Cakewatch

Steve is back and vaping hard (sorry for the background noises) while he outlines options for amending the bill to pass the Withdrawal Agreement and Chris listens in increasing bewilderment. We also discuss whether the UK has really been the disruptive force within EU structures that it's been made out to be in some quarters (OK these quarters).

Alas poor Steve, he's still poorly, so Chris is hosting solo this week and joined by special guest Garvan Walshe (yes we know he was already on Remainiacs grrr) for a chat about the so-called Irish backstop, Jeremy Hunt's brass-necked cakeism, and whether Anna Soubry is a Leninist. Plus: would Remaining really be a good thing? No I mean really?? Also: Thucydides! Jon Lis' opinion piece in the Guardian: "Britain’s arrogant attempts to hoodwink the EU have sacrificed all trust (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/06/britain-brexit-eu-british-government-irish-backstop)" Special Guest: Garvan Walshe.

Steve Analyst is back and promoted to stand-in co-host covering for Steve B. What do Chris and Steve A do while Steve B is away? Get stuck in to some proper trade nerdery, that's what. We discuss how the UK can realise its global trade ambitions, whether EU trade deals can be rolled over, and what a unilateral zero tariff regime would do to the country's bank balance. Rock & roll! Also: a controversial lie of the week and a discussion of how to herd Remainer cats. (No intro/outro music or lie of the week music this week because our sound engineer is in bed with the flu.)

We leave the podcast dungeon and lug our recording equipment to a meeting room in the European Parliament where we chat with not one, not two, not three, but four MEPs about the Brexit endgame! This was a cracking conversation with political heavyweights so do not miss this one Remain nerds! Our guests are, in no particular order: Julie Girling MEP (http://www.juliegirling.com) (EPP/independent - Julie was a Conservative MEP until the party withdrew the whip from her for her stance on Brexit (http://www.juliegirling.com/julie-girling-mep-my-expulsion-from-the-conservative-party/)) Alyn Smith MEP (https://www.alynsmith.eu) (Greens/EFA/SNP) Seb Dance MEP (http://www.sebdance.co.uk) (S&D/Labour) Molly Scott Cato MEP (http://mollymep.org.uk) (Greens/EFA/Green Party) Huge thanks to Molly, Seb, Alyn, and Julie for sparing the time to come and talk to us, we hope you find this as rewarding to listen to as we did to record. Don't forget the People's Vote March (https://www.peoples-vote.uk/march) in London this Saturd

Our friends at the Nottingham European Movement asked us if they could use our podcast to share a recording of their 'Brexit: What Next? (https://www.euromovelincs.org.uk/brexit_what_next)' event with our listeners, and we bit their arm off! Enjoy this hour and a half panel discussion with these stone-cold Remain legends: Ken Clarke QC MP, Conservative Chris Leslie MP, Labour Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat Natalie Bennett, Green Party (leader of the Green Party 2012-16, and currently prospective parliamentary candidate for Sheffield) Femi Oluwole, co-founder of Our Future, Our Choice! Eloise Todd, chief executive, Best for Britain Moderated by John Hess, former BBC political editor for the East Midlands (Apologies to Chris for omitting to include him in my spoken intro!)

We were going to have a theme this week but we ran out of time before we could start on one. Plenty of follow-up, looking ahead to next week's European Council showdown, wondering where it's all heading, and looking at the In Limbo book that was launched this week. Oh and Lie of the Week, of course. Sponsored by Wandsworth European Movement (https://www.wandsworth.eu) who are launching their Four Freedoms Pale Ale on 19 October - sign up for the launch event here!

Warning: this episode includes very strong language (I mean, read the title) - listener discretion is advised (not one for teatime with the kids) Awesome citizen rights campaigner Tanja Bueltmann co-hosts this week's episode as we talk about her work on behalf of EU27 citizens in the UK, what it's like being a constant target of online and offline harrassment, why we should reclaim the c-word, and what we think of the Tory party conference. Christopher Kissane's article for the Irish Times on how historical nonsense underpins the UK's Brexit floundering. Tanja tells her story in this Twitter thread Tanja came onto the podcast to talk about the abuse she receives constantly simply for being who she is and for asserting her right to be who she is. And this is what happens. If you are reading this and you think stories of abuse are exaggerated, because you don't get much, walk a mile in Tanja's shoes. Please support EU Citizens Champion. We don't make any money at all from this podcast, and we never will, but if

A bit of follow-up on Armenian regulatory competences trade nerds, then it's straight into Salzburg OMG she didn't did she she did! and then Labour Conference and the thrill we felt when Starmer said what he said and the Conference did what it did. Closing out with Silver Jubilee Cake(ism) and one of the all time great Lies of the Week. Jim Cornelius we salute you.

