Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
@bpsmithuk.bsky.social
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
Same handle on Twitter. Microbiologist, tech expert, smallholder, polymath, Green energy #RejoinEU
Pinned
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
So, we finally have the IOPC report after 13yrs - & it contains almost nothing we didn't already know.
Nobody will face a penalty for their actions.
My question:
Why did it cost £150million?
That's equivalent to 200+ people employed fulltime on £50k each!
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Nobody will face a penalty for their actions.
My question:
Why did it cost £150million?
That's equivalent to 200+ people employed fulltime on £50k each!
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Hillsborough families decry ‘bitter injustice’ that no officers will face disciplinary proceedings
None of the former officers named by the IOPC will face disciplinary proceedings because they have all retired
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:48 PM
So, we finally have the IOPC report after 13yrs - & it contains almost nothing we didn't already know.
Nobody will face a penalty for their actions.
My question:
Why did it cost £150million?
That's equivalent to 200+ people employed fulltime on £50k each!
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Nobody will face a penalty for their actions.
My question:
Why did it cost £150million?
That's equivalent to 200+ people employed fulltime on £50k each!
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Well, well, well...
Does *anyone* believe a ReformUK Party heading for easy victory would even think of doing a Deal with the Tories before the next Election if they felt there was *any truth* in the polls?
Farage knows the polls are nonsense.
Told you!
www.ft.com/content/ecf5...
Does *anyone* believe a ReformUK Party heading for easy victory would even think of doing a Deal with the Tories before the next Election if they felt there was *any truth* in the polls?
Farage knows the polls are nonsense.
Told you!
www.ft.com/content/ecf5...
Farage tells donors he expects Reform UK will do an election deal with Tories
Rightwing populist party could pursue a merger or pact with the Conservatives
www.ft.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Well, well, well...
Does *anyone* believe a ReformUK Party heading for easy victory would even think of doing a Deal with the Tories before the next Election if they felt there was *any truth* in the polls?
Farage knows the polls are nonsense.
Told you!
www.ft.com/content/ecf5...
Does *anyone* believe a ReformUK Party heading for easy victory would even think of doing a Deal with the Tories before the next Election if they felt there was *any truth* in the polls?
Farage knows the polls are nonsense.
Told you!
www.ft.com/content/ecf5...
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
The National Behaviour Survey slipped out during a busy news period, but look at the progress that we've made — with school staff & parents — over the past year.
Lots more to be done, but so happy that children are enjoying school more, they feel they belong, and they feel safe.
Lots more to be done, but so happy that children are enjoying school more, they feel they belong, and they feel safe.
December 2, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The National Behaviour Survey slipped out during a busy news period, but look at the progress that we've made — with school staff & parents — over the past year.
Lots more to be done, but so happy that children are enjoying school more, they feel they belong, and they feel safe.
Lots more to be done, but so happy that children are enjoying school more, they feel they belong, and they feel safe.
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
This is what we voted Labour for.
Improving our country. Making a positive difference.
Just look at what they have achieved so far!
Thank you Labour! Keep at it!
Improving our country. Making a positive difference.
Just look at what they have achieved so far!
Thank you Labour! Keep at it!
December 2, 2025 at 4:43 PM
This is what we voted Labour for.
Improving our country. Making a positive difference.
Just look at what they have achieved so far!
Thank you Labour! Keep at it!
Improving our country. Making a positive difference.
Just look at what they have achieved so far!
Thank you Labour! Keep at it!
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
Labour are making a huge difference by helping people with the cost of living, both in the recent budget and beyond.
On top of this wages are rising at above inflation rates, while inflation is falling.
It all helps. It's all fair. And soon people will see a noticable and undeniable difference!
On top of this wages are rising at above inflation rates, while inflation is falling.
It all helps. It's all fair. And soon people will see a noticable and undeniable difference!
December 2, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Labour are making a huge difference by helping people with the cost of living, both in the recent budget and beyond.
On top of this wages are rising at above inflation rates, while inflation is falling.
It all helps. It's all fair. And soon people will see a noticable and undeniable difference!
On top of this wages are rising at above inflation rates, while inflation is falling.
It all helps. It's all fair. And soon people will see a noticable and undeniable difference!
Every report on Pokrovsk misses the context.
Pokrovsk is a very small town,close (30miles) to Donetsk which the Russians held since 2014.
