Nicholas
@itsnrmc.bsky.social
EU law, public law & procurement geek. He/him. 🏳️🌈
Reposted by Nicholas
I really don't think anyone is prepared for the level of sheer insanity he's going to unleash when it's clear they're going to lose the White House.
Trump: "I could've done very bad things to Hillary Clinton. I could've done very very bad things to Joe Biden. I could've done very bad things to Barack Hussein Obama ... I can do whatever I want, if I want."
October 7, 2026 at 5:52 PM
I really don't think anyone is prepared for the level of sheer insanity he's going to unleash when it's clear they're going to lose the White House.
About to start reading @historyned.bsky.social's The German Democratic Republic: The Rise and Fall of a Cold War State, with biscuits at the ready. 📚 🍪
October 5, 2026 at 6:25 PM
About to start reading @historyned.bsky.social's The German Democratic Republic: The Rise and Fall of a Cold War State, with biscuits at the ready. 📚 🍪
Reposted by Nicholas
I'll be honest, I'd take those assurances with a pinch of salt given G4P rejected the below amendment which would have given it force - and have been actively undercutting amendments claim to want a state with equal rights for all
October 4, 2026 at 4:58 PM
I'll be honest, I'd take those assurances with a pinch of salt given G4P rejected the below amendment which would have given it force - and have been actively undercutting amendments claim to want a state with equal rights for all
Reposted by Nicholas
Chancellor Merz in Kyiv:
"This morning, on a peaceful Sunday, there was an air raid alert in Kyiv. I can only repeat once again from this place: Mr. Putin, stop this senseless war.
We are ready to negotiate. We are ready to talk to each other about ending this war.
"This morning, on a peaceful Sunday, there was an air raid alert in Kyiv. I can only repeat once again from this place: Mr. Putin, stop this senseless war.
We are ready to negotiate. We are ready to talk to each other about ending this war.
October 4, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Chancellor Merz in Kyiv:
"This morning, on a peaceful Sunday, there was an air raid alert in Kyiv. I can only repeat once again from this place: Mr. Putin, stop this senseless war.
We are ready to negotiate. We are ready to talk to each other about ending this war.
"This morning, on a peaceful Sunday, there was an air raid alert in Kyiv. I can only repeat once again from this place: Mr. Putin, stop this senseless war.
We are ready to negotiate. We are ready to talk to each other about ending this war.
Reposted by Nicholas
re "Zionism is racism" - it's a cornerstone of British equality law that discrimination need not be intentional for it to be discriminatory
I'm not making *legal* claims about the Green Party motion - but a policy that would render the vast majority of Jews as personae non gratae is flatly racist
I'm not making *legal* claims about the Green Party motion - but a policy that would render the vast majority of Jews as personae non gratae is flatly racist
October 4, 2026 at 7:57 AM
re "Zionism is racism" - it's a cornerstone of British equality law that discrimination need not be intentional for it to be discriminatory
I'm not making *legal* claims about the Green Party motion - but a policy that would render the vast majority of Jews as personae non gratae is flatly racist
I'm not making *legal* claims about the Green Party motion - but a policy that would render the vast majority of Jews as personae non gratae is flatly racist
Reposted by Nicholas
Rather difficult not to feel a bit gloomy about the state of the country atm, so I wasn’t going to make much of a thing of this anniversary this year.
And then I saw this and started to cry.
Because a free and united Germany in a free and united Europe was worth it.
And is worth fighting for now.
And then I saw this and started to cry.
Because a free and united Germany in a free and united Europe was worth it.
And is worth fighting for now.
"This morning, Germany is one nation again."
This is how BBC Breakfast News reported on German reunification on 3 October 1990.
This is how BBC Breakfast News reported on German reunification on 3 October 1990.
October 3, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Rather difficult not to feel a bit gloomy about the state of the country atm, so I wasn’t going to make much of a thing of this anniversary this year.
And then I saw this and started to cry.
Because a free and united Germany in a free and united Europe was worth it.
And is worth fighting for now.
And then I saw this and started to cry.
Because a free and united Germany in a free and united Europe was worth it.
And is worth fighting for now.
Reposted by Nicholas
🇩🇪 On German Unity Day, we remember a defining moment in Germany’s history: the end of decades of division and the reunification of the country.
German reunification marked a milestone in Europe’s journey towards greater unity and integration.
Einen schönen Tag der Deutschen Einheit!
German reunification marked a milestone in Europe’s journey towards greater unity and integration.
