Neil Atkinson
@knoxharrington.bsky.social
Turns meetings into pints and pints into meetings. Host of The Anfield Wrap and occasional writer of things. Author of Transformer for the good people at Canongate.
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
My thoughts on another exhausting and frustrating day for some of the bravest people I’ve ever met
Too little too late but the families will keep fighting for change
Political Editor Liam Thorp reflects on more missed opportunities for justice for the Hillsborough families - who are now pushing to help others avoid their anguish
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 6:02 PM
My thoughts on another exhausting and frustrating day for some of the bravest people I’ve ever met
This is what the British State does. It is why Hillsborough Law would be an important redress but would merely guard against a ruling class which shows constant contempt.
BREAKING: New police cover up details surrounding Hillsborough disaster revealed in major new investigation
Landmark report confirms appalling actions of police officers from two forces before, during and after 1989 tragedy led to the unlawful killing of 97 Liverpool fans
Full story:
Landmark report confirms appalling actions of police officers from two forces before, during and after 1989 tragedy led to the unlawful killing of 97 Liverpool fans
Full story:
New police cover up details over Hillsborough disaster exposed
Landmark new report confirms appalling actions of police officers from two forces before, during and after 1989 tragedy led to the unlawful killing of 97 Liverpool fans and subsequent attempts to blam...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM
This is what the British State does. It is why Hillsborough Law would be an important redress but would merely guard against a ruling class which shows constant contempt.
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
Really struck by the kind of Labourite who's correctly identified Labour faces media headwinds Tories don't, but whose plan for that, even now that they're in govt with 400 seats, is to just kind of wallow in self-pity about it
December 2, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Really struck by the kind of Labourite who's correctly identified Labour faces media headwinds Tories don't, but whose plan for that, even now that they're in govt with 400 seats, is to just kind of wallow in self-pity about it
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
i’m setting you free. i’m releasing you from the discourse
December 2, 2025 at 1:39 AM
i’m setting you free. i’m releasing you from the discourse
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
V good point; the "at last a true conservative budget, this is exactly what we recommended and if we say otherwise at a later date will be lying" crowd were hoping for some vindication
Especially those that celebrated Truss and are desperate for redemption.
December 2, 2025 at 12:34 PM
V good point; the "at last a true conservative budget, this is exactly what we recommended and if we say otherwise at a later date will be lying" crowd were hoping for some vindication
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
If the mainstream media hadn't been tiptoeing around calling the far right for what they are for so long, euphemising them as 'populist' or inventing new terms like 'hard right' and instead used academic definitions and support, they wouldn't be here today
They have fueled this fire
They have fueled this fire
This is what happens when you give the far right the benefit of the doubt when they claim they care about free speech...
pressgazette.co.uk/media_law/gu...
pressgazette.co.uk/media_law/gu...
Guardian faces trial after influencer sues over 'alt-right agitator' label
Guardian News and Media is considering next steps after a finding it was defamatory to describe Andy Ngo as an "'alt-right' agitator".
pressgazette.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 11:36 AM
If the mainstream media hadn't been tiptoeing around calling the far right for what they are for so long, euphemising them as 'populist' or inventing new terms like 'hard right' and instead used academic definitions and support, they wouldn't be here today
They have fueled this fire
They have fueled this fire
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
This is actually the most pathetic government of my lifetime? They are ADDICTED to saying 'a big boy made me do it' about everything
Does he also believe in the Tooth Fairy? That, and other questions raised by this excellent piece: www.ft.com/content/cc83...
December 2, 2025 at 10:50 AM
This is actually the most pathetic government of my lifetime? They are ADDICTED to saying 'a big boy made me do it' about everything
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
This, from the FT, is almost the perfect encapsulation of what is so maddening about this government. ‘If a convenient thing had happened we wouldn’t have had to agree to do something which we actually think is stupid.’
Does he also believe in the Tooth Fairy? That, and other questions raised by this excellent piece: www.ft.com/content/cc83...
December 2, 2025 at 11:19 AM
This, from the FT, is almost the perfect encapsulation of what is so maddening about this government. ‘If a convenient thing had happened we wouldn’t have had to agree to do something which we actually think is stupid.’
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
Growing our economy needs a focus on our cities and towns...
medium.com/@Alison_McGo...
medium.com/@Alison_McGo...
on cities
I’m delighted to be here with you all in Birmingham, giving one of my first speeches as the new Minister for Local Government and…
medium.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Growing our economy needs a focus on our cities and towns...
medium.com/@Alison_McGo...
medium.com/@Alison_McGo...
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
Listening to David Lammy on @BBCr4today attempting to justify abolishing trial by jury, it is increasingly and terrifyingly clear that he simply does not understand the issues.
December 2, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Listening to David Lammy on @BBCr4today attempting to justify abolishing trial by jury, it is increasingly and terrifyingly clear that he simply does not understand the issues.
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
Bless the Guardian for continuing to wallop Farage with this, and you can see he flails uselessly when he’s asked about it. But do you see how nobody else is stampeding to assist and, if anything, the right has rallied to his defence? What lessons should we learn here.
December 2, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Bless the Guardian for continuing to wallop Farage with this, and you can see he flails uselessly when he’s asked about it. But do you see how nobody else is stampeding to assist and, if anything, the right has rallied to his defence? What lessons should we learn here.
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
Even when it comes to children Labour is actively worse, increasing the mistreatment of already traumatised and vulnerable children reaching the UK through brutal, and unnecessary, invasive searches is abuse as policy. 71/
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Children reaching UK by small boat face sim card mouth searches
Home Office accused of putting criminality before dignity with rule seeking intelligence on people-smugglers
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Even when it comes to children Labour is actively worse, increasing the mistreatment of already traumatised and vulnerable children reaching the UK through brutal, and unnecessary, invasive searches is abuse as policy. 71/
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
Today the news will be about the government's proposals for juries.
Please read this thread so as to be informed about the actual practical problems in the criminal justice system - problems which will not be solved by this misconceived and illiberal tinkering.
Please read this thread so as to be informed about the actual practical problems in the criminal justice system - problems which will not be solved by this misconceived and illiberal tinkering.
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
December 2, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Today the news will be about the government's proposals for juries.
Please read this thread so as to be informed about the actual practical problems in the criminal justice system - problems which will not be solved by this misconceived and illiberal tinkering.
Please read this thread so as to be informed about the actual practical problems in the criminal justice system - problems which will not be solved by this misconceived and illiberal tinkering.
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
I agree, but: if the main reason you are in power now is that the national press kicked seventeen shades of shit out of all your internal and external opponents and repeated every word of the drivel and horseshit you sent them as God’s honest truth, then this is just too bad.
December 1, 2025 at 11:31 AM
I agree, but: if the main reason you are in power now is that the national press kicked seventeen shades of shit out of all your internal and external opponents and repeated every word of the drivel and horseshit you sent them as God’s honest truth, then this is just too bad.
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
Headlines translated: Britain's far-right media didn't like the budget. In an attempt to please them, the prime minister is going to punish the mentally ill.
Starmer eyes mental health welfare cuts after 'Benefits Street' Budget criticism
It comes after Reeves's Budget – which included £26bn in tax rises and a £16bn increase in welfare spending – went down as the most unpopular among voters since the days of Liz Truss
inews.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Headlines translated: Britain's far-right media didn't like the budget. In an attempt to please them, the prime minister is going to punish the mentally ill.
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
December 1, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Nothing will change in the UK until the press is dealt with
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
"immigration has to go up for our growth goals, but our policy is to bring it down"
uk politics in a nutshell
uk politics in a nutshell
There is an actual interesting little deceit in the budget, namely ther have the OBR still forecasting based on increasing net immigration back to 300-350k whilst the Home Secretary is promising to bring it down from 200k, which does dissolve about half the headroom, but somehow we're doing vibes.
Think this is exactly right - political journalism that is completely abstracted from policy, which was not the norm before 2017, has become the default. Impossible to have a serious attempt to either shrink what the state does or widen the tax base (have to do at least one) on that basis.
December 1, 2025 at 6:15 PM
"immigration has to go up for our growth goals, but our policy is to bring it down"
uk politics in a nutshell
uk politics in a nutshell
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
Think this is exactly right - political journalism that is completely abstracted from policy, which was not the norm before 2017, has become the default. Impossible to have a serious attempt to either shrink what the state does or widen the tax base (have to do at least one) on that basis.
All this budget news, claims, counter claims is confusing, but two things of consequence.
1. We're all talking about that, not any financial benefits (or losses) of the budget.
2. Yet more focus on the very weird few weeks and politics of it all. Starting to feel dangerously like a norm.
1. We're all talking about that, not any financial benefits (or losses) of the budget.
2. Yet more focus on the very weird few weeks and politics of it all. Starting to feel dangerously like a norm.
December 1, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Think this is exactly right - political journalism that is completely abstracted from policy, which was not the norm before 2017, has become the default. Impossible to have a serious attempt to either shrink what the state does or widen the tax base (have to do at least one) on that basis.
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
There is an actual interesting little deceit in the budget, namely ther have the OBR still forecasting based on increasing net immigration back to 300-350k whilst the Home Secretary is promising to bring it down from 200k, which does dissolve about half the headroom, but somehow we're doing vibes.
Think this is exactly right - political journalism that is completely abstracted from policy, which was not the norm before 2017, has become the default. Impossible to have a serious attempt to either shrink what the state does or widen the tax base (have to do at least one) on that basis.
All this budget news, claims, counter claims is confusing, but two things of consequence.
1. We're all talking about that, not any financial benefits (or losses) of the budget.
2. Yet more focus on the very weird few weeks and politics of it all. Starting to feel dangerously like a norm.
1. We're all talking about that, not any financial benefits (or losses) of the budget.
2. Yet more focus on the very weird few weeks and politics of it all. Starting to feel dangerously like a norm.
December 1, 2025 at 1:38 PM
There is an actual interesting little deceit in the budget, namely ther have the OBR still forecasting based on increasing net immigration back to 300-350k whilst the Home Secretary is promising to bring it down from 200k, which does dissolve about half the headroom, but somehow we're doing vibes.
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
What we're seeing is exactly what we saw in the late 1940s, the late 1960s and the mid- to late 1970s: a concerted and hysterical campaign to delegitimise a Labour government, and indeed the very idea of Labour governments at all.
December 1, 2025 at 8:44 AM
What we're seeing is exactly what we saw in the late 1940s, the late 1960s and the mid- to late 1970s: a concerted and hysterical campaign to delegitimise a Labour government, and indeed the very idea of Labour governments at all.
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
Are there any other countries whose "patriotic" publications pay foreigners to write about what a hellhole they think their country is?
November 28, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Are there any other countries whose "patriotic" publications pay foreigners to write about what a hellhole they think their country is?
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
Children of Men is set in 2027
This is correct: there is no screeching terror campaign coming here to annihilate Farage’s posh National Front. If it comes to a choice between beating back Reform or e.g. the Greens, then that is not going to be a choice at all for people who actually matter in British public life.
November 30, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Children of Men is set in 2027
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
This is correct: there is no screeching terror campaign coming here to annihilate Farage’s posh National Front. If it comes to a choice between beating back Reform or e.g. the Greens, then that is not going to be a choice at all for people who actually matter in British public life.
November 30, 2025 at 10:24 AM
This is correct: there is no screeching terror campaign coming here to annihilate Farage’s posh National Front. If it comes to a choice between beating back Reform or e.g. the Greens, then that is not going to be a choice at all for people who actually matter in British public life.
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
Reposted by Neil Atkinson
You could even get the impression that the black holes discourse wasn’t actually driven by concerns about fiscal sustainability in the first place, at least for some of the protagonists.
I’m quite enjoying the 180 turn on a six pence from “you’ve wrecked the economy and created a black hole” to “there was no black hole and this is even worse”.
November 30, 2025 at 9:55 AM
You could even get the impression that the black holes discourse wasn’t actually driven by concerns about fiscal sustainability in the first place, at least for some of the protagonists.