Mark Holdstock
@beefy1.bsky.social
Retired journalist, hater of Brexit, proud to be woke
SETTING THE NARRATIVE
The narrative is the shaping and telling of the story. In politics it is everything. Labour knows that it is in deep trouble. The narrative that the unions were ruining the county and sending us to an undemocratic hell in a handcart gave us Thatcher.
The narrative is the shaping and telling of the story. In politics it is everything. Labour knows that it is in deep trouble. The narrative that the unions were ruining the county and sending us to an undemocratic hell in a handcart gave us Thatcher.
February 6, 2026 at 11:32 AM
SETTING THE NARRATIVE
The narrative is the shaping and telling of the story. In politics it is everything. Labour knows that it is in deep trouble. The narrative that the unions were ruining the county and sending us to an undemocratic hell in a handcart gave us Thatcher.
The narrative is the shaping and telling of the story. In politics it is everything. Labour knows that it is in deep trouble. The narrative that the unions were ruining the county and sending us to an undemocratic hell in a handcart gave us Thatcher.
Given the recent figures on massive debts, it's vital that students vote for a party which will ease this burden. The Green party will 'Scrap tuition fees and restore maintenance grants for undergraduates' #GortonAndDenton
February 3, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Given the recent figures on massive debts, it's vital that students vote for a party which will ease this burden. The Green party will 'Scrap tuition fees and restore maintenance grants for undergraduates' #GortonAndDenton
Watching #Newsnight tonight the media will look really stupid if the @greenparty.org.uk win this by-election.
January 26, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Watching #Newsnight tonight the media will look really stupid if the @greenparty.org.uk win this by-election.
www.annefrank.org/en/anne-fran...
This is a very important read, where history is highly important, both in this country and in the United States
This is a very important read, where history is highly important, both in this country and in the United States
Germany 1933: from democracy to dictatorship
After Hitler came to power in 1933, Germany became a dictatorship. Read how the Nazis used oppression and violence to eliminate Jews and political opponents.
www.annefrank.org
January 26, 2026 at 8:47 PM
www.annefrank.org/en/anne-fran...
This is a very important read, where history is highly important, both in this country and in the United States
This is a very important read, where history is highly important, both in this country and in the United States
Reposted by Mark Holdstock
The graph here is actually mad. The rate of change in long established UK political orthodoxy is absolutely unreal. Going to be super interesting to see what the landscape is after May.
January 21, 2026 at 8:42 PM
The graph here is actually mad. The rate of change in long established UK political orthodoxy is absolutely unreal. Going to be super interesting to see what the landscape is after May.
Sadly the BBC One o'clock news chooses to platform Reform UK.
I despair and I'm ashamed that I once worked for them.
I despair and I'm ashamed that I once worked for them.
January 20, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Sadly the BBC One o'clock news chooses to platform Reform UK.
I despair and I'm ashamed that I once worked for them.
I despair and I'm ashamed that I once worked for them.
The prime minister declares that we won't be imposing UK tarrifs on the Trump administration. That's his right, however I have the personal choice NOT to buy anything which is American. So no Cheerios, no Dr Pepper, no American cars....not that I fancy any....
January 20, 2026 at 7:45 AM
The prime minister declares that we won't be imposing UK tarrifs on the Trump administration. That's his right, however I have the personal choice NOT to buy anything which is American. So no Cheerios, no Dr Pepper, no American cars....not that I fancy any....
When I see the defections from the Conservative party to Reform UK, the phrase which keeps going through my head is the quote from the philosopher Hannah Ardent on the trial of Adolf Eichman,
January 18, 2026 at 4:33 PM
When I see the defections from the Conservative party to Reform UK, the phrase which keeps going through my head is the quote from the philosopher Hannah Ardent on the trial of Adolf Eichman,
For the first time in it's history the Conservative party has a 'black' leader. Today Robert Jenrick became the latest 'traitor' to scarper off to Reform UK. Is this a sign of underlying racism in the Conservative party?
January 15, 2026 at 7:51 PM
For the first time in it's history the Conservative party has a 'black' leader. Today Robert Jenrick became the latest 'traitor' to scarper off to Reform UK. Is this a sign of underlying racism in the Conservative party?
Donald Trump's going great guns in his plans to take over the world.... but it's all too easy at the moment.
Just like economic knowledge and a grasp of history, the Donald is rather 'lacking'. He might well not be aware of Q-Boats.
Just like economic knowledge and a grasp of history, the Donald is rather 'lacking'. He might well not be aware of Q-Boats.
January 8, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Donald Trump's going great guns in his plans to take over the world.... but it's all too easy at the moment.
Just like economic knowledge and a grasp of history, the Donald is rather 'lacking'. He might well not be aware of Q-Boats.
Just like economic knowledge and a grasp of history, the Donald is rather 'lacking'. He might well not be aware of Q-Boats.
"Well, it’s probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in."
Why Starmer should embrace more Green policies and seek to treat Zac Polanski seriously rather than ridicule him.
Why Starmer should embrace more Green policies and seek to treat Zac Polanski seriously rather than ridicule him.
December 31, 2025 at 10:15 AM
"Well, it’s probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in."
