Mark Braund
@markbraund.substack.com
Politics, Economics, Culture, Music & Wine (DipWSET, no less)
Writer of fiction:
https://bloomsbury.substack.com
and non-fiction:
https://markbraund.substack.com
https://winestories.substack.com/
https://theguardian.com/profile/markbraund
Writer of fiction:
https://bloomsbury.substack.com
and non-fiction:
https://markbraund.substack.com
https://winestories.substack.com/
https://theguardian.com/profile/markbraund
Pinned
Rawls Reversed
We can't allow those who vote in ignorance to destroy civilisation
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk
A new post from me today, this one published at Bearly Politics. Thank you @bearlypolitics.co.uk.
In it I examine the work of the American philosopher John Rawls and its relevance for the world today.
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk/p/rawls-reve...
In it I examine the work of the American philosopher John Rawls and its relevance for the world today.
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk/p/rawls-reve...
A new post from me today, this one published at Bearly Politics. Thank you @bearlypolitics.co.uk.
In it I examine the work of the American philosopher John Rawls and its relevance for the world today.
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk/p/rawls-reve...
In it I examine the work of the American philosopher John Rawls and its relevance for the world today.
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk/p/rawls-reve...
Rawls Reversed
We can't allow those who vote in ignorance to destroy civilisation
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 9:38 AM
A new post from me today, this one published at Bearly Politics. Thank you @bearlypolitics.co.uk.
In it I examine the work of the American philosopher John Rawls and its relevance for the world today.
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk/p/rawls-reve...
In it I examine the work of the American philosopher John Rawls and its relevance for the world today.
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk/p/rawls-reve...
And, of course, he's never known it, which is part of the reason he's currently shitting on the entire world.
Having said that, gazillions of people survive such neglect without becoming criminal narcissists bent on destroying civilization.
Having said that, gazillions of people survive such neglect without becoming criminal narcissists bent on destroying civilization.
February 6, 2026 at 3:14 PM
And, of course, he's never known it, which is part of the reason he's currently shitting on the entire world.
Having said that, gazillions of people survive such neglect without becoming criminal narcissists bent on destroying civilization.
Having said that, gazillions of people survive such neglect without becoming criminal narcissists bent on destroying civilization.
It was a privilege to be at @cafeotodalston.bsky.social last night for the launch of Kelly Moran's new album, Don't Trust Mirrors. She is a remarkable pianist and performer.
She opened with this stunning track, Echo in the Field. Eat your heart out, Nils Frahm.
open.spotify.com/track/508XAH...
She opened with this stunning track, Echo in the Field. Eat your heart out, Nils Frahm.
open.spotify.com/track/508XAH...
Echo in the Field
open.spotify.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:48 PM
It was a privilege to be at @cafeotodalston.bsky.social last night for the launch of Kelly Moran's new album, Don't Trust Mirrors. She is a remarkable pianist and performer.
She opened with this stunning track, Echo in the Field. Eat your heart out, Nils Frahm.
open.spotify.com/track/508XAH...
She opened with this stunning track, Echo in the Field. Eat your heart out, Nils Frahm.
open.spotify.com/track/508XAH...
And it was a brilliant show. Kelly is an exceptional pianist, an original composer and a brilliant performer. The Sakamoto with Lucina to close was sublime.
TONIGHT we are at @cafeotodalston.bsky.social for a sold out night with Kelly Moran & Lucina Chua.
Doors 7:30
Lucinda Chua - 8:20
Kelly Moran - 9:10
Looks like 20 tickets left for her 6:00 show tomorrow that was added:
dice.fm/event/py528y...
Doors 7:30
Lucinda Chua - 8:20
Kelly Moran - 9:10
Looks like 20 tickets left for her 6:00 show tomorrow that was added:
dice.fm/event/py528y...
February 5, 2026 at 11:16 PM
And it was a brilliant show. Kelly is an exceptional pianist, an original composer and a brilliant performer. The Sakamoto with Lucina to close was sublime.
Reposted by Mark Braund
Epstein is the sub- plot... My post. open.substack.com/pub/annpetti...
The Mandelson Scandal is about Wall Street Power and Political Deviance
Epstein the paedophile is a sub-plot.
open.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Epstein is the sub- plot... My post. open.substack.com/pub/annpetti...
Reposted by Mark Braund
I have never seen anger like this on the Labour benches in private and in public. This is the kind of territory where things can move very fast.
February 4, 2026 at 1:36 PM
I have never seen anger like this on the Labour benches in private and in public. This is the kind of territory where things can move very fast.
Reposted by Mark Braund
Jeffrey Bezos is destroying the Washington Post for the same reason Musk destroyed Twitter and Ellison is destroying CBS—oligarchs oppose the free press when if it threatens their wealth and power.
They don’t want normal people to see what is happening in America.
They don’t want normal people to see what is happening in America.
February 4, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Jeffrey Bezos is destroying the Washington Post for the same reason Musk destroyed Twitter and Ellison is destroying CBS—oligarchs oppose the free press when if it threatens their wealth and power.
They don’t want normal people to see what is happening in America.
They don’t want normal people to see what is happening in America.
Reposted by Mark Braund
Adding to Starmer’s woes and questions about his judgement, the entire basis for his decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation has just collapsed. The proscription order should be rescinded at once and the Government should apologise for abusing anti-terror laws.
Palestine Action activists cleared of aggravated burglary at Israeli defence firm site
Palestine Action activists cleared of aggravated burglary at Israeli defence firm site
None of the six activists were convicted of any offence over break-in at Elbit Systems factory near Bristol in 2024
Six Palestine Action activists have been cleared of committing aggravated burglary over a break-in at an Israeli defence firm’s UK site.
Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, Fatema Rajwani, Zoe Rogers and Jordan Devlin were accused of threatening unlawful violence and using sledgehammers as weapons after a prison van was driven into Elbit Systems’ factory in Filton, near Bristol, on 6 August 2024. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Adding to Starmer’s woes and questions about his judgement, the entire basis for his decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation has just collapsed. The proscription order should be rescinded at once and the Government should apologise for abusing anti-terror laws.
Just make Zelenskyy President of the World and be done with it.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Get out of Greenland mode and stand up for yourself, Zelenskyy tells Europe
Ukraine president accuses EU leaders of waiting for direction from Donald Trump in blistering speech at Davos
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Just make Zelenskyy President of the World and be done with it.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
I’m not sure it would be possible today for anyone to live a life as remarkable as that lived by Hans Hermann. What a story. And a great obituary by Richard Williams.
www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...
Hans Herrmann obituary
Grand prix driver who survived spectacular crashes and was victorious at endurance races including Le Mans and Daytona
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:22 PM
I’m not sure it would be possible today for anyone to live a life as remarkable as that lived by Hans Hermann. What a story. And a great obituary by Richard Williams.
www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...
Surely the economic chickens will come home to roost before the next Presidential election. Oh, assuming there is one.
Tariffs weren’t about workers. “Liberation Day” wasn’t liberation. It was debt denial, economic cosplay, and nationalist theatre — paid for by consumers while elites hedge offshore.
January 22, 2026 at 8:37 AM
Surely the economic chickens will come home to roost before the next Presidential election. Oh, assuming there is one.
We were talking about this more than 30 years ago when I was working in development in Mozambique.
Several NGOs had already stopped 'sponsor a child' schemes even then.
The wheels turn very slowly sometimes.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Several NGOs had already stopped 'sponsor a child' schemes even then.
The wheels turn very slowly sometimes.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
ActionAid to rethink child sponsorship as part of plan to ‘decolonise’ its work
Development charity’s new co-chairs signal shift from controversial sponsor a child scheme launched in 1972 to long-term grassroots funding
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:34 AM
We were talking about this more than 30 years ago when I was working in development in Mozambique.
Several NGOs had already stopped 'sponsor a child' schemes even then.
The wheels turn very slowly sometimes.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Several NGOs had already stopped 'sponsor a child' schemes even then.
The wheels turn very slowly sometimes.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
My latest Substack post, inspired by the words of the great @pattismithh.bsky.social.
markbraund.substack.com/p/the-people...
markbraund.substack.com/p/the-people...
The People have the Power
But we can't rely on democracy to protect our freedoms
markbraund.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:51 AM
My latest Substack post, inspired by the words of the great @pattismithh.bsky.social.
markbraund.substack.com/p/the-people...
markbraund.substack.com/p/the-people...
For someone who was supposed to be a PR expert, Mandelson seems to be about as self aware as the Andrew formerly known as Prince.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Peter Mandelson apologises for Epstein association in sudden U-turn
Former ambassador to US had earlier declined to give apology for keeping in touch with sex offender after his conviction
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 10:20 AM
For someone who was supposed to be a PR expert, Mandelson seems to be about as self aware as the Andrew formerly known as Prince.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
All you need to know about yesterday's extra-judicial killing of an innocent American woman by US government agents, courtesy of the estimable @marina-purkiss.bsky.social on the @jeremyvine.bsky.social show.
As Marina says, America is lost.
substack.com/@marinapurki...
As Marina says, America is lost.
substack.com/@marinapurki...
Marina Purkiss (@marinapurkiss)
No sleep last night…
Can’t get that video out of my head
Can believe the lies being told to betray her even in death
Can’t believe the mindless lemmings that swallow them up
America is lost.
substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:01 PM
All you need to know about yesterday's extra-judicial killing of an innocent American woman by US government agents, courtesy of the estimable @marina-purkiss.bsky.social on the @jeremyvine.bsky.social show.
As Marina says, America is lost.
substack.com/@marinapurki...
As Marina says, America is lost.
substack.com/@marinapurki...
Mandelson was always teetering, but he's now clearly gone over to the dark side.
And why is @theguardian.com giving him coverage?
