Martin 马丁 Holterman
@martinned.bsky.social
Gamekeeper turned poacher turned gamekeeper. Ex-consultant, ex-CMA, ex-Ofwat, ex-EUI. Tweets and RTs (occasionally) reflect personal views, but never anyone else's.
Reposted by Martin 马丁 Holterman
"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 Martin 马丁 Holterman
While skeptical about the final sentence, I think the rest of this clip is actually really really good. 👏
This is actually quite brilliant, up to and including the final sentence 🔥
December 1, 2025 at 12:44 PM
While skeptical about the final sentence, I think the rest of this clip is actually really really good. 👏
Last year I started my first ever job in my native language. I still haven't fully adjusted.
weird product of having moved to Britain at 17 is that while I'm obviously fluent in French, I only ever speak it with relatives and friends, meaning that on the rare occasions I have to actually use French in my work my brain just goes full
December 1, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Last year I started my first ever job in my native language. I still haven't fully adjusted.
What’s the odds on a Tory/Reform merger before the next General Election? After all, that’s what the Tories did the last time they were in trouble.
Two more Conservative MP rejects hop over to Reform UK. Jonathan Gullis and Lia Nici.
More and more, Reform UK looks simply as if the Tories ran off stage, then came back on two minutes lates, wearing a comedy moustache-and-glasses disguise. ~AA
uk.news.yahoo.com/former-tory-...
More and more, Reform UK looks simply as if the Tories ran off stage, then came back on two minutes lates, wearing a comedy moustache-and-glasses disguise. ~AA
uk.news.yahoo.com/former-tory-...
Former Tory MP Jonathan Gullis defects to Reform UK
He joins Daniel Jellyman
uk.news.yahoo.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:12 AM
What’s the odds on a Tory/Reform merger before the next General Election? After all, that’s what the Tories did the last time they were in trouble.
Reposted by Martin 马丁 Holterman
In a multi-level polity, trust in one level can also affect trust in other levels. But these dynamics are complex and can go either way.
FELIX-CHRISTOPHER VON NOSTITZ analyses in which cases #politicaltrust in subnational regions increases or decreases trust in national and EU institutions.
#ActEU
FELIX-CHRISTOPHER VON NOSTITZ analyses in which cases #politicaltrust in subnational regions increases or decreases trust in national and EU institutions.
#ActEU
Multi-level democracy and political trust in Europe: The role of the subnational level
Ein Blog über die Demokratie in Europa
www.foederalist.eu
December 1, 2025 at 9:09 AM
In a multi-level polity, trust in one level can also affect trust in other levels. But these dynamics are complex and can go either way.
FELIX-CHRISTOPHER VON NOSTITZ analyses in which cases #politicaltrust in subnational regions increases or decreases trust in national and EU institutions.
#ActEU
FELIX-CHRISTOPHER VON NOSTITZ analyses in which cases #politicaltrust in subnational regions increases or decreases trust in national and EU institutions.
#ActEU
Reposted by Martin 马丁 Holterman
R.I.P. Tom Stoppard, playwright most famous for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
Born Tomas Straussler in Czechoslovakia he fled his home during the Nazi occupation and found refuge in Britain at the age of eight. He later discovered all four of his grandparents had died in the Holocaust.
Born Tomas Straussler in Czechoslovakia he fled his home during the Nazi occupation and found refuge in Britain at the age of eight. He later discovered all four of his grandparents had died in the Holocaust.
Sir Tom Stoppard, playwright famed for his wit and depth, dies at 88
Winning an Oscar for the screenplay for Shakespeare In Love, he captivated the hearts of audiences for more than six decades.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 9:13 PM
R.I.P. Tom Stoppard, playwright most famous for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
Born Tomas Straussler in Czechoslovakia he fled his home during the Nazi occupation and found refuge in Britain at the age of eight. He later discovered all four of his grandparents had died in the Holocaust.
Born Tomas Straussler in Czechoslovakia he fled his home during the Nazi occupation and found refuge in Britain at the age of eight. He later discovered all four of his grandparents had died in the Holocaust.
