James Moules
@jamesmoules.bsky.social
Journalist covering politics and foreign affairs • ✍️ LabourList, Big Issue, PoliticsHome, Byline Times, Telegraph, New Statesman, Foreign Policy, The New European & more • Moules rhymes with roles, not rules • DM for email/WhatsApp/Signal • Views own etc.
It can often be in the public interest to report on false claims, but if a claim is false, the headline should make that clear - and using that exact word, not by putting it in quotation marks.
"Never spread the lie in the headline" should be a hard rule of 21st century journalism.
Research shows that repeating lies helps to spread them, and people read headlines more than they read stories.
Research shows that repeating lies helps to spread them, and people read headlines more than they read stories.
News media has to do better with headlines that present false and unverified public health claims.
November 30, 2025 at 3:13 AM
It can often be in the public interest to report on false claims, but if a claim is false, the headline should make that clear - and using that exact word, not by putting it in quotation marks.
Reposted by James Moules
Genocide just as Lemkin defined it.
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/27/r...
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/27/r...
Putin signs decree formalizing Russification of occupied Ukraine through 2036 - Euromaidan Press
Putin signs decree formalizing Russification of occupied Ukraine through 2036, setting 95% "Russian identity" targets for four oblasts.
euromaidanpress.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Genocide just as Lemkin defined it.
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/27/r...
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/27/r...
Reposted by James Moules
Honestly it's funny that he is *quite literally* saying "deregulate and reduce the burden of taxation on business to create jobs" and nobody on the left will criticise him. Good.
Soon small businesses won’t have to wait for Small Business Saturday to get attention from their Mayor.
Some changes that they can look forward to:
Some changes that they can look forward to:
November 29, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Honestly it's funny that he is *quite literally* saying "deregulate and reduce the burden of taxation on business to create jobs" and nobody on the left will criticise him. Good.
Yeah, I really struggle to see a timeline in which Corbyn and Sultana are still in the same party this time next year.
news.sky.com/story/zarah-...
news.sky.com/story/zarah-...
Zarah Sultana boycotts first day of Your Party conference over 'witch hunt' expulsions
Zarah Sultana has boycotted day one of the Your Party Conference over the expulsion of members of left-wing groups.
news.sky.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Yeah, I really struggle to see a timeline in which Corbyn and Sultana are still in the same party this time next year.
news.sky.com/story/zarah-...
news.sky.com/story/zarah-...
“University isn’t right for everyone” is a statement that’s true at a surface level, but is also used by bad faith actors as a coded way of telling working class kids to “stick in their lane”.
Glasman is basically moving from ‘nothing’s too good for the working class’ to ‘actually, lots of things are, know your place’.
November 29, 2025 at 12:14 PM
“University isn’t right for everyone” is a statement that’s true at a surface level, but is also used by bad faith actors as a coded way of telling working class kids to “stick in their lane”.
The only thing more on brand would be if Corbyn announced a name on Sunday, only to have an aid rush on and say the wrong result was announced like that time La La Land “won” at the Oscars.
Jeremy Corbyn and Zara Sultana’s Your Party reveals shortlist for official name
Jeremy Corbyn and Zara Sultana’s Your Party reveals shortlist for official name
Leftwing party asks members to pick between Your Party, Our Party, Popular Alliance and For The Many
The leftwing party formed by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana has revealed a shortlist of names for its members to pick from: Your Party, Our Party, Popular Alliance and For The Many.
Ahead of its first conference in Liverpool this weekend, the party is asking its 50,000 members to choose what it should be called, with the result to be announced by Corbyn on Sunday. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:26 PM
The only thing more on brand would be if Corbyn announced a name on Sunday, only to have an aid rush on and say the wrong result was announced like that time La La Land “won” at the Oscars.
Reposted by James Moules
Counterpoint: Automating lowly-paid gig economy work is good.
Just as you thought food delivery companies couldn't inflict any more misery on society:
Instead of using lowly-paid gig economy contractors to deliver groceries, they're replacing humans with robots, who, in turn, force humans off the pavement into road traffic.
