Gavin Budge
@gavinbudge.bsky.social
Chair, North Herts for Europe. Check out our YouTube channel, NorthHerts 4Europe for regular pro-Rejoin political commentary from qualified experts
Reposted by Gavin Budge
American commentators and right wing politicians are expressing shock that countries they have repeatedly threatened with invasion, disrespected on the international stage, and economically bullied are forging new alliances.
Sorry guys, but it’s FAFO time.
Sorry guys, but it’s FAFO time.
January 17, 2026 at 12:18 PM
American commentators and right wing politicians are expressing shock that countries they have repeatedly threatened with invasion, disrespected on the international stage, and economically bullied are forging new alliances.
Sorry guys, but it’s FAFO time.
Sorry guys, but it’s FAFO time.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
The entire practice of politics and news media since the financial crisis has been frantically propping up one gang of frauds after another to shore up the teetering Thatcherite Consensus, and to maintain the post Cold War order at any cost. If push comes to shove, Reform will get their turn.
January 16, 2026 at 12:35 PM
The entire practice of politics and news media since the financial crisis has been frantically propping up one gang of frauds after another to shore up the teetering Thatcherite Consensus, and to maintain the post Cold War order at any cost. If push comes to shove, Reform will get their turn.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
A majority of Ukrainians would strongly oppose withdrawing troops from the part of the eastern Donetsk region still controlled by Kyiv in exchange for European and U.S. security guarantees, a poll released on Friday indicated.
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
January 17, 2026 at 1:53 AM
A majority of Ukrainians would strongly oppose withdrawing troops from the part of the eastern Donetsk region still controlled by Kyiv in exchange for European and U.S. security guarantees, a poll released on Friday indicated.
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
Reposted by Gavin Budge
"Mr. President, you have been duly warned—now by the GOP."
January 16, 2026 at 4:17 PM
"Mr. President, you have been duly warned—now by the GOP."
Reposted by Gavin Budge
This is exactly right. A world in which "the strong" take what they want is not a safe world, even for the strong themselves.
In Hobbesian terms, it creates a "war of every man against every man" in which life is "nasty, brutish & short".
Hence Hobbes' "first law of nature" is to escape that world
In Hobbesian terms, it creates a "war of every man against every man" in which life is "nasty, brutish & short".
Hence Hobbes' "first law of nature" is to escape that world
1/ Something which I don't think gets articulated clearly often enough is that a system where countries generally respect international sovereignty and territorial integrity is not pure charity or morality by the United States, but in its direct interests.
Despite it being the strongest bear.
Despite it being the strongest bear.
January 17, 2026 at 2:29 PM
This is exactly right. A world in which "the strong" take what they want is not a safe world, even for the strong themselves.
In Hobbesian terms, it creates a "war of every man against every man" in which life is "nasty, brutish & short".
Hence Hobbes' "first law of nature" is to escape that world
In Hobbesian terms, it creates a "war of every man against every man" in which life is "nasty, brutish & short".
Hence Hobbes' "first law of nature" is to escape that world
Reposted by Gavin Budge
In an extremely crowded field, I reckon Robert Jenrick is one of the worst, most dislikable politicians in modern Britain.
Here’s why 👇🏻
Here’s why 👇🏻
Jenrick’s anti-personality politics
Bland but sinister.
writesbright.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 10:42 AM
In an extremely crowded field, I reckon Robert Jenrick is one of the worst, most dislikable politicians in modern Britain.
Here’s why 👇🏻
Here’s why 👇🏻
Reposted by Gavin Budge
This IS the result of the Supreme Court of the United States of America giving the most amoral person in America immunity from his crimes.
Crimes that stack up daily.
Including 115 counts of 1st-degree murder of unarmed civilians suspected of crimes not punishable by the death penalty.
Crimes that stack up daily.
Including 115 counts of 1st-degree murder of unarmed civilians suspected of crimes not punishable by the death penalty.
January 17, 2026 at 1:47 AM
This IS the result of the Supreme Court of the United States of America giving the most amoral person in America immunity from his crimes.
Crimes that stack up daily.
Including 115 counts of 1st-degree murder of unarmed civilians suspected of crimes not punishable by the death penalty.
