{"id":8464,"date":"2023-07-01T17:18:13","date_gmt":"2023-07-01T17:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/?p=8464"},"modified":"2026-10-28T12:21:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T12:21:37","slug":"how-much-has-the-eu-changed-since-jan-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/how-much-has-the-eu-changed-since-jan-20\/","title":{"rendered":"How much has the EU changed since Jan 20"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>How much has the EU changed since Jan 20, the day the UK left. As ever, notes and links although I originally drifted a bit into the old opt-outs. I added some links about those programmes we have joined since 2020, and the glacial speed of the &#8216;reset&#8217;. I added [dynamic] links to my blog and wiki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<a name=\"2026\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I asked Google, &#8220;&#8221;; it replied,<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/OQuote_GreyTransparent.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"47\" height=\"35\" src=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/OQuote_GreyTransparent.png\" alt=\"&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-12197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/OQuote_GreyTransparent.png 47w, https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/OQuote_GreyTransparent-45x35.png 45w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 47px) 100vw, 47px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Since January 2020, the European Union has undergone a fundamental transformation, shifting away from a focus on internal consolidation toward crisis management, aggressive technological regulation, and economic sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The major changes implemented by the EU fall into five core areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>1. Structural and Geopolitical Shifts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Exit of the United Kingdom:<\/strong> On <strong>January 31, 2020<\/strong>, the UK officially left the European Union. The transition period ended on December 31, 2020, altering the EU\u2019s internal trade dynamics and establishing the new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/eu-legislation-and-uk-law\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement<\/a>. [<a href=\"https:\/\/european-union.europa.eu\/principles-countries-history\/history-eu\/2020-today_en\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/eu-legislation-and-uk-law\">2<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Foreign Policy and Defense:<\/strong> Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the EU shifted away from pure economic cooperation toward unified defense and aggressive global sanctions. The block established a formal <a href=\"https:\/\/european-union.europa.eu\/priorities-and-actions\/eu-priorities\/european-union-priorities-2024-2029_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">European Defense Union framework<\/a> to ramp up joint military manufacturing and security preparedness. [<a href=\"https:\/\/european-union.europa.eu\/priorities-and-actions\/eu-priorities\/european-union-priorities-2024-2029_en\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/european-union.europa.eu\/principles-countries-history\/history-eu\/2020-today_en\">2<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accelerated Enlargement:<\/strong> Accession negotiations were launched or stepped up for countries like Albania and North Macedonia (2020), alongside fast-tracked candidate statuses for Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. [<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Enlargement_of_the_European_Union\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/commonslibrary.parliament.uk\/topic\/world-affairs\/europe\/the-eu\/eu-institutions\/\">2<\/a>]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>2. Radical Shift in Fiscal Policy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Joint Sovereign Debt issuance:<\/strong> In response to the pandemic, the EU broke historical precedents by introducing the <strong>NextGenerationEU<\/strong> recovery plan. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=C0JzW8RniKo&amp;t=14\">1<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF):<\/strong> This landmark initiative allowed the EU to collectively borrow <strong>\u20ac750 billion<\/strong> on the international markets to fund green and digital transitions across member states. The common debt marks a massive shift toward central fiscal integration and will be repaid collectively until 2058. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=C0JzW8RniKo&amp;t=14\">1<\/a>]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>3. Aggressive Technological and AI Regulation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The EU shifted from using regional &#8220;directives&#8221; to enacting sweeping, directly applicable <strong>EU Regulations<\/strong> to assert global dominance over digital technology. [<a href=\"https:\/\/getreadycompliance.eu\/new-wave-eu-regulation-manufacturers-guide\/\">1<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The AI Act:<\/strong> The world&#8217;s first comprehensive legal framework for artificial intelligence, establishing a four-tier risk classification system that restricts high-risk applications. [<a href=\"https:\/\/getreadycompliance.eu\/new-wave-eu-regulation-manufacturers-guide\/\">1<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Digital Markets Act (DMA) &amp; Digital Services Act (DSA):<\/strong> Landmark rules that heavily regulate big tech &#8220;gatekeepers,&#8221; forcing interoperability, curbing targeted advertising, and holding online platforms accountable for content moderation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cyber Resilience Act (CRA):<\/strong> Legislation implementing mandatory &#8220;security-by-design&#8221; rules and strict, rapid incident-reporting timelines for all connected digital products. [<a href=\"https:\/\/getreadycompliance.eu\/new-wave-eu-regulation-manufacturers-guide\/\">1<\/a>]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>4. The European Green Deal and Climate Architecture<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The EU codified its goal to become <strong>climate-neutral by 2050<\/strong> into binding law, rolling out concrete market mechanisms: [<a href=\"https:\/\/european-union.europa.eu\/principles-countries-history\/history-eu\/2020-today_en\">1<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM):<\/strong> A major international trade change that imposes a carbon tariff on carbon-intensive imports (like steel, cement, and electricity) entering the EU market. [<a href=\"https:\/\/getreadycompliance.eu\/new-wave-eu-regulation-manufacturers-guide\/\">1<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR) &amp; Digital Product Passports:<\/strong> New frameworks mandating that physical goods sold in the EU have a <a href=\"https:\/\/getreadycompliance.eu\/new-wave-eu-regulation-manufacturers-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Digital Product Passport<\/a> detailing their material lifecycle, environmental footprint, and circular economy capabilities. [<a href=\"https:\/\/getreadycompliance.eu\/new-wave-eu-regulation-manufacturers-guide\/\">1<\/a>]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>5. Migration and Border Control<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Pact on Migration and Asylum:<\/strong> Following years of gridlock, the EU passed a comprehensive overhaul of its asylum system. The changes introduced faster border screening procedures, accelerated deportations for failed applicants, and a mandatory solidarity mechanism forcing member states to either accept relocated asylum seekers or financially contribute to those that do.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Summary of Regulatory Evolution<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Metric \/ Focus<\/th><th>Pre-2020 Approach<\/th><th>Post-2020 Reality<\/th><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Funding Mechanism<\/strong><\/td><td>Member state contributions only<\/td><td><strong>Joint European market borrowing (\u20ac750B)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Tech Compliance<\/strong><\/td><td>Fragmented local laws<\/td><td><strong>Directly enforceable EU Regulations (AI Act, DMA)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Trade Barriers<\/strong><\/td><td>Free-trade focus<\/td><td><strong>Carbon tariffs on imports (CBAM)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Defense Policy<\/strong><\/td><td>Decentralized national focus<\/td><td><strong>Unified European Defense Union initiatives<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">ooOOOoo<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In September, UK in a Changing Europe, <a href=\"https:\/\/ukandeu.ac.uk\/reports\/uk-eu-divergence-tracker-q2-q3-2026\/\">published their 17th divergence tracker<\/a>, \u00a0it covers the period April-September 2026. It identifies seven cases of alignment (where UK and EU align their rules or processes) and three cases of convergence (where UK and EU rules or processes move closer to one another, without formal alignment). There are six cases of \u2018active\u2019 divergence (where the UK changes its rules in ways which the EU does not mirror) and 22 cases of passive divergence (where the EU changes its rules in ways which the UK does not mirror). Personally I think there&#8217;s some over counting, but this is a useful service\/publication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<a name=\"2025\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the summer and autumn of 2025, UK in a changing Europe published three articles, on divergence, and progress in negotiating further changes after the May 25 Summit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ukandeu.ac.uk\/uk-eu-relations-alignment-by-stealth\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/ukandeu.ac.uk\/reports\/uk-eu-divergence-tracker-q4-2024-q2-2025\/\">UK-EU<\/a> relations alignment by stealth\/ in July 2025, after the summit. They describe it as stealth, I describe it as one agency at a time. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ukandeu.ac.uk\/reports\/uk-eu-divergence-tracker-q4-2024-q2-2025\/\">UK-EU divergence tracker q4 2024-Q2 2025<\/a>, their report landing page. They believe that we have rejoined 21 programmes. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>And on the reset negotiations, <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ukandeu.ac.uk\/explainers\/the-uk-eu-reset-six-months-after-the-summit-where-are-we\/\">The UK-EU reset six months after the summit where are we<\/a>, a very mechanical description of the processes, I say, overoptimistic on mood, probably spot-on on money although it ignores the eight infringements.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>To their list, we can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/dec\/16\/uk-to-rejoin-eu-erasmus-student-exchange-programme\">add Erasmus+<\/a>, announced on the 16th Dec, the student exchange scheme, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cwywr089l7vo\">the Commons vote in favour of joining the customs union<\/a>, on 9th Dec 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AntonSpisak\">Anton Spisak<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AntonSpisak\/status\/1674085096402321410?s=20\">considers <\/a>the changes or at least hints about it, I hope he keeps his promise to write something, although he seems to be one of the pessimists, probably because he still wants some of the opt-outs. My first take on the opt-outs is in an article entitled, <a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/brexits-over-its-just-about-the-mopping-up-now\/\">Brexit&#8217;s over, it&#8217;s just about the mopping-up now<\/a>, and a second go in &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/mercantilist-acquiescence-is-not-enough\/\">Mercantilist acquiescence-is not enough<\/a>&#8220;, in which I argue giving up on the opt-outs is an important step in proving our willingness for a proper relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/nialloconghaile\">Niall O&#8217;Conghaile <\/a>also writes trenchantly on twitter, making I think similar points. I am not sure if he&#8217;s saying it&#8217;s unlikely we&#8217;ll rejoin, or we won;t until we recognise the interests of the new EU and its member states. