James Austin
@jamesdaustin.bsky.social
This again. Outdoors. Politics. Sport. Not always in that order. Labour. Trade Unionist. Trying to do community things. Views entirely my own
Simple: Because these aren't pragmatic.
Minister defends 'pragmatic' U-turn on workers' rights.
It was a manifesto pledge
Why no 'pragmatic' U-turn' on nationalising water, energy, rail rolling stock companies and freight; ending privatisation of the NHS and social care; taxing the super rich?
It was a manifesto pledge
Why no 'pragmatic' U-turn' on nationalising water, energy, rail rolling stock companies and freight; ending privatisation of the NHS and social care; taxing the super rich?
Minister defends 'pragmatic' U-turn on workers' rights
Bridget Phillipson told the BBC the climbdown would enable wider benefits to be delivered quickly.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Simple: Because these aren't pragmatic.
Reposted by James Austin
Again, I would advise people to go read the media from 50 years ago. Sure, there was absolutely an awkward stiffness that the death of deference got rid of and I prefer it but they talked to you like adults in a way that very few newspapers do today.
I don't think it's all of it by any measure but I do absolutely believe that the political media's raging anti-intellectual streak has got worse with time and has ended up influencing the way MPs talk, and what they choose to talk/think about
I don’t think this is a “politicians have got dumber” issue for the most part. If you look at the *actual CVs* of previous cohorts of MPs, their background is not radically different when you account for, you know, the fact the economy is different! It is primarily a media and ecosystem issue.
November 28, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Again, I would advise people to go read the media from 50 years ago. Sure, there was absolutely an awkward stiffness that the death of deference got rid of and I prefer it but they talked to you like adults in a way that very few newspapers do today.
I have a lot of thoughts here - but broadly agree with Stephen.
There isn't a lack of intellegent policy thinkers but there is very little reward for doing that thinking with the general public - and almost no tolerance from anyone for the sort of trade offs those thoughts require.
There isn't a lack of intellegent policy thinkers but there is very little reward for doing that thinking with the general public - and almost no tolerance from anyone for the sort of trade offs those thoughts require.
I don’t think this is a “politicians have got dumber” issue for the most part. If you look at the *actual CVs* of previous cohorts of MPs, their background is not radically different when you account for, you know, the fact the economy is different! It is primarily a media and ecosystem issue.
We have got to make politics intellectual again. It is the only way that societies thrive is when politicians have the capability to actually think and reflect deeply:
November 28, 2025 at 3:08 PM
I have a lot of thoughts here - but broadly agree with Stephen.
There isn't a lack of intellegent policy thinkers but there is very little reward for doing that thinking with the general public - and almost no tolerance from anyone for the sort of trade offs those thoughts require.
There isn't a lack of intellegent policy thinkers but there is very little reward for doing that thinking with the general public - and almost no tolerance from anyone for the sort of trade offs those thoughts require.
Reposted by James Austin
Maybe she thinks it was a public-pilate partnership.
November 28, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Maybe she thinks it was a public-pilate partnership.
Reposted by James Austin
A joke that made me go "fuck off" both because of how awful it is and how much I wish I'd thought of it.
Maybe she thinks it was a public-pilate partnership.
November 28, 2025 at 11:39 AM
A joke that made me go "fuck off" both because of how awful it is and how much I wish I'd thought of it.
Reposted by James Austin
There was no state. Who does she think crucified him, an anarchist collective?
November 28, 2025 at 11:22 AM
There was no state. Who does she think crucified him, an anarchist collective?
Reposted by James Austin
Let's not confuse the people giving the stupid orders with the people who have to deal with following them, who are often good and decent people.
Apparently she offered to cover other people's shifts so they could go home to their families for the holiday.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/u...
Two National Guard members were tasked with serving the nation. One is dead as the other fights for his life after shooting | CNN
On a day when many families gather across the country to give thanks, a National Guard member’s family is mourning her death after an ambush-style shooting in Washington, DC, as her colleague fights f...
www.cnn.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Let's not confuse the people giving the stupid orders with the people who have to deal with following them, who are often good and decent people.
And the narrative will focus entirely on the fact that it's 40% refugees, not <100k net migration
The funniest thing is this might end up with what the public think it is already, with net migration <100k, and 40% of that refugees.
