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whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley
@whalleysteve.bsky.social
240 followers 610 following 440 posts
Love to visit the far corners of Britain (Spain, Italy, France) in search of good food, wine, pubs & countryside: It's all geographical, often meteorological and sometimes political.
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whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 17h
We urgently need a real and proper Russia report. You may wish to add your name below.
writesbright.bsky.social
Sam Bright @writesbright.bsky.social · 1d
It’s time that Russia’s malign influence on British politics was properly investigated.

Agree? Add your name 👇🏻
It’s time for a REAL Russia report
Putin’s fingerprints are all over our politics. It’s time to prove it.
writesbright.substack.com
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whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 17h
92% of Reform's funding between the 2019 and 2024 elections came from climate science deniers and fossil fuel interests.

We need that recoil.
centralbylines.co.uk
Central Bylines @centralbylines.co.uk · 2d
Exposing Reform’s Oil Ties Significantly Reduces Party Support, New Research Finds

Voters recoil at Farage’s fossil fuel funding.
Via @desmog.com @writesbright.bsky.social
Exposing Reform’s Oil Ties Significantly Reduces Party Support, New Research Finds
Reform UK’s oil industry interests are a major turn-off for voters, new research reveals. The think tank Persuasion UK tested five anti-Reform messages on 6,000 adults. According to the research, “by ...
www.desmog.com
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 22h
They're at it again. #BBC2's #MondayQuizNight swept away for another football game of dubious appeal. Methinks, the quizzes could have been moved over to #BBC3 or #BBC4, but no. Is this a deliberate attempt to annoy the licence payer? If so, it's working. I'm off to Netflix for the evening.
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 3d
The BBC may have replaced #GardenersWorld with a football game of dubious appeal yesterday but they continue to treat us with gems like #HowAreYou?It'sAlanPartridge. Loved the "vintage cycles" old school friends reunion. Only here could "cancer, cancer, stroke, cancer, suicide, choked" be funny.
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whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 23h
Johnson should be prosecuted. This is malfeasance in public office.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Boris Johnson breached rules designed to stop abuse of contacts made in public office, watchdog finds
Johnson found to have breached rules after refusing to answer specific questions about allegations published by the Guardian
www.theguardian.com
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whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 1d
I almost didn't bother with #SallyWainwright's #RiotWomen, but that would have been a misuse of Sunday evening. Wainwright's latest is perhaps her best. She ekes an amazing performance from Joanna Scanlan, all driven by a glorious punky soundtrack led by #ARXX.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
From Happy Valley to Riot Women: Why writer Sally Wainwright wants to shout about menopause
The writer returns with a show about a female rock band, and the
www.bbc.co.uk
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whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 2d
Week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: Misty starts at first. Dry but cloudy. Some sunny spells later in week...
MON 16°C Misty→Dull
TUES 16°C Misty/Cloudy→Evening sunny spells
WED 14°C Cloudy
THUR 14°C Some sunny spells
FRI 13°C Sunny spells
SAT 13°C Sunny spells
Week after: Less mild with some rain
chadweather.bsky.social
Oldham Weather @chadweather.bsky.social · 3d
Make the most of Sunday's sunshine.

Most of next week looks to be lacking in sunshine (maybe some inversions) and dry as the high pressure traps in a lot of cloud.
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 3d
The BBC may have replaced #GardenersWorld with a football game of dubious appeal yesterday but they continue to treat us with gems like #HowAreYou?It'sAlanPartridge. Loved the "vintage cycles" old school friends reunion. Only here could "cancer, cancer, stroke, cancer, suicide, choked" be funny.
1
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 3d
This week's anticyclone was further southeast than anticipated by the computer models, hence more cloud and drizzle than forecast for #Darwen #Lancashire.
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 9d
Week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: Much less windy. Fine except for a spell of rain late on Tues. Mild & often sunny...
MON 16°C am Cloudy↑Sunshine
TUES 16°C Dull→Evening rain
WED 14°C Sunny spells
THUR 15°C Overcast
FRI 15°C Cloudy
SAT 15°C Sunny spells
Week after: Continuing fine with ↑Sunshine
chadweather.bsky.social
Oldham Weather @chadweather.bsky.social · 9d
A much drier 10 days ahead as high pressure takes control. Looks like it could well be a 'cloudy high' at times but it will give us a rest from high rainfall totals.
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 3d
This should NEVER be allowed #EmmaReynoldsMP #EnvironmentAgency #Ofwat. You may wish to sign this petition.
weownit.org.uk
We Own It @weownit.org.uk · 4d
🚨Urgent: Thames Water want permission from Ofwat to ILLEGALLY pollute rivers and seas until 2040.

