Ben Combe
@benjcombe.bsky.social
Office Manager for Kevin McKenna MP. Campaigns Officer for the Jewish Labour Movement. He/him. Teller of bad jokes, player of bad games, reader of bad books.
Reposted by Ben Combe
This headline makes a mockery of both British Jews and for concept of asylum and safety. We are a community of refugees and those who welcomed them. We should all refuse to be a part of these games.
January 19, 2026 at 3:34 PM
This headline makes a mockery of both British Jews and for concept of asylum and safety. We are a community of refugees and those who welcomed them. We should all refuse to be a part of these games.
And the cost of not transitioning (maintaining/expanding new fields etc.) is virtually identical, without factoring in that without transitioning we’ll need to spend far more dealing with natural disasters/sea level rise
Last week, a new report by the Institute for Economic Affairs argued that the cost of transitioning to net zero could be billions – even trillions – more than some government forecasts.
✍️ James Graham spectator.com/article/the-...
✍️ James Graham spectator.com/article/the-...
The secret costs of net zero
Last week, a new report by the Institute for Economic Affairs argued that the cost of transitioning to net zero could be billions – even trillions – more than some government forecasts. That may…
spectator.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:34 AM
And the cost of not transitioning (maintaining/expanding new fields etc.) is virtually identical, without factoring in that without transitioning we’ll need to spend far more dealing with natural disasters/sea level rise
4/7 of Reform's MPs were initially elected as Conservatives, the other 3 are all former party members.
The grassroots of a party and its leadership are always a little different, but this is on another level.
The grassroots of a party and its leadership are always a little different, but this is on another level.
January 18, 2026 at 8:54 PM
4/7 of Reform's MPs were initially elected as Conservatives, the other 3 are all former party members.
The grassroots of a party and its leadership are always a little different, but this is on another level.
The grassroots of a party and its leadership are always a little different, but this is on another level.
Reposted by Ben Combe
NEW: Another Conservative MP defects to Reform, just days after Robert Jenrick.
Andrew Rosindell becomes Reform’s seventh MP.
Put another way 43% of Reform’s serving MPs were Conservative MPs and were not elected as Reform.
Andrew Rosindell becomes Reform’s seventh MP.
Put another way 43% of Reform’s serving MPs were Conservative MPs and were not elected as Reform.
January 18, 2026 at 8:37 PM
NEW: Another Conservative MP defects to Reform, just days after Robert Jenrick.
Andrew Rosindell becomes Reform’s seventh MP.
Put another way 43% of Reform’s serving MPs were Conservative MPs and were not elected as Reform.
Andrew Rosindell becomes Reform’s seventh MP.
Put another way 43% of Reform’s serving MPs were Conservative MPs and were not elected as Reform.
Reposted by Ben Combe
Even London’s critics have to accept the evidence - homicide in London has fallen to its lowest level in more than a decade.
Our work is not done. We’ll continue to work with the Metropolitan Police to utilise every tool at our disposal and keep Londoners safe.
Our work is not done. We’ll continue to work with the Metropolitan Police to utilise every tool at our disposal and keep Londoners safe.
January 18, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Even London’s critics have to accept the evidence - homicide in London has fallen to its lowest level in more than a decade.
Our work is not done. We’ll continue to work with the Metropolitan Police to utilise every tool at our disposal and keep Londoners safe.
Our work is not done. We’ll continue to work with the Metropolitan Police to utilise every tool at our disposal and keep Londoners safe.
In a world where we’ve passed the employment rights act, don’t Sunday Trading Laws just stifle growth?
January 18, 2026 at 12:27 PM
In a world where we’ve passed the employment rights act, don’t Sunday Trading Laws just stifle growth?
Reposted by Ben Combe
I’m old enough to remember when many of the voices saying very little tonight told us very loudly that Obama and Biden were anti-British.
January 18, 2026 at 12:27 AM
I’m old enough to remember when many of the voices saying very little tonight told us very loudly that Obama and Biden were anti-British.