Instead of using lowly-paid gig economy contractors to deliver groceries, they're replacing humans with robots, who, in turn, force humans off the pavement into road traffic.
November 28, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Counterpoint: Automating lowly-paid gig economy work is good.
“There was no state or welfare”…
I’d encourage Kemi Badenoch to google what the Cura Annonae was and try again.
I’d encourage Kemi Badenoch to google what the Cura Annonae was and try again.
November 28, 2025 at 12:06 PM
“There was no state or welfare”…
I’d encourage Kemi Badenoch to google what the Cura Annonae was and try again.
I’d encourage Kemi Badenoch to google what the Cura Annonae was and try again.
The unpopularity of scrapping the two child benefit cap should come as no surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention to the debate around it (or doesn’t exclusively float in progressive activist circles).
And to be clear, I say that as someone who’s in favour of abolishing the cap.
And to be clear, I say that as someone who’s in favour of abolishing the cap.
A mansion tax is one of the most popular things that Labour has done - 67% in favour, 19% against.
November 27, 2025 at 11:35 PM
The unpopularity of scrapping the two child benefit cap should come as no surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention to the debate around it (or doesn’t exclusively float in progressive activist circles).
And to be clear, I say that as someone who’s in favour of abolishing the cap.
And to be clear, I say that as someone who’s in favour of abolishing the cap.
It reminds me of the people who tried to dodge private school VAT by paying several years’ worth of fees upfront - when if you have the sort of money to do that, I don’t think I’m being overly presumptive in saying you can probably afford the VAT.
November 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM
It reminds me of the people who tried to dodge private school VAT by paying several years’ worth of fees upfront - when if you have the sort of money to do that, I don’t think I’m being overly presumptive in saying you can probably afford the VAT.
One of this government’s many problems is that it’s the most economically left wing administration since pre-Thatcher, yet Labour strategists (and, indeed, their opponents further to the left) want to pretend this isn’t true.
The fundamental political-economy for the government is that is objectively implementing a soft left economic policy on speed whilst being hated by lots of left leaning people because of its other policies and rhetoric.
November 27, 2025 at 11:13 AM
One of this government’s many problems is that it’s the most economically left wing administration since pre-Thatcher, yet Labour strategists (and, indeed, their opponents further to the left) want to pretend this isn’t true.
Reposted by James Moules
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
November 27, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
Of course. But the problem is that many anti-migrant ideologues know this, yet think the adverse economic effects are a price worth paying.
OBR says lower net migration will hurt overall productivity
November 26, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Of course. But the problem is that many anti-migrant ideologues know this, yet think the adverse economic effects are a price worth paying.
I am once again begging people to understand that the seven rebels didn’t lose the whip for opposing the two-child cap specifically - they lost it for voting against the government on a King’s Speech amendment.
“We were right”: The two-child benefit rebels respond to the Budget
More than a victory for the government, the removal of the two-child cap is a vindication for the left of the Labour Party
🖊️ Megan Kenyon
More than a victory for the government, the removal of the two-child cap is a vindication for the left of the Labour Party
🖊️ Megan Kenyon
"We were right": The two-child benefit rebels respond to the Budget
More than a victory for the government, the removal of the two-child cap is a vindication for the left of the Labour party
www.newstatesman.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I am once again begging people to understand that the seven rebels didn’t lose the whip for opposing the two-child cap specifically - they lost it for voting against the government on a King’s Speech amendment.
Reposted by James Moules
"Speculation" is just a pejorative word for analysis.
I.e. I've been "speculating" for several years that the government would get into a fiscal mess because of its election pledge.
I.e. I've been "speculating" for several years that the government would get into a fiscal mess because of its election pledge.
Political 'journalists' no longer report on the facts and truth.
They share gossip and speculation.
And when the facts are know they move on to the next round of speculation and gossip.
I can guarantee you before the end of today, many in the media will be speculating about the next Budget!
They share gossip and speculation.
And when the facts are know they move on to the next round of speculation and gossip.
I can guarantee you before the end of today, many in the media will be speculating about the next Budget!
