CakeWatch

Steve is back, but as a guest, and joined by Ian Dunt to reflect on what makes a liberal, how to win the culture war, and whether we remember anything from our undergraduate days. Swearing. Buy Ian Dunt's new book, How To Be A Liberal, from Canbury Press. (https://www.canburypress.com/products/how-to-be-a-liberal-by-ian-dunt-hardback-isbn9781912454419) Audio clips from Patrick Tull's reading of Treason's Harbour by Patrick O'Brian Special Guests: Ian Dunt and Steve Bullock.

Chris and Garvan Walshe catch up on how they handled lockdown, what to expect next, and what has changed since they last recorded the podcast together, in November 2018. Just as it did two years ago, the Northern Ireland backstop features heavily in Lie of the Week. Also, will the Conservative Party have the good sense to ditch its current leader? Special Guest: Garvan Walshe.

Alviina Alametsä (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/204335/ALVIINA_ALAMETSA/home#detailedcardmep) is a Green Party MEP from Finland. She took up her seat only in February 2020, after it was vacated by a departing UK MEP. Cakewatch likes to think that she took one previously occupied by a Faragist. Alviina's particular policy interests are public mental health and conflict resolution, so who better to talk about tackling the Brexit aftermath? Alviina draws on her own experience as a survivor of a school shooting to inform her campaigning work to improve access to mental healthcare for young people in particular. In a world facing climate emergency and coronavirus, not to mention Brexit and populism, we look at how policy generally fails to factor in the mental health impact, and what can be done at EU level to address this. Mind, the mental health charity (https://www.mind.org.uk), offering help and advice to you if you are suffering from depression or if you are looking for advice on how to help someone who you think might be depressed. Special Guest: Alviina Alametsä.

Trade expert David Henig joins the podcast again for our first survey of the post B-day wreckage. With the EU and the UK apparently offering different visions of their future relationship, which one is the more realistic? Hahaha no seriously, which? Special Guest: David Henig.

For our final podcast before Brexit, we're joined again by Tanja Bueltmann to talk about coping strategies, Steve's album of ambient prozac, and the ongoing work to support EU citizens in the UK as they face mounting hostility and an unforgiving bureaucracy. You can get Steve's album here, and become an EU Citizens' Champion (https://eucitizenschampion.allwelcome.org/en/donations/supporter/27/one-thousand-days/). We're dedicating this episode to the memory of our friend and colleague Andy Barnard.

The aftermath. Rather than wallow in despair we look back on a fight well fought, and the friends that have joined us on the podcast. We also reflect a little bit on what the future will bring. It's not pretty, so we need to find strategies to help us through the dark times ahead. Thank you to all our guests who have helped us out on the podcast over the last 67 episodes: Alyn Smith Andy of Remainer Now Axel Antoni David Henig Dmitry Grozoubinski Garvan Walshe Ian Bond Jason Knoll Jim Cornelius Jon Worth Julie Girling Katie Low Laura Shields Molly Scott Cato Nick Crosby Nicky James Peter Wilding Seb Dance Steve Analyst Tanja Bueltmann Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_not_go_gentle_into_that_good_night) by Dylan Thomas Download Steve's new album One Thousand Days (https://1000days.eucitizenschampion.co.uk) and please give generously to EU Citizens Champion (http://eucitizenschampion.co.uk)!

We cut to the chase. Nothing is more important than this. On Thursday, vote for the candidate most likely to beat Boris Johnson. Because if you don't, if he wins, our country will become unrecognisable. This will be the defining battle of our culture war.

Brexit flowchart hero and EU Twitter legend Jon Worth joins Chris this week to take a deeper dive into tactical voting in the UK's general election - where is a tactical vote needed, how to work out where a tactical vote should go, and what might happen? All in the service of depriving Boris Johnson of a working majority and so keeping our hopes of remaining in the EU alive. Jon and Chris also reflect on their experiences of living and working in the EU and observing the way other EU countries do politics differently, and ask how the UK might do things better, why its EU membership seems to have had so little impact, and yes the 'f' word crops up. Federalism, that is. If you want to take Jon up on his offer of a personalised tactical voting recommendation, please get in touch with him via his blog jonworth.eu (https://jonworth.eu) or on Twitter where he is @jonworth (https://twitter.com/jonworth). Jon's tactical voting guide can be found here. (https://jonworth.eu/2019-uk-general-election-tactical-voting-guide/) Special Guest: Jon Worth.