Just once I’d like to read a political memoir that cuts the bullshit and opens with “Chapter 1: a list of people on my own side who I blame for costing me the election and all of the reasons why I’m right and they’re wrong” so I know who they’re trying to settle scores with
January 17, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Just once I’d like to read a political memoir that cuts the bullshit and opens with “Chapter 1: a list of people on my own side who I blame for costing me the election and all of the reasons why I’m right and they’re wrong” so I know who they’re trying to settle scores with
Reposted by Ben Combe
This is why it was wild for Kemi Badenoch to describe Greenland as a “second-order issue” last weekend. www.bbc.com/news/live/c1...
Trump tariffs: US president announces plan to hit UK, Denmark and other European countries with tariffs over Greenland
The US president says the countries will be charged a
www.bbc.com
January 17, 2026 at 4:48 PM
This is why it was wild for Kemi Badenoch to describe Greenland as a “second-order issue” last weekend. www.bbc.com/news/live/c1...
Reposted by Ben Combe
Reform’s hollow revolution: a wave of Tory defections reflects a Thatcherite tribute act rather than a true insurgency. www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reform’s hollow revolution
A wave of Tory defections reflects a Thatcherite tribute act rather than a true insurgency
www.newstatesman.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Reform’s hollow revolution: a wave of Tory defections reflects a Thatcherite tribute act rather than a true insurgency. www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
So did no one ask Farage or Jenrick about Farage’s antisemitism today?
January 15, 2026 at 10:26 PM
So did no one ask Farage or Jenrick about Farage’s antisemitism today?
Jenrick is now by my count the 3rd person who thinks he's going to be Reform's Chancellor
Key line in Will Lloyd's piece on Robert Jenrick's sacking: "Jenrick had told friends in recent weeks that he thought Reform lacked a viable economic spokesperson or an eventual shadow chancellor."
Is that the job Jenrick has his eye on?
@willoyd.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/con...
Is that the job Jenrick has his eye on?
@willoyd.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/con...
Is there a strategy behind Kemi's Jenrick purge?
She cannot decide whether to rebuild or remake the Conservative Party
www.newstatesman.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Jenrick is now by my count the 3rd person who thinks he's going to be Reform's Chancellor
Oh my god, he IS a moron!
January 15, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Oh my god, he IS a moron!
Reposted by Ben Combe
Our thanks to @kevinmckenna.co.uk MP who has been a brilliant & supportive MP to one of the GwL families & a strong advocate for gambling reform.
Kevin has secured an important Westminster Hall debate on gambling harm, taking place this afternoon.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/gamb...
Kevin has secured an important Westminster Hall debate on gambling harm, taking place this afternoon.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/gamb...
Gambling harm is on the rise among children. Action is long overdue
More UK children than ever before are struggling with gambling harm. We need to treat it like the public health crisis it is.
www.bigissue.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Our thanks to @kevinmckenna.co.uk MP who has been a brilliant & supportive MP to one of the GwL families & a strong advocate for gambling reform.
Kevin has secured an important Westminster Hall debate on gambling harm, taking place this afternoon.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/gamb...
Kevin has secured an important Westminster Hall debate on gambling harm, taking place this afternoon.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/gamb...
Reposted by Ben Combe
“The British public are tired of political psychodrama,” says Kemi Badenoch, as she unleashes as HUGE amount of political psychodrama.
January 15, 2026 at 11:14 AM
“The British public are tired of political psychodrama,” says Kemi Badenoch, as she unleashes as HUGE amount of political psychodrama.
Reposted by Ben Combe
Sadly Badenoch’s red line wasn’t casual racism but Jenrick thinking about jumping their sinking ship…
January 15, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Sadly Badenoch’s red line wasn’t casual racism but Jenrick thinking about jumping their sinking ship…
Reform UK is up one idiot
January 15, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Reform UK is up one idiot
Reposted by Ben Combe
a lot else going on tonight so just worth noting: standing up to Musk was a genuine risk for this govt that took some nerve (US has sanctioned govts in past for blocking twitter/X, a lot else is at stake in relations with US) but looks like it's working and he is backing down.
