Nick B 🔶
@aviarm.com
Proud grandfather, lover of rum and pizza. Blogger and freelance writer covering aerospace & defence issues. Chair of Cheltenham Liberal Democrats. Has never shouted at a hotel.
https://www.aviarm.com
https://www.aviarm.com
Pinned
Reposted by Nick B 🔶
David Lammy was right in 2020 when he called the jury system fundamental to our constitution.
Now the government wants to remove juries from all but the most serious cases. It is dangerous and wrong and the Prime Minister must reverse it.
Now the government wants to remove juries from all but the most serious cases. It is dangerous and wrong and the Prime Minister must reverse it.
November 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
David Lammy was right in 2020 when he called the jury system fundamental to our constitution.
Now the government wants to remove juries from all but the most serious cases. It is dangerous and wrong and the Prime Minister must reverse it.
Now the government wants to remove juries from all but the most serious cases. It is dangerous and wrong and the Prime Minister must reverse it.
Reposted by Nick B 🔶
While I agree with the sentiment, and obviously we need to get closer to Europe (Rejoin!), please can someone have a word with Lib Dem HQ and ask them to stop repeatedly using the word "botched"? That word only exists now in Lib Dem comms and as the name of a TV series.
This is botched Budget, from a government that is hiking taxes on ordinary families instead of going for growth by fixing our trade with Europe.
November 26, 2025 at 5:59 PM
While I agree with the sentiment, and obviously we need to get closer to Europe (Rejoin!), please can someone have a word with Lib Dem HQ and ask them to stop repeatedly using the word "botched"? That word only exists now in Lib Dem comms and as the name of a TV series.
Reposted by Nick B 🔶
This is why the powers introduced by the Blair era govt to label anyone they dont like as terrorists is so dangerous. It means your right to a fair trial disappears. Secret courts with corrupt decision makers www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
‘Unavoidably unfair’: the secret courts system hearing part of Palestine Action case
The CMP system means Huda Ammori will not be allowed to know what allegations were made against her
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:26 AM
This is why the powers introduced by the Blair era govt to label anyone they dont like as terrorists is so dangerous. It means your right to a fair trial disappears. Secret courts with corrupt decision makers www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
What makes this even worse is that the law was recently changed to allow judges to serve up to the age of 75, and there is a ridiculous lack of diversity amongst them. Is that really better than a jury of your peers?
Apparent from being fundamentally illiberal and wrong to abolish this centuries-old right, will this really clear the backlog in the justice system? Is it really assembling juries that is causing the delays?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Justice secretary wants most jury trials scrapped
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 10:19 AM
What makes this even worse is that the law was recently changed to allow judges to serve up to the age of 75, and there is a ridiculous lack of diversity amongst them. Is that really better than a jury of your peers?
Three weeks ago Minister Luke Pollard declared Initial Operating Capability had been achieved by the Ajax vehicle programme, stating that he wouldn't have done so if the vehicle wasn't safe. Now this 👇
www.forcesnews.com/services/arm...
www.forcesnews.com/services/arm...
Ajax on hold as 31 fall ill in major safety setback for Army's beleaguered £5.5bn AFV
Use of the Army's newest armoured fighting vehicle has been suspended after yet more soldiers experienced health problems
www.forcesnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Three weeks ago Minister Luke Pollard declared Initial Operating Capability had been achieved by the Ajax vehicle programme, stating that he wouldn't have done so if the vehicle wasn't safe. Now this 👇
www.forcesnews.com/services/arm...
www.forcesnews.com/services/arm...
Apparent from being fundamentally illiberal and wrong to abolish this centuries-old right, will this really clear the backlog in the justice system? Is it really assembling juries that is causing the delays?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Justice secretary wants most jury trials scrapped
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Apparent from being fundamentally illiberal and wrong to abolish this centuries-old right, will this really clear the backlog in the justice system? Is it really assembling juries that is causing the delays?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Nick B 🔶
👁️ Mass surveillance 2025: Data brokers can trace movements of citizens – and even EU officials.
Sure your information isn’t already on a data marketplace?
