Rob Massam 🔸
@rmassam.bsky.social
Former Export Sales now retired. LibDems supporter actively engaged in UK issues and challenges. #FBPE Tactical voter in 2024; actively campaigning for return to EU located in the UK of course
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
Brexit
November 27, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Brexit
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
NEW: Net migration to the UK fell significantly to 204,000 in the year to June.
That’s down from 649,000 in the year to June 2024 - a fall of around two-thirds.
That’s down from 649,000 in the year to June 2024 - a fall of around two-thirds.
November 27, 2025 at 9:43 AM
NEW: Net migration to the UK fell significantly to 204,000 in the year to June.
That’s down from 649,000 in the year to June 2024 - a fall of around two-thirds.
That’s down from 649,000 in the year to June 2024 - a fall of around two-thirds.
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
This is a really big story that should not be missed. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
DOJ Says Noem Made Final Decision on El Salvador Removals in Breach of Court Order
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:38 AM
This is a really big story that should not be missed. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
The predictable crushing uniformity of the coverage of this Budget tells you an awful lot about the priorities of those papers, and also why there's actually quite a lot to praise in it bylinetimes.com/2025/11/26/t...
November 27, 2025 at 9:40 AM
The predictable crushing uniformity of the coverage of this Budget tells you an awful lot about the priorities of those papers, and also why there's actually quite a lot to praise in it bylinetimes.com/2025/11/26/t...
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
Why Reform UK is Far-Right – and why Using the Right Terminology Matters.
bylinetimes.com/2024/10/07/w...
bylinetimes.com/2024/10/07/w...
Why Reform UK is Far-Right - and why Using the Right Terminology Matters
As Reform UK draws the UK’s media eye at a press conference today, Hope Not Hate argues it’s time for journalists to call it out
bylinetimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Why Reform UK is Far-Right – and why Using the Right Terminology Matters.
bylinetimes.com/2024/10/07/w...
bylinetimes.com/2024/10/07/w...
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
Here’s another headline. We are £2,700 to £3,700 per year worse off due to the Brexit your party is refusing to address.
You may have seen some headlines about welfare spending going up to £406.2bn by 2030/31.
That is correct, it is the OBR figure.
Here is what you may not have seen.
Of the £406.2bn
A) £195.4bn goes to pensioners
B) £13.9bn goes on child benefit.
Facts matter.
That is correct, it is the OBR figure.
Here is what you may not have seen.
Of the £406.2bn
A) £195.4bn goes to pensioners
B) £13.9bn goes on child benefit.
Facts matter.
November 27, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Here’s another headline. We are £2,700 to £3,700 per year worse off due to the Brexit your party is refusing to address.
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
As an ex-accountant I understand the logic behind the EV pay-per-mile scheme. Revenue from fuel duty will go down, so we need to replace it.
This is why accountants make good servants but bad masters.
This is why accountants make good servants but bad masters.
November 27, 2025 at 7:28 AM
As an ex-accountant I understand the logic behind the EV pay-per-mile scheme. Revenue from fuel duty will go down, so we need to replace it.
This is why accountants make good servants but bad masters.
This is why accountants make good servants but bad masters.
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
Brexit is not just one, it’s a whole bloody herd of elephants in the room. The energy Labour are using up to ignore them is mind boggling.
commentcentral.co.uk/brexit-is-th...
commentcentral.co.uk/brexit-is-th...
Brexit is the elephant in the Budget room
The build up seems to get longer and longer each year. The subtle hints and wild guesses about what surprises are in store are on everybody’s lips. It’s beginning to look a lot like Budget day.
commentcentral.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Brexit is not just one, it’s a whole bloody herd of elephants in the room. The energy Labour are using up to ignore them is mind boggling.
commentcentral.co.uk/brexit-is-th...
commentcentral.co.uk/brexit-is-th...
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
New net migration figures at 930am.
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
November 27, 2025 at 7:54 AM
New net migration figures at 930am.
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
If you have a moment this petition needs you.
This petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy already has over 26,000 signatures. Let’s get it to 100,000 this week.
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 27, 2025 at 7:57 AM
If you have a moment this petition needs you.
