James Southern
@james.fieldleveltech.org
Founder of Field Level Tech - Helping creators empower their audience.
Reposted by James Southern
UK Politics Bluesky is a not-particularly-popular role-playing game. the rules are simple: one participant takes the part of "the Stephen Bush", a commentator for the Financial Times, and other participants race to as quickly as possible link any given statement to the Harry Potter media franchise
November 18, 2025 at 2:22 PM
UK Politics Bluesky is a not-particularly-popular role-playing game. the rules are simple: one participant takes the part of "the Stephen Bush", a commentator for the Financial Times, and other participants race to as quickly as possible link any given statement to the Harry Potter media franchise
Reposted by James Southern
I just start scrolling and it's all Nuzzi and I'm just like, uh.
November 18, 2025 at 4:36 AM
I just start scrolling and it's all Nuzzi and I'm just like, uh.
Reposted by James Southern
Labour: YOU MUST INTEGRATE
Also Labour: we might kick you out in a couple years so don't get to comfy yeah
Also Labour: we might kick you out in a couple years so don't get to comfy yeah
November 17, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Labour: YOU MUST INTEGRATE
Also Labour: we might kick you out in a couple years so don't get to comfy yeah
Also Labour: we might kick you out in a couple years so don't get to comfy yeah
Reposted by James Southern
Delighted to publish this personal essay by me and John: Getting Britain out of the hole.
We wanted to write something quite readable that covers the big picture of the UK’s economic struggles. Hopefully we’ve managed at least one of those!
@johnspringford.bsky.social
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
We wanted to write something quite readable that covers the big picture of the UK’s economic struggles. Hopefully we’ve managed at least one of those!
@johnspringford.bsky.social
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 17, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Delighted to publish this personal essay by me and John: Getting Britain out of the hole.
We wanted to write something quite readable that covers the big picture of the UK’s economic struggles. Hopefully we’ve managed at least one of those!
@johnspringford.bsky.social
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
We wanted to write something quite readable that covers the big picture of the UK’s economic struggles. Hopefully we’ve managed at least one of those!
@johnspringford.bsky.social
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Quite incredible the difference of opinion between Bluesky and Reddit wrt recent asylum legislation news.
No clue if these represent significant numbers of voters but it does seem that there are people who would vote for this.
old.reddit.com/r/ukpolitics...
No clue if these represent significant numbers of voters but it does seem that there are people who would vote for this.
old.reddit.com/r/ukpolitics...
Fast-track deportations to be announced as part of asylum reforms
Posted in r/ukpolitics by u/No_Initiative_1140 • 112 points and 87 comments
old.reddit.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Quite incredible the difference of opinion between Bluesky and Reddit wrt recent asylum legislation news.
No clue if these represent significant numbers of voters but it does seem that there are people who would vote for this.
old.reddit.com/r/ukpolitics...
No clue if these represent significant numbers of voters but it does seem that there are people who would vote for this.
old.reddit.com/r/ukpolitics...
Reposted by James Southern
I'm sorry to break every wonk's heart, but parties do not win elections on the basis of their policy platforms. It's a little more complex, but basically boils down to voters trusting them to pursue the *objectives* that matter to them.
It's the outputs - and trust - that count, not the inputs.
It's the outputs - and trust - that count, not the inputs.
November 16, 2025 at 9:20 PM
I'm sorry to break every wonk's heart, but parties do not win elections on the basis of their policy platforms. It's a little more complex, but basically boils down to voters trusting them to pursue the *objectives* that matter to them.
It's the outputs - and trust - that count, not the inputs.
It's the outputs - and trust - that count, not the inputs.
Reposted by James Southern
New Substack: chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-incompe... Parts of the Labour party and BBC simply don't know what their jobs should be.
On incompetence
Much of our political culture is fundamentally incompetent.
chrisdillow.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:47 AM
New Substack: chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-incompe... Parts of the Labour party and BBC simply don't know what their jobs should be.
Reposted by James Southern
Indeed. It feels like a lot of the pro this government stuff is 'don't you realise the stakes are really high?'. Yes, it's why I am really, really, *really* worried at how much of the policy agenda is based, as you say, on wishing.
November 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Indeed. It feels like a lot of the pro this government stuff is 'don't you realise the stakes are really high?'. Yes, it's why I am really, really, *really* worried at how much of the policy agenda is based, as you say, on wishing.
Reposted by James Southern
NEW: Lisa Nandy to look again at political appointments to the BBC’s board as part of charter renewal discussions.
She said concerns have been raised over the appointment of Sir Robbie Gibb, a Conservative first appointed to the board by Boris Johnson.
She said concerns have been raised over the appointment of Sir Robbie Gibb, a Conservative first appointed to the board by Boris Johnson.
November 14, 2025 at 8:37 AM
NEW: Lisa Nandy to look again at political appointments to the BBC’s board as part of charter renewal discussions.
She said concerns have been raised over the appointment of Sir Robbie Gibb, a Conservative first appointed to the board by Boris Johnson.
She said concerns have been raised over the appointment of Sir Robbie Gibb, a Conservative first appointed to the board by Boris Johnson.
Reposted by James Southern
I regret to inform you that they don't actually appear to have a plan, just whatever this clusterf*ck is going to turn out to be
November 14, 2025 at 6:48 AM
I regret to inform you that they don't actually appear to have a plan, just whatever this clusterf*ck is going to turn out to be
Reposted by James Southern
Bluesky user #1: Ed Miliband would be a good PM, he’s learned from past mistakes and is a good communicator.
Bluesky user #2: No! He’d be catastrophically unpopular, and vulnerable to the argument that someone rejected by the electorate is now being imposed on us undemocratically.
Ed Miliband:
Bluesky user #2: No! He’d be catastrophically unpopular, and vulnerable to the argument that someone rejected by the electorate is now being imposed on us undemocratically.
Ed Miliband:
November 13, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Bluesky user #1: Ed Miliband would be a good PM, he’s learned from past mistakes and is a good communicator.
Bluesky user #2: No! He’d be catastrophically unpopular, and vulnerable to the argument that someone rejected by the electorate is now being imposed on us undemocratically.
Ed Miliband:
Bluesky user #2: No! He’d be catastrophically unpopular, and vulnerable to the argument that someone rejected by the electorate is now being imposed on us undemocratically.
Ed Miliband:
Reposted by James Southern
Anyway: both the state and private developers need to build at far greater rates, the default aim should be 'a dual earner couple on average incomes can live in non-crowded conditions and raise a family', and the model family *for policymakers* should be three for obvious reasons.
November 13, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Anyway: both the state and private developers need to build at far greater rates, the default aim should be 'a dual earner couple on average incomes can live in non-crowded conditions and raise a family', and the model family *for policymakers* should be three for obvious reasons.
November 13, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Idly wondering why our Govt seems to give few bothers on how they’re strangling our university sector.
Maybe it’s as simple as a great many of them went to Oxbridge?
Then again they seem to give few bothers about many baffling things so perhaps that’s unfair.
Maybe it’s as simple as a great many of them went to Oxbridge?
Then again they seem to give few bothers about many baffling things so perhaps that’s unfair.
November 12, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Idly wondering why our Govt seems to give few bothers on how they’re strangling our university sector.
Maybe it’s as simple as a great many of them went to Oxbridge?
Then again they seem to give few bothers about many baffling things so perhaps that’s unfair.
Maybe it’s as simple as a great many of them went to Oxbridge?
Then again they seem to give few bothers about many baffling things so perhaps that’s unfair.
Reposted by James Southern
The Turkish government confirmed that 20 crew and passengers were on the C-130 that crashed near the inside of Georgia near the Azerbaijani border.
#OSINT
#OSINT
November 11, 2025 at 3:24 PM
The Turkish government confirmed that 20 crew and passengers were on the C-130 that crashed near the inside of Georgia near the Azerbaijani border.
#OSINT
#OSINT
Right, time to make some popcorn I reckon.
November 11, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Right, time to make some popcorn I reckon.
Reposted by James Southern
This is a genuinely intolerable reality…
November 10, 2025 at 11:01 PM
This is a genuinely intolerable reality…
Reposted by James Southern
Good on Ed Davey – speaking up for and defending Britain’s institutions in the face of nefarious actors.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The first step towards saving our precious BBC: remove Robbie Gibb from the board | Ed Davey
The BBC belongs to all of us, and it is under attack as never before. The government must defend it from its enemies, within and without, says Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Good on Ed Davey – speaking up for and defending Britain’s institutions in the face of nefarious actors.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by James Southern
We have to take back control of our media and democracy from its fusion with the US infosphere.
This isn't just on the right but the left too. We are a separate democracy and need our own civic commons.
Today's events with Trump and the BBC show it's not just irritating; it's dangerous.
This isn't just on the right but the left too. We are a separate democracy and need our own civic commons.