Crimes that stack up daily.
Including 115 counts of 1st-degree murder of unarmed civilians suspected of crimes not punishable by the death penalty.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
For those who want a broader perspective in their feed, a right-wing starter pack.
Includes the six Tory MPs currently on BlueSky and a range of other think-tankers, ex-SpAds and journalists.
go.bsky.app/JvKL6aE
Includes the six Tory MPs currently on BlueSky and a range of other think-tankers, ex-SpAds and journalists.
go.bsky.app/JvKL6aE
January 16, 2026 at 4:09 PM
For those who want a broader perspective in their feed, a right-wing starter pack.
Includes the six Tory MPs currently on BlueSky and a range of other think-tankers, ex-SpAds and journalists.
go.bsky.app/JvKL6aE
Includes the six Tory MPs currently on BlueSky and a range of other think-tankers, ex-SpAds and journalists.
go.bsky.app/JvKL6aE
Reposted by Gavin Budge
This by @neilmackay.bsky.social is so baffling. And it's true. Every time I was up in Scotland I was astonished about how badly under- and misrepresented the independence movemnt is on the BBC. While its still going strong.
Ignore this at your own peril.
Plus it also undermines the BBC's authority
Ignore this at your own peril.
Plus it also undermines the BBC's authority
The BBC has a serious Scotland problem - so why is nobody talking about it?
Neil Mackay on the BBC's alleged bias on independence, and what he views as the wider media silence eroding trust and fairness.
www.heraldscotland.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:17 AM
This by @neilmackay.bsky.social is so baffling. And it's true. Every time I was up in Scotland I was astonished about how badly under- and misrepresented the independence movemnt is on the BBC. While its still going strong.
Ignore this at your own peril.
Plus it also undermines the BBC's authority
Ignore this at your own peril.
Plus it also undermines the BBC's authority
Reposted by Gavin Budge
It will not surprise you to learn that Toby Youngs 'Free Speech Union' has obtained a High Court injunction banning the publication of a list of its donors open.substack.com/pub/democrac...
Who funds the Free Speech Union?
Toby Young’s outfit went to court to hide its donors. Today we reveal that funders include US anti-abortion groups, Brexit politicians and Tufton Street insiders.
open.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 8:45 AM
It will not surprise you to learn that Toby Youngs 'Free Speech Union' has obtained a High Court injunction banning the publication of a list of its donors open.substack.com/pub/democrac...
Reposted by Gavin Budge
Did you hear a loud squeak coming from 10 Downing Street? That was Starmer's bum, reacting to the news in real time...
President Trump says he may punish countries with tariffs if they don’t back the U.S. controlling Greenland.
Trump says he may punish countries with tariffs if they don’t back the US controlling Greenland
President Donald Trump says he may punish countries with tariffs if they don’t back the U.S. controlling Greenland. Trump didn't provide details Friday.
bit.ly
January 16, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Did you hear a loud squeak coming from 10 Downing Street? That was Starmer's bum, reacting to the news in real time...
Reposted by Gavin Budge
London has, once again, topped the rankings as the city people most want to visit, work in, and live in.
Please don’t tell Farage and Leila Cunningham.
They’ll both be absolutely fucking livid
Please don’t tell Farage and Leila Cunningham.
They’ll both be absolutely fucking livid
January 17, 2026 at 8:40 AM
London has, once again, topped the rankings as the city people most want to visit, work in, and live in.
Please don’t tell Farage and Leila Cunningham.
They’ll both be absolutely fucking livid
Please don’t tell Farage and Leila Cunningham.
They’ll both be absolutely fucking livid
Reposted by Gavin Budge
As ever, chef’s kiss from @mrhenrymorris.substack.com - his Substack that he runs is filled with even more of his razor sharp work, I highly recommend you subscribe.
🐻
🐻
January 17, 2026 at 8:51 AM
As ever, chef’s kiss from @mrhenrymorris.substack.com - his Substack that he runs is filled with even more of his razor sharp work, I highly recommend you subscribe.
🐻
🐻
Reposted by Gavin Budge
So the question now is this: who are you going to trust?
Doctors and PhDs who did the research, all specialising in foetal and maternal health?
