Josh Constable 🌹🐝
@joshconstable.bsky.social
Solent based socialist. Now living in Portsmouth. Labour and Co-operative Party campaigner.
Working in NHS data analytics and commissioning. Trade union rep and Lab Link Officer with Hampshire Unison.
Politics, economics, gaming, and history fan.
Working in NHS data analytics and commissioning. Trade union rep and Lab Link Officer with Hampshire Unison.
Politics, economics, gaming, and history fan.
This, and seeing any questioning, let alone debate, as dogmatic opposition.
Deep lack of confidence or willingness to reach out from the tower has caused basically every rebellion.
Easy issue to solve but would require some genuine introspection.
Deep lack of confidence or willingness to reach out from the tower has caused basically every rebellion.
Easy issue to solve but would require some genuine introspection.
The founding trauma of McSweeneyism is Liz Kendall getting 4.5 per cent in the Labour leadership contest. From which he took that if you at any point try and explain something, or have a honest conversation, or go 'you're wrong', you lose, and that has suffused much of the government.
Notable how little UK Govt, and specifically the health secretary, have to say about this. No sense that they can shape public behaviour. Very passive.
February 12, 2026 at 12:26 PM
This, and seeing any questioning, let alone debate, as dogmatic opposition.
Deep lack of confidence or willingness to reach out from the tower has caused basically every rebellion.
Easy issue to solve but would require some genuine introspection.
Deep lack of confidence or willingness to reach out from the tower has caused basically every rebellion.
Easy issue to solve but would require some genuine introspection.
Reposted by Josh Constable 🌹🐝
Trump is Putin's poodle
⚡️US military aid to Ukraine dropped 99% in 2025, report finds.
European countries stepped in to fill the gap, increasing military aid to Ukraine by 67% and non-military support by 59% in 2025, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
European countries stepped in to fill the gap, increasing military aid to Ukraine by 67% and non-military support by 59% in 2025, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
US military aid to Ukraine dropped 99% in 2025, report finds
European countries stepped in to fill the gap, increasing military aid to Ukraine by 67% and non-military support by 59% in 2025, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
kyivindependent.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Trump is Putin's poodle
This is a really good suggestion in my view.
NEW: Furious female Labour MPs tell Keir Starmer to appoint a woman as his de facto deputy to oversee “complete culture change” in Downing Street after series of scandals they say exposed No 10 “boy’s club”. Full story by @lexytopping.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Furious female Labour MPs urge Starmer to make a woman his de facto deputy
Harriet Harman leads calls for an appointment that would ‘turbocharge’ a ‘complete culture change’ at No 10
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:16 PM
This is a really good suggestion in my view.
A good concept, replacing HMT's short term dogmatism, drowned in the shallow depths of a typical centre right deregulation, anti-tax (austerity) agenda.
Half baked, also reads like they don't actually understand what the concept of treasury brain is. They just like the phrase.
Half baked, also reads like they don't actually understand what the concept of treasury brain is. They just like the phrase.
"We don't just need to get rid of this anti-growth Chancellor, we need to get rid of the anti-growth Treasury." @libdemdaisy.bsky.social
www.libdems.org.uk/news/article...
www.libdems.org.uk/news/article...
Get Britain Growing Again
Lib Dems announce plan to replace Treasury with new Department for Growth based in Birmingham
www.libdems.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 11:05 AM
A good concept, replacing HMT's short term dogmatism, drowned in the shallow depths of a typical centre right deregulation, anti-tax (austerity) agenda.
Half baked, also reads like they don't actually understand what the concept of treasury brain is. They just like the phrase.
Half baked, also reads like they don't actually understand what the concept of treasury brain is. They just like the phrase.
Reposted by Josh Constable 🌹🐝
❤️Heart Unions Week is nearly here. A chance for us to come together and get organised.✊
Join @lucympowell.bsky.social and Joanne Thomas as they discuss the Labour-union link, winning locally, taking on Reform, and delivering the #NewDeal in full.
Sign up: labourunions.org.uk/heartunions
Join @lucympowell.bsky.social and Joanne Thomas as they discuss the Labour-union link, winning locally, taking on Reform, and delivering the #NewDeal in full.
