Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

observer.co.uk/news/columni...

- @andrewrawnsley.bsky.social

Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 3d

The Conservatives must reclaim competence – and stop imit...

Years of blunders have wrecked the Tory brand. Mimicking Nigel Farage won’t rebuild it – owning their failures might

observer.co.uk/news/columni...

Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 3d

Art isn’t too complex for the working class – that’s elitism

The myth that culture has not been for the masses is debunked in a new book

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

- @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social

Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 4d

Trump wants a prize for the Gaza deal. But the real question is, why didn't he do it earlier? | Jonathan Freedland

The ceasefire in Gaza happened when the US president lost patience, but how much horror occurred, how many people were killed because he delayed, asks Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 4d

High street slot machine shops pay staff bonuses linked to how much gamblers lose

Exclusive: MPs and campaigners condemn ‘appalling’ reward scheme for Merkur venue managers

Will UK taxpayers get their £122m back from PPE Medpro?

Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 4d

www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...

The short answer in this corrupt country is “no”…

The high court told the company linked to Michelle Mone to pay up over the supply of defective gowns, but there appears no clear route to reclaim the funds

www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Reposted by Tony Smith

Alan C. Smith @algingersmith.bsky.social · 4d

Ending landbanking by builders would be a start. 1.5 million possible new homes right there with permission ready to go.

#bbcaq

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Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 4d

Abolishing stamp duty on its own is a massive gift to the well off - both directly and in raising house prices (and the govt can just raise thresholds to nullify it). We need a proper review of property/land taxes, including business rates and council tax to make them fairer and boost growth. #bbcaq

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Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 4d

Flag alert! Gary Neville may not be Orwell but he is a very English type of patriot | Barney Ronay

An easy target for accusations of luxury hypocrisy, Neville has at least tried to address an issue that has everything to do with aggressively flag-draped and militarised modern sport

Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 5d

No Alex, you don’t ask for a Nobel prize, you show some class and express gratitude and humility if you’re lucky enough to win one. 🙄

And Trump is not a peaceful man - look at what he’s doing at home and the violent rhetoric he uses whilst abusing the legal system. #newsnight

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Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 7d

Even if one accepts that Trump is appropriately motivated to receive this award, surely any sensible judge would say Friday is way too soon to know if real peace has been achieved. Right now it’s just an unimplemented cease fire. #r4today

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Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 7d

What has the Competition and Markets Authority got to do with the water industry? There is no competition and no market. It’s a privatised set of regional monopolies screwing its customers. #r4today 😡🙄

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Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 9d

#c4news

Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 9d

The French constitution (at least they have one!) is nuts. The president should challenge the parties to form a voting coalition and nominate a PM (as would happen in any sane country). It is not Macron’s fault that the parties won’t compromise! #bbcpm

observer.co.uk/news/columni...

Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 9d

The French constitution (at least they have one!) is nuts. The president should challenge the parties to form a voting coalition and nominate a PM (as would happen in any sane country). It is not Macron’s fault that the parties won’t compromise! #bbcpm

Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 10d

Liberalism has betrayed the working class, but illiberali...

If we fail to uphold equality and democracy, where will our society be?

Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 18d

Convenience and security. Simple.

www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...

Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 18d

‘Don’t trust Trump’: how UK health experts are fighting back against a war on medicine

Ministers and medical groups have acted quickly to limit fallout after US president made unproven link between paracetamol and autism

observer.co.uk/news/interna...

- @kenanmalik.bsky.social

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Reposted by Tony Smith

Callum Parrish @callumparrish.bsky.social · 19d

For some reason , #Newsnight appears to be having Tom Harwood of GB News on panel tonight.

If people wanted to watch that channel, they would do.

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Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 19d

What a load of nonsense about ID cards. The government proposal is just common sense and there is no suggestion of compulsory cards. 🙄 #newsnight

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Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 29d

If this is the replacement for Netanyahu then God help us… 😞🙄

#c4news

Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · Sep 15

Charlie Kirk killing puts America to the test over the fr...

There’s a risk that political violence becomes a weapon in the culture wars

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

- @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social

Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · Sep 14

The US is on the brink of another era of political violence – and Donald Trump ‘couldn’t care less’ | Jonathan Freedland

In their humane responses to the killing of Charlie Kirk, Democrats are observing the old norms. Things are different now: anger and division rule, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland