Edward Barrow
@ejoftheweb.bsky.social
Part-time Londoner: woke liberal socialist, empiricist. Likes food, dancing, gardening, interested in politics, economics, environment. Likely to block bigots and denialists of any stripe; will block crypto bros etc.
Signal: ejoftheweb-57
Signal: ejoftheweb-57
Reposted by Edward Barrow
So what if they weaken ECHR human rights protections? So what if they interpret protection from torture differently? Will that improve services? Help the NHS? Bring better food, air & education? Eradicate poverty?
Crushing rights is the most destructive distraction from the wrongs that need fixing.
Crushing rights is the most destructive distraction from the wrongs that need fixing.
December 11, 2025 at 7:56 AM
So what if they weaken ECHR human rights protections? So what if they interpret protection from torture differently? Will that improve services? Help the NHS? Bring better food, air & education? Eradicate poverty?
Crushing rights is the most destructive distraction from the wrongs that need fixing.
Crushing rights is the most destructive distraction from the wrongs that need fixing.
Reposted by Edward Barrow
Yeah, they’re given far too much slack here
They are actively and enthusiastically doing terrible things.
No need for Reform to win when Labour are happy to deliver their agenda
They are actively and enthusiastically doing terrible things.
No need for Reform to win when Labour are happy to deliver their agenda
December 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Yeah, they’re given far too much slack here
They are actively and enthusiastically doing terrible things.
No need for Reform to win when Labour are happy to deliver their agenda
They are actively and enthusiastically doing terrible things.
No need for Reform to win when Labour are happy to deliver their agenda
Reposted by Edward Barrow
Home Office Ministers state publicly, on the record, that they are deliberately making life worse for older people and people with disabilities who depend on care services, but it's worth it because it reduces net migration.
December 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Home Office Ministers state publicly, on the record, that they are deliberately making life worse for older people and people with disabilities who depend on care services, but it's worth it because it reduces net migration.
Reposted by Edward Barrow
Spot on. That's why it was so disgusting and cynical of the Leave campaigns in the UK to use the symbols and evocations of WWII in their campaigning.
The EU was created in by people who lived through WWII and saw political and economic integration as a means to bringing peace and stability to the continent.
It is being opposed by Putin, Musk and the others who support Neo Nazis in Europe.
It is being opposed by Putin, Musk and the others who support Neo Nazis in Europe.
December 9, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Spot on. That's why it was so disgusting and cynical of the Leave campaigns in the UK to use the symbols and evocations of WWII in their campaigning.
Reposted by Edward Barrow
“Billionaires shouldn't be able to buy a louder voice in politics. We need a cap on how much any person can donate, so we all have the same say. Add your name to demand change.”
And please share widely action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/179420/...
And please share widely action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/179420/...
Sign now to demand an end to big money in politics
It takes 30 seconds
action.electoral-reform.org.uk
December 8, 2025 at 7:06 AM
“Billionaires shouldn't be able to buy a louder voice in politics. We need a cap on how much any person can donate, so we all have the same say. Add your name to demand change.”
And please share widely action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/179420/...
And please share widely action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/179420/...
Johnson demonstrated it, Starmer confirmed it. Politicians shouldn't lie either to Parliament or to the public. Where are we headed if it's ever acceptable for them to be any less honest inside or outside the House?
I see the PM is being very rattled and very untruthful about the Greens again in the papers.
He couldn’t say this stuff in Parliament because he would be lying to the House - both about what our popular, evidence-based policies are, and about him believing this guff.
Trumpian
He couldn’t say this stuff in Parliament because he would be lying to the House - both about what our popular, evidence-based policies are, and about him believing this guff.
Trumpian
December 7, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Johnson demonstrated it, Starmer confirmed it. Politicians shouldn't lie either to Parliament or to the public. Where are we headed if it's ever acceptable for them to be any less honest inside or outside the House?
Reposted by Edward Barrow
The baroque corruption schemes playing out in America and Russia completely outclass the kickback scandal in Ukraine.
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Trumpian Corruption Is Worse Than Ukrainian Corruption
The people of Ukraine want an honest government, even as American and Russian kleptocrats circle their country.
www.theatlantic.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The baroque corruption schemes playing out in America and Russia completely outclass the kickback scandal in Ukraine.