Steve studied moral philosophy. (So did Chris but he doesn't get a word in edgeways.) We look at the ethics of tactical voting in the 2019 general election, and why you should hold your nose and vote for a candidate from a party you might not endorse as a party of government. Not just because you want to Remain in the EU, but also because you want to avert a catastrophic Johnson majority and engineer a situation where your first and second order goals might, just might, see the light of day. Network Vote (https://www.network.vote/) want your help to get the "unheard third" of the vote out. Today we launch our website https://t.co/MghOAJAWaE - a tool to help our communtities across the UK boost voter turnout. Ours is a simple, unique idea: we don't want you to sign up to a mailing list or get your details. The materials are free, open-source and for everybody /1— network.vote (@NetworkVote) November 10, 2019 Jon Worth's blog is your one-stop-shop to help you decide how to use your precious vote. You can find out where you are voting, whether you should vote tactically, and what the key tactical voting sites are recommending you should do with your vote. Jon Worth's practical guide to tactical voting https://techpolitics.eu/downloads/tacticalvotediagram/TacticalVoting-1-0-3.png

Laura's kitchen table is once again the scene of a cosy chat about our favourite things: Brexit, Boris Johnson, his so-called new deal, and the wholesale attack on citizens' rights. For light relief we join four Remainers Now standing in the rain outside the European Commission's headquarters and hear from them why they've made the journey to Brussels and what they want to achieve here. This podcast was brought to you by a large gin and tonic. Jamie Susskind, author of Future Politics (https://www.jamiesusskind.com) On The House podcast with guest Alastair Campbell (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-moment-of-truth-with-guest-alastair-campbell/id1474010876?i=1000453971430) Special Guest: Laura Shields.

Chris is back from Tashkent with a head full of musings. How badly does the EU want the UK to leave? Quite badly, he thinks. Steve sort of agrees. But this week's unicorn chaser is the imminent collapse of the Bannonite populist project on both sides of the Atlantic. Steve sort of disagrees. Rafael Behr's excellent analysis piece in the Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/01/boris-johnson-eu-prime-minister-brexit?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) Rally 4 Our Rights (https://www.r4or.co.uk)

Johnson says he has a deal that might fly but he won't show it to anyone yet, because it's too soon isn't it? [turns head, stares at camera] Is the EU losing patience? Xavier Bettel looks as if he has. What are the implications for Remainers? Plus we have a half-hearted go at a making verbal Jon Worth flowchart (https://jonworth.eu/brexit-what-next/) on the fly - what are the scenarios from here on out? And - we can dream - what happens the morning after revocation? Don't forget the Rally 4 Our Rights (https://www.r4or.co.uk) on 12 October!

After a long absence, Steve is back co-hosting the podcast and here we all are again: parliament versus executive. Does Cummings have a grand strategy? Or is Johnson flying by the seat of his pants and about to crash? After a long evening watching Parliament TV, we catch up with each other and wonder where this shaggy dog story will go next. Our rights are under immediate and serious threat from Brexit and Boris Johnson: join us on 12 October and Rally 4 Our Rights (https://www.r4or.co.uk)! Also, please consider donating (https://gogetfunding.com/r4or-rally-4-our-rights/) to cover costs.

Chris is joined by Jason Knoll who teaches high school students in Verona, Wisconsin. His particular interest is the European Union, and he brings his particular point of view to the podcast in a discussion about Trump, Johnson, populism, and grassroots politics. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EA4nCIZWwAETmR0?format=jpg&name=4096x4096 Cakewatch will be back in September. Special Guest: Jason Knoll.

Former Tory Party insider Peter Wilding is back on an historic day for his old party and for the UK. We reflect on the realisation of Boris Johnson's ambition and how he'll handle his poisoned chalice; the Jacobins are now in charge and the next hundred days will be... eventful. Plus a few reflections on the European election and on the EU top jobs. Special Guest: Peter Wilding.