They've thrown everything at it for 15 months but it stands.
Caen fell in 12wks in 1944 & history considers that a long time!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Pokrovsk is a very small town,close (30miles) to Donetsk which the Russians held since 2014.
They've thrown everything at it for 15 months but it stands.
Caen fell in 12wks in 1944 & history considers that a long time!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
The slow death of Pokrovsk
An 18-month battle, now in its endgame, has left the strategically important Ukrainian city in ruins
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Every report on Pokrovsk misses the context.
Pokrovsk is a very small town,close (30miles) to Donetsk which the Russians held since 2014.
They've thrown everything at it for 15 months but it stands.
Caen fell in 12wks in 1944 & history considers that a long time!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Pokrovsk is a very small town,close (30miles) to Donetsk which the Russians held since 2014.
They've thrown everything at it for 15 months but it stands.
Caen fell in 12wks in 1944 & history considers that a long time!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
Those who call for us to leave NATO.
Those who say we must decide between the EU or the US.
Those who say we should sever links with other countries like China.
He said "to consider Brexit a template for our future foreign policy is utterly reckless."
And I agree with him! Thank you SKS!
2/2
Those who say we must decide between the EU or the US.
Those who say we should sever links with other countries like China.
He said "to consider Brexit a template for our future foreign policy is utterly reckless."
And I agree with him! Thank you SKS!
2/2
PM speech at Lady Mayor's Banquet: 1 December 2025
Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a speech on foreign policy at the Lady Mayor's Banquet at the Guildhall, London.
www.gov.uk
December 2, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Those who call for us to leave NATO.
Those who say we must decide between the EU or the US.
Those who say we should sever links with other countries like China.
He said "to consider Brexit a template for our future foreign policy is utterly reckless."
And I agree with him! Thank you SKS!
2/2
Those who say we must decide between the EU or the US.
Those who say we should sever links with other countries like China.
He said "to consider Brexit a template for our future foreign policy is utterly reckless."
And I agree with him! Thank you SKS!
2/2
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
Yesterday the UK PM made a speech.
And he called out a lot of people for their divisive &isolationist views calling it "utterly reckless".
He included who pushed for & delivered Brexit.
Those who now call for us to leave the ECHR.
But he also included some of you reading this, & rightly so!
1/2
And he called out a lot of people for their divisive &isolationist views calling it "utterly reckless".
He included who pushed for & delivered Brexit.
Those who now call for us to leave the ECHR.
But he also included some of you reading this, & rightly so!
1/2
December 2, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Yesterday the UK PM made a speech.
And he called out a lot of people for their divisive &isolationist views calling it "utterly reckless".
He included who pushed for & delivered Brexit.
Those who now call for us to leave the ECHR.
But he also included some of you reading this, & rightly so!
1/2
And he called out a lot of people for their divisive &isolationist views calling it "utterly reckless".
He included who pushed for & delivered Brexit.
Those who now call for us to leave the ECHR.
But he also included some of you reading this, & rightly so!
1/2
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
If you're choosing between a free bus service and a good bus service (frequent, convenient, safe, fast, reliable, clean, comfortable), "good" is always the right choice.
December 2, 2025 at 1:22 PM
If you're choosing between a free bus service and a good bus service (frequent, convenient, safe, fast, reliable, clean, comfortable), "good" is always the right choice.
Actually, this isn't true.
The fight against superbugs starts at Sewage Treatment plants, harvesting & extracting Bacteriophages that adapt to harmful bacteria as they, in turn, become resistant to antibiotics.
Bacteriophages are benign virusses that destroy specific bacteria & adapt in real time
The fight against superbugs starts at Sewage Treatment plants, harvesting & extracting Bacteriophages that adapt to harmful bacteria as they, in turn, become resistant to antibiotics.
Bacteriophages are benign virusses that destroy specific bacteria & adapt in real time
Life Invisible: the fight against superbugs starts in the driest place on Earth
Life Invisible: the fight against superbugs starts in the driest place on Earth
Cristina Dorador is on an urgent mission in the world’s highest desert, the Atacama in Chile. As the rise of drug-resistant superbugs kills millions per year, Cristina has made it her mission to uncover new, life-saving antibiotics in the stunning salt flats she has studied since she was 14. Against the magnificent backdrop of endless plains, microscopic discoveries lead her team of scientists to question how critically lithium mining is damaging the delicate ecosystem and impacting Indigenous communities
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Actually, this isn't true.
The fight against superbugs starts at Sewage Treatment plants, harvesting & extracting Bacteriophages that adapt to harmful bacteria as they, in turn, become resistant to antibiotics.
Bacteriophages are benign virusses that destroy specific bacteria & adapt in real time
The fight against superbugs starts at Sewage Treatment plants, harvesting & extracting Bacteriophages that adapt to harmful bacteria as they, in turn, become resistant to antibiotics.
Bacteriophages are benign virusses that destroy specific bacteria & adapt in real time
The only problem with this is the poster claim at the start of the video that it was ever "green energy".
It was a "Blue Hydrogen" plant, making hydrogen from natural gas. That's not Green.
Green hydrogen is made using renewable energy to split hydrogen from water.
This closure is good news.
It was a "Blue Hydrogen" plant, making hydrogen from natural gas. That's not Green.
Green hydrogen is made using renewable energy to split hydrogen from water.
This closure is good news.
This is good news. Blue Hydrogen only makes sense if you’re an oil company looking for life after fossil fuels - we don’t need to make Hydrogen from fossil gas, we can make it from water.
buff.ly/pIng8c9
buff.ly/pIng8c9
December 2, 2025 at 2:51 PM
The only problem with this is the poster claim at the start of the video that it was ever "green energy".
It was a "Blue Hydrogen" plant, making hydrogen from natural gas. That's not Green.
Green hydrogen is made using renewable energy to split hydrogen from water.
This closure is good news.
It was a "Blue Hydrogen" plant, making hydrogen from natural gas. That's not Green.
Green hydrogen is made using renewable energy to split hydrogen from water.
This closure is good news.
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
5.2m extra appointments.
250 new health hubs on the way.
Should I go on?
And there is significant extra funding across the NHS - it's now increasing at 3% each year in real-terms (after inflation accounted for).
With the extra for the medication & treatments just being a small part of that.
2/2
250 new health hubs on the way.
Should I go on?
And there is significant extra funding across the NHS - it's now increasing at 3% each year in real-terms (after inflation accounted for).
With the extra for the medication & treatments just being a small part of that.
2/2
December 2, 2025 at 2:36 PM
5.2m extra appointments.
250 new health hubs on the way.
Should I go on?
And there is significant extra funding across the NHS - it's now increasing at 3% each year in real-terms (after inflation accounted for).
With the extra for the medication & treatments just being a small part of that.
2/2
250 new health hubs on the way.
Should I go on?
And there is significant extra funding across the NHS - it's now increasing at 3% each year in real-terms (after inflation accounted for).
With the extra for the medication & treatments just being a small part of that.
2/2
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
No one is saying there aren't things still to improve, but on countless measures things are starting to improve.
Waiting lists down to their lowest for 2 years.
Ambulance wait times down 10 minutes.
2500 more GPs.
Patient satisfaction with GP services is up.
1/2
Waiting lists down to their lowest for 2 years.
Ambulance wait times down 10 minutes.
2500 more GPs.
Patient satisfaction with GP services is up.
1/2
December 2, 2025 at 2:36 PM
No one is saying there aren't things still to improve, but on countless measures things are starting to improve.
Waiting lists down to their lowest for 2 years.
Ambulance wait times down 10 minutes.
2500 more GPs.
Patient satisfaction with GP services is up.
1/2
Waiting lists down to their lowest for 2 years.
Ambulance wait times down 10 minutes.
2500 more GPs.
Patient satisfaction with GP services is up.
1/2
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
3% of trial cases currently go to before a jury and 75% expected to still do so.
The Crown Court was established in 1971 - replacing a patchwork of part-time courts - not an ancient institution as Tories seem to claim.
8/8
The Crown Court was established in 1971 - replacing a patchwork of part-time courts - not an ancient institution as Tories seem to claim.
8/8
December 2, 2025 at 1:31 PM
3% of trial cases currently go to before a jury and 75% expected to still do so.
The Crown Court was established in 1971 - replacing a patchwork of part-time courts - not an ancient institution as Tories seem to claim.
8/8
The Crown Court was established in 1971 - replacing a patchwork of part-time courts - not an ancient institution as Tories seem to claim.