Oh I forgot, that the whole point now. Only the words of liars, sycophants, extremists and appeasers are worth reporting.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
And why is @theguardian.com giving him coverage?
Oh I forgot, that the whole point now. Only the words of liars, sycophants, extremists and appeasers are worth reporting.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Mandelson accuses European leaders of ‘histrionic’ reaction to Trump’s Greenland stance
Article by former British ambassador to US is likely to be seen as criticism of Keir Starmer
www.theguardian.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Mandelson was always teetering, but he's now clearly gone over to the dark side.
And why is @theguardian.com giving him coverage?
Oh I forgot, that the whole point now. Only the words of liars, sycophants, extremists and appeasers are worth reporting.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
And why is @theguardian.com giving him coverage?
Oh I forgot, that the whole point now. Only the words of liars, sycophants, extremists and appeasers are worth reporting.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Mark Braund
The BBC never fails to disappoint.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Dear BBC,
We've all seen the footage. Trump and his entourage are lying through their collective teeth.
Could you at least point this out?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Dear BBC,
We've all seen the footage. Trump and his entourage are lying through their collective teeth.
Could you at least point this out?
US immigration officer fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis
Trump says the woman was attempting to run over ICE agents. Local leaders disagree.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 9:28 AM
The BBC never fails to disappoint.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Dear BBC,
We've all seen the footage. Trump and his entourage are lying through their collective teeth.
Could you at least point this out?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Dear BBC,
We've all seen the footage. Trump and his entourage are lying through their collective teeth.
Could you at least point this out?
Reposted by Mark Braund
Reposted by Mark Braund
I'm writing about the Palestine Action hunger strikers at the moment, any of whom could die at any moment, and the astonishing media and government silence surrounding them. The Establishment seems to have become even crueller than when Thatcher was PM.
January 5, 2026 at 12:27 PM
I'm writing about the Palestine Action hunger strikers at the moment, any of whom could die at any moment, and the astonishing media and government silence surrounding them. The Establishment seems to have become even crueller than when Thatcher was PM.
He does indeed. Excellent article, sound if rather depressing conclusion.
I hope John plender knows more about the financial markets than he does about jazz. Because jazz is certainly not 'a little bit tired these days'.
I shall read the rest of his article now.
How the bubble bursts - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
I shall read the rest of his article now.
How the bubble bursts - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
How the bubble bursts
AI-fuelled market euphoria is a new telling of an old story that will not play out differently this time, writes John Plender — but it may have some way still to go
giftarticle.ft.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:47 AM
He does indeed. Excellent article, sound if rather depressing conclusion.
I hope John plender knows more about the financial markets than he does about jazz. Because jazz is certainly not 'a little bit tired these days'.
I shall read the rest of his article now.
How the bubble bursts - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
I shall read the rest of his article now.
How the bubble bursts - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
How the bubble bursts
AI-fuelled market euphoria is a new telling of an old story that will not play out differently this time, writes John Plender — but it may have some way still to go
giftarticle.ft.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:12 AM
I hope John plender knows more about the financial markets than he does about jazz. Because jazz is certainly not 'a little bit tired these days'.
I shall read the rest of his article now.
How the bubble bursts - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
I shall read the rest of his article now.
How the bubble bursts - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
My latest substack post. Something completely different for the New Year featuring:
@sofasound.bsky.social
@thelastdinnerparty.bsky.social
@stereolabgroop.bsky.social
English Teacher, and
Black Country, New Road
But in what order?
markbraund.substack.com/p/the-5-best...
@sofasound.bsky.social
@thelastdinnerparty.bsky.social
@stereolabgroop.bsky.social
English Teacher, and
Black Country, New Road
But in what order?
markbraund.substack.com/p/the-5-best...
The 5 Best Gigs of 2025 (in London)
Has the music scene ever been so healthy?
markbraund.substack.com
January 1, 2026 at 11:40 AM
My latest substack post. Something completely different for the New Year featuring:
@sofasound.bsky.social
@thelastdinnerparty.bsky.social
@stereolabgroop.bsky.social
English Teacher, and
Black Country, New Road
But in what order?
markbraund.substack.com/p/the-5-best...
@sofasound.bsky.social
@thelastdinnerparty.bsky.social
@stereolabgroop.bsky.social
English Teacher, and
Black Country, New Road
But in what order?
markbraund.substack.com/p/the-5-best...
Because it's the end of the year, and because people like lists, and because I was fortunate to see some great gigs this year.
Happy New Year everyone!
open.substack.com/pub/markbrau...
Happy New Year everyone!
open.substack.com/pub/markbrau...
The 5 Best Gigs of 2025 (in London)
Has the music scene ever been so healthy?
open.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Because it's the end of the year, and because people like lists, and because I was fortunate to see some great gigs this year.
Happy New Year everyone!
open.substack.com/pub/markbrau...
Happy New Year everyone!
open.substack.com/pub/markbrau...
