Ben Fuller
@politicsastar.bsky.social
News & debate especially for A-level politics students. I'm Head of Politics at the leading, academic, co-ed boarding school in the north of England. Insta & Twitter too
Pinned
Ben Fuller
@politicsastar.bsky.social
· May 23
I’ve begun my return to St Peter’s & the Bayley Room, as my recovery continues. It’s been great to see friends, colleagues & students again & to be welcomed back so warmly. Thank you.
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Reposted by Ben Fuller
imagine US political culture if Ford hadn't pardoned Nixon, and instead he went to jail
December 4, 2025 at 8:12 PM
imagine US political culture if Ford hadn't pardoned Nixon, and instead he went to jail
Reposted by Ben Fuller
🔴 Nigel Farage’s Reform is more reliant on super-rich backers than any major party in modern British political history
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of Reform UK’s donations have come from just three rich men
Calls grow for donation caps as Democracy for Sale research reveals that three-quarters of Reform’s funding comes from a trio of wealthy donors
democracyforsale.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:55 AM
🔴 Nigel Farage’s Reform is more reliant on super-rich backers than any major party in modern British political history
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
Reposted by Ben Fuller
My theory, fwiw, is that Supreme Court Justices are not immune to Twitter brain poisoning. I suspect all six have horrific information environments and have therefore lost the ability to understand the people who don't agree with them.
The part that I can't figure out is what John Roberts thinks he is doing. He used to seem to be a judge who was very attentive to appearances, I think on a theory that you can't draw too much attention to yourself without undermining your ability to continue to shape the law.
Every legal story now is either
Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach
or
In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach
or
In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
December 5, 2025 at 8:09 PM
My theory, fwiw, is that Supreme Court Justices are not immune to Twitter brain poisoning. I suspect all six have horrific information environments and have therefore lost the ability to understand the people who don't agree with them.
Reposted by Ben Fuller
There's been a definite decline in support for Reform following the Nathan Gill conviction and racism allegations against Farage
December 5, 2025 at 9:16 PM
There's been a definite decline in support for Reform following the Nathan Gill conviction and racism allegations against Farage
Reposted by Ben Fuller
OTD in 1994 Russia signed the Budapest memo, guaranteeing Ukraine's territorial integrity in exchange for their nukes, 44 Ukrainian Tu-22 heavy bombers and 1,068 Kh-55 cruise missiles.
Which have been fired at Ukraine in this war.
Which have been fired at Ukraine in this war.
December 5, 2025 at 7:33 AM
OTD in 1994 Russia signed the Budapest memo, guaranteeing Ukraine's territorial integrity in exchange for their nukes, 44 Ukrainian Tu-22 heavy bombers and 1,068 Kh-55 cruise missiles.
Which have been fired at Ukraine in this war.
Which have been fired at Ukraine in this war.
Reposted by Ben Fuller
In a surprising twist, the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to let Texas use its mid-decade gerrymander for the 2026 midterm elections may end up strengthening California’s defense of its voter-approved map. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
SCOTUS Ruling on Texas Gerrymander Could Be Good News for California’s New Map
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:34 PM
In a surprising twist, the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to let Texas use its mid-decade gerrymander for the 2026 midterm elections may end up strengthening California’s defense of its voter-approved map. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Reposted by Ben Fuller
Donald Trump could rewrite the Constitution and end birthright citizenship in the middle of Fifth Avenue and note lose a single conservative Supreme Court Justice.
December 6, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Donald Trump could rewrite the Constitution and end birthright citizenship in the middle of Fifth Avenue and note lose a single conservative Supreme Court Justice.
