Good to discuss today's UK-UK Summit with @tconnellyRTE ; a good outcome for Starmer given relatively low ambition but still some tricky internal negotiation on a youth 'experience' offer to secure the whole package. https://t.co/H2WdWh97tk via @rte
Insights into UK side: "The wider question remains about Starmer's strategic vision and, crucially, his willingness to push his ministers to make compromises to secure it... Any ambitious renegotiation will require strong and sustained leadership from Number 10" - @paulmcgrade
The EU-UK reset - short on detail, big on tone via @RTENews
How @Keir_Starmer’s approach to Europe is going down, and the limits to ambitions on both sides https://t.co/cGcfb3WEnm
Great to be on @BBCNewsnight discussing the chances of Russian assets in the West being used to support Ukraine: it's complicated, but the G7 are likely to make a start within months. https://t.co/ugCu3dgx2n
"A stream of funding to Ukraine is going to happen."
Paul McGrade, Former Diplomat for the European Commission claims there's consensus for Russia to deliver its obligation to "pay reparations to Ukraine for the damage that has been caused by an illegal invasion."
#Newsnight
@ciaranmartinoxf It also looks @SJAMcBride implies, that 'Unionist unity' is just a form of displacement from the underlying challenges; demography, age profiles of voters and transfers e.g. from the UUP.
🇪🇺🇬🇧 @EU_EESC has adopted @JOConnorTweets (& expert @paulmcgrade) opinion on specific rules relating to medicinal products for human use to be placed on NI market, supporting the @EU_Commission regulation adoption & early implementation & encouraging consultation w/ key actors.
Great to meet with @FIPRAinsight colleagues in Washington DC to discuss energy and net zero policy around the world, with Sen. Peter Welsh and Rep. John Curtis. A big thank you to @AlpineGroupDC for hosting us
@RepJohnCurtis @SenatorPeterWelch
@arabnews A pleasure to speak with @arabnews about the huge potential for UK-Gulf trade as the UK emerges into greater political and regulatory stability
I'm quoted in @tconnellyRTE's typically excellent survey of the NI Protocol bill fallout. Negotiations are very unlikely while the bill is in play, but there might be a window bwfore the next UK election: if Johnson feels safe from a confidence challenge; or is replaced
@AlexanderHorne1 @GeorgePeretzQC That's the logic of the govt's position, as I argued recently in the Irish Times. Worth noting, though: a) who NI trusts on the Protocol, per @PostBrexitGovNI surveys; b) unless Alliance's position changes, the 2022 Assembly will likely have a pro (flexible)-Protocol majority
This is striking on the levels of trust in the various actors involved. That the EU Commission is so much more trusted than the UK government should provoke some soul-searching in London about the Frost strategy. https://t.co/ceJKoAczga
Important survey data from @DPhinnemore showing that a small majority in NI continue to see the Protocol in some form as essential post-Brexit. High trust for business groups - rightly, as they've arguably had more success than the UK govt in persuading the EU on flexibilities
How do voters want their MLAs to vote in 2024 on the continued application of core provisions of the Protocol?
Whereas in June, it was very close – 46% ‘for’ and 45% ‘against’ – the latest poll reveals a noticeable gap: 51% 'for' and 41% 'against'
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