The government figuring this out slowly over the coming two years is going to be quite something to behold.
November 28, 2025 at 9:42 AM
And the narrative will focus entirely on the fact that it's 40% refugees, not <100k net migration
Reposted by James Austin
I'm near speechless at this framing of overall immigration falling by, like, 60%
Asylum seekers now make up nearly half of net migration to the UK and the number housed in hotels has increased despite Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to end their use ⬇️
Asylum seekers account for almost half of net migration
New statistics showed a fall in net migration as British citizens and non-EU migrants left the UK, but the number of asylum seekers in hotels has grown
www.thetimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:18 AM
I'm near speechless at this framing of overall immigration falling by, like, 60%
Reposted by James Austin
This is fascinating and disturbing from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com on rise of 'financial nihilism' (cc @aminsamman.bsky.social !) in the asset economy www.ft.com/content/c17a...
The housing crisis is pushing Gen Z into crypto and economic nihilism
Locked out of home ownership, young adults are turning to risky financial behaviour
www.ft.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:04 AM
This is fascinating and disturbing from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com on rise of 'financial nihilism' (cc @aminsamman.bsky.social !) in the asset economy www.ft.com/content/c17a...
Reposted by James Austin
Everyone using this should be shunned and probably jailed and those who created it should go to The Hague.
your 14yr old nephew is addicted to at least 4 different gambling apps on his phone where he's actively betting daily on the outcome of individual skirmishes in a real life war happening on the other side of the globe
November 27, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Everyone using this should be shunned and probably jailed and those who created it should go to The Hague.
Reposted by James Austin
Yes, govt bent to pressure from MPs over the benefit cap.
That's how parliamentary democracy works - and why it's a good thing.
It means a leader has to carry a wider movement with them. There's a counter-pressure to the strategists in No. 10.
It matters that we elect a Parliament, not just a PM.
That's how parliamentary democracy works - and why it's a good thing.
It means a leader has to carry a wider movement with them. There's a counter-pressure to the strategists in No. 10.
It matters that we elect a Parliament, not just a PM.
November 27, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Yes, govt bent to pressure from MPs over the benefit cap.
That's how parliamentary democracy works - and why it's a good thing.
It means a leader has to carry a wider movement with them. There's a counter-pressure to the strategists in No. 10.
It matters that we elect a Parliament, not just a PM.
That's how parliamentary democracy works - and why it's a good thing.
It means a leader has to carry a wider movement with them. There's a counter-pressure to the strategists in No. 10.
It matters that we elect a Parliament, not just a PM.
Reposted by James Austin
Today's 70% fall in net migration to 205,000 was not one of the six stories in BBC ten o'clock news.
Ta massive assymetry in whether rises in immigration and falls in immigration are considered newsworthy by broadcasters
Down by 140k isn't thought to be.
Up by 140k undoubtedly would be.
Ta massive assymetry in whether rises in immigration and falls in immigration are considered newsworthy by broadcasters
Down by 140k isn't thought to be.
Up by 140k undoubtedly would be.
November 27, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Today's 70% fall in net migration to 205,000 was not one of the six stories in BBC ten o'clock news.
Ta massive assymetry in whether rises in immigration and falls in immigration are considered newsworthy by broadcasters
Down by 140k isn't thought to be.
Up by 140k undoubtedly would be.
Ta massive assymetry in whether rises in immigration and falls in immigration are considered newsworthy by broadcasters
Down by 140k isn't thought to be.
Up by 140k undoubtedly would be.
Reposted by James Austin
Nice dataviz from the ONS showing median wealth split by category at different points of the distribution: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
November 27, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Nice dataviz from the ONS showing median wealth split by category at different points of the distribution: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Reposted by James Austin
The UK, where the day after a decision to take half a million children out of poverty, the media & political world has been full of sneering at those same children & their families, labelling them as ‘Benefits Street’, while the same people are moaning about a tax on £2m mansions. Shameful stuff.
November 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
The UK, where the day after a decision to take half a million children out of poverty, the media & political world has been full of sneering at those same children & their families, labelling them as ‘Benefits Street’, while the same people are moaning about a tax on £2m mansions. Shameful stuff.