Chris and Steve Analyst discuss 'montagegate', in which Steve documents selective editing of news footage by the BBC to give the false impression that Leavers and Remainers alike said ahead of the referendum that voting to leave the EU would mean voting to leave the Single Market. This is not true. Montagegate Part 1 Montagegate Part 2

Ancient historian Katie Low joins Chris to talk about why ancient history has so much to teach us about modern Brexit. Will Brexit be the UK's Sicilian Expedition? (Yes.) Is Boris Johnson the modern Alcibiades? (Sort of.) Is Jacob Rees Mogg a modern Cicero? (No.) Is Jeremy Corbyn the modern Julius Caesar? (No but Seumas Milne might be.) With a side order of griping at British educational elitism. Katie's guest post on Chris' blog Timothy Snyder's speech for Europe Day 2019 - "we are more than our myths" #ThucydidesKlaxon Special Guest: Katie Low.

Chris, Tanja, and Axel Antoni offer a first take on last week's European election and its aftermath before examining in a bit more detail what led to the disenfranchisement of many EU citizens who were denied their vote, and what can be done about it. Now updated with new and improved sound thanks to post-production by heroic listener Charlie Elwess (https://twitter.com/CharlieElwess)! Join The 3 Million's case against the government by sharing your story (https://www.the3million.org.uk/deniedmyvote). You can also support The 3 Million (https://www.the3million.org.uk/join-us)! (Please!) And if you haven't done so yet (or even if you have), please also consider becoming an EU Citizens' Champion (https://www.gofundme.com/eucitizenschampion). Here is our episode on mental health issues. (https://cakewatch.fireside.fm/37) Mind, the mental health charity (https://www.mind.org.uk/), offer help and advice to you if you are suffering from depression or if you are looking for advice on how to help someone who you think might be depressed. Special Guest: Axel Antoni.

Andy voted Remain but was not particularly engaged in politics. But something prompted him to become an activist and launch a huge and growing grassroots campaign providing a platform for people who voted Leave, but regret it, to challenge the Westminster orthodoxy that "the people have spoken". It's OK to change your mind, and Andy wants to make sure that regretful Leavers understand that. We talk to Andy about his activism, and we also continue where we left off last week on party politics, party loyalties, and the European elections. Plus Chris finally does his homework on the Spitzenkandidat procedure. The article in PMP magazine referred to by Andy, in which former eurosceptic Andy (different Andy) explains his Damascene conversion, as heard on James O'Brien's radio show. Special Guest: Andy of Remainer Now.

Now the parties have published their manifestos, how should Remainers plan to use their votes in the European election on 23 May? We talk about the tribal nature of party politics and why good people stay loyal to bad parties. Intro music this week by Ludwig van Beethoven arranged & performed by Mr Steve Bullock.

Steve is off sick this week with a tummy bug so Chris is flying solo as host with guest Peter Wilding, aka @eurorealist, long-time Tory party insider, former head of the British Influence think tank, inventor of the dread word Brexit, and now a European Parliament candidate for Change UK. As we work our way through various beverages, we discuss the state of the Tory party and British politics, contemplate what might happen between now and the end of the Brexit Hextension, and whether Change UK really stands any chance of, well, changing the UK. Peter's book, What Next? (http://influencegroup.org.uk/whatnext/) Special Guest: Peter Wilding.

We D'hondt tell you how to vote in the European elections, but we hope our prolix chat about infighting and outfighting and tactics and principles and manifestos and candidates and choices and dilemmas has given you a helping, er, hondt. Steve's article for politics.co.uk

So we got another extension, to Halloween - did the threat of no-deal actually work? Are there divisions appearing among the EU27? What happens between now and October? Also, how should we be approaching the European elections? Should we vote tactically? To what extent should we treat it as a proxy referendum for Remain v. Leave? How would this sit with our democratic responsibility as EU citizens to vote on a European platform? Not A level politics exam questions in 2029 but an hour and a half of chatter with Steve and Chris. Plus, we forgot to ask you to vote for us in the British Podcast Awards Postscript: we got d'Hondt wrong - d'oh! So we've edited the podcast to reflect this (edited version posted 0800 BST 17 April 2019)

Recorded on the evening of Wednesday 3 April, Steve and Chris discuss the failure of Meaningful Vote 3.0, Indicative Votes 2.0, and Theresa May's Road to Damascus moment (spoiler: it's not). How will the EU27 respond to her plan for a further short extension?

