CarolD
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carolwildbird.bsky.social
CarolD
@carolwildbird.bsky.social
Mad dog woman. Ex Public & Univ. sector (science/tech policy, funding, VC); Politics (centre left), rural life & regen. agriculture, gardening & garden design, art & pottery, fellwalking, sailing (ex yacht gypsy), the outdoor life.
Reposted by CarolD
Nigel Farage claimed that he doesn’t have a Russia problem - and then proceeded to hire this guy, who’s said Putin’s war in Ukraine is a “regional Slavic conflict” that he doesn’t “care very much about”…
Farage’s new hire won’t help his Putin problem
He’s got a new senior advisor... who has some pretty awful views.
writesbright.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Reposted by CarolD
Here is @richardaljones.bsky.social basically telling us how it is. I’ve been thinking about this since listening to him say this stuff out loud at the @royalsociety.org
on Thursday.
softmachines.org?p=3192
UK Science in a post-liberal world – Soft Machines, by Richard Jones
softmachines.org
November 22, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Reposted by CarolD
This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump Has a Recipe for War and Corruption, Not Peace
Who would benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Update from Lawrence Freedman on the so called Peace deal- but do read the background linked (Michael Weiss) for further insight into the mess
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social

On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.

(£/free trial)

samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
How should Ukraine respond?
And more details on the "peace plan"
samf.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Well worth a read over the evolving Ukraine "peace deal"
macspaunday.substack.com/p/he-got-thi...
“He Must Have Got This From K.”
How a Russian operative used the American media to force a risible “peace deal” into existence
macspaunday.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Reposted by CarolD
I liked the part where the president suddenly sang, "Because I knew you...I have been changed for good."
November 22, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Reposted by CarolD
😂🤣 only the Woke will understand this joke 😂🤣😎
November 21, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Reposted by CarolD
😂🤣 only the Woke will understand this joke 😂🤣😎
November 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Update and very useful commentary on the so called Peace Plan from Lawrence Freedman
The Witkoff-Dmitriev plan is even more amateurish than I imagined. It favours Russia although does contain elements that Russia will not like. Premature leaking means that it is no more than work in progress. Here is an annotated version (This is free). open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...?
The Witkoff-Dmitriev peace plan annotated
We now know a bit more about the process which led to the new peace plan and we now have a copy of its contents, to which I will turn soon.
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Reposted by CarolD
Labour MP says only way to unite UK over immigration is by leaning into Reform narrative.
November 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Reposted by CarolD
Dad explains what's going on with this new "peace plan"...
Far too much credibility is being given to the new ‘Trump peace plan’ that would be tantamount to Ukraine’s capitulation. Here I explain why this new plan is far less than it seems and is unlikely to lead to anything. (£/free trial), open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/y...?
Yet another peace plan?
What's going on with leaked proposals for a new US/Russia deal
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:47 AM
First snow of the winter on Ingleborough. Nice crisp morning walk
November 19, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Reposted by CarolD
This does seem to be a relevant question. Reading the Sun and Guardina pieces side by side it is hard to believe they are describing the same policy. That kind of spin might have worked in 1990s but in a social media ecosystem where anger goes viral is is likely to generate own goals
November 17, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Reposted by CarolD
"The Grift Bubble: A Political Theory of American Collapse"
"Those who work against the grifters... may be acting from love, or from law, because they know that these things are real. And so they should also know, in acting thus, that they are the patriots."
snyder.substack.com/p/the-grift-...
The Grift Bubble
A Political Theory of American Collapse
snyder.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Glorious morning for an extended dog walk listening to the landscape, @quietriotpod.bsky.social and Podyssey @alexpodyssey.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by CarolD
Essential reading from Calum Weir - on findings from some innovative polling from Labour Together.

His words
"Immigration is salient, polarising and important.
Cost of living is foundational, unifying and in some ways, even more important."

labourlist.org/2025/11/immi...

@cwp-weir.bsky.social
'Bread, circuses, and polling errors: Are we truly measuring what matters?' - LabourList
Pollsters who ask questions that add nuance are rewarded with a richer look at the public’s outlook argues Labour Together's Calum Weir.
labourlist.org
November 16, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Reposted by CarolD
There is no reason why this should have made me laugh so hard a bit of gas escaped.
November 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by CarolD
NEW

The letter the BBC could send back to Trump

A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim

By me. Enjoy.

emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
emptycity.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Reposted by CarolD
Nobody watches the #BBC. Clearly. It produces nothing of interest or value for anyone in the UK.
November 11, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Reposted by CarolD
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.

New piece from me.

open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Reposted by CarolD
🎯 Davey is spot on. "We can have criticism of the BBC, but within that, we need to recognise how valuable an institution it is [and how] precious to our country. And that's one of the reasons why people like President Trump and Nigel Farage, want to undermine the BBC." 👏🏽~AA
November 10, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Reposted by CarolD
Actually speechless at Stormzy’s progress today. He woke up and decided to attack the week.

Listen out for the cutest little bark ever ❤️
November 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I've just signed "Marks & Spencer - stop advertising on GB News" - Will you support the campaign too? actionstorm.org/petitions/ma... @StopFundingHate
actionstorm.org
November 10, 2025 at 1:05 PM