Patrick McDermott
@sibelian62.bsky.social
OAP. Not a musician. Enjoy music, CBSO/HALLE, plus eclectic tastes. RT's not endorsements! Typos normal :-) Living in N. Shropshire UK.
Pinned
Patrick McDermott
@sibelian62.bsky.social
· Feb 26
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Oliver Leith's Last Days. I stand by my oft-spouted claim that this is the best new opera of the century.
If anything it was even more powerful in this fantastic revival.
If anything it was even more powerful in this fantastic revival.
December 9, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Oliver Leith's Last Days. I stand by my oft-spouted claim that this is the best new opera of the century.
If anything it was even more powerful in this fantastic revival.
If anything it was even more powerful in this fantastic revival.
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
We all have our festive traditions.
Miriam and the Belfast Philharmonic will be joining us for their 300th performance of the Messiah this Saturday in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. We will also be performing this work in Derry~Londonderry with Codetta this Friday.
Book now: buff.ly/q6gmzoJ
Miriam and the Belfast Philharmonic will be joining us for their 300th performance of the Messiah this Saturday in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. We will also be performing this work in Derry~Londonderry with Codetta this Friday.
Book now: buff.ly/q6gmzoJ
December 9, 2025 at 7:54 PM
We all have our festive traditions.
Miriam and the Belfast Philharmonic will be joining us for their 300th performance of the Messiah this Saturday in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. We will also be performing this work in Derry~Londonderry with Codetta this Friday.
Book now: buff.ly/q6gmzoJ
Miriam and the Belfast Philharmonic will be joining us for their 300th performance of the Messiah this Saturday in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. We will also be performing this work in Derry~Londonderry with Codetta this Friday.
Book now: buff.ly/q6gmzoJ
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Angela Rayner has blamed “vested interests” for attempts to delay Labour’s workers’ rights reforms and urged ministers not to “blink or buckle” in the face of opposition
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Angela Rayner blames ‘vested interests’ for workers’ rights delays
The former deputy prime minister, the architect of the reforms, urged the government to press on with the Employment Rights Bill
www.thetimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Angela Rayner has blamed “vested interests” for attempts to delay Labour’s workers’ rights reforms and urged ministers not to “blink or buckle” in the face of opposition
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
How thrilling to be added to an 'anti-AI' moderation list. Sigh.
December 9, 2025 at 8:05 PM
How thrilling to be added to an 'anti-AI' moderation list. Sigh.
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
"𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘥 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘱 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴, 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶?"
As Trump launches a new attack on Europe, is flattery @lewisgoodall.com's last ditch attempt to get an interview with the U.S. President?
As Trump launches a new attack on Europe, is flattery @lewisgoodall.com's last ditch attempt to get an interview with the U.S. President?
December 9, 2025 at 8:14 PM
"𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘥 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘱 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴, 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶?"
As Trump launches a new attack on Europe, is flattery @lewisgoodall.com's last ditch attempt to get an interview with the U.S. President?
As Trump launches a new attack on Europe, is flattery @lewisgoodall.com's last ditch attempt to get an interview with the U.S. President?
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Foreign Secretary hits back at Trump's criticism of European leaders as 'weak'
'What I see in Europe is strength'
She also defends Sadiq Khan after the President said he was only reelected because of mass migration
'I of course take a strongly different view', she said
'What I see in Europe is strength'
She also defends Sadiq Khan after the President said he was only reelected because of mass migration
'I of course take a strongly different view', she said
December 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Foreign Secretary hits back at Trump's criticism of European leaders as 'weak'
'What I see in Europe is strength'
She also defends Sadiq Khan after the President said he was only reelected because of mass migration
'I of course take a strongly different view', she said
'What I see in Europe is strength'
She also defends Sadiq Khan after the President said he was only reelected because of mass migration
'I of course take a strongly different view', she said
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Spoiler alert…
It wasn’t.
It isn’t.
They don’t.
It wasn’t.
It isn’t.
They don’t.
Trump: "It was a rigged election. It's gonna come out over the next couple months too, loud and clear. Because we have all the information."
December 9, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Spoiler alert…
It wasn’t.
It isn’t.
They don’t.
It wasn’t.
It isn’t.
They don’t.
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Much of the £10.9bn in taxpayer money lost to fraud and error in Covid support schemes is now "beyond recovery", a report has said
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Covid scheme fraud hit almost £11bn but much 'beyond recovery', report says
The response to the pandemic led to
www.bbc.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Much of the £10.9bn in taxpayer money lost to fraud and error in Covid support schemes is now "beyond recovery", a report has said
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
The UK Trade and Business Commission’s report outlines how the UK and EU could implement a YES.
"There is a compelling case that young people should be the first to benefit from a strengthened UK/EU relationship," writes @andrewlewinmp.bsky.social
Read here:
https://bit.ly/4pWnK7B
"There is a compelling case that young people should be the first to benefit from a strengthened UK/EU relationship," writes @andrewlewinmp.bsky.social
Read here:
https://bit.ly/4pWnK7B
December 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The UK Trade and Business Commission’s report outlines how the UK and EU could implement a YES.