A bit of a long one this week, in which we explore how a Peoples Vote might happen, and ask what a successful campaign might look like. And we take Cakewatch to a sunny Place Lux for lunch with David Henig, he of #TwitterTrade fame. Lie of the Week featuring the Raabinator. Special Guest: David Henig.

We talk about the European Research Group and its unpublished policy proposals which, apparently, have significant flaws and, so we hear, may be widely mocked. Keep listening for an Easter Egg including a contribution from a very special guest. https://finalsayforall.eu/

Chris is back, and so is Steve Analyst! We're still in holiday mode, but got together by the magic of skype to record our feelings on where we think Brexit is currently heading and trying to untangle the threads of this mess. Bonus points to listeners (and co-hosts) who read these episode notes and spot all the Macbeth references this week. Homework for Steve A: the Cakewatch Easter F-word Special How Cornwall gets its internet Special Guest: Steve Analyst.

We were beaten to it by Dan Snow's history podcast but better late than never: legendary Twitter threader Steve Analyst joins Cakewatch in the special guest slot to talk about well we'll give you three guesses... yes it's Brexit. Special Guest: Steve Analyst.

We interrupt our summer mental health break to bring you episode 19, co-hosted by Chris and guest host Nick Crosby of Pro Europa. Steve's still on his break but we have too much to talk about so here we are: Chequers pyjama party, Cabinet resignations, ERG tantrums, Trump diplomacy, Facebook fines, where will it all end?? Please sign the petition to keep the rights of EU27 + EFTA citizens already in the UK unchanged after Brexit! Special Guest: Nick Crosby.

In the words of soft rock legends Chicago, everybody needs a little time away. Just a quick one this week to let our listeners know that we're taking a bit of a break from podcasting over the summer to recover our mojos, reconnect with the world outside Brexit, recharge our critical batteries, and in the case of Chris to focus on a new arrival! Stay subscribed, stay tuned, and we'll be back soon.

Steve's article in Prospect on freedom of movement Intro/outro music: “Going up the Wrong Way” by Bai Kamara Jr, from his album "The Mystical Survivors and Some Rare Earthlings". Available Fnac, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon etc. http://www.baikamara.com

Listeners are advised that this podcast contains very strong language from the very start, including scenes of an adult nature. Listener discretion is advised. A hell of a week in Brexitland. We skim over it all before getting stuck into the way in which the House of Commons handled the Withdrawal Bill and the amendments proposed by the House of Lords. There is some swearing. Intro/outro music: “Going up the Wrong Way” by Bai Kamara Jr, from his album "The Mystical Survivors and Some Rare Earthlings". Available Fnac, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon etc. http://www.baikamara.com

Laura's Twitter thread about the democratic failings of the referendum, the exclusion of those most affected, and Leave's lies about the Vienna Convention. The reality of Freedom of Movement: Dave's story British in Europe (all staff are volunteers - donations appreciated!) The 3 Million Join the march on 23 June for a People's Vote Special Guest: Laura Shields.

This week we're looking at background briefings by senior EU sources to UK media, and what those mean for the state of withdrawal negotiations (spoiler: nothing good). There's also a spot of Soft Brexit follow-up, and some huge whopping lies of the week. The Guardian hears from a senior EU source on how the UK needs to face up to the reality of the decision it has made. Ivan Rogers' speech at Glasgow University which is full of insight and strongly recommended for all students of Brexit. Indiana's attempt to legislate pi Mike ('@Geoelte_Spinne')'s thread about emigrating to Germany

Alyn Smith MEP Alyn's page on the European Parliament's website Scotland in Europe Chris' 2015 blogpost on how progressive politics and civic engagement in the UK could - should - have been given a new lease of life by the EU referendum Bozzymandias Special Guest: Alyn Smith.

Directive 1999/56/EC adapting to technical progress Council Directive 78/933/EEC relating to the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices on wheeled agricultural and forestry tractors - Ottolights! Jonathan Meades on Belgium Culture Corner: Popgun Press SKZ Cartoons Negotiations - a DexEU sitcom Sponsored by Best for Doncaster (which will be a surprise to them) We welcome potential sponsors - but we don’t want your money! If you represent an organisation that is working to stop Brexit, and you’d like some free publicity, contact us via this website or DM one of us on Twitter. Intro/outro music: “Going up the Wrong Way” by Bai Kamara Jr, from his album "The Mystical Survivors and Some Rare Earthlings". Available Fnac, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon etc. http://www.baikamara.com