Antony Carpen
@acarpen.bsky.social
Ex-Whitehall type still with views on public policy, but now local historian in Cambridge (UK) blogging at https://lostcambridge.com/ - also writing about the future of the city on The Cambridge Town Owl.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Even @channel4news.bsky.social opens its budget coverage by asking "What will this do for Labour's position in the polls?"
Polls are not even a good predictor of future elections. They're certainly not a test by which budgets should be measured.
We have to break their cold, dead grip on politics.
Polls are not even a good predictor of future elections. They're certainly not a test by which budgets should be measured.
We have to break their cold, dead grip on politics.
November 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Even @channel4news.bsky.social opens its budget coverage by asking "What will this do for Labour's position in the polls?"
Polls are not even a good predictor of future elections. They're certainly not a test by which budgets should be measured.
We have to break their cold, dead grip on politics.
Polls are not even a good predictor of future elections. They're certainly not a test by which budgets should be measured.
We have to break their cold, dead grip on politics.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
On Truss & Kwarteng in ‘22. Allister Heath, Telegraph: “the best budget I have ever heard a British chancellor deliver". Alex Brummer, Mail: “a genuine Tory package elbowing to one side the Treasury's fiscal conservatism".
These men will now be paid actual money for their analysis of today’s budget.
These men will now be paid actual money for their analysis of today’s budget.
November 26, 2025 at 4:32 PM
On Truss & Kwarteng in ‘22. Allister Heath, Telegraph: “the best budget I have ever heard a British chancellor deliver". Alex Brummer, Mail: “a genuine Tory package elbowing to one side the Treasury's fiscal conservatism".
These men will now be paid actual money for their analysis of today’s budget.
These men will now be paid actual money for their analysis of today’s budget.
Grim - parallels with Grenfell. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Hong Kong residents react as deadly fire tears through housing estate
Efforts to control the blaze are continuing as locals wait for news of missing loved ones.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Grim - parallels with Grenfell. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Can we quote them on that? 🤣
November 27, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Can we quote them on that? 🤣
Coming up next week on 01 Dec at Cambridge University's Law Faculty: "Cambridge Women in The First World War"
www.camantsoc.org/event/cas-ta...
cc @claremulley.bsky.social , @akennedysmith.bsky.social
www.camantsoc.org/event/cas-ta...
cc @claremulley.bsky.social , @akennedysmith.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Coming up next week on 01 Dec at Cambridge University's Law Faculty: "Cambridge Women in The First World War"
www.camantsoc.org/event/cas-ta...
cc @claremulley.bsky.social , @akennedysmith.bsky.social
www.camantsoc.org/event/cas-ta...
cc @claremulley.bsky.social , @akennedysmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Antony Carpen
‘Is Nigel Farage a Russian asset?’
‘Are you seriously asking me that?’
@shelaghfogarty.bsky.social refuses to back down while questioning Reform’s Zia Yusuf.
‘Are you seriously asking me that?’
@shelaghfogarty.bsky.social refuses to back down while questioning Reform’s Zia Yusuf.
November 26, 2025 at 3:42 PM
‘Is Nigel Farage a Russian asset?’
‘Are you seriously asking me that?’
@shelaghfogarty.bsky.social refuses to back down while questioning Reform’s Zia Yusuf.
‘Are you seriously asking me that?’
@shelaghfogarty.bsky.social refuses to back down while questioning Reform’s Zia Yusuf.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
It is good to see cross-party challenge to overt racism in British political and media discourse: Labour MP Sarah Owen, who chairs the women & equalities select committee, challenges the racist claim from GB News contributor Lucy White that Deputy Speaker Nus Ghani should be barred from parliament
I know who Nus Ghani MP is - not because we always agree - but because she’s been serving her constituency (as well as lewks) since 2015.
Who the hell is Lucy White?!
Ah, a quick google search reveals her as a rentagob for GB ‘news.’
I know which one is qualified to chair the budget debate.
Who the hell is Lucy White?!
