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Reposted by Mike Towers

Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 5h

This is a very good - if very lugubrious - read

Pithy, acutely observed and unstinting in showing how liberal democracies are being pushed aside by strongmen - and how ineffective, and divided are the politicians supposed to protect them

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Mike Towers @britpolitics.bsky.social · 5h

While candidates at the next GE becoming MPs with less than a third of the vote is a very valid and scary point, not one will win with 20%. One of the LIB DEMS / LAB / GREEN or even the CONS would be in the 20% area too.

Reposted by Mike Towers

Parody Keir Starmer @parodypm.bsky.social · 8h

This is how Farage and Tice reacted at PMQs when someone raised the issue of one of their politicians accepting bribes to spread Russian propaganda. Apparently it’s funny to be a traitor.

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Reposted by Mike Towers

Josiah Mortimer @josiah.writes.news · 7h

"Another Reform MP has been accused of being in breach of Parliamentary rules, after its deputy leader Richard Tice failed to register lavish hospitality he received from Lubov Chernukhin – wife of a former Russian deputy finance minister"
leftfootforward.org/2025/10/refo...

Reform’s Richard Tice failed to register lavish hospitality from former Russian finance minister’s wife

'Tice and Oakeshott stayed at the Chernukhins’ “turreted villa” with “a stunning view of the Mediterranean” and had supper with them at a Michelin-starred restaurant'

leftfootforward.org

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Mike Towers @britpolitics.bsky.social · 11h

I try my best.

Mike Towers @britpolitics.bsky.social · 12h

A good prosecuting lawyer always leads a witness down their chosen path.

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Mike Towers @britpolitics.bsky.social · 12h

Way too overambitious for me. I give it until 09:10 and it all goes downhill from there.

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Mike Towers @britpolitics.bsky.social · 12h

Why is Badenoch INSISTING on overemphasising certain words which are presumably KEY anyway, making any overemphasis TOTALLY unnecessary? #PMQs

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Reposted by Mike Towers

Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 15h

Westminster Voting Intention:

RFM: 30% (-3)
LAB: 22% (+2)
CON: 20% (+1)
LDM: 15% (+1)
GRN: 9% (+1)
SNP: 3% (=)

Via @moreincommonuk.bsky.social, 10-13 Oct.
Changes w/ 3-6 Oct.

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Reposted by Mike Towers

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 21h

Pupils fear AI is eroding their ability to study, research finds

One in four students say AI ‘makes it too easy’ for them to find answers Pupils fear that using artificial intelligence is eroding their ability to study, with many complaining it makes schoolwork “too easy” and others saying it limits their creativity and stops them learning new skills, according to new research. The report on the use of AI in UK schools, commissioned by Oxford University Press (OUP), found that just 2% of students aged between 13 and 18 said they did not use AI for their schoolwork, while 80% said they regularly used it. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Mike Towers

Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 20h

"There is no doubt that the impact of Brexit has been severe and long-lasting", Rachel Reeves tells Sky News, as she suggests that taxes will now have to go up as a result to "make sure the numbers add up".

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Mike Towers @britpolitics.bsky.social · 16h

True but still brilliant to have Gabriel and Collins on the stage.

Mike Towers @britpolitics.bsky.social · 16h

He knows that any government seeking to abolish the monarchy would need to hold a referendum. It would be closer than 10 or 20 years ago but supporters of the monarchy would still win. Unfortunately.

Mike Towers @britpolitics.bsky.social · 1d

I think England fans are singing “Where were you in 66?”

Reposted by Mike Towers

Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 1d

Westminster Voting Intention:

RFM: 27% (=)
LAB: 20% (=)
CON: 17% (=)
LDM: 16% (-1)
GRN: 13% (+1)
SNP: 3% (-1)

Via @yougov.co.uk, 12-13 Oct.
Changes w/ 5-6 Oct.

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Reposted by Mike Towers

Reform Party UK Exposed @reformexposed.bsky.social · 1d

Nigel Farage never did answer why he met the Russian Ambassador.

All he did was call the interviewer a nutcase.

This interview is a real insight in to how little Nigel Farage likes being asked about his ties to Russia.

archive.ph/rTLvd

#ReformRussianBribes

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Reposted by Mike Towers

Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 2d

So, Reform would rocket-boost austerity, slash welfare *but not taxes*, cancel net zero progress, do mass deportations, huff out of the ECHR (torching the Brexit deal and our human rights)…
And to top it all off, there’d be this gem of US-funded christofascist authoritarianism on offer too.
Grim AF.

Lizzie Dearden @lizziedearden.bsky.social · 2d

If you wondered why Nigel Farage turned up in US Congress in September speaking about "freedom of speech", this story has the answer

His appearance was orchestrated by a powerful American anti-abortion group that is trying to increase its influence in the UK by influencing the free speech debate

Jane Bradley @bradleyjane.bsky.social · 2d

NEW: How a U.S. anti-abortion group has quietly positioned itself as a powerbroker between the Trump administration and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

Latest investigation w Elizabeth Dias.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/w...

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Reposted by Mike Towers

Genesis & Solo News @genesisnews.bsky.social · 1d

The GENESIS live album "Seconds Out" was released on this day in 1977. It became one of the most respected live albums ever. This is our review: t.ly/En7c0
@tabletopgenesis.bsky.social #genesis

Genesis - Seconds Out (1977) - review

After two successful post Peter Gabriel albums, Genesis released the live album Seconds Out. It also marks the departure of Steve Hackett.

t.ly

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Reposted by Mike Towers

Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 2d

Rupert Lowe on Nathan Gill, former Reform leader in Wales, who has pleaded guilty to taking bribes from pro-Russian proxies:

"I had absolutely no idea. I was new to the European Parliament, Nathan had been there for years alongside Farage - they were very close."

Shots fired. ~AA

Rupert Lowe MP
@RupertLowe10
I have received A LOT of questions about Nathan Gill, having sat as a Brexit Party MEP alongside him in Brussels and Strasbourg. He was also the Reform leader in Wales. For those who don’t know, he has pleaded guilty to taking pro-Russian bribes over a number of months.

Obviously, I had absolutely no idea. I was new to the European Parliament, Nathan had been there for years alongside Farage - they were very close. He was the head of the delegation of our MEPs, so with the whip ran the day-to-day affairs of our grouping and organised activity in Brussels/Strasbourg. He was one of just two MEPs from the previous term Farage allowed to stand again.

He seemed particularly interested in Russian/Ukrainian developments which I found peculiar. There was one event, right at the beginning of our term, which he asked me and other MEPs to attend. Due to his position in the grouping, I agreed. It had a very pro-Russian slant, with individuals who claimed to be close to Putin there. For obvious reasons, I did not attend another such event.

I thought his obsession with that part of the world was strange, but given his years in the Parliament and position in the party, I didn’t think there was more to it. Other MEPs also found it unusual, but we just got on with job.

So to journalists asking, there is my response.

It is disgraceful behaviour, treasonous behaviour.

I am ashamed to have ever sat alongside him.
7:44 AM · Oct 13, 2025
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116.3K
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Reposted by Mike Towers

Steven Fielding @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social · 2d

As this detailed report shows Reform is a Trojan Horse for the US Christian right to secretly reshape British politics along Trumpian lines. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/w...

They Helped Topple Roe v. Wade. Now Their Sights Are Set on Britain.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Mike Towers

Andrew Rawnsley @andrewrawnsley.bsky.social · 3d

Thank you, Mike

Mike Towers @britpolitics.bsky.social · 3d

@andrewrawnsley.bsky.social correctly highlighting why Tories repelled by Reform probably won’t vote for a tribute act. If they vote tactically, who they choose will decide the result of the next General Election.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...

The Conservatives must reclaim competence – and stop imit...

Years of blunders have wrecked the Tory brand. Mimicking Nigel Farage won’t rebuild it – owning their failures might

observer.co.uk

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Mike Towers @britpolitics.bsky.social · 3d

@andrewrawnsley.bsky.social correctly highlighting why Tories repelled by Reform probably won’t vote for a tribute act. If they vote tactically, who they choose will decide the result of the next General Election.
observer.co.uk/news/columni...

The Conservatives must reclaim competence – and stop imit...

Years of blunders have wrecked the Tory brand. Mimicking Nigel Farage won’t rebuild it – owning their failures might

observer.co.uk

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Reposted by Mike Towers

Cathie Wood @cathiew.bsky.social · 4d

👀

Nick Reeves #FBPE #NAFO @nickreeves.bsky.social · 4d

Richard Tice - "Please welcome to the stage... Nathan Gill"

So much for Tice's claim to have never met Nathan Gill.

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Reposted by Mike Towers

Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 4d

Westminster Voting Intention:

RFM: 32% (-2)
LAB: 22% (+1)
CON: 18% (+2)
LDM: 11% (-1)
GRN: 10% (=)
SNP: 3% (+1)

Via @opiniumresearch.bsky.social, 8-10 Oct.
Changes w/ 1-3 Oct.

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Mike Towers @britpolitics.bsky.social · 4d

I can’t stand international breaks…