Debenore
@debenore.uk
📍East of England
❤️ Films, current affairs, innovation in renewables, technology + data including governance, software design and random amusing observations
🏢 Infra/network design, solution design, programming, SAAS
✅ Open standards
❤️ Films, current affairs, innovation in renewables, technology + data including governance, software design and random amusing observations
🏢 Infra/network design, solution design, programming, SAAS
✅ Open standards
Reposted by Debenore
My column in today’s FT: the vision since 2016 has been that the lever British governments pull to fight poverty is to increase the minimum wage. Time for government to start pulling its weight again too:
The minimum wage is not a cure all — we’re asking too much of business
Politicians spend too much time uttering cheap rhetoric about cheap labour
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:26 PM
My column in today’s FT: the vision since 2016 has been that the lever British governments pull to fight poverty is to increase the minimum wage. Time for government to start pulling its weight again too:
I only racially abused people in a non hurtful way
🤔
🤔
November 25, 2025 at 7:18 AM
I only racially abused people in a non hurtful way
🤔
🤔
Reposted by Debenore
Beeb-a-licious Sketch from Rob Hutton today:
thecritic.co.uk/auntie-in-th...
A great gag in every line.
thecritic.co.uk/auntie-in-th...
A great gag in every line.
Auntie in the dock | Robert Hutton | The Critic Magazine
“I have been defined by these two years at Number 10,” Robbie Gibb complained, sounding for all the world like the chap in the joke who only shagged one sheep. How dare anyone suggest that this…
thecritic.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Beeb-a-licious Sketch from Rob Hutton today:
thecritic.co.uk/auntie-in-th...
A great gag in every line.
thecritic.co.uk/auntie-in-th...
A great gag in every line.
Reposted by Debenore
It produces a performative ecosystem. Actors aren’t communicating; they’re staging provocations for yield. The result is disordered discourse: signals detached from truth, identity shaped by escalation, and a feedback loop where the performance eclipses reality itself.
November 23, 2025 at 8:06 PM
It produces a performative ecosystem. Actors aren’t communicating; they’re staging provocations for yield. The result is disordered discourse: signals detached from truth, identity shaped by escalation, and a feedback loop where the performance eclipses reality itself.
Reposted by Debenore
Ian Miles Cheong: Everyone must go back to the country where they are born. Please don't tell people I'm living in Malaysia, where I was born, but spend my entire life complaining about America.
Ian Miles Cheong: *has been secretly living in Dubai this whole time*
Ian Miles Cheong: *has been secretly living in Dubai this whole time*
Someone is having concerns about Twitter privacy all of a sudden
November 23, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Ian Miles Cheong: Everyone must go back to the country where they are born. Please don't tell people I'm living in Malaysia, where I was born, but spend my entire life complaining about America.
Ian Miles Cheong: *has been secretly living in Dubai this whole time*
Ian Miles Cheong: *has been secretly living in Dubai this whole time*
Reposted by Debenore
Tusk slips the knife in right at the end.
November 23, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Tusk slips the knife in right at the end.
Reposted by Debenore
“my lord, there is dishonesty on the interwebs!”
“Forsooth?!”
“Forsooth!”
“Forsooth?!”
“Forsooth!”
November 23, 2025 at 5:12 AM
“my lord, there is dishonesty on the interwebs!”
“Forsooth?!”
“Forsooth!”
“Forsooth?!”
“Forsooth!”
"Poll of Labour members"
Oh dear. Looks like Labour members have something in common with Tory members - their inability to spot a dud.
Oh dear. Looks like Labour members have something in common with Tory members - their inability to spot a dud.
Four top Labour figures could beat Starmer in a leadership race, poll finds
Four top Labour figures could beat Starmer in a leadership race, poll finds
Research shows members would back Andy Burnham, Ed Miliband, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting over PM
Andy Burnham, Ed Miliband, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting would all win a head-to-head leadership contest against Keir Starmer, according to a poll of Labour members.
Research conducted by Survation for LabourList found that Burnham and Rayner would defeat the prime minister by considerable margins, while Streeting and Miliband would have a slight advantage but within the margin of error. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:44 AM
"Poll of Labour members"
Oh dear. Looks like Labour members have something in common with Tory members - their inability to spot a dud.
Oh dear. Looks like Labour members have something in common with Tory members - their inability to spot a dud.
@samanthaniblett.bsky.social thank you for speaking out today about the way Microsoft has seduced the public sector. Really very pleased to hear an MP speak with authority on this subject.