Ah, a quick google search reveals her as a rentagob for GB ‘news.’
I know which one is qualified to chair the budget debate.
November 26, 2025 at 10:34 PM
It is good to see cross-party challenge to overt racism in British political and media discourse: Labour MP Sarah Owen, who chairs the women & equalities select committee, challenges the racist claim from GB News contributor Lucy White that Deputy Speaker Nus Ghani should be barred from parliament
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Lots of people sharing this clip because it's funny and cathartic but I also genuinely believe it's important.
We have to win the narrative battle between "I live in a corrupt society and that's just how it is" and "I live in a corrupt society and we are going to defeat and humiliate these ghouls."
We have to win the narrative battle between "I live in a corrupt society and that's just how it is" and "I live in a corrupt society and we are going to defeat and humiliate these ghouls."
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Lots of people sharing this clip because it's funny and cathartic but I also genuinely believe it's important.
We have to win the narrative battle between "I live in a corrupt society and that's just how it is" and "I live in a corrupt society and we are going to defeat and humiliate these ghouls."
We have to win the narrative battle between "I live in a corrupt society and that's just how it is" and "I live in a corrupt society and we are going to defeat and humiliate these ghouls."
"I have found that the proposals would cause harm to the character and appearanceof the street scene/visual amenity and, by extension, to the significance of theCentral Conservation Area". Dismissed by Planning Inspector. Good.
November 26, 2025 at 10:28 PM
"I have found that the proposals would cause harm to the character and appearanceof the street scene/visual amenity and, by extension, to the significance of theCentral Conservation Area". Dismissed by Planning Inspector. Good.
The persistent theme of lack of transparency around story selection strikes again. Would be good if news channels were clear on what their criteria on story selection was, and every so often published clips on story selection showing why some were picked and some not.
It is one of the biggest days in the UK political calendar so BBC News channel is giving extensive live coverage to... a shooting of two people in the US. A story worth noting, certainly, but the dominant story on budget day?
November 26, 2025 at 9:46 PM
The persistent theme of lack of transparency around story selection strikes again. Would be good if news channels were clear on what their criteria on story selection was, and every so often published clips on story selection showing why some were picked and some not.
NEW BLOGPOST: "Ministers could save time and money by legalising and regulating e-scooters. So why won’t they?" cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/25/m... In the meantime, scenes like this with the trial that's been going on so long it's not really a trial anymore, continue.
Ministers could save time and money by legalising and regulating e-scooters. So why won’t they?
BBC Look East featured the latest ‘crackdown’ on illegal e-scooters on Cambridge’s streets on 24 Nov 2025. Given the extended trials, the environmental benefits vs motor vehicles,…
cambridgetownowl.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:30 PM
NEW BLOGPOST: "Ministers could save time and money by legalising and regulating e-scooters. So why won’t they?" cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/25/m... In the meantime, scenes like this with the trial that's been going on so long it's not really a trial anymore, continue.
“Cambridgeshire City” 🤣
Rent prices in Cambridge remain the most expensive in Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire city where rent prices are rapidly rising
www.cambridge-news.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 8:09 PM
“Cambridgeshire City” 🤣
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Another Budget.
More stealth taxes.
Still no plan for growth.
Local families, businesses and farmers across Ely and East Cambs deserved better. I’ll keep fighting for fairer funding for our services and real investment in our local economy.
More stealth taxes.
Still no plan for growth.
Local families, businesses and farmers across Ely and East Cambs deserved better. I’ll keep fighting for fairer funding for our services and real investment in our local economy.
November 26, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Another Budget.
More stealth taxes.
Still no plan for growth.
Local families, businesses and farmers across Ely and East Cambs deserved better. I’ll keep fighting for fairer funding for our services and real investment in our local economy.
More stealth taxes.
Still no plan for growth.
Local families, businesses and farmers across Ely and East Cambs deserved better. I’ll keep fighting for fairer funding for our services and real investment in our local economy.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Here's what the #Cambridge region made of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ #Budget, including reaction from our MPs
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/what-ca...
