John O’Shea
@politicalhackuk.bsky.social
Labour. Former BCC councillor and cabinet member. Know too much about bins. All views my own. RTs may not be. Work for Jess Phillips MP. Promoted by Yardley Labour Party on behalf of John O'Shea, both at 62 Yardley Road, Acocks Green, B27 6HH.
Reposted by John O’Shea
All the people I know in politics are smart, well-educated and intellectual, they just don't actually have time to think about big ideas or underlying concepts - even during summer recess etc. We can create a system that makes for better MPs (staff etc), but it'll cost money we don't want to spend.
I don’t think this is a “politicians have got dumber” issue for the most part. If you look at the *actual CVs* of previous cohorts of MPs, their background is not radically different when you account for, you know, the fact the economy is different! It is primarily a media and ecosystem issue.
We have got to make politics intellectual again. It is the only way that societies thrive is when politicians have the capability to actually think and reflect deeply:
November 28, 2025 at 3:38 PM
All the people I know in politics are smart, well-educated and intellectual, they just don't actually have time to think about big ideas or underlying concepts - even during summer recess etc. We can create a system that makes for better MPs (staff etc), but it'll cost money we don't want to spend.
This is a really important thread about a change that is evidenced and will make a real difference to people.
We know that children who grow up in poverty have worse outcomes in life – worse mental health, worse physical health, lower educational attainment.
We know that children who grow up in poverty have worse outcomes in life – worse mental health, worse physical health, lower educational attainment.
70% of the additional spending from removing the two-child limit will go to families who are in work. This is targeting support for low-income working households who are being priced out of a decent standard of living despite doing everything asked of them.
November 28, 2025 at 1:39 PM
This is a really important thread about a change that is evidenced and will make a real difference to people.
We know that children who grow up in poverty have worse outcomes in life – worse mental health, worse physical health, lower educational attainment.
We know that children who grow up in poverty have worse outcomes in life – worse mental health, worse physical health, lower educational attainment.
Reposted by John O’Shea
Of course, it goes without saying that the Roman state had a welfare system from around 20AD with corn distribution (Cicero mocks it for being cynical!) And a taxation system so established that even Jesus told people to pay it.
She's just incapable of knowingly being right.
She's just incapable of knowingly being right.
November 28, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Of course, it goes without saying that the Roman state had a welfare system from around 20AD with corn distribution (Cicero mocks it for being cynical!) And a taxation system so established that even Jesus told people to pay it.
She's just incapable of knowingly being right.
She's just incapable of knowingly being right.
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Maybe she thinks it was a public-pilate partnership.
November 28, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Maybe she thinks it was a public-pilate partnership.
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if you think you've had a productive day at work, Kemi Badenoch has erased the existence of the Roman Empire in a single sentence
November 28, 2025 at 12:36 PM
if you think you've had a productive day at work, Kemi Badenoch has erased the existence of the Roman Empire in a single sentence
Reposted by John O’Shea
in 1st century Judea, the corners of every field had to be left for the poor to pick crops for themselves, every seventh year *all* of the crops from fields and vineyards and orchards belonged to the poor, and all debts of all types were cancelled every 50th year.
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
in 1st century Judea, the corners of every field had to be left for the poor to pick crops for themselves, every seventh year *all* of the crops from fields and vineyards and orchards belonged to the poor, and all debts of all types were cancelled every 50th year.
Reposted by John O’Shea
Also the Romans literally had a welfare system that included cash transfers for poor children. (And subsidised grain for low income workers...).
There was no state. Who does she think crucified him, an anarchist collective?
November 28, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Also the Romans literally had a welfare system that included cash transfers for poor children. (And subsidised grain for low income workers...).
Reposted by John O’Shea
I wonder if she's ever thought what all those tax collectors are doing in the Bible
November 28, 2025 at 11:25 AM
I wonder if she's ever thought what all those tax collectors are doing in the Bible
Also, "in early Christian times there was no state or welfare"
Not my historical period, but I'm pretty sure that the Roman empire was a pretty big state and I suppose you could argue that slavery is a form of welfare. And Kemi probably will do so.
Not my historical period, but I'm pretty sure that the Roman empire was a pretty big state and I suppose you could argue that slavery is a form of welfare. And Kemi probably will do so.
Kemi Badenoch says welfare spending is unchristian
Kemi Badenoch says welfare spending is unchristian
Kemi Badenoch says welfare spending is unchristian
www.thetimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Also, "in early Christian times there was no state or welfare"
Not my historical period, but I'm pretty sure that the Roman empire was a pretty big state and I suppose you could argue that slavery is a form of welfare. And Kemi probably will do so.
Not my historical period, but I'm pretty sure that the Roman empire was a pretty big state and I suppose you could argue that slavery is a form of welfare. And Kemi probably will do so.
Reposted by John O’Shea
Feels fairly politically notable that Labour’s had to find the money to fund a £150 cut to energy bills next year and hasn’t really got a single good headline out of it. Maybe it’ll pay off next year, but relies on voters crediting them for the fall in bills?
November 28, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Feels fairly politically notable that Labour’s had to find the money to fund a £150 cut to energy bills next year and hasn’t really got a single good headline out of it. Maybe it’ll pay off next year, but relies on voters crediting them for the fall in bills?
“Well, Christ did say that the poor were blessed and who wouldn’t want to be blessed? Did he not add “suffer little children”?”
The Americanisation of the right continues.
The Americanisation of the right continues.
