Dave Madden
@davemadden.bsky.social
Writer, editor, journalist, lecturer....all pretty much ex. Oh, and dad. Walking around Edinburgh most days. Opinions about books, politics, pubs, and, for my sins, MUFC, Hibs, and Scottish rugby. Typos my own.
Reposted by Dave Madden
Incoming Storm, Elgol, Isle of Skye #Scotland #Elgol #IsleofSkye damianshields.photoshelter.com/p/2026-calendar
November 28, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Incoming Storm, Elgol, Isle of Skye #Scotland #Elgol #IsleofSkye damianshields.photoshelter.com/p/2026-calendar
Reposted by Dave Madden
Welcome Shabana Mahmood to your next four years of headlines!!!
Foreign doctors trained by the NHS face deportation under visa rules
Foreign doctors trained by the NHS face deportation under visa rules
www.thetimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Welcome Shabana Mahmood to your next four years of headlines!!!
Reposted by Dave Madden
1. A woman reporter. Pres Piggy once again insulted a woman reporter.
2. Kudos to the woman reporter for pressing him.
3. Watch her face as he rants defensively like the lunatic he is.
2. Kudos to the woman reporter for pressing him.
3. Watch her face as he rants defensively like the lunatic he is.
Asked if he’ll attend the funeral of the slain National Guard member from West Virginia, Trump immediately pivots to talking about how popular he is in that state
November 28, 2025 at 12:27 AM
1. A woman reporter. Pres Piggy once again insulted a woman reporter.
2. Kudos to the woman reporter for pressing him.
3. Watch her face as he rants defensively like the lunatic he is.
2. Kudos to the woman reporter for pressing him.
3. Watch her face as he rants defensively like the lunatic he is.
Reposted by Dave Madden
Q: Officials say the suspect in the DC shooting was vetted & it came up clean
TRUMP: He went cuckoo. He went nuts. There was no vetting
Q: Actually, your DOJ IG says there was thorough vetting of Afghans. So why blame Biden?
TRUMP: You're just asking questions because you're a stupid person
TRUMP: He went cuckoo. He went nuts. There was no vetting
Q: Actually, your DOJ IG says there was thorough vetting of Afghans. So why blame Biden?
TRUMP: You're just asking questions because you're a stupid person
November 28, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Q: Officials say the suspect in the DC shooting was vetted & it came up clean
TRUMP: He went cuckoo. He went nuts. There was no vetting
Q: Actually, your DOJ IG says there was thorough vetting of Afghans. So why blame Biden?
TRUMP: You're just asking questions because you're a stupid person
TRUMP: He went cuckoo. He went nuts. There was no vetting
Q: Actually, your DOJ IG says there was thorough vetting of Afghans. So why blame Biden?
TRUMP: You're just asking questions because you're a stupid person
Reposted by Dave Madden
Farage's many defences .. have I missed any?
- Obviously I can't remember
- I can remember and I didn't do it
- I did it but I meant well when I racially abused those jewish kids
- I did it but they're left wing so it's ok
- Obviously I can't remember
- I can remember and I didn't do it
- I did it but I meant well when I racially abused those jewish kids
- I did it but they're left wing so it's ok
November 27, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Farage's many defences .. have I missed any?
- Obviously I can't remember
- I can remember and I didn't do it
- I did it but I meant well when I racially abused those jewish kids
- I did it but they're left wing so it's ok
- Obviously I can't remember
- I can remember and I didn't do it
- I did it but I meant well when I racially abused those jewish kids
- I did it but they're left wing so it's ok
Reposted by Dave Madden
Right wing grifters cry-bullying that 'my racism is a protected characteristic', coming soon
Nigel Farage says school racism accusers have ‘different political views’
www.channel4.com/news/nigel-f...
www.channel4.com/news/nigel-f...
Nigel Farage says school racism accusers have ‘different political views’
Reform's leaders gave their response to the budget at a press conference, but several of the questions asked of their leader Nigel Farage focussed on allegations of racism and antisemitism as a school...
www.channel4.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Right wing grifters cry-bullying that 'my racism is a protected characteristic', coming soon
Reposted by Dave Madden
Worth pointing out that this is a direct breach of the manifesto
NEW - the government poised to water down flagship workers rights bill, ditching day one rights to unfair dismissal but reducing qualifying period from two years to six months.
But in concession to unions, government will remove provisions for up to nine months probation.
But in concession to unions, government will remove provisions for up to nine months probation.
November 27, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Worth pointing out that this is a direct breach of the manifesto
Not sure a country with critical labour shortages and an FE sector financially dependent on attracting international students should be celebrating a collapse in immigration and a spike in emigration today. You'd think people didn't want to be here.....
November 27, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Not sure a country with critical labour shortages and an FE sector financially dependent on attracting international students should be celebrating a collapse in immigration and a spike in emigration today. You'd think people didn't want to be here.....
Reposted by Dave Madden
Massive drop in immigration.
Massive rise in emigration.
= ECONOMIC CATASTROPHE
Slow round of applause for Farage and a big slap in the logic for UK Labour who just sank the boat. Morons.
