James
@dune400.bsky.social
Reposted by James
Today is the culmination of months of disastrously contradictory and self-defeating political and economic messaging. Given that, you can only expect the budget itself will unravel pretty quickly. It would be lovely to be wrong, though.
November 26, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Today is the culmination of months of disastrously contradictory and self-defeating political and economic messaging. Given that, you can only expect the budget itself will unravel pretty quickly. It would be lovely to be wrong, though.
Reposted by James
Sophy Ridge's face certainly tells a story
November 25, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Sophy Ridge's face certainly tells a story
Reposted by James
The Labour Government: there to serve the
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
The Labour Government: there to serve the
Reposted by James
🚨🚨 It is rare that the rulings of @eucourtofjustice.bsky.social make headlines but the judgment yesterday on the recognition of #samesex marriage is a rare exception to this. Very welcome ruling from the CJEU: 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/eu-c...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-c...
Top EU court mandates same-sex marriage recognition across borders
The Luxembourg-based court said a decision by Polish authorities infringed on a same-sex couple’s freedom of movement.
www.politico.eu
November 26, 2025 at 6:32 AM
🚨🚨 It is rare that the rulings of @eucourtofjustice.bsky.social make headlines but the judgment yesterday on the recognition of #samesex marriage is a rare exception to this. Very welcome ruling from the CJEU: 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/eu-c...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-c...
Reposted by James
I share this with respect for the many excellent journalists at the BBC.
And with the hope that transparency helps strengthen, not weaken, our democratic culture. /5
And with the hope that transparency helps strengthen, not weaken, our democratic culture. /5
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I share this with respect for the many excellent journalists at the BBC.
And with the hope that transparency helps strengthen, not weaken, our democratic culture. /5
And with the hope that transparency helps strengthen, not weaken, our democratic culture. /5
Reposted by James
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by James
1. It is healthy for politicians to be careful around bond markets.
2. It is healthy for politicians to talk less about being scared of bond markets.
Both can be true.
2. It is healthy for politicians to talk less about being scared of bond markets.
Both can be true.
November 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM
1. It is healthy for politicians to be careful around bond markets.
2. It is healthy for politicians to talk less about being scared of bond markets.
Both can be true.
2. It is healthy for politicians to talk less about being scared of bond markets.
Both can be true.
Reposted by James
Again, that depends on which military you are looking at within European frameworks. The Finns, Poles, in naval terms Italians, French, Swedes, even the Romanians have rapidly ramped up. Not every Euro state suffers from British or German military dysfunction
November 25, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Again, that depends on which military you are looking at within European frameworks. The Finns, Poles, in naval terms Italians, French, Swedes, even the Romanians have rapidly ramped up. Not every Euro state suffers from British or German military dysfunction
Reposted by James
Or even highlight effectively the handful of big moves they did implement in first 6 months. Of course comms alone can never shift things but a narrative of hope underpinned by policies that match those aspirations is the sort of thing centre-left oppositions are supposed to spend years planning for
November 25, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Or even highlight effectively the handful of big moves they did implement in first 6 months. Of course comms alone can never shift things but a narrative of hope underpinned by policies that match those aspirations is the sort of thing centre-left oppositions are supposed to spend years planning for
Reposted by James
The inability of Labour in the first year to generate a comms narrative of hope firmly backed up by two or three big policy initiatives that delivered tangible positive outcomes to its voter base will kill this government
November 25, 2025 at 12:10 PM
The inability of Labour in the first year to generate a comms narrative of hope firmly backed up by two or three big policy initiatives that delivered tangible positive outcomes to its voter base will kill this government
Reposted by James
It is worth questioning though whether making the teaching of home students dependent on numbers of overseas students whose fluctuation is not under the control of universities is really a sustainable funding model for higher education
Because people *still* don’t understand that overseas students subsidise home students. This is punishing everyone involved.
With Rachel Reeves reportedly set to apply a new tax on tuition fees paid by overseas students, most Britons support such a move at the previously mooted level of 6%
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
November 25, 2025 at 1:13 PM
It is worth questioning though whether making the teaching of home students dependent on numbers of overseas students whose fluctuation is not under the control of universities is really a sustainable funding model for higher education
Reposted by James
Yes, it's why while I think criticism from Gauke and others wasn't off base I think they are missing how Centrist inability to generate hope means their cries of "but Truss! But bond markets!" over time won't be enough to contain populist waves
November 25, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Yes, it's why while I think criticism from Gauke and others wasn't off base I think they are missing how Centrist inability to generate hope means their cries of "but Truss! But bond markets!" over time won't be enough to contain populist waves
Reposted by James
The next govt will probably be decided by a handful of votes. If Vox has enough deputies to put the PP in power the PP will say yes to whatever the neofascists demand, and they'll demand a lot: attack on immigrants and sexual minorities will be top of the llist by an end to climate change measures
November 25, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The next govt will probably be decided by a handful of votes. If Vox has enough deputies to put the PP in power the PP will say yes to whatever the neofascists demand, and they'll demand a lot: attack on immigrants and sexual minorities will be top of the llist by an end to climate change measures
Reposted by James
this the first time I've seen a Spanish journo saying outloud what has been obvious for months: 229 people died in the Valencia floods bc the regional leader Carlos Mazón was too busy to issue a warning in time bc he was fucking in a car park
Alucinante que ninguno de los dos, adultos de 50 años, cayera en que no era el mejor día para echar un polvo furtivo en un parking. A él por supuesto hay que tirarlo por la ventana pero ella cabeza, tampoco.