Einen schönen Tag der Deutschen Einheit!
October 3, 2026 at 6:33 AM
🇩🇪 On German Unity Day, we remember a defining moment in Germany’s history: the end of decades of division and the reunification of the country.
German reunification marked a milestone in Europe’s journey towards greater unity and integration.
Einen schönen Tag der Deutschen Einheit!
German reunification marked a milestone in Europe’s journey towards greater unity and integration.
Einen schönen Tag der Deutschen Einheit!
Five contracts awarded and handover over to internal customers, bringing my total down to a much more manageable eight. And ... breathe.
March 24, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Five contracts awarded and handover over to internal customers, bringing my total down to a much more manageable eight. And ... breathe.
Reposted by Nicholas
NEW: Two senior MOD whistleblowers with inside knowledge of Palantir's systems have come forward to @thenerve.news to say government ministers are ignorant of the grave national security risks the technology poses.
Hugely important by @charlienotold.bsky.social
www.thenerve.news/p/palantir-t...
Hugely important by @charlienotold.bsky.social
www.thenerve.news/p/palantir-t...
‘It beggars belief’: MoD sources warn Palantir’s role at heart of government is a threat to UK’s security
Experts say that claims UK data remains under government ownership miss the point that the company has the capability to build its own detailed picture of the British population, and even infer state ...
www.thenerve.news
March 15, 2026 at 9:57 AM
NEW: Two senior MOD whistleblowers with inside knowledge of Palantir's systems have come forward to @thenerve.news to say government ministers are ignorant of the grave national security risks the technology poses.
Hugely important by @charlienotold.bsky.social
www.thenerve.news/p/palantir-t...
Hugely important by @charlienotold.bsky.social
www.thenerve.news/p/palantir-t...
Reposted by Nicholas
Scene from Hungary tonight as crowds rally against the Russian-backed Orban regime.
March 8, 2026 at 6:37 AM
Scene from Hungary tonight as crowds rally against the Russian-backed Orban regime.
Reposted by Nicholas
Ein paar Gedanken zu den europäischen Reaktionen auf den US-Angriffskrieg gegen #Iran.
Pedro Sánchez war der einzige europäische Regierungschef, der den Angriff auf Iran klar als Völkerrechtsbruch bezeichnete. Andere zeigten hingegen Verständnis oder sogar Sympathie.
Wie sind diese ambivalenten Reaktionen zu erklären?
Von MANUEL MÜLLER
Wie sind diese ambivalenten Reaktionen zu erklären?
Von MANUEL MÜLLER
Freiheit vs. Tyrannei? Gedanken zu den europäischen Reaktionen auf den US-Angriffskrieg in Iran
Ein Blog über die Demokratie in Europa
www.foederalist.eu
March 6, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Ein paar Gedanken zu den europäischen Reaktionen auf den US-Angriffskrieg gegen #Iran.
Reposted by Nicholas
Reposted by Nicholas
The Iceland referendum on EU accession is now slated for 29 August this year.
Note: The referendum will first only be on restarting the negotiations, but clearly a sign of shifting geopolitical thinking.
Note: The referendum will first only be on restarting the negotiations, but clearly a sign of shifting geopolitical thinking.
Iceland locks in on date for EU referendum | Euractiv
As a member of the European Economic Area, Iceland is already aligned with much of the bloc's legislation
www.euractiv.com
March 6, 2026 at 12:40 PM
The Iceland referendum on EU accession is now slated for 29 August this year.
Note: The referendum will first only be on restarting the negotiations, but clearly a sign of shifting geopolitical thinking.
Note: The referendum will first only be on restarting the negotiations, but clearly a sign of shifting geopolitical thinking.
Reposted by Nicholas
A giant gamble is underway in Iran. The result may take years to be known. An early winner, though, is Israel. Fearing a fight with Donald Trump, allies from Germany to Australia are endorsing Israeli rules of war, notably the killing of enemy govt leaders. My column
economist.com/internationa...
economist.com/internationa...
Binyamin Netanyahu is the big winner from the Iran war, for now
To avoid a row with Donald Trump, Western allies are endorsing Israeli theories of war
economist.com
March 4, 2026 at 5:19 AM
A giant gamble is underway in Iran. The result may take years to be known. An early winner, though, is Israel. Fearing a fight with Donald Trump, allies from Germany to Australia are endorsing Israeli rules of war, notably the killing of enemy govt leaders. My column
economist.com/internationa...
economist.com/internationa...