With only two days to go until UnBrexit Day, we try to survey the rapidly shifting landscape and chart a course for where we head next. It's an exciting and unexpected place to be with only two days to go until 29 March, but we are by no means out of the woods. Listen while our takes still have some residual warmth left.

In the second episode of the week, we visit Alyn Smith MEP in his offices, surrounded by boxes, for what might be a farewell chat, and reflect on another absolutely hatstand day in Brexit's endgame. Theresa May has written a letter to the European Council asking for a short extension and managing to annoy everybody on all sides; and (at time of recording) we're hiding behind the sofa waiting for her latest excruciatingly awful podium address to the nation. Special Guest: Alyn Smith.

Chris, Steve, and a gurgling kitchen sink discuss extensions and whether the neighbours might lodge an objection with the council.

So the government has lost the meaningful vote on the Withdrawal Agreement by a massive margin - AGAIN - and now what? Should we celebrate? How will Brussels react? What are the options for and chances of extending the Article 50 two year deadline? Steve and Chris bravely combat man flu to bring you their thoughts. Listen all the way to the end for a treat and, er, brillax! (Episode title shamelessly stolen from Remainiacs' Twitter feed)

Coffee tariffs and orange tariffs and zero tariffs oh my! Chris in conversation with Twitter trade legend and man of mystery, Jim Cornelius, self-made walking encyclopedia of all things tariff-related, and scourge of so-called liberal leavers everywhere. Heads up: there are a couple of audio glitches that might make you jump if you're listening over headphones, for which we apologise in advance. Special Guest: Jim Cornelius.

A podcast of two halves this week. The first half is a look at the day's news from Westminster, where Corbyn now says he backs a referendum with Remain on the ballot, and where May now says she will call for a vote on whether to leave with no deal, or extend Article 50. Plus, more importantly, how the EU might feel about this. Then, in the second half, an extended discussion on Steve's personal Twexit - why he has taken the decision to step back from Twitter activism.

Navel-gazing post-Remainiacs self-congratulation cut with road trip excerpts all amount to another week in the podcast that isn't about cake. We also reflect on the futility of TIG-related hope and the futility of unicorn-related Brussels tourism.

We donned safety helmets and ventured forth into the archives to seek out our very first podcast, recorded one year ago on wax cylinder, and listen back to it to see whether anything has changed in the world of Brexit. Spoiler: it hasn't. The Brexit database from Twitter user @brexology_uk

Dmitry Grozoubinski is our guest this week to talk about what the hell a "WTO terms deal" is(n't), and we weigh up the risks and chances of a disorderly Brexit. Plus easily the sexiest Lie of the Week ever. Dmitry's trade explainer blog, Trade Explained (https://www.explaintrade.com/) Special Guest: Dmitry Grozoubinski.

Chris and Tanja have no confidence in this government and reject its withdrawal agreement but more specifically talk about Brexit British attitudes towards Germany, where things stand for EU citizens as B-day approaches, and Brecht. Become an EU Citizens Champion EU citizens are your colleagues, neighbours, friends and family. Your doctors, builders, teachers and hairdressers. As the UK descends further and further into chaos, we need you to stand with EU citizens. We need you to say: #HandsOff and support us to #RescueOurRights. 1/ pic.twitter.com/5MFNGTOPFi— Prof Tanja Bueltmann (@cliodiaspora) January 16, 2019

January can be a difficult month, and Brexit is not helping. Many of us find ourselves struggling to cope with the insecurity that Brexit is causing. In this episode, we look at how Brexit is making us feel and how we're dealing with those feelings. We also look ahead to The Convention, an event taking place in London on 11 January to prepare for a potential new referendum. Mind, the mental health charity (https://www.mind.org.uk), offering help and advice to you if you are suffering from depression or if you are looking for advice on how to help someone who you think might be depressed. The Convention (http://www.theconvention.co.uk) Special Guest: Laura Shields.

