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Paul Swallow

@hirundo2

Retired university lecturer. Political Science PhD on EU Justice and Home Affairs. Ex-MPS. Ex-NYSE. Academy Trustee and Governor. Humanist. Francophone Europhile and unashamed rejoiner. European Movement International Committee member.

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13.11.2024
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Latest posts by Paul Swallow @hirundo2

John Sweeney Writer and Broadcaster John Sweeney is a reporter, old school, and has written 12 books, his latest thriller is The Useful Idiot: "enthralling" - The Observer.

1/3 I'm writing a book about Nigel Farage for Headline.

Some of his pals are blanking me.

Is it because after I reported on the killing of a Polish man in Essex in 2016, he said that I had caused him "more misery than any other in 25 years in politics"?

Do get in touch: johnsweeney.co.uk

06.03.2026 17:06 πŸ‘ 245 πŸ” 115 πŸ’¬ 15 πŸ“Œ 6
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Britain’s trade chief races to Brussels to avoid β€˜Made in Europe’ shutout U.K. officials fear that planned industry act could lock British firms out of key European supply chains.

EU Carbon taxes and end of year "Rules of Origin" changes...

Peter Kyle dashes to Brussels to beg for a deal on the EU's "Made in Europe" act which will penalise UK exporters.

Because walnut brains thought it would be a good idea for us to not have a say.

www.politico.eu/article/uk-t...

11.02.2026 22:15 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

When Britain joined the EU it was 10% poorer.

In 40 years of membership, it became 10% richer until the referendum.

Now Britain got poorer again.

01.02.2026 20:36 πŸ‘ 16 πŸ” 14 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

At a time of growing political instability and jeopardy, rejoining the EU isn’t an academic issue or one borne of nostalgia. It’s a matter of political necessity.

From Dominic Grieve and me πŸ‘‡

26.01.2026 20:41 πŸ‘ 395 πŸ” 115 πŸ’¬ 7 πŸ“Œ 2
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Delay to post-Brexit deal costs UK Β£100m a week, analysis shows Labour government hits out at critics, denouncing it as a β€˜shame’ that they are not supporting its progress in forging closer ties with the EU

Β£250 Billion a year Brexit costs us.

Just the CU alone would put Β£3000 on average into everyone's pockets, and spurt growth by up to 2.2%

Instead, Starmer spurts red-lines made-up by May and Johnson.
The architects, with Farage, of the shit we're in.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

29.12.2025 19:05 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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β€œIt makes the economics of touring almost impossible.”

β€” @chrisbryant1962.bsky.social on the need for a πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ί deal to help emerging British artists tour in Europe again.

02.10.2025 08:34 πŸ‘ 50 πŸ” 17 πŸ’¬ 22 πŸ“Œ 5
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Mike Galsworthy on GB News, "Polling shows that Reform UK voters would accept the EU Single Market to boost the economy, and Labour need to get with it"

05.12.2025 18:48 πŸ‘ 381 πŸ” 114 πŸ’¬ 15 πŸ“Œ 11
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Brexit: β€œThe most dishonest campaign in our history said it would save us Β£350m a week, but Brexit actually cost us Β£250m a day in 2025. That is why we have the highest taxes ever, that is why we have sky-high bills, that is why we have a cost of living crisis” @eddavey.libdems.org.uk

25.11.2025 12:13 πŸ‘ 286 πŸ” 148 πŸ’¬ 12 πŸ“Œ 5
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β€˜The money machine is misfiring’: City blames Brexit for UK’s Β£20bn productivity headache Poor output since the leave vote has landed Rachel Reeves with a bigger-than-forecast budget spending gap

City blames Brexit for UK’s Β£20bn productivity headache

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

31.10.2025 16:36 πŸ‘ 527 πŸ” 223 πŸ’¬ 31 πŸ“Œ 10
"Everything else has failed, they've broken the seal. They've rubbed the Brexit genie. They've rubbed the Brexit lamp and the genie has emerged to shout 'It was all a terrible mistake and we're all gonna have to start paying for it now. The years of denial and delusion are over.'" James O'Brien, Broadcaster, LBC

"Everything else has failed, they've broken the seal. They've rubbed the Brexit genie. They've rubbed the Brexit lamp and the genie has emerged to shout 'It was all a terrible mistake and we're all gonna have to start paying for it now. The years of denial and delusion are over.'" James O'Brien, Broadcaster, LBC

Many people now realise that leaving the European Union was a mistake, but the question now is, what do we do about it? The years of denial are over, we now need to work out how to fix the calamity that Brexit has caused, and restore our relationship with Europe.

