Taffy Osborne
@poppingbubbles.bsky.social
Popping Bubbles on twitter. UK & Welsh politics/social policy. Occasional regional broadcaster. Data person at large UK charity.
Reposted by Taffy Osborne
The real issue isn’t immigration, it’s the feedback loop: platforms amplify anxiety → voters feel it → politicians chase it → hollow policy follows. Until we break that cycle, we won’t get functional decisions or functional democracy.
November 16, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The real issue isn’t immigration, it’s the feedback loop: platforms amplify anxiety → voters feel it → politicians chase it → hollow policy follows. Until we break that cycle, we won’t get functional decisions or functional democracy.
Also, this is entirely easy to stand up. The BBC has to prove 1 x true story is true and the 100% claim is false.
BBC has a case against Trump. WhiteHouse Chief Press Officer called the BBC ‘100% fake news.’ Which is defamatory and untrue.
Trump says he will sue BBC for between $1 billion and $5 billion despite apology www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 15, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Also, this is entirely easy to stand up. The BBC has to prove 1 x true story is true and the 100% claim is false.
Let's see what they do with the benefit cap here....
NEW: Rachel Reeves signals she intends to remove the two-child cap *in full*
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
November 10, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Let's see what they do with the benefit cap here....
Reposted by Taffy Osborne
I know it's tough - but your tentative endorsement of cycle lanes on Bluesky could be the extremist action that makes voters in Normville turn away from Jennifer Nice, the now-tainted Democrat candidate, and instead reluctantly support her opponent, Shitlord K. Hitler
November 4, 2025 at 8:43 PM
I know it's tough - but your tentative endorsement of cycle lanes on Bluesky could be the extremist action that makes voters in Normville turn away from Jennifer Nice, the now-tainted Democrat candidate, and instead reluctantly support her opponent, Shitlord K. Hitler
Reposted by Taffy Osborne
Charismatic leftist mayor of the largest city just has such competitive authoritarianism vibes.
October 16, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Charismatic leftist mayor of the largest city just has such competitive authoritarianism vibes.
Reposted by Taffy Osborne
This is a great point. A lightening rod for the worst cranks.
October 28, 2025 at 10:41 AM
This is a great point. A lightening rod for the worst cranks.
Safest for everyone
after careful study, I believe only people born between 1975 and 1995 should be allowed to use the internet
October 9, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Safest for everyone
Reposted by Taffy Osborne
On the morning of Keir Starmer's conference speech here's a new post on an odd psychopathology in British politics - our main parties don't like the people who vote for them - the dreaded Professional Managerial Class. And so they are acting out like a divorced dad seeking cooler voters. 1/n
British Politics' Midlife Crisis
Why British Parties Can't Make Peace with Their Actual Voters
benansell.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 6:40 AM
On the morning of Keir Starmer's conference speech here's a new post on an odd psychopathology in British politics - our main parties don't like the people who vote for them - the dreaded Professional Managerial Class. And so they are acting out like a divorced dad seeking cooler voters. 1/n
I want to have a take on this, but I have exceeded my quota.
People should be restricted to one online opinion a day. That would increase the quality and thought going into each opinion, and reduce the numbers of mindless knee jerk reaction takes spoiling the internet.
September 22, 2025 at 10:53 PM
I want to have a take on this, but I have exceeded my quota.
Reposted by Taffy Osborne
The OP here has no idea whatsoever about maritime operations and what you can actually do within the scope of maritime law. I see this all the time on social media. People think the things the Aussie navy did (push back seaworthy vessels in intl water) are available in the channel. They aren't (1/2)
September 21, 2025 at 12:11 PM
The OP here has no idea whatsoever about maritime operations and what you can actually do within the scope of maritime law. I see this all the time on social media. People think the things the Aussie navy did (push back seaworthy vessels in intl water) are available in the channel. They aren't (1/2)
Reposted by Taffy Osborne
Twitter obsesses over Bluesky in the manner of a rejected partner convinced that they might still win their ex over
Bluesky obsesses over Twitter in the manner of the partner who left, but who didn't get the last word and can't let it go
Bluesky obsesses over Twitter in the manner of the partner who left, but who didn't get the last word and can't let it go
September 20, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Twitter obsesses over Bluesky in the manner of a rejected partner convinced that they might still win their ex over
Bluesky obsesses over Twitter in the manner of the partner who left, but who didn't get the last word and can't let it go
Bluesky obsesses over Twitter in the manner of the partner who left, but who didn't get the last word and can't let it go
A banger. Agree.
superb column from @stephenkb.bsky.social
“racism does not diminish through rising GDP but through the willingness of politicians to argue against it….”
www.ft.com/content/fbbd...