Theresa May's shocker at the European Council, and why it happened. Plus: Tony Blair, huh, what he isn't good for. And some home truths on what the Article 50 ruling means and what it doesn't mean. Finally, a few cracking Lies of the Week, and an absolute zinger as Tweet of the Year. Chris' tweet about the Economist's Bagehot column Ivan Rogers' speech JC Piris' tweet of the century

A throwback to the early days of the podcast in which Steve and Chris wind each other up into a state of high-pitched sweary indignation as they survey the carnage wrought by Brexit. Specifically, the importance of accuracy and honesty on the Remain side, negative and exceptionalist framing, government dishonesty and delusion, and car doors.

The unorthodox structure of this week's podcast is not so much down to avant garde editing as technical snafu, but we start at the beginning with Chris and Laura putting the world to rights over kebabs and prosecco, and end in the middle of things as we join Steve, Steve, and Chris half way through a discussion of Tuesday's events in Westminster, where this leaves Brexit, and was the UK really such an obstacle anyway? Special Guest: Laura Shields.

The Centre for European Reform is the UK's foremost think tank on matters European, and Ian Bond is its Director of Foreign Policy, so Chris is in his element this week discussing how Brexit might affect both UK and EU foreign policy. Featuring not one, not two, but three baskets. Special Guest: Ian Bond.

Nick Crosby joins Chris to wonder whether and how the House of Commons might yet find a way to reject the Withdrawal Agreement and #StopBrexit. Also Hostile Environment Lady jumps the Lie of the Week queue. Special Guest: Nick Crosby.

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 Saturday, 20 October - do whatever you need to do to be there! And keep writing to your MPs to press for a Peoples Vote and a Final Say (For All!) (https://finalsayforall.eu) because we NEED to Stop Brexit! Also: please be sure to check out the new podcast from our friends at Remainer Now! (https://audioboom.com/channels/4976477) Special Guests: Alyn Smith, Julie Girling, Molly Scott Cato, and Seb Dance.

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 you feel you want to give something back, please give generously to Tanja's work here. Thank you.

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

The Schuman Declaration Taking a break from our usual format, we spend this week talking about the things we love about Europe. A lot of it is quite personal and, well... self-indulgent, so feel free to skip this one if it's not your cup of tea (yes that features). After all: de gustibus non est disputandum. To squeeze this extra-long episode into a reasonable file size, we've downgraded the audio quality of this week's podcast, we hope it won't impact your listening pleasure to an unacceptable degree! Links to some of the choices we mention: The Gracchi Giordano Bruno Tom Paine Kaiserschmarren Kraftwerk Autobahn EP Sigur Ros Glosoli Selinus/Selinunte Lundy Island Brecht's Alles Wandelt Sich Between the Woods and the Water Heimat German church bells Tagesschau bongs

The Overton window Chris Grey's Brexit Blog on how Brexiters would have been happier if they had lost the referendum. Catherine Bearder's tweet on the rumour that UKIP have been asking about their European Parliament offices during transition Sponsored by Milton Keynes European Movement - join their events on Europe Day, 9 May! 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

Ahead of next week's local elections in England, Steve and Chris wonder why Labour isn't doing better in the polls, what Labour's Brexit policy really is, and what Labour's strategists are smoking? Also: civic engagement, plastic toffs, and Lie(s) of the Week. 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

Steve’s 'keep the flame alive' article in the Guardian The Institute for Government's report on "Voting for Brexit: Parliament's consideration of the withdrawal deal and future framework" Chris' blog piece on what is a eurosceptic "Accidental" deportations Club Europ Express special first birthday edition Please help fund Brexit Record - the only site recording the true impact of Brexit This episode sponsored by Stratford4Europe 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

Chris' blog post on the West Lothian Question and UK federalism (or lack of). John Pinder's obituary Altiero Spinelli The Ventotene Manifesto Guy Verhofstadt and Dany Cohn-Bendit's manifesto "There Is No Alternative To A Federal Europe" Chris' table comparing EU and UK democratic accountability Steve's Twitter thread, unrolled, on the threat to UK democracy Unicorn Chaser 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 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 Special outro music courtesy of Jon Worth, Anders Ekberg, and Malena Britz.