Kemi Badenoch says welfare spending is unchristian
Kemi Badenoch says welfare spending is unchristian
Kemi Badenoch says welfare spending is unchristian
www.thetimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:08 AM
“Well, Christ did say that the poor were blessed and who wouldn’t want to be blessed? Did he not add “suffer little children”?”
The Americanisation of the right continues.
The Americanisation of the right continues.
Also, this former UKIP/Brexit/Reform bloke is filmed outside *his chateau in France*
FFS.
FFS.
I always maintained that those in UKIP (often then Reform) don’t know if they’re coming or going because they’re too preoccupied by self interest and greed..
Just watch this muppets driving👇🏼😂🤣.. I rest my case 🤣
Just watch this muppets driving👇🏼😂🤣.. I rest my case 🤣
Former Brexit Party MEP denies taking payment from pro-Russian campaign
A prominent former MEP for Nigel Farage's old party denies taking bribes in a pro-Russian campaign.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Also, this former UKIP/Brexit/Reform bloke is filmed outside *his chateau in France*
FFS.
FFS.
Good news!
November 27, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Good news!
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And honestly I don't give a fuck if it's popular or not. It's going to make a lot of kids' lives better. That's the point of government. Not an opinion poll.
November 26, 2025 at 1:12 PM
And honestly I don't give a fuck if it's popular or not. It's going to make a lot of kids' lives better. That's the point of government. Not an opinion poll.
This will annoy the right wing - the Sun are already upset at this. I don't care.
This lifts 450,000 children out of poverty.
If you think that's a bad thing, if you think that children should suffer, then take a long hard look at yourself.
This lifts 450,000 children out of poverty.
If you think that's a bad thing, if you think that children should suffer, then take a long hard look at yourself.
This is such important news. Hundreds of thousands of children taken out of poverty with the stroke of a pen.
Two-child benefit limit is officially scrapped in Budget 2025
Rachel Reeves confirms policy that restricts what benefits families can receive will be removed
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 1:33 PM
This will annoy the right wing - the Sun are already upset at this. I don't care.
This lifts 450,000 children out of poverty.
If you think that's a bad thing, if you think that children should suffer, then take a long hard look at yourself.
This lifts 450,000 children out of poverty.
If you think that's a bad thing, if you think that children should suffer, then take a long hard look at yourself.
Reposted by John O’Shea
Brilliant thecritic.co.uk/auntie-in-th...
November 24, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Brilliant thecritic.co.uk/auntie-in-th...
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Properly moving xkcd
xkcd.com/3172/
xkcd.com/3172/
Fifteen Years
xkcd.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Properly moving xkcd
xkcd.com/3172/
xkcd.com/3172/
I assume James Dyson's edit of the Today programme on the "entrepreneurial spirit" will include advice on buying vast amounts of farmland and patriotically moving your business to Singapore.
November 24, 2025 at 10:22 AM
I assume James Dyson's edit of the Today programme on the "entrepreneurial spirit" will include advice on buying vast amounts of farmland and patriotically moving your business to Singapore.
The article is utterly horrific.
don't really care how this makes me sound at this point, but the free open internet was a mistake and a lot of people out there were clearly never going to be able to handle it
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
November 22, 2025 at 11:41 AM
The article is utterly horrific.
Have they tried giving some of it away? I'm more than happy to help the ultra-rich ease their pain by relieving them of some free cash.
The fear of not having enough money is familiar. But there’s a quieter struggle at the top: feeling uncomfortable with having too much, says money psychotherapist Vicky Reynal ⬇️
Why my ultra-rich clients are ashamed of their wealth
www.thetimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Have they tried giving some of it away? I'm more than happy to help the ultra-rich ease their pain by relieving them of some free cash.
Stokes remains a player who writes his own script for the match. 5-23 is a stunning performance. This England attack is relentless and he comes in as the fifth bowler after they've seen off the missiles of Archer, Carse and Wood. There's no light relief.
November 21, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Stokes remains a player who writes his own script for the match. 5-23 is a stunning performance. This England attack is relentless and he comes in as the fifth bowler after they've seen off the missiles of Archer, Carse and Wood. There's no light relief.
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Next thing they'll tell us that Boris Johnson was a lazy dilettante with no ability to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes and no ability to make tough decisions.
November 20, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Next thing they'll tell us that Boris Johnson was a lazy dilettante with no ability to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes and no ability to make tough decisions.
In December 2020, government were imposing selective lockdowns. The council was asked when we wanted it brought in. Our health teams showed us evidence and we asked for it to come in from Boxing Day.
Government delayed a week. Their choice.
Government delayed a week. Their choice.
November 20, 2025 at 7:10 PM
In December 2020, government were imposing selective lockdowns. The council was asked when we wanted it brought in. Our health teams showed us evidence and we asked for it to come in from Boxing Day.
Government delayed a week. Their choice.
Government delayed a week. Their choice.
This is not news to anyone involved in the COVID response.
The one thing the useless incompetent Boris Johnson clung on to for his failed premiership was the UK’s Covid response. Turns out he killed 20,000 people.
‘Too little, too late’: damning report condemns UK’s Covid response
Report on handling of pandemic contains stinging criticism of ‘toxic and chaotic’ culture inside Boris Johnson’s No 10
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:02 PM
This is not news to anyone involved in the COVID response.
Reposted by John O’Shea
Trump calls for Democratic members of Congress to be hanged
November 20, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Trump calls for Democratic members of Congress to be hanged