It’s a rude awakening for French President Macron. He’s had to admit that the EU is “over-regulating and under-investing”. Coming round to the UK’s realisation 8 years later…
Speaking to Bloomberg TV, the ‘Macaron’ said:
“We are over-regulating and under-investing. So just if in the 2 to 3 years to come, if we follow our classical agenda, we will be out of the market, I have no doubt…I think the simplification agenda and the let’s say pause in terms of regulation, but even deregulation in some issues, it’s absolutely critical.”
Not the best advertisement for the Bloc coming from the EU’s Champion-in-Chief. Meanwhile, the UK – now free from the shackles of the EU’s red tape – is the top destination for investment in financial services and has the highest GDP growth in 2024 than any other European country in the G7. Condoléances, Monsieur President…
French President Macron is still lamenting over Brexit. This time he used his words to wage war on “European Brexiteers” such as Le Pen and Meloni. Speaking to The Economist, he said:
“I say to Europeans: Wake up. Wake up! They are hidden Brexiteers. All European nationalists are hidden Brexiteers. It’s all the same lies. If you entrust the keys to people who think like they do, there is no reason why Europe should become a great power.”
If Macron could see through the red mist over Brexit, he would know that despite it, the UK has claimed its place as the world’s fourth-largest exporter – France is fifth. No doubt it won’t stop his bitter ramblings. Democracy is so inconvenient when it doesn’t share your view…
Trouble in paradise this morning as Macron is suing the European Commission for employing English-only tests in its hiring processes. Paris has been getting increasingly annoyed at what they say is the decline of French proficiency in the bloc.
Paris’ case is focussed on the hiring process for officials in key sectors like economics and defence. Macron’s arguing that using tests exclusively in English violates the EU commitment to treat all citizens on equal terms. Liberté, égalité, anglais…
Starmer gave Macron a lovely gift at the Elysee Palace today – a means for the French President to wear his support for the UK’s cross channel migrants policy on his sleeve. On both sleeves of the Arsenal 23/24 Home Shirt, which has had Macron’s name specially printed on the back, are the words of the sponsor: “VISIT RWANDA.” Guido looks forward to seeing Macron sporting this fine message…
The second episode of Guto Harri’s Unprecedented podcast reveals Rishi Sunak wasn’t the only one who got under Boris’s skin: he called Emmanuel Macron “a c***” too. In the immediate aftermath of the Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Harri claims the former PM unleashed an enraged diatribe against Macron after the French President criticised the UK’s handling of the refugee crisis, saying “He’s a four-letter word that begins with C. He’s a weirdo. He’s Putin’s lickspittle.” At one point Boris told close allies he was “going to have to punch [Macron’] lights out”…
Luckily the pair “patched things up” at the G7 a few weeks later over a glass of whisky, with no harm done. Harri also reveals what Zelensky told Boris after the UK supplied NLAW missiles to Ukraine: “Every time we fire them, we think of a love story… all you need is N-love…”
The UK will spend nearly half a billion pounds over the next three years to help fund a new detention centre in France, as part of a new deal agreed today between the PM and French President Emmanuel Macron. According to Number 10, the new detention centre will increase French detention capacity, meaning migrants who might otherwise try crossing the channel will be “removed from the French coast“:
“For the first time, the UK will help fund a detention centre in France to enhance the country’s ability to cope with the level of people being trafficked across the Channel. This new centre will support French efforts to increase detention capacity, allowing more migrants who might otherwise travel by dangerous and illegal routes to the UK to be removed from the French coast.”
The package will also see an increased French patrol presence along the coast, with “enhanced technology and insights” – including drones – to stop more crossings. At the time of going to pixel, Rishi and Macron are up in front of the press extolling the virtues of their renewed friendship, hailing a “new beginning” for the two countries. It’s all smiles, although it remains to be seen whether any of this will be effective. “Merci, mon ami”…