🤮They want your bills to fill their pockets with gold, while they fill your rivers with sewage.

✍️Sign now. Tell Ofwat to say NO to Thames Water before Tuesday 21st October.
Thames Water want to pollute illegally until 2040. Ofwat must say NO.
Thames water want to make at deal with Ofwat, to pollute illegally for 15 years
weownit.org.uk
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 7d
It's a sorry reflection of the current Tory party that Honest Bob Jenrick is still a thing.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Robert Jenrick complained of ‘not seeing another white face’ in Birmingham neighbourhood
Shadow justice secretary criticised for suggesting he could tell how integrated Handsworth was based on short visit
www.theguardian.com
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 7d
#Darwen #Lancashire felt warm in today's afternoon sunshine but the maximum temperature in the shade was only 15.7°C. We may see something slightly higher beneath cloudless blue skies at the end of the week.
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 7d
You've got to think about it.
southdevongreens.bsky.social
South Devon Green Party @southdevongreens.bsky.social · 7d
Bringing back hope.

Leader Zack Polanski makes a powerful case for taxing wealth not work in the Green Party's new party political broadcast.
Let's Make Hope Normal Again - Green Party Political Broadcast
YouTube video by Green Party of England & Wales
youtu.be
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 7d
The BBC also cited the Manchester synagogue attack as a reason for NOT interviewing Zack Polanski. As both Jewish and from Manchester, Polanski would have been an extraordinarily apposite interviewee.
adambienkov.bsky.social
Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 8d
BBC now suggesting they didn't interview Zack Polanski on Laura Kuenssberg when he was elected because they weren't on air then. Which is technically true because he was elected on a Tuesday. However, they did air just days later on Sunday and featured interviews with Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch
BBC Laura Kuenssberg Show Accused of Anti-Green Bias After Cancelling Zack Polanski Interview
The new Green Party leader was the only major party leader not to have been granted a conference interview on the flagship BBC show
bylinetimes.com
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whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 9d
Week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: Much less windy. Fine except for a spell of rain late on Tues. Mild & often sunny...
MON 16°C am Cloudy↑Sunshine
TUES 16°C Dull→Evening rain
WED 14°C Sunny spells
THUR 15°C Overcast
FRI 15°C Cloudy
SAT 15°C Sunny spells
Week after: Continuing fine with ↑Sunshine
chadweather.bsky.social
Oldham Weather @chadweather.bsky.social · 9d
A much drier 10 days ahead as high pressure takes control. Looks like it could well be a 'cloudy high' at times but it will give us a rest from high rainfall totals.
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 10d
She is almost unbelievably bad.
bestforbritain.org
Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 11d
Kemi Badenoch: "Last time I checked Northern Ireland did vote to leave."

Might be good idea to check again.
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 10d
Sooner, the better.
bestforbritain.org
Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 11d
Promising news: A UK-EU food trade deal could cut paperwork and scrap routine border checks.

For consumers this deal can’t come soon enough to ease prices on their weekly shop.

