Jean-Luc Picard
@voiceofpericles.bsky.social
Proctor ergo, proctor hoc - after this, therefore because of this.
Philosophy, economics, politics, football, Wales, UK, climate change, gaming, LOTR, Dinosaurs and the stars.
Philosophy, economics, politics, football, Wales, UK, climate change, gaming, LOTR, Dinosaurs and the stars.
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
Please remember this next time you hear Nigel Farage and Reform say we must leave the ECHR to control our borders
🚨 “Can I tell you how many times in the last 45 years the European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the UK when it comes to deporting people from this country - only 13 times - in 45 years”
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
December 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Please remember this next time you hear Nigel Farage and Reform say we must leave the ECHR to control our borders
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
It’s not him being a teenage Nazi that’s the issue here: it’s that he’s still one now, he has been throughout and his politics are those of the racist, fascist far right. The difference between him and e.g. Griffin is that Farage knows where the line is and that he should push at it, not cross it.
December 11, 2025 at 10:32 AM
It’s not him being a teenage Nazi that’s the issue here: it’s that he’s still one now, he has been throughout and his politics are those of the racist, fascist far right. The difference between him and e.g. Griffin is that Farage knows where the line is and that he should push at it, not cross it.
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
This is the same group that seems to have an open invitation to appear on every single BBC political programme going, without ever declaring their funding
🔴 REVEALED 🔴
The Institute of Economic Affairs – the anti-state, anti-climate pressure group that "incubated" Liz Truss – was bankrolled by oil giants and Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
📝 Exclusive findings from @desmog.com 👇
The Institute of Economic Affairs – the anti-state, anti-climate pressure group that "incubated" Liz Truss – was bankrolled by oil giants and Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
📝 Exclusive findings from @desmog.com 👇
The Institute of Economic Affairs Banked £640,000 from Oil Giants and Murdoch
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) – the anti-state, anti-climate pressure group – received more than £640,000 from fossil fuel companies and Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerate between 1957 and ...
www.desmog.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:42 AM
This is the same group that seems to have an open invitation to appear on every single BBC political programme going, without ever declaring their funding
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
🔴 REVEALED 🔴
The Institute of Economic Affairs – the anti-state, anti-climate pressure group that "incubated" Liz Truss – was bankrolled by oil giants and Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
📝 Exclusive findings from @desmog.com 👇
The Institute of Economic Affairs – the anti-state, anti-climate pressure group that "incubated" Liz Truss – was bankrolled by oil giants and Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
📝 Exclusive findings from @desmog.com 👇
The Institute of Economic Affairs Banked £640,000 from Oil Giants and Murdoch
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) – the anti-state, anti-climate pressure group – received more than £640,000 from fossil fuel companies and Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerate between 1957 and ...
www.desmog.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:05 AM
🔴 REVEALED 🔴
The Institute of Economic Affairs – the anti-state, anti-climate pressure group that "incubated" Liz Truss – was bankrolled by oil giants and Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
📝 Exclusive findings from @desmog.com 👇
The Institute of Economic Affairs – the anti-state, anti-climate pressure group that "incubated" Liz Truss – was bankrolled by oil giants and Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
📝 Exclusive findings from @desmog.com 👇
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
It is absolutely wild that the guy who won’t stop yelling about law and order is now personally stepping in to keep January 6 documents hidden from the police officers who were attacked that day. He knows exactly what’s in those files and he is terrified the country will see it.
December 9, 2025 at 9:26 PM
It is absolutely wild that the guy who won’t stop yelling about law and order is now personally stepping in to keep January 6 documents hidden from the police officers who were attacked that day. He knows exactly what’s in those files and he is terrified the country will see it.
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
Just want to highlight this point as it won't be well known - key advisers (sherpas) to European / allied countries will be in regular touch and trying to agree how to handle every Trumpian madness. The result isn't pretty, but arguably it could be a lot worse.
NB I think the only European leader I've seen push back on the US national security strategy is one who doesn't have to negotiate with Trump. Maybe we're all doomed, but I rather think that leaders collectively have decided that's not the path they can take (and sherpas will have discussed).
December 9, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Just want to highlight this point as it won't be well known - key advisers (sherpas) to European / allied countries will be in regular touch and trying to agree how to handle every Trumpian madness. The result isn't pretty, but arguably it could be a lot worse.
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
Time to move.
Pro-Brexit Majority Of 2016 'Has Literally Died Out', Polling Expert Reveals
The founder of YouGov said there is now an 8.1 million majority in favour of rejoining the EU.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Time to move.
