Pat Blair
@patblair.bsky.social
30 years in med journalism: Writer, editor, host to refugees. Loves family, travel, wine and decent interesting people. Interested in health (mental and otherwise), politics and random subjects. In no party but not keen on political extremists.
I'm not computer illiterate. However, having spent 3 mornings grappling with a bank online, something that would have taken an hour at the outmost in a walk-in branch, I do wonder how blind and partially sighted people cope with the current lack of service by financial institutions. Damn them all.
December 11, 2025 at 3:08 PM
I'm not computer illiterate. However, having spent 3 mornings grappling with a bank online, something that would have taken an hour at the outmost in a walk-in branch, I do wonder how blind and partially sighted people cope with the current lack of service by financial institutions. Damn them all.
Accounts for that money should be open to public scrutiny. And for all former PMs.
December 8, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Accounts for that money should be open to public scrutiny. And for all former PMs.
Interesting that there have been around 14 arrests already after the Hong Kong building fire, all within days. Meantime, there have been no arrests after the Grenfell tower-block fire in London eight years ago.
December 1, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Interesting that there have been around 14 arrests already after the Hong Kong building fire, all within days. Meantime, there have been no arrests after the Grenfell tower-block fire in London eight years ago.
Life is extraordinary. Yesterday, I did a small good deed for someone. Today, at a mini-market, a man - never seen him before - paid my bill before I could get my debit card out. How kind, though I didn't really need it.It's true: what goes around, comes around. We need to spread more good deeds.
November 30, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Life is extraordinary. Yesterday, I did a small good deed for someone. Today, at a mini-market, a man - never seen him before - paid my bill before I could get my debit card out. How kind, though I didn't really need it.It's true: what goes around, comes around. We need to spread more good deeds.
It's not clear why booking has been introduced. Some councils use proof of residence (council tax bill), fair enough. But personal/vehicle details? More a deterrence than encouragement. Will I book? Unlikely. Just break things up and put in general rubbish.
Now have to book to use recycle centre, both personal and vehicle details equired. I sense they dont realise this will deter more from using 'the dump' a more commonly used phrase, but will create more flytipping. Just saying 🤷♀️
November 28, 2025 at 6:52 PM
It's not clear why booking has been introduced. Some councils use proof of residence (council tax bill), fair enough. But personal/vehicle details? More a deterrence than encouragement. Will I book? Unlikely. Just break things up and put in general rubbish.
Reposted by Pat Blair
I guess the brave BBC will be sandblasting Orwell's "If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear" off the front of Broadcasting House?
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 10:28 AM
I guess the brave BBC will be sandblasting Orwell's "If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear" off the front of Broadcasting House?
If it is true that Trump allegedly knew about the girls and asked Ghislaine Maxwell to stop, why didn't Trump act to expose it? Was it only because Epstein had money and rich or influential contacts, things that Trump seems to admire?
Just a question,
Just a question,
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 17, 2025 at 2:19 PM
If it is true that Trump allegedly knew about the girls and asked Ghislaine Maxwell to stop, why didn't Trump act to expose it? Was it only because Epstein had money and rich or influential contacts, things that Trump seems to admire?
Just a question,
Just a question,
Where can I find good satire programmes these days?
November 15, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Where can I find good satire programmes these days?
Could never really see the point of them, TBH. Just a Tory indulgence.
November 15, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Could never really see the point of them, TBH. Just a Tory indulgence.
Three main topics: education, health and employment.
They make some very valid points from their perspective. How many MPs are listening?
They make some very valid points from their perspective. How many MPs are listening?
Why has so little been said about the Youth Parliament debating today in the House of Commons? It includes representatives from the British Overseas Terrorities and Dependencies as well as from around the UK. These young people are impressive.
November 6, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Three main topics: education, health and employment.
They make some very valid points from their perspective. How many MPs are listening?
They make some very valid points from their perspective. How many MPs are listening?
Why has so little been said about the Youth Parliament debating today in the House of Commons? It includes representatives from the British Overseas Terrorities and Dependencies as well as from around the UK. These young people are impressive.
November 6, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Why has so little been said about the Youth Parliament debating today in the House of Commons? It includes representatives from the British Overseas Terrorities and Dependencies as well as from around the UK. These young people are impressive.
When the dribbling stops and before it starts again.
November 3, 2025 at 1:49 PM
When the dribbling stops and before it starts again.
One reason why BBC news programmes have lost the trust of so many people. And why, perhaps, so many good journalists have abandoned the BBC and moved elsewhere.
November 3, 2025 at 1:38 PM
One reason why BBC news programmes have lost the trust of so many people. And why, perhaps, so many good journalists have abandoned the BBC and moved elsewhere.
Sheer admiration for the training and professionalism of all those who rose to the occasion with speed in dealing with the effects of the train knife attack: railway staff, train driver and comptroller; police officers and paramedics; NHS staff treating the injured. Makes one proud to be British.
November 3, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Sheer admiration for the training and professionalism of all those who rose to the occasion with speed in dealing with the effects of the train knife attack: railway staff, train driver and comptroller; police officers and paramedics; NHS staff treating the injured. Makes one proud to be British.
Isn't it time the Met Police actually showed its face on Bluesky? No posts at all.
November 2, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Isn't it time the Met Police actually showed its face on Bluesky? No posts at all.
Reposted by Pat Blair
The Reform leader is unveiling legislation to leave the ECHR.
His arguments are wrong – and that move would be a disaster. Here are the facts:
https://goodlaw.social/ngjm
His arguments are wrong – and that move would be a disaster. Here are the facts:
https://goodlaw.social/ngjm
Nigel Farage is wrong about the European Convention on Human Rights | Good Law Project
The Reform leader is unveiling legislation to leave the ECHR. His arguments are wrong – and that move would be a disaster.
goodlaw.social
October 29, 2025 at 12:58 PM
The Reform leader is unveiling legislation to leave the ECHR.
His arguments are wrong – and that move would be a disaster. Here are the facts:
https://goodlaw.social/ngjm
His arguments are wrong – and that move would be a disaster. Here are the facts:
https://goodlaw.social/ngjm
I tred, I really did but however much Ms Badenoch wags her finger and waves her arms about, she is still better muted during PMQs.
October 29, 2025 at 1:03 PM
I tred, I really did but however much Ms Badenoch wags her finger and waves her arms about, she is still better muted during PMQs.
Typical Farage. Planting a seed in the hope it will grow.
Nigel Farage has accused the mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police of "denying" the existence of grooming gangs in the capital. [BBC]
If he knows something, he should report it to police. If he doesn't, he should stop stirring.
Nigel Farage has accused the mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police of "denying" the existence of grooming gangs in the capital. [BBC]
If he knows something, he should report it to police. If he doesn't, he should stop stirring.
October 27, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Typical Farage. Planting a seed in the hope it will grow.
Nigel Farage has accused the mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police of "denying" the existence of grooming gangs in the capital. [BBC]
If he knows something, he should report it to police. If he doesn't, he should stop stirring.
Nigel Farage has accused the mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police of "denying" the existence of grooming gangs in the capital. [BBC]
If he knows something, he should report it to police. If he doesn't, he should stop stirring.
Brilliant once again LBD. It's time the people of Clacton knew the truth.
October 27, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Brilliant once again LBD. It's time the people of Clacton knew the truth.
Reposted by Pat Blair
Musk has transformed one of the world’s largest social media sites and source of news into an attack platform to assist a hostile foreign power during the biggest and bloodiest war in Europe since World War Two.
bylinetimes.com/2024/10/25/e...
bylinetimes.com/2024/10/25/e...
