Mark Purchase
@markpurch.bsky.social
“grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference”
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Acute analysis, including this neat observation: "Starmer and his shadow chancellor bound themselves with pledges best suited to help Neil Kinnock beat John Major in a hypothetical rerun of an election 32 years previously"
Column. British politicians do a lot claiming to face the world as it is, while their actions speak of yearning for the world as it was. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Fear of facing the future has British politics stuck in the past | Rafael Behr
Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves claim to be dealing with the world as it is, but seem to yearn for a world that has disappeared, says the Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Acute analysis, including this neat observation: "Starmer and his shadow chancellor bound themselves with pledges best suited to help Neil Kinnock beat John Major in a hypothetical rerun of an election 32 years previously"
Reposted by Mark Purchase
A reminder..... You haven't paid in to your State Pension all your life..... You've paid for the pensions of those who were retired during that time. YOUR State Pension will be paid for by the people who are working in your retirement.....
December 3, 2025 at 9:16 AM
A reminder..... You haven't paid in to your State Pension all your life..... You've paid for the pensions of those who were retired during that time. YOUR State Pension will be paid for by the people who are working in your retirement.....
It looks like Canada has a different way of deciding whether something is good value or not
Unlike the drivel spouted by Thomas-Symonds about “value for money”
The UKG are a disgrace and national embarrassment
Unlike the drivel spouted by Thomas-Symonds about “value for money”
The UKG are a disgrace and national embarrassment
Welcome to SAFE, Canada!
When like-minded partners join forces on security and defence in a turbulent world, our countries grow stronger, our industries benefit and our citizens are safer.
Our Joint Statement ↓
link.europa.eu/QCDtpr
When like-minded partners join forces on security and defence in a turbulent world, our countries grow stronger, our industries benefit and our citizens are safer.
Our Joint Statement ↓
link.europa.eu/QCDtpr
December 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM
It looks like Canada has a different way of deciding whether something is good value or not
Unlike the drivel spouted by Thomas-Symonds about “value for money”
The UKG are a disgrace and national embarrassment
Unlike the drivel spouted by Thomas-Symonds about “value for money”
The UKG are a disgrace and national embarrassment
Reposted by Mark Purchase
It's not just cowardly but strategically dumb bcoz if u just blame the deal not the principle then it gives Farage the green light 2 promise unicorns by saying "we'd negotiate a better deal" no point arguing against Boris' deal if u don't attack Brexit itself. Lab stuck in 20-24' opposition
December 1, 2025 at 2:38 PM
It's not just cowardly but strategically dumb bcoz if u just blame the deal not the principle then it gives Farage the green light 2 promise unicorns by saying "we'd negotiate a better deal" no point arguing against Boris' deal if u don't attack Brexit itself. Lab stuck in 20-24' opposition
Reposted by Mark Purchase
It’s important that in the effort not to alienate marginal voters we don’t mislead them into thinking there are big chunks of that Brexit cost that can be undone without rejoining either the CU or SM or both.
Starmer declaring “we have to keep moving towards a closer relationship with the EU” is a significant moment.
Reflects transformation in public opinion + need for economic growth.
Reflects transformation in public opinion + need for economic growth.
December 1, 2025 at 1:29 PM
It’s important that in the effort not to alienate marginal voters we don’t mislead them into thinking there are big chunks of that Brexit cost that can be undone without rejoining either the CU or SM or both.
As always it’s the “Brexit deal” not actually leaving the European Union in the first place that Starmer blames
Cue a further round of tinkering at the edges…….although if he really believes that we have better trading arrangements with USA & India then he is ludicrously naive
Cue a further round of tinkering at the edges…….although if he really believes that we have better trading arrangements with USA & India then he is ludicrously naive
December 1, 2025 at 1:40 PM
As always it’s the “Brexit deal” not actually leaving the European Union in the first place that Starmer blames
Cue a further round of tinkering at the edges…….although if he really believes that we have better trading arrangements with USA & India then he is ludicrously naive
Cue a further round of tinkering at the edges…….although if he really believes that we have better trading arrangements with USA & India then he is ludicrously naive
Reposted by Mark Purchase
What would the point be of defending the nation, if you can't make a buck or two on the side, doing so?
Sometimes you just gotta wonder if these clowns ever listen to the words coming out of their mouths while they're reading the scripts provided to them by their owners?
Sometimes you just gotta wonder if these clowns ever listen to the words coming out of their mouths while they're reading the scripts provided to them by their owners?