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Reposted by Edward Barrow
The entire thing is a house of cards based on “but we like being racist”
On why Farage doesn’t apologise for his schoolboy racism:
“if he apologised, he would be turning to his own support base and saying, ‘You’re all guilty too.’ ”
Exactly.
He is racist. So are his voters. He can’t be pissing them off by saying sorry.
#NeverPM
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
“if he apologised, he would be turning to his own support base and saying, ‘You’re all guilty too.’ ”
Exactly.
He is racist. So are his voters. He can’t be pissing them off by saying sorry.
#NeverPM
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
December 7, 2025 at 11:06 AM
The entire thing is a house of cards based on “but we like being racist”
Reposted by Edward Barrow
Funding/support from American oligarchs is a FAR more significant threat to British democracy than that from the Kremlin, which has a. a fraction of their cash and b. approximately zero popularity.
December 4, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Funding/support from American oligarchs is a FAR more significant threat to British democracy than that from the Kremlin, which has a. a fraction of their cash and b. approximately zero popularity.
@electoralreform.bsky.social are running a survey on a cap on donations. Good. But no option for a cap at £0.
I might be an extremist on this, but imo parties should survive on membership subs alone. Engage/recruit more, cut coat cloth etc.
Even a £1k donation is buying influence.
I might be an extremist on this, but imo parties should survive on membership subs alone. Engage/recruit more, cut coat cloth etc.
Even a £1k donation is buying influence.
December 4, 2025 at 5:29 PM
@electoralreform.bsky.social are running a survey on a cap on donations. Good. But no option for a cap at £0.
I might be an extremist on this, but imo parties should survive on membership subs alone. Engage/recruit more, cut coat cloth etc.
Even a £1k donation is buying influence.
I might be an extremist on this, but imo parties should survive on membership subs alone. Engage/recruit more, cut coat cloth etc.
Even a £1k donation is buying influence.
Reposted by Edward Barrow
Watched BBC 6 o clock news. Just a completely unserious broadcast. Chris Mason, acting like a children's entertainer, giving a prolonged impenetrable editorial. Not a whiff of informative content about the Budget or what it means for the country. Just playschool blah blah bollocks.
December 1, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Watched BBC 6 o clock news. Just a completely unserious broadcast. Chris Mason, acting like a children's entertainer, giving a prolonged impenetrable editorial. Not a whiff of informative content about the Budget or what it means for the country. Just playschool blah blah bollocks.
Reposted by Edward Barrow
Some don’t understand that demonising refugees& asylum seekers is a red line for any healthy nation. As a group of people, like any other, they include the brilliant, good & bad, but labelling them as lesser humans undeserving of compassion, safety & equality is definitely bad for the whole country.
December 1, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Some don’t understand that demonising refugees& asylum seekers is a red line for any healthy nation. As a group of people, like any other, they include the brilliant, good & bad, but labelling them as lesser humans undeserving of compassion, safety & equality is definitely bad for the whole country.
Reposted by Edward Barrow
Our economic woes are caused by Brexit, (Ukraine), Covid, Brexit’s ugly baby - our dismal immigration policy, Truss budget, 14yrs of austerity…
All rightwing policies.
Quite mad that our media acts as if Labour’s budget is the end of days, when they failed to adequately scrutinise any of
that👆shit.
All rightwing policies.
Quite mad that our media acts as if Labour’s budget is the end of days, when they failed to adequately scrutinise any of
that👆shit.
December 1, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Our economic woes are caused by Brexit, (Ukraine), Covid, Brexit’s ugly baby - our dismal immigration policy, Truss budget, 14yrs of austerity…
All rightwing policies.
Quite mad that our media acts as if Labour’s budget is the end of days, when they failed to adequately scrutinise any of
that👆shit.
All rightwing policies.
Quite mad that our media acts as if Labour’s budget is the end of days, when they failed to adequately scrutinise any of
that👆shit.
Reposted by Edward Barrow
The Blue Labour right have become the Militant of 2025 - a tiny but hyperactive and densely networked sect working relentlessly to drag Labour towards their niche pursuits and away from the values and priorities of core Labour voters.