Voice-over: Any company that runs a loss in a given year will probably pay its executives more than it pays in salary.
What do these corporations have in common?
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
November 29, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Voice-over: Any company that runs a loss in a given year will probably pay its executives more than it pays in salary.
Reposted by Martin 马丁 Holterman
MAN Trucks and EDF in France have launched an electric truck package that guarantees price parity with the diesel equivalent. Smart charging plays a key role in reducing energy costs by 30–50%.
Is a battery-electric truck achieving cost parity with a diesel truck possible? Yes, that's the guarantee offered by MAN Truck & Bus France in a new package together with EDF. Smart charging p...
Is a battery-electric truck achieving cost parity with a diesel truck possible? Yes, that's the guarantee offered by MAN Truck & Bus France in a new package together with EDF. Smart charging plays a k...
www.linkedin.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:20 PM
MAN Trucks and EDF in France have launched an electric truck package that guarantees price parity with the diesel equivalent. Smart charging plays a key role in reducing energy costs by 30–50%.
Reposted by Martin 马丁 Holterman
“Also for legal reasons, we’re not able to tell you what that line is.”
From a media law perspective: BS.
There is no "legal" reason for not publishing that line.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
From a media law perspective: BS.
There is no "legal" reason for not publishing that line.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC tells staff they cannot quote Trump line removed from Reith Lecture
Journalists not allowed to repeat Rutger Bregman’s corruption claims against US president in coverage of edit
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:32 PM
“Also for legal reasons, we’re not able to tell you what that line is.”
From a media law perspective: BS.
There is no "legal" reason for not publishing that line.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
From a media law perspective: BS.
There is no "legal" reason for not publishing that line.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Reposted by Martin 马丁 Holterman
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
November 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
@theguardian.com I'm pretty sure that Andy King (in the middle here) has left the OBR to join @flint-global.com years ago.
November 26, 2025 at 2:41 PM
@theguardian.com I'm pretty sure that Andy King (in the middle here) has left the OBR to join @flint-global.com years ago.
For the record, as far as I'm concerned the alternative to juries isn't single-judge courts, but a panel of three judges. The theory is that they cancel out each other's biases. (And that they have to explain their reasoning anyway.)
emptycity.substack.com/p/a-short-de...
emptycity.substack.com/p/a-short-de...
A short defence of juries
The jury system is not without faults but there is a good reason why they exist.
emptycity.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:19 PM
For the record, as far as I'm concerned the alternative to juries isn't single-judge courts, but a panel of three judges. The theory is that they cancel out each other's biases. (And that they have to explain their reasoning anyway.)
emptycity.substack.com/p/a-short-de...
emptycity.substack.com/p/a-short-de...
Reposted by Martin 马丁 Holterman
This is so important. People who study international relations love to fight over whether interests or values define relationships. It is both. An interest is something you define. And your values come into the equation. It is not either or.
What Trump has made me realise is how much the post-Cold War relationship hinged on shared values rather than shared interests. Trump is illustrating how, whether on Ukraine and Gaza, our interests diverge and, absent those values, there's not much holding us together.
November 25, 2025 at 9:38 AM
This is so important. People who study international relations love to fight over whether interests or values define relationships. It is both. An interest is something you define. And your values come into the equation. It is not either or.
Reposted by Martin 马丁 Holterman
There is absolutely no reason for the European Union and NATO to behave like we are hostage to the policy choices and objectives of the United States on matters of international affairs, in particular, on Russia's war and genocide against Ukraine. We're not slaves or pawns to Washington.
1/8
1/8
November 22, 2025 at 5:41 PM
There is absolutely no reason for the European Union and NATO to behave like we are hostage to the policy choices and objectives of the United States on matters of international affairs, in particular, on Russia's war and genocide against Ukraine. We're not slaves or pawns to Washington.
1/8
1/8
With Trump, what’s the point of being mealy mouthed like this? Either give him what he wants or tell him to f*ck off.
Are they trying to run out the clock like during Trump’s first time in office? He has more than 3 years left, and the next president will be worse.