Summary of the UK Government legal position: The legality of defensive action in respect of Iranian regional attacks:
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Summary of the UK Government legal position: The legality of defensive action in respect of Iranian regional attacks
Summary of the UK Government legal position: The legality of defensive action in respect of Iranian regional attacks
www.gov.uk
March 2, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Summary of the UK Government legal position: The legality of defensive action in respect of Iranian regional attacks:
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Nicholas
Lord Peter Ricketts, former head of the Foreign Office:
“If you’re going to attack a country you have to show it is in self-defence and that there is some kind of imminent threat. You can’t make that case here…An indifference to international law is dangerous.”
www.ft.com/content/b988...
“If you’re going to attack a country you have to show it is in self-defence and that there is some kind of imminent threat. You can’t make that case here…An indifference to international law is dangerous.”
www.ft.com/content/b988...
Keir Starmer criticised over stance on US-Israel strikes on Iran
UK prime minister has adopted a much more ambivalent approach than other western allies
www.ft.com
March 1, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Lord Peter Ricketts, former head of the Foreign Office:
“If you’re going to attack a country you have to show it is in self-defence and that there is some kind of imminent threat. You can’t make that case here…An indifference to international law is dangerous.”
www.ft.com/content/b988...
“If you’re going to attack a country you have to show it is in self-defence and that there is some kind of imminent threat. You can’t make that case here…An indifference to international law is dangerous.”
www.ft.com/content/b988...
Reposted by Nicholas
Wow - Merz openly now saying forget about international law
"Legal assessments under international law will achieve relatively little in this regard, and this applies all the more if they largely remain without consequences... "
www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/krie...
"Legal assessments under international law will achieve relatively little in this regard, and this applies all the more if they largely remain without consequences... "
www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/krie...
Krieg: Merz weist auf Risiken der Angriffe auf den Iran hin
Nach den Angriffen der USA und Israels auf den Iran sucht Deutschland nach einer Haltung dazu. Der Kanzler kann seine Skepsis nicht verbergen, will die USA und Israel aber auch nicht belehren.
www.tagesspiegel.de
March 1, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Wow - Merz openly now saying forget about international law
"Legal assessments under international law will achieve relatively little in this regard, and this applies all the more if they largely remain without consequences... "
www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/krie...
"Legal assessments under international law will achieve relatively little in this regard, and this applies all the more if they largely remain without consequences... "
www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/krie...
Mastercard hires Whitehall veteran to bolster push for key UK contract.
Sir Jon Thompson to chair UK subsidiary Vocalink as it prepares to compete to build a new payments platform.
www.ft.com/content/aee1...
Sir Jon Thompson to chair UK subsidiary Vocalink as it prepares to compete to build a new payments platform.
www.ft.com/content/aee1...
Mastercard hires Whitehall veteran to bolster push for key UK contract
Sir Jon Thompson to chair UK subsidiary Vocalink as it prepares to compete to build a new payments platform
www.ft.com
March 1, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Mastercard hires Whitehall veteran to bolster push for key UK contract.
Sir Jon Thompson to chair UK subsidiary Vocalink as it prepares to compete to build a new payments platform.
www.ft.com/content/aee1...
Sir Jon Thompson to chair UK subsidiary Vocalink as it prepares to compete to build a new payments platform.
www.ft.com/content/aee1...
Reposted by Nicholas
In short, the US and Israel have started this war with vague and unachievable objectives, with no int law base, and little or no support from Gulf states or other US allies. If Iran succeeds in hitting US/Israeli targets or disrupts oil exports, Trump will find using mil force is not risk free. End
February 28, 2026 at 10:21 AM
In short, the US and Israel have started this war with vague and unachievable objectives, with no int law base, and little or no support from Gulf states or other US allies. If Iran succeeds in hitting US/Israeli targets or disrupts oil exports, Trump will find using mil force is not risk free. End
The world's third-largest economy is downplaying its role: In Beijing, the Chancellor reduced the war in the heart of Europe to the "Ukraine question." Friedrich Merz also chose overly lenient words when speaking to Xi Jinping.
www.spiegel.de/ausland/mein...
www.spiegel.de/ausland/mein...
