Mark Norbury
@markjnorbury.bsky.social
@unltd @acevo - purpose, impact, entrepreneurship, democracy, equity, progress
Reposted by Mark Norbury
Imagine the right-wing reaction if Starmer or Biden had proposed something like this
Citizens of countries including the UK and France will have to disclose the past five years of their social media history to visit the US even though they are covered by visa waiver schemes, under new proposals by the Trump administration.
www.ft.com/content/683b...
www.ft.com/content/683b...
US to require social media disclosure for visa-waiver requests
Change would affect visitors from countries including the UK, France and Australia
www.ft.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Imagine the right-wing reaction if Starmer or Biden had proposed something like this
Reposted by Mark Norbury
Sky News: You just said you don't want to leave any 'stone unturned'. Those words were used by Sajid Javid in 2018 when he ordered what you are calling for. Are you saying you failed and did leave 'stones unturned' when you were in government?
Badenoch: I'm not here to build a time machine. ~AA
Badenoch: I'm not here to build a time machine. ~AA
December 8, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Sky News: You just said you don't want to leave any 'stone unturned'. Those words were used by Sajid Javid in 2018 when he ordered what you are calling for. Are you saying you failed and did leave 'stones unturned' when you were in government?
Badenoch: I'm not here to build a time machine. ~AA
Badenoch: I'm not here to build a time machine. ~AA
Reposted by Mark Norbury
Given a) Farage's past; b) the expanding story about Russia and former MEPs; and c) media enthusiasm for "what influence is being bought?" questions, if anyone to left of Mussolini is gifted so much as a cup of sugar, why is Reform facing no such questions about Friday's £9m crypto-bro donation?~AA
December 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Given a) Farage's past; b) the expanding story about Russia and former MEPs; and c) media enthusiasm for "what influence is being bought?" questions, if anyone to left of Mussolini is gifted so much as a cup of sugar, why is Reform facing no such questions about Friday's £9m crypto-bro donation?~AA
Reposted by Mark Norbury
This shitshow has to stop. Europe's security, our lives and freedoms, are being vetoed by corrupt kleptocrats. We just cannot accept this anymore. We are taken hostage, we lack control over our destiny.
Hungary formally ruled out issuing eurobonds to support Ukraine on Friday, a move that robs the EU of a potential Plan B should it fail to find a way to use frozen Russian state assets to finance a €165 billion loan to Kyiv.
Hungary shoots down eurobonds as alternative to EU’s Russian asset plan
Friday’s veto of a joint debt issue raises the stakes for efforts to convince Belgium to release frozen assets.
www.politico.eu
December 5, 2025 at 6:39 PM
This shitshow has to stop. Europe's security, our lives and freedoms, are being vetoed by corrupt kleptocrats. We just cannot accept this anymore. We are taken hostage, we lack control over our destiny.
Reposted by Mark Norbury
"'Where are you from?’ he asked. Within seconds of offering my rather confused and sputtering answers, he had a clear response: ‘That’s the way back to Africa,’ with an accompanying hand gesture pointing towards a place far away."
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Former Dulwich pupil says Farage told him: ‘That’s the way back to Africa’
Exclusive: Yinka Bankole says he felt compelled to speak out after Reform leader’s attempts to ‘dismiss’ hurt of alleged targets
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:42 PM
"'Where are you from?’ he asked. Within seconds of offering my rather confused and sputtering answers, he had a clear response: ‘That’s the way back to Africa,’ with an accompanying hand gesture pointing towards a place far away."
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Mark Norbury
"If governments want to boost growth, making visas for skilled workers simpler and cheaper is an obvious place to start."
www.personneltoday.com/hr/uk-and-us...
www.personneltoday.com/hr/uk-and-us...
UK and US growth hindered by visa policies
A study has revealed that growth is being hindered by a dearth of local talent coupled with expensive visa processes, prohibiting the hiring of overseas skills.
www.personneltoday.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:14 PM
"If governments want to boost growth, making visas for skilled workers simpler and cheaper is an obvious place to start."
www.personneltoday.com/hr/uk-and-us...
www.personneltoday.com/hr/uk-and-us...
Reposted by Mark Norbury
I suspect the real reason Nigel Farage is getting so rattled by the racism allegations is that:
1) He knows he said all these things so can't properly deny them
2) He knows that he carried on saying them well into adulthood
1) He knows he said all these things so can't properly deny them
2) He knows that he carried on saying them well into adulthood
December 4, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I suspect the real reason Nigel Farage is getting so rattled by the racism allegations is that:
1) He knows he said all these things so can't properly deny them
2) He knows that he carried on saying them well into adulthood
1) He knows he said all these things so can't properly deny them
2) He knows that he carried on saying them well into adulthood
Reposted by Mark Norbury
Fair play www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I realise now that my view on mental health overdiagnosis was divisive. We all need better evidence | Wes Streeting
The surge in mental ill health is hugely distressing. That’s why I’ve commissioned a review to find out what’s driving it, says health secretary Wes Streeting
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Fair play www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Mark Norbury
Farage’s comments in this are properly off the charts
He’s clearly rattled
He’s clearly rattled
Nigel Farage denies saying anything racist ‘with malice’ as he attacks BBC
Nigel Farage denies saying anything racist ‘with malice’ as he attacks BBC
Reform UK leader launches tirade against broadcaster in latest effort to address claims of abuse from school contemporaries
*
UK politics live – latest updates
Nigel Farage has denied saying anything racist “with malice” in his latest attempt to address allegations of abuse made by numerous of his contemporaries at school.