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
Finally, a foe worthy of her talents.
Nothing says getting into the festive spirit like going online to shout at some biscuits
December 8, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Finally, a foe worthy of her talents.
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
Anyone noticed how UK media is a lot less obsessed with Farage’s alleged antisemitism than Corbyn’s alleged antisemitism?
Odd that.
Odd that.
December 6, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Anyone noticed how UK media is a lot less obsessed with Farage’s alleged antisemitism than Corbyn’s alleged antisemitism?
Odd that.
Odd that.
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
Truly shocking that Rachel Reeves had the audacity to call herself the U14 girls chess champions when she won the U14 girls chess championship but some bloke thought she was talking about something else.
December 3, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Truly shocking that Rachel Reeves had the audacity to call herself the U14 girls chess champions when she won the U14 girls chess championship but some bloke thought she was talking about something else.
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
Nicked this from the ever wonderful Alex Andreou, Chris Mason waxing lyrical about the run up to Hunt's budget in February 2024, quite the contrast eh.
December 3, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Nicked this from the ever wonderful Alex Andreou, Chris Mason waxing lyrical about the run up to Hunt's budget in February 2024, quite the contrast eh.
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
This is how Chris Mason, like a child filled with wonder, described "the choreography and theatre that surrounds a Budget" in Feb 2024, when a male Tory Chancellor was in post.
"Plans, or even just options, can be floated... Reaction to them can be tested. Opponents can be teased or wrongfooted." 👀
"Plans, or even just options, can be floated... Reaction to them can be tested. Opponents can be teased or wrongfooted." 👀
December 2, 2025 at 9:29 PM
This is how Chris Mason, like a child filled with wonder, described "the choreography and theatre that surrounds a Budget" in Feb 2024, when a male Tory Chancellor was in post.
"Plans, or even just options, can be floated... Reaction to them can be tested. Opponents can be teased or wrongfooted." 👀
"Plans, or even just options, can be floated... Reaction to them can be tested. Opponents can be teased or wrongfooted." 👀
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
Is Farage still facing scrutiny over his partner’s £885k Frinton home.
Is it aggressive tax avoidance? Has he misled voters? Where’s the transparency? What’s happening?
Just asking questions.
#FrintonGate
Is it aggressive tax avoidance? Has he misled voters? Where’s the transparency? What’s happening?
Just asking questions.
#FrintonGate
December 2, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Is Farage still facing scrutiny over his partner’s £885k Frinton home.
Is it aggressive tax avoidance? Has he misled voters? Where’s the transparency? What’s happening?
Just asking questions.
#FrintonGate
Is it aggressive tax avoidance? Has he misled voters? Where’s the transparency? What’s happening?
Just asking questions.
#FrintonGate
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
I wonder if it's time to retire the role of "political editor" altogether
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Watched BBC 6 o clock news. Just a completely unserious broadcast. Chris Mason, acting like a children's entertainer, giving a prolonged impenetrable editorial. Not a whiff of informative content about the Budget or what it means for the country. Just playschool blah blah bollocks.
December 1, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I wonder if it's time to retire the role of "political editor" altogether
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Hang on a sec, if the OBR had not downgraded productivity by £16bn Rachel Reeves would have had £20bn fiscal headroom based on last years budget.
The exact amount most commentators said she should have budgeted for.
So.. she was right and everyone else was actually wrong?
@bestforbritain.org
The exact amount most commentators said she should have budgeted for.
So.. she was right and everyone else was actually wrong?
@bestforbritain.org
December 1, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Hang on a sec, if the OBR had not downgraded productivity by £16bn Rachel Reeves would have had £20bn fiscal headroom based on last years budget.
The exact amount most commentators said she should have budgeted for.
So.. she was right and everyone else was actually wrong?
@bestforbritain.org
The exact amount most commentators said she should have budgeted for.
So.. she was right and everyone else was actually wrong?
@bestforbritain.org
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
Another good episode this week.
I think I agree with @sturdyalex.bsky.social re 2028 election.
Interest rates will be about 3%, Govt borrowing costs down giving more headroom and allowing them to cancel the tax freeze. Masses of renewables due online by 2028, will be Net Zero on grid at times.
I think I agree with @sturdyalex.bsky.social re 2028 election.
Interest rates will be about 3%, Govt borrowing costs down giving more headroom and allowing them to cancel the tax freeze. Masses of renewables due online by 2028, will be Net Zero on grid at times.
