Barry Smith 🔶
@barrysw19.bsky.social
LibDem, Green LibDem, sometime hopeless musician and chess player. Will program computers for money. Following (back) 🔶 LibDems 🔶
Sometimes promoted by the Liberal Democrats, 1 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PN.
Sometimes promoted by the Liberal Democrats, 1 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PN.
Nothing to see here, just the US government openly co-opting Nazi slogans.
January 16, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Nothing to see here, just the US government openly co-opting Nazi slogans.
Breaking news: Conservative Party logo defects to Reform.
January 12, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Breaking news: Conservative Party logo defects to Reform.
At the time of the 2022 local elections the Tories were polling 34% and Labour 40%. Today those numbers are 18% and 16%.
I'm looking forward to May.
I'm looking forward to May.
January 12, 2026 at 11:30 AM
At the time of the 2022 local elections the Tories were polling 34% and Labour 40%. Today those numbers are 18% and 16%.
I'm looking forward to May.
I'm looking forward to May.
Reposted by Barry Smith 🔶
I'm going to boost this again tonight because it gets forgotten so often.
When people choose at the ballot box, they choose the Lib Dems, as we start to think about the local election campaigns for May 2026, this is going to be the story.
Let's hope that the media start paying attention.
When people choose at the ballot box, they choose the Lib Dems, as we start to think about the local election campaigns for May 2026, this is going to be the story.
Let's hope that the media start paying attention.
Seats & Votes won in Council By-Elections in 2025:
🔶 LDM: 106 (+21), 20.2%
➡️ RFM: 104 (+94), 24.2%
🌳 CON: 45 (-24), 18.2%
🌹 LAB: 36 (-89), 16.3%
🌍 GRN: 24 (+6), 9.9%
⚫ Oth: 39 (-8), 11.3%
🔶 LDM: 106 (+21), 20.2%
➡️ RFM: 104 (+94), 24.2%
🌳 CON: 45 (-24), 18.2%
🌹 LAB: 36 (-89), 16.3%
🌍 GRN: 24 (+6), 9.9%
⚫ Oth: 39 (-8), 11.3%
January 11, 2026 at 10:37 PM
I'm going to boost this again tonight because it gets forgotten so often.
When people choose at the ballot box, they choose the Lib Dems, as we start to think about the local election campaigns for May 2026, this is going to be the story.
Let's hope that the media start paying attention.
When people choose at the ballot box, they choose the Lib Dems, as we start to think about the local election campaigns for May 2026, this is going to be the story.
Let's hope that the media start paying attention.
Let's not forget, Russia started WW2 on the side of the Nazis. They only joined the allies when Germany turned against them.
⚡️Russia 'repeated fascism,' Zelensky says as war in Ukraine outlasts Nazi Germany's war with USSR.
The full-scale war in Ukraine entered its 1,418th day on Jan. 11, matching the length of Nazi Germany's fight against the Soviet Union during World War II.
The full-scale war in Ukraine entered its 1,418th day on Jan. 11, matching the length of Nazi Germany's fight against the Soviet Union during World War II.
Russia 'repeated fascism,' Zelensky says as war in Ukraine outlasts Nazi Germany's war with USSR
The full-scale war in Ukraine entered its 1,418th day on Jan. 11, matching the length of Nazi Germany's fight against the Soviet Union during World War II. Russia has "repeated almost all the worst th...
kyivindependent.com
January 11, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Let's not forget, Russia started WW2 on the side of the Nazis. They only joined the allies when Germany turned against them.
Miller: "We’re a superpower… we are going to conduct ourselves as a superpower."
Every other country: "We need nuclear weapons".
🙄
Every other country: "We need nuclear weapons".
🙄
Stephen Miller goes on a rant defending Trump's imperialist aggression against Venezuela: "We’re a superpower… we are going to conduct ourselves as a superpower."
Jake Tapper: "I don't even know what you're talking about right now."
Jake Tapper: "I don't even know what you're talking about right now."
January 8, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Miller: "We’re a superpower… we are going to conduct ourselves as a superpower."
Every other country: "We need nuclear weapons".
🙄
Every other country: "We need nuclear weapons".
🙄
Interesting that Russia had supplied Venezuela with S-300 air defence systems. Clearly they work no better there than in Russia. I imagine there will be some buyer's remorse going on around the world in countries that have bought Russian military hardware.
January 6, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Interesting that Russia had supplied Venezuela with S-300 air defence systems. Clearly they work no better there than in Russia. I imagine there will be some buyer's remorse going on around the world in countries that have bought Russian military hardware.
