A UK return will strengthen the EU, strengthen Europe, and weaken Eurosceptic populists further by demonstrating the totality of Brexit’s futility. That’s more important than attempting to hold the UK to standards no other MS is held by provisions not included in the Treaties.

Poland's foreign minister insists that the UK should not get its opt-outs back if it rejoins the EU - including the euro opt-out. However, last time I checked Poland was not in the eurozone either, and has no plans of joining! In fact, ALL non-EZ MS have a de facto opt-out, including obvs. Sweden

The problem with Reverse QMV is that it is a form of minority rule. The decision to *go ahead* with sanctions (to not overturn the Commission decision) can be made by a very small group of populous member states. Even reverse *simple* majority voting would be preferable from a democratic pt of view

Poland's foreign minister insists that the UK should not get its opt-outs back if it rejoins the EU. The most important of those opt-outs, of course, is from joining the single currency. However, last time I checked Poland was not in the eurozone either. All EU member states have a de facto opt out.

Poland's foreign minister insists that the UK should not get its opt-outs back if it rejoins the EU. The most important of those opt-outs, of course, is from joining the single currency. However, last time I checked Poland was not in the eurozone either. All EU member states have a de facto opt out.

My and @abenewman.bsky.social Underground Empire is on sale at $1.99 for the Kindle edition. If you've been sitting on it, this is the time to buy it. If you've read it and liked it, would love it if you shared this post, and be more grateful than I can say if you starred/reviewed it on Amazon.

O death, where is thy sting?

This is a breathtaking achievement. Governments *always* lose seats over time through attrition and declining popularity. It is unheard of in a FPP parliamentary system that a minority government could turn itself into a majority government by enticing floor-crossers and winning by-elections.

too good not to share

Bravo @barryandrewsmep.bsky.social !!!

Denmark and allies were flying in blood products and preparing for blowing up the airstrips as Trump threatened Greenland in January. Surprising no-one the 'exercise' Arctic Endurance was in fact an active operation, planned since 2025 with France, Germany and Nordics (+UK?).

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Maybe the Hungarian and Slovak navies can help open up the Strait of Hormuz?

This makes so much sense: Nordic countries and Canada to strengthen cooperation www.regjeringen.no/en/whats-new...

My feed is full of political and economic doom this morning, but this brought a short smile to my face:

"Former lobbyist Jay Footlik"

Wormald Wormholed

Nothing screams "Informal" like a big sign reading "Informal EU Leaders' Retreat 2026" www.politico.eu/article/info...

Translation: “Nice country you got there, Canada. Watch yourself.”

On our PROSPER blog, a very timely analysis: Trump, Tariffs and Greenland

Fixed that for you

👀 67% increase in the number of applications to the Toronto political science PhD program from last year, 92% increase from 2024 👀

Fascinating podcast on "Uberisation" - how to define it, how to spot it, how to fight it

Canada has joined SAFE, but why stop there? www.dcu.ie/blog/2151/51...

I wrote this short reflection back in May and decided to share it now as we embark on another semester. For my political science colleagues gearing up to teach an intro course in U.S. politics, keep the faith.

Check out my newest publication: An Economy that Works for People: Empty Slogan or Substantive Policy Agenda for the EU? It it the first Policy Brief of the PROSPER Network. All comments welcome! zenodo.org/records/1578...

Canadian solidarity with Ukrainian women resisting occupation

❤️‍🔥 Canada’s ambassador to Ukraine, Natalka Cmoc, got a tattoo in solidarity with “Zla Mavka”—a women-led nonviolent resistance movement that began in occupied Melitopol in early 2023. 📷: hromadske

I agree. I wrote about it here: www.dcu.ie/blog/2151/51...

NEW: MY COMMENT ON THE CANADIAN ELECTION A Progressive Win in Canada, the ‘Most European of non-European Countries’ dcu.ie/blog/2151/pr... PLEASE SHARE

‘A Progressive Win in #Canada, the Most European of non-European Countries' Read the blog by Ian Cooper here: bit.ly/3Sm87Y8 @iancooper.bsky.social

NEW: MY COMMENT ON THE CANADIAN ELECTION A Progressive Win in Canada, the ‘Most European of non-European Countries’ dcu.ie/blog/2151/pr... PLEASE SHARE

NEW: MY COMMENT ON THE CANADIAN ELECTION A Progressive Win in Canada, the ‘Most European of non-European Countries’ www.dcu.ie/blog/2151/pr... PLEASE SHARE

My comment on the Canadian election!

ICYMI: Catch up with the inaugural PROSPER Network Event with this report authored by Dr. Ian Cooper: Safeguarding Fundamental European Values in EU Economic Governance @iancooper.bsky.social. Read it here: bit.ly/4cj4awK

With the Canadian election just a few days away, here is my recent piece arguing for a radical rethink of Canada-EU relations. 51st State? Canada Should Join the EU Instead www.dcu.ie/blog/2151/51...

With the Canadian election just a few days away, here is my recent piece arguing for a radical rethink of Canada-EU relations. 51st State? Canada Should Join the EU Instead www.dcu.ie/blog/2151/51...

I confess my first reaction to this story (about Mark Carney's popularity in Quebec) was my gut recognition of the landscape this time of year - with no snow on the ground but no leaves on the trees Canada in April: when winter is over but spring is yet to arrive www.nytimes.com/2025/04/19/w...

I'm very pleased that my recent piece on Canada-EU has been re-published by Irish Legal News Events are moving fast! Since this was published, Canada's new PM already made his first foreign visit to Europe (not the US, as is traditional) and is in talks with the EU about deeper defence cooperation

I'm very pleased that my recent piece on Canada-EU has been re-published by Irish Legal News Events are moving fast! Since this was published, Canada's new PM already made his first foreign visit to Europe (not the US, as is traditional) and is in talks with the EU about deeper defence cooperation

Ian Cooper proposes a novel alternative to Canada joining the United States. @iancooper.bsky.social

Canada's new PM flies to Paris to visit Macron on Monday. It is significant that he is going to Europe rather than Washington for his first foreign trip. ICYMI here is my opinion piece on why it is imperative that Canada and the EU work together 51st State? Canada Should Join the EU Instead

Canada's new PM flies to Paris to visit Macron on Monday. It is significant that he is going to Europe rather than Washington for his first foreign trip. ICYMI here is my opinion piece on why it is imperative that Canada and the EU work together 51st State? Canada Should Join the EU Instead

#Canada faces pressure from the US to become its '51st state,' but there's another path: joining the #EU. With shared values and interests, Canada could strengthen ties with Europe to counter the threat of economic coercion. Read more by Dr. @iancooper.bsky.social: bit.ly/3FtrBXX

Let Canada join the EU🇪🇺

About time... from my clever husband.

@johnbrennan.bsky.social @spignal.bsky.social @profjacob.bsky.social @rolandparis.bsky.social @keohanedan.bsky.social

51st State? Canada Should Join the EU Instead My latest opinion piece

Well worth reading on Canada’s geopolitical choices, by my @dublincityuni.bsky.social colleague Ian: