would join EFTA- Norway is the controlling country and they have said no previously- they didn't even want San Marino in their little club.
And thinking we could join EFTA temporarily is beyond deluded.
And thinking we could join EFTA temporarily is beyond deluded.
Barnier was always clear that if you want the club benefits we have to accept the club's rules- and he was only ever referring to EU membership.
Every step down from the EU has a hard trade border with the EU, so why do you want to keep our trade border to the EU in place with a sub-optimal deal?
Every step down from the EU has a hard trade border with the EU, so why do you want to keep our trade border to the EU in place with a sub-optimal deal?
December 8, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Barnier was always clear that if you want the club benefits we have to accept the club's rules- and he was only ever referring to EU membership.
Every step down from the EU has a hard trade border with the EU, so why do you want to keep our trade border to the EU in place with a sub-optimal deal?
Every step down from the EU has a hard trade border with the EU, so why do you want to keep our trade border to the EU in place with a sub-optimal deal?
The only mechanism available to join the EEA is by rejoining EFTA (which we nearly destroyed in the 60's).
However, there is no way the EFTA 4 would allow us to join their little club temporarily- it is risible to think they would ever agree.
And Norway has already said no, so it's a dead duck.
However, there is no way the EFTA 4 would allow us to join their little club temporarily- it is risible to think they would ever agree.
And Norway has already said no, so it's a dead duck.
December 8, 2025 at 10:19 PM
The only mechanism available to join the EEA is by rejoining EFTA (which we nearly destroyed in the 60's).
However, there is no way the EFTA 4 would allow us to join their little club temporarily- it is risible to think they would ever agree.
And Norway has already said no, so it's a dead duck.
However, there is no way the EFTA 4 would allow us to join their little club temporarily- it is risible to think they would ever agree.
And Norway has already said no, so it's a dead duck.
Yes- 'access to' the SM is not the same as being 'in' the SM. 'Access' doesn't actually grant you the 4 freedoms.
That's why the EFTA 4 still have fiscal/customs/technical/physical trade borders with the EU that restrict trade- rather like the TCA we have now.
An EEA deal is a silly distraction.
That's why the EFTA 4 still have fiscal/customs/technical/physical trade borders with the EU that restrict trade- rather like the TCA we have now.
An EEA deal is a silly distraction.
December 8, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Yes- 'access to' the SM is not the same as being 'in' the SM. 'Access' doesn't actually grant you the 4 freedoms.
That's why the EFTA 4 still have fiscal/customs/technical/physical trade borders with the EU that restrict trade- rather like the TCA we have now.
An EEA deal is a silly distraction.
That's why the EFTA 4 still have fiscal/customs/technical/physical trade borders with the EU that restrict trade- rather like the TCA we have now.
An EEA deal is a silly distraction.
I don't think anyone seriously thinks rejoining will be quick- it took 3 attempts and over a decade to join the project originally.
Progress will be glacial because there is so much stupidity & ignorance on this side of the channel...
Progress will be glacial because there is so much stupidity & ignorance on this side of the channel...
December 8, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I don't think anyone seriously thinks rejoining will be quick- it took 3 attempts and over a decade to join the project originally.
Progress will be glacial because there is so much stupidity & ignorance on this side of the channel...
Progress will be glacial because there is so much stupidity & ignorance on this side of the channel...
There is no such thing as a partial rejoin of the EU without FOM of people.
If we want the 4 freedoms back we ask to rejoin the EU- it's that simple.
If we want the 4 freedoms back we ask to rejoin the EU- it's that simple.
December 8, 2025 at 6:30 PM
There is no such thing as a partial rejoin of the EU without FOM of people.
If we want the 4 freedoms back we ask to rejoin the EU- it's that simple.
If we want the 4 freedoms back we ask to rejoin the EU- it's that simple.
I'm not talking about personal allowances- I'm talking about businesses- trade.
Companies carrying goods have to stop at border checkpoints like Svinesund and do all the paperwork checks before proceeding.
Those checks do not exist between EU members because they are in the Single Market.
Companies carrying goods have to stop at border checkpoints like Svinesund and do all the paperwork checks before proceeding.
Those checks do not exist between EU members because they are in the Single Market.
December 8, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I'm not talking about personal allowances- I'm talking about businesses- trade.
Companies carrying goods have to stop at border checkpoints like Svinesund and do all the paperwork checks before proceeding.
Those checks do not exist between EU members because they are in the Single Market.
Companies carrying goods have to stop at border checkpoints like Svinesund and do all the paperwork checks before proceeding.
Those checks do not exist between EU members because they are in the Single Market.
Chris, you're making the basic error of conflating the EEA with the Single Market. They are not the same thing.
If you want an end to our Brexit trade borders with the EU then only rejoining the EU ticks all the boxes.
If you want an end to our Brexit trade borders with the EU then only rejoining the EU ticks all the boxes.
December 8, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Chris, you're making the basic error of conflating the EEA with the Single Market. They are not the same thing.
If you want an end to our Brexit trade borders with the EU then only rejoining the EU ticks all the boxes.
If you want an end to our Brexit trade borders with the EU then only rejoining the EU ticks all the boxes.
Goods trade is limited to a very small number of border crossing points because goods have to be checked both ways.
There is a hard trade border between Norway and the EU.
There is no trade border at all between Spain and France.
There is a hard trade border between Norway and the EU.
There is no trade border at all between Spain and France.
December 7, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Goods trade is limited to a very small number of border crossing points because goods have to be checked both ways.
There is a hard trade border between Norway and the EU.
There is no trade border at all between Spain and France.
There is a hard trade border between Norway and the EU.
There is no trade border at all between Spain and France.
Look at this way:
Forming a customs union with the EU doesn't prevent us from rejoining the EU next- that pathway remains open.
Forming a customs union with the EU does prevent us from joining EFTA, and that's a very good thing.
Forming a customs union with the EU doesn't prevent us from rejoining the EU next- that pathway remains open.
Forming a customs union with the EU does prevent us from joining EFTA, and that's a very good thing.
December 7, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Look at this way:
Forming a customs union with the EU doesn't prevent us from rejoining the EU next- that pathway remains open.
Forming a customs union with the EU does prevent us from joining EFTA, and that's a very good thing.
Forming a customs union with the EU doesn't prevent us from rejoining the EU next- that pathway remains open.
Forming a customs union with the EU does prevent us from joining EFTA, and that's a very good thing.