8/8
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
Magistrate court sentencing powers increased to 18 months, with option to increase to 2 yrs if necessary.
--
Some misconceptions cleared up:
Magistrates have always done the majority of work.
Currently they hear 90% of all cases.
7/8
--
Some misconceptions cleared up:
Magistrates have always done the majority of work.
Currently they hear 90% of all cases.
7/8
December 2, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Magistrate court sentencing powers increased to 18 months, with option to increase to 2 yrs if necessary.
--
Some misconceptions cleared up:
Magistrates have always done the majority of work.
Currently they hear 90% of all cases.
7/8
--
Some misconceptions cleared up:
Magistrates have always done the majority of work.
Currently they hear 90% of all cases.
7/8
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
Right to request trial by jury is a peculiarity in the UK, not found widely in other common-law jurisdictions.
So the system will decide where cases are heard, rather than defendants gaming the system and hoping delays make victims give up.
6/8
So the system will decide where cases are heard, rather than defendants gaming the system and hoping delays make victims give up.
6/8
December 2, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Right to request trial by jury is a peculiarity in the UK, not found widely in other common-law jurisdictions.
So the system will decide where cases are heard, rather than defendants gaming the system and hoping delays make victims give up.
6/8
So the system will decide where cases are heard, rather than defendants gaming the system and hoping delays make victims give up.
6/8
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
Projected to reach 100k cases by 2028 without fundamental changes, denying justice to more victims.
New swift courts within the Crown Court, with a judge alone deciding on cases with expected sentence of 3 years or less.
20% faster than jury trials, with reasoning given in open court.
--
5/8
New swift courts within the Crown Court, with a judge alone deciding on cases with expected sentence of 3 years or less.
20% faster than jury trials, with reasoning given in open court.
--
5/8
December 2, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Projected to reach 100k cases by 2028 without fundamental changes, denying justice to more victims.
New swift courts within the Crown Court, with a judge alone deciding on cases with expected sentence of 3 years or less.
20% faster than jury trials, with reasoning given in open court.
--
5/8
New swift courts within the Crown Court, with a judge alone deciding on cases with expected sentence of 3 years or less.
20% faster than jury trials, with reasoning given in open court.
--
5/8
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
Match funding for new pupillages in the criminal area, to open up these careers to more young people.
More negotiations on sitting days with the senior judiciary.
Aims for sitting days in Crown and Magistrate courts continue to rise.
--
4/8
More negotiations on sitting days with the senior judiciary.
Aims for sitting days in Crown and Magistrate courts continue to rise.
--
4/8
December 2, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Match funding for new pupillages in the criminal area, to open up these careers to more young people.
More negotiations on sitting days with the senior judiciary.
Aims for sitting days in Crown and Magistrate courts continue to rise.
--
4/8
More negotiations on sitting days with the senior judiciary.
Aims for sitting days in Crown and Magistrate courts continue to rise.
--
4/8
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
Backlog of 78k cases
11k cases dropped in a year, after a charge, after victims felt unable to continue supporting the case.
--
£150m investment for court buildings
£92m for legal aid
5000 more sitting days in Crown court
--
New announcements:
£34m for criminal legal aid advocates
3/8
11k cases dropped in a year, after a charge, after victims felt unable to continue supporting the case.
--
£150m investment for court buildings
£92m for legal aid
5000 more sitting days in Crown court
--
New announcements:
£34m for criminal legal aid advocates
3/8
December 2, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Backlog of 78k cases
11k cases dropped in a year, after a charge, after victims felt unable to continue supporting the case.
--
£150m investment for court buildings
£92m for legal aid
5000 more sitting days in Crown court
--
New announcements:
£34m for criminal legal aid advocates
3/8
11k cases dropped in a year, after a charge, after victims felt unable to continue supporting the case.
--
£150m investment for court buildings
£92m for legal aid
5000 more sitting days in Crown court
--
New announcements:
£34m for criminal legal aid advocates
3/8
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
The second covers what changes are being made.
I will include key info in subsequent posts, finishing with a few facts to clear up misconceptions which David Lammy shared later in his speech (but which are not in the clips).
All decisions fit with recommendations from the independent inquiry.
2/8
I will include key info in subsequent posts, finishing with a few facts to clear up misconceptions which David Lammy shared later in his speech (but which are not in the clips).