Interesting to note, at the last local elections in 2022 Labour were at 39% in the polls and the Tories at 33%. Now Labour are at 18% and the Tories at 17%. LibDems around 12% in both cases.
In other words, the LibDems are on track to make significant advances compared to 2022.
In other words, the LibDems are on track to make significant advances compared to 2022.
January 5, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Interesting to note, at the last local elections in 2022 Labour were at 39% in the polls and the Tories at 33%. Now Labour are at 18% and the Tories at 17%. LibDems around 12% in both cases.
In other words, the LibDems are on track to make significant advances compared to 2022.
In other words, the LibDems are on track to make significant advances compared to 2022.
Go home 2026, you're drunk.
January 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Go home 2026, you're drunk.
Sadly, Trump's actions in Venezuela have set a new standard for how powerful countries can treat their neighbours.
January 3, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Sadly, Trump's actions in Venezuela have set a new standard for how powerful countries can treat their neighbours.
Russia has now been fighting in Ukraine for as long as they fought in the Second World War (if you don't count the time they were fighting on the side of the Nazis).
January 1, 2026 at 3:10 AM
Russia has now been fighting in Ukraine for as long as they fought in the Second World War (if you don't count the time they were fighting on the side of the Nazis).
Here it's fireworks exploding outside. In Kyiv it's Putin's drones targeting civilians. Let's hope 2026 sees the end of Putin.
December 31, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Here it's fireworks exploding outside. In Kyiv it's Putin's drones targeting civilians. Let's hope 2026 sees the end of Putin.
What Labour don't seem to understand is that people won't care about broken manifesto promises if you make their lives better, and they won't reward keeping your promises if you don't.
December 31, 2025 at 10:09 AM
What Labour don't seem to understand is that people won't care about broken manifesto promises if you make their lives better, and they won't reward keeping your promises if you don't.
People expected something different. What they got was continuity Tories. That's the fundamental feeling on the doorstep. People hoped for change and didn't get it.
Glad the FT is asking the question. Even if I’m not convinced they found a compelling answer.
I get that Starmer & Reeves are unpopular, I really don’t understand the extent of the dislike.
www.ft.com/content/1995... ‘There’s a real dislike, even loathing’: why voters hate Starmer and Reeves
I get that Starmer & Reeves are unpopular, I really don’t understand the extent of the dislike.
www.ft.com/content/1995... ‘There’s a real dislike, even loathing’: why voters hate Starmer and Reeves
‘There’s a real dislike, even loathing’: why voters hate Starmer and Reeves
Allies concede the prime minister and chancellor have made mistakes yet the level of disdain towards them is still striking
www.ft.com
December 31, 2025 at 10:05 AM
People expected something different. What they got was continuity Tories. That's the fundamental feeling on the doorstep. People hoped for change and didn't get it.
If someone manages to steal your #Bitcoin there is nothing the authorities can do about it. They can't change the blockchain - your BTC is gone.
Now, why in God's name would we want to put our home ownership on a blockchain?
Now, why in God's name would we want to put our home ownership on a blockchain?
"Real estate on the blockchain? 🏡 Smart contracts could streamline property transactions, eliminating paperwork and reducing costs. #RealEstate #Blockchain #PropTech #Innovation #Efficiency"
December 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
If someone manages to steal your #Bitcoin there is nothing the authorities can do about it. They can't change the blockchain - your BTC is gone.
Now, why in God's name would we want to put our home ownership on a blockchain?
Now, why in God's name would we want to put our home ownership on a blockchain?
So, as we hit the end of the year, #Bitcoin is down 5% while the FTSE All Share index is up 20%. Maybe make 2026 the year you put your money into something that actually generates some value, huh HODLers?
December 30, 2025 at 12:11 PM
So, as we hit the end of the year, #Bitcoin is down 5% while the FTSE All Share index is up 20%. Maybe make 2026 the year you put your money into something that actually generates some value, huh HODLers?
It's quite interesting that, if the USA were to invade Greenland, the USA is hopelessly outclassed by the rest of NATO when it comes to Arctic fighting capabilities.
December 26, 2025 at 1:58 PM
It's quite interesting that, if the USA were to invade Greenland, the USA is hopelessly outclassed by the rest of NATO when it comes to Arctic fighting capabilities.