Are they trying to run out the clock like during Trump’s first time in office? He has more than 3 years left, and the next president will be worse.
Just in: joint statement on Ukraine by 🇪🇺🇩🇪🇫🇷🇬🇧🇮🇹🇪🇸🇫🇮🇳🇱🇮🇪🇳🇴🇨🇦🇯🇵
The 28-point plan has "important elements" for a just and lasting peace but "will require additional work."
"We are concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraine's armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack."
The 28-point plan has "important elements" for a just and lasting peace but "will require additional work."
"We are concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraine's armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack."
November 22, 2025 at 2:42 PM
With Trump, what’s the point of being mealy mouthed like this? Either give him what he wants or tell him to f*ck off.
Are they trying to run out the clock like during Trump’s first time in office? He has more than 3 years left, and the next president will be worse.
Are they trying to run out the clock like during Trump’s first time in office? He has more than 3 years left, and the next president will be worse.
Reposted by Martin 马丁 Holterman
context on why the resignation date is early next year - even MTG knows not to give up good health insurance when you have it
My assumption would be a pivot to punditry / Fox commentator or other similar grift.
She assumed office on 1/3/21, so 1/6/26 will give her the five years required to get a congressional pension and lifetime access to FEHB health insurance. And it'd get her out of the blast radius of a GOP collapse.
She assumed office on 1/3/21, so 1/6/26 will give her the five years required to get a congressional pension and lifetime access to FEHB health insurance. And it'd get her out of the blast radius of a GOP collapse.
November 22, 2025 at 1:38 AM
context on why the resignation date is early next year - even MTG knows not to give up good health insurance when you have it
Als je in deze situatie ADO bent, en je moet nog 4 minuten uitspelen, dan spreek je toch op basis van pure schaamte met je tegenstander af dat je de bal alleen nog even informeel rondtikt? Of ben ik nou gek?
SC Cambuur-ADO Den Haag tijdelijk gestaakt na ongeregeldheden bij uitvak. Supporters ADO gooien met vuurwerk naar thuispubliek
SC Cambuur-ADO Den Haag tijdelijk gestaakt na ongeregeldheden bij uitvak. Supporters ADO gooien met vuurwerk naar thuispubliek
SC Cambuur-ADO Den Haag is tijdelijk gestaakt nadat er ongeregeldheden ontstonden bij het uitvak.
dlvr.it
November 21, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Als je in deze situatie ADO bent, en je moet nog 4 minuten uitspelen, dan spreek je toch op basis van pure schaamte met je tegenstander af dat je de bal alleen nog even informeel rondtikt? Of ben ik nou gek?
Wat in dit stuk wat mij betreft het interessantst is, is de stelling (tussen neus en lippen door) dat de informateur “sturing geeft” aan het formatieproces. Dat lijkt me een behoorlijke constitutionele noviteit. En zonder die aanname is de nieuwswaarde van e.e.a. een stuk minder evident.
NRC kreeg veel kritiek na publicaties over D66-informateur Wijers. Wat is er gebeurd? Hoe handelde de redactie? Welke afwegingen zijn wel en niet goed gemaakt? Een evaluatie door de ombudsman van NRC.
Opinie | Verslaggeving van NRC over Wijers was gerechtvaardigd maar er ging te veel fout
Illustratie Mart Veldhuis Zoom in Een stortvloed aan mails en veel opzeggingen: NRC had informateur Hans Wijers ten onrechte gevloerd met „bedroevende journalistiek”, of erger met „riooljournalistiek zonder weerga”. De redactie kwam vanaf vorige week vrijdag vol onder vuur te liggen voor het journalistiek handelen rond de berichtgeving over D66-informateur Wijers. Die had volgens een artikel dat…
www.nrc.nl
November 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Wat in dit stuk wat mij betreft het interessantst is, is de stelling (tussen neus en lippen door) dat de informateur “sturing geeft” aan het formatieproces. Dat lijkt me een behoorlijke constitutionele noviteit. En zonder die aanname is de nieuwswaarde van e.e.a. een stuk minder evident.
