“It will also significantly ease the burden on supermarkets and food producers selling to Northern Ireland from Great Britain under the Windsor framework trading arrangements.” Note ‘significantly ease’ not ‘remove’ Important that any deal is not oversold www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

On the UK’s expectations of its anticipated SPS agreement with the EU… www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

‘“there is a right time to accelerate enlargement, the time is right now,” Kos told the FT, adding it was time for EU capitals “to come from words to actions”. She said: “I’m not here in this place to manage the status quo.”’ www.ft.com/content/03be...

“Europe ministers had no appetite for the British proposal of free movement of goods only… the idea was only briefly mentioned at Tuesday’s meeting… “no date announced for a long-expected EU-UK summit, which is tentatively pencilled in for 13 July.” www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

“A time-limited ban on veto powers could [first] be written into Montenegro’s accession treaty… “The safeguard is considered to be legally borderline and could only be introduced for a temporary period in order to avoid creating second-class EU members.” www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

‘“Let us know when there’s an actual [re-join] policy,” said one EU diplomat. “We’ve got a few too many existential problems on our hands to be dealing with the day-to-day chicanery of UK politics.”’ www.ft.com/content/065b...

‘EU diplomat said EU’s approach was based on its interests: “If you start going back on those principles – leading to a non-member being treated better than an actual member – you certainly would trigger an internal debate on the fundamentals of [EU] cooperation.” www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

“reaction from Brussels is simply a shrug. Let the British play their games. We can talk to them when they’ve actually decided what they want. Albeit what they want might not be on offer, and what is on offer might not be what they want” - @anandmenon.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Out today: latest report by @katyhayward.bsky.social and me on the views of voters in Northern Ireland on Brexit, the Windsor Framework and UK-EU Relations. Some key findings 👇 Full report available via @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social at: www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-b...

Finalising the analysis of our latest 'Testing the Temperature' poll on NI voters' views on Brexit Report will be published tomorrow at www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-b... And @katyhayward.bsky.social and I will be discussing online over lunchtime👇

As we move closer to an second EU-UK summit (in July?) ... 'officials said they were surprised to see the embattled British leader use a speech Monday to say he will put his country “at the heart of Europe” — when his negotiating position hasn’t changed' www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...

“Montenegro’s EU bid moved a step closer to the finish line on Wednesday as EU officials began working on the accession treaty” www.politico.eu/article/mont...

Useful explainer on UK-EU Agreement on Gibraltar from @commonslibrary.bsky.social Agreement expected to be provisionally applied from 15 July 2026 researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CB...

"according to polls, the majority in favor of joining the EU has grown only slightly over the years. But the proportion of those who are uncertain is growing larger and larger — particularly among young people." www.politico.eu/article/norw...

On securing carve outs: “the UK can be exempted from EU regulations if the UK rules are stricter than the EU’s. European officials say because the ban would only apply to UK farmers, it would not negatively affect farmers in the EU.” www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

The prime minister will say: “This Labour government will be defined by rebuilding our relationship and by putting Britain at the heart of Europe.”’ Echoes of John Major www.ft.com/content/99c8...

Judgement significant for how Windsor Framework interacts with domestic law in the UK… www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

EU-UK Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework met yesterday. Joint Statement: commission.europa.eu/document/dow...

Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework meets tomorrow, 7 May 2026, for first meeting this year. Among agenda items, views on extent to which EU Cyber Resilience and AI Acts should be added to Windsor Framework Dynamic alignment commission.europa.eu/document/dow...

On the domestic complexity of UK dynamic alignment with the EU… ukandeu.ac.uk/the-uk-eu-sp...

Good to see minutes of EU-UK TCA Partnership Council meetings published... www.gov.uk/government/p...

“It is absolutely possible to leave the convention. Your decision… But what would it mean? It would create a new group of European countries not members of the Council… and not implementing the Convention: Russia, Belarus and the UK. That would be the consequence.” www.politico.eu/article/uk-e...

“The mood music is good, particularly on the Ukraine loan and other proposals such as… on migration management… “But sticking points remain on… a proposed scheme to allow cross-border travel for young people, and measures to support UK and EU steelmakers.” www.ft.com/content/efbe...

"There is little dispute about the strategic value of Ukraine’s integration... But the EU is none the wiser about how to achieve it... there is no agreement or even detailed discussion about how to accelerate the process." 'associate membership' as a way forward? giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

“Zelenskyy is intent on pushing his maximalist position, say senior Ukrainian officials. One… said that Kyiv believed the EU would grow “more realistic with some time” and move closer to the Ukrainian position.” www.ft.com/content/4641...

Interested in NI voters' views on Brexit and in what latest in UK-EU relations might mean for Northern Ireland? Join @katyhayward.bsky.social, @billymeloaraujo.bsky.social and me online on Friday 15 May at 1230 to discuss latest poll findings and the 'reset'. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/post-brexi...

“The first legal step on Kyiv’s path to joining the EU, the opening of cluster one, has been blocked by Hungary for years, but could finally move with a new government in Budapest” Hardly ‘forging ahead’ www.politico.eu/article/eu-f...