👉 netzpolitik.org/2025/databro...
@netzpolitik.org
Sure your information isn’t already on a data marketplace?
👉 netzpolitik.org/2025/databro...
@netzpolitik.org
Databroker Files: All you need to know about how adtech data exposes the EU to espionage
Our latest investigation has shaken up Brussels by revealing that commercial datasets containing 278 million locations can be used to spy on the EU and NATO. The European Commission has expressed its…
netzpolitik.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
👁️ Mass surveillance 2025: Data brokers can trace movements of citizens – and even EU officials.
Sure your information isn’t already on a data marketplace?
👉 netzpolitik.org/2025/databro...
@netzpolitik.org
Sure your information isn’t already on a data marketplace?
👉 netzpolitik.org/2025/databro...
@netzpolitik.org
Reposted by Nick B 🔶
Politicians in other parties won’t talk about it, but we had a more workable immigration system when we were in the EU. Labour finally admitted Brexit has been a disaster for the economy, so I asked the Home Secretary if she would admit it had been a disaster for immigration & asylum policy too.
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November 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Politicians in other parties won’t talk about it, but we had a more workable immigration system when we were in the EU. Labour finally admitted Brexit has been a disaster for the economy, so I asked the Home Secretary if she would admit it had been a disaster for immigration & asylum policy too.
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Currently part-way through being reminded that the whole process on installing, applying outstanding updates and setting up a PC with Windows takes ten times longer than with Linux, and involves infinitely more nagging.
a man in a suit and tie is making a funny face with the words whyyyy written in yellow
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is making a funny face with the words whyyyy written in yellow
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Currently part-way through being reminded that the whole process on installing, applying outstanding updates and setting up a PC with Windows takes ten times longer than with Linux, and involves infinitely more nagging.
Reposted by Nick B 🔶
Reposted by Nick B 🔶
Genuinely fascinating analysis of the attitudes of people who vote for each Party. If I were to plot myself on these graphs I'd be solidly among the greens every time.
Odd Ones Out
Mapping Britain's social values and the marginalisation of the 'anti-woke'
benansell.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Genuinely fascinating analysis of the attitudes of people who vote for each Party. If I were to plot myself on these graphs I'd be solidly among the greens every time.
Reposted by Nick B 🔶
Polls suggest that Nigel Farage is heading for 10 Downing Street on a vote share of just 30%. It beggars belief that Labour is still committed to an outdated, undemocratic voting system that would see the hard right stroll into government on a minority of the vote.
November 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Polls suggest that Nigel Farage is heading for 10 Downing Street on a vote share of just 30%. It beggars belief that Labour is still committed to an outdated, undemocratic voting system that would see the hard right stroll into government on a minority of the vote.
Reposted by Nick B 🔶
This is a very disingenuous post. NHS workers are not being fast-tracked, they’ve simply retained the five-year route to ILR that they were promised when they moved to this country. Treating people fairly is not a Labour “win.”
Is it possible to hate this government any more?
Is it possible to hate this government any more?
November 21, 2025 at 10:09 AM
This is a very disingenuous post. NHS workers are not being fast-tracked, they’ve simply retained the five-year route to ILR that they were promised when they moved to this country. Treating people fairly is not a Labour “win.”
Is it possible to hate this government any more?
Is it possible to hate this government any more?
This is dreadful. Amounts to forced capitulation by Ukraine, in a deal that the US profits from, costs Europe money, reintegrates Russia into the world economy, all for the vaguest of 'security guarantees'. Big test of UK/Europe's resolve....
news.sky.com/story/trumps...
news.sky.com/story/trumps...
Trump's 28-point Ukraine peace plan in full
The document states Ukraine must cede land it currently controls. The plan closely resembles the list of demands repeatedly outlined by Vladimir Putin.
news.sky.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:01 AM
This is dreadful. Amounts to forced capitulation by Ukraine, in a deal that the US profits from, costs Europe money, reintegrates Russia into the world economy, all for the vaguest of 'security guarantees'. Big test of UK/Europe's resolve....
news.sky.com/story/trumps...
news.sky.com/story/trumps...