"There is a compelling case that young people should be the first to benefit from a strengthened UK/EU relationship," writes @andrewlewinmp.bsky.social
Read here:
https://bit.ly/4pWnK7B
"There is a compelling case that young people should be the first to benefit from a strengthened UK/EU relationship," writes @andrewlewinmp.bsky.social
Read here:
https://bit.ly/4pWnK7B
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
In its 2025 Budget the government said English councils can unlock more funding to fix potholes if they publish clear annual progress reports.
We’re monitoring Labour’s promise to fix an additional one million potholes a year in our Government Tracker 👇
We’re monitoring Labour’s promise to fix an additional one million potholes a year in our Government Tracker 👇
Is the government on course to fix an additional million potholes in England each year? – Full Fact
Full Fact looks at whether Labour is on track to meet its manifesto pledge on road maintenance.
fullfact.org
December 9, 2025 at 7:01 PM
In its 2025 Budget the government said English councils can unlock more funding to fix potholes if they publish clear annual progress reports.
We’re monitoring Labour’s promise to fix an additional one million potholes a year in our Government Tracker 👇
We’re monitoring Labour’s promise to fix an additional one million potholes a year in our Government Tracker 👇
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
The UK Trade and Business Commission’s new report sets out how the UK and the EU could implement a Youth Experience Scheme.
“The report is likely to give weight to the arguments of Britain’s negotiators in talks over the deal,” writes Arj Singh.
Read: https://bit.ly/48tqyTY
“The report is likely to give weight to the arguments of Britain’s negotiators in talks over the deal,” writes Arj Singh.
Read: https://bit.ly/48tqyTY
December 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The UK Trade and Business Commission’s new report sets out how the UK and the EU could implement a Youth Experience Scheme.
“The report is likely to give weight to the arguments of Britain’s negotiators in talks over the deal,” writes Arj Singh.
Read: https://bit.ly/48tqyTY
“The report is likely to give weight to the arguments of Britain’s negotiators in talks over the deal,” writes Arj Singh.
Read: https://bit.ly/48tqyTY
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
How a 30-year mainstay of Cromer’s seafood industry warns it may not survive the collapse in crab supply as a result of wind farm exclusion zones.
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
Future of Cromer crab ‘uncertain’ as major producer faces drop in supply
A collapse in crab supplies linked to offshore wind threatens Cromer’s biggest processor and the future of its famed fishery
eastangliabylines.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 5:43 PM
How a 30-year mainstay of Cromer’s seafood industry warns it may not survive the collapse in crab supply as a result of wind farm exclusion zones.
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
@pimlicat.bsky.social: "Young people have been deprived for far too long of the chance to live, work and travel abroad - opportunities that enrich their futures while strengthening our economies. This report shows there is a sensible way to progress the scheme."
https://bit.ly/3Myjcps
https://bit.ly/3Myjcps
Launch UK-EU youth experience scheme with initial 44,000 cap, says cross-party commission
A new cross-party report recommends the UK and EU should launch the UK’s largest and most generous scheme to restore opportunities for young people who have been denied them by Brexit.
www.bestforbritain.org
December 9, 2025 at 6:05 PM
@pimlicat.bsky.social: "Young people have been deprived for far too long of the chance to live, work and travel abroad - opportunities that enrich their futures while strengthening our economies. This report shows there is a sensible way to progress the scheme."
https://bit.ly/3Myjcps
https://bit.ly/3Myjcps
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
This is hugely important👇
Let’s force Parliament to debate a full public inquiry into Russian interference.
We’ve made it easy with a plug-and-play email template waiting for you 👉 citizensreunited.substack.com/p/the-rise-o...
We’ve made it easy with a plug-and-play email template waiting for you 👉 citizensreunited.substack.com/p/the-rise-o...
The Rise of The Techtopia
Plus: A Big Mad Billionaire
citizensreunited.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:14 PM
This is hugely important👇
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Lovely to see everyone and the wonderful Christmas crafts at the Oswestry Makers Market on Saturday.
Great examples of creativity and craftmanship and a good chance for people to support independent makers, artists and small businesses.
#Oswestry #NorthShropshire
Great examples of creativity and craftmanship and a good chance for people to support independent makers, artists and small businesses.
#Oswestry #NorthShropshire
December 9, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Lovely to see everyone and the wonderful Christmas crafts at the Oswestry Makers Market on Saturday.
Great examples of creativity and craftmanship and a good chance for people to support independent makers, artists and small businesses.
#Oswestry #NorthShropshire
Great examples of creativity and craftmanship and a good chance for people to support independent makers, artists and small businesses.
#Oswestry #NorthShropshire
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
The Government's ambition's for the future of the railway must not ignore places like Shropshire, where transport links are nowhere near good enough.
#railwaybill #railways #Whitchurch #Oswestry #NorthShropshire #Shropshire
#railwaybill #railways #Whitchurch #Oswestry #NorthShropshire #Shropshire
December 9, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The Government's ambition's for the future of the railway must not ignore places like Shropshire, where transport links are nowhere near good enough.
#railwaybill #railways #Whitchurch #Oswestry #NorthShropshire #Shropshire
#railwaybill #railways #Whitchurch #Oswestry #NorthShropshire #Shropshire
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Andy Burnham on a return to government: 'If the call came I'm not going to turn away from it'
December 9, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Andy Burnham on a return to government: 'If the call came I'm not going to turn away from it'
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
I wonder if that one could fit in my living room…
December 9, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I wonder if that one could fit in my living room…
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
"Donald Trump wants to control content," says Jon Sopel
.
"He wants America looking great in movies.
"He doesn't want self doubt or movies about slavery and misery. He wants it to be a projection of his vision of what America looks like"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/why-...
.
"He wants America looking great in movies.
"He doesn't want self doubt or movies about slavery and misery. He wants it to be a projection of his vision of what America looks like"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/why-...
Why Donald Trump is more bothered by the Warner Bros. buyout than he’s letting on | The News Agents
Donald Trump claims to have little knowledge of the planned buyout of media giant Warner Bros, despite his son-in-law’s involvement in a hostile bid after a deal was struck with Netflix. Is there…
www.thenewsagents.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 4:47 PM
"Donald Trump wants to control content," says Jon Sopel
.
"He wants America looking great in movies.
"He doesn't want self doubt or movies about slavery and misery. He wants it to be a projection of his vision of what America looks like"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/why-...
.
"He wants America looking great in movies.
"He doesn't want self doubt or movies about slavery and misery. He wants it to be a projection of his vision of what America looks like"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/why-...
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Thirteen Labour MPs have backed a Liberal Democrat bill requiring the government to begin negotiations on joining a bespoke customs union with the EU
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Thirteen Labour MPs vote for talks on joining EU customs union
One hundred MPs voted for and 100 against the Liberal Democrats' bill, which would require the UK to begin talks with the EU for a new customs union.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Thirteen Labour MPs have backed a Liberal Democrat bill requiring the government to begin negotiations on joining a bespoke customs union with the EU
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Tory 'war on workers' as Kemi Badenoch says minimum wage shouldn't go any higher
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Tory 'war on workers' as Kemi Badenoch says minimum wage shouldn't go any higher
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch's comments come just weeks after Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed pay hikes for around 2.6million workers at her Budget from April 2026
www.mirror.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Tory 'war on workers' as Kemi Badenoch says minimum wage shouldn't go any higher
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
The iconic double-arrow is back. GBR’s new livery offers a glimpse of a simpler, more joined-up railway.
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
New national rail livery revealed as GBR prepares to launch
The unveiling of GBR’s new national rail livery marks a symbolic step toward a simpler, publicly run railway system
eastangliabylines.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 5:04 PM
The iconic double-arrow is back. GBR’s new livery offers a glimpse of a simpler, more joined-up railway.
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
🚨 Stefania Kapronczay: Trump’s consolidation of power in the US echoes Orbán’s authoritarian power grabs.
But "it’s happening much faster, and it’s surprising that so many private companies and institutions just complied with the will of President Trump.”
https://bit.ly/48NpJnS
But "it’s happening much faster, and it’s surprising that so many private companies and institutions just complied with the will of President Trump.”
https://bit.ly/48NpJnS
We asked critics from authoritarian regimes what they wish they’d known sooner. Here’s what they said
Critics from Hungary, El Salvador and Turkey offer advice to the US about what they’ve learned about authoritarians
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
🚨 Stefania Kapronczay: Trump’s consolidation of power in the US echoes Orbán’s authoritarian power grabs.
But "it’s happening much faster, and it’s surprising that so many private companies and institutions just complied with the will of President Trump.”
https://bit.ly/48NpJnS
But "it’s happening much faster, and it’s surprising that so many private companies and institutions just complied with the will of President Trump.”
https://bit.ly/48NpJnS
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
India shows how BritCard Digital ID could be weaponised
Starmer’s BritCards have cited India’s Digital ID system as a positive example – here’s why that should scare you | Dean Conway
@deanconway.bsky.social @centralbylines.co.uk
Starmer’s BritCards have cited India’s Digital ID system as a positive example – here’s why that should scare you | Dean Conway
@deanconway.bsky.social @centralbylines.co.uk
India shows how BritCard Digital ID could be weaponised
Starmer’s BritCards have cited India’s Digital ID system as a positive example – here’s why that should scare you
centralbylines.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 5:35 PM
India shows how BritCard Digital ID could be weaponised
Starmer’s BritCards have cited India’s Digital ID system as a positive example – here’s why that should scare you | Dean Conway
@deanconway.bsky.social @centralbylines.co.uk
Starmer’s BritCards have cited India’s Digital ID system as a positive example – here’s why that should scare you | Dean Conway
@deanconway.bsky.social @centralbylines.co.uk