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/what-ca...
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Here's what the #Cambridge region made of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ #Budget, including reaction from our MPs
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/what-ca...
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/what-ca...
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Some opposition councillors raised concerns about an ‘imbalance’ between rural and urban areas, if Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire joined together under one council.
South Cambridgeshire could be 'lost' to expanding city under new proposals
www.cambridge-news.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Some opposition councillors raised concerns about an ‘imbalance’ between rural and urban areas, if Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire joined together under one council.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Not sure fiercely defending houses worth over £2m whilst describing lifting 100,000s of kids out of poverty as "benefits street" is going to work as well for LOTO as she thinks.
November 26, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Not sure fiercely defending houses worth over £2m whilst describing lifting 100,000s of kids out of poverty as "benefits street" is going to work as well for LOTO as she thinks.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
"It will certainly take political courage to stick to these plans."
@ruthcurtice.bsky.social has everything you need to know about the Budget, in two minutes ⏰ ⤵️
@ruthcurtice.bsky.social has everything you need to know about the Budget, in two minutes ⏰ ⤵️
November 26, 2025 at 8:00 PM
"It will certainly take political courage to stick to these plans."
@ruthcurtice.bsky.social has everything you need to know about the Budget, in two minutes ⏰ ⤵️
@ruthcurtice.bsky.social has everything you need to know about the Budget, in two minutes ⏰ ⤵️
Reposted by Antony Carpen
NEW: Budget special News Agents
The analysis: the politics and economics of what was a huge day for this government and for the slow but very real evolution in the way Britain is taxed.
Listen now.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
The analysis: the politics and economics of what was a huge day for this government and for the slow but very real evolution in the way Britain is taxed.
Listen now.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Budget 2025: Has Reeves saved her job?
Podcast Episode · The News Agents · 26/11/2025 · 40m
podcasts.apple.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
NEW: Budget special News Agents
The analysis: the politics and economics of what was a huge day for this government and for the slow but very real evolution in the way Britain is taxed.
Listen now.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
The analysis: the politics and economics of what was a huge day for this government and for the slow but very real evolution in the way Britain is taxed.
Listen now.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Was great fun to join the LRB for their podcast to discuss the future of broadcast journalism in the UK.
The BBC is in crisis, again. In the latest episode of On Politics, @lewisgoodall.com and @dannyhinduk.bsky.social join @piercepenniless.bsky.social to discuss whether the BBC is capable of surviving in the digital era.
Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
November 26, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Was great fun to join the LRB for their podcast to discuss the future of broadcast journalism in the UK.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Not that Chris Mason was much better. "A shambolic end to a shambolic pre-budget period, so critics say." But at least BBC News moved on to the proper economic meat quickly. Rather than spend TEN MINUTES going "Wow, that was something, wasn't it?" "I know. Terrible." Like they were at a nail salon.
November 26, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Not that Chris Mason was much better. "A shambolic end to a shambolic pre-budget period, so critics say." But at least BBC News moved on to the proper economic meat quickly. Rather than spend TEN MINUTES going "Wow, that was something, wasn't it?" "I know. Terrible." Like they were at a nail salon.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
On Sky Politics Hub, the whole budget was framed as if somehow the most consequential thing was the OBR accidentally publishing figures an hour early. There are 50 things in there more salient to viewers. I see no way to justify it editorially, other than to construct a hostile narrative. Poor.
November 26, 2025 at 7:41 PM
On Sky Politics Hub, the whole budget was framed as if somehow the most consequential thing was the OBR accidentally publishing figures an hour early. There are 50 things in there more salient to viewers. I see no way to justify it editorially, other than to construct a hostile narrative. Poor.
Dr Joanna Pledge of Cambridge University. Did we get a good #COP30? (See also @nataliejones.bsky.social who was also there).
November 26, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Dr Joanna Pledge of Cambridge University. Did we get a good #COP30? (See also @nataliejones.bsky.social who was also there).