@mickrab.bsky.social
Europhile boomer who appreciates how lucky I am. London accent with Yorkshire twinges, but heart in Galway.
Savage cynic, a bit sweary, no prisoners. Tax is the price you pay for a civilised society.
Savage cynic, a bit sweary, no prisoners. Tax is the price you pay for a civilised society.
Pinned
mickrab.bsky.social
@mickrab.bsky.social
· Jan 13
The absence of a clear answer from a politician normally means the politically inconvenient answer is the truth.
Save this,it is a maxim for the ages.
Save this,it is a maxim for the ages.
You were a silly little boy. In 1974 I took my girlfriend/still wife to our 1st gig together at Wembley Stadium.
THE BAND. CROSBY STILLS NASH & YOUNG. JONI MITCHELL.
You can stick your 1980s and 1990s pretentious shite up your arse.
🤪
THE BAND. CROSBY STILLS NASH & YOUNG. JONI MITCHELL.
You can stick your 1980s and 1990s pretentious shite up your arse.
🤪
November 28, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Reposted
Reposted
The press in the UK is venal. In a country where 1000s of properties are owned by foreign nationals as investment vehicles, where London housing the vast mass of the population can't afford pays less tax than family homes we hear a sob story for those owning £2m+ homes. Pay up and shut up.
Homeowners living in properties worth more than £2m will pay thousands of pounds more in tax each year after the chancellor unveiled plans for a new mansion tax
Mansion tax ‘could drag 190,000 homeowners into financial ruin’
www.thetimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:12 AM
The press in the UK is venal. In a country where 1000s of properties are owned by foreign nationals as investment vehicles, where London housing the vast mass of the population can't afford pays less tax than family homes we hear a sob story for those owning £2m+ homes. Pay up and shut up.
Reposted
“What about this poor old woman who is blind, deaf, in a wheelchair and survives on £30 a week, but lives in a £15 million manor she doesn’t want to sell because it was left to her by her late husband, who died while saving a group of orphans from being sold into slavery? What about HER, Rachel??”
November 26, 2025 at 11:47 PM
“What about this poor old woman who is blind, deaf, in a wheelchair and survives on £30 a week, but lives in a £15 million manor she doesn’t want to sell because it was left to her by her late husband, who died while saving a group of orphans from being sold into slavery? What about HER, Rachel??”
Reposted
Sometimes these small businessmen make me want to puke.
Man rang LBC today. Pays himself in dividends to avoid paying NI contributions. Complained about increase in tax on dividends, which is still way less than the NI rate. So he's complaining because gaming the system is gaining him a little less.
Man rang LBC today. Pays himself in dividends to avoid paying NI contributions. Complained about increase in tax on dividends, which is still way less than the NI rate. So he's complaining because gaming the system is gaining him a little less.
November 27, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Sometimes these small businessmen make me want to puke.
Man rang LBC today. Pays himself in dividends to avoid paying NI contributions. Complained about increase in tax on dividends, which is still way less than the NI rate. So he's complaining because gaming the system is gaining him a little less.
Man rang LBC today. Pays himself in dividends to avoid paying NI contributions. Complained about increase in tax on dividends, which is still way less than the NI rate. So he's complaining because gaming the system is gaining him a little less.
November 26, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Sometimes these small businessmen make me want to puke.
Man rang LBC today. Pays himself in dividends to avoid paying NI contributions. Complained about increase in tax on dividends, which is still way less than the NI rate. So he's complaining because gaming the system is gaining him a little less.
Man rang LBC today. Pays himself in dividends to avoid paying NI contributions. Complained about increase in tax on dividends, which is still way less than the NI rate. So he's complaining because gaming the system is gaining him a little less.
@iandunt.bsky.social
Just finished How Westminster Works.
A few comments on Select Committees, some of which are great, some useless.
1. They have no power of sub poena.
2. Evidence not given under oath, so people lie with impunity.
3. Their reports can be ignored.
4. Many members are USELESS!
1/
Just finished How Westminster Works.
A few comments on Select Committees, some of which are great, some useless.