December 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
What would the point be of defending the nation, if you can't make a buck or two on the side, doing so?
Sometimes you just gotta wonder if these clowns ever listen to the words coming out of their mouths while they're reading the scripts provided to them by their owners?
Sometimes you just gotta wonder if these clowns ever listen to the words coming out of their mouths while they're reading the scripts provided to them by their owners?
Reposted by Mark Purchase
"We"?
We, 🇪🇺, have a system of visas. We apply this to third countries.
You, 🇬🇧, rejected Schengen and then rejected citizenship multiple times in Brexit. You became a third country by choice.
So we 🇪🇺 will have the border system that suits our citizens.
1
#ExtrawurstGroßbritannien
We, 🇪🇺, have a system of visas. We apply this to third countries.
You, 🇬🇧, rejected Schengen and then rejected citizenship multiple times in Brexit. You became a third country by choice.
So we 🇪🇺 will have the border system that suits our citizens.
1
#ExtrawurstGroßbritannien
December 1, 2025 at 8:02 AM
"We"?
We, 🇪🇺, have a system of visas. We apply this to third countries.
You, 🇬🇧, rejected Schengen and then rejected citizenship multiple times in Brexit. You became a third country by choice.
So we 🇪🇺 will have the border system that suits our citizens.
1
#ExtrawurstGroßbritannien
We, 🇪🇺, have a system of visas. We apply this to third countries.
You, 🇬🇧, rejected Schengen and then rejected citizenship multiple times in Brexit. You became a third country by choice.
So we 🇪🇺 will have the border system that suits our citizens.
1
#ExtrawurstGroßbritannien
I really hope that @europeanmovement.co.uk don’t allow this horrible person to stand for election
Anything he’s told them to try to pretend he is pro-european is obviously false, he’s a Brexiter
Anyone who blames Europe for Brexit consequences shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the organisation
Anything he’s told them to try to pretend he is pro-european is obviously false, he’s a Brexiter
Anyone who blames Europe for Brexit consequences shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the organisation
If Britons want to be treated exceptionally, then they need to demonstrate how European citizens and MSs benefit.
Otherwise, please remember, @andrewhesselden.bsky.social, we didn't take away your FoM, so stop this campaign to blame us.
2
Otherwise, please remember, @andrewhesselden.bsky.social, we didn't take away your FoM, so stop this campaign to blame us.
2
December 1, 2025 at 8:51 AM
I really hope that @europeanmovement.co.uk don’t allow this horrible person to stand for election
Anything he’s told them to try to pretend he is pro-european is obviously false, he’s a Brexiter
Anyone who blames Europe for Brexit consequences shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the organisation
Anything he’s told them to try to pretend he is pro-european is obviously false, he’s a Brexiter
Anyone who blames Europe for Brexit consequences shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the organisation
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Very illustrative representation of the transactional negotiation strategy of the United Kingdom by @elenaadaal.bsky.social regarding the failed EU SAFE programme. Very worthwhile dialogue. @kresten2.bsky.social @nialloconghaile.bsky.social
Following the breakdown of talks to let UK in the EU's SAFE programme, two reactions dominate the UK sphere:
- General sadness
- Blaming France
Missing is:
- Real efforts to understand the EU viewpoint
So: The UK has a very, very, long way to go, and until then this will happen again, and again
- General sadness
- Blaming France
Missing is:
- Real efforts to understand the EU viewpoint
So: The UK has a very, very, long way to go, and until then this will happen again, and again
Really bad news. And completely irresponsible given where we are.
November 30, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Very illustrative representation of the transactional negotiation strategy of the United Kingdom by @elenaadaal.bsky.social regarding the failed EU SAFE programme. Very worthwhile dialogue. @kresten2.bsky.social @nialloconghaile.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Brexit costs the government around £90bn.
Without Brexit we could have tax cuts and spending increases. We would have hope & optimism, not gloom & despair.
Brexit harms the British people, especially the poor & vulnerable. No politician can support Brexit and claim to care for ordinary people.
Without Brexit we could have tax cuts and spending increases. We would have hope & optimism, not gloom & despair.
Brexit harms the British people, especially the poor & vulnerable. No politician can support Brexit and claim to care for ordinary people.
November 30, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Brexit costs the government around £90bn.
Without Brexit we could have tax cuts and spending increases. We would have hope & optimism, not gloom & despair.
Brexit harms the British people, especially the poor & vulnerable. No politician can support Brexit and claim to care for ordinary people.
Without Brexit we could have tax cuts and spending increases. We would have hope & optimism, not gloom & despair.
Brexit harms the British people, especially the poor & vulnerable. No politician can support Brexit and claim to care for ordinary people.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
apple.news/A0rm6rwI2TrW...
All these cunts who have voted Tory throughout their whole lives have only now come to the realisation that this country is failing.
Fuck off and don’t come back.
All these cunts who have voted Tory throughout their whole lives have only now come to the realisation that this country is failing.
Fuck off and don’t come back.
Jeremy Clarkson reveals why his children are 'considering not coming back to UK' — Metro
The Clarkson's Farm star didn't mince his words.
apple.news
November 30, 2025 at 6:03 PM
apple.news/A0rm6rwI2TrW...
All these cunts who have voted Tory throughout their whole lives have only now come to the realisation that this country is failing.
Fuck off and don’t come back.
All these cunts who have voted Tory throughout their whole lives have only now come to the realisation that this country is failing.
Fuck off and don’t come back.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
And we gave it all up to prevent British businesses from trading easily with our nearest, largest market and so that, 9 1/2 years later, we could read screeds on Nigel Farage’s teenage anti-semitism. 🤷🏽
November 30, 2025 at 5:12 PM
And we gave it all up to prevent British businesses from trading easily with our nearest, largest market and so that, 9 1/2 years later, we could read screeds on Nigel Farage’s teenage anti-semitism. 🤷🏽
Reposted by Mark Purchase
What I would really like to see from any of the so-called radicals in UK politics is to move from their comfort zones and actually home in on real unaddressed issues like the overwhelming government bias towards the largest companies - which could make a real difference.
November 30, 2025 at 10:16 AM
What I would really like to see from any of the so-called radicals in UK politics is to move from their comfort zones and actually home in on real unaddressed issues like the overwhelming government bias towards the largest companies - which could make a real difference.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
In the manner of eric morecambe “were taxing all the RIGHT people, not necessarily at the correct rate…”
November 30, 2025 at 9:41 AM
In the manner of eric morecambe “were taxing all the RIGHT people, not necessarily at the correct rate…”
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Do not get confused!
✅ ECHR: Council of Europe treaty, enforced by the @echr.coe.int.
✅ EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: ensures EU law compliance within its 27 member states.
✅ Universal Declaration of Human Rights: promote and protect rights globally.
go.coe.int/ZF9Jd
✅ ECHR: Council of Europe treaty, enforced by the @echr.coe.int.
✅ EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: ensures EU law compliance within its 27 member states.
✅ Universal Declaration of Human Rights: promote and protect rights globally.
go.coe.int/ZF9Jd
November 30, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Do not get confused!
✅ ECHR: Council of Europe treaty, enforced by the @echr.coe.int.
✅ EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: ensures EU law compliance within its 27 member states.
✅ Universal Declaration of Human Rights: promote and protect rights globally.
go.coe.int/ZF9Jd
✅ ECHR: Council of Europe treaty, enforced by the @echr.coe.int.
✅ EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: ensures EU law compliance within its 27 member states.
✅ Universal Declaration of Human Rights: promote and protect rights globally.
go.coe.int/ZF9Jd
Reposted by Mark Purchase
I don't mind people changing their minds.
I do mind the attitude of "Europe is shit, we should be nothing like them, we've missed the opportunity to do better on our own, but Brexit was a mistake"
I do mind the attitude of "Europe is shit, we should be nothing like them, we've missed the opportunity to do better on our own, but Brexit was a mistake"
November 30, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I don't mind people changing their minds.
I do mind the attitude of "Europe is shit, we should be nothing like them, we've missed the opportunity to do better on our own, but Brexit was a mistake"
I do mind the attitude of "Europe is shit, we should be nothing like them, we've missed the opportunity to do better on our own, but Brexit was a mistake"
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Even the Brexit-backing right recognises the mistake of Brexit.
They don't offer any way out for the UK. You can still feel the arrogant pride in this article.
Humility is required, realism about consequences such as giving up trade deals, and positivity about Europe.
They don't offer any way out for the UK. You can still feel the arrogant pride in this article.
Humility is required, realism about consequences such as giving up trade deals, and positivity about Europe.
Time to admit the truth: Brexit has been an unmitigated economic failure
Leaving the EU has reduced Britain’s GDP by up to 8pc, according to a devastating US study
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Even the Brexit-backing right recognises the mistake of Brexit.