“racism does not diminish through rising GDP but through the willingness of politicians to argue against it….”
www.ft.com/content/fbbd...
Starmer and Badenoch are handling the far-right march all wrong
A look back to the days of Enoch Powell suggests a better model
www.ft.com
September 16, 2025 at 6:58 PM
A banger. Agree.
Reposted by Taffy Osborne
I’m gonna go with Osborne. He was a smart guy and extremely effective but his cynicism was to understand the bad fiscal dynamics of the aging population and decide that the thing to do was to spare the Home Counties and squeeze the rest of local government. I find this to be a damming chart.
September 8, 2025 at 10:01 AM
I’m gonna go with Osborne. He was a smart guy and extremely effective but his cynicism was to understand the bad fiscal dynamics of the aging population and decide that the thing to do was to spare the Home Counties and squeeze the rest of local government. I find this to be a damming chart.
I think Julianna has put her finger on why I am so depressed about it all. I think it's possible to crush these guys but we're just collectively not. They aren't especially smart or strategic and they don't currently hold many important levers.
I think what makes the present moment so maddening is that these people are eminently beatable
Polling from @Moreincommon_ on Lucy Connolly
More than half think her sentence was too lenient or about right. Only a third that it was too harsh.
Only 18% think politicians should associate themselves her, while 51% think they should actively distance themselves from her.
More than half think her sentence was too lenient or about right. Only a third that it was too harsh.
Only 18% think politicians should associate themselves her, while 51% think they should actively distance themselves from her.
August 29, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I think Julianna has put her finger on why I am so depressed about it all. I think it's possible to crush these guys but we're just collectively not. They aren't especially smart or strategic and they don't currently hold many important levers.
This is really good by @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk it should form the basis of both the governments response and a sensible centre right opposition response to Reform. I am certain that you can move towards a more liberal and practical solutions to boats if it's framed as both "fair" & "value for money"
"It won't work" Won't Work
Labour's response to Farage is bound to founder
open.substack.com
August 29, 2025 at 8:17 AM
This is really good by @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk it should form the basis of both the governments response and a sensible centre right opposition response to Reform. I am certain that you can move towards a more liberal and practical solutions to boats if it's framed as both "fair" & "value for money"
I've done enough event work to know these lads backs are going to be done for at the end of the day unless someone gets them some litter pickers. You can't be bending over for every sweet wrapper.
Making them wear high-visibility vests over camo is such a good joke you couldn’t write it
National Guard is now tasked with picking up garbage in DC
August 27, 2025 at 7:45 AM
I've done enough event work to know these lads backs are going to be done for at the end of the day unless someone gets them some litter pickers. You can't be bending over for every sweet wrapper.
Reposted by Taffy Osborne
You know that tweet about
"Your going to the camps!"
"Its 'you're'"
Well imagine if that was the entire political strategy of the government of a G7 nation
"Your going to the camps!"
"Its 'you're'"
Well imagine if that was the entire political strategy of the government of a G7 nation
August 26, 2025 at 5:07 PM
You know that tweet about
"Your going to the camps!"
"Its 'you're'"
Well imagine if that was the entire political strategy of the government of a G7 nation
"Your going to the camps!"
"Its 'you're'"
Well imagine if that was the entire political strategy of the government of a G7 nation
Reposted by Taffy Osborne
It's not a tradition it's international law. Sailors are obliged to rescue others in distress. The home office ran into this in the mad Patel era when they were toying with tipping boats over. A) Professional seafarers won't and B) They would immediately be required to do a rescue.
Sky News continues to ramp up the rhetoric around the issue of small boats. What are they suggesting the Navy do? Sink the boats, because if so they'll be aware of the long naval tradition of rescuing sailors from sunken vessels. news.sky.com/story/is-it-...