AI summarises the LibDem Constitution:
"We build a fair, free society balancing liberty, equality & community. We disperse power, protect the planet, champion human rights, strengthen democracy, and ensure no one is enslaved by poverty or ignorance. Our responsibility for justice knows no borders."
"We build a fair, free society balancing liberty, equality & community. We disperse power, protect the planet, champion human rights, strengthen democracy, and ensure no one is enslaved by poverty or ignorance. Our responsibility for justice knows no borders."
December 21, 2025 at 11:19 AM
AI summarises the LibDem Constitution:
"We build a fair, free society balancing liberty, equality & community. We disperse power, protect the planet, champion human rights, strengthen democracy, and ensure no one is enslaved by poverty or ignorance. Our responsibility for justice knows no borders."
"We build a fair, free society balancing liberty, equality & community. We disperse power, protect the planet, champion human rights, strengthen democracy, and ensure no one is enslaved by poverty or ignorance. Our responsibility for justice knows no borders."
Reposted by Barry Smith 🔶
‼️ "Either money today or blood tomorrow", Polish PM tells EU leaders on Ukraine financing
"Either money today or blood tomorrow", Polish PM tells EU leaders on Ukraine financing
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned EU leaders that failure to agree on funding for Ukraine now could lead to bloodshed in Ukraine and across Europe.
www.pravda.com.ua
December 18, 2025 at 10:49 AM
‼️ "Either money today or blood tomorrow", Polish PM tells EU leaders on Ukraine financing
US government spending under the last year of Biden (blue) versus the first year of Trump (orange, appropriately). So, that DOGE thing worked out well then...
December 15, 2025 at 7:31 PM
US government spending under the last year of Biden (blue) versus the first year of Trump (orange, appropriately). So, that DOGE thing worked out well then...
"First they came for the Muslims and I did not speak out because I was not a Muslim..."
There has been a strong reaction to the antisemitism allegations levelled at Nigel Farage - except from those you might have expected to condemn it most loudly. My piece for @jewishnews.bsky.social on a strange silence
www.jewishnews.co.uk/jonathan-fre...
www.jewishnews.co.uk/jonathan-fre...
JONATHAN FREEDLAND: Why Britain’s Jewish leaders are silent on Farage’s schoolyard antisemitism
While the Reform UK leader and his allies smear accusers as liars, the Board, JLC and HET remain mute, fearing the wrath of a rising politician
www.jewishnews.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 8:59 AM
"First they came for the Muslims and I did not speak out because I was not a Muslim..."
Reposted by Barry Smith 🔶
It’s time to chainsaw the Brexit red tape and end the cost of living crisis. Labour MPs should back our plan for a new customs union.
December 8, 2025 at 8:01 PM
It’s time to chainsaw the Brexit red tape and end the cost of living crisis. Labour MPs should back our plan for a new customs union.
I looked at this chess puzzle for about 5 minutes and then got it wrong. I'd love to know why such blindspots exist. #chesspunks
December 13, 2025 at 9:33 AM
I looked at this chess puzzle for about 5 minutes and then got it wrong. I'd love to know why such blindspots exist. #chesspunks
Reposted by Barry Smith 🔶
Just imagine how we would feel if in 4 years time if Nigel Farage became Prime Minister
He has told us what he will do: the biggest attack on immigrants this country has ever seen
We cannot let that happen. Help us stop Reform - join the Lib Dems at www.libdems.org.uk/join-local
He has told us what he will do: the biggest attack on immigrants this country has ever seen
We cannot let that happen. Help us stop Reform - join the Lib Dems at www.libdems.org.uk/join-local
December 13, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Just imagine how we would feel if in 4 years time if Nigel Farage became Prime Minister
He has told us what he will do: the biggest attack on immigrants this country has ever seen
We cannot let that happen. Help us stop Reform - join the Lib Dems at www.libdems.org.uk/join-local
He has told us what he will do: the biggest attack on immigrants this country has ever seen
We cannot let that happen. Help us stop Reform - join the Lib Dems at www.libdems.org.uk/join-local
#IsItOk that a deputy editor at the FT thinks long term investors should try and time their entry into the market?
changing ISA rules to encourage people to invest in shares rather than cash would be a reasonable idea *if* the FTSE wasn’t currently touching a huge all-time high
instead it looks like an attempt to push retail investors into the stock market at (potentially) the worst possible time
instead it looks like an attempt to push retail investors into the stock market at (potentially) the worst possible time
December 6, 2025 at 12:37 PM
#IsItOk that a deputy editor at the FT thinks long term investors should try and time their entry into the market?