Reposted by James Austin
Remarkable how the gambling industry and its allied MPs always yell that if you tax gambling you’re out of touch with the ordinary, salt-of-the-earth working class chap who loves a flutter.
Actual ordinary, salt-of-the-earth working class chap: Tax it! Tax it more! Keep on taxing it, you bastards!
Actual ordinary, salt-of-the-earth working class chap: Tax it! Tax it more! Keep on taxing it, you bastards!
Fascinating that the cash ISA limit is the most unpopular item in the budget. I would have thought it would be unpopular but not more so than e.g. freezing tax thresholds.
November 27, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Remarkable how the gambling industry and its allied MPs always yell that if you tax gambling you’re out of touch with the ordinary, salt-of-the-earth working class chap who loves a flutter.
Actual ordinary, salt-of-the-earth working class chap: Tax it! Tax it more! Keep on taxing it, you bastards!
Actual ordinary, salt-of-the-earth working class chap: Tax it! Tax it more! Keep on taxing it, you bastards!
Reposted by James Austin
A mansion tax is one of the most popular things that Labour has done - 67% in favour, 19% against.
November 27, 2025 at 8:37 PM
A mansion tax is one of the most popular things that Labour has done - 67% in favour, 19% against.
Reposted by James Austin
Reposted by James Austin
Worth pointing out that this is a direct breach of the manifesto
NEW - the government poised to water down flagship workers rights bill, ditching day one rights to unfair dismissal but reducing qualifying period from two years to six months.
But in concession to unions, government will remove provisions for up to nine months probation.
But in concession to unions, government will remove provisions for up to nine months probation.
November 27, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Worth pointing out that this is a direct breach of the manifesto
Reposted by James Austin
The Government should absolutely be going to the wall for this bill and if we can't get it through, we need to be legislating to move to an elected second chamber at the next King's Speech.
This was a manifesto pledge. Fuck around. Find out.
This was a manifesto pledge. Fuck around. Find out.
November 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
The Government should absolutely be going to the wall for this bill and if we can't get it through, we need to be legislating to move to an elected second chamber at the next King's Speech.
This was a manifesto pledge. Fuck around. Find out.
This was a manifesto pledge. Fuck around. Find out.
Abolish the Lords.
Labour retreats on ‘day one’ rights for workers on.ft.com/48B0g1U
Labour retreats on ‘day one’ rights for workers
Government has softened its package of measures to boost employment rights
on.ft.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Abolish the Lords.
Reposted by James Austin
Meaningful engagement with young people leads to greener, fairer places. Our new guide gives ideas to help local authorities involve them through surveys, creative tools and successful project examples.
Explore: naturetownsandcities.org.uk/get-started-...
Explore: naturetownsandcities.org.uk/get-started-...
November 27, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Meaningful engagement with young people leads to greener, fairer places. Our new guide gives ideas to help local authorities involve them through surveys, creative tools and successful project examples.
Explore: naturetownsandcities.org.uk/get-started-...
Explore: naturetownsandcities.org.uk/get-started-...
It's cute they think they have the capacity to respond toughly to anyone right now
Russia warns it reserves the right to respond “toughly” to Japan’s reported plans to deploy missiles on Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost island, according to the foreign ministry. -Reuters
November 27, 2025 at 3:07 PM
It's cute they think they have the capacity to respond toughly to anyone right now
this team is the 'I'm in Danger' meme made flesh for Wales.
A cruel and unusual punishment for young dragons.
Can't decide if Rassie wants to see if he can get every Welsh prop carded by half time, to break most of Wales or to see if Eben can play 10.
A cruel and unusual punishment for young dragons.
Can't decide if Rassie wants to see if he can get every Welsh prop carded by half time, to break most of Wales or to see if Eben can play 10.
November 27, 2025 at 2:04 PM
this team is the 'I'm in Danger' meme made flesh for Wales.
A cruel and unusual punishment for young dragons.
Can't decide if Rassie wants to see if he can get every Welsh prop carded by half time, to break most of Wales or to see if Eben can play 10.
A cruel and unusual punishment for young dragons.
Can't decide if Rassie wants to see if he can get every Welsh prop carded by half time, to break most of Wales or to see if Eben can play 10.