Reposted by Ben Fuller
"Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the Constitution"
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration. n.pr/48E1oko
Supreme Court agrees to hear arguments in birthright citizenship challenge
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration.
n.pr
December 6, 2025 at 3:47 PM
"Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the Constitution"
Reposted by Ben Fuller
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration. n.pr/48E1oko
Supreme Court agrees to hear arguments in birthright citizenship challenge
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration.
n.pr
December 5, 2025 at 8:08 PM
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration. n.pr/48E1oko
Farage & Tice are mishandling this badly, as ANOTHER Dulwich boy talks to the papers today⬇️
As @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social wrote last week there IS a way for NF to shut this down, his Trump tactics - attacking the BBC - aren’t it. All shameful
#NigelFarage #Reform #racist #r4today #skynews
As @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social wrote last week there IS a way for NF to shut this down, his Trump tactics - attacking the BBC - aren’t it. All shameful
#NigelFarage #Reform #racist #r4today #skynews
December 6, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Farage & Tice are mishandling this badly, as ANOTHER Dulwich boy talks to the papers today⬇️
As @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social wrote last week there IS a way for NF to shut this down, his Trump tactics - attacking the BBC - aren’t it. All shameful
#NigelFarage #Reform #racist #r4today #skynews
As @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social wrote last week there IS a way for NF to shut this down, his Trump tactics - attacking the BBC - aren’t it. All shameful
#NigelFarage #Reform #racist #r4today #skynews
“No jury service, no mayoral elections, the Eurovision song contest is the only thing the British get to vote on.” 😂😂
Matt on changes to #jury trials, #localelections - & #Eurovision!
#r4today #Skynews #Israel #Gaza
Matt on changes to #jury trials, #localelections - & #Eurovision!
#r4today #Skynews #Israel #Gaza
December 6, 2025 at 8:04 AM
“No jury service, no mayoral elections, the Eurovision song contest is the only thing the British get to vote on.” 😂😂
Matt on changes to #jury trials, #localelections - & #Eurovision!
#r4today #Skynews #Israel #Gaza
Matt on changes to #jury trials, #localelections - & #Eurovision!
#r4today #Skynews #Israel #Gaza
Liz Truss is the gift that keeps on giving - to Labour, the Lib Dems & general 😂😂
Foolishly Kemi Badenoch’s never disowned or expelled her from the Tory Party, despite the damage. Could be an easy Clause IV moment.
#LizTruss #Torychaos #Conservative #LVIPolitics #r4today
Foolishly Kemi Badenoch’s never disowned or expelled her from the Tory Party, despite the damage. Could be an easy Clause IV moment.
#LizTruss #Torychaos #Conservative #LVIPolitics #r4today
The Liz Truss Show will confront the big issues of the day. For example: who on earth would watch Liz Truss? | Marina Hyde
The Liz Truss Show will confront the big issues of the day. For example: who on earth would watch Liz Truss? | Marina Hyde
Everyone’s favourite former PM is back! Her mission? To save Britain from its current ‘doomloop’ with, you guessed it, a YouTube talkshow, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Liz Truss is the gift that keeps on giving - to Labour, the Lib Dems & general 😂😂
Foolishly Kemi Badenoch’s never disowned or expelled her from the Tory Party, despite the damage. Could be an easy Clause IV moment.
#LizTruss #Torychaos #Conservative #LVIPolitics #r4today
Foolishly Kemi Badenoch’s never disowned or expelled her from the Tory Party, despite the damage. Could be an easy Clause IV moment.
#LizTruss #Torychaos #Conservative #LVIPolitics #r4today
Reposted by Ben Fuller
Interesting bit of context to the £9m donation here.
🔴 NEW - Farage rescued (for now) by mega donor
Reform is in a worse financial position than it appears...
Reform is in a worse financial position than it appears...
Farage rescued (for now) by mega donor
Reform lands £9 million from one man...
writesbright.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Interesting bit of context to the £9m donation here.
Reposted by Ben Fuller
The fact that four hostile drones tried to hit Zelenskyy’s plane & it’s barely a blip in the news cycle should terrify everyone. We’ve been dragged so deep into the chaos era that an attempted strike on a world leader doesn’t even break through. When this becomes normal, the world is in real danger.
Christ on a cracker — these seemingly hostile drones only missed Zelensky’s plane because he was unexpectedly early www.thejournal.ie/drones-dubli...