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s Richard Corbett, at an AEIP meeting, he&#8217;s more optimistic,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Path to Rejoin with former MEP Richard Corbett and Laura Parker\" width=\"1099\" height=\"618\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wIYmTvmvG84?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The EU have <a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/statistics\/2022\/legislative-acts-statistics.html\">a page, describing the legislative changes<\/a> since the UK left. I might do an analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.euractiv.com\/section\/digital\/news\/france-germany-launch-works-on-eu-digital-wallet-in-paris\/\">on digital wallets<\/a> for documents is worrying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"British flag removed from EU Council building\" width=\"1099\" height=\"618\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Esn_OHa_cDg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"feedzy-loop-columns-3 wp-block-feedzy-rss-feeds-loop\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-40cadcaa wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/brexit-autumn-2026\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ukpm-UVdL-fromeudebaestv-2026-150x150.png\" alt=\"Brexit \u2013 Autumn 2026\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:150px;height:150px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/brexit-autumn-2026\/\">Brexit \u2013 Autumn 2026<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">by <a href=\"\/\/davelevy.info\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"davelevy.info\">Dave<\/a> on October 25, 2026 at 6:11 pm <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">10\u00bd years on from the Referendum, things are both obvious and changing. I am writing an article, here are my notes and links. Links<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-40cadcaa wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/rejoineu-a-debate-in-parliament\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/WMH-rejoineu-2-150x150.png\" alt=\"RejoinEU, a debate in Parliament\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:150px;height:150px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/rejoineu-a-debate-in-parliament\/\">RejoinEU, a debate in Parliament<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">by <a href=\"\/\/davelevy.info\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"davelevy.info\">Dave<\/a> on October 13, 2026 at 3:36 pm <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">There was a petition sponsored debate in the House of Commons on \u201cRejoining the EU\u201d on 12th Oct. There is a video feed from parliament TV. Otherwise here are my notes. \u2026 Notes &amp; Links The speeches provoked me to look up some things, The debate referenced a statement by the Prime Minister, earlier in&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-40cadcaa wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/maastricht-convergence-criteria\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/masstrichtconvergence-bydfl1955-viaunsplash-w1080-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Maastricht Convergence Criteria\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:150px;height:150px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/maastricht-convergence-criteria\/\">Maastricht Convergence Criteria<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">by <a href=\"\/\/davelevy.info\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"davelevy.info\">Dave<\/a> on May 24, 2026 at 1:52 pm <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Despite claiming to be an expert, I had not heard of the Maastricht Convergence Criteria which define a readiness to join the Euro. I asked google gemini to summarise its role. These include Price stability, Sound public finances, to ensure they are sustainable, Exchange-rate stability, to demonstrate that a Member State can manage its economy&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>And on my blog<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"feedzy-loop-columns-3 wp-block-feedzy-rss-feeds-loop\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-40cadcaa wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/whats-happening-to-labour-with-respect-to-the-eu\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/burnham-vdl-cc-2026-byncnd-cropped.png\" alt=\"What\u2019s happening to Labour with respect to the EU?\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:150px;height:150px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/whats-happening-to-labour-with-respect-to-the-eu\/\">What\u2019s happening to Labour with respect to the EU?