Pete Cookson
@pete-cookson.bsky.social
'People who talk about revolution and class struggle without referring explicitly to everyday life, without understanding what is subversive about love and what is positive in the refusal of constraints, such people have a corpse in their mouth.' - R.V.
‘Trial by jury … goes back to the reign of Henry II … It has survived not only the Stuarts, but also the Wars of the Roses, the Reformation, the Industrial Revolution, the Napoleonic wars, two world wars and the Cold War.
But it can’t survive Keir Starmer...'
nickcohen.substack.com/p/progressiv...
But it can’t survive Keir Starmer...'
nickcohen.substack.com/p/progressiv...
“Progressives” extinguish the lamp of freedom
The weekend politics essay
nickcohen.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:00 PM
‘Trial by jury … goes back to the reign of Henry II … It has survived not only the Stuarts, but also the Wars of the Roses, the Reformation, the Industrial Revolution, the Napoleonic wars, two world wars and the Cold War.
But it can’t survive Keir Starmer...'
nickcohen.substack.com/p/progressiv...
But it can’t survive Keir Starmer...'
nickcohen.substack.com/p/progressiv...
Reposted by Pete Cookson
Walmart and McDonald’s are among the top employers of workers who rely on food stamps.
McDonald's CEO raked in $18.2M last year — over 1,000x the company's median employee pay.
Walmart's CEO pocketed $27.4M — 930x the company's median employee pay.
See the problem?
McDonald's CEO raked in $18.2M last year — over 1,000x the company's median employee pay.
Walmart's CEO pocketed $27.4M — 930x the company's median employee pay.
See the problem?
November 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Walmart and McDonald’s are among the top employers of workers who rely on food stamps.
McDonald's CEO raked in $18.2M last year — over 1,000x the company's median employee pay.
Walmart's CEO pocketed $27.4M — 930x the company's median employee pay.
See the problem?
McDonald's CEO raked in $18.2M last year — over 1,000x the company's median employee pay.
Walmart's CEO pocketed $27.4M — 930x the company's median employee pay.
See the problem?
Reposted by Pete Cookson
Because of course Paul Marshall is platforming Tucker Carlson
November 29, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Because of course Paul Marshall is platforming Tucker Carlson
Reposted by Pete Cookson
Which one?
November 29, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Which one?
Reposted by Pete Cookson
"After this week, perhaps the socialism of Keir Starmer & Rachel Reeves is a little clearer"
Starmer and Reeves are as much socialists as you are, Trevor.
Starmer and Reeves are as much socialists as you are, Trevor.
November 30, 2025 at 8:40 AM
"After this week, perhaps the socialism of Keir Starmer & Rachel Reeves is a little clearer"
Starmer and Reeves are as much socialists as you are, Trevor.
Starmer and Reeves are as much socialists as you are, Trevor.
Reposted by Pete Cookson
Reeves "I'm proud to be the chancellor that lifts 500,000 kids out of poverty. That means kids not going to bed hungry, not waking up in cold damp homes"
You chose to keep those kids hungry & cold for the last 16mths & you've only done something now because you've been forced to
You chose to keep those kids hungry & cold for the last 16mths & you've only done something now because you've been forced to
November 30, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Reeves "I'm proud to be the chancellor that lifts 500,000 kids out of poverty. That means kids not going to bed hungry, not waking up in cold damp homes"
You chose to keep those kids hungry & cold for the last 16mths & you've only done something now because you've been forced to
You chose to keep those kids hungry & cold for the last 16mths & you've only done something now because you've been forced to
Reposted by Pete Cookson
This weekend, Your Party members are discovering a culture of bureaucratic control freakery.
It's the same tendency that shut down Momentum's democracy, blocked Open Selections, witch hunted critics and demanded obedience. Those of us who opposed it then were branded wreckers.
So, now you know.
It's the same tendency that shut down Momentum's democracy, blocked Open Selections, witch hunted critics and demanded obedience. Those of us who opposed it then were branded wreckers.
So, now you know.
November 30, 2025 at 12:10 PM
This weekend, Your Party members are discovering a culture of bureaucratic control freakery.
It's the same tendency that shut down Momentum's democracy, blocked Open Selections, witch hunted critics and demanded obedience. Those of us who opposed it then were branded wreckers.
So, now you know.
