Sam Maclaine
@sammaclaine.bsky.social
I post Pro the environment and Renewable energy.
I comment on whatever I like, hopefully being polite and occasionally amusing.
I block anyone who doesn't allow responses 🙂
I comment on whatever I like, hopefully being polite and occasionally amusing.
I block anyone who doesn't allow responses 🙂
I think this was summarised quite well on the World at One today by a Labour MP. Why would Labour, which had a large number of long term Labour supporters who voted to Leave, suddenly decide to go all 'MUCH closer relationship' including crossing it's own red lines which got it elected in 2024 🤔
December 3, 2025 at 1:42 PM
I think this was summarised quite well on the World at One today by a Labour MP. Why would Labour, which had a large number of long term Labour supporters who voted to Leave, suddenly decide to go all 'MUCH closer relationship' including crossing it's own red lines which got it elected in 2024 🤔
I was thinking of the latest NBER working paper that seems to have been spread widely across the media 🤔
December 3, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I was thinking of the latest NBER working paper that seems to have been spread widely across the media 🤔
Some other views for balance 😂
December 3, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Some other views for balance 😂
If we have so much confidence in the doppelganger model why do different groups of Economists keep coming up with such significantly different results ? 😂
December 3, 2025 at 9:25 AM
If we have so much confidence in the doppelganger model why do different groups of Economists keep coming up with such significantly different results ? 😂
Which way round ? 🤔
December 3, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Which way round ? 🤔
This is not correct (but widely believed). It is not possible to join the SM/EUCU without being a full paid-up member of the EU. We could form a new CU with the EU, like Turkey has done. We could 'try' and join EFTA which would make us part of the SM via the EEA but highly unlikely to be successful.
December 3, 2025 at 9:21 AM
This is not correct (but widely believed). It is not possible to join the SM/EUCU without being a full paid-up member of the EU. We could form a new CU with the EU, like Turkey has done. We could 'try' and join EFTA which would make us part of the SM via the EEA but highly unlikely to be successful.
How 'UK in a changing Europe' reported the impasse 🤔
December 3, 2025 at 8:08 AM
How 'UK in a changing Europe' reported the impasse 🤔
I was in the Green Party for the last 6 years. Even delivering local leaflets. I left after the recent Leader election and joined the Labour Party. Left wing Populists are just as bad a Right wing Populists. Promising people things that can never practically be delivered 🤔
December 3, 2025 at 8:01 AM
I was in the Green Party for the last 6 years. Even delivering local leaflets. I left after the recent Leader election and joined the Labour Party. Left wing Populists are just as bad a Right wing Populists. Promising people things that can never practically be delivered 🤔
The Times argument 😂
December 3, 2025 at 7:56 AM
The Times argument 😂
So why haven't the EU challenged them under WTO rules as is their right ? 🤔
December 3, 2025 at 7:17 AM
So why haven't the EU challenged them under WTO rules as is their right ? 🤔
Laughable piece of analysis by the NBER. We were in the EU up to 2016. Yet what was this Economic miracle that suddenly would have started in 2016 ?
GDP/capita was essentially flat since 2010. Little evidence that the UK after 6 years was about to suddenly experience another 1% per year GDP growth🤔
GDP/capita was essentially flat since 2010. Little evidence that the UK after 6 years was about to suddenly experience another 1% per year GDP growth🤔
December 2, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Laughable piece of analysis by the NBER. We were in the EU up to 2016. Yet what was this Economic miracle that suddenly would have started in 2016 ?
GDP/capita was essentially flat since 2010. Little evidence that the UK after 6 years was about to suddenly experience another 1% per year GDP growth🤔
GDP/capita was essentially flat since 2010. Little evidence that the UK after 6 years was about to suddenly experience another 1% per year GDP growth🤔
Slightly misleading. Canada as a third country was always able to take part in SAFE. What they have purchased is the ability for it's companies to have 50% material content in the EU companies defence products rather than just 35% like the UK and others 🤔
December 2, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Slightly misleading. Canada as a third country was always able to take part in SAFE. What they have purchased is the ability for it's companies to have 50% material content in the EU companies defence products rather than just 35% like the UK and others 🤔
I would argue with your point that the Economic indicators are showing the damage of Brexit. The OECD today confirmed that the UK would be the second fastest growing economy in the G7 in 2025. Inflation/interest rates are falling. We have increasing employment levels. Compare that to Germany/France🤔
December 2, 2025 at 8:33 PM
I would argue with your point that the Economic indicators are showing the damage of Brexit. The OECD today confirmed that the UK would be the second fastest growing economy in the G7 in 2025. Inflation/interest rates are falling. We have increasing employment levels. Compare that to Germany/France🤔
What exactly did the OECD say?
Take your pick 🙂
Take your pick 🙂
December 2, 2025 at 8:25 PM
What exactly did the OECD say?