November 19, 2025 at 10:03 PM
@samanthaniblett.bsky.social thank you for speaking out today about the way Microsoft has seduced the public sector. Really very pleased to hear an MP speak with authority on this subject.
Reposted by Debenore
How to hide from a bubble on.ft.com/447l1j7 | opinion
How to hide from a bubble
It ain’t easy
on.ft.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:41 AM
How to hide from a bubble on.ft.com/447l1j7 | opinion
Reposted by Debenore
A huge section of a copper mine collapsed on workers in the DRC
According to various reports, between 30 and 50 people were killed, and dozens of miners are still trapped under the rubble.
According to various reports, between 30 and 50 people were killed, and dozens of miners are still trapped under the rubble.
November 16, 2025 at 9:53 PM
A huge section of a copper mine collapsed on workers in the DRC
According to various reports, between 30 and 50 people were killed, and dozens of miners are still trapped under the rubble.
According to various reports, between 30 and 50 people were killed, and dozens of miners are still trapped under the rubble.
Reposted by Debenore
Of course you know why a private market in health care is so bad for health.
The best way to make money is to sell a drug that relieves the symptoms of, but does not cure, a very uncomfortable chronic condition.
The worst way to make money is to prevent illness through social change.
The best way to make money is to sell a drug that relieves the symptoms of, but does not cure, a very uncomfortable chronic condition.
The worst way to make money is to prevent illness through social change.
November 16, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Of course you know why a private market in health care is so bad for health.
The best way to make money is to sell a drug that relieves the symptoms of, but does not cure, a very uncomfortable chronic condition.
The worst way to make money is to prevent illness through social change.
The best way to make money is to sell a drug that relieves the symptoms of, but does not cure, a very uncomfortable chronic condition.
The worst way to make money is to prevent illness through social change.
Ah Linux I love your configurability.
- Bluetooth speaker latency ✅ solved
- Bluetooth speaker latency ✅ solved
November 16, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Ah Linux I love your configurability.
- Bluetooth speaker latency ✅ solved
- Bluetooth speaker latency ✅ solved
TIL that the term 'Twirly' refers to pensioners with free bus passes.
It originated at a time when their free bus pass was only valid after the morning rush hour. Pensioners would ask the bus driver (or probably conductor back then) "Am I too early (twirly!)?"
thecompartments.uk/2022/11/14/w...
It originated at a time when their free bus pass was only valid after the morning rush hour. Pensioners would ask the bus driver (or probably conductor back then) "Am I too early (twirly!)?"
thecompartments.uk/2022/11/14/w...
November 16, 2025 at 12:54 PM
TIL that the term 'Twirly' refers to pensioners with free bus passes.
It originated at a time when their free bus pass was only valid after the morning rush hour. Pensioners would ask the bus driver (or probably conductor back then) "Am I too early (twirly!)?"
thecompartments.uk/2022/11/14/w...
It originated at a time when their free bus pass was only valid after the morning rush hour. Pensioners would ask the bus driver (or probably conductor back then) "Am I too early (twirly!)?"
thecompartments.uk/2022/11/14/w...
Home Sec authentic on #bbclaurak #laurak
Laura herself going with the line 'many MPs are dissatisfied' with PM but naming none of them.
Time for them to put up or shut up.
Laura herself going with the line 'many MPs are dissatisfied' with PM but naming none of them.
Time for them to put up or shut up.
November 16, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Home Sec authentic on #bbclaurak #laurak
Laura herself going with the line 'many MPs are dissatisfied' with PM but naming none of them.
Time for them to put up or shut up.
Laura herself going with the line 'many MPs are dissatisfied' with PM but naming none of them.
Time for them to put up or shut up.
7 things I like
The happy gurgling noise a baby makes
Easing into a hot bath after a bike ride in the cold
The rush of solving a difficult problem
The clarinet at the end of Daydream Believer
The cheeky smile of a naughty child
Letting a chocolate button melt on my tongue
Lists of 7 or fewer items
The happy gurgling noise a baby makes
Easing into a hot bath after a bike ride in the cold
The rush of solving a difficult problem
The clarinet at the end of Daydream Believer
The cheeky smile of a naughty child
Letting a chocolate button melt on my tongue
Lists of 7 or fewer items
November 15, 2025 at 9:58 PM
7 things I like
The happy gurgling noise a baby makes
Easing into a hot bath after a bike ride in the cold
The rush of solving a difficult problem
The clarinet at the end of Daydream Believer
The cheeky smile of a naughty child
Letting a chocolate button melt on my tongue
Lists of 7 or fewer items
The happy gurgling noise a baby makes
Easing into a hot bath after a bike ride in the cold
The rush of solving a difficult problem
The clarinet at the end of Daydream Believer
The cheeky smile of a naughty child
Letting a chocolate button melt on my tongue
Lists of 7 or fewer items
The people benefitting the most from pension salary sacrifice are those who can afford to lose the sum from their earnings.
