Hi from France

Cynical but accurate https://mostfavourednation.substack.com/p/mutual-recognition Now the question is "do you think it is better to deal with the EU as a priority or do you prefer Trump"?

To be frank I have my doubts as well (and I'm not sure what this google search link proves) now Poland is doing well

it's a problem of "espoused principles", but it's indeed advantageous, like the fact the UK will align on EU standard well not anymore World Bank forecasts show GDP per capita in Poland is on track to overtake UK by 2030 now the UK is still very attractive from Nigeria, Pakistan, India, the Philippines.. it's fine really Indeed, but it's now the industrial aspect that takes center stage: will the UK secure a significant share of the €150 billion budget without making a substantial contribution? One can easily sense their desire for 'mutual benefit' - in the typically British sense of the term - Agreed and on the other hand, the €150 billion budget is quite relevant here.

mostly but also this is does not respect the WTO rules, which was this original question for the EU it's a problem of "espoused principles", but it's indeed advantageous, like the fact the UK will align on EU standard, like that one indeed, but is it a real loss or are just exports just going somewhere else? for tourism freedom is here, but things like schools trips became complicated esp with pupil of different nationalities Regarding labor migration, the United Kingdom holds little appeal for Polish skilled trade workers or Spanish nursing professionals indeed but you have to think "net contribution" we do not have to subsidize anything in the UK anymore, For what it's worth : Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Payments: Estimated yearly amount: £2.9 billion. European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF): Estimated yearly amount: £2.1 billion. Details: ESIF aimed to reduce regional inequalities and support economic and social cohesion. etc... there was not much there, and Ukraine, not Brexit completely changed the equation as for fish it is as deeply symbolic as it it irrelevant to defense (and financially) it

EU of course has no cause for complaint, but the UK has been unable to exert sovereignty as should have, even with several years to do so As for the fact Brexit has negatively affected both the UK and the EU, economically I'm not sure I have not seen a study but I do not think it was such a loss for the EU Politically it's clearly a win and I would like to have Hungary out as well, but they are not that stupid . When I see the British government asking for this or that EU perk because it is "mutual advantage", I draw my gun 🙂

I do not think so : high migration countries like Spain are growing fast, while closed countries are declining and cannot fund health or retirement of their aging population

I'm no customs expert but the same checks should be implemented for imports from EU countries and say Pakistan ("most favored nation"). . Even on migration control being inside the EU was more confortable than being outside https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tories-brexit-small-boats-asylum-philp-b2751177.html

No winners, but Brexit turned up pretty good for us and the EU as a whole, we have sooo many problems and challenges, it's good not to have the UK's. Maybe a majority of EU member states would welcome the UK's readmission, but you need unanimity e.g. Spain would want Gibraltar back etc.. Re-join won't happen, and anyway even re-apply is out of the question : Starmer has been a huge disappointment but maybe the next summit will bring something ? https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/12/the-guardian-view-on-uk-trade-quiet-re-engagement-is-a-slow-fix-for-brexits-mistakes As a Frenchman I definitely have to agree on respecting the rules (but in the Britain that existed before Brexit, it's not the case anymore : most basic custom WTO procedures have yet to be implemented, not to mention Boris's promises like the channel bridge 🙂 ). As for the negative outcome, I think most brits did not realize how advantageous is used to be being a EU member (Japanese transplants exporting 80% of the production to the EU, draining the whole financial industry to London, rebate contribution, vetoing UE decisions until the UK gets what it wants ...). After Brexit, there is no deal like: we have a 47 year experience of the UK as a member and we do not want more of that. Now how could the UK voters be that blind? You're supposed to be the pragmatists

There is no rejoin only a re-apply and I'm not sure Europeans want to take in a member who contributes one third of what they do (France and Germany contribute 1% of their gdp to the EU budget , while Britain contributes 0,4-0,7%). If Britain wants to reap the benefits of the single market it won't be free and it will have to follow the same market rules as we do And even that won't go down as easily to the brexiteers as Trump tariffs did

readable link : https://archive.ph/gm6Qy another interesting piece of advice another acknowledgement in the ft https://archive.md/4DdFw

A series of suggestions by Adam Posen: the UK now has "little time for delusions of grandeur". https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/when-it-comes-to-brexit-things-can-only-get-worse/

Apparently freedom of movement across Europe is widely endorsed https://yorkshirebylines.co.uk/news/brexit/mutual-free-movement-for-uk-and-eu-citizens-supported-by-up-to-84-of-brits-in-stunning-new-poll/ Originally, Brexiteers wanted to cherry pick the free movement of goods and services and not the free movement of people (although obv they should still be allowed to retire to Marbella). For us Brit’s getting free movement on a whole continent in exchange for us getting free movement on one and a bit island doesn’t seem to be a very fair deal ?

does Revolut work in Thailand ? If so just pay with your smartphone everywhere

you just read the Guardian, one of the leading world newspapers, fiercely independent congrats ????

same perilous sea but smuggling is easier, because if they are caught they cannot be sent back. Now they just have to cross the border in the middle of the Channel and it's just done, no “take charge” requests no expulsion .. and no need to hide once you're in UK waters, you can just call the help hotline : 0043 50 43 112 so it's technically less dangerous since you're able to call the lifeboat halfway out One 19-year-old man from Sudan who is currently in Calais said: “We believe we will not be safe unless we can reach the UK. Here the French police beat us and evict us every day from the places where we are sleeping outside. It brings back bad memories from Libya where I was locked up and beaten many times by traffickers. Because of Brexit I believe that once I reach the UK I will be safe at last. No Dublin, no fingerprints any more.” He said he had no money to pay smugglers and would try to find a way to cross with a small group of friends in an abandoned kayak. “Every night we go to the beach to look for small boats that have been abandoned and we will try to cross that way.” in a kayak.... god https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/nov/12/brexit-easier-small-boat-crossings-to-reach-uk-refugees-say