Take your pick 🙂
Take your pick 🙂
I think that is highly unlikely and what the EU would see as UK exceptionalism. There will be no special arrangements for the UK. We have the TCA and we can negotiate minor additional aspects but no SM/CU. We would have to line up with the other Countries wanting to join with the same conditions 🤔
December 2, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I think that is highly unlikely and what the EU would see as UK exceptionalism. There will be no special arrangements for the UK. We have the TCA and we can negotiate minor additional aspects but no SM/CU. We would have to line up with the other Countries wanting to join with the same conditions 🤔
The EFTA route, although theoretically possible, is extremely unlikely. The UK's economic muscle would dwarf the other EFTA Members.
The EU has said they would not be interested in a 'Cherry Picked' Single Market access ala Switzerland ever again 🤔
The EU has said they would not be interested in a 'Cherry Picked' Single Market access ala Switzerland ever again 🤔
December 2, 2025 at 7:38 PM
The EFTA route, although theoretically possible, is extremely unlikely. The UK's economic muscle would dwarf the other EFTA Members.
The EU has said they would not be interested in a 'Cherry Picked' Single Market access ala Switzerland ever again 🤔
The EU has said they would not be interested in a 'Cherry Picked' Single Market access ala Switzerland ever again 🤔
There is no mechanism to just join the SM and CU. The only viable option is to fully rejoin. For that we would have to persuade the EU to engage (highly unlikely) and accept moving from the £ to the Euro. The Government would also have to get the deficit down to 3% from it's current 4-6% 🤔
December 2, 2025 at 7:34 PM
There is no mechanism to just join the SM and CU. The only viable option is to fully rejoin. For that we would have to persuade the EU to engage (highly unlikely) and accept moving from the £ to the Euro. The Government would also have to get the deficit down to 3% from it's current 4-6% 🤔
Yes I almost laughed out loud at that one 😂
December 2, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Yes I almost laughed out loud at that one 😂
The recent NEBR report is simply a working paper by five economists from a US think tank sent out for comment. Not even published 🤔
December 2, 2025 at 8:44 AM
The recent NEBR report is simply a working paper by five economists from a US think tank sent out for comment. Not even published 🤔
Not sure if I should enlighten you but for most of the population we left the EU in 2020 and nothing really changed.
Since 2008 things were pretty grim, being in the EU didn't make things magically better up to 2016, and leaving hasn't seemed to make things worse. Today, maybe there is some light?🤔
Since 2008 things were pretty grim, being in the EU didn't make things magically better up to 2016, and leaving hasn't seemed to make things worse. Today, maybe there is some light?🤔
December 2, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Not sure if I should enlighten you but for most of the population we left the EU in 2020 and nothing really changed.
Since 2008 things were pretty grim, being in the EU didn't make things magically better up to 2016, and leaving hasn't seemed to make things worse. Today, maybe there is some light?🤔
Since 2008 things were pretty grim, being in the EU didn't make things magically better up to 2016, and leaving hasn't seemed to make things worse. Today, maybe there is some light?🤔
If we are banning 'foreigners' how come over half a million came to work or study in the UK in the year up to June 2025 😂
December 2, 2025 at 8:19 AM
If we are banning 'foreigners' how come over half a million came to work or study in the UK in the year up to June 2025 😂
They didn't make it into Safe. That is only for EU members. This below is what Canada did and what the UK is trying to negotiate (should be easier now it will become clearer what Canada paid) 🤔
December 2, 2025 at 8:14 AM
They didn't make it into Safe. That is only for EU members. This below is what Canada did and what the UK is trying to negotiate (should be easier now it will become clearer what Canada paid) 🤔
No really they are not. There are struggling negotiations on the UK/EU SPS deal which will take until 2027. Plus a few other 'closer relationship' things. But the EU is maxed out beyond that with other 'enlargement' countries, and Ukraine, and the Mercusor deal, and REARM and, and. So 🤔
December 2, 2025 at 7:19 AM
No really they are not. There are struggling negotiations on the UK/EU SPS deal which will take until 2027. Plus a few other 'closer relationship' things. But the EU is maxed out beyond that with other 'enlargement' countries, and Ukraine, and the Mercusor deal, and REARM and, and. So 🤔
Some people are taking this as a signal we are heading back into the EU. Forget that. Starmer wants Britain to be leading the world in the fight for Social Democracy, and the rule of law (he is a lawyer after all). Closer relationships all round with the like minded is his message 🤔
December 2, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Some people are taking this as a signal we are heading back into the EU. Forget that. Starmer wants Britain to be leading the world in the fight for Social Democracy, and the rule of law (he is a lawyer after all). Closer relationships all round with the like minded is his message 🤔
For it to be in the Manifesto they would have had to have some discussions with the EU (avoid the EU saying what are you talking about). There will be zero discussions prior to 2029. EU far too busy. Just hasn't the capacity. So you are looking at maybe the manifesto in 2033/34 but public support ?🤔
December 2, 2025 at 6:48 AM
For it to be in the Manifesto they would have had to have some discussions with the EU (avoid the EU saying what are you talking about). There will be zero discussions prior to 2029. EU far too busy. Just hasn't the capacity. So you are looking at maybe the manifesto in 2033/34 but public support ?🤔