@kathyr17.bsky.social
Reposted
McSweeney is gone. Time for Starmer to try to salvage his government by launching long overdue proper action to address all the flaws in our political system - peerages, patronage, cronyism, party finances, MPs revolving door, appointments, ministerial code, business interests, Leveson, etc etc.
I wrote this yesterday - Starmer could still turn his premiership around, if he finally, FINALLY, finds the courage to address the grubby circs which allow people like Mandelson to rise so far. bylinetimes.com/2026/02/07/t...
'The Mandelson-Epstein Scandal Is an Opportunity for Starmer to Radically Reform Our Broken Politics'
The Prime Minister should use this moment to shine a light on the dark forces corrupting our democracy, argues former British diplomat Alexandra Hall Hall
bylinetimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:40 PM
McSweeney is gone. Time for Starmer to try to salvage his government by launching long overdue proper action to address all the flaws in our political system - peerages, patronage, cronyism, party finances, MPs revolving door, appointments, ministerial code, business interests, Leveson, etc etc.
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Since #bbclaurak is trending, let’s remind ourselves that ONE MONTH ago, the BBC invited Mandelson on for a soft-ball interview on her show. While HIS CLIENT , Palantir’s Louis Moseley appeared as a pundit
Both, as I wrote at time, were ‘abject failures of journalism’
1/
Both, as I wrote at time, were ‘abject failures of journalism’
1/
February 8, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Since #bbclaurak is trending, let’s remind ourselves that ONE MONTH ago, the BBC invited Mandelson on for a soft-ball interview on her show. While HIS CLIENT , Palantir’s Louis Moseley appeared as a pundit
Both, as I wrote at time, were ‘abject failures of journalism’
1/
Both, as I wrote at time, were ‘abject failures of journalism’
1/
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Quite funny that Starmer's allies are waking up to this point now …
Cuts to Winter Fuel… not in the manifesto
Disability benefit cuts… not in there either
Cutting jury trials… also not there
Digital ID… no mention
Raising employers NI… nope
Freezing tax threholds… nah
Contracts with Palantir… no
Cuts to Winter Fuel… not in the manifesto
Disability benefit cuts… not in there either
Cutting jury trials… also not there
Digital ID… no mention
Raising employers NI… nope
Freezing tax threholds… nah
Contracts with Palantir… no
February 6, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Quite funny that Starmer's allies are waking up to this point now …
Cuts to Winter Fuel… not in the manifesto
Disability benefit cuts… not in there either
Cutting jury trials… also not there
Digital ID… no mention
Raising employers NI… nope
Freezing tax threholds… nah
Contracts with Palantir… no
Cuts to Winter Fuel… not in the manifesto
Disability benefit cuts… not in there either
Cutting jury trials… also not there
Digital ID… no mention
Raising employers NI… nope
Freezing tax threholds… nah
Contracts with Palantir… no
Reposted
for better or worse, people will forget about that video by the end of the year, if not end of the month. but when trump finally kicks the bucket, there were be orgasmic celebrations across the US & around the world. he will be remembered as the most despised US president since WWII for generations
February 6, 2026 at 6:53 PM
for better or worse, people will forget about that video by the end of the year, if not end of the month. but when trump finally kicks the bucket, there were be orgasmic celebrations across the US & around the world. he will be remembered as the most despised US president since WWII for generations
Reposted
the FT had by Saturday night broken two stories showing that the Mandelsons had taken over $100,000 from the world’s most famous paedophile
by Monday we were all writing various stories about him leaking sensitive state secrets to Epstein
they could have easily pulled this puff piece in time
by Monday we were all writing various stories about him leaking sensitive state secrets to Epstein
they could have easily pulled this puff piece in time
February 6, 2026 at 7:28 PM
the FT had by Saturday night broken two stories showing that the Mandelsons had taken over $100,000 from the world’s most famous paedophile
by Monday we were all writing various stories about him leaking sensitive state secrets to Epstein
they could have easily pulled this puff piece in time
by Monday we were all writing various stories about him leaking sensitive state secrets to Epstein
they could have easily pulled this puff piece in time
Reposted
Three years ago we made an early News Agents on the student loan scandal and the sky high marginal tax rates it creates. Three years on, govts since have made it all worse still. We’ve made a special follow up, centred on our listeners own experiences.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
How the government became a student loan shark
Podcast Episode · The News Agents · 06/02/2026 · 50m
podcasts.apple.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Three years ago we made an early News Agents on the student loan scandal and the sky high marginal tax rates it creates. Three years on, govts since have made it all worse still. We’ve made a special follow up, centred on our listeners own experiences.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Reposted
"'Khelif confirmed she has the SRY gene, located on the Y chromosome" Khelif is not trans but a biological male who was allowed to beat up women in a boxing ring. For shame.
