V interesting interview by @VJMallet & @DavidKeo in today's @FT. The French interior minister Gérald Darmanin sails close to the wind sometimes, but there’s nothing here which is incompatible with Macron’s balanced approach to radical Islam 1/
Darmanin says that his approach is intended to prevent more French people from being tempted by Lepennism. Is that the same thing as running after far-right voters, as he & Macron are sometimes accused of doing? I don't think so 2/
His declared aim is to challenge Le Pen on her own ground to dissuade wavering voters from voting for the far right. Some may find that shocking. But why? 3/
Darmanin denies any attempt to appeal to racism. Interesting that he stresses his own North African & Muslim family background – not something that you often see mentioned 4/
All same, it would be healthy to hear Darmanin & Macron recalling more often the positive aspects of their efforts to curb radical Islam: action against discrimination, investment in the multi-racial banlieues & agreements on policy approaches with a broad range of Muslim leaders
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
The EU Ambassador (“Coreper“) & Sherpa nexus has always been the key channel for getting stuff done in Europe. But HMG no longer sits in Coreper & @BorisJohnson no longer has a Europe Sherpa. All EU roads instead now lead to Frost - who sits in Cabinet. This isn't good 1/
It means Lindsay Appleby, HMG's new EU Ambo, has a much harder job in Bxl - less access to his EU peers than his predecessors; a more hierarchical set of relationships in London with just a direct line up to Frost 2/
The UK & EU are also currently arguing about the status of the EU delegation in London; this has further impacted access of HMG in Bxl. In short term, this will certainly aggravate the ability to find joint solutions to frictions on GB-NI border 3/
The EU is coming around to the view that @BorisJohnson & @DavidGHFrost ultimate objective is to create a context that allows them to argue the protocol doesn’t work - & must be revisited, renegotiated or scrapped 1/
A radicalised DUP, far from being a problem for Govt, is a weapon @10DowningStreet can use to achieve changes to it they seek. EU also believes HMG's tough approach is serving the Tories electoral interests (& Frost's personal career ambitions) well. Why would it change? 2/
Every story has two sides. UK officials rightly point out that Bxl & EU capitals have never wanted Brexit to succeed; a combination of @eucopresident, @EmmanuelMacron & historically, @donaldtuskEPP previous statements show how corrosive the EU's narrative towards UK has been 3/
Orban's departure from @EPPGroup@EPP is a BIG deal & a big strategic loss for him in Europe - he'll now lose both the influence & protection the group provided him 1/
As biggest, most influential political family in Europe, EPP has strongest tradition of policy co-ordination, esp pre European Council's. Afforded Orban huge influence with Heads of State & ability to build alliances across centre-right. No longer 2/
He'll also lose protection. Rule of law issues obviously stink to high heaven in Hungary, but exposing them wd simply have made EPP look bad - or so the logic went. Also no longer 3/
.@EmmanuelMacron Govt has lost control of its message on Islam & Islamism & his reputation is taking a massive battering abroad - esp in US (@nytimes@washingtonpost). But his approach - not without errors & misjudgements - is far more balanced than critics claim Thread 1/
Macron’s recent troubles stem from recent, stupid remarks made by his higher education minister, Frédérique Vidal, who announced an investigation into so-called “Islamo-gauchiste” (Islamo-leftist) influence at French universities 2/
“Islamo-gauchisme” has long been an issue in France. It means, in essence, an alleged alliance between parts of the French hard left (anti-capitalist & often anti-Semitic) with extreme & sometimes violent forms of Islamist ideology 3/
I've been of view for some time that TCA represents high point in what's likely to be a difficult & deteriorating UK/EU relationship. Despite public pronouncements to contrary, in private, officials on both sides now acknowledge that this seems likely 1/5
For EU - Because HMG continues to misrepresent deal it struck to public & blame EU for its consequences. EU finds gap between Govt's rhetoric & reality unreal. This is killing trust. Reduces influence of more moderate member states that are open to addressing problems in TCA 2/5
For UK - Because Tory strategists continue to see electoral benefit - with red wall voters & constraining Labour - of a hard line on EU. Crystallised by Frost appointment, who as a believer in EU divergence, will now sit in Cabinet & advise on domestic regulation & reform 3/5
Was good to speak to @MarkUrban01@BBCNewsnight last night on UK/EU deal. In case you missed it, I think TCA will basically be as good as it gets - for quite some time. Four reasons in this mini-thread 1/
1: Govt wants to diverge. Whether symbolic or substantive is yet to be resolved between pragmatic & ideological Tory €sceptics. But only q is how far/fast. 3 March budget cd provide some clues. Sunak likely to say something about divergence agenda in context of Covid recovery 2/
1b: Good eg is equivalence for financial services, which remains unlikely. Govt doesn't want to be rule-taker from Bxl; thinks sector will be better regulated by HMT/BoE. EU also not keen; believes trust & stable relations are pre-requisites, both of which are lacking with HMG 3/