They don't offer any way out for the UK. You can still feel the arrogant pride in this article.
Humility is required, realism about consequences such as giving up trade deals, and positivity about Europe.
They don't offer any way out for the UK. You can still feel the arrogant pride in this article.
Humility is required, realism about consequences such as giving up trade deals, and positivity about Europe.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
That's exactly why inequality causes economic stagnation. Taxing low earners more will only worsen the situation.
However, taxing wealthy and their assets, not in 2028, but now, and boldly, not timidly, will eventually remove inflationary pressures and allow economy to recover.
However, taxing wealthy and their assets, not in 2028, but now, and boldly, not timidly, will eventually remove inflationary pressures and allow economy to recover.
Around 70% of the U.S. economy depends on consumer spending. As wealth concentrates in the richest 10%, the rest of America can’t afford to buy enough to keep the economy running. This is a huge problem — and even America’s most powerful CEOs are starting to sound the alarm.
Our Economy Is in Danger. Here’s Why
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:28 AM
That's exactly why inequality causes economic stagnation. Taxing low earners more will only worsen the situation.
However, taxing wealthy and their assets, not in 2028, but now, and boldly, not timidly, will eventually remove inflationary pressures and allow economy to recover.
However, taxing wealthy and their assets, not in 2028, but now, and boldly, not timidly, will eventually remove inflationary pressures and allow economy to recover.
The question now after 49 minutes is..........can we keep it under 50???
November 29, 2025 at 4:27 PM
The question now after 49 minutes is..........can we keep it under 50???
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Domestic violence is a violation of human rights. Discover how the @echr.coe.int addresses this critical issue in its case-law.
Read the factsheet: www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/...
Read the factsheet: www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/...
www.echr.coe.int
November 29, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Domestic violence is a violation of human rights. Discover how the @echr.coe.int addresses this critical issue in its case-law.
Read the factsheet: www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/...
Read the factsheet: www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/...
Reposted by Mark Purchase
On the sixth anniversary of the Fishmongers’ Hall terror attack, we remember Saskia Jones & Jack Merritt who tragically lost their lives.
They will remain in our thoughts, as will our emergency services & the Londoners who bravely put themselves in danger that day to help others.
They will remain in our thoughts, as will our emergency services & the Londoners who bravely put themselves in danger that day to help others.
November 29, 2025 at 8:02 AM
On the sixth anniversary of the Fishmongers’ Hall terror attack, we remember Saskia Jones & Jack Merritt who tragically lost their lives.
They will remain in our thoughts, as will our emergency services & the Londoners who bravely put themselves in danger that day to help others.
They will remain in our thoughts, as will our emergency services & the Londoners who bravely put themselves in danger that day to help others.
Reposted by Mark Purchase
Any Political Leader worth their salt would stand up & tell people they'd made a terrible mistake! Tell them EXACTLY what needed done to correct that mistake! Tell them how they & the country would benefit from that course of action!
It's VERY easy to see those who aren't up to leadership!
It's VERY easy to see those who aren't up to leadership!
November 29, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Any Political Leader worth their salt would stand up & tell people they'd made a terrible mistake! Tell them EXACTLY what needed done to correct that mistake! Tell them how they & the country would benefit from that course of action!
It's VERY easy to see those who aren't up to leadership!
It's VERY easy to see those who aren't up to leadership!
Reposted by Mark Purchase
"Nigel Farage’s youth is not quite as irrelevant as he would have us believe. Because the past has a nasty habit of intruding into the present – and future." Latest column www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Antisemitism allegations against the teenage Farage matter – look at what he went on to do | Jonathan Freedland
Farage has cosied up to US figures who espoused conspiracy theories about Jews. That kind of talk is becoming alarmingly mainstream on the Maga right, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM
"Nigel Farage’s youth is not quite as irrelevant as he would have us believe. Because the past has a nasty habit of intruding into the present – and future." Latest column www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Mark Purchase
A typically acute analysis of some of the less obvious ways that Brexit has damaged or he body politic, and continues to do so. Well worth your time.
Brexit reminders. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog. Brexit may not be in the headlines, but many current news stories carry reminders of it, including the Hallett Inquiry report, the Gill scandal, the Budget & the latest net migration figures: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/brex...
November 28, 2025 at 5:59 PM
A typically acute analysis of some of the less obvious ways that Brexit has damaged or he body politic, and continues to do so. Well worth your time.