🆕 SPOILER ALERT - Unpicking the Budget 📈
The good stuff
The less good stuff
The economic rationale
The political consequences
Balance, humour, @pimlicat.bsky.social , @sturdyalex.bsky.social & top economist Vicky Pryce.
🍊 open.spotify.com/episode/05mP...
🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q...
The good stuff
The less good stuff
The economic rationale
The political consequences
Balance, humour, @pimlicat.bsky.social , @sturdyalex.bsky.social & top economist Vicky Pryce.
🍊 open.spotify.com/episode/05mP...
🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q...
Unpicking the most-leaked Budget in history, with Vicky Pryce
Podcast Episode · Quiet Riot · 26/11/2025 · 1h 18m
podcasts.apple.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Another good episode this week.
I think I agree with @sturdyalex.bsky.social re 2028 election.
Interest rates will be about 3%, Govt borrowing costs down giving more headroom and allowing them to cancel the tax freeze. Masses of renewables due online by 2028, will be Net Zero on grid at times.
I think I agree with @sturdyalex.bsky.social re 2028 election.
Interest rates will be about 3%, Govt borrowing costs down giving more headroom and allowing them to cancel the tax freeze. Masses of renewables due online by 2028, will be Net Zero on grid at times.
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
“Speaking outside his chateau in France, former Brexit Party and UKIP MEP Coburn…”
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 8:56 AM
“Speaking outside his chateau in France, former Brexit Party and UKIP MEP Coburn…”
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
And here's David Coburn again in the European Parliament accusing the EU of "unwarranted imperialism in the Ukraine"
Coburn denies taking any money from Russia to make these statements www.youtube.com/watch?v=52W7...
Coburn denies taking any money from Russia to make these statements www.youtube.com/watch?v=52W7...
EU edges us closer to war with Russia while dictating to the Greek people - UKIP MEP David Coburn
YouTube video by UKIP MEPs
www.youtube.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:43 AM
And here's David Coburn again in the European Parliament accusing the EU of "unwarranted imperialism in the Ukraine"
Coburn denies taking any money from Russia to make these statements www.youtube.com/watch?v=52W7...
Coburn denies taking any money from Russia to make these statements www.youtube.com/watch?v=52W7...
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
And Here's David Coburn on Russian state television accusing the EU of "interfering in the Russian sphere of influence" on Ukraine www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrJS...
Russia today - David Coburn on Russia/Ukraine, March 2014
YouTube video by Liberty media
www.youtube.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:40 AM
And Here's David Coburn on Russian state television accusing the EU of "interfering in the Russian sphere of influence" on Ukraine www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrJS...
Reposted by Jean-Luc Picard
Here's UKIP's former Scottish leader David Coburn, who has denied taking Russian bribes after being named in Whatsapp messages between Nathan Gill and a pawn of the Putin administration, being applauded by Gill for arguing against Ukraine's entry to the EU
November 28, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Here's UKIP's former Scottish leader David Coburn, who has denied taking Russian bribes after being named in Whatsapp messages between Nathan Gill and a pawn of the Putin administration, being applauded by Gill for arguing against Ukraine's entry to the EU
A question for the Sunday supplement.
Why did Reeves get such bad press about her relatively small fiscal headroom but Hunt didn't?
Despite Hunt cutting NI and leaving himself even less fiscal headroom.
@bestforbritain.org
Why did Reeves get such bad press about her relatively small fiscal headroom but Hunt didn't?
Despite Hunt cutting NI and leaving himself even less fiscal headroom.
@bestforbritain.org
Despite a fiscal tightening, the Government only has plans to run a modest surplus in future.
Read 'Stairway to headroom' now ⤵️ buff.ly/U9ZeozU
Read 'Stairway to headroom' now ⤵️ buff.ly/U9ZeozU
November 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
A question for the Sunday supplement.
Why did Reeves get such bad press about her relatively small fiscal headroom but Hunt didn't?
Despite Hunt cutting NI and leaving himself even less fiscal headroom.
@bestforbritain.org
Why did Reeves get such bad press about her relatively small fiscal headroom but Hunt didn't?
Despite Hunt cutting NI and leaving himself even less fiscal headroom.
@bestforbritain.org
Interesting that Reeves has been hounded by critics over the relatively low fiscal headroom and yet I don't remember the same happening to Hunt, even when he cut NI despite it being unfeasible.
Why is that?
Why is that?
November 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Interesting that Reeves has been hounded by critics over the relatively low fiscal headroom and yet I don't remember the same happening to Hunt, even when he cut NI despite it being unfeasible.
Why is that?
Why is that?