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
#Budget2025
Tax breaks for UK company cars cost the exchequer £3.27 billion a year
Motability costs £1 billion
Both are valuable to the folk who get them, and yet we save our pitchforks and torches for disabled people
Tax breaks for UK company cars cost the exchequer £3.27 billion a year
Motability costs £1 billion
Both are valuable to the folk who get them, and yet we save our pitchforks and torches for disabled people
November 26, 2025 at 2:15 PM
#Budget2025
Tax breaks for UK company cars cost the exchequer £3.27 billion a year
Motability costs £1 billion
Both are valuable to the folk who get them, and yet we save our pitchforks and torches for disabled people
Tax breaks for UK company cars cost the exchequer £3.27 billion a year
Motability costs £1 billion
Both are valuable to the folk who get them, and yet we save our pitchforks and torches for disabled people
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
👍 Russia has no veto on Ukraine's NATO accession, - Rutte
He rejected Moscow and Washington's proposal for a peace agreement that would block Ukraine's accession to the Alliance.
"Russia has neither a vote nor a veto on the issue of NATO membership," he said.
He rejected Moscow and Washington's proposal for a peace agreement that would block Ukraine's accession to the Alliance.
"Russia has neither a vote nor a veto on the issue of NATO membership," he said.
November 27, 2025 at 9:37 AM
👍 Russia has no veto on Ukraine's NATO accession, - Rutte
He rejected Moscow and Washington's proposal for a peace agreement that would block Ukraine's accession to the Alliance.
"Russia has neither a vote nor a veto on the issue of NATO membership," he said.
He rejected Moscow and Washington's proposal for a peace agreement that would block Ukraine's accession to the Alliance.
"Russia has neither a vote nor a veto on the issue of NATO membership," he said.
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
Campbell’s fired the VP recorded saying its meat ‘came from a 3D printer’
Campbell’s fired the VP recorded saying its meat ‘came from a 3D printer’
Welcome to 2025.
www.theverge.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Campbell’s fired the VP recorded saying its meat ‘came from a 3D printer’
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
‼️‼️ Newly released emails show the FBI spent almost $1 million in overtime analyzing the Epstein files as part of an effort dubbed the “Special Redaction Project."
FBI’s Frantic Scramble to Redact Epstein Files Revealed
A trove of emails shows all-nighters and almost $1 million in overtime as Trumpworld debated releasing the Epstein files.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:51 AM
‼️‼️ Newly released emails show the FBI spent almost $1 million in overtime analyzing the Epstein files as part of an effort dubbed the “Special Redaction Project."
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
Rachel Reeves has hit back at accusations that she broke manifesto promises - and took a brutal swipe at Nigel Farage.
Rachel Reeves aims brutal dig at Farage as she faces tense TV clashes over tax
www.mirror.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Rachel Reeves has hit back at accusations that she broke manifesto promises - and took a brutal swipe at Nigel Farage.
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, who was brought to the U.S. as a child and is the mother of Leavitt’s nephew, was arrested near Boston earlier this month and taken into ICE custody.
Woman With Ties To Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s Family In ICE Custody
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, who was brought to the U.S. as a child and is the mother of Leavitt’s nephew, was arrested near Boston earlier this month and taken into ICE custody.
www.forbes.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, who was brought to the U.S. as a child and is the mother of Leavitt’s nephew, was arrested near Boston earlier this month and taken into ICE custody.
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
Quick analysis of The Times today:
Wall to wall negative coverage of Labour’s budget. An editorial that tuts about lack of growth but takes no responsibility. And a double page ad to join Farage/Reform.
Absolutely no analysis on how rightwing ideology - including Brexit - has been utterly ruinous.
Wall to wall negative coverage of Labour’s budget. An editorial that tuts about lack of growth but takes no responsibility. And a double page ad to join Farage/Reform.
Absolutely no analysis on how rightwing ideology - including Brexit - has been utterly ruinous.
November 27, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Quick analysis of The Times today:
Wall to wall negative coverage of Labour’s budget. An editorial that tuts about lack of growth but takes no responsibility. And a double page ad to join Farage/Reform.