Branding essential care workers employed on minimum wage as unworthy is a new low.
Home Secretary's huge "screw you!" to existing carers.
Imagine being told you're so worthless you'll have to wait 15 years for settlement. And then having to turn straight back around and help old people with a smile on your face.
Labour have managed to find a way to make me despise them more. 👏
Imagine being told you're so worthless you'll have to wait 15 years for settlement. And then having to turn straight back around and help old people with a smile on your face.
Labour have managed to find a way to make me despise them more. 👏
November 20, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Branding essential care workers employed on minimum wage as unworthy is a new low.
I wonder if this is out of concern for the privacy of the victims, or the perpetrators?
November 20, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I wonder if this is out of concern for the privacy of the victims, or the perpetrators?
Reposted by Nick B 🔶
We cannot allow the insane, autocrat Trump to sue OUR BBC. We pay a license fee so in my opinion it belongs to us the people of the UK. Ergo he is attacking us!
November 19, 2025 at 6:34 PM
We cannot allow the insane, autocrat Trump to sue OUR BBC. We pay a license fee so in my opinion it belongs to us the people of the UK. Ergo he is attacking us!
Reposted by Nick B 🔶
As ever, Trump is desperate to give Putin what he wants.
Story here with exclusive new details: The Trump admin and Russian officials have drawn up a sweeping new proposal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine that envisions major concessions from Kyiv and urged President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept it...
via @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/2353...
via @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/2353...
US and Russian officials draft new peace plan for Ukraine
Sweeping 28-point proposal would include territorial concessions and rollback of American military assistance
www.ft.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:37 PM
As ever, Trump is desperate to give Putin what he wants.
In today's bubble news.....
November 19, 2025 at 4:56 PM
In today's bubble news.....
Reposted by Nick B 🔶
Two Wrongs make a Right with Keir and Kemi
November 19, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Two Wrongs make a Right with Keir and Kemi
I'm retweeting Jeremy Corbyn for the first time ever. What a time to be alive....
Removing asylum support. Seizing belongings. Deporting entire families, including children.
Labour are not just paving the path to a Reform government. Reform may as well already be in power.
This government has no moral compass — and it should be ashamed of its inhumanity.
Labour are not just paving the path to a Reform government. Reform may as well already be in power.
This government has no moral compass — and it should be ashamed of its inhumanity.
November 18, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I'm retweeting Jeremy Corbyn for the first time ever. What a time to be alive....
And this is perhaps the worst part of all. To announce that the RW press, Tories and Reform are basically right about immigration, rather than challenging their narrative, then introducing measures that won't work (enough) must virtually guarantee that Labour will lose the next election.
Coverage of the refugee proposals demonstrates why we have such a broken political system. Endless focus on left-wing anger and right-wing support. Basically nothing on whether the reforms will work. They will not, which is why we'll still be here having the same debate in three years.
November 18, 2025 at 9:25 AM
And this is perhaps the worst part of all. To announce that the RW press, Tories and Reform are basically right about immigration, rather than challenging their narrative, then introducing measures that won't work (enough) must virtually guarantee that Labour will lose the next election.
Reposted by Nick B 🔶
There’s been too much pre-budget speculation. That’s bad for business. I raised the concerns of Cheltenham businesses with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in Parliament.
November 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM
There’s been too much pre-budget speculation. That’s bad for business. I raised the concerns of Cheltenham businesses with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in Parliament.
So piss off a significant % of your own voters and MPs, tell the electorate that Reform are basically right about immigration, then introduce policies that won't reduce numbers enough to claim a win.
Farage is probably choosing wallpaper for No. 10 already.
Farage is probably choosing wallpaper for No. 10 already.
The View from Westminster newsletter has gone out. Free sign-up here www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
November 17, 2025 at 7:09 PM
So piss off a significant % of your own voters and MPs, tell the electorate that Reform are basically right about immigration, then introduce policies that won't reduce numbers enough to claim a win.
Farage is probably choosing wallpaper for No. 10 already.
Farage is probably choosing wallpaper for No. 10 already.