Sign up: labourunions.org.uk/heartunions
February 5, 2026 at 5:25 PM
❤️Heart Unions Week is nearly here. A chance for us to come together and get organised.✊
Join @lucympowell.bsky.social and Joanne Thomas as they discuss the Labour-union link, winning locally, taking on Reform, and delivering the #NewDeal in full.
Sign up: labourunions.org.uk/heartunions
Join @lucympowell.bsky.social and Joanne Thomas as they discuss the Labour-union link, winning locally, taking on Reform, and delivering the #NewDeal in full.
Sign up: labourunions.org.uk/heartunions
Her mission finally complete, Truss will be rejoining the party and making Republicanism their central platform.
🚨MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT from Deputy Leader @LibDemDaisy.bsky.social
Dropping tomorrow at 9am.
Watch this space.
Dropping tomorrow at 9am.
Watch this space.
February 10, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Her mission finally complete, Truss will be rejoining the party and making Republicanism their central platform.
The amount of content I see from non-political accounts on insta centred on how unfair taxes are while big US buisness gets away with paying nil (or an unproportionally small amount); is insane.
Such an open goal for Gov here.
Such an open goal for Gov here.
February 10, 2026 at 7:01 PM
The amount of content I see from non-political accounts on insta centred on how unfair taxes are while big US buisness gets away with paying nil (or an unproportionally small amount); is insane.
Such an open goal for Gov here.
Such an open goal for Gov here.
Reposted by Josh Constable 🌹🐝
Why shutdown of key Atlantic current could provoke dramatic climate reaction
Scientists on the Royal Research Ship Discovery are monitoring a key Atlantic current. Alex Thomson says the analysis sends a shiver down the spine.
📩 Read the newsletter:
channel4news.substack.com/p/why-shutdo...
Scientists on the Royal Research Ship Discovery are monitoring a key Atlantic current. Alex Thomson says the analysis sends a shiver down the spine.
📩 Read the newsletter:
channel4news.substack.com/p/why-shutdo...
Why shutdown of key Atlantic current could provoke dramatic climate reaction
Scientists on the Royal Research Ship Discovery are monitoring a key Atlantic current. Chief Correspondent Alex Thomson, who is with them, says the analysis sends a shiver down the spine.
channel4news.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Why shutdown of key Atlantic current could provoke dramatic climate reaction
Scientists on the Royal Research Ship Discovery are monitoring a key Atlantic current. Alex Thomson says the analysis sends a shiver down the spine.
📩 Read the newsletter:
channel4news.substack.com/p/why-shutdo...
Scientists on the Royal Research Ship Discovery are monitoring a key Atlantic current. Alex Thomson says the analysis sends a shiver down the spine.
📩 Read the newsletter:
channel4news.substack.com/p/why-shutdo...
Reasoned and good statment here.
Cabinet reshuffle and giving the rest of the party a direct stake in this government's direction can only be a good thing.
Cabinet reshuffle and giving the rest of the party a direct stake in this government's direction can only be a good thing.
NEW - Statement from the Tribune group of soft left MPs backing Starmer to remain as PM.
But a subtle call for a cabinet reshuffle, saying change will require "a Cabinet and front bench that reflect the breadth of views across the PLP... and the diverse traditions that make up our movement."
But a subtle call for a cabinet reshuffle, saying change will require "a Cabinet and front bench that reflect the breadth of views across the PLP... and the diverse traditions that make up our movement."
February 9, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Reasoned and good statment here.
Cabinet reshuffle and giving the rest of the party a direct stake in this government's direction can only be a good thing.
Cabinet reshuffle and giving the rest of the party a direct stake in this government's direction can only be a good thing.
I mean... It's not just me thinking this is an abvious Streeting putch attempt, right?
February 9, 2026 at 3:31 PM
I mean... It's not just me thinking this is an abvious Streeting putch attempt, right?
Reposted by Josh Constable 🌹🐝
The remarkable thing is Labour have basically made 'anti-child poverty' and 'climate change' the two core missions or this Government and...
... basically refuse to talk about one or them. Genuinely bizarre.
... basically refuse to talk about one or them. Genuinely bizarre.
This is the key point that is lost in so much Westminster bubble talk on net zero. It is popular. It’s hugely popular with Labour’s base and with the progressive voters it needs to vote tactically to defeat Reform. And it’s even popular with Tories who Labour needs not to switch to Reform.
…as well as being supported by the vast majority of Lab/Lib/Gn voters, almost all Labour MPs, a 2-1 majority of voters overall and – even now – a healthy majority of Con voters
February 9, 2026 at 8:48 AM
The remarkable thing is Labour have basically made 'anti-child poverty' and 'climate change' the two core missions or this Government and...
... basically refuse to talk about one or them. Genuinely bizarre.
... basically refuse to talk about one or them. Genuinely bizarre.
Reposted by Josh Constable 🌹🐝
I have today been informed that, despite personal assurances to the contrary, the Green party have once again used my image and misrepresented my words on a second leaflet circulated in Gorton and Denton ahead of the by-election. I have now lodged an official complaint with the returning officer.
February 9, 2026 at 11:25 AM
I have today been informed that, despite personal assurances to the contrary, the Green party have once again used my image and misrepresented my words on a second leaflet circulated in Gorton and Denton ahead of the by-election. I have now lodged an official complaint with the returning officer.
Really proud to have been endorsed by Mainstream's membership to stand for NPF this year.
Reconnecting our Party with the labour movement is my top priority, and that's why I joined Mainstream when it was founded and why I'm now running for NPF.
Reconnecting our Party with the labour movement is my top priority, and that's why I joined Mainstream when it was founded and why I'm now running for NPF.
🌹Recent events show the urgency of organising at every level of Labour for a new politics built on accountability, principle, humility and a transformative vision for the country.
Introducing Mainstream's NPF candidates - a team who will fight tirelessly for a new politics 👇
Introducing Mainstream's NPF candidates - a team who will fight tirelessly for a new politics 👇
February 9, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Really proud to have been endorsed by Mainstream's membership to stand for NPF this year.
Reconnecting our Party with the labour movement is my top priority, and that's why I joined Mainstream when it was founded and why I'm now running for NPF.
Reconnecting our Party with the labour movement is my top priority, and that's why I joined Mainstream when it was founded and why I'm now running for NPF.
Wishing him the best at the TBI obvs.
February 8, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Wishing him the best at the TBI obvs.
Yeah this doesn't feel like accountability.
I dont have faith this ends either the strategy that got us here or the culture that turned it into a crisis.
My one hope is that McSweeny was fighting a factional forever war in everything he did. There is a chance now to stop it.
I dont have faith this ends either the strategy that got us here or the culture that turned it into a crisis.
My one hope is that McSweeny was fighting a factional forever war in everything he did. There is a chance now to stop it.
February 8, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Yeah this doesn't feel like accountability.
I dont have faith this ends either the strategy that got us here or the culture that turned it into a crisis.
My one hope is that McSweeny was fighting a factional forever war in everything he did. There is a chance now to stop it.
I dont have faith this ends either the strategy that got us here or the culture that turned it into a crisis.
My one hope is that McSweeny was fighting a factional forever war in everything he did. There is a chance now to stop it.
Reposted by Josh Constable 🌹🐝
So as I struggled with miscarriage after miscarriage before having my 🌈 baby, Reform would seriously think I should pay more tax during that agony.
This policy isn’t just a slippery slope to a handmaids tale dystopian future - it’s a deliberate step towards it
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
This policy isn’t just a slippery slope to a handmaids tale dystopian future - it’s a deliberate step towards it
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reform by-election candidate suggested people who don’t have kids should pay more tax
Exclusive: The Reform politician’s suggestion would ‘punish millions of women and strip them of their basic dignity to choose’, Labour’s deputy leader has warned
www.independent.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 7:58 AM
So as I struggled with miscarriage after miscarriage before having my 🌈 baby, Reform would seriously think I should pay more tax during that agony.
This policy isn’t just a slippery slope to a handmaids tale dystopian future - it’s a deliberate step towards it
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
This policy isn’t just a slippery slope to a handmaids tale dystopian future - it’s a deliberate step towards it
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by Josh Constable 🌹🐝
i think this is dead on re: the first. Woke 2 needs to lean in heavy on "he a little confused but he got the spirit"
February 7, 2026 at 6:30 PM
i think this is dead on re: the first. Woke 2 needs to lean in heavy on "he a little confused but he got the spirit"
Want proof of how detatched the party leadership has become from the grass roots. It's the student loans debacle.