1. They have no power of sub poena.
2. Evidence not given under oath, so people lie with impunity.
3. Their reports can be ignored.
4. Many members are USELESS!
1/
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 PM
"Bona fide advisers" are just as much as curse on the tax system as the scam measures.
Here's a suggestion: No company which advises HMG in any capacity is allowed to provide tax advice to companies or private individuals.
No running with the hare and hunting with the hounds.
Here's a suggestion: No company which advises HMG in any capacity is allowed to provide tax advice to companies or private individuals.
No running with the hare and hunting with the hounds.
Points to watch: will the key “Universal Stop Notice” and penalty measures be included? Will there be new protections for bona fide advisers?
November 26, 2025 at 11:36 AM
"Bona fide advisers" are just as much as curse on the tax system as the scam measures.
Here's a suggestion: No company which advises HMG in any capacity is allowed to provide tax advice to companies or private individuals.
No running with the hare and hunting with the hounds.
Here's a suggestion: No company which advises HMG in any capacity is allowed to provide tax advice to companies or private individuals.
No running with the hare and hunting with the hounds.
Reposted
A rare photo of Gianni Infantino where he isn't the biggest cunt in it.
November 19, 2025 at 12:56 PM
A rare photo of Gianni Infantino where he isn't the biggest cunt in it.
Not really. You've just brought home what you've been doing overseas for 80 years. Do Mossadegh or Allende ring a bell? Diem? Bay of Pigs?
To anyone who thinks it’s an “exaggeration” that the rule of law is in danger…
U.S. Senator Mark Kelly is being investigated for the “crime” of telling people not to commit crimes.
We’ve fallen far.
U.S. Senator Mark Kelly is being investigated for the “crime” of telling people not to commit crimes.
We’ve fallen far.
November 26, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Not really. You've just brought home what you've been doing overseas for 80 years. Do Mossadegh or Allende ring a bell? Diem? Bay of Pigs?
Reposted
Absolutely agree with this
Contrary to the headlines every attempt to subsidise house buyers simply puts up the price and rewards existing owners. Cutting ISA allowance will have zero impact on interest rates. Time to borrow and build or repair council homes in our crumbling inner cities.
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
Reeves’s plan to cut cash Isa limit could raise mortgage rates, say finance bosses
Building societies fear consumers will be put off from saving if chancellor’s budget announces a 40% reduction
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Absolutely agree with this
Reposted
Who to believe… a single Nigel Farage or twenty of his former classmates?
November 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Who to believe… a single Nigel Farage or twenty of his former classmates?
Reposted
When Rishi Sunak made the Vaccine deal with Moderna as Chancellor, he had up to £530m invested in Moderna.
Now Michelle Mone is desperately bringing it up.
Like if you want Mone on trial.
RT if you want them both facing the music.
Now Michelle Mone is desperately bringing it up.
Like if you want Mone on trial.
RT if you want them both facing the music.
November 23, 2025 at 6:36 PM
When Rishi Sunak made the Vaccine deal with Moderna as Chancellor, he had up to £530m invested in Moderna.
Now Michelle Mone is desperately bringing it up.
Like if you want Mone on trial.
RT if you want them both facing the music.
Now Michelle Mone is desperately bringing it up.
Like if you want Mone on trial.
RT if you want them both facing the music.
Reposted
The government’s progress on constitutional & ethical standards has been welcome but underwhelming. It should go further to put the business appointments rules and the new standards regulator on a statutory basis, protect the electoral process and ensure the independence of the Electoral Commission
ON THE BLOG: Monitor 91: Starmer's constitutional timidity
In the lead article from the latest issue of Monitor, Meg Russell & @alanrenwick.bsky.social argue that the government could be seeking to lead, and to set the tone on constitutional standards, but changes instead feel timid and reluctant.
In the lead article from the latest issue of Monitor, Meg Russell & @alanrenwick.bsky.social argue that the government could be seeking to lead, and to set the tone on constitutional standards, but changes instead feel timid and reluctant.
