David Frier
@dgfrier.bsky.social
Retired academic in Portuguese Studies. Lives in Portugal. From Scotland. Enjoys talking about books, football, music and politics. Some would say disturbingly Leftie. Will post a photo in due course.
Ah, delightful: the latest from the White House....
“We don’t deserve the trust of the nation if we’re unclear about the divisiveness of swastikas,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to a fear of reprisal.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Ah, delightful: the latest from the White House....
Strong language, but this is very powerful...
Sussan Ley: New arrivals should have "Australian values"
Liberal and National party "Australian values" detailed for you by The Juice Media in 2021. 👇🏻
🚨 Content warning: references to sexual assault. #auspol
youtu.be/AqNdKtahx58
Liberal and National party "Australian values" detailed for you by The Juice Media in 2021. 👇🏻
🚨 Content warning: references to sexual assault. #auspol
youtu.be/AqNdKtahx58
Honest Government Ad | Australien Values
YouTube video by thejuicemedia
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Strong language, but this is very powerful...
Indeed: what Cathal Malone says.
November 18, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Indeed: what Cathal Malone says.
Please consider signing and sharing this petition about the proposed cancellation of programmes in Modern Languages at the University of Nottingham. Thank you! www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
Sign the Petition
Stop the removal of Modern Languages courses at the University of Nottingham!
www.change.org
November 15, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Please consider signing and sharing this petition about the proposed cancellation of programmes in Modern Languages at the University of Nottingham. Thank you! www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
Very good here from Richard Haviland on pragma tism vs. morality in political decision making. bylines.scot/politics/sta...
Starmer’s moral cowardice on refugees
The Labour leadership is tacitly accepting, and reflecting, Farage’s perverted notion of patriotism
bylines.scot
November 10, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Very good here from Richard Haviland on pragma tism vs. morality in political decision making. bylines.scot/politics/sta...
Well worth reading here from Richard Haviland.
‘If slavery were invented today, would (Labour ministers) call it ‘impractical’?
If torture were invented today, would they call it ‘ineffective’?
If child labour were invented today, would they call it ‘poor value for money’?’
My piece for @bylines.scot
bylines.scot/politics/sta...
If torture were invented today, would they call it ‘ineffective’?
If child labour were invented today, would they call it ‘poor value for money’?’
My piece for @bylines.scot
bylines.scot/politics/sta...
Starmer’s moral cowardice on refugees
The Labour leadership is tacitly accepting, and reflecting, Farage’s perverted notion of patriotism
bylines.scot
November 10, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Well worth reading here from Richard Haviland.
An important read here... sussexbylines.co.uk/politics/hum...
When power is untouchable: the legal abyss facing Harrods survivors
Survivors of abuse connected to Mohamed Al Fayed’s Harrods empire are discovering what “no one is above the law” really means
sussexbylines.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
An important read here... sussexbylines.co.uk/politics/hum...
An important read here...
November 10, 2025 at 9:26 AM
An important read here...
Reposted by David Frier
The German company that makes the mechanical ladder used in the Louvre heist has used the image to advertise, with the text 'When you need to move fast'
10/10 response, no notes
10/10 response, no notes
October 24, 2025 at 8:27 AM
The German company that makes the mechanical ladder used in the Louvre heist has used the image to advertise, with the text 'When you need to move fast'
10/10 response, no notes
10/10 response, no notes
And how are they meant to reach that standard? Of course it can be done without being in an English-speaking country, but the facilities are not always there in all places to reach that level (and just saying 'A Level' sounds good, but what does it actually mean in practice?).
In that case, every politician, border agent and police officer should be required to pass the same.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Migrants will need A-level standard English to work in UK
The tougher rules will come in force in January as part of wider plans to cut immigration.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 8:13 PM
And how are they meant to reach that standard? Of course it can be done without being in an English-speaking country, but the facilities are not always there in all places to reach that level (and just saying 'A Level' sounds good, but what does it actually mean in practice?).
And stories like this are why complacent gits like Starmer can get knotted over their 'it is disrespectful to talk about Gaza today' rhetoric. October 7th 2023 was a massive attack on human rights. What has happened since October 7th 2023 has been an even bigger attack on human rights. Mark both.
Sakher has written for us at @bylinesnetwork.co.uk - it's so important to get the personal stories of those in Gaza, in their own voice, out there.
You can read it here --> northeastbylines.co.uk/news/world-n...
And please support him too.
You can read it here --> northeastbylines.co.uk/news/world-n...
And please support him too.
October 7, 2025 at 1:02 PM
And stories like this are why complacent gits like Starmer can get knotted over their 'it is disrespectful to talk about Gaza today' rhetoric. October 7th 2023 was a massive attack on human rights. What has happened since October 7th 2023 has been an even bigger attack on human rights. Mark both.
Yupp, what Cathal Malone says here...
Starmer is really going out & saying (with his mouth!) "if you successfully get out of Afghanistan or North Korea and make it to the UK, and I grant you asylum because you're genuinely at risk of being tortured to death, I still think your wife and kids should be left rot at home."