X Safety have posted that they have now made some changes to operate within the law.
This includes "geoblocking the ability of all users to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire via the Grok account and in Grok in X in those jurisdictions where it’s illegal".
This includes "geoblocking the ability of all users to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire via the Grok account and in Grok in X in those jurisdictions where it’s illegal".
January 14, 2026 at 11:21 PM
a lot else going on tonight so just worth noting: standing up to Musk was a genuine risk for this govt that took some nerve (US has sanctioned govts in past for blocking twitter/X, a lot else is at stake in relations with US) but looks like it's working and he is backing down.
Reposted by Ben Combe
I've said it before, I'll say it again 👇
Reform are just the Tories in a different shade of blue 🟦🙄
Reform are just the Tories in a different shade of blue 🟦🙄
January 15, 2026 at 11:13 AM
I've said it before, I'll say it again 👇
Reform are just the Tories in a different shade of blue 🟦🙄
Reform are just the Tories in a different shade of blue 🟦🙄
Reposted by Ben Combe
🗞️Read my recent article in the Big Issue here: www.bigissue.com/opinion/gamb...
January 15, 2026 at 10:44 AM
🗞️Read my recent article in the Big Issue here: www.bigissue.com/opinion/gamb...
Reposted by Ben Combe
This is good news and thanks to the leadership of the government and threat of such strong sanctions against X.
But this issue has highlighted the real harm and pace of change of AI.
We must change the way we legislate to address the ever-changing challenges of AI.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
But this issue has highlighted the real harm and pace of change of AI.
We must change the way we legislate to address the ever-changing challenges of AI.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Elon Musk's X to block Grok from undressing images of real people
Grok will no longer allow users to remove clothing from images of real people in jurisdictions where it is illegal.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 8:30 AM
This is good news and thanks to the leadership of the government and threat of such strong sanctions against X.
But this issue has highlighted the real harm and pace of change of AI.
We must change the way we legislate to address the ever-changing challenges of AI.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
But this issue has highlighted the real harm and pace of change of AI.
We must change the way we legislate to address the ever-changing challenges of AI.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This might be the statistic I’ve quoted most in my life. It doesn’t get any less ridiculous with time
Today sees the Million Dollar One Point Slam at the Australian Open, where tennis amateurs try to score a single point against professionals - we think we might know what sparked this idea...
yougov.co.uk/opi/surveys/...
yougov.co.uk/opi/surveys/...
January 14, 2026 at 3:43 PM
This might be the statistic I’ve quoted most in my life. It doesn’t get any less ridiculous with time
Reposted by Ben Combe
Last year, we reached the lowest per capita homicide rate in recorded history - not by chance, but as a result of our tough action on violent crime and our preventative approach.
We’re on the right path. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We’re on the right path. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Sorry, Trump and Farage – London is no lawless ‘warzone’. Violent crime is lower than ever | Sadiq Khan
Reform’s new candidate for mayor claims people pity Londoners for living in an unsafe capital. But the evidence is clear: we’re making our streets safer, says mayor of London Sadiq Khan
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:15 AM
Last year, we reached the lowest per capita homicide rate in recorded history - not by chance, but as a result of our tough action on violent crime and our preventative approach.
We’re on the right path. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We’re on the right path. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Ben Combe
Sorry, Trump and Farage – London is no lawless ‘warzone’. Violent crime is lower than ever | Sadiq Khan
Sorry, Trump and Farage – London is no lawless ‘warzone’. Violent crime is lower than ever | Sadiq Khan
Reform’s new candidate for mayor claims people pity Londoners for living in an unsafe capital. But the evidence is clear: we’re making our streets safer, says mayor of London Sadiq Khan
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:21 AM
Sorry, Trump and Farage – London is no lawless ‘warzone’. Violent crime is lower than ever | Sadiq Khan