23.10.2025 17:16 πŸ‘ 131 πŸ” 45 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 0

Must watch! @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social and @zackpolanski.bsky.social on @boldpolitics.bsky.social talking about Brexit, @bylinesnetwork.co.uk @bylinetimes.bsky.social @peterjukes.bsky.social and more.

πŸ”— youtu.be/naOYDEyRHCA

21.10.2025 22:19 πŸ‘ 57 πŸ” 16 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0
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Really looking forward to this coming out! Talking EU membership, European defence, resisting tech bros, community building and the Bylines Network of citizen journalism. πŸ‘Š

Link β€”> youtu.be/naOYDEyRHCA?...

17.10.2025 14:25 πŸ‘ 183 πŸ” 73 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0
Photo of Rachel Reeves

Photo of Rachel Reeves

β€œThere is no doubting that the impact of Brexit is severe and long-lasting." Says Rachel Reeves. It’s become convenient for the Chancellor to tell the truth about Brexit, at long last…

15.10.2025 06:31 πŸ‘ 125 πŸ” 42 πŸ’¬ 20 πŸ“Œ 3
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BREAKING: β€œThere is no doubting that the impact of Brexit is severe and long lasting” says Chancellor Rachel Reeves

It’s about time!

15.10.2025 06:16 πŸ‘ 1466 πŸ” 430 πŸ’¬ 144 πŸ“Œ 63
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THE CASE FOR REJOINING HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER!

The future of British Steel is now under serious threat - a threat that would not have existed if we were still in the EU.

Starmer’s pig-headed stupidity by refusing to rejoin anything is seriously damaging Britain and the British people.

10.10.2025 09:34 πŸ‘ 69 πŸ” 21 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 1
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Brexit to blame for Rachel Reeves’ tax hikes, Labour MP claims Andrew Lewin has said β€˜not a single tax’ would have had to increase if Britain stayed in the EU

Andrew Lewin has said β€˜not a single tax’ would have had to increase if Britain stayed in the EU

01.10.2025 13:47 πŸ‘ 725 πŸ” 278 πŸ’¬ 26 πŸ“Œ 12
Rachel wearing very flimsy looking apron, mask and visor in NHS setting

Rachel wearing very flimsy looking apron, mask and visor in NHS setting

Here I am in 2020 in the flimsiest, most pitful PPE - like so many other NHS staff, some of whom died from the Covid they caught in their hospitals.

Tory peer Michelle Mone - who today lost her legal case & must repay the govt Β£122m - dares to claim she’s been β€˜scapegoated’.

What, Michelle? 🧡

01.10.2025 12:22 πŸ‘ 3040 πŸ” 1235 πŸ’¬ 136 πŸ“Œ 73
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Brexit has been a resounding disaster. Starmer must find the courage to change course | Ed Davey Poll after poll shows most voters think leaving the EU has been a failure. Closer ties with Europe would bring huge rewards, says Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey

#RejoinEU

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

06.08.2025 06:25 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

So, you have no sources for your 'fact', then.

21.07.2025 06:10 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Are there any sources I can check for this 'fact'?

21.07.2025 05:58 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 0
This letter appeared in the Huddersfield Daily Examiner on 19 July 2025. The writer believes objections to the UK rejoining the European Union can easily be countered. Although Brexit advocates claim Britain will not be welcome back in the EU, the evidence is that both EU officials, European politicians and ordinary members of the public in many member countries would be keen to see Britain rejoin.

This letter appeared in the Huddersfield Daily Examiner on 19 July 2025. The writer believes objections to the UK rejoining the European Union can easily be countered. Although Brexit advocates claim Britain will not be welcome back in the EU, the evidence is that both EU officials, European politicians and ordinary members of the public in many member countries would be keen to see Britain rejoin.