Anyone with kids or friends currently paying, or who works in higher education knows this system isnt working.
They simply aren't listening to the movement anymore.
Anyone with kids or friends currently paying, or who works in higher education knows this system isnt working.
They simply aren't listening to the movement anymore.
The system we have now quite literally embeds the income and wealth inequalities HE is supposed to alleviate. It is outrageous and incredible that a progressive govt could describe it in any way as “fair.” Too many senior politicians today think we have Plan 1 loans. They just don’t understand it.
February 7, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Want proof of how detatched the party leadership has become from the grass roots. It's the student loans debacle.
Anyone with kids or friends currently paying, or who works in higher education knows this system isnt working.
They simply aren't listening to the movement anymore.
Anyone with kids or friends currently paying, or who works in higher education knows this system isnt working.
They simply aren't listening to the movement anymore.
Yeah this is where our safeguards are hopeless.
Those voters have recieved these fake letters. Any response will likely take until well after the by election.
It will be fines, which big parties can afford to pay.
No consequences otherwise.
Those voters have recieved these fake letters. Any response will likely take until well after the by election.
It will be fines, which big parties can afford to pay.
No consequences otherwise.
One of the things we learned during our High Court case against Reform is its propensity, nakedly and without embarassment, to lie. Only the blissfully naive would take its explanation for this at face value.
Reform faces police investigation over ‘concerned neighbour’ byelection letters
Material distributed in Gorton and Denton did not have legally required imprint stating it was funded by party
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Yeah this is where our safeguards are hopeless.
Those voters have recieved these fake letters. Any response will likely take until well after the by election.
It will be fines, which big parties can afford to pay.
No consequences otherwise.
Those voters have recieved these fake letters. Any response will likely take until well after the by election.
It will be fines, which big parties can afford to pay.
No consequences otherwise.
Another saliant intervention by Brown.
The question is will we in Labour actually listen.
The question is will we in Labour actually listen.
NEW: Gordon Brown has said he deeply regrets bringing Peter Mandelson into his government, saying Mandelson alleged actions as business secretary were “a betrayal of everything we stand for as a country”.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Gordon Brown ‘deeply regrets’ bringing Peter Mandelson into his government
Former prime minister says revelations about Epstein’s influence on UK politics caused him revulsion
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Another saliant intervention by Brown.
The question is will we in Labour actually listen.
The question is will we in Labour actually listen.
Astonishing loyalty to the party and government from the faction that *checks notes* brought you Peter Mandleson 3.0...
Could someone explain to these people that this is not how it works, even more so when you have a 160 seat majority, and only Reform voting headbangers seriously believe it does?
February 6, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Astonishing loyalty to the party and government from the faction that *checks notes* brought you Peter Mandleson 3.0...
This!
Anyone involved selections saw this.
The absolute blinder the TU's played during selections in getting some of their best people into seats has been entirely overlooked, for the more suitable narrative of a list of empty suits.
Also hard to elect Starmerists if there is no Starmerism.
Anyone involved selections saw this.
The absolute blinder the TU's played during selections in getting some of their best people into seats has been entirely overlooked, for the more suitable narrative of a list of empty suits.
Also hard to elect Starmerists if there is no Starmerism.
This is an understandable but total misreading of them, they weren’t actually selected for blind loyalty to Starmer, only a handful knew him. They were supposed to be talented and v ambitious people on the centre left (not too left!) and they have a really wide variety of experience.
February 6, 2026 at 2:20 PM
This!
Anyone involved selections saw this.
The absolute blinder the TU's played during selections in getting some of their best people into seats has been entirely overlooked, for the more suitable narrative of a list of empty suits.
Also hard to elect Starmerists if there is no Starmerism.
Anyone involved selections saw this.
The absolute blinder the TU's played during selections in getting some of their best people into seats has been entirely overlooked, for the more suitable narrative of a list of empty suits.
Also hard to elect Starmerists if there is no Starmerism.
Telling how every outrider on the labour right has just shut up all of a sudden. Nothing to say on the events of the day suddenly.
I wonder what caused that?
I wonder what caused that?
February 4, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Telling how every outrider on the labour right has just shut up all of a sudden. Nothing to say on the events of the day suddenly.
I wonder what caused that?
I wonder what caused that?