All decisions fit with recommendations from the independent inquiry.
2/8
December 2, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The second covers what changes are being made.
I will include key info in subsequent posts, finishing with a few facts to clear up misconceptions which David Lammy shared later in his speech (but which are not in the clips).
All decisions fit with recommendations from the independent inquiry.
2/8
I will include key info in subsequent posts, finishing with a few facts to clear up misconceptions which David Lammy shared later in his speech (but which are not in the clips).
All decisions fit with recommendations from the independent inquiry.
2/8
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
The Justice Secretary (and Deputy PM) has given a statement in Parliament on 'Criminal Court Reform'.
The first video clip sees him set out the background and action already taken.
1/8
The first video clip sees him set out the background and action already taken.
1/8
December 2, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The Justice Secretary (and Deputy PM) has given a statement in Parliament on 'Criminal Court Reform'.
The first video clip sees him set out the background and action already taken.
1/8
The first video clip sees him set out the background and action already taken.
1/8
There has been an uproar over this - & petitions raised against it - but almost total absence of outrage about the problem caused by Tory cuts it will help to solve...
It can't be considered "justice" to let criminals awaiting trial for offences like burglary, theft, sexual abuse walk free for 5yrs
It can't be considered "justice" to let criminals awaiting trial for offences like burglary, theft, sexual abuse walk free for 5yrs
The Justice Secretary (and Deputy PM) has given a statement in Parliament on 'Criminal Court Reform'.
The first video clip sees him set out the background and action already taken.
1/8
The first video clip sees him set out the background and action already taken.
1/8
December 2, 2025 at 2:20 PM
There has been an uproar over this - & petitions raised against it - but almost total absence of outrage about the problem caused by Tory cuts it will help to solve...
It can't be considered "justice" to let criminals awaiting trial for offences like burglary, theft, sexual abuse walk free for 5yrs
It can't be considered "justice" to let criminals awaiting trial for offences like burglary, theft, sexual abuse walk free for 5yrs
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
Why is British politics so lousy with people who have no interest in solving problems?
Look how visibly excited Robert Jenrick is by his brilliance as a statesman; how high on his own supply.
It is astonishing that this bitter, angry, talentless bingo-caller is considered a serious prospect in a major party. If he or Badenoch are the best they can do, what does it say about the rest?
It is astonishing that this bitter, angry, talentless bingo-caller is considered a serious prospect in a major party. If he or Badenoch are the best they can do, what does it say about the rest?
December 2, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Why is British politics so lousy with people who have no interest in solving problems?
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
And about half of the extra cost is from these changes will see the approval of new and innovative treatments for the first time in the UK.
Which surely is a good thing to be spending money on, since it improves quality of life, extends life or even cures people who undergo the treatments.
5/5
Which surely is a good thing to be spending money on, since it improves quality of life, extends life or even cures people who undergo the treatments.
5/5
December 1, 2025 at 7:18 PM
And about half of the extra cost is from these changes will see the approval of new and innovative treatments for the first time in the UK.
Which surely is a good thing to be spending money on, since it improves quality of life, extends life or even cures people who undergo the treatments.
5/5
Which surely is a good thing to be spending money on, since it improves quality of life, extends life or even cures people who undergo the treatments.
5/5
Reposted by Bryan Smith #RejoinEU
The reduction of the rebate will effectively make medicines cost about 13% more.
Adding in the extra spend from point 2), the amount the NHS/UK spends on medicines is expected to increase by about 25%.
But this was foreseen & included in the Spending Review, so fully built in to the Budget.
4/4
Adding in the extra spend from point 2), the amount the NHS/UK spends on medicines is expected to increase by about 25%.
But this was foreseen & included in the Spending Review, so fully built in to the Budget.
4/4
December 1, 2025 at 7:13 PM
The reduction of the rebate will effectively make medicines cost about 13% more.
Adding in the extra spend from point 2), the amount the NHS/UK spends on medicines is expected to increase by about 25%.
But this was foreseen & included in the Spending Review, so fully built in to the Budget.
4/4
Adding in the extra spend from point 2), the amount the NHS/UK spends on medicines is expected to increase by about 25%.
But this was foreseen & included in the Spending Review, so fully built in to the Budget.
4/4