Laura Shields' (@mediawhizz) thread exposing the lie about citizen rights being protected by the Vienna Convention The Smart Border 2.0 study commissioned by the European Parliament Analysis of the Withdrawal Agreement and transition arrangements by Steve Peers here and by David Allen Green here (NB FT is paywalled) REM: Exhuming McCarthy Clip of Joseph Welch’s “Have you no sense of decency” reply to Joseph McCarthy Edward R. Murrow’s annihilation of McCarthy, that applies as much to opponents of Brexit as opponents of McCarthyism. 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. Main 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

Speech by Dany Cohn Bendit in the European Parliament - featuring le beurre et l'argent du beurre but not le cul de la cremière Speech by Alyn Smith in the European Parliament The most mendacious video of all time courtesy of Leave.EU Steve's article in Prospect Chris' blog post on how negotiations ought to work (yes we're linking to it again) Thanks for vox pops from @jonworth, @BrusselsGeek, anon, @DaveKeating, @nwbrux, @jackschickler, @MarkJohnstonLD - Chris apologises to Jen and anon for swapping their marks out of ten 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. Main 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

Jean-Claude Piris' Twitter thread critiquing Theresa May's speech Cherrypicking: Report of Stefaan de Rynck's LSE lecture Roger Helmer LOL Sponsored this week by finalsayforall.eu. Join us on Thursday 22 March, The Grapevine, Place Luxembourg, Brussels, 16.30-20.00: meet & greet the board of finalsayforall.eu and tell YOUR story of what it's like being a UK citizen living in another EU country and facing Brexit. 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. Main 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 Ask Cakewatch intro music: “Certainty" by the Drønes ’72 (@drones72band), from their debut EP, ‘Whispers Never Stop vol.1’.

Steve and Chris list their Lies of the Week and respond to listener questions including: does divide and rule work? and screams into the abyss Intro music: “Certainty" by the Drønes ’72 (@drones72band), from their debut EP, ‘Whispers Never Stop vol.1’.

Follow up: the international language of cakeism Steve's thread on the difference between THE Customs Union and A customs union, with the Single Market thrown in for good measure. Sponsored by wandsworth.eu! We are looking for 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

Bonus material! After Episode 3, this is episode 3a (or will that get us into another numbering nightmare?) - dedicated to #AskCakewatch. Steve and Chris respond to listener questions including: what's your favourite thing about Article 2 of the EU Treaty? Will Kent need more lorry parking? and more. Intro music: “Certainty" by the Drønes ’72 (@drones72band), from their debut EP, ‘Whispers Never Stop vol.1’.

Steve Peers' blog post with a post mortem on Boris Johnson's and Theresa May's speeches Garreth Hayes' brilliant thread on complexity "The best Brexit tweet ever" #GreatLeapBackwards This episode was recorded in the evening, Belgian beer is involved, and your podcast hosts become somewhat tired and emotional. Expect a bit more swearing than usual and some high pitched indignant screeching. We are looking for 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

Sponsored (for free) by Best for Britain - donate here and FIGHT BREXIT! The EU's position paper on transition David Allen Green's Twitter thread on transition JC Piris on Twitter - the former head of the EU Council's Legal Service Chris' blog post on negotiation If you have a question you'd like us to discuss on a future episode, tweet it with the hashtag #AskCakeWatch We are looking for 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

Steve on the job Steve being accused of misogyny by Nadine Dorries Chris having a go at the BBC and their coverage of the Customs Union Steve tweeting on what the HELL is going on with this timewasting Twitter user @Jim_Cornelius taking Nadine Dorries down with forensic precision over coffee tariffs Chris' blog post about negotiating Brexit and his follow up a year or so later on how no-one ever listens to him 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