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Bryan Smith #RejoinEU

@bpsmithuk.bsky.social

450 followers 210 following 3.2K posts

UK Company director, scientist & humanist. Opinions are my own, but are based on facts. If they upset you don't take them seriously - but check your sources! Same handle on Twitter. Microbiologist, tech expert, smallholder, polymath, Green energy #RejoinEU

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Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · Nov 13

Giving up smoking?
Here's how I did it:
Most cigarettes are "habit" (you have them at set times or stuations), ~10% are "addiction" (you need the nicotine).
Start by cutting out "habit" cigs, 1 or 2 each day, over about 3wks.
So, dont smoke at every tea break, or when you get to the lights etc.
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Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 4h

I'm sure we will now get Farmers demonstrating support for the Labour Government, turning up in their thousands in tractors to Whitehall to sound their horns in support, led by Jeremy Clarkson...
Another win for Labour you won't hear about on the News or in UK Media.
www.gov.uk/government/n...

Countryside Stewardship extended to support farming and nature

Thousands of farmers will receive extensions to continue restoring nature and farming sustainably, supporting long-term food security.

www.gov.uk

Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU

Ellie Chowns MP @elliechowns.bsky.social · 14h

Glad to see the govt has extended these vital schemes as farmers were facing a cliff edge at the end of the year.

But what we really need is a long-term farming support scheme that protects nature & supports food production - this should be an urgent priority for govt.

A screenshot of the government's press release. Text reads "Countryside Stewardship extended to support farming and nature
Thousands of farmers will receive extensions to continue restoring nature and farming sustainably, supporting long-term food security."

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Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 4h

In the final analysis, CPS must decide whether the case is strong enough to succeed.
In a high-profile case like this, they would only go ahread if the case is 100% iron-clad, & they decided they needed more specific evidence that China was an enemy given the precedent set in the Bulgarian spy case.

Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 7h

My relative & her workshy, sponging mates are literally the archetypal blueprint profile of the people Labour are trying to target & get (back) into work.
They aren't aiming at paraplegics or those with genuine, lifechanging disability, its time Media started saying this.
Labour have been clear.

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Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 7h

Im sure there are plenty of detailed studies into all possible relationships & reasons.

Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 7h

I remember a comedy series in the late 80s called "Shelley", starring Hywel Bennett as a professional loafer who was expert at finding his way round the benefits handouts.
Made me laugh at the time.
Not so funny now, though, in light of my own family experience...
Rather shocking.

Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 7h

I asked how she found out how to do it, & she said "My boyfriend told me - there's loads of blogs online telling you how to do it & what to say at the interviews, he's been doing it for years & now has a job at the JobCentre, so he knows how to get round it all!"
Rife in the West Country, she said.

Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 7h

I can give you a personal view on the more recent increase.
Around 5yrs ago, I was chatting to a relative in her 20s who wasn't working. She said "Why should I work? I just have to say I have PTSD after bad experiences at work, & I get paid to stay home. There are loads of benefits I can get then!"

Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 8h

Chris Giles is right, welfare spending is largely stable.

But in fairness, Labour are concerned about the growth in disability benefits (the maroon one at the bottom), which *have* doubled in the last 3 years, rising by ~£100+billion per year (from 0.6% GDP to 1.1% GDP) according to his chart.

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Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU

Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 8h

I find @tomtugendhat.bsky.social's argument not just ludicrous, but dangerous. Due process is *absolutely* paramount in criminal law - not "whose side you are on".

We don't trample Separation of Powers just because you feel rightly angry and ashamed for being spied on *while Security Minister".

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Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 8h

Looking at previous Covid waves, a dip followed by a rise is more normal than not, so its *way too soon* to suggest Covid has peaked.
There's far less testing being done anyway, & levels remain high.

Get the vaccine for both flu & covid (even if you need to pay) - £2/wk is cheaper than hospital!

Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 8h

Very quick update on Covid in England from latest UKHSA hospital data. Looks like current Covid wave *might* have peaked, and also that flu season is starting a little earlier than normal.

If you can get vaxxed for either, I'd do it!

christinapagel.substack.com/p/very-quick...

Very quick update on Covid in England

Covid wave has possibly peaked and flu looks like it's starting early

christinapagel.substack.com

Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 8h

😂😂😂

Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU

BremainInSpain @bremaininspain.com · 9h

Full list of UK travellers not affected by new EU border rules
Not all travellers from the UK will be required to use the new EU border system
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/cost-of...

Full list of UK travellers not affected by new EU border rules

Not all travellers from the UK will be required to use the new EU border system

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

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Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 8h

I can't help thinking that if there was a bollock-squeezing machine to screen men for cancer, more types of cancer would be very rapidly cured...

Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU

Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 11h

Given FindOutNow polls keep making news it's worth saying a bit more about their methodology.

Unlike other online pollsters it doesn't use a panel of people who've signed up to do polls. Instead they ask a small number of Qs to people playing the Pick my Postcode lottery. (Thread)

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Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 8h

Labour aren't "right wing".
And these are #Facts, which you or anyone else can easily verify.
Very noticeable you didn't try, & couldn't post anything that was incorrect in my post.

Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 8h

There was nothing remotely similar to Enoch Powell in Starmer's speech.
They also didn't "go for the disabled".

Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 8h

You don't understand how social media posting works either then, Brian?

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Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 8h

No cuts were made, "Stew".
No imigrants have been used as a shield.
No voters have been taken for granted.

Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 9h

This Labour Government has already delivered, or is on course to deliver, 57 of its 83 Election promises in just its 1st 15 months in power, Brian.
That includes the fastest growth in the G7, increased funding for councils & NHS, devolved powers, increased minimum wage & pensions, wage rises for all

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Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU

Full Fact @fullfact.org · 10h

Viral social media posts claim Italian PM Giorgia Meloni criticised Keir Starmer’s role in the Gaza peace deal as “cringe”.

But we couldn’t find any evidence Ms Meloni ever said this and the Italian embassy in London told us she made no such statement.

No evidence Italy’s PM said Keir Starmer ‘harmed’ Gaza peace deal – Full Fact

The Italian embassy in London told us social media posts claiming Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised Keir Starmer as “cringe” over the Gaza peace deal are false.

fullfact.org

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Bryan Smith #RejoinEU @bpsmithuk.bsky.social · 10h

Very, very happy with Keir Starmer, thanks.
He is leading the most successful Government the UK has ever had, very competently.
They have already delivered, or are on target to deliver, 57 of 83 Election pledges - the Tories only managed 3, 1 of those was partial.
fullfact.org/government-t...

Government Tracker – Full Fact

Full Fact is monitoring the government’s delivery on its promises

fullfact.org

Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU

Chris Giles @chrisgiles.ft.com · 1d

There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.

Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts

Spending is controlled, not spiralling

Worklessness is near record lows

My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...

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Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU

Warren Oates @warrenoates1.bsky.social · 14h

Is the whole China spying thing simply an embarrassing story for the Tories

because the alleged spies were so close to key Tory figures and leaked internal Tory info?

and so it's simply a game to direct attention away from the Tories and try & blame the Labour government?

@mrjamesob.bsky.social

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Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU

Stevie Bennett @steviebennett.bsky.social · 1d

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