It is eminently sensible for this benefit to be capped in my view.
It is eminently sensible for this benefit to be capped in my view.
What pension changes is Rachel Reeves considering in the budget?
What pension changes is Rachel Reeves considering in the budget?
One possible alteration was thought to be tax-free cash drawdowns, but the chancellor may have turned to salary sacrifice schemes
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The people benefitting the most from pension salary sacrifice are those who can afford to lose the sum from their earnings.
It is eminently sensible for this benefit to be capped in my view.
It is eminently sensible for this benefit to be capped in my view.
Reposted by Debenore
A brief thread on Trump renewing his threat to sue the BBC.
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
November 15, 2025 at 9:39 AM
A brief thread on Trump renewing his threat to sue the BBC.
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
Why are you characterising the Trump/BBC claim as a stand off #r4today ?
Trump indicated he'd sue, the BBC rejected the idea. Hardly a stand off.
Trump indicated he'd sue, the BBC rejected the idea. Hardly a stand off.
November 14, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Why are you characterising the Trump/BBC claim as a stand off #r4today ?
Trump indicated he'd sue, the BBC rejected the idea. Hardly a stand off.
Trump indicated he'd sue, the BBC rejected the idea. Hardly a stand off.
Reposted by Debenore
Watching Wes Streeting on Sky News successfully skewer the overnight Downing Street briefings against him, you almost have to admire the ineptitude of those around Keir Starmer in turning his own leadership problems into a major story while boosting the very politician they sought to kneecap
November 12, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Watching Wes Streeting on Sky News successfully skewer the overnight Downing Street briefings against him, you almost have to admire the ineptitude of those around Keir Starmer in turning his own leadership problems into a major story while boosting the very politician they sought to kneecap
Streeting ironically demonstrating why those disgruntled with Starmer are naming his as a possible successor.
Firm and sensible dismissal of the current uprising of the permanently dissatisfied #r4today
Firm and sensible dismissal of the current uprising of the permanently dissatisfied #r4today
So fucking boring. Half the time it feels as if the interplay between No. 10, Westminster and the rolling news media is responsible for these stories, rather than anything more concrete like policy.
Barry Gardener clip on #r4today - well who knew Corbynite BG hated Starmer? 🙄
Barry Gardener clip on #r4today - well who knew Corbynite BG hated Starmer? 🙄
November 12, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Streeting ironically demonstrating why those disgruntled with Starmer are naming his as a possible successor.
Firm and sensible dismissal of the current uprising of the permanently dissatisfied #r4today
Firm and sensible dismissal of the current uprising of the permanently dissatisfied #r4today
Reposted by Debenore
Robbie Gibb was appointed to the BBC Board by Boris Johnson, was an editorial advisor for GB News, and worked as Theresa May's Director of Comms.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Robbie Gibb was appointed to the BBC Board by Boris Johnson, was an editorial advisor for GB News, and worked as Theresa May's Director of Comms.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
Reposted by Debenore
A single shared source of truth is essential for a functioning democracy.
Without it you’re left with fragmentation, polarisation and a perpetual culture war where the discourse focuses on what divides us rather than what we have in common.
My column from last week: www.ft.com/content/5060...
Without it you’re left with fragmentation, polarisation and a perpetual culture war where the discourse focuses on what divides us rather than what we have in common.
My column from last week: www.ft.com/content/5060...
Why American-style polarisation is spreading across the west
New research shows how incentives in the modern media ecosystem help explain rising division and negativity
www.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
A single shared source of truth is essential for a functioning democracy.
Without it you’re left with fragmentation, polarisation and a perpetual culture war where the discourse focuses on what divides us rather than what we have in common.
My column from last week: www.ft.com/content/5060...
Without it you’re left with fragmentation, polarisation and a perpetual culture war where the discourse focuses on what divides us rather than what we have in common.
My column from last week: www.ft.com/content/5060...