Four unidentified military-style drones breached no-fly zone to target Zelenskyy's arrival in Dublin
Gardaí are investigating whether the drones took off from land in Dublin or from an undetected ship.
www.thejournal.ie
December 5, 2025 at 2:04 AM
The fact that four hostile drones tried to hit Zelenskyy’s plane & it’s barely a blip in the news cycle should terrify everyone. We’ve been dragged so deep into the chaos era that an attempted strike on a world leader doesn’t even break through. When this becomes normal, the world is in real danger.
Reposted by Ben Fuller
Catch-up: Janan Ganesh says Labour should & Daniel Finkelstein says Labour will promise to rejoin EU single market in 2nd term
ft.com/content/ef94...
thetimes.com/comment/colu...
ft.com/content/ef94...
thetimes.com/comment/colu...
December 5, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Catch-up: Janan Ganesh says Labour should & Daniel Finkelstein says Labour will promise to rejoin EU single market in 2nd term
ft.com/content/ef94...
thetimes.com/comment/colu...
ft.com/content/ef94...
thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Reposted by Ben Fuller
BERMAN: Would it be legal for police in Arkansas to kill suspected drug dealers on a boat in a lake?
TOM COTTON: The premise of your question is not well-founded
BERMAN: The answer is no. It would not be legal to kill them.
TOM COTTON: The premise of your question is not well-founded
BERMAN: The answer is no. It would not be legal to kill them.
December 5, 2025 at 3:32 PM
BERMAN: Would it be legal for police in Arkansas to kill suspected drug dealers on a boat in a lake?
TOM COTTON: The premise of your question is not well-founded
BERMAN: The answer is no. It would not be legal to kill them.
TOM COTTON: The premise of your question is not well-founded
BERMAN: The answer is no. It would not be legal to kill them.
Reposted by Ben Fuller
Tom Nichols on the Signalgate report: “Its conclusions are unequivocal and brutal: Pete Hegseth endangered the success of a U.S. military operation and put the lives of American military personnel at risk.”
@radiofreetom.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
@radiofreetom.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Pete Hegseth’s Weak Excuses
His evasive responses to Signalgate are shameful nonsense.
www.theatlantic.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Tom Nichols on the Signalgate report: “Its conclusions are unequivocal and brutal: Pete Hegseth endangered the success of a U.S. military operation and put the lives of American military personnel at risk.”
@radiofreetom.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
@radiofreetom.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
I do my best to buy & read LOTS of newspapers each week, but I can’t turn the tide single handed!
#r4today #newspapers #votingbehaviour
#r4today #newspapers #votingbehaviour
I was really struck by this chart showing drop off in newspaper circulation just since 2019. Obviously no surprise it's happening but it's stark seeing it visually.
December 5, 2025 at 9:09 AM
I do my best to buy & read LOTS of newspapers each week, but I can’t turn the tide single handed!
#r4today #newspapers #votingbehaviour
#r4today #newspapers #votingbehaviour
It’s grim in local govt. This is the area of govt spending which has suffered the biggest % cuts under #austerity with little let up.
Here’s just one eg from @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social & #Derbyshire County Council
#r4today #LVIPolitics 📚
Here’s just one eg from @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social & #Derbyshire County Council
#r4today #LVIPolitics 📚
As a journalist you’re always looking for ways to sum up the now, but the story is really often more incremental. This is from a Derbyshire county council paper. I was, inevitably, looking for “library to close” or “doge identified £Xm”, but the starting point is at least as important
December 5, 2025 at 9:06 AM
It’s grim in local govt. This is the area of govt spending which has suffered the biggest % cuts under #austerity with little let up.
Here’s just one eg from @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social & #Derbyshire County Council
#r4today #LVIPolitics 📚
Here’s just one eg from @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social & #Derbyshire County Council
#r4today #LVIPolitics 📚
Reposted by Ben Fuller
Rupa Haq, "Why is Lewis Goodall still making podcasts saying that you made his life hell?"