February 6, 2026 at 9:42 AM
"'Khelif confirmed she has the SRY gene, located on the Y chromosome" Khelif is not trans but a biological male who was allowed to beat up women in a boxing ring. For shame.
Reposted
Very clearly communicated argument about the plan 2 tuition fee system by Oli Dugmore
“The combined tuition fees of the entire Question Time panel would not cover my cost for 1 year of uni. Is that fair?”
Oli Dugmore
It’s absolutely NOT fair. This outrageous scandal must end
Oli Dugmore
It’s absolutely NOT fair. This outrageous scandal must end
February 6, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Very clearly communicated argument about the plan 2 tuition fee system by Oli Dugmore
Reposted
This ought to be terminal for both Morgan McSweeney and Josh Simons.
Sinister and unacceptable.
Sinister and unacceptable.
🔴 BREAKING: Labour Together paid controversial PR firm £30k to investigate journalists who were digging into how its undeclared funding
Reporters from Sunday Times, Guardian and other outlets targetted
*And* Morgan McSweeney knew about it
Full story:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Reporters from Sunday Times, Guardian and other outlets targetted
*And* Morgan McSweeney knew about it
Full story:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
BREAKING: McSweeney’s think tank paid PR firm to investigate journalists
Labour Together put private investigators onto journalists writing about its funding. Starmer's right-hand man knew.
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:51 AM
This ought to be terminal for both Morgan McSweeney and Josh Simons.
Sinister and unacceptable.
Sinister and unacceptable.
Reposted
IMDB has flagged Melania the documentary for “unusual voting activity”. Someone is trying to pump up the viewer ratings after critics said it was a worthless piece of shit.
February 5, 2026 at 8:58 PM
IMDB has flagged Melania the documentary for “unusual voting activity”. Someone is trying to pump up the viewer ratings after critics said it was a worthless piece of shit.
Reposted
Reposted
Well, on this, I very strongly agree with Zack.
And, as their first order of business, can the next PM please fire Peter Kyle with extreme prejudice. Into the sun, for preference.
And, as their first order of business, can the next PM please fire Peter Kyle with extreme prejudice. Into the sun, for preference.
February 5, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Well, on this, I very strongly agree with Zack.
And, as their first order of business, can the next PM please fire Peter Kyle with extreme prejudice. Into the sun, for preference.
And, as their first order of business, can the next PM please fire Peter Kyle with extreme prejudice. Into the sun, for preference.
Reposted
Peter Mandelson is telling the truth on one thing: the idea he was bought for a $4k “bursary” or a $75k gift is ridiculous
The real incentive was a post-government payday - one so big he *rejected* a $3–5m-a-year offer
And Epstein enabled that payday
Here’s the evidence. 🧵
The real incentive was a post-government payday - one so big he *rejected* a $3–5m-a-year offer
And Epstein enabled that payday
Here’s the evidence. 🧵
February 4, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Peter Mandelson is telling the truth on one thing: the idea he was bought for a $4k “bursary” or a $75k gift is ridiculous
The real incentive was a post-government payday - one so big he *rejected* a $3–5m-a-year offer
And Epstein enabled that payday
Here’s the evidence. 🧵
The real incentive was a post-government payday - one so big he *rejected* a $3–5m-a-year offer
And Epstein enabled that payday
Here’s the evidence. 🧵
Reposted
SAFE: Billionaires, millionaires, predators and rapists mentioned in the Epstein Files.