Today's events with Trump and the BBC show it's not just irritating; it's dangerous.
November 10, 2025 at 8:06 PM
We have to take back control of our media and democracy from its fusion with the US infosphere.
This isn't just on the right but the left too. We are a separate democracy and need our own civic commons.
Today's events with Trump and the BBC show it's not just irritating; it's dangerous.
This isn't just on the right but the left too. We are a separate democracy and need our own civic commons.
Today's events with Trump and the BBC show it's not just irritating; it's dangerous.
So the BBC board clearly needs a new chair right?
a man is holding a bag of walkers chips in front of a mirror
Alt: a man is holding a bag of walkers chips in front of a mirror he says “yessss”
media.tenor.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:01 AM
So the BBC board clearly needs a new chair right?
Reposted by James Southern
![Cartoon by Stephen Collins for The Guardian. Script as follows:
[scene is Winston Churchill in a bbc studio, giving his 'finest hour' speech]
1
CHURCHILL:
The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us.
2
CHURCHILL:
Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war.
3
CHURCHILL:
If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free
and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sun-
BBC PRESENTER:
Thank you prime minister
4
BBC PRESENTER:
Mr hitler, your response?
5
HITLER [in the studio]:
Vell zis is hysterical woke nonsense as usual from mr Churchill
6
HITLER:
What we are proposing -
CHURCHILL:
Hang on
7
HITLER:
Let me finish - what we are proposing eez a simple power-sharing arrangement -
8
CHURCHILL:
What's he doing here
BBC PRESENTER:
It's important we hear both sides of the debate
9
CHURCHILL:
This isn't a debate
You don't debate fascists
10
HITLER:
Oh here we go with ze Godwins law!
11
HITLER:
Why must you people always compare ze things you don't like to 'fascists, Nazis, Hitler'...
CHURCHILL:
Because you are a fascist Nazi Hit-
12
HITLER [standing up, saluting]:
RAUSS!
BBC PRESENTER:
*Please* Mr Churchill let him speak
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreibw4ldc3fhslbvxgy2oqrof2oys5kpgh7zu6a5f3usmx3lf4547qm@jpeg)
Reposted by James Southern
Nigel Farage used to believe in reforming the voting system, now he's rowed back because it no longer benefits him.
We will keep fighting for a fair votes, not because it benefits us but because it's right for the country.
We will keep fighting for a fair votes, not because it benefits us but because it's right for the country.
November 7, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Nigel Farage used to believe in reforming the voting system, now he's rowed back because it no longer benefits him.
We will keep fighting for a fair votes, not because it benefits us but because it's right for the country.
We will keep fighting for a fair votes, not because it benefits us but because it's right for the country.
Reposted by James Southern
Reposted by James Southern
‘Al could end scarcity, end humanity - or boost trend growth by 0.2
percentage points’
Well that’s the best chart of the year in this @johnthornhill.bsky.social column and basically sums up where we are
on.ft.com/4qMMkJd
percentage points’
Well that’s the best chart of the year in this @johnthornhill.bsky.social column and basically sums up where we are
on.ft.com/4qMMkJd
November 7, 2025 at 9:08 PM
‘Al could end scarcity, end humanity - or boost trend growth by 0.2
percentage points’
Well that’s the best chart of the year in this @johnthornhill.bsky.social column and basically sums up where we are
on.ft.com/4qMMkJd
percentage points’
Well that’s the best chart of the year in this @johnthornhill.bsky.social column and basically sums up where we are
on.ft.com/4qMMkJd
Reposted by James Southern
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"We've got to address the fact that millions of people vote in safe seats and they feel their voice doesn't count."
Keir Starmer - 2020
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social
@labour4pr.bsky.social
@makevotesmatter.bsky.social
"We've got to address the fact that millions of people vote in safe seats and they feel their voice doesn't count."
Keir Starmer - 2020
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social
@labour4pr.bsky.social
@makevotesmatter.bsky.social
Ed Davey wants to 'work with government' on electoral reform
The Liberal Democrat leader backs replacing first-past-the-post with proportional representation.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 7:26 AM
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"We've got to address the fact that millions of people vote in safe seats and they feel their voice doesn't count."
Keir Starmer - 2020
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social
@labour4pr.bsky.social
@makevotesmatter.bsky.social
"We've got to address the fact that millions of people vote in safe seats and they feel their voice doesn't count."
Keir Starmer - 2020
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social
@labour4pr.bsky.social
@makevotesmatter.bsky.social