Or an orange, geriatric former game-show host with multiple criminal convictions who famously struggles to pronounce the word “nuclear”?
Doctors and PhDs who did the research, all specialising in foetal and maternal health?
Or an orange, geriatric former game-show host with multiple criminal convictions who famously struggles to pronounce the word “nuclear”?
![Paracetamol is safe in pregnancy, says study refuting
Trump autism claims
Philippa Roxby and Jim Reed - Health reporters
[Credit: Getty Images]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ayrk5krn5ytvrb34e4et2e73/bafkreifk2azc4c37wwazdburisym3ozdl2mvjh3ht3qmuccnlqdgmjc3oy@jpeg)
January 17, 2026 at 9:46 AM
So the question now is this: who are you going to trust?
Doctors and PhDs who did the research, all specialising in foetal and maternal health?
Or an orange, geriatric former game-show host with multiple criminal convictions who famously struggles to pronounce the word “nuclear”?
Doctors and PhDs who did the research, all specialising in foetal and maternal health?
Or an orange, geriatric former game-show host with multiple criminal convictions who famously struggles to pronounce the word “nuclear”?
Reposted by Gavin Budge
A bill to outlaw the sale, possession, transport, and distribution of farmed octopus in Washington advanced out of the state's House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/washi...
Washington may ban sales of farmed octopus • Washington State Standard
A bill to ban the possession and sale of farmed octopus in Washington advanced out of a House committee on Wednesday.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:45 PM
A bill to outlaw the sale, possession, transport, and distribution of farmed octopus in Washington advanced out of the state's House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/washi...
Reposted by Gavin Budge
this is like the nth working week in a row where I think "well I wasn't meant to be this busy at all but god this is a mad week, luckily next week will actually be quiet!", which I'm not complaining about necessarily but it does make me feel like that racoon trying to wash candy floss in the river
January 16, 2026 at 1:40 PM
this is like the nth working week in a row where I think "well I wasn't meant to be this busy at all but god this is a mad week, luckily next week will actually be quiet!", which I'm not complaining about necessarily but it does make me feel like that racoon trying to wash candy floss in the river
Reposted by Gavin Budge
In theory, great. But the reality is we're just not in that space (much as perosnally I think it's great).
Right now, even ending vetos and having proper suspension and expulsion mechanisms and other treaty change is proving very hard.
1
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Right now, even ending vetos and having proper suspension and expulsion mechanisms and other treaty change is proving very hard.
1
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
January 14, 2026 at 4:34 PM
In theory, great. But the reality is we're just not in that space (much as perosnally I think it's great).
Right now, even ending vetos and having proper suspension and expulsion mechanisms and other treaty change is proving very hard.
1
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Right now, even ending vetos and having proper suspension and expulsion mechanisms and other treaty change is proving very hard.
1
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Gavin Budge
I would like to relate a story, if I may.
A young woman I know - qualified, multilingual, pleasant - found herself struggling to find work in her chosen career (Marketing) at home (a major Italian city)
She drifted into low-paid retail jobs, and was struggling mentally. Washed up, mid 20s
1
A young woman I know - qualified, multilingual, pleasant - found herself struggling to find work in her chosen career (Marketing) at home (a major Italian city)
She drifted into low-paid retail jobs, and was struggling mentally. Washed up, mid 20s
1
January 14, 2026 at 6:19 PM
I would like to relate a story, if I may.
A young woman I know - qualified, multilingual, pleasant - found herself struggling to find work in her chosen career (Marketing) at home (a major Italian city)
She drifted into low-paid retail jobs, and was struggling mentally. Washed up, mid 20s
1
A young woman I know - qualified, multilingual, pleasant - found herself struggling to find work in her chosen career (Marketing) at home (a major Italian city)
She drifted into low-paid retail jobs, and was struggling mentally. Washed up, mid 20s
1
Reposted by Gavin Budge
Reminds me of Tony, a young forklift driver that I knew when we both worked in a packhouse. Fell for one of the Polish girls working there, started jumping on a bus to Krakow, learning Polish, eventually moved there with her. Opportunity and horizons broadened.
I would like to relate a story, if I may.