November 28, 2025 at 10:44 AM
The Blue Labour right have become the Militant of 2025 - a tiny but hyperactive and densely networked sect working relentlessly to drag Labour towards their niche pursuits and away from the values and priorities of core Labour voters.
Reposted by Edward Barrow
Fewer workers. Fewer international students. More people leaving.
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK net migration falls sharply with drop in arrivals for work and study
Provisional figures for net migration to the UK show levels dropped to 204,000 in the year to June 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Fewer workers. Fewer international students. More people leaving.
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Edward Barrow
We rely on migration for the economy and several industries, decrease that and the economy is worse. A worsening economy means worse conditions. Unhappy public looks for someone to blame. Politicians tell them it's migrants. And so we end up in a never ending loop while everything gets worse.
November 27, 2025 at 10:57 AM
We rely on migration for the economy and several industries, decrease that and the economy is worse. A worsening economy means worse conditions. Unhappy public looks for someone to blame. Politicians tell them it's migrants. And so we end up in a never ending loop while everything gets worse.
Apps and websites that want me to walk up the fucking hill in the rain to get a phone signal to confirm my login can absolutely do one. Shopify/Shop I'm looking at you today.
November 27, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Apps and websites that want me to walk up the fucking hill in the rain to get a phone signal to confirm my login can absolutely do one. Shopify/Shop I'm looking at you today.
Reposted by Edward Barrow
Book of the day recommendation is Cory Doctorow's "Enshittificaiton" - a punchy, pungent and extremely smart guide to the Enshittocene.
amzn.to/4p5tqwb
amzn.to/4p5tqwb
Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It
Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It [Doctorow, Cory] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It
amzn.to
November 27, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Book of the day recommendation is Cory Doctorow's "Enshittificaiton" - a punchy, pungent and extremely smart guide to the Enshittocene.
amzn.to/4p5tqwb
amzn.to/4p5tqwb
Reposted by Edward Barrow
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
November 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
Reposted by Edward Barrow
I feel angry about the all hostile narratives propagated against immigrants. It's socially hard for an ethnic minority woman to express anger but nevertheless I feel I must. Anger is the appropriate emotion here with such gross unfairness & public harm. Let's give eachother permission to express it.
November 27, 2025 at 8:04 AM
I feel angry about the all hostile narratives propagated against immigrants. It's socially hard for an ethnic minority woman to express anger but nevertheless I feel I must. Anger is the appropriate emotion here with such gross unfairness & public harm. Let's give eachother permission to express it.
Reposted by Edward Barrow
It is astonishingly alarming how much energy they put into trying to automate intellectual and creative work, but how little they actually care about heavy physical and repetitive work.
November 27, 2025 at 4:38 AM
It is astonishingly alarming how much energy they put into trying to automate intellectual and creative work, but how little they actually care about heavy physical and repetitive work.
Reposted by Edward Barrow
Good morning, while everyone is waiting for the budget to be announced it’s a good time to say that immigration is a source of prosperity for the UK and painting Britain as a hostile state is sabotaging the country. Thanks!
November 26, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Good morning, while everyone is waiting for the budget to be announced it’s a good time to say that immigration is a source of prosperity for the UK and painting Britain as a hostile state is sabotaging the country. Thanks!
Lunchtime Weds and it's heading for 60000
100000 by the end of the week looks possible. If you haven't signed it, do so.
Tbh I can't see any political downside for Labour in such an inquiry - especially if it can be completed well before 2029.
100000 by the end of the week looks possible. If you haven't signed it, do so.
Tbh I can't see any political downside for Labour in such an inquiry - especially if it can be completed well before 2029.
This petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy already has over 30,000 signatures. Let’s get it to 100,000 this week.
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 26, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Lunchtime Weds and it's heading for 60000
100000 by the end of the week looks possible. If you haven't signed it, do so.
Tbh I can't see any political downside for Labour in such an inquiry - especially if it can be completed well before 2029.
100000 by the end of the week looks possible. If you haven't signed it, do so.
Tbh I can't see any political downside for Labour in such an inquiry - especially if it can be completed well before 2029.
Reposted by Edward Barrow
This petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy already has over 30,000 signatures. Let’s get it to 100,000 this week.
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:32 AM
This petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy already has over 30,000 signatures. Let’s get it to 100,000 this week.
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Edward Barrow
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea
November 25, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea