Ian Ridley 🔶
@iankridley.bsky.social
Data Manager; PhD in Climate Physics; Lib Dem. Local cllr stuff @ianridleyld.bsky.social . Runs on about cricket, astronomy, politics & Babylon 5
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
"Brexit was a self inflicted shock, and not just a small shock."
"It's as if they decided to throw the three bar electric fire into the bath whilst it was plugged in and they were sitting in it"
"A 4% drop in productivity, 15% drop in trade, £100 billion hit to our GDP."
"It's as if they decided to throw the three bar electric fire into the bath whilst it was plugged in and they were sitting in it"
"A 4% drop in productivity, 15% drop in trade, £100 billion hit to our GDP."
December 13, 2025 at 9:09 AM
"Brexit was a self inflicted shock, and not just a small shock."
"It's as if they decided to throw the three bar electric fire into the bath whilst it was plugged in and they were sitting in it"
"A 4% drop in productivity, 15% drop in trade, £100 billion hit to our GDP."
"It's as if they decided to throw the three bar electric fire into the bath whilst it was plugged in and they were sitting in it"
"A 4% drop in productivity, 15% drop in trade, £100 billion hit to our GDP."
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
The fact is no presenter has ever had to leave the BBC for expressing conservative views, or even explicitly endorsing a right-wing party.
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Robin Ince reveals to last night’s audience at a recording of Infinite Monkey Cage that the BBC has forced him to resign over his support of trans people
December 13, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The fact is no presenter has ever had to leave the BBC for expressing conservative views, or even explicitly endorsing a right-wing party.
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
December 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
👏 "It’s only when organisations pop up and advocate for the young that you realise how rare that now is."
"This morning the cross-party UK Trade and Business Commission produced a report recommending terms for a time-limited youth experience scheme."
https://bit.ly/494Vn1e
"This morning the cross-party UK Trade and Business Commission produced a report recommending terms for a time-limited youth experience scheme."
https://bit.ly/494Vn1e
An EU-UK mobility scheme work won’t erase the ‘violent indifference’ against young people. But it’s a start | Zoe Williams
We need people from Europe to move to the UK – but also a way to give Brits the opportunity to build the futures they crave, says Guardian columnist Zoe Williams
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:36 PM
👏 "It’s only when organisations pop up and advocate for the young that you realise how rare that now is."
"This morning the cross-party UK Trade and Business Commission produced a report recommending terms for a time-limited youth experience scheme."
https://bit.ly/494Vn1e
"This morning the cross-party UK Trade and Business Commission produced a report recommending terms for a time-limited youth experience scheme."
https://bit.ly/494Vn1e
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
Nazis always obsess over fonts.
In Germany, the Nazi Party initially pushed Fraktur and declared Futura 'un-Germanic', with designer Paul Renner going into exile.
Just before the war they flipped, adopting Futura for its modern feel and declaring heavy types like Fraktur as suspiciously Jewish.
In Germany, the Nazi Party initially pushed Fraktur and declared Futura 'un-Germanic', with designer Paul Renner going into exile.
Just before the war they flipped, adopting Futura for its modern feel and declaring heavy types like Fraktur as suspiciously Jewish.
Marco Rubio ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor's decision to adopt Calibri a “wasteful” diversity move
Rubio Stages Font Coup: Times New Roman Ousts Calibri
The secretary of state called it a "wasteful" diversity move, according to an internal department cable seen by Reuters.
www.huffpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Nazis always obsess over fonts.
In Germany, the Nazi Party initially pushed Fraktur and declared Futura 'un-Germanic', with designer Paul Renner going into exile.
Just before the war they flipped, adopting Futura for its modern feel and declaring heavy types like Fraktur as suspiciously Jewish.
In Germany, the Nazi Party initially pushed Fraktur and declared Futura 'un-Germanic', with designer Paul Renner going into exile.
Just before the war they flipped, adopting Futura for its modern feel and declaring heavy types like Fraktur as suspiciously Jewish.
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
The letter says: 'In accordance with hundreds of years of proud global leadership Britain must remain steadfast in upholding and championing our shared right to live a life free from torture, without exception.' #HumanRightsDay www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
Stephen Fry and Joanna Lumley among celebrities urging UK not to weaken torture protections
Public figures sign letter saying plan to reinterpret ECHR for asylum seekers is ‘affront to us all’ and a threat to security
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The letter says: 'In accordance with hundreds of years of proud global leadership Britain must remain steadfast in upholding and championing our shared right to live a life free from torture, without exception.' #HumanRightsDay www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
The thing I still can't forgive Corbyn for is the generational harm he caused by enabling Brexit. When Starmer is gone, hopefully soon, I will feel the same way about the profound harm he has caused by making it palatable for the Far Right to ditch human rights norms. It will be his shameful legacy.
Starmer urges Europe’s leaders to curb ECHR to halt rise of far right
Exclusive: PM calls for members of European convention on human rights to allow tougher action to protect borders
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:43 AM
The thing I still can't forgive Corbyn for is the generational harm he caused by enabling Brexit. When Starmer is gone, hopefully soon, I will feel the same way about the profound harm he has caused by making it palatable for the Far Right to ditch human rights norms. It will be his shameful legacy.
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
Reminder: The European Convention on Human Rights protects the rights and freedoms of everyone in the UK.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2g03gv2z6o
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2g03gv2z6o
European nations to begin major talks on ECHR migration rule changes
The talks are the most significant sign yet that international human rights law could be reinterpreted.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 10, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Reminder: The European Convention on Human Rights protects the rights and freedoms of everyone in the UK.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2g03gv2z6o
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2g03gv2z6o
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
@libdemdaisy.bsky.social: "As a British society, we should be proud that we are diverse, we are tolerant."
December 7, 2025 at 9:00 AM
@libdemdaisy.bsky.social: "As a British society, we should be proud that we are diverse, we are tolerant."
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
Questions over Reform’s donations as electoral watchdog urged to investigate crypto links
Questions over Reform’s donations as watchdog urged to investigate crypto links
Exclusive: Labour and the Lib Dems have called for a probe amid concerns over donations to Reform UK
buff.ly
December 8, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Questions over Reform’s donations as electoral watchdog urged to investigate crypto links
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
December 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
Another Reform councillor goes - this time a council leader! buff.ly/wK576Pi
Full list here - buff.ly/0Ewfhg8
Full list here - buff.ly/0Ewfhg8
Reform UK revokes membership of council leader accused of racism
Party removes Ian Cooper after he was alleged to have abused Sadiq Khan, David Lammy and other figures online
buff.ly
December 6, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Another Reform councillor goes - this time a council leader! buff.ly/wK576Pi
Full list here - buff.ly/0Ewfhg8
Full list here - buff.ly/0Ewfhg8
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
2018, Russia: "Fuck this, I'm not watching a World Cup in a fascist country. I'll just wait four years."
2022, Qatar: "Fuck this, I'm not watching a World Cup in a fascist country. I guess I'll wait another four years..."
2026: So I guess the joke is on me.
2022, Qatar: "Fuck this, I'm not watching a World Cup in a fascist country. I guess I'll wait another four years..."
2026: So I guess the joke is on me.
December 5, 2025 at 6:39 PM
2018, Russia: "Fuck this, I'm not watching a World Cup in a fascist country. I'll just wait four years."
2022, Qatar: "Fuck this, I'm not watching a World Cup in a fascist country. I guess I'll wait another four years..."
2026: So I guess the joke is on me.
2022, Qatar: "Fuck this, I'm not watching a World Cup in a fascist country. I guess I'll wait another four years..."
2026: So I guess the joke is on me.
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
There are Reform voters who are enthusiastic about mass deportations but will recoil if you say the P-word. That seems bad and inconsistent but it does explain why this story is so damaging to someone so adept (as an adult politician) at maintaining the veil
December 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
There are Reform voters who are enthusiastic about mass deportations but will recoil if you say the P-word. That seems bad and inconsistent but it does explain why this story is so damaging to someone so adept (as an adult politician) at maintaining the veil
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
Farage’s past racism: new witnesses come forward
Reform deputy leader dismisses claims of Farage’s past racism as new witnesses come forward
Richard Tice says testimony by about two dozen people about party leader’s school days is ‘made-up twaddle’
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Farage’s past racism: new witnesses come forward
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
“In 2017 there was not a single asylum seeker who arrived on a boat. Today we have 46,000 a year and do you know why? It was because of the botched Brexit deal pushed through by Boris Johnson and championed by Nigel Farage. Nigel Farage should be here apologising”
Daisy Cooper
Daisy Cooper
December 5, 2025 at 8:26 AM
“In 2017 there was not a single asylum seeker who arrived on a boat. Today we have 46,000 a year and do you know why? It was because of the botched Brexit deal pushed through by Boris Johnson and championed by Nigel Farage. Nigel Farage should be here apologising”
Daisy Cooper
Daisy Cooper
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
Holocaust survivors call on Nigel Farage to apologise over alleged antisemitic comments
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Holocaust survivors call on Nigel Farage to apologise over alleged antisemitic comments
Exclusive: Group’s open letter says Reform UK leader must take responsibility for behaviour as a schoolboy
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Holocaust survivors call on Nigel Farage to apologise over alleged antisemitic comments
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
Nigel Farage urged to sack Reform council leader accused of racism
Nigel Farage urged to sack Reform council leader accused of racism
Party is investigating Ian Cooper as Labour MPs call for him to resign as leader of Staffordshire county council
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Nigel Farage urged to sack Reform council leader accused of racism
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
“I am a racist, but.”