November 26, 2025 at 10:23 AM
"Speculation" is just a pejorative word for analysis.
I.e. I've been "speculating" for several years that the government would get into a fiscal mess because of its election pledge.
I.e. I've been "speculating" for several years that the government would get into a fiscal mess because of its election pledge.
Reposted by James Moules
Expect this to be a very Brown-esque Budget: action on child poverty, more money for the NHS, stealth taxes, “prudence for a purpose”.
November 26, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Expect this to be a very Brown-esque Budget: action on child poverty, more money for the NHS, stealth taxes, “prudence for a purpose”.
Reposted by James Moules
'There is no peace process. This is not negotiations over peace: it is the transmission of surrender demands from Russia with the active facilitation of the United States.'
Read @keirgiles.bsky.social analysis on the Trump administration's proposed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine⤵️
Read @keirgiles.bsky.social analysis on the Trump administration's proposed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine⤵️
Trump pressures Ukraine to accept peace deal: Early analysis from Chatham House experts
Chatham House analysts give their initial analysis after Zelenskyy was pressured by Trump to accept a White House plan to end the war with Russia.
www.chathamhouse.org
November 26, 2025 at 7:00 AM
'There is no peace process. This is not negotiations over peace: it is the transmission of surrender demands from Russia with the active facilitation of the United States.'
Read @keirgiles.bsky.social analysis on the Trump administration's proposed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine⤵️
Read @keirgiles.bsky.social analysis on the Trump administration's proposed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine⤵️
I agree. I’m eternally perplexed by the prevailing perceived wisdom that Rogue One is the best Disney Star Wars movie, when it’s a structural and tonal mess that’s only salvaged by an undeniably strong third act.
The synthesis remains that “Rogue One is a mess and not a great movie” and “Rogue One is a very impressive rescue job on what should have been a disaster” are both true IMV
rogue one is bad folks. i have believed this since i saw it in theaters and no subsequent rewatch has changed my mind. basically a chop job until the final sequence, which is good (for star wars)
November 25, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I agree. I’m eternally perplexed by the prevailing perceived wisdom that Rogue One is the best Disney Star Wars movie, when it’s a structural and tonal mess that’s only salvaged by an undeniably strong third act.
As someone who just turned 33 this month, I can confirm I’m already obsessing about square footage and tut-tutting about the “youth of today”.
Adolescence lasts to 32, say brain scientists
Adolescence lasts to 32, say brain scientists
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:09 PM
As someone who just turned 33 this month, I can confirm I’m already obsessing about square footage and tut-tutting about the “youth of today”.
Reposted by James Moules
Yes, there are spending multipliers etc - and yes, Kuenssberg spouted vacuous talking points.
BUT.
There is a bond market (or more generally a macro) constraint to borrowing, as there was in the 2010s - we just weren't near it then. Dodging the issue/pretending it doesn't exist isn't a policy.
BUT.
There is a bond market (or more generally a macro) constraint to borrowing, as there was in the 2010s - we just weren't near it then. Dodging the issue/pretending it doesn't exist isn't a policy.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social on the importance of spending multipliers & borrowing to invest
Zack is, without doubt, a great communicator. And on him talking about democracy & the bond markets I'm reminded of Eddie Dempsey at the Durham Miners Gala when he asked "who elected the bond market?"
Zack is, without doubt, a great communicator. And on him talking about democracy & the bond markets I'm reminded of Eddie Dempsey at the Durham Miners Gala when he asked "who elected the bond market?"
November 24, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Yes, there are spending multipliers etc - and yes, Kuenssberg spouted vacuous talking points.
BUT.
There is a bond market (or more generally a macro) constraint to borrowing, as there was in the 2010s - we just weren't near it then. Dodging the issue/pretending it doesn't exist isn't a policy.
BUT.
There is a bond market (or more generally a macro) constraint to borrowing, as there was in the 2010s - we just weren't near it then. Dodging the issue/pretending it doesn't exist isn't a policy.
At the time the flags started going up where I live, there were groups of men wearing England flags prowling up the high street chanting “Britain for the British” (and similar slogans).