Absolutely no analysis on how rightwing ideology - including Brexit - has been utterly ruinous.
Wall to wall negative coverage of Labour’s budget. An editorial that tuts about lack of growth but takes no responsibility. And a double page ad to join Farage/Reform.
Absolutely no analysis on how rightwing ideology - including Brexit - has been utterly ruinous.
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
Speaking at our event OBR Chair Richard Hughes notes that for the first time the IMF are forecasting a fall in global trade as a share of GDP. This new economic headwind is particularly damaging for a medium-sized open economy like the UK, and has been reflected in the OBR outlook.
November 27, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Speaking at our event OBR Chair Richard Hughes notes that for the first time the IMF are forecasting a fall in global trade as a share of GDP. This new economic headwind is particularly damaging for a medium-sized open economy like the UK, and has been reflected in the OBR outlook.
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
'I recognise that freezing the thresholds does mean people paying a little bit more'
Chancellor Rachel Reeves was challenged on #BBCBreakfast about the Budget which included a freeze on tax thresholds until 2031, meaning millions more people will pay additional tax
Chancellor Rachel Reeves was challenged on #BBCBreakfast about the Budget which included a freeze on tax thresholds until 2031, meaning millions more people will pay additional tax
November 27, 2025 at 8:09 AM
'I recognise that freezing the thresholds does mean people paying a little bit more'
Chancellor Rachel Reeves was challenged on #BBCBreakfast about the Budget which included a freeze on tax thresholds until 2031, meaning millions more people will pay additional tax
Chancellor Rachel Reeves was challenged on #BBCBreakfast about the Budget which included a freeze on tax thresholds until 2031, meaning millions more people will pay additional tax
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
If the chancellor is only just realising the degree of damage Brexit is doing then our government is in more trouble than I thought.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Rachel Reeves has many problems. She’s realising that her Brexit bind may be the biggest of all | Rafael Behr
Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament, asks Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:19 AM
If the chancellor is only just realising the degree of damage Brexit is doing then our government is in more trouble than I thought.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
Longer assessment here. There are genuine positives to be found. But by christ there's a lot to criticise too.
share.google/FhopmLj9Eaat...
share.google/FhopmLj9Eaat...
Reeves’s pointless, chaotic Budget reveals the cowardice of this government
Rachel Reeves just closes her eyes and hopes for the best, once again
share.google
November 26, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Longer assessment here. There are genuine positives to be found. But by christ there's a lot to criticise too.
share.google/FhopmLj9Eaat...
share.google/FhopmLj9Eaat...
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
Downside: There is no plan and no courage. No attempt to sort the tax system. No strategy for the economy, like the one @johnspringford.bsky.social suggests here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk. Even good policies, like mansion tax, simply fiddle for pennies instead of properly reforming property tax.
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Downside: There is no plan and no courage. No attempt to sort the tax system. No strategy for the economy, like the one @johnspringford.bsky.social suggests here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk. Even good policies, like mansion tax, simply fiddle for pennies instead of properly reforming property tax.
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
Plus sides to today: Two-child benefit scrapped. Largely progressive tax implications. Good market reaction. No big spending cuts. Nightmare prospect of cutting funding to net zero etc avoided. It's a left-wing budget. Those who say there's no difference between Labour and Tories are bananas.
November 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Plus sides to today: Two-child benefit scrapped. Largely progressive tax implications. Good market reaction. No big spending cuts. Nightmare prospect of cutting funding to net zero etc avoided. It's a left-wing budget. Those who say there's no difference between Labour and Tories are bananas.
Reposted by Rob Massam 🔸
The chancellor says the government has managed to chase down almost £400m from "dodgy pandemic spending and contracts".
Reeves dubs these "Tory contracts, handed out to Tory peers and agreed by Tory ministers".
Reeves dubs these "Tory contracts, handed out to Tory peers and agreed by Tory ministers".
November 26, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The chancellor says the government has managed to chase down almost £400m from "dodgy pandemic spending and contracts".
Reeves dubs these "Tory contracts, handed out to Tory peers and agreed by Tory ministers".
Reeves dubs these "Tory contracts, handed out to Tory peers and agreed by Tory ministers".