Philip Brown
@tidybox.bsky.social
In Glasgow...Film | Art & Design | Mental Health | European politics | EFTA-EEA & Single Market.
Supervising art director for film/TV #Shetland
Supervising art director for film/TV #Shetland
A customs union is limited in scope. Prospect of some additional tariff-free trade on goods (not services), tied to common external tariffs/trade policy but left negotiating for ourselves. It is not currently being offered by the EU. Dynamic alignment is where the real benefits are.
December 17, 2025 at 1:42 AM
A customs union is limited in scope. Prospect of some additional tariff-free trade on goods (not services), tied to common external tariffs/trade policy but left negotiating for ourselves. It is not currently being offered by the EU. Dynamic alignment is where the real benefits are.
In EFTA, UK would be outside common fisheries/agricultural policy. UK would benefit from dynamic alignment on goods and SPS rules. Complete freedom of goods is only eliminated by joining SM and CU. This is currently only available to EU members and is not something being offered to UK at this time.
December 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
In EFTA, UK would be outside common fisheries/agricultural policy. UK would benefit from dynamic alignment on goods and SPS rules. Complete freedom of goods is only eliminated by joining SM and CU. This is currently only available to EU members and is not something being offered to UK at this time.
Norway was used by pro-EU lobby groups pushing a 2nd ref and rejoin. Lunde is often quoted out of context and at times had spoken positively on EFTA being good for Britain. Ex-PM, Solberg, also moved on that position. Norway did not support "Norway for Now", as it could destabilise the group.
December 15, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Norway was used by pro-EU lobby groups pushing a 2nd ref and rejoin. Lunde is often quoted out of context and at times had spoken positively on EFTA being good for Britain. Ex-PM, Solberg, also moved on that position. Norway did not support "Norway for Now", as it could destabilise the group.
I always quite liked it when The Telegraph seemed to understand the consequences of Brexit and the only viable option for the UK...(From 2016)
December 10, 2025 at 11:30 PM
I always quite liked it when The Telegraph seemed to understand the consequences of Brexit and the only viable option for the UK...(From 2016)
This was the recent poll I was referencing. I suspect that if more rules were explained, a similar consensus would be reached. Whenever asked to pinpoint a particular piece of legislation they object to, many Brexit voters often seem to falter.
October 3, 2025 at 5:20 PM
This was the recent poll I was referencing. I suspect that if more rules were explained, a similar consensus would be reached. Whenever asked to pinpoint a particular piece of legislation they object to, many Brexit voters often seem to falter.
I would really like to know why BBC have this as the leading news story. There are people at the top of the organisation desperate to portray him as prime ministerial. Meanwhile news stories from our actual government don't even make the front page.
August 26, 2025 at 10:58 PM
I would really like to know why BBC have this as the leading news story. There are people at the top of the organisation desperate to portray him as prime ministerial. Meanwhile news stories from our actual government don't even make the front page.
Despite what Labour are doing, Starmer isn't challenging public misconceptions. Describing these migrants as illegal just panders to those politicians and journalists who continue to make this an issue.
August 25, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Despite what Labour are doing, Starmer isn't challenging public misconceptions. Describing these migrants as illegal just panders to those politicians and journalists who continue to make this an issue.
Just wondered, as I saw similarities in his face to my Andalusian Terrier.
August 18, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Just wondered, as I saw similarities in his face to my Andalusian Terrier.
Reform just need reminding of Farage's position. If the Swiss arrangement was his inspiration, what is the goal now?
Funny listening to Tice yesterday discuss the giving up sovereign powers to EU bureaucracy. Ignoring Farage was a part of that machine the past decade before leaving.
Funny listening to Tice yesterday discuss the giving up sovereign powers to EU bureaucracy. Ignoring Farage was a part of that machine the past decade before leaving.
May 20, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Reform just need reminding of Farage's position. If the Swiss arrangement was his inspiration, what is the goal now?
Funny listening to Tice yesterday discuss the giving up sovereign powers to EU bureaucracy. Ignoring Farage was a part of that machine the past decade before leaving.
Funny listening to Tice yesterday discuss the giving up sovereign powers to EU bureaucracy. Ignoring Farage was a part of that machine the past decade before leaving.
The figures are roughly in line with trade and migration studies made back in 2018/19, which put UK GDP at around 2-3% lower with a free trade deal compared to a modelled EEA arrangement.
March 24, 2025 at 9:25 PM
The figures are roughly in line with trade and migration studies made back in 2018/19, which put UK GDP at around 2-3% lower with a free trade deal compared to a modelled EEA arrangement.
If UK wanted to participate in the Single Market, via EEA, CJEU oversight is indirect. Application of law and safeguarding of individuals is monitored by EFTA surveillance authority and court. This was the solution if MPs had taken it in 2016/17, but there is little evidence they understood it.
February 6, 2025 at 7:34 AM
If UK wanted to participate in the Single Market, via EEA, CJEU oversight is indirect. Application of law and safeguarding of individuals is monitored by EFTA surveillance authority and court. This was the solution if MPs had taken it in 2016/17, but there is little evidence they understood it.
This will never get old. Farage pushed for a Norway/Swiss-type deal right up until June 2016, before unleashing his Breaking Point campaign fearful he had lost the referendum. He knows perfectly well that remaining in EU orbit would reduce red tape and bureaucracy. If only interviewers reminded him.
February 4, 2025 at 1:22 PM
This will never get old. Farage pushed for a Norway/Swiss-type deal right up until June 2016, before unleashing his Breaking Point campaign fearful he had lost the referendum. He knows perfectly well that remaining in EU orbit would reduce red tape and bureaucracy. If only interviewers reminded him.
Conflation of the Single Market (Freedom of Movement) with a customs union does not look good. Labour have had years in opposition to get on top of the detail.
The Artificial Intelligence Act - Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 specifically refers to free movement of goods and services.
The Artificial Intelligence Act - Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 specifically refers to free movement of goods and services.
January 22, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Conflation of the Single Market (Freedom of Movement) with a customs union does not look good. Labour have had years in opposition to get on top of the detail.
The Artificial Intelligence Act - Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 specifically refers to free movement of goods and services.
The Artificial Intelligence Act - Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 specifically refers to free movement of goods and services.
A customs union barely touches trade barriers. It makes little sense for Liberal Democrats to roll back on their position. Joining the Single Market, re-establishing FoM and all that entails, would've put far more pressure on Labour and what is seen as their inaction on repairing UK-EU relations. /3
January 21, 2025 at 9:11 AM
A customs union barely touches trade barriers. It makes little sense for Liberal Democrats to roll back on their position. Joining the Single Market, re-establishing FoM and all that entails, would've put far more pressure on Labour and what is seen as their inaction on repairing UK-EU relations. /3
MPs arguing a closer relationship is an inherently good thing but I take issue with the way respected journalists have been reporting on this.
Liberal Democrats 2024 policy was to join the Single Market. It doesn't make sense for the sudden switch to a CU. /2
Liberal Democrats 2024 policy was to join the Single Market. It doesn't make sense for the sudden switch to a CU. /2
January 21, 2025 at 9:11 AM
MPs arguing a closer relationship is an inherently good thing but I take issue with the way respected journalists have been reporting on this.
Liberal Democrats 2024 policy was to join the Single Market. It doesn't make sense for the sudden switch to a CU. /2
Liberal Democrats 2024 policy was to join the Single Market. It doesn't make sense for the sudden switch to a CU. /2
RefuelEU Aviation Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 is already being considered by EEA-EFTA states.
How would joining a customs union see alignment of rules on air cargo refuelling? Surely those are Single Market rules. I see no specific mention of customs in the regulation.
How would joining a customs union see alignment of rules on air cargo refuelling? Surely those are Single Market rules. I see no specific mention of customs in the regulation.
January 17, 2025 at 10:12 PM
RefuelEU Aviation Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 is already being considered by EEA-EFTA states.
How would joining a customs union see alignment of rules on air cargo refuelling? Surely those are Single Market rules. I see no specific mention of customs in the regulation.
How would joining a customs union see alignment of rules on air cargo refuelling? Surely those are Single Market rules. I see no specific mention of customs in the regulation.
Why have the party moved from supporting a Single Market agreement, considering its peior commitment and support for youth mobility and movement of people? A customs union removes any trade sovereignty and leaves many barriers with EU/EEA untouched.
January 17, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Why have the party moved from supporting a Single Market agreement, considering its peior commitment and support for youth mobility and movement of people? A customs union removes any trade sovereignty and leaves many barriers with EU/EEA untouched.
I don't agree. I cannot understand the change of position from Liberal Democrats from their 4 stage solution to joining Single Market. A customs union in isolation offers nothing. A Single Market agreement is by far and away the best option for removing trade barriers and seeing economic growth.
January 16, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I don't agree. I cannot understand the change of position from Liberal Democrats from their 4 stage solution to joining Single Market. A customs union in isolation offers nothing. A Single Market agreement is by far and away the best option for removing trade barriers and seeing economic growth.
It would really help the argument if MPs were fact checked. UK is already a rule-taker to EU regulations it follows under TCA. As a signatory to the EEA Agreement, UK could shape those rules by submitting its concerns in drafting of any new legislation, as well as through joint committee.
January 13, 2025 at 9:42 PM
It would really help the argument if MPs were fact checked. UK is already a rule-taker to EU regulations it follows under TCA. As a signatory to the EEA Agreement, UK could shape those rules by submitting its concerns in drafting of any new legislation, as well as through joint committee.
Right wing press attacks on Labour will happen regardless. The TCA is unworkable in its current form. How long will Government make excuses for the state of our economy?
January 13, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Right wing press attacks on Labour will happen regardless. The TCA is unworkable in its current form. How long will Government make excuses for the state of our economy?
Glasgow's Queen's Park was the same on Saturday. Sledging, ice hockey, skating or simply cutting across- Despite temperatures only dropping to around -3° here over the weekend. The duck pond was empty yesterday, except for two young girls being 'supervised' by their parents.
January 13, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Glasgow's Queen's Park was the same on Saturday. Sledging, ice hockey, skating or simply cutting across- Despite temperatures only dropping to around -3° here over the weekend. The duck pond was empty yesterday, except for two young girls being 'supervised' by their parents.
UK could not negotiate EEA + CU. That's pure cakeism. Benefits of membership without the obligations and financial commitments of a member state. It does not negate an arrangement being agreed. Customs is only a small part. Joining PEM Convention should be a priority.
January 5, 2025 at 8:23 PM
UK could not negotiate EEA + CU. That's pure cakeism. Benefits of membership without the obligations and financial commitments of a member state. It does not negate an arrangement being agreed. Customs is only a small part. Joining PEM Convention should be a priority.
In Cameron's Chatham House speech, Nov 2015, his objective during negotiations was to protect UK interests in the Single Market. That was Government policy. Retaining a 🇳🇴 🇨🇭 relationship with the Single Market was being proposed by those campaigning for withdrawal and noted by Cameron in his speech.
December 30, 2024 at 2:59 PM
In Cameron's Chatham House speech, Nov 2015, his objective during negotiations was to protect UK interests in the Single Market. That was Government policy. Retaining a 🇳🇴 🇨🇭 relationship with the Single Market was being proposed by those campaigning for withdrawal and noted by Cameron in his speech.
Creasy was an MP I had a lot of respect for on account of her position on Europe, pushing for joining PEM Convention, SPS and understanding the wider impact on youth mobility and creative industry. I did not expect such a disingenuous remark when discussing the Single Market and FoM.
December 21, 2024 at 10:30 AM
Creasy was an MP I had a lot of respect for on account of her position on Europe, pushing for joining PEM Convention, SPS and understanding the wider impact on youth mobility and creative industry. I did not expect such a disingenuous remark when discussing the Single Market and FoM.
Messaging from leading Brexit campaigns suggested that UK could be like Norway and Switzerland. Ending freedom of movement was a decision taken within and by Government. May brought her grievances from Home Office. It was easier to focus on ending free movement than particular governmental failures.
December 14, 2024 at 5:07 PM
Messaging from leading Brexit campaigns suggested that UK could be like Norway and Switzerland. Ending freedom of movement was a decision taken within and by Government. May brought her grievances from Home Office. It was easier to focus on ending free movement than particular governmental failures.