Martin
@secretmartin.bsky.social
Arsenal, Cricket, History, Bluey, Writing. Not necessarily in that order
I don't really think so but if it does get through somehow fully expect to see lots of "we implemented tough asylum policy and they opposed it" social media posts
November 17, 2025 at 12:55 PM
I don't really think so but if it does get through somehow fully expect to see lots of "we implemented tough asylum policy and they opposed it" social media posts
Are they brain dead enough to think that if the Tories&Reform defeat their plans they can claim Badenoch/Farage are softer on migration than them - thus "outflanking them on the right"
November 17, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Are they brain dead enough to think that if the Tories&Reform defeat their plans they can claim Badenoch/Farage are softer on migration than them - thus "outflanking them on the right"
Apparently best way to stop immigration being the main news item all the time is to continue loudly announcing lots of policy that will annoy one side or both.
Genius...
Genius...
November 17, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Apparently best way to stop immigration being the main news item all the time is to continue loudly announcing lots of policy that will annoy one side or both.
Genius...
Genius...
My only (weak) defence of this government compared to previous majorities is that their main opposition isn't the party they have just defeated but someone else who they can't just respond to by saying "you had 14 years to sort this".
November 17, 2025 at 9:24 AM
My only (weak) defence of this government compared to previous majorities is that their main opposition isn't the party they have just defeated but someone else who they can't just respond to by saying "you had 14 years to sort this".
Maybe the plan was always to propose something outrageous to stir up outrage and generate "positive" (in their thought process) headlines. And then soften it quietly to placate their MPs and hope the voters they are signalling to won't notice.
Won't work but example of them trying to be clever
Won't work but example of them trying to be clever
November 17, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Maybe the plan was always to propose something outrageous to stir up outrage and generate "positive" (in their thought process) headlines. And then soften it quietly to placate their MPs and hope the voters they are signalling to won't notice.
Won't work but example of them trying to be clever
Won't work but example of them trying to be clever
Did they specifically say that they thought labour would put up income tax rates or just "tax" more broadly?
November 14, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Did they specifically say that they thought labour would put up income tax rates or just "tax" more broadly?
My hunch is no chance until after the midterms. If they lose badly, economy is still dreadful they may decide they have little to lose. But still think it depends on the mad MAGA base more than self-interested politicians. Impossible to predict how they react
November 12, 2025 at 2:10 PM
My hunch is no chance until after the midterms. If they lose badly, economy is still dreadful they may decide they have little to lose. But still think it depends on the mad MAGA base more than self-interested politicians. Impossible to predict how they react
If nothing else surely this shambles exposes the idea that the Starmer operation is in fact some genius 3D chess game
November 12, 2025 at 11:28 AM
If nothing else surely this shambles exposes the idea that the Starmer operation is in fact some genius 3D chess game
I mean, it is actually a good idea in isolation. So probably yes, depressingly. But obv ludicrous in association with all the other unfunded commitments
October 8, 2025 at 11:46 AM
I mean, it is actually a good idea in isolation. So probably yes, depressingly. But obv ludicrous in association with all the other unfunded commitments
They probably have to focus group every tweet. Hard to be nimble....
September 23, 2025 at 5:10 PM
They probably have to focus group every tweet. Hard to be nimble....
Really think Labour should refer to both party's collectively as "Reform-Conservatives" in every press release from now til the election
September 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Really think Labour should refer to both party's collectively as "Reform-Conservatives" in every press release from now til the election
So when is the by election I am sure he will call?
September 15, 2025 at 10:13 AM
So when is the by election I am sure he will call?
Haven't looked but I assume Ange and Marco Silva are bookies favourites
September 9, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Haven't looked but I assume Ange and Marco Silva are bookies favourites
At some point I will stop laughing at this
August 20, 2025 at 8:27 PM
At some point I will stop laughing at this
My assumption has been that Madueke is seen as a cheaper alternative to rodrygo so makes signing Eze more likely
July 11, 2025 at 7:03 AM
My assumption has been that Madueke is seen as a cheaper alternative to rodrygo so makes signing Eze more likely
Agree - plus I have heard people playing podcasts about the origin stories of historical figures and I wouldn't want to miss out...
April 24, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Agree - plus I have heard people playing podcasts about the origin stories of historical figures and I wouldn't want to miss out...
Actually think ref is doing quite well in this game otherwise (though missed start) - can understand why he wouldn't see the full contact for the tarkowski tackle
April 2, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Actually think ref is doing quite well in this game otherwise (though missed start) - can understand why he wouldn't see the full contact for the tarkowski tackle
Three at the back for madrid, with tierney on the left? Really not fancying kiwior against mbappe and co
April 1, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Three at the back for madrid, with tierney on the left? Really not fancying kiwior against mbappe and co
Even with Isak there is a not snall big injury risk
April 1, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Even with Isak there is a not snall big injury risk
The democratic case is clear. However given the likelihood of a chaotic hung parliament after the election it would hardly guarantee stability...
March 11, 2025 at 10:40 AM
The democratic case is clear. However given the likelihood of a chaotic hung parliament after the election it would hardly guarantee stability...
Grew up 5 mins away. I believe the style is actually Japanese despite the name...
March 1, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Grew up 5 mins away. I believe the style is actually Japanese despite the name...
Genuinely think some ot the reaction is due to his nationality. Dutchmen "show passion", Spaniards "have a strop"
February 13, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Genuinely think some ot the reaction is due to his nationality. Dutchmen "show passion", Spaniards "have a strop"
Can you imagine what the media would say about arteta if he got sent off for abusing a ref after the final whistle? Fully expect them to largely ignore Slot's antics
February 13, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Can you imagine what the media would say about arteta if he got sent off for abusing a ref after the final whistle? Fully expect them to largely ignore Slot's antics
Agree it is a bit overblown but not sure I like the line about "mockery or criticism" being unacceptable. That strikes me as quite a low bar to punish celebrations
February 5, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Agree it is a bit overblown but not sure I like the line about "mockery or criticism" being unacceptable. That strikes me as quite a low bar to punish celebrations
Very much looking forward to Howard Webb's explanation with Michael Owen. I think it might resemble that Simpson's episode when Principal Skinner sets his kitchen on fire and blames it on aurora borealis...
January 28, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Very much looking forward to Howard Webb's explanation with Michael Owen. I think it might resemble that Simpson's episode when Principal Skinner sets his kitchen on fire and blames it on aurora borealis...