November 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
this the first time I've seen a Spanish journo saying outloud what has been obvious for months: 229 people died in the Valencia floods bc the regional leader Carlos Mazón was too busy to issue a warning in time bc he was fucking in a car park
Reposted by James
Quite a few indications too that a lot of more Centrist commentators and political figures are underestimating Polanski and Green potential from the Left as they did Farage's potential from the Right before 2012
November 25, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Quite a few indications too that a lot of more Centrist commentators and political figures are underestimating Polanski and Green potential from the Left as they did Farage's potential from the Right before 2012
Reposted by James
“Bearing down on the cost of living” latest:
UK supermarkets set to be hit by higher business rates after Treasury U-turn
Chancellor expected to use Budget to include large retail premises in the top band of the property-based levy
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:40 PM
“Bearing down on the cost of living” latest:
Reposted by James
Reposted by James
Whoever first compared the BBC to this Labour government hit on something very important. Neither needs to be afraid. But both are terrified. It leads them to try to appease those who will never, ever support them, so driving those who might support them away.
The BBC's own spinelessness will destroy it.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Whoever first compared the BBC to this Labour government hit on something very important. Neither needs to be afraid. But both are terrified. It leads them to try to appease those who will never, ever support them, so driving those who might support them away.
Reposted by James
Having paid variations of a visitor tax in both Tokyo and Venice over the last month, as well as in Barcelona, Chicago and San Francisco earlier in the year, I really don't see a problem with this at all. In fact, it's mad it has taken so long.
Reeves Budget to Embrace Tourist Tax for Cities Including London
The UK will allow Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and other local leaders to impose a “tourist tax” on overnight stays in English cities.
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Having paid variations of a visitor tax in both Tokyo and Venice over the last month, as well as in Barcelona, Chicago and San Francisco earlier in the year, I really don't see a problem with this at all. In fact, it's mad it has taken so long.
Reposted by James
Just a jaw-dropping paragraph in Trevor Phillips's column for The Times.
This is a policy that, by his own account, has left parents of a particular race too frightened to walk their children to school.
And that's the example he chooses of the "vigour" we "need".
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
This is a policy that, by his own account, has left parents of a particular race too frightened to walk their children to school.
And that's the example he chooses of the "vigour" we "need".
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
November 24, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Just a jaw-dropping paragraph in Trevor Phillips's column for The Times.
This is a policy that, by his own account, has left parents of a particular race too frightened to walk their children to school.
And that's the example he chooses of the "vigour" we "need".
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
This is a policy that, by his own account, has left parents of a particular race too frightened to walk their children to school.
And that's the example he chooses of the "vigour" we "need".
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Reposted by James
I read “It is hard to imagine that taking place in Britain” initially as “thank goodness”. Then I realised that Phillips *wants* this for Britain! He wants a Britain where visible minorities live in fear of abduction and deportation? WTAF?
Just a jaw-dropping paragraph in Trevor Phillips's column for The Times.
This is a policy that, by his own account, has left parents of a particular race too frightened to walk their children to school.
And that's the example he chooses of the "vigour" we "need".
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
This is a policy that, by his own account, has left parents of a particular race too frightened to walk their children to school.
And that's the example he chooses of the "vigour" we "need".
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
November 24, 2025 at 11:40 PM
I read “It is hard to imagine that taking place in Britain” initially as “thank goodness”. Then I realised that Phillips *wants* this for Britain! He wants a Britain where visible minorities live in fear of abduction and deportation? WTAF?
Reposted by James
Oh boy, what fun...
And you know somewhere up the chain there's lots of Russian money and bots pushing it forward.
And you know somewhere up the chain there's lots of Russian money and bots pushing it forward.
November 25, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Oh boy, what fun...
And you know somewhere up the chain there's lots of Russian money and bots pushing it forward.
And you know somewhere up the chain there's lots of Russian money and bots pushing it forward.
Reposted by James
The Melonisation of Europe.
November 25, 2025 at 7:36 AM
The Melonisation of Europe.
Reposted by James
Do not mistake this as a small price - it would not only completely shatter the cordon sanitaire, it would make the centre-right to far-right exception into the main majority platform for the European Parliament.
A potential completion of the sea change at EU level.
A potential completion of the sea change at EU level.
November 25, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Do not mistake this as a small price - it would not only completely shatter the cordon sanitaire, it would make the centre-right to far-right exception into the main majority platform for the European Parliament.
A potential completion of the sea change at EU level.
A potential completion of the sea change at EU level.
Reposted by James
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
It was years ago.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not in a hurtful way.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not with intent.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not genuine abuse.
😮🫣😬😱 ~AA
It was years ago.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not in a hurtful way.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not with intent.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not genuine abuse.
😮🫣😬😱 ~AA
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
It was years ago.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not in a hurtful way.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not with intent.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not genuine abuse.
😮🫣😬😱 ~AA
It was years ago.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not in a hurtful way.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not with intent.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not genuine abuse.
😮🫣😬😱 ~AA