“Ambassadors from the EU’s 27 current member states decided to set up an “ad hoc working party” for the drafting of an accession pact, a technical but key step in the path towards membership” Inching towards EU(28) www.euractiv.com/news/montene...

“We can find solutions on issues that are a challenge, such as sharing arrangements on shared fish stocks… Iceland and the European Union are coming closer . . . taking into consideration recent geopolitical developments.” - Costas Kadis European Commissioner for Fisheries www.ft.com/content/eea7...

It’s often pointed out that Art 49 TEU only allows ‘European’ states to join. Article 49 specifies who can ‘apply’. What if the EU were to ‘invite’ a state to join? euobserver.com/212433/not-a...

“The money should be sorted… “accession is another issue altogether… “Orbán’s belligerent… opposition to Ukraine’s EU membership provided a useful shield for many other EU leaders to huddle behind. With his departure, they will be forced to clarify their positions.” www.ft.com/content/0894...

70 years ago today, 21 April 1956, 'the Six' adopted the Spaak Report that led to the establishment of the EEC. With the UK having abandoned observer status at the preceding talks, the report referenced 'certain European countries that might believe they cannot become members of the customs union'

“diplomats and analysts warn that Starmer may already have missed his opportunity for a grand pivot to Europe. Time is running out, both for negotiations and also to show voters any real economic benefit from closer links to the trade superpower across the English Channel” www.ft.com/content/2007...

‘Germany is pushing for “associate membership” status — where Kyiv would sit in ministerial and leaders’ meetings but have no voting rights and “no automatic application” of the shared EU budget. ‘France dubs such a halfway membership “integrated state status…’ www.ft.com/content/d44b...

“While 61% of all voters supported the government’s current approach to EU relations, only 19% did so “strongly”… “A full return to the EU was supported by 53% of all voters with support at 83% among Labour voters, 84% Liberal Democrat and 82% Green” www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

“the UK can choose the broad depth of its chosen relationship, but the EU will shape the exact balance… whether it is a relationship based on a Free Trade Agreement, Customs Union, or Single Market it will be about what fits with the EU approach” - @davidheniguk.bsky.social ecipe.org/insights/new...

“There is no escaping the trade-off between a political promise of undiluted national sovereignty and the blurring of borders required to maximise economic gains from integration. Or rather, there is an elegant solution to that problem, but it exists beyond… www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

🇪🇺🇬🇧EU and UK cooperation moves forward. Today the legal texts bringing the UK formally into Erasmus+in 2027 were signed. The 🇬🇧 association to Erasmus in 2027 will open thousands of opportunities for students, staff and youth to learn, travel and thrive across the EU and the UK.

New post Some thoughts on the suggestion by pro-Brexit politicians that the government's proposal for "dynamic alignment" with EU rules would be a constitutional affront or would be an undemocratic subversion of the 2016 referendum. (It wouldn't.) publiclawforeveryone.com/2026/04/13/t...

New divergence tracker is out. If there's one clear message it's that - for a govt increasingly intent on EU alignment - there is an awful lot of divergence going on. Speaks to how hard it is to keep pace with the EU without formal mechanisms for dynamic alignment.

With the UK contemplating dynamic regulatory alignment with the EU worth hearing from other non-member states already involved or signing up: committees.parliament.uk/event/27022/...

There’s a lot of confusion right now among journalists and MP about secondary legislation and what a possible EU deal would mean. A quick thread to clear a few things up on votes, Henry VIII powers & parliamentary scrutiny. 🧵 1/ First: what is a “normal parliamentary vote”?

Experience of Northern Ireland could be relevant here. Key will be the definition of ‘new’ acts Parliamentary scrutiny for new EU acts to be added to those subject to dynamic alignment… but not for those ‘amending’ or ‘replacing’ EU acts already applying? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

even with EU support, it remains unclear how far Nicosia can go, given the SBA’s value for both London and Washington... “The European Commission declined to comment whether it shares Nicosia’s view that the British bases are a “colonial remnant.” www.euractiv.com/news/cyprus-...

“in reality, getting back in would be no simple matter. Britain would probably have to commit to joining the euro and would not get a full restoration of the budget rebate… Initial public enthusiasm for rejoining… might swiftly erode when confronted with those realities… www.ft.com/content/b02b...

As the EU edges its way towards further enlargement it needs to be thinking hard about whether and how domestic ratification will be secured.... all member states must ratify each accession treaty And there are challenges ahead Here, arguably the largest: France institutdelors.eu/en/publicati...

“the UK must invest time and resources in understanding the evolving priorities in Brussels and in member states. London needs to consider what contribution the UK can usefully make to strengthening Europe’s resilience and security… ukandeu.ac.uk/the-eus-pers...

“It is increasingly clear, as the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the EU.. "We want to be more ambitious and build closer economic... and closer security co-operation" www.ft.com/content/9f3d...

EU-UK Agreement on Gibraltar expected to enter into provisional application on 15 July 2026. www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...

“to substantively move on beyond the current negotiating agenda, [UK] will need to make a much bigger leap, rub out some of those red lines, and start being prepared to talk about substantial financial contributions, movement of people..." - @davidheniguk.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/uk-k...