The Reform leader declined to call his accusers liars, but lost his cool as he turned his fire on the BBC for questioning him about alleged antisemitic comments. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Farage’s comments in this are properly off the charts
He’s clearly rattled
He’s clearly rattled
Reposted by Mark Norbury
I just can't get over the fact that the guy who gave this quote is 45. It would be embarrassing for all involved if this quote came from the *current* under-14 chess champion, but from an adult...I worry I've ruptured something from cringing so hard.
Truly shocking that Rachel Reeves had the audacity to call herself the U14 girls chess champions when she won the U14 girls chess championship but some bloke thought she was talking about something else.
December 3, 2025 at 12:46 PM
I just can't get over the fact that the guy who gave this quote is 45. It would be embarrassing for all involved if this quote came from the *current* under-14 chess champion, but from an adult...I worry I've ruptured something from cringing so hard.
Reposted by Mark Norbury
Look we've all had a rough year. We deserve this.
I think I speak for the entire world of outside observers when I say: please please please please please vote for Option B
Here are the options for how the leadership of Your Party will work, being voted on by members shortly (results tomorrow)
In short:
Option A = single leader (Corbyn v Sultana, most likely)
Option B = A 'collective' leadership, effectively of three non-MP members from the central committee
In short:
Option A = single leader (Corbyn v Sultana, most likely)
Option B = A 'collective' leadership, effectively of three non-MP members from the central committee
November 30, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Look we've all had a rough year. We deserve this.
Reposted by Mark Norbury
Here's this week's column. Please - please - can we stop talking about migration in a way that's completely detached from the facts? www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Net migration is plummeting. Why can’t Labour say so? | Heather Stewart
An honest debate is needed on this polarising topic as sectors such as social care struggle with recruitment
www.theguardian.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Here's this week's column. Please - please - can we stop talking about migration in a way that's completely detached from the facts? www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Mark Norbury
I was going to say, is it weird to love your product? But QR is not our product. It's our baby. So, of course we love it. And we love you for continuing to make it real.
@pimlicat.bsky.social
@mrkennycampbell.bsky.social
@alexrees.bsky.social
@pimlicat.bsky.social
@mrkennycampbell.bsky.social
@alexrees.bsky.social
Not only did we discuss the budget with a primary focus *on the actual budget*, rather than trivial leaks, silly gossip, or ministers' career prospects, but it ended up being a truly superb discussion about budgets generally, short-termism, and the stupidity of not using the best lever - income tax.
🆕 SPOILER ALERT - Unpicking the Budget 📈
The good stuff
The less good stuff
The economic rationale
The political consequences
Balance, humour, @pimlicat.bsky.social , @sturdyalex.bsky.social & top economist Vicky Pryce.
🍊 open.spotify.com/episode/05mP...
🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q...
The good stuff
The less good stuff
The economic rationale
The political consequences
Balance, humour, @pimlicat.bsky.social , @sturdyalex.bsky.social & top economist Vicky Pryce.
🍊 open.spotify.com/episode/05mP...
🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q...
November 27, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I was going to say, is it weird to love your product? But QR is not our product. It's our baby. So, of course we love it. And we love you for continuing to make it real.
@pimlicat.bsky.social
@mrkennycampbell.bsky.social
@alexrees.bsky.social
@pimlicat.bsky.social
@mrkennycampbell.bsky.social
@alexrees.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark Norbury
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 Mark Norbury
UKTBC Chair Andrew Lewin MP:
"The Brexit deal put up barriers with our closest and largest trading partners. We have 16,000 fewer businesses in the UK exporting to the EU."
"A surge in food prices, bureaucracy at the border and a hit to our economy of at least £100 billion."
"The Brexit deal put up barriers with our closest and largest trading partners. We have 16,000 fewer businesses in the UK exporting to the EU."
"A surge in food prices, bureaucracy at the border and a hit to our economy of at least £100 billion."
November 27, 2025 at 4:41 PM
UKTBC Chair Andrew Lewin MP:
"The Brexit deal put up barriers with our closest and largest trading partners. We have 16,000 fewer businesses in the UK exporting to the EU."
"A surge in food prices, bureaucracy at the border and a hit to our economy of at least £100 billion."
"The Brexit deal put up barriers with our closest and largest trading partners. We have 16,000 fewer businesses in the UK exporting to the EU."
"A surge in food prices, bureaucracy at the border and a hit to our economy of at least £100 billion."