The “too much immigration” argument was always designed to HARM THE UK ECONOMY.
Massive rise in emigration.
= ECONOMIC CATASTROPHE
Slow round of applause for Farage and a big slap in the logic for UK Labour who just sank the boat. Morons.
The “too much immigration” argument was always designed to HARM THE UK ECONOMY.
Another very large decline in net migration in today's ONS figures, with immigration falling and emigration rising. I'm sure this will get just as much media and political coverage as the earlier sharp rises, right? www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Long-term international migration, provisional - Office for National Statistics
Estimates of UK long-term international migration, year ending June 2012 to year ending December 2024.
www.ons.gov.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Massive drop in immigration.
Massive rise in emigration.
= ECONOMIC CATASTROPHE
Slow round of applause for Farage and a big slap in the logic for UK Labour who just sank the boat. Morons.
The “too much immigration” argument was always designed to HARM THE UK ECONOMY.
Massive rise in emigration.
= ECONOMIC CATASTROPHE
Slow round of applause for Farage and a big slap in the logic for UK Labour who just sank the boat. Morons.
The “too much immigration” argument was always designed to HARM THE UK ECONOMY.
Reposted by Dave Madden
Another very large decline in net migration in today's ONS figures, with immigration falling and emigration rising. I'm sure this will get just as much media and political coverage as the earlier sharp rises, right? www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Long-term international migration, provisional - Office for National Statistics
Estimates of UK long-term international migration, year ending June 2012 to year ending December 2024.
www.ons.gov.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Another very large decline in net migration in today's ONS figures, with immigration falling and emigration rising. I'm sure this will get just as much media and political coverage as the earlier sharp rises, right? www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Reposted by Dave Madden
Getting Brexit wrong could harm Labour as much as it harmed the Tories.
euromovescotland.org.uk/how-europe-t...
euromovescotland.org.uk/how-europe-t...
How Europe turned the Conservative Party from political giant to intensive care patient. Labour beware. – The European Movement in Scotland
euromovescotland.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Getting Brexit wrong could harm Labour as much as it harmed the Tories.
euromovescotland.org.uk/how-europe-t...
euromovescotland.org.uk/how-europe-t...
Reposted by Dave Madden
The Prime Minister just told me any party leader should want to get to the bottom of this Russian bribery scandal with Reform.
He is the Prime Minister and a party leader. Why isn't he launching a national investigation himself?
He is the Prime Minister and a party leader. Why isn't he launching a national investigation himself?
November 26, 2025 at 12:53 PM
The Prime Minister just told me any party leader should want to get to the bottom of this Russian bribery scandal with Reform.
He is the Prime Minister and a party leader. Why isn't he launching a national investigation himself?
He is the Prime Minister and a party leader. Why isn't he launching a national investigation himself?
Reposted by Dave Madden
Many countries don't have use a jury system (including many in Europe, e.g. Spain, Germany), although they often have lay judges for some cases. I don't think there's any reason to think they are less just countries!
November 26, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Many countries don't have use a jury system (including many in Europe, e.g. Spain, Germany), although they often have lay judges for some cases. I don't think there's any reason to think they are less just countries!
Reposted by Dave Madden
Is there any evidence on whether jury trials are more or less likely to lead to miscarriages of justice?
November 26, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Is there any evidence on whether jury trials are more or less likely to lead to miscarriages of justice?
Reposted by Dave Madden
🔥 Highly recommended that you all sign and share.
Link to the petition—> petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Link to the petition—> petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 26, 2025 at 8:55 AM
🔥 Highly recommended that you all sign and share.
Link to the petition—> petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Link to the petition—> petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Dave Madden
Universities closing is bad news for many reasons
One concern I haven't seen data on is that those universities w/more low income students are likely greater risk
It might be seen as an accidental consequence but i will have short and long term effects on social mobility and economic grwoth
One concern I haven't seen data on is that those universities w/more low income students are likely greater risk
It might be seen as an accidental consequence but i will have short and long term effects on social mobility and economic grwoth
Chief exec of OfS 'said the OfS believes there are 24 institutions at risk of exiting the market in the next 12 months, seven of which are large providers with more than 3,000 students. There are another 25 or so institutions of various sizes at risk over a two- to three-year period, she added.'
Seven ‘large providers’ at risk of going under in the next year
Skills minister says no higher education institutions are at imminent risk of collapse this year but OfS confirms more than 20 providers are being closely monitored
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Universities closing is bad news for many reasons
One concern I haven't seen data on is that those universities w/more low income students are likely greater risk
It might be seen as an accidental consequence but i will have short and long term effects on social mobility and economic grwoth
One concern I haven't seen data on is that those universities w/more low income students are likely greater risk
It might be seen as an accidental consequence but i will have short and long term effects on social mobility and economic grwoth
Reposted by Dave Madden
Labour's proposed Brexit reforms are like chucking a glass of water on a house fire. A tiny flash of steam then the flames roar back.
Only a sustained intense fire-fighting effort can put the inferno out.