It's the same tendency that shut down Momentum's democracy, blocked Open Selections, witch hunted critics and demanded obedience. Those of us who opposed it then were branded wreckers.
So, now you know.
Reposted by Pete Cookson
Left: Chancellor Rachel Reeves says she doesn't want children to suffer because of the two child benefit cap, that's why she cancelled it
Right: Last year Chancellor Rachel Reeves kept the two child benefit cap, and Labour suspended 7 MPs who voted to scrap it
Right: Last year Chancellor Rachel Reeves kept the two child benefit cap, and Labour suspended 7 MPs who voted to scrap it
November 30, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Left: Chancellor Rachel Reeves says she doesn't want children to suffer because of the two child benefit cap, that's why she cancelled it
Right: Last year Chancellor Rachel Reeves kept the two child benefit cap, and Labour suspended 7 MPs who voted to scrap it
Right: Last year Chancellor Rachel Reeves kept the two child benefit cap, and Labour suspended 7 MPs who voted to scrap it
Reposted by Pete Cookson
Left: Rachel Reeves, "I don't like that sort of stuff, I don't do it. I try and concentrate on policies rather than personalities"
Right: Rachel Reeves mocks Zack Polanski
Right: Rachel Reeves mocks Zack Polanski
November 30, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Left: Rachel Reeves, "I don't like that sort of stuff, I don't do it. I try and concentrate on policies rather than personalities"
Right: Rachel Reeves mocks Zack Polanski
Right: Rachel Reeves mocks Zack Polanski
“Another source agreed, expressing concerns that “only the Marxists are left now”. The Socialist Worker’s Party and the Communist Party of Great Britain were contacted for comment.”
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
Access Restricted
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 8:13 PM
“Another source agreed, expressing concerns that “only the Marxists are left now”. The Socialist Worker’s Party and the Communist Party of Great Britain were contacted for comment.”
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
'In an extraordinary row at the party’s inaugural gathering, Ms Sultana said she would not enter the main conference centre in Liverpool on Saturday after one of her supporters, Kingston councillor James Giles, was claimed to have been denied entry....'
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Zarah Sultana ‘won’t be pushed out’ of Your Party as she slams ‘toxic culture’
Ms Sultana said she will not enter the main conference centre on Saturday in protest at a ‘witch hunt’
www.independent.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
'In an extraordinary row at the party’s inaugural gathering, Ms Sultana said she would not enter the main conference centre in Liverpool on Saturday after one of her supporters, Kingston councillor James Giles, was claimed to have been denied entry....'
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by Pete Cookson
“The reason trial by jury is so important is also the reason the authorities seek to restrict them.” My @theobserveruk.bsky.social column, online today, in print tomorrow: observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Defending trial by jury is crucial in a society where democracy is being eroded | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 10:59 AM
“The reason trial by jury is so important is also the reason the authorities seek to restrict them.” My @theobserveruk.bsky.social column, online today, in print tomorrow: observer.co.uk/news/columni...
'A flagship policy that would have given workers the right to claim unfair dismissal after their first day on the job is to be ditched by the government in favour of a six month-threshold.'
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
Government to ditch day-one unfair dismissal policy from workers’ rights bill
Flagship Labour plan to be replaced with six-month threshold after Peter Kyle vows to not let businesses ‘lose’ under new law
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:02 PM
'A flagship policy that would have given workers the right to claim unfair dismissal after their first day on the job is to be ditched by the government in favour of a six month-threshold.'
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
'Most of the public also thinks net migration increased last year, according to the research – when in fact numbers halved.'
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK net migration predicted to drop to pre-Brexit levels, figures show
The British Future thinktank’s data predicts net migration to the UK will fall to about 300,000, less than a third of 2023’s figures
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM
'Most of the public also thinks net migration increased last year, according to the research – when in fact numbers halved.'
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Pete Cookson
The threat to UK growth from falling net migration. How could the government have missed this?
One big risk to the OBR forecasts has already materialised -migration is falling more quickly than their projections and that will hit growth and tax revenue.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
UK net migration drops sharply to 204,000 in year to June - live updates
Net migration fell by around two-thirds - from 649,000 in the year to June 2024 to 204,000 in the year to June 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 1:17 PM
The threat to UK growth from falling net migration. How could the government have missed this?
'Depressingly for Europe, that means that no matter how frequently it managed to push the Trump pendulum away from Russia, the pendulum reverts back to a natural position of sympathy for Putin.'