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">by <a href=\"\/\/davelevy.info\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"davelevy.info\">Dave<\/a> on October 7, 2026 at 11:25 am <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">What happened at Labour Party conference and what will happen next on the subject of relations with the European Union? Burnham\u2019s speech to Labour Conference has changed the debate in the country and the Party. \u00a0 The quote on the<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-40cadcaa wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/the-eu-the-state-of-the-union-and-associate-membership\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/VDL-eureparl-via-ec_europa-w750.png\" alt=\"The EU, the State of the Union and associate membership\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:150px;height:150px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/the-eu-the-state-of-the-union-and-associate-membership\/\">The EU, the State of the Union and associate membership<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">by <a href=\"\/\/davelevy.info\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"davelevy.info\">Dave<\/a> on September 17, 2026 at 1:28 pm <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Yesterday, Ursula van der Lyon delivered the annual state of the union speech from the Commission to the European Parliament. The headline reporting by much of the press and the pro rejoin commentariat it\u2019s that she offered Canada access to<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-40cadcaa wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/a-new-5-point-plan-on-europe\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/passports-dfl-cc0-2022-w650-crpd-150x150.png\" alt=\"A new 5 point plan on Europe\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:150px;height:150px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/a-new-5-point-plan-on-europe\/\">A new 5 point plan on Europe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">by <a href=\"\/\/davelevy.info\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"davelevy.info\">Dave<\/a> on July 23, 2026 at 3:27 pm <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">The European Movement write to Andy Burnham on his arrival at Downing St.. They call for the Government and Labour Party to, They now have a petition to support their demands, I have signed it, it would be great if<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-40cadcaa wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/on-the-euro\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ecb-frankfurt-cc-dfl1955-2011-BY-150x150.png\" alt=\"On the Euro\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:150px;height:150px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/on-the-euro\/\">On the Euro<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">by <a href=\"\/\/davelevy.info\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"davelevy.info\">Dave<\/a> on July 15, 2026 at 2:48 pm <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Niall \u00d3 Conghaille and Mike Galsworthy discuss the Euro and its role in the rejoin process. This is what I think. While I agree, that for the UK to rejoin the European Union it is necessary for them to agree,<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-40cadcaa wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/could-the-uk-pass-the-copenhagen-criteria\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EP-flags-cc-2019-BY-cropped-rszd-150x150.png\" alt=\"Could the UK pass the Copenhagen criteria?\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:150px;height:150px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/could-the-uk-pass-the-copenhagen-criteria\/\">Could the UK pass the Copenhagen criteria?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">by <a href=\"\/\/davelevy.info\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"davelevy.info\">Dave<\/a> on April 28, 2026 at 10:23 am <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">As Labour turns a corner and begins to address if it should seek to lead the country into a closer relationship with the European Union, I found a thread on bluesky which questions if the UK is sufficiently democratic, and<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-40cadcaa wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/is-labour-about-to-press-reset-again\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pressreset-nix-unsplash-cropped-150x150.png\" alt=\"Is Labour about to \u2018press reset\u2019 again\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:150px;height:150px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/is-labour-about-to-press-reset-again\/\">Is Labour about to \u2018press reset\u2019 again<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">by <a href=\"\/\/davelevy.info\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"davelevy.info\">Dave<\/a> on April 24, 2026 at 2:46 pm <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">I reviewed \u201cPressing Reset\u201d , the recent Fabian pamphlet on the state of play within the mainstream of the Parliamentary Labour Party on relations with the EU. This was published on the Chartist Magazine\u2019s website. I conclude that the Parliamentary<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How much has the EU changed since Jan 20, the day the UK left. As ever, notes and links although I originally drifted a bit into the old opt-outs. I added some links about those programmes we have joined since 2020, and the glacial speed of the &#8216;reset&#8217;. I added [dynamic] links to my blog&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8465,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"1"},"categories":[140],"tags":[1006,1008,1979,141,1577],"class_list":["post-8464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","tag-brexit","tag-eu","tag-europeanunion","tag-politics-2","tag-rejoin"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/mastodon.social\/@davelevy_eu\/115743081777619864","error":""},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/berlaymont-dfl-2023-cropped.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8464"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14991,"href":"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8464\/revisions\/14991"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davelevy.info\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}