Reposted by Martin 马丁 Holterman
NRC kreeg veel kritiek na publicaties over D66-informateur Wijers. Wat is er gebeurd? Hoe handelde de redactie? Welke afwegingen zijn wel en niet goed gemaakt? Een evaluatie door de ombudsman van NRC.
Opinie | Verslaggeving van NRC over Wijers was gerechtvaardigd maar er ging te veel fout
Illustratie Mart Veldhuis Zoom in Een stortvloed aan mails en veel opzeggingen: NRC had informateur Hans Wijers ten onrechte gevloerd met „bedroevende journalistiek”, of erger met „riooljournalistiek zonder weerga”. De redactie kwam vanaf vorige week vrijdag vol onder vuur te liggen voor het journalistiek handelen rond de berichtgeving over D66-informateur Wijers. Die had volgens een artikel dat…
www.nrc.nl
November 21, 2025 at 7:09 PM
NRC kreeg veel kritiek na publicaties over D66-informateur Wijers. Wat is er gebeurd? Hoe handelde de redactie? Welke afwegingen zijn wel en niet goed gemaakt? Een evaluatie door de ombudsman van NRC.
Kijk Wopke eens met de vuist op tafel slaan! Het zal mij benieuwen…
Under no circumstances are we going to accept this text. Nothing that is remotely close to what is now on the table.
Yes, we do have a few more hours left.
You can count on us to do our absolute utmost to deliver #COP30
See my remarks this morning 👉🏻 ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Yes, we do have a few more hours left.
You can count on us to do our absolute utmost to deliver #COP30
See my remarks this morning 👉🏻 ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
November 21, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Kijk Wopke eens met de vuist op tafel slaan! Het zal mij benieuwen…
Reposted by Martin 马丁 Holterman
Though what he did was deplorable, this seems an excessive sentence for idiocy.
Can we reduce it by a year for each other person that he incriminates?
Can we reduce it by a year for each other person that he incriminates?
The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has been jailed for 10 and a half years after he accepted money to make pro-Russian statements in the European parliament.
www.ft.com/content/9959...
www.ft.com/content/9959...
Former leader of Reform UK in Wales jailed over pro-Russian bribes
Nathan Gill sentenced to 10 years in prison for accepting money to make statements in European parliament
www.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Though what he did was deplorable, this seems an excessive sentence for idiocy.
Can we reduce it by a year for each other person that he incriminates?
Can we reduce it by a year for each other person that he incriminates?
Reposted by Martin 马丁 Holterman
How some geopolitically relevant economies are doing relative to their pre-COVID trends.
November 21, 2025 at 4:43 PM
How some geopolitically relevant economies are doing relative to their pre-COVID trends.
Of, om het anders te zeggen, ook een “dubbeldemissionair” kabinet heeft nog veel macht. Het is altijd de moeite waard om een partij uit een kabinet te manoeuvreren dat al demissionair is. Zonder BBB is voor de VVD nog beter.
Wat een totale clusterfuck is dit kabinet. Dubbeldemissionair en dan met een mandaat van 27 zetels de autonomie in landbouwbeleid overleveren aan multinationals en tegelijk meer vervuiling van bodem en water mogelijk maken.
www.nieuweoogst.nl/nieuws/2025/...
www.nieuweoogst.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Nederlandse steun voor Mercosur in ruil voor nieuwe derogatie
Demissionair premier Dick Schoof moet bij de Europese top in december een ultieme poging doen om opnieuw derogatie te verkrijgen voor Nederland. Als wisselgeld neemt hij het ja-woord voor het handelsv...
www.nieuweoogst.nl
November 21, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Of, om het anders te zeggen, ook een “dubbeldemissionair” kabinet heeft nog veel macht. Het is altijd de moeite waard om een partij uit een kabinet te manoeuvreren dat al demissionair is. Zonder BBB is voor de VVD nog beter.
Reposted by Martin 马丁 Holterman
I literally could not stop myself from inappropriately laughing out loud for real
November 21, 2025 at 12:24 AM
I literally could not stop myself from inappropriately laughing out loud for real