December 5, 2025 at 6:56 AM
“I am a racist, but.”
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
Yeah, we all believe you…
Farage insists Thai-based crypto billionaire wants nothing in return for £9m donation to Reform UK
Farage insists Thai-based crypto billionaire wants nothing in return for £9m donation to Reform UK
Farage denies crypto billionaire wants anything in return for £9m donation to Reform
The Reform UK leader promoted the cryptocurrency company which Christopher Harborne holds shares in – one month after receiving a record donation for the party
www.independent.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Yeah, we all believe you…
Farage insists Thai-based crypto billionaire wants nothing in return for £9m donation to Reform UK
Farage insists Thai-based crypto billionaire wants nothing in return for £9m donation to Reform UK
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
Dubai immigrant, Isabel Oakeshott, whines that Farage got nothing from his deal with the Tories last time, so why should he do that again.
Christ. The whining victimhood of these spoiled brats. Squabbling over power, while the rest of us live with the mess they’ve made of our country and our lives.
Christ. The whining victimhood of these spoiled brats. Squabbling over power, while the rest of us live with the mess they’ve made of our country and our lives.
December 5, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Dubai immigrant, Isabel Oakeshott, whines that Farage got nothing from his deal with the Tories last time, so why should he do that again.
Christ. The whining victimhood of these spoiled brats. Squabbling over power, while the rest of us live with the mess they’ve made of our country and our lives.
Christ. The whining victimhood of these spoiled brats. Squabbling over power, while the rest of us live with the mess they’ve made of our country and our lives.
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands to boycott Eurovision 2026 as Israel cleared to compete
Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands to boycott Eurovision 2026 as Israel cleared to compete
Decision not to hold vote on Israel’s participation comes in spite of several broadcasters calling for its exclusion
Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands will boycott next year’s Eurovision after Israel was given the all-clear to compete in next year’s song contest in spite of several participating broadcasters calling for its exclusion.
At the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union, the body that organises the hugely popular international annual singing competition, no vote on Israel’s participation was held. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands to boycott Eurovision 2026 as Israel cleared to compete
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
Short-fused racist has tantrum at BBC for asking him about being a racist bully at school. Then tries to claim that Reform was given £9M by crypto billionaire, Harborne, for “absolutely nothing in return”.
That’s all that sorted then.
Racist *and* corrupt.
news.sky.com/story/politi...
That’s all that sorted then.
Racist *and* corrupt.
news.sky.com/story/politi...
December 4, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Short-fused racist has tantrum at BBC for asking him about being a racist bully at school. Then tries to claim that Reform was given £9M by crypto billionaire, Harborne, for “absolutely nothing in return”.
That’s all that sorted then.
Racist *and* corrupt.
news.sky.com/story/politi...
That’s all that sorted then.
Racist *and* corrupt.
news.sky.com/story/politi...
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
Under the surface things are not good for Reform. One big donation from a crypto baron who - astonishingly - backed crypto allegedly used by Russia to fund its invasion of Ukraine.
🔴 NEW - Farage rescued (for now) by mega donor
Reform is in a worse financial position than it appears...
Reform is in a worse financial position than it appears...
Farage rescued (for now) by mega donor
Reform lands £9 million from one man...
writesbright.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Under the surface things are not good for Reform. One big donation from a crypto baron who - astonishingly - backed crypto allegedly used by Russia to fund its invasion of Ukraine.
Reposted by Ian Ridley 🔶
Because, you see, buying influence is only a worry if a Labour peer donates a couple of "freebie" outfits to close friends. When a man, whose business is literally DARK MONEY, single-handedly rescues a near-bankrupt far-right party, leading in the polls, he's doing it because he believes in Nige.
December 4, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Because, you see, buying influence is only a worry if a Labour peer donates a couple of "freebie" outfits to close friends. When a man, whose business is literally DARK MONEY, single-handedly rescues a near-bankrupt far-right party, leading in the polls, he's doing it because he believes in Nige.