(S+) Meinung: Meinung: Friedrich Merz in Peking – so wird es nichts mit dem Weg aus der China-Illusion
Die drittgrößte Volkswirtschaft der Welt macht sich klein: In Peking schrumpft der Kanzler den Krieg mitten in Europa zur »Ukraine-Frage«. Auch sonst wählte Friedrich Merz bei Xi Jinping zu weiche Wor...
www.spiegel.de
February 28, 2026 at 10:01 AM
The world's third-largest economy is downplaying its role: In Beijing, the Chancellor reduced the war in the heart of Europe to the "Ukraine question." Friedrich Merz also chose overly lenient words when speaking to Xi Jinping.
www.spiegel.de/ausland/mein...
www.spiegel.de/ausland/mein...
Reposted by Nicholas
Insulting his constituents, Matt Goodwin does the most Matt Goodwin thing. Blaming others for failing to see his brilliance. Academics first, now voters. This sentiment is driving his radicalisation. Maybe even people at Reform will realise that it‘s a very bad quality for a politician to have.
February 27, 2026 at 7:04 AM
Insulting his constituents, Matt Goodwin does the most Matt Goodwin thing. Blaming others for failing to see his brilliance. Academics first, now voters. This sentiment is driving his radicalisation. Maybe even people at Reform will realise that it‘s a very bad quality for a politician to have.
Reposted by Nicholas
Green majority of more than 4500, Labour in third place. Absolute calamity for Keir Starmer.
And a complete failure of McSweeney’s electoral philosophy. The idea of relying on an anti-Reform vote coalescing behind Labour just collapsed entirely.
And a complete failure of McSweeney’s electoral philosophy. The idea of relying on an anti-Reform vote coalescing behind Labour just collapsed entirely.
February 27, 2026 at 4:32 AM
Green majority of more than 4500, Labour in third place. Absolute calamity for Keir Starmer.
And a complete failure of McSweeney’s electoral philosophy. The idea of relying on an anti-Reform vote coalescing behind Labour just collapsed entirely.
And a complete failure of McSweeney’s electoral philosophy. The idea of relying on an anti-Reform vote coalescing behind Labour just collapsed entirely.
Reposted by Nicholas
Exclusive
The European Commission has requested that the EU’s anti-fraud agency investigate Lord Peter Mandelson’s actions while he was serving in Brussels as the British commissioner for trade between 2004 and 2008.
www.ft.com/content/85b9...
The European Commission has requested that the EU’s anti-fraud agency investigate Lord Peter Mandelson’s actions while he was serving in Brussels as the British commissioner for trade between 2004 and 2008.
www.ft.com/content/85b9...
EU’s anti-fraud agency set to investigate Peter Mandelson
Probe into former commissioner for trade is expected to be wide-ranging
www.ft.com
February 26, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Exclusive
The European Commission has requested that the EU’s anti-fraud agency investigate Lord Peter Mandelson’s actions while he was serving in Brussels as the British commissioner for trade between 2004 and 2008.
www.ft.com/content/85b9...
The European Commission has requested that the EU’s anti-fraud agency investigate Lord Peter Mandelson’s actions while he was serving in Brussels as the British commissioner for trade between 2004 and 2008.
www.ft.com/content/85b9...
Péter Magyar’s Tisza party is running almost 8 percentage points ahead of ruling Fidesz according to an average of all available polls, but one poll this week showed Magyar 20 points ahead.
www.ft.com/content/8521...
www.ft.com/content/8521...
Hungarian opposition groups quit to make way for Orbán challenger
Péter Magyar is calling on remaining parties not to ruin chance for regime change
www.ft.com
February 26, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Péter Magyar’s Tisza party is running almost 8 percentage points ahead of ruling Fidesz according to an average of all available polls, but one poll this week showed Magyar 20 points ahead.
www.ft.com/content/8521...
www.ft.com/content/8521...
Reposted by Nicholas
Viktor Orban is now 20 points behind in the polls - and so he has ordered the military to guard “key energy facilities” against a possible Ukrainian “attack.” Hungarians fear he plans a fake national security emergency or false-flag incident before the April 12 election
apnews.com/article/hung...
apnews.com/article/hung...
Hungary's leader orders extra security at energy sites, claiming Ukraine plots disruptions
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ordered extra security at critical energy infrastructure sites after claiming Ukraine was attempting to disrupt Hungary’s energy system.
apnews.com
February 25, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Viktor Orban is now 20 points behind in the polls - and so he has ordered the military to guard “key energy facilities” against a possible Ukrainian “attack.” Hungarians fear he plans a fake national security emergency or false-flag incident before the April 12 election
apnews.com/article/hung...
apnews.com/article/hung...