If the point of the flags wasn’t hostility to migrants, someone ought to tell that to the people who raised them…
If the point of the flags wasn’t hostility to migrants, someone ought to tell that to the people who raised them…
Most of the public know what’s going on with flags on lamp posts.
Crucially for the government, 78% of its 2024 voters think anti-minority sentiment is involved in flying England flags (versus just 15% who think it’s just a national pride thing).
They are getting the politics of this all wrong.
Crucially for the government, 78% of its 2024 voters think anti-minority sentiment is involved in flying England flags (versus just 15% who think it’s just a national pride thing).
They are getting the politics of this all wrong.
Why do people think England flags have been raised on lampposts?
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
November 22, 2025 at 7:47 PM
At the time the flags started going up where I live, there were groups of men wearing England flags prowling up the high street chanting “Britain for the British” (and similar slogans).
If the point of the flags wasn’t hostility to migrants, someone ought to tell that to the people who raised them…
If the point of the flags wasn’t hostility to migrants, someone ought to tell that to the people who raised them…
Reposted by James Moules
One of the worst atrocities and one of the least discussed.
Today is Holodomor remembrance day, one of the worst human rights atrocities of the 20th century.
If you are wanting to know more, this episode of @originstorypodcast.bsky.social is excellent, featuring justifiable moral outrage from @iandunt.bsky.social and @dorianlynskey.bsky.social
If you are wanting to know more, this episode of @originstorypodcast.bsky.social is excellent, featuring justifiable moral outrage from @iandunt.bsky.social and @dorianlynskey.bsky.social
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Welcome back to Origin Story: The Story of Socialism as we resume the story of Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin in part three @iandunt.bsky.social and @dorianlynskey.bsky.social discuss Terror 👉 linktr.ee/originstoryp...
#originstory #lenin #trotsky #stalin
#originstory #lenin #trotsky #stalin
November 22, 2025 at 1:30 PM
One of the worst atrocities and one of the least discussed.
With the British government poised to approve China’s new “mega-embassy” in London, here’s a piece I wrote for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social earlier this year, looking at why it’s a source of fear and frustration for many Hong Kongers in the UK.
www.newstatesman.com/special-repo...
www.newstatesman.com/special-repo...
Chinese agents are hunting dissidents across Britain
Beijing is using its espionage network to track those who rebelled against it in Hong Kong
www.newstatesman.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
With the British government poised to approve China’s new “mega-embassy” in London, here’s a piece I wrote for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social earlier this year, looking at why it’s a source of fear and frustration for many Hong Kongers in the UK.
www.newstatesman.com/special-repo...
www.newstatesman.com/special-repo...
And herein lies the flaw with Labour’s 2024 electoral strategy. It’s all very well clutching that Ming Vase tight if you see winning the election as an end in and of itself.
But vague and unclear election platforms tend towards vague and unclear governments.
But vague and unclear election platforms tend towards vague and unclear governments.
What the hell were they doing for the TWO YEARS it was obvious they were going to win with a massive majority?
A rich theme, sadly.
November 19, 2025 at 9:28 AM
And herein lies the flaw with Labour’s 2024 electoral strategy. It’s all very well clutching that Ming Vase tight if you see winning the election as an end in and of itself.
But vague and unclear election platforms tend towards vague and unclear governments.
But vague and unclear election platforms tend towards vague and unclear governments.
Reposted by James Moules
What security concerns. Russia illegally invaded a sovereign nation, it occupied parts of a sovereign nation. Tankies scream NATO but conveniently ignore how Ukraine was not in NATO and not likely to be. There are no security concerns, just Russian imperialist aggression.
3/ Dmitriev says that the plan will "address the Ukraine conflict, but also how to restore US-Russia ties [and] address Russia's security concerns."
November 19, 2025 at 8:52 AM
What security concerns. Russia illegally invaded a sovereign nation, it occupied parts of a sovereign nation. Tankies scream NATO but conveniently ignore how Ukraine was not in NATO and not likely to be. There are no security concerns, just Russian imperialist aggression.