@coeliacexpat.bsky.social
🇬🇧 in 🇩🇪 🌹; NI/ UK Politics; feminist 💚🤍💜; linguist; women’s gymnastics 🤸♀️ , tennis, books, photography. If you don’t like women’s gymnastics, you may be very bored.
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The Christmas period on social media peaked this day...
December 4, 2025 at 7:09 AM
The Christmas period on social media peaked this day...
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Good grief: a genuine, senior Reform candidate saying we should force Jews and Muslims to commit blasphamy to 'prove their sincerity to Christians'.
This is just straight up racism and the fact Reform can't disown him says everything.
This is just straight up racism and the fact Reform can't disown him says everything.
Reform candidate slammed over 'bacon' religion comment as Farage faces pressure
A senior Reform UK candidate faces fresh criticism over 'unacceptable' comments suggesting non-Christians should eat 'bacon' to prove their sincerity to the religion
www.mirror.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Good grief: a genuine, senior Reform candidate saying we should force Jews and Muslims to commit blasphamy to 'prove their sincerity to Christians'.
This is just straight up racism and the fact Reform can't disown him says everything.
This is just straight up racism and the fact Reform can't disown him says everything.
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All I want for Christmas is First Past the Post Electoral Chaos
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 25% (-3)
LAB: 20% (+2)
CON: 19% (+2)
LDM: 15% (+1)
GRN: 15% (-2)
SNP: 3% (-1)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 21-22 Dec.
Changes w/ 14-15 Dec.
RFM: 25% (-3)
LAB: 20% (+2)
CON: 19% (+2)
LDM: 15% (+1)
GRN: 15% (-2)
SNP: 3% (-1)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 21-22 Dec.
Changes w/ 14-15 Dec.
December 23, 2025 at 9:53 AM
All I want for Christmas is First Past the Post Electoral Chaos
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6/ Incredibly, over the last few years around £200,000 has been raised for homeless charities as a result of this thing. So, this year, if you're enjoying the pix, you could fling a few quid to Centrepoint via this link: gofund.me/637d21d0
Donate to Duvet Know It's Christmas, 2024, organized by Rhodri Marsden
Unbelievably, it's the 14th year of this thing.
What is it?
Improbably, the nig… Rhodri Marsden needs your support for Duvet Know It's Christmas, 2024
gofund.me
December 24, 2024 at 7:32 PM
6/ Incredibly, over the last few years around £200,000 has been raised for homeless charities as a result of this thing. So, this year, if you're enjoying the pix, you could fling a few quid to Centrepoint via this link: gofund.me/637d21d0
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Poland leading the way. Warsaw has become the world’s first city to protect itself completely with an integrated air defence network. They’ve combined US Patriots with the Integrated Battle Command System.
December 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Poland leading the way. Warsaw has become the world’s first city to protect itself completely with an integrated air defence network. They’ve combined US Patriots with the Integrated Battle Command System.
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'UK MPs have raised concerns about the government’s contracts with Palantir after an investigation published in Switzerland highlighted allegations about the suitability and security of its products.'
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
MPs question UK Palantir contracts after investigation reveals security concerns
Journalists find Swiss government rejected company over fears US intelligence might gain access to sensitive data
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 1:10 PM
'UK MPs have raised concerns about the government’s contracts with Palantir after an investigation published in Switzerland highlighted allegations about the suitability and security of its products.'
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
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Kremlin operative Kirill Dmitriev is a director of Gazprombank (which channels payments for Russian oil & gas) & Transneft (giant oil & gas pipeline company). "Work with the US in the Arctic" = destroy the world's climate system to enrich Russian & US fossil fuel kleptocrats.
December 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Kremlin operative Kirill Dmitriev is a director of Gazprombank (which channels payments for Russian oil & gas) & Transneft (giant oil & gas pipeline company). "Work with the US in the Arctic" = destroy the world's climate system to enrich Russian & US fossil fuel kleptocrats.
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It'a difficult to take claims that it is dangerous for Labour to topple Starmer at a time when Europe faces security threats from Russia when his team hasn't got the competence to counter Russia's hybrid threats or provide the British army with a functioning IFV
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
December 21, 2025 at 9:30 AM
It'a difficult to take claims that it is dangerous for Labour to topple Starmer at a time when Europe faces security threats from Russia when his team hasn't got the competence to counter Russia's hybrid threats or provide the British army with a functioning IFV
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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I mean, it’s not that I disagree with the cause per se but isn’t it a little jarring and off to be posting domestic British politics stuff on a ruined building in a warzone? Surely pictures of a ruined building in Ukraine posted onto Nigel Farage’s house would be a bit less…crass?