https://reut.rs/430zzQW
UK, EU food trade deal could be implemented within a year, EU trade chief says
An agreement struck between Britain and the European Union in May to reduce friction on the trade of agricultural produce could be implemented within a year with "good political will," EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic told a conference on Thursday.
www.reuters.com
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 10d
#StormAmy brought strong gales gusting to 52mph earlier this evening in #Darwen #Lancashire. Expect that to be exceeded tomorrow morning before the atmosphere gradually calms to a strong breeze on Sunday.
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 12d
Common sense prevails, at last. #MichelleMone #Medpro Who's next?
theguardian.com
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 13d
UK government wins £122m pandemic case against Michelle Mone-linked firm over faulty PPE
UK government wins £122m pandemic case against Michelle Mone-linked firm over faulty PPE
Trial heard 25m surgical gowns supplied by PPE Medpro to protect NHS staff were unusable and could ‘seriously harm or kill patients’ * VIP lanes and 25m faulty gowns: what PPE Medro trial reveals about Tory response to Covid The government has won its legal claim against a company linked to the Conservative peer Michelle Mone for the return of millions of pounds paid for personal protective equipment during the Covid pandemic. The Department of Health and Social Care sued the company, PPE Medpro, in December 2022, arguing that it had not complied with PPE laws to ensure that 25m surgical gowns it provided under a June 2020 government contract were sterile. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
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whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 14d
The government is planning to reintroduce private finance into our NHS despite the disastrous legacy of PFI. Take 1 minute now to demand that our NHS is ringfenced from private finance ahead of the Autumn Budget @we_ownit weownit.org.uk/act-now/reev...
Ring-fence our NHS from new PFI - take action now
Rachel Reeves can protect our NHS from private finance in her Autumn Budget.
weownit.org.uk
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whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 14d
I've always rated #BlueLights highly, but it's a close run thing with Line of Duty. That said, the Belfast bobbies came back with those blue lights shining brightly tonight.
theipaper.com
The i Paper @theipaper.com · 14d
Forget Line of Duty – Blue Lights is the best police drama trib.al/OYK0ocY
Forget Line of Duty - Blue Lights is the best police drama
The authentic, well-researched cop show returns to Belfast with a Bafta under its belt
trib.al
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whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 15d
I gave up on James Norton in the awful #KingAndConqueror weeks ago, but he redeems himself very soundly in #Netflix's new #HouseOfGuinness. This has the look of another triumph for #StevenKnight.
theguardian.com
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 17d
House of Guinness to Olivia Dean: the week in rave reviews
House of Guinness to Olivia Dean: the week in rave reviews
Steven Knight takes on Dublin’s booze dynasty with sex appeal, while the London singer-songwriter goes from strength to strength with her second album. Here’s the pick of the week’s culture, taken from the Guardian’s best-rated reviews
www.theguardian.com
2
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 16d
Week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: Mild & often sunny at first. More cloud, rain & wind later...
MON 15°C Sunny↑Cloud
TUES 17°C Sunny spells↑Cloud
WED 16°C am Showers↑Cloud
THUR 15°C Cloudy→Late showers
FRI 15°C Light rain & breeze
SAT 14°C Blustery showers
Week after: Rain at first then sunny
peacockreports.bsky.social
James Peacock @peacockreports.bsky.social · 18d
Ex-hurricane Gabrielle has a date with Portugal this Sunday, at which point it's forecast to have ~40 mph peak sustained winds, which the far southwest of the country may experience for a time.

Les windy further N & E, but still a notable event, with some very heavy rainfall.
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 16d
I hope so -
The sleeping giant is awakening
open.substack.com/pub/robertre...
The sleeping giant is awakening
After a week of authoritarian excess, the nation is turning on Trump
open.substack.com
whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 18d
The government's love of private finance ends up costing the taxpayer more. Public money shouldn't be lining the pockets of private healthcare tycoons.
weownit.org.uk
We Own It @weownit.org.uk · 19d
The government wants to bring back private finance in our NHS. 🤬

This would harm patients by siphoning off hundreds of millions of pounds in profits from our NHS. 🤑

Rachel Reeves and Wes Streeting, you can still drop these disastrous and unpopular plans. Share if you agree.
What they promised: Change "Under Labour, the NHS will always be publicly owned and publicly funded." Labour Party Manifesto 2024 What they're doing: "Ministers have handed firms £6m in contracts to help devise plans to build a network of new NHS clinics using private capital, despite fears the move could turn into a PFI-style disaster." The Guardian 24th September 2025 we own it
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whalleysteve.bsky.social
Steve Whalley @whalleysteve.bsky.social · 18d
Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, makes some salient and opportune points at the UN this week.
chrissielinnit.bsky.social
Chrissie Linnit @chrissielinnit.bsky.social · 20d
Without doubt the most profound speech at the United Nations NY Assembly yesterday. In just a few words, the Polish Foreign Minister, Sikorski, made it clear to Russia and the world that the time of Russian empire building is gone forever.
God bless Poland 🇵🇱
God bless Ukraine 🇺🇦
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