A young woman I know - qualified, multilingual, pleasant - found herself struggling to find work in her chosen career (Marketing) at home (a major Italian city)
She drifted into low-paid retail jobs, and was struggling mentally. Washed up, mid 20s
1
A young woman I know - qualified, multilingual, pleasant - found herself struggling to find work in her chosen career (Marketing) at home (a major Italian city)
She drifted into low-paid retail jobs, and was struggling mentally. Washed up, mid 20s
1
January 15, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Reminds me of Tony, a young forklift driver that I knew when we both worked in a packhouse. Fell for one of the Polish girls working there, started jumping on a bus to Krakow, learning Polish, eventually moved there with her. Opportunity and horizons broadened.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
First they fought Europe; then they left, triumphant; then they scorned Europe; then they regretted leaving.
Now they blame Europe.
Inevitably.
For the UK's choices.
1
Now they blame Europe.
Inevitably.
For the UK's choices.
1
January 15, 2026 at 8:06 AM
First they fought Europe; then they left, triumphant; then they scorned Europe; then they regretted leaving.
Now they blame Europe.
Inevitably.
For the UK's choices.
1
Now they blame Europe.
Inevitably.
For the UK's choices.
1
Reposted by Gavin Budge
Plans for changes to accession as part of the treaty changes necessary for accession.
This presents huge problems, both politically and technically.
The fireworks could blow the Commission's hands off.
A (long-ish) 🧵
www.ft.com/content/a42e...
This presents huge problems, both politically and technically.
The fireworks could blow the Commission's hands off.
A (long-ish) 🧵
www.ft.com/content/a42e...
EU ‘membership-lite’ plan for Ukraine spooks European capitals
Reforms under discussion would tear up accession rules used since cold war to allow Kyiv to join in a potential peace deal
www.ft.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Plans for changes to accession as part of the treaty changes necessary for accession.
This presents huge problems, both politically and technically.
The fireworks could blow the Commission's hands off.
A (long-ish) 🧵
www.ft.com/content/a42e...
This presents huge problems, both politically and technically.
The fireworks could blow the Commission's hands off.
A (long-ish) 🧵
www.ft.com/content/a42e...
Reposted by Gavin Budge
Nothing would make Russia and China happier than to see Trump break NATO over... Greenland.
January 14, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Nothing would make Russia and China happier than to see Trump break NATO over... Greenland.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
When the interior ministry declares its militia to be above the law in terms that equate dissent with treason there really isn’t any question of whether or not we are looking at an authoritarian regime.
January 14, 2026 at 4:05 PM
When the interior ministry declares its militia to be above the law in terms that equate dissent with treason there really isn’t any question of whether or not we are looking at an authoritarian regime.
Reposted by Gavin Budge
This "open borders" line is *infuriating* - these people came here to study or work, because they had a uni place or a job to come to. They paid visa fees, student fees, NHS surcharge - and many of them are doing challenging and important work - staffing our care homes, for example, including Mum's.
Starmer keeps using this line, & it's bonkers.
Most importantly, it's untrue: the party that ended Free Movement, ran the "hostile environment" & made Suella Braverman Home Sec did not run "an experiment in open borders".
It's also politically mad. Voters who believe this will not vote for Starmer
Most importantly, it's untrue: the party that ended Free Movement, ran the "hostile environment" & made Suella Braverman Home Sec did not run "an experiment in open borders".
It's also politically mad. Voters who believe this will not vote for Starmer
!["And this is what Keir Starmer’s press secretary has said about Robert Jenrick at the lobby briefing this morning.
[Highlighted] Robert Jenrick was the immigration minister in a government that presided over an open borders experiment [Highlighted], a health minister who left people stuck on waiting lists, and a Treasury minister during the worst decline in living standards on record.”
While Reform continues to welcome failed Tory retreads, this Labor government is putting the country back on track."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cixgmtrg7nzy4gkmyfeosaox/bafkreibe3jczrmbmzfnhj2adl4qe432lbpmcbn6m6qrentwih7vxj4fu7y@jpeg)
January 15, 2026 at 2:29 PM
This "open borders" line is *infuriating* - these people came here to study or work, because they had a uni place or a job to come to. They paid visa fees, student fees, NHS surcharge - and many of them are doing challenging and important work - staffing our care homes, for example, including Mum's.