Monitor 91: Starmer's constitutional timidity
In the lead article from the latest issue of Monitor, Meg Russell & @alanrenwick.bsky.social argue that the government could be seeking to lead, and to set the tone on constitutional standards, but changes instead feel timid and reluctant.
constitution-unit.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 AM
The government’s progress on constitutional & ethical standards has been welcome but underwhelming. It should go further to put the business appointments rules and the new standards regulator on a statutory basis, protect the electoral process and ensure the independence of the Electoral Commission
Reposted
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
@ogsy
Sounds a pretty shit game. The 'highlights' didn't take very long.
Sounds a pretty shit game. The 'highlights' didn't take very long.
November 23, 2025 at 8:26 AM
@ogsy
Sounds a pretty shit game. The 'highlights' didn't take very long.
Sounds a pretty shit game. The 'highlights' didn't take very long.
Reposted
The bitter irony of Murillo's goal being allowed against Liverpool is that it is the direct consequence of van Dijk's wrongly disallowed goal against Man City, which the PL panel agreed should have stood. When things start going against you...
November 23, 2025 at 8:03 AM
The bitter irony of Murillo's goal being allowed against Liverpool is that it is the direct consequence of van Dijk's wrongly disallowed goal against Man City, which the PL panel agreed should have stood. When things start going against you...
Reposted
Totally agree - read a book or go for a walk.
November 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Totally agree - read a book or go for a walk.
Reposted
❗️RETWEET if you stand with President 🇺🇦Zelensky!
November 21, 2025 at 7:41 PM
❗️RETWEET if you stand with President 🇺🇦Zelensky!
@chrisbjohns.bsky.social
@jimpowerecon1962.bsky.social
Just listened to the latest podcast and discussion of interest rate changes, so - a serious question.
Why do the UK and Ireland not have long term fixed rate mortgages for say 25 or 30 years, as they do in USA, France Belgium, etc.
@jimpowerecon1962.bsky.social
Just listened to the latest podcast and discussion of interest rate changes, so - a serious question.
Why do the UK and Ireland not have long term fixed rate mortgages for say 25 or 30 years, as they do in USA, France Belgium, etc.
November 21, 2025 at 4:38 PM
@chrisbjohns.bsky.social
@jimpowerecon1962.bsky.social
Just listened to the latest podcast and discussion of interest rate changes, so - a serious question.
Why do the UK and Ireland not have long term fixed rate mortgages for say 25 or 30 years, as they do in USA, France Belgium, etc.
@jimpowerecon1962.bsky.social
Just listened to the latest podcast and discussion of interest rate changes, so - a serious question.
Why do the UK and Ireland not have long term fixed rate mortgages for say 25 or 30 years, as they do in USA, France Belgium, etc.
When America grows up.
Could be a while!
Could be a while!
The question is when will we be rid of this dangerous man who despises our Constitution and democracy. When…and how.
November 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
When America grows up.
Could be a while!
Could be a while!
@privateeyenews.bsky.social brings a new focus to corporate bollocks. No surprise one of the Fat Four leads the way.
They pioneered the art of using words we know the meaning of to create sentences that are totally meaningless.
They pioneered the art of using words we know the meaning of to create sentences that are totally meaningless.
November 21, 2025 at 3:24 PM
@privateeyenews.bsky.social brings a new focus to corporate bollocks. No surprise one of the Fat Four leads the way.
They pioneered the art of using words we know the meaning of to create sentences that are totally meaningless.
They pioneered the art of using words we know the meaning of to create sentences that are totally meaningless.
@chrisbjohns.bsky.social
@jimpowerecon1962.bsky.social
Ah, the beauty of capitalism, red in tooth and claw.
@jimpowerecon1962.bsky.social
Ah, the beauty of capitalism, red in tooth and claw.
November 21, 2025 at 12:16 PM
@chrisbjohns.bsky.social
@jimpowerecon1962.bsky.social
Ah, the beauty of capitalism, red in tooth and claw.
@jimpowerecon1962.bsky.social
Ah, the beauty of capitalism, red in tooth and claw.