Mike Fall
@mikefall.bsky.social
Cycling, Palace, cricket, golf, walking, nature, cooking, PR. Motorhomer. Retired multi-academy trust CFO/COO.
I reckon just turn the lights on and then you'll know for sure
February 7, 2026 at 11:09 PM
I reckon just turn the lights on and then you'll know for sure
The Man with the Golden Sausage
January 30, 2026 at 7:52 AM
The Man with the Golden Sausage
Some like Sausage Hot
January 30, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Some like Sausage Hot
I can die a happy man
January 13, 2026 at 7:59 PM
I can die a happy man
Not exactly the same thing but I get very irritated by so many people on radio and TV these days saying "the proof will be in the pudding". No! It doesn't even make sense. It's "the proof of the pudding will be in the eating", you ignoramus. And no-one picks them up on it! Grrrr
January 13, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Not exactly the same thing but I get very irritated by so many people on radio and TV these days saying "the proof will be in the pudding". No! It doesn't even make sense. It's "the proof of the pudding will be in the eating", you ignoramus. And no-one picks them up on it! Grrrr
(I do appreciate that many people no longer consider Labour to be a progressive party! But I suspect the vast majority of their supporters fit the definition)
January 13, 2026 at 10:06 AM
(I do appreciate that many people no longer consider Labour to be a progressive party! But I suspect the vast majority of their supporters fit the definition)
What I find most encouraging about these very recent polls is that the sum of the progressive parties is once again higher than the sum of the right wing parties. This was the case almost throughout the 14 years of Tory rule, but (ironically) stopped almost the very moment Labour won the election
January 13, 2026 at 10:06 AM
What I find most encouraging about these very recent polls is that the sum of the progressive parties is once again higher than the sum of the right wing parties. This was the case almost throughout the 14 years of Tory rule, but (ironically) stopped almost the very moment Labour won the election
Indeed. An while we're at it, why is it a photograph of a crumpled piece of paper? Did they find it on a train and not bother checking it's veracity?!
January 12, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Indeed. An while we're at it, why is it a photograph of a crumpled piece of paper? Did they find it on a train and not bother checking it's veracity?!
I suspect that the case, although I'd call it an error or shortcoming. But how appalling that neither the LOTO nor anyone in her press team has noticed that the second largest city in the country isn't on the map and realised it's not complete. Shocking ignorance, complacency (or both).
January 12, 2026 at 8:59 AM
I suspect that the case, although I'd call it an error or shortcoming. But how appalling that neither the LOTO nor anyone in her press team has noticed that the second largest city in the country isn't on the map and realised it's not complete. Shocking ignorance, complacency (or both).
It also appears that there's no crime in Manchester at all. I'm sure Kemi will go on to extend her congratulations to Andy Burnham
January 12, 2026 at 8:05 AM
It also appears that there's no crime in Manchester at all. I'm sure Kemi will go on to extend her congratulations to Andy Burnham
Yeah, but that's because they arrested all the terrorists, stupid
December 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Yeah, but that's because they arrested all the terrorists, stupid
There's a sign in the village of Chaldon, Surrey, that says "Save the Field, Save Chaldon". It has been erected by the people of Chaldon in front of the last remaining small field on the main road of dwellings built - on what were previously fields - between the 1920's and 1990's. Oh the irony.
November 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM
There's a sign in the village of Chaldon, Surrey, that says "Save the Field, Save Chaldon". It has been erected by the people of Chaldon in front of the last remaining small field on the main road of dwellings built - on what were previously fields - between the 1920's and 1990's. Oh the irony.
It's a pattern repeated everywhere. Every NIMBY is living in a property erected in what was, once upon a time, someone else's 'back yard'. It is so easy to see the current state of play as how it has always been, and always should be.
November 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM
It's a pattern repeated everywhere. Every NIMBY is living in a property erected in what was, once upon a time, someone else's 'back yard'. It is so easy to see the current state of play as how it has always been, and always should be.