X - Marks the Spot: Russia’s Second Front
Peter Jukes looks at the mounting evidence that Elon Musk is using his social media platform as a vector to attack Ukraine and support Putin’s murderous invasion
bylinetimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Musk has transformed one of the world’s largest social media sites and source of news into an attack platform to assist a hostile foreign power during the biggest and bloodiest war in Europe since World War Two.
bylinetimes.com/2024/10/25/e...
bylinetimes.com/2024/10/25/e...
Reposted by Pat Blair
August 1989 I started as a Doctor in the #NHS
A lot has changed in that time
It isn’t easier, more treatments/options, more complex care
The GP role is more difficult now than it ever was
The past 4yrs I’ve tried highlight the data - started with this video👇🏻
We all need GPs
A lot has changed in that time
It isn’t easier, more treatments/options, more complex care
The GP role is more difficult now than it ever was
The past 4yrs I’ve tried highlight the data - started with this video👇🏻
We all need GPs
October 22, 2025 at 6:04 PM
August 1989 I started as a Doctor in the #NHS
A lot has changed in that time
It isn’t easier, more treatments/options, more complex care
The GP role is more difficult now than it ever was
The past 4yrs I’ve tried highlight the data - started with this video👇🏻
We all need GPs
A lot has changed in that time
It isn’t easier, more treatments/options, more complex care
The GP role is more difficult now than it ever was
The past 4yrs I’ve tried highlight the data - started with this video👇🏻
We all need GPs
Reposted by Pat Blair
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
October 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Reposted by Pat Blair
My colleagues & I have taken a huge gamble to set up @thenerve.news We’re trying to build a new independent publication from the ground up. Social media is our only distribution for now.
Sharing this article in your networks would make a huge difference. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏
Sharing this article in your networks would make a huge difference. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏
NEW: The British politician, his Russian intelligence handler & a Kremlin plot against the US & Ukraine.
My new piece about Nathan Gill and Nigel Farage for @thenerve_news in which we ask:
Why, even now, is no-one asking questions?
t.co/BUTtpK9C4S
My new piece about Nathan Gill and Nigel Farage for @thenerve_news in which we ask:
Why, even now, is no-one asking questions?
t.co/BUTtpK9C4S
October 13, 2025 at 9:21 AM
My colleagues & I have taken a huge gamble to set up @thenerve.news We’re trying to build a new independent publication from the ground up. Social media is our only distribution for now.
Sharing this article in your networks would make a huge difference. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏
Sharing this article in your networks would make a huge difference. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏
RedR has provided expert volunteers and training for countries after earthquakes, famine, civil wars and every disaster humans can face. They are the quiet heroes and heroines helping countries rebuild.
When Putin & Netanyahu have stopped their bombing hell, what are Ukraine & Gaza going to need? Civil and all engineers.
RedR International have the expertise to rebuild, training locals and NGOs. RedR UK set up in 1980 by P Guthrie, was followed by RedR Australia. It is now a Federation of nations.
RedR International have the expertise to rebuild, training locals and NGOs. RedR UK set up in 1980 by P Guthrie, was followed by RedR Australia. It is now a Federation of nations.
October 12, 2025 at 5:25 PM
RedR has provided expert volunteers and training for countries after earthquakes, famine, civil wars and every disaster humans can face. They are the quiet heroes and heroines helping countries rebuild.
RedR has provided expert volunteers and training for countries after earthquakes, famine, civil wars and every disaster humans can face. They are the quiet heroes and heroines helping countries rebuild.
When Putin & Netanyahu have stopped their bombing hell, what are Ukraine & Gaza going to need? Civil and all engineers.
RedR International have the expertise to rebuild, training locals and NGOs. RedR UK set up in 1980 by P Guthrie, was followed by RedR Australia. It is now a Federation of nations.
RedR International have the expertise to rebuild, training locals and NGOs. RedR UK set up in 1980 by P Guthrie, was followed by RedR Australia. It is now a Federation of nations.
October 12, 2025 at 5:24 PM
RedR has provided expert volunteers and training for countries after earthquakes, famine, civil wars and every disaster humans can face. They are the quiet heroes and heroines helping countries rebuild.