#Brexit zealots' objections to #RejoinEU easily debunked - says @yorkshirelive.co.uk letter. They say we won't be welcome back. But EU & most Europeans want this. Re-entry needs negotiating. But terms will undoubtedly improve on outcome of Leave's impossible promises, outright lies & empty slogans

19.07.2025 10:18 πŸ‘ 148 πŸ” 54 πŸ’¬ 6 πŸ“Œ 2
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β€˜Schengen, the euro, the whole thing’: Readers say UK must commit to rejoining EU Our community agrees that Brexit’s challenges mean the UK must embrace Schengen, the euro, and full EU membership – no half-measures – to truly move forward

If people stay quiet.

If people don't bring it up with the election campaign doorsteppers.

If people roll over and don't challenge Starmer, Farage and Badenoch's perfidy on this.

...Then Brexit stays... and getting poorer every single year stays.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

14.07.2025 19:01 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Ah for TV debates like this

13.07.2025 21:02 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Has Lord Hannan forgotten his 2016 vision of post-Brexit Britain? 24 June 2025 was to be Britain’s Independence Day, celebrating the β€œreinvigoration of our economy, our democracy and our liberty”

β€œThe date that Daniel Hannan chose for his now infamous Newsnight video and Reaction Life article, published two days before voters went to the polls in the 2016 referendum, has finally arrived. Yes, it’s 24 June 2025”

Anyone else remember this exercise in purest Brexit fantasy? πŸŒˆπŸ¦„

26.06.2025 06:18 πŸ‘ 454 πŸ” 147 πŸ’¬ 28 πŸ“Œ 6
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BREXIT BLEW A HOLE IN PUBLIC FINANCES.

Starmer’s plan is to get pensioners, poor families and the disabled to fill it.

β€œThe government can only significantly offset Brexit losses, or eliminate them, through reintegration with the European economy.”

WE NEED TO REJOIN!!

25.06.2025 07:43 πŸ‘ 111 πŸ” 35 πŸ’¬ 8 πŸ“Œ 0
What Britain looks like after Brexit

DANIEL HANNAN

JUN 21, 2016


It's 24 June, 2025, and Britain is marking its annual Independence Day celebration. As the fireworks stream through the summer sky, still not quite dark, we wonder why it took us so long to leave. The years that followed the 2016 referendum didn't just reinvigorate our economy, our democracy and our liberty. They improved relations with our neighbours.

What Britain looks like after Brexit DANIEL HANNAN JUN 21, 2016 It's 24 June, 2025, and Britain is marking its annual Independence Day celebration. As the fireworks stream through the summer sky, still not quite dark, we wonder why it took us so long to leave. The years that followed the 2016 referendum didn't just reinvigorate our economy, our democracy and our liberty. They improved relations with our neighbours.

Happy Daniel Hannon Day to all who celebrate it. I hope you all enjoy the fireworks as we mark perhaps the worst piece of political forecasting going.
www.reaction.life/p/britain-lo...

24.06.2025 05:44 πŸ‘ 1670 πŸ” 513 πŸ’¬ 56 πŸ“Œ 48
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Predictions of Β£40bn hit to public finances from Brexit β€˜correct’ Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast of a 4 per cent productivity loss from leaving the EU has been largely borne out, says top economist

9 years on from the Brexit vote, the verdict is in and predictions correct:

πŸ•³οΈΒ£40 billion hole in public finances
πŸ“‰4% hit to UK productivity
πŸ“¦15% drop in trade
πŸ’· Β£100bn in tax risesβ€”40% of which Brexit made necessary

Happy Brexitversary! πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§πŸŽ‰

www.thetimes.com/article/346e...

23.06.2025 05:01 πŸ‘ 662 πŸ” 309 πŸ’¬ 32 πŸ“Œ 28
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In case you missed it ...
This is what Brexiters told you Britain would be like after Brexit. If we'd known the truth back then, we would have never left the EU.
#RejoinEU πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ί

05.06.2025 13:14 πŸ‘ 97 πŸ” 33 πŸ’¬ 10 πŸ“Œ 4
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❗️Food inflation in the UK is EIGHT TIMES higher than it would've been if we'd stayed in the EU.

❗The cost of Brexit amounted to Β£1 million AN HOUR in 2022.

@carladenyer.bsky.social says it's time to consider discussing rejoining the EU given the dire economic cost of Brexit.

13.05.2025 14:03 πŸ‘ 501 πŸ” 193 πŸ’¬ 20 πŸ“Œ 10

The choice not to participate was that of Johnson and Frost.

24.05.2025 19:35 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0