Robbie Gibb, "Look, I mean, I don't know why people write that. It's not for me to say"
"Perception is important but not as important as reality"
Robbie Gibb, "Look, I mean, I don't know why people write that. It's not for me to say"
"Perception is important but not as important as reality"
December 3, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Rupa Haq, "Why is Lewis Goodall still making podcasts saying that you made his life hell?"
Robbie Gibb, "Look, I mean, I don't know why people write that. It's not for me to say"
"Perception is important but not as important as reality"
Robbie Gibb, "Look, I mean, I don't know why people write that. It's not for me to say"
"Perception is important but not as important as reality"
“I know whether you’ve been naughty or good because I now use facial recognition technology.”
Matt on the latest tech aid in UK crime fighting - & Christmas 😂😂
#Christmas #SantaClaus #r4today #skynews
Matt on the latest tech aid in UK crime fighting - & Christmas 😂😂
#Christmas #SantaClaus #r4today #skynews
December 5, 2025 at 8:05 AM
“I know whether you’ve been naughty or good because I now use facial recognition technology.”
Matt on the latest tech aid in UK crime fighting - & Christmas 😂😂
#Christmas #SantaClaus #r4today #skynews
Matt on the latest tech aid in UK crime fighting - & Christmas 😂😂
#Christmas #SantaClaus #r4today #skynews
Aditya Chakrabortty in @guardianpolitics.bsky.social says the Budget was missing any sense of statecraft or intuitive understanding of the voters, who were promised change.
#Budget2025 #RachelReeves #KeirStarmer #Labour #r4today #LVIPolitics
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#Budget2025 #RachelReeves #KeirStarmer #Labour #r4today #LVIPolitics
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The most misleading thing about Rachel Reeves’s budget? Who it was really for | Aditya Chakrabortty
Labour backbenchers have been cheering it as a win for the most vulnerable in society. In fact it was aimed at the bond markets, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Aditya Chakrabortty in @guardianpolitics.bsky.social says the Budget was missing any sense of statecraft or intuitive understanding of the voters, who were promised change.
#Budget2025 #RachelReeves #KeirStarmer #Labour #r4today #LVIPolitics
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#Budget2025 #RachelReeves #KeirStarmer #Labour #r4today #LVIPolitics
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Will Your Party's path to socialism be a decades long struggle? Have the left got the luxury of time amidst the #ClimateEmergency & the march of the hard right? - asks @owenjonesjourno
#YourParty #JeremyCorbyn #r4today #LVIPolitics
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#YourParty #JeremyCorbyn #r4today #LVIPolitics
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Your Party's antics assume a luxury the left does not have: time | Owen Jones
Legal spats, public denunciations and an obsession with internal process must be consigned to the past, says Guardian columnist Owen Jones
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Will Your Party's path to socialism be a decades long struggle? Have the left got the luxury of time amidst the #ClimateEmergency & the march of the hard right? - asks @owenjonesjourno
#YourParty #JeremyCorbyn #r4today #LVIPolitics
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#YourParty #JeremyCorbyn #r4today #LVIPolitics
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“Our Christmas tree is like the budget. It’s going to come crashing down, we just don’t know when.”
Matt on #Christmas & the #Budget2025.
#RachelReeves #r4today
Matt on #Christmas & the #Budget2025.
#RachelReeves #r4today
December 2, 2025 at 8:26 AM
“Our Christmas tree is like the budget. It’s going to come crashing down, we just don’t know when.”
Matt on #Christmas & the #Budget2025.
#RachelReeves #r4today
Matt on #Christmas & the #Budget2025.
#RachelReeves #r4today
Reposted by Ben Fuller
Happy Advent to you and your kin! And everyone else's kin too, come to that. As every December so far this decade, I'm going to do an Advent Calendar of beautiful and brilliant carols, with each day's added to a YouTube playlist and also to the ongoing Spotify one, now in its sixth(!) year.
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
December 1, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Happy Advent to you and your kin! And everyone else's kin too, come to that. As every December so far this decade, I'm going to do an Advent Calendar of beautiful and brilliant carols, with each day's added to a YouTube playlist and also to the ongoing Spotify one, now in its sixth(!) year.
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