Trying to solve the problem by raising incomes at a rate higher than other expenses is tinkering at the margins, at best. Not least because raising incomes will by definition raise prices, given they are a major element of manufacturer/supply chain/retailer etc costs. It's broadly a zero sum game
November 22, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Trying to solve the problem by raising incomes at a rate higher than other expenses is tinkering at the margins, at best. Not least because raising incomes will by definition raise prices, given they are a major element of manufacturer/supply chain/retailer etc costs. It's broadly a zero sum game
But it's housing costs that suck up most of people's income (and a far, far higher proportion than a generation or two ago), and they are also something that can be reduced far more significantly than most other costs, if a government has the will, and the correct land/property policy & taxation mix
November 22, 2025 at 1:20 PM
But it's housing costs that suck up most of people's income (and a far, far higher proportion than a generation or two ago), and they are also something that can be reduced far more significantly than most other costs, if a government has the will, and the correct land/property policy & taxation mix
No I wouldn't. Putting to one side for one moment the ethical and technical issues of bringing back an extinct species, if the species you're bringing back is at risk of being made extinct again by domestic cats alone, you're doing something wrong; wrong place or wrong species.
November 20, 2025 at 2:03 PM
No I wouldn't. Putting to one side for one moment the ethical and technical issues of bringing back an extinct species, if the species you're bringing back is at risk of being made extinct again by domestic cats alone, you're doing something wrong; wrong place or wrong species.
It is the massive elephant in the room and no-one wants to talk about it because of all the vested interests. But rent/mortgage at 20-30%of take home income rather than 50-60% is where we have to get back to if we want everything else - food, tax,energy, pensions, social life - to feel affordable.
November 19, 2025 at 8:03 PM
It is the massive elephant in the room and no-one wants to talk about it because of all the vested interests. But rent/mortgage at 20-30%of take home income rather than 50-60% is where we have to get back to if we want everything else - food, tax,energy, pensions, social life - to feel affordable.
Until this country gets the cost of residential property back down to genuinely affordable levels, whether that be through massive housebuilding, tax on empty/second/overseas owned properties, social housing creation or whatever, we will not turn it around. Everything else is tinkering at the edges.
November 19, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Until this country gets the cost of residential property back down to genuinely affordable levels, whether that be through massive housebuilding, tax on empty/second/overseas owned properties, social housing creation or whatever, we will not turn it around. Everything else is tinkering at the edges.
How can we be confident, especially given the sycophants heading the DOJ and FBI, that the 'files' are still a) complete and b) whatever the answer to (a), will be released in full?
November 17, 2025 at 7:53 AM
How can we be confident, especially given the sycophants heading the DOJ and FBI, that the 'files' are still a) complete and b) whatever the answer to (a), will be released in full?
A clear path ahead, with no barriers in your way? Nice
November 14, 2025 at 10:15 AM
A clear path ahead, with no barriers in your way? Nice
Yes I agree. In an ideal world you wouldn't have stamp duty in the first place. And I agree with property (or land value) taxes but there would have to be a very phased (or offset as you suggest) introduction, it's a pretty blunt instrument otherwise
November 10, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Yes I agree. In an ideal world you wouldn't have stamp duty in the first place. And I agree with property (or land value) taxes but there would have to be a very phased (or offset as you suggest) introduction, it's a pretty blunt instrument otherwise
And stamp duty cuts help no-one other than sellers of property. If someone buying today for £500k suddenly doesn't have to pay £15k stamp duty they can now afford £515k. So the entire market rises commensurately. Nothing becomes more affordable and the government income just passes to the seller.
November 10, 2025 at 12:07 PM
And stamp duty cuts help no-one other than sellers of property. If someone buying today for £500k suddenly doesn't have to pay £15k stamp duty they can now afford £515k. So the entire market rises commensurately. Nothing becomes more affordable and the government income just passes to the seller.
100% this. In most cases it's housing costs that leaves people finding the prices of food, utilities, fuel etc are unaffordable. It takes up such a huge share of people's outgoings now that a relatively small drop would unlock significant cash for other spending, including tax rises.
November 10, 2025 at 11:56 AM
100% this. In most cases it's housing costs that leaves people finding the prices of food, utilities, fuel etc are unaffordable. It takes up such a huge share of people's outgoings now that a relatively small drop would unlock significant cash for other spending, including tax rises.