Is it time for gunboats to help stop the people smugglers?
With the PM's and Labour's poll numbers tanking as the latest official figures confirm the numbers of migrants and small boat crossings are increasing at a shocking rate, is it now time for a differen...
news.sky.com
August 25, 2025 at 6:56 AM
It's not a tradition it's international law. Sailors are obliged to rescue others in distress. The home office ran into this in the mad Patel era when they were toying with tipping boats over. A) Professional seafarers won't and B) They would immediately be required to do a rescue.
It's not a tradition it's international law. Sailors are obliged to rescue others in distress. The home office ran into this in the mad Patel era when they were toying with tipping boats over. A) Professional seafarers won't and B) They would immediately be required to do a rescue.
Sky News continues to ramp up the rhetoric around the issue of small boats. What are they suggesting the Navy do? Sink the boats, because if so they'll be aware of the long naval tradition of rescuing sailors from sunken vessels. news.sky.com/story/is-it-...
Is it time for gunboats to help stop the people smugglers?
With the PM's and Labour's poll numbers tanking as the latest official figures confirm the numbers of migrants and small boat crossings are increasing at a shocking rate, is it now time for a differen...
news.sky.com
August 25, 2025 at 6:56 AM
It's not a tradition it's international law. Sailors are obliged to rescue others in distress. The home office ran into this in the mad Patel era when they were toying with tipping boats over. A) Professional seafarers won't and B) They would immediately be required to do a rescue.
Hard agree with this one.
When Buzz Aldrin passes away, he should be honoured by an international Aldrin's Law, making it legal to punch moon landing deniers in the face.
August 23, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Hard agree with this one.
Reposted by Taffy Osborne
Unbelievably weak, especially since he is continuously obviously on manoeuvres.
August 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Unbelievably weak, especially since he is continuously obviously on manoeuvres.
MAIB reports are really good. They are easily read, always teach you something, and the presentation we had from them once featured a very entertaining speaker. Top organisation. UK ftw here (also interesting thread)
It's also worth adding that I'm a Brit, and have more experience reading MAIB reports then their US equivalents. The comments I'm about to make about the report itself ought to be read in that vein.
I had quite the culture shock.
I had quite the culture shock.
a man in a tuxedo and bow tie has a caption that says sighs in british *
Alt: Mr Bean, rather depressingly one of our bigger cultural exports, sighing in British.
media.tenor.com
August 6, 2025 at 9:45 PM
MAIB reports are really good. They are easily read, always teach you something, and the presentation we had from them once featured a very entertaining speaker. Top organisation. UK ftw here (also interesting thread)
My best story about tall ships. Circa 2010 I was working in Salcombe harbor driving a launch for the sailing school, which floated on a converted Mersey ferry round the corner. I had to do drop off every hour. A tall ship was anchored, and someone in my launch had a connection. So got a tour (1/2)
There’s a replica of a Spanish galleon moored in the Bristol harbour this weekend, and it is really very big
July 20, 2025 at 1:38 PM
My best story about tall ships. Circa 2010 I was working in Salcombe harbor driving a launch for the sailing school, which floated on a converted Mersey ferry round the corner. I had to do drop off every hour. A tall ship was anchored, and someone in my launch had a connection. So got a tour (1/2)
This is good news. Both countries stand to do very well from this if cards are played carefully but this is an important early move.
UK and France vow to co-ordinate nuclear weapons for first time https://on.ft.com/44FIjfG
UK and France vow to co-ordinate nuclear weapons for first time
Announcement marks increase in co-operation between allies amid growing threat from Russia
on.ft.com
July 9, 2025 at 9:40 PM
This is good news. Both countries stand to do very well from this if cards are played carefully but this is an important early move.
Reposted by Taffy Osborne
UK and France vow to co-ordinate nuclear weapons for first time https://on.ft.com/44FIjfG
UK and France vow to co-ordinate nuclear weapons for first time
Announcement marks increase in co-operation between allies amid growing threat from Russia
on.ft.com
July 9, 2025 at 9:39 PM
UK and France vow to co-ordinate nuclear weapons for first time https://on.ft.com/44FIjfG