Cool.
Cool.
There is no such thing, as Starmer well knows, as a "golden ticket of resettlement and family reunion" for people who have been granted refugee status. This is meaningless guff aimed to play to populist fantasies that refugees get provided with everything. 1/
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
October 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Yupp, what Cathal Malone says here...
Is this for real? The Security people let her get that far into her speech before taking action? Somehow, I suspect the actual security guys weren't unsympathetic to the message...
MY GOD, I HAVE A NEW HERO. SHE HAD THEM SO HOOKED AND THEN BAM, SHE ATE THEM, BONES AND ALL.
September 18, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Is this for real? The Security people let her get that far into her speech before taking action? Somehow, I suspect the actual security guys weren't unsympathetic to the message...
Worth reading from Karen Attiah if you want to see what is really meant in practice by the punishment of those who 'mocked' the death of Charlie Kirk. It appears that the meaning of 'mocking' has been changed to simply not being prepared to bow down in adulation of the dead.
Some personal news:
I've been fired from the Washington Post in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting.
Thread incoming.
substack.com/@karenattiah...
I've been fired from the Washington Post in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting.
Thread incoming.
substack.com/@karenattiah...
The Washington Post Fired Me — But My Voice Will Not Be Silenced.
I spoke out against hatred and violence in America — and it cost me my job.
substack.com
September 15, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Worth reading from Karen Attiah if you want to see what is really meant in practice by the punishment of those who 'mocked' the death of Charlie Kirk. It appears that the meaning of 'mocking' has been changed to simply not being prepared to bow down in adulation of the dead.
Reform UK the next government? Read on about their attempts to run a county council...
Reform UK’s shambolic rule in Leicestershire
When I was asked to write a piece for Conservative Home about how councils run by Reform UK are getting on, my first thought was, where do I start?
conservativehome.com/2025/09/15/d...
When I was asked to write a piece for Conservative Home about how councils run by Reform UK are getting on, my first thought was, where do I start?
conservativehome.com/2025/09/15/d...
Deborah Taylor: Reform UK's shambolic rule in Leicestershire | Conservative Home
Four months in, there are splits in the Reform UK group, arguments, and sackings. As the Conservative Opposition Leader, I have run out of adjectives to describe Reform’s leadership.
conservativehome.com
September 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Reform UK the next government? Read on about their attempts to run a county council...
So we might as well not have bothered having a General Election in the UK last year at all then, is that it? On the continuity in the pulling of the real levers of power in the UK, whether the government is Tory or Labour (and don't even think for a second that Reform would evict these guys...).
Astonishingly, I've discovered, the Tufton Street junktanks that shaped Liz Truss's agenda are still operating at the heart of government. Remind me what we voted for again ...
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Warning! The rightwing junktanks behind the Tories’ worst disasters still have the keys to No 10 | George Monbiot
Who is running the government’s ‘growth school’ for civil servants? The answer surpassed my worst fears, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:16 PM
So we might as well not have bothered having a General Election in the UK last year at all then, is that it? On the continuity in the pulling of the real levers of power in the UK, whether the government is Tory or Labour (and don't even think for a second that Reform would evict these guys...).
Well worth reading if you want to understand what currently passes for political debate in the UK. Yesterday, Nigel Farage embraced Lucy Connolly on stage at the Reform UK party conference. That should tell you a lot.
Lucy Connolly was convicted of inciting racial hatred, and her tweet was part of the tinder that lit violence, intimidation, looting, and thuggery across England last year.
The fact Reform conference gave her a standing ovation says everything about that movement.
bylinetimes.com/2025/08/27/l...
The fact Reform conference gave her a standing ovation says everything about that movement.
bylinetimes.com/2025/08/27/l...
The Martyrdom of Saint Lucy
The right is desperately seeking to make a martyr out of Lucy Connolly in order to distract from the real victims of the hate she helped to spread, argues Otto English
bylinetimes.com
September 7, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Well worth reading if you want to understand what currently passes for political debate in the UK. Yesterday, Nigel Farage embraced Lucy Connolly on stage at the Reform UK party conference. That should tell you a lot.
Once again, King Nigel is regarded as the only show in town in British media circles. No wonder we are facing up the potential nightmare of a Reform UK government.
Broadcasters go first to Farage for a response to Rayner Resignation. Badenoch, Davey, Flynn, even Polanski? Come on @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social @itvnews.bsky.social @skynewsrss.bsky.social he’s NOT defacto leader of opposition however much you will it on. Start reflecting the parliament we elected
September 5, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Once again, King Nigel is regarded as the only show in town in British media circles. No wonder we are facing up the potential nightmare of a Reform UK government.
Indeed... what he says.
Question to Zach Polanski at the leadership announcement:
"Q: How can you take on Nigel Farage when your policy on immigration is so different?"
Everything wrong with British politics and media summed up so succinctly in a single absolutely unhinged question.