UNSAFE: People who have had absolutely nothing to do with the above.
God bless the media. (Owned by billionaires and millionaires).
UNSAFE: People who have had absolutely nothing to do with the above.
God bless the media. (Owned by billionaires and millionaires).
February 5, 2026 at 10:34 AM
SAFE: Billionaires, millionaires, predators and rapists mentioned in the Epstein Files.
UNSAFE: People who have had absolutely nothing to do with the above.
God bless the media. (Owned by billionaires and millionaires).
UNSAFE: People who have had absolutely nothing to do with the above.
God bless the media. (Owned by billionaires and millionaires).
Reposted
Reposted
It’s a mystery
February 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM
It’s a mystery
Reposted
New: Together with colleagues I’ve been testing Grok.
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
Exclusive: Despite new curbs, Elon Musk’s Grok at times produces sexualized images - even when told subjects didn’t consent
Elon Musk’s flagship artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, continues to generate sexualized images of people even when users explicitly warn that the subjects do not consent, Reuters has found.
www.reuters.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:37 AM
New: Together with colleagues I’ve been testing Grok.
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
Reposted
Me:
“What about the fact that Trump was found guilty in a civil court for sexual abuse…was that not enough for you to withdraw your support?”
Now listen to the response from Andrea Jenkyns of the Reform Party…
“What about the fact that Trump was found guilty in a civil court for sexual abuse…was that not enough for you to withdraw your support?”
Now listen to the response from Andrea Jenkyns of the Reform Party…
February 2, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Me:
“What about the fact that Trump was found guilty in a civil court for sexual abuse…was that not enough for you to withdraw your support?”
Now listen to the response from Andrea Jenkyns of the Reform Party…
“What about the fact that Trump was found guilty in a civil court for sexual abuse…was that not enough for you to withdraw your support?”
Now listen to the response from Andrea Jenkyns of the Reform Party…
Reposted
www.ft.com/content/f9d7... Keir Starmer calls for Peter Mandelson to lose seat in House of Lords
Here’s an idea whatever if everyone in there lost their seats, it being the 21C and the whole thing being ludicrous (if somewhat less so than the ‘royals’)
Here’s an idea whatever if everyone in there lost their seats, it being the 21C and the whole thing being ludicrous (if somewhat less so than the ‘royals’)
Keir Starmer calls for Peter Mandelson to lose seat in House of Lords
Prime minister under fire from opponents, who say he should have taken action against Labour peer sooner
www.ft.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:53 PM
www.ft.com/content/f9d7... Keir Starmer calls for Peter Mandelson to lose seat in House of Lords
Here’s an idea whatever if everyone in there lost their seats, it being the 21C and the whole thing being ludicrous (if somewhat less so than the ‘royals’)
Here’s an idea whatever if everyone in there lost their seats, it being the 21C and the whole thing being ludicrous (if somewhat less so than the ‘royals’)
Reposted
A Ukrainian night in numbers:
Out of 521 in total, 38 Russian missiles &
412 drones were intercepted, say officials.
Energy infrastructure was targeted across eight regions.
Leaving 1100 homes without power.
With temperatures at -21 degrees Celsius.
Out of 521 in total, 38 Russian missiles &
412 drones were intercepted, say officials.
Energy infrastructure was targeted across eight regions.
Leaving 1100 homes without power.
With temperatures at -21 degrees Celsius.
February 3, 2026 at 8:09 AM
A Ukrainian night in numbers:
Out of 521 in total, 38 Russian missiles &
412 drones were intercepted, say officials.
Energy infrastructure was targeted across eight regions.
Leaving 1100 homes without power.
With temperatures at -21 degrees Celsius.
Out of 521 in total, 38 Russian missiles &
412 drones were intercepted, say officials.
Energy infrastructure was targeted across eight regions.
Leaving 1100 homes without power.
With temperatures at -21 degrees Celsius.
Reposted
-44% of Britons say some/all student debt should be written off
-68% say £9k tuition fees are too high
-76% say interest rates of inflation+3% too high
-53% say interest rates should be harmonised across Plans
-63% say 9% of grads' salaries to repay loans is too high
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
-68% say £9k tuition fees are too high
-76% say interest rates of inflation+3% too high
-53% say interest rates should be harmonised across Plans
-63% say 9% of grads' salaries to repay loans is too high
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
February 2, 2026 at 9:14 AM
-44% of Britons say some/all student debt should be written off
-68% say £9k tuition fees are too high
-76% say interest rates of inflation+3% too high
-53% say interest rates should be harmonised across Plans
-63% say 9% of grads' salaries to repay loans is too high
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
-68% say £9k tuition fees are too high
-76% say interest rates of inflation+3% too high
-53% say interest rates should be harmonised across Plans
-63% say 9% of grads' salaries to repay loans is too high
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Reposted
Of course the PM doesn’t have the power to unilaterally remove Mandelson from the Lords. But given it can only be removed via an act of Parliament in government time, Starmer is hardly powerless, indeed he is the only person who can make it happen.
February 2, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Of course the PM doesn’t have the power to unilaterally remove Mandelson from the Lords. But given it can only be removed via an act of Parliament in government time, Starmer is hardly powerless, indeed he is the only person who can make it happen.
Reposted
Misconduct in public office?
Time for a police investigation ...
Time for a police investigation ...
BREAKING on ft website:
Lord Peter Mandelson leaked a sensitive UK government document to Jeffrey Epstein while he was business secretary that proposed £20bn of asset sales and revealed Labour’s tax policy plans
www.ft.com/content/fdf7...
Lord Peter Mandelson leaked a sensitive UK government document to Jeffrey Epstein while he was business secretary that proposed £20bn of asset sales and revealed Labour’s tax policy plans
www.ft.com/content/fdf7...
Mandelson leaked sensitive UK government tax plans to Epstein
Former ambassador forwarded memo from special adviser to Gordon Brown to late sex offender in 2009
www.ft.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Misconduct in public office?
Time for a police investigation ...
Time for a police investigation ...
Reposted
Surely there will be a Parliamentary / criminal investigation into the allegations that Lord Mandelson, while in Government, lobbied for changes in policy at the behest of a convicted sex offender who had donated money to him?
www.ft.com/content/91e8...
www.ft.com/content/91e8...
JPMorgan should ‘threaten’ UK over banker tax, Mandelson told Epstein
Former business secretary has quit the Labour Party in an effort to avoid causing it ‘further embarrassment’
www.ft.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:09 AM
Surely there will be a Parliamentary / criminal investigation into the allegations that Lord Mandelson, while in Government, lobbied for changes in policy at the behest of a convicted sex offender who had donated money to him?
www.ft.com/content/91e8...
www.ft.com/content/91e8...
Reposted
More revelations about the loathsome Mandelson, who once famously said:
"We are intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich as long as they pay their taxes."
"We are intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich as long as they pay their taxes."
NEW: Previously unreported Epstein emails show Peter Mandelson discussing a Panama-linked tax avoidance structure for a £750k Rio apartment - with Epstein as his "chief life adviser".
Exclusive Tax Policy Associates report:
Exclusive Tax Policy Associates report:
February 2, 2026 at 9:21 AM
More revelations about the loathsome Mandelson, who once famously said:
"We are intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich as long as they pay their taxes."
"We are intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich as long as they pay their taxes."