Reposted by Mark Norbury
Abysmal, mindless, utterly zombified. You can't even call it policymaking because that implies a degree of thought which simply isn't present. Pretty soon they might actually hit Cameron's 'tens of thousands' target and then they'll shit themselves with horror at the consequences.
PM describes net migration of 205k as "a step in the right direction". His govt has no public position on a sustainable level of immigration is, nor any known process to decide what, why & how. Starmer is now implying he wants it significantly lower
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
Net migration drop ‘step in the right direction’ – Starmer
Net migration peaked at a record 944,000 in the year to March 2023 but has fallen sharply since then.
www.standard.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Abysmal, mindless, utterly zombified. You can't even call it policymaking because that implies a degree of thought which simply isn't present. Pretty soon they might actually hit Cameron's 'tens of thousands' target and then they'll shit themselves with horror at the consequences.
Reposted by Mark Norbury
U.K 30 YEAR GILT YIELD DOWN 9.8 BPS TO 5.23%, IN BIGGEST ONE DAY FALL SINCE APRIL
November 26, 2025 at 3:53 PM
U.K 30 YEAR GILT YIELD DOWN 9.8 BPS TO 5.23%, IN BIGGEST ONE DAY FALL SINCE APRIL
Reposted by Mark Norbury
Also who cares why they did it? What matters is it's done. (In any case reducing poverty is one reason people vote for Labour MPs so mollifying is kind of the point of elected them).
I'm hearing criticisms of the end to the two child limit, because it was done just to mollify Labour backbenchers, at a cost of £billions.
I remember another govt delivering a referendum on EU membership, just to mollify restive backbenchers. That's costing way, way more... A little perspective?
I remember another govt delivering a referendum on EU membership, just to mollify restive backbenchers. That's costing way, way more... A little perspective?
November 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Also who cares why they did it? What matters is it's done. (In any case reducing poverty is one reason people vote for Labour MPs so mollifying is kind of the point of elected them).
Reposted by Mark Norbury
All the supposed ‘big brains’ in the Labour Party/government have been plotting a grim course that isn’t even based on the feeling in the country. Politicians selling their souls for absolutely zip.
Why do people think England flags have been raised on lampposts?
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
November 22, 2025 at 8:08 PM
All the supposed ‘big brains’ in the Labour Party/government have been plotting a grim course that isn’t even based on the feeling in the country. Politicians selling their souls for absolutely zip.
Reposted by Mark Norbury
On the plus side, Nick Clegg's house in California looked terrific.
Meta was aware that millions of adult strangers were contacting minors on its sites; that its products exacerbated mental health issues in teens; and that content related to eating disorders, suicide, and child sexual abuse was frequently detected, yet rarely removed.
time.com/7336204/meta...
time.com/7336204/meta...
7 Allegations Against Meta in Newly Unsealed Filings
Court filings allege Meta tolerated sex trafficking, hid harms to teens, and prioritized growth over user safety for years.
time.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:14 PM
On the plus side, Nick Clegg's house in California looked terrific.
Reposted by Mark Norbury
Now that’s a lede.
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
November 20, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Now that’s a lede.
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Superb, poignant, eloquent as always @rafaelbehr.bsky.social - such a shame we are where we are, but we so desperately need some bold new progressive leadership and vision
On Labour MPs in a dark place. Featuring King Lear. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Starmer’s squandering of a historic election victory is a tragedy nearing its finale | Rafael Behr
The tactics that gave Labour its huge majority in 2024 were no preparation for government – and the prime minister has proved he has nothing more to offer, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Superb, poignant, eloquent as always @rafaelbehr.bsky.social - such a shame we are where we are, but we so desperately need some bold new progressive leadership and vision
Reposted by Mark Norbury
The Danish Social Democrats are currently on course for their worst election result since at least the Second World War, despite their brand of far-right accommodationism being touted as a blueprint for other centre-left parties.
November 18, 2025 at 11:58 AM
The Danish Social Democrats are currently on course for their worst election result since at least the Second World War, despite their brand of far-right accommodationism being touted as a blueprint for other centre-left parties.
Reposted by Mark Norbury
It's real, and it's mind-blowing.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
Just some British patriots in Benidorm, taking over a street in Spain to shout in their own language about unwanted foreigners. It’s a blessing that they are too thick to understand irony.
November 15, 2025 at 11:34 AM
It's real, and it's mind-blowing.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
Reposted by Mark Norbury
Meanwhile… the grifting liar and Brexiter in chief, Farage… rakes it in from jobs *other than* being a constituency MP… and his constituency rots. Made poorer and angrier by his Brexit.
When they say everything is broken, this is what they mean.
(Private Eye)
When they say everything is broken, this is what they mean.
(Private Eye)
November 14, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Meanwhile… the grifting liar and Brexiter in chief, Farage… rakes it in from jobs *other than* being a constituency MP… and his constituency rots. Made poorer and angrier by his Brexit.
When they say everything is broken, this is what they mean.
(Private Eye)
When they say everything is broken, this is what they mean.
(Private Eye)