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
The week Europe realised it stands alone against Russian expansionism
Washington’s Putin-appeasing plan for peace in Ukraine has failed, but many heard death knell sounded for European reliance on US protection
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:56 PM
'Depressingly for Europe, that means that no matter how frequently it managed to push the Trump pendulum away from Russia, the pendulum reverts back to a natural position of sympathy for Putin.'
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
'Sultana boycotted the first day of the founding conference of the project, currently operating under the name Your Party, after several members who also belonged to the Socialist Workers Party were expelled.'
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sultana claims new Corbyn party carrying out 'witch hunt'
Zarah Sultana boycotts the first day of Your Party's founding conference after several members were expelled.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 7:52 PM
'Sultana boycotted the first day of the founding conference of the project, currently operating under the name Your Party, after several members who also belonged to the Socialist Workers Party were expelled.'
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Michael Chessum:
So to summarise :
- Zarah has boycotted a day of tge founding conference
- They've expelled loads of people who might actually build the party
- The chair shut down dissenting speeches
- Corbyn has said he wants it to keep its current name so that everyone can remember all this
So to summarise :
- Zarah has boycotted a day of tge founding conference
- They've expelled loads of people who might actually build the party
- The chair shut down dissenting speeches
- Corbyn has said he wants it to keep its current name so that everyone can remember all this
November 29, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Michael Chessum:
So to summarise :
- Zarah has boycotted a day of tge founding conference
- They've expelled loads of people who might actually build the party
- The chair shut down dissenting speeches
- Corbyn has said he wants it to keep its current name so that everyone can remember all this
So to summarise :
- Zarah has boycotted a day of tge founding conference
- They've expelled loads of people who might actually build the party
- The chair shut down dissenting speeches
- Corbyn has said he wants it to keep its current name so that everyone can remember all this
Reposted by Pete Cookson
they're auctioning Blake's Tyger next week
seems impossible, like selling a comet or a shooting star
www.christies.com/en/stories/t...
seems impossible, like selling a comet or a shooting star
www.christies.com/en/stories/t...
November 29, 2025 at 5:36 AM
they're auctioning Blake's Tyger next week
seems impossible, like selling a comet or a shooting star
www.christies.com/en/stories/t...
seems impossible, like selling a comet or a shooting star
www.christies.com/en/stories/t...
Reposted by Pete Cookson
Keir Starmer, who was once a human rights lawyer, and David Lammy, who was once an anti-racist, are planning to almost abolish trial by jury, the oldest and best safeguard against arbitrary power we have
Piece by me on an extraordinary betrayal
Piece by me on an extraordinary betrayal
“Progressives” extinguish the lamp of freedom
The weekend politics essay
open.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Keir Starmer, who was once a human rights lawyer, and David Lammy, who was once an anti-racist, are planning to almost abolish trial by jury, the oldest and best safeguard against arbitrary power we have
Piece by me on an extraordinary betrayal
Piece by me on an extraordinary betrayal
Reposted by Pete Cookson
Fadi and Jum'ah abu Assi, 8 and 11 years old
killed by the IDF today as they were collecting firewood near Khan Younis.
IDF spokesperson announced the airforce and ground forces "eliminated an immediate threat to IDF forces"
killed by the IDF today as they were collecting firewood near Khan Younis.
IDF spokesperson announced the airforce and ground forces "eliminated an immediate threat to IDF forces"
November 29, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Fadi and Jum'ah abu Assi, 8 and 11 years old
killed by the IDF today as they were collecting firewood near Khan Younis.
IDF spokesperson announced the airforce and ground forces "eliminated an immediate threat to IDF forces"
killed by the IDF today as they were collecting firewood near Khan Younis.
IDF spokesperson announced the airforce and ground forces "eliminated an immediate threat to IDF forces"
'BBC presenters and journalists have been told they cannot quote a line removed from its prestigious annual lecture, in which a Dutch writer accused Donald Trump of being “the most openly corrupt president in American history”.'
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC tells staff they cannot quote Trump line removed from Reith lecture
Journalists not allowed to repeat Rutger Bregman’s corruption claims against US president in coverage of edit
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:49 AM
'BBC presenters and journalists have been told they cannot quote a line removed from its prestigious annual lecture, in which a Dutch writer accused Donald Trump of being “the most openly corrupt president in American history”.'
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...