The story of Farage and Putin, told by British-Ukrainian soldier Shaun Pinner on a destroyed apartment block in Kyiv.
December 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I mean, it’s not that I disagree with the cause per se but isn’t it a little jarring and off to be posting domestic British politics stuff on a ruined building in a warzone? Surely pictures of a ruined building in Ukraine posted onto Nigel Farage’s house would be a bit less…crass?
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It’s hilarious…
All those south of Birmingham who did not want or need HS2—got HS2
And all those north of Birmingham who desperately wanted and needed the additional capacity and investment from HS2—got nothing
Leave it to the Tories to totally f*ck up UK public infrastructure
All those south of Birmingham who did not want or need HS2—got HS2
And all those north of Birmingham who desperately wanted and needed the additional capacity and investment from HS2—got nothing
Leave it to the Tories to totally f*ck up UK public infrastructure
December 20, 2025 at 12:59 PM
It’s hilarious…
All those south of Birmingham who did not want or need HS2—got HS2
And all those north of Birmingham who desperately wanted and needed the additional capacity and investment from HS2—got nothing
Leave it to the Tories to totally f*ck up UK public infrastructure
All those south of Birmingham who did not want or need HS2—got HS2
And all those north of Birmingham who desperately wanted and needed the additional capacity and investment from HS2—got nothing
Leave it to the Tories to totally f*ck up UK public infrastructure
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Canceling the northern leg of HS2 was an act of insane self-harm
Industry insiders are concerned that fewer, shorter non-tilting trains are on order for HS2 — and that journey times will return to those of the 1990s
Why HS2 may lead to smaller, slower trains on west coast main line
Industry insiders are concerned that fewer, shorter non-tilting trains are on order for HS2 — and that journey times will return to those of the 1990s
www.thetimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Canceling the northern leg of HS2 was an act of insane self-harm
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At least when Keith Joseph didn't believe in the railways he had the excuse that we had had 40 years of decline under British Rail. That Rishi Sunak basically didn't believe in them because he was doing 1980s cosplay is comfortably the worst thing he did as prime minister.
Canceling the northern leg of HS2 was an act of insane self-harm
Industry insiders are concerned that fewer, shorter non-tilting trains are on order for HS2 — and that journey times will return to those of the 1990s
December 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
At least when Keith Joseph didn't believe in the railways he had the excuse that we had had 40 years of decline under British Rail. That Rishi Sunak basically didn't believe in them because he was doing 1980s cosplay is comfortably the worst thing he did as prime minister.
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The Telegraph: now advocates for mutiny.
The enemy within.
The enemy within.
December 18, 2025 at 1:10 PM
The Telegraph: now advocates for mutiny.
The enemy within.
The enemy within.
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My little girls (now big girls!), adopted from foster care, arrived with few possessions - but each had been given a box of books by @booktrust.org.uk. These books, read together, became our first shared memories.
Spread the joy of reading with a donation:
donate.booktrust.org.uk/Xmas3/~my-do...
Spread the joy of reading with a donation:
donate.booktrust.org.uk/Xmas3/~my-do...
November 22, 2025 at 5:20 PM
My little girls (now big girls!), adopted from foster care, arrived with few possessions - but each had been given a box of books by @booktrust.org.uk. These books, read together, became our first shared memories.
Spread the joy of reading with a donation:
donate.booktrust.org.uk/Xmas3/~my-do...
Spread the joy of reading with a donation:
donate.booktrust.org.uk/Xmas3/~my-do...
Lissa Evans is back! Back! BACK! Ya beauty:
Well, I seem to be back on Blue Sky, so straight into a catch up of my #LIteraryAdventCalendar2025.
Day 1, and it's one of my all-time favourites: journalist Lynn Barber attempts to interview Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, (ultra posh, with a scandalous past) about her book on dinner parties.
Day 1, and it's one of my all-time favourites: journalist Lynn Barber attempts to interview Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, (ultra posh, with a scandalous past) about her book on dinner parties.
December 19, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Lissa Evans is back! Back! BACK! Ya beauty:
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The 'growing younger cohort of patients had a higher proportion of additional neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder, and a broader range of other issues, such as mental health conditions, trauma or abuse during childhood, compared with patients referred in the past.'
December 19, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The 'growing younger cohort of patients had a higher proportion of additional neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder, and a broader range of other issues, such as mental health conditions, trauma or abuse during childhood, compared with patients referred in the past.'
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'Doctors treating vulnerable patients with gender dysphoria have no way of assessing whether the NHS treatment provided has worked because outcomes are not systematically recorded, a damning official inquiry into the clinics has found.'
Good piece.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Good piece.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Long waits and ‘unacceptable’ lack of data at NHS gender clinics in England, review finds
Impossible to judge safety or effectiveness as adult clinics not systematically recording outcomes, Dr David Levy finds
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:29 AM
'Doctors treating vulnerable patients with gender dysphoria have no way of assessing whether the NHS treatment provided has worked because outcomes are not systematically recorded, a damning official inquiry into the clinics has found.'
Good piece.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Good piece.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
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I have my criticisms of *aspects* of the employment rights package, but this is an insane proposal, both in policy and party management terms
December 19, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I have my criticisms of *aspects* of the employment rights package, but this is an insane proposal, both in policy and party management terms
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ahahahahaha yes Labour Together you should definitely set fire to Labour's workers' rights agenda just as the country's biggest trade union votes for a leader who thinks you're shit. that's definitely a good idea.
(I don't think for one moment that the govt will actually do this)
(I don't think for one moment that the govt will actually do this)
I have my criticisms of *aspects* of the employment rights package, but this is an insane proposal, both in policy and party management terms
December 19, 2025 at 6:51 PM
ahahahahaha yes Labour Together you should definitely set fire to Labour's workers' rights agenda just as the country's biggest trade union votes for a leader who thinks you're shit. that's definitely a good idea.
(I don't think for one moment that the govt will actually do this)
(I don't think for one moment that the govt will actually do this)
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Belgium. Let’s hope it never gets invaded by a hostile country and has to appeal to other countries for support and liberation; wait, oh…….https://www.politico.eu/article/european-council-summit-belgium-bart-de-wever-beat-eu-machine-ukraine-funding/
How Belgium’s Bart De Wever beat the EU machine
The Belgian prime minister dug his heels in on using Russian assets to fund Ukraine. It’s another win for Europe’s populists.
www.politico.eu
December 19, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Belgium. Let’s hope it never gets invaded by a hostile country and has to appeal to other countries for support and liberation; wait, oh…….https://www.politico.eu/article/european-council-summit-belgium-bart-de-wever-beat-eu-machine-ukraine-funding/
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The British government is hoping a change in German law will help stop small boat crossings to the UK.
The measures to criminalise facilitation of migrant smuggling towards the UK, agreed more than a year ago, have now been passed by German legislators.
news.sky.com/story/uk-hop...
The measures to criminalise facilitation of migrant smuggling towards the UK, agreed more than a year ago, have now been passed by German legislators.
news.sky.com/story/uk-hop...
UK hopes new German law will cut migrant small boats
Ministers say the new measures will stop people-smuggling gangs storing small boats or engines in Germany before using them in Channel crossings.
news.sky.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The British government is hoping a change in German law will help stop small boat crossings to the UK.
The measures to criminalise facilitation of migrant smuggling towards the UK, agreed more than a year ago, have now been passed by German legislators.
news.sky.com/story/uk-hop...
The measures to criminalise facilitation of migrant smuggling towards the UK, agreed more than a year ago, have now been passed by German legislators.
news.sky.com/story/uk-hop...
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It is a bad idea for the Commonwealth Games to not be free to air. Glasgow 2026 may struggle for impact and visibility as a result of preferring this bid
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...
BBC outbid by TNT Sports for 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
TNT will broadcast the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after outbidding long-time rights holder BBC
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:20 PM
It is a bad idea for the Commonwealth Games to not be free to air. Glasgow 2026 may struggle for impact and visibility as a result of preferring this bid
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...
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Imagine being a Labour Party supporter and hating the Attlee government
December 19, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Imagine being a Labour Party supporter and hating the Attlee government
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Among other things, they put you in a wheelchair basically regardless of what your mobility issue is. But more importantly: something odd and troubling is happening, so much 'disabled people are faking it!' stuff in the air.
Travelers bemoan a rise of able-bodied passengers who game the system to skip the lines. on.wsj.com/3N6apva
They Get Wheeled on Flights and Miraculously Walk Off. Praise ‘Jetway Jesus.’
Travelers bemoan a rise of able-bodied passengers who game the system to skip the lines.
on.wsj.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Among other things, they put you in a wheelchair basically regardless of what your mobility issue is. But more importantly: something odd and troubling is happening, so much 'disabled people are faking it!' stuff in the air.
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A few quick thoughts about this morning's decision. Don't believe the spin from various Russians & others: it's a big deal. The EU has now unambiguously demonstrated that it is able and willing to provide the external financial support Ukraine needs, for as long and as much as it takes. (1/N)
December 19, 2025 at 10:31 AM
A few quick thoughts about this morning's decision. Don't believe the spin from various Russians & others: it's a big deal. The EU has now unambiguously demonstrated that it is able and willing to provide the external financial support Ukraine needs, for as long and as much as it takes. (1/N)