"Q: How can you take on Nigel Farage when your policy on immigration is so different?"
Everything wrong with British politics and media summed up so succinctly in a single absolutely unhinged question.
September 2, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Indeed... what he says.
Well worth clicking the link to read the full article here.
Labour's cowardice in the face of extremism iandunt.substack.com/p/labours-co...
August 30, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Well worth clicking the link to read the full article here.
Reposted by David Frier
NEW
Yes, an incoming illiberal and radical UK government would have absolute constitutional power
By me
Substack:
emptycity.substack.com/p/yes-an-inc...
Personal blog:
davidallengreen.com/2025/08/yes-...
Yes, an incoming illiberal and radical UK government would have absolute constitutional power
By me
Substack:
emptycity.substack.com/p/yes-an-inc...
Personal blog:
davidallengreen.com/2025/08/yes-...
Yes, an incoming illiberal and radical UK government would have absolute constitutional power
27th August 2025 Only good fortune has prevented previous governments from misusing our constitutional arrangements more than they did * The constitution of the United Kingdom provides for two R…
davidallengreen.com
August 27, 2025 at 9:46 AM
NEW
Yes, an incoming illiberal and radical UK government would have absolute constitutional power
By me
Substack:
emptycity.substack.com/p/yes-an-inc...
Personal blog:
davidallengreen.com/2025/08/yes-...
Yes, an incoming illiberal and radical UK government would have absolute constitutional power
By me
Substack:
emptycity.substack.com/p/yes-an-inc...
Personal blog:
davidallengreen.com/2025/08/yes-...
This text by Richard Haviland is now two years old, but it is as vital now as it was then. Our culture clearly has not listened to what he had to say about this (why listen to an intelligent and informed observer of the world with extensive experience of international politics rather than Farage?).
The BBC gives a sympathetic headline to a criminal who called for the murder of refugees.
Sky asks if we should threaten to drown them.
Much of the media do their best to incite riots.
It's two years since I wrote this for @westcountryvoices.bsky.social
westcountryvoices.com/it-could-nev...
Sky asks if we should threaten to drown them.
Much of the media do their best to incite riots.
It's two years since I wrote this for @westcountryvoices.bsky.social
westcountryvoices.com/it-could-nev...
'It could never happen here': the normalisation of the unthinkable
For many years, Alastair Stewart was an ever-present on ITV news. He always had a likeable demeanour, a pleasant voice, and a professionalism that made sure he never betrayed his political allegiances...
westcountryvoices.com
August 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM
This text by Richard Haviland is now two years old, but it is as vital now as it was then. Our culture clearly has not listened to what he had to say about this (why listen to an intelligent and informed observer of the world with extensive experience of international politics rather than Farage?).
Yet another nail in the coffin of freedom of speech and thought in the UK: 'Auntie' Beeb will now become paternalistic Beeb, deciding what it is appropriate that we might know rather than allowing us to find out. A seriously retrograde move.
This is not only a serious issue for historians and not only a serious issue for academics (although it is that). It's a development that's also deleterious for the GLAM sector, for example, and part of a much larger trend nationally and internationally to restrict and dismantle access to archives.
Historians dismayed by ‘scandal’ of BBC cutting access to...
Critics say new limit to trove of information sounds knell for independent research
observer.co.uk
August 24, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Yet another nail in the coffin of freedom of speech and thought in the UK: 'Auntie' Beeb will now become paternalistic Beeb, deciding what it is appropriate that we might know rather than allowing us to find out. A seriously retrograde move.
Well worth reading (and reposting) here... on how easy it is to become a racist.
"It’s become the respectable face of the same, tired old bigotry.
A linguistic get-out-of-jail-free card. Prejudice pretending to be civic duty, hoping no one notices the smell."
A linguistic get-out-of-jail-free card. Prejudice pretending to be civic duty, hoping no one notices the smell."
‘I’m not racist, just concerned’
From Epping to Facebook groups, how fear is being repackaged and pointed downwards and never up
eastangliabylines.co.uk
July 23, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Well worth reading (and reposting) here... on how easy it is to become a racist.
Vile, utterly vile. Predictable, but vile. Those who have become inhuman themselves are doing their best to strip others of their most basic humanity.
Brutality for brutality's sake - be in no doubt, the likes of Reform UK, & many of their supporters, would want to treat people like this
Brutality, humiliation, cruelty
US immigration detention avged 56,400 people a day mid-June, with almost 72% having no criminal history, according to the report
Brutality, humiliation, cruelty
US immigration detention avged 56,400 people a day mid-June, with almost 72% having no criminal history, according to the report
Migrants at Ice jail in Miami made to kneel to eat ‘like dogs’, report alleges
Incident in which migrants were shackled with hands tied one of succession of alleged abuses at jails in Florida
www.theguardian.com
July 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Vile, utterly vile. Predictable, but vile. Those who have become inhuman themselves are doing their best to strip others of their most basic humanity.