And that means going humbly cap in hand to the EU and opening negotiations on rejoining.
Only a sustained intense fire-fighting effort can put the inferno out.
And that means going humbly cap in hand to the EU and opening negotiations on rejoining.
November 26, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Labour's proposed Brexit reforms are like chucking a glass of water on a house fire. A tiny flash of steam then the flames roar back.
Only a sustained intense fire-fighting effort can put the inferno out.
And that means going humbly cap in hand to the EU and opening negotiations on rejoining.
Only a sustained intense fire-fighting effort can put the inferno out.
And that means going humbly cap in hand to the EU and opening negotiations on rejoining.
Reposted by Dave Madden
My entirely lay concern is that reducing number of cases tried by juries makes it more likely that those who want to politicize judge appointments [Tories and Reform, to judge by their casual slandering of judges] feel they can do it, as judges now more visibly central to the decision process.
November 26, 2025 at 10:55 AM
My entirely lay concern is that reducing number of cases tried by juries makes it more likely that those who want to politicize judge appointments [Tories and Reform, to judge by their casual slandering of judges] feel they can do it, as judges now more visibly central to the decision process.
Reposted by Dave Madden
This is how the JD Vance (seemigly Kremlin-drafted) Ukraine "Peace Plan" went down with *Republican* lawmakers. No wonder Trump is distancing himself from it, at a rate of knots.
NB McCaul was Trump's national security adviser during his first campaign. ~AA
NB McCaul was Trump's national security adviser during his first campaign. ~AA
November 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
This is how the JD Vance (seemigly Kremlin-drafted) Ukraine "Peace Plan" went down with *Republican* lawmakers. No wonder Trump is distancing himself from it, at a rate of knots.
NB McCaul was Trump's national security adviser during his first campaign. ~AA
NB McCaul was Trump's national security adviser during his first campaign. ~AA
Reposted by Dave Madden
Really worth reading the replies. Split fairly equally between those with a dreadful clinic and those with a good one. It's just that it is actually pretty rare to hear from the latter group and there's clearly a lot of them about.
I am constantly so impressed with my local GP clinic. It is impossibly efficient. There is no relationship with an individual doctor - I don't want one - but the moment you have a concern about something they sort a call back that day or a walk-in appointment that week. They're just brilliant.
November 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Really worth reading the replies. Split fairly equally between those with a dreadful clinic and those with a good one. It's just that it is actually pretty rare to hear from the latter group and there's clearly a lot of them about.
Reposted by Dave Madden
It's amazing how often I have cause to post this cartoon of mine. Two armchairs vulgarly roasting each other.
November 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM
It's amazing how often I have cause to post this cartoon of mine. Two armchairs vulgarly roasting each other.
Reposted by Dave Madden
Rachel Reeves says there’s a “hole” in the public finances.
A new decade-long Brexit study explains it:
a 6–8% hit to GDP – that's £180bn-£240bn a year – means less tax, less investment and less money for everything else.
Brexit made Britain poorer. Much poorer.
A new decade-long Brexit study explains it:
a 6–8% hit to GDP – that's £180bn-£240bn a year – means less tax, less investment and less money for everything else.
Brexit made Britain poorer. Much poorer.
New: Boris Johnson’s ‘Brexit Titanic success’ was half right
Nearly ten years on, the first full assessment of Brexit confirms what millions warned: Britain made itself poorer
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Rachel Reeves says there’s a “hole” in the public finances.
A new decade-long Brexit study explains it:
a 6–8% hit to GDP – that's £180bn-£240bn a year – means less tax, less investment and less money for everything else.
Brexit made Britain poorer. Much poorer.
A new decade-long Brexit study explains it:
a 6–8% hit to GDP – that's £180bn-£240bn a year – means less tax, less investment and less money for everything else.
Brexit made Britain poorer. Much poorer.
Reposted by Dave Madden
The war is Ukraine’s fault because they haven’t shown enough “gratitude” to Donald Trump. This is like watching a Godfather sequel where the Don has advanced dementia.
November 23, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The war is Ukraine’s fault because they haven’t shown enough “gratitude” to Donald Trump. This is like watching a Godfather sequel where the Don has advanced dementia.
Reposted by Dave Madden
Let's not get distracted by all the Epstein stuff. This is the most important issue facing Americans right now. WE as American taxpayers will be supporting Trump's alliance with Putin's Russia. Is that what we want?
🚨🚨This is no "peace" plan, it is a recipe for further suffering and #Russian imperialist expansion in the #west. It is difficult to appreciate just how much damage the #trump administration has done to #Ukraine and its war efforts. It is disgusting beyond words. 🧵 www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Ukraine banned from Nato, Russia readmitted to the G8 and territory ceded: what’s in Trump’s draft plan
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he expects to discuss the plan – which was reportedly drafted by Russian and US officials – with Trump
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Let's not get distracted by all the Epstein stuff. This is the most important issue facing Americans right now. WE as American taxpayers will be supporting Trump's alliance with Putin's Russia. Is that what we want?