Why Starmer should embrace more Green policies and seek to treat Zac Polanski seriously rather than ridicule him.
Why Starmer should embrace more Green policies and seek to treat Zac Polanski seriously rather than ridicule him.
In a rather strange move the Labour government is set to go ahead with something which will have widespread public support and which will also p*ss off the psuedo 'man of the people' Nigel Farage.
December 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
In a rather strange move the Labour government is set to go ahead with something which will have widespread public support and which will also p*ss off the psuedo 'man of the people' Nigel Farage.
Social media runs on 'narratives' for instance there is a hyperactive narrative about electric cars (EVs). That narrative runs along the lines of 'I'd never have one' 'they only go as far as the end of my road' 'I'll never have one'.
December 14, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Social media runs on 'narratives' for instance there is a hyperactive narrative about electric cars (EVs). That narrative runs along the lines of 'I'd never have one' 'they only go as far as the end of my road' 'I'll never have one'.
This is an extremely important message.
The key to stopping fascism is simple....vote! Figures for the number of people who actually bothered to vote in recent council by-elections won by Reform
The key to stopping fascism is simple....vote! Figures for the number of people who actually bothered to vote in recent council by-elections won by Reform
December 12, 2025 at 5:03 PM
This is an extremely important message.
The key to stopping fascism is simple....vote! Figures for the number of people who actually bothered to vote in recent council by-elections won by Reform
The key to stopping fascism is simple....vote! Figures for the number of people who actually bothered to vote in recent council by-elections won by Reform
And we think that we've got problems with migrants invading our country 🤔
December 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
And we think that we've got problems with migrants invading our country 🤔
H3N2 flu strain is particularly dangerous for those who don't have jabs or who are over 65......Reform voters who are vaccine deniers are particularly at risk #justsaying
December 9, 2025 at 11:54 PM
H3N2 flu strain is particularly dangerous for those who don't have jabs or who are over 65......Reform voters who are vaccine deniers are particularly at risk #justsaying
Across social media....Twitter, Facebook & numerous other social media outputs the voice of Reform UK grows louder and louder. Undoubtedly a lot of this is driven by bots. Voices from a different direction need to be heard and heard loudly.
December 9, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Across social media....Twitter, Facebook & numerous other social media outputs the voice of Reform UK grows louder and louder. Undoubtedly a lot of this is driven by bots. Voices from a different direction need to be heard and heard loudly.
Small earthquake in Cumbria....not many hurt!
December 4, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Small earthquake in Cumbria....not many hurt!
I remember when Jeremy Corbyn led the Labour Party, the accusations of antisemitism were rife and all over the papers. How many of those papers are going ballistic accusing Farage of antisemitism?
November 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
I remember when Jeremy Corbyn led the Labour Party, the accusations of antisemitism were rife and all over the papers. How many of those papers are going ballistic accusing Farage of antisemitism?
Here's a copy of a message which I have just sent to my MP Sam Rushworth (Bishop Auckland)
Dear Sam.
As a Green party member, please could you pass on my thanks to Sir Keir Starmer and the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for increasing support for The Greens.
Dear Sam.
As a Green party member, please could you pass on my thanks to Sir Keir Starmer and the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for increasing support for The Greens.
November 16, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Here's a copy of a message which I have just sent to my MP Sam Rushworth (Bishop Auckland)
Dear Sam.
As a Green party member, please could you pass on my thanks to Sir Keir Starmer and the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for increasing support for The Greens.
Dear Sam.
As a Green party member, please could you pass on my thanks to Sir Keir Starmer and the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for increasing support for The Greens.
There is perhaps, within Reform UK, a sense of satisfaction that the BBC's Director General has been removed, but it could be a worry and a problem for them.
For far too long the BBC has given Reform an easy ride.
For far too long the BBC has given Reform an easy ride.
November 10, 2025 at 12:00 AM
There is perhaps, within Reform UK, a sense of satisfaction that the BBC's Director General has been removed, but it could be a worry and a problem for them.
For far too long the BBC has given Reform an easy ride.
For far too long the BBC has given Reform an easy ride.
I'm proud to say that both of my grandfathers fought fascism in WW2. One in North Africa, the other in Italy. Fortunately they both survived although one suffered shrapnel injuries.
Seventy five years later fascism has re-emerged.
Seventy five years later fascism has re-emerged.
November 6, 2025 at 9:14 PM
I'm proud to say that both of my grandfathers fought fascism in WW2. One in North Africa, the other in Italy. Fortunately they both survived although one suffered shrapnel injuries.
Seventy five years later fascism has re-emerged.
Seventy five years later fascism has re-emerged.
@reformuk.bsky.social is a Russian asset
November 1, 2025 at 6:14 PM
@reformuk.bsky.social is a Russian asset
The number of posts which have appeared on social media saying 'Vote Reform' shows that many, many bots have been hard at work. The truth is that Reform are terrified of being exposed as a natural successor to the National Front and The British National Party.
October 23, 2025 at 6:50 PM
The number of posts which have appeared on social media saying 'Vote Reform' shows that many, many bots have been hard at work. The truth is that Reform are terrified of being exposed as a natural successor to the National Front and The British National Party.