@blayneydeborah.bsky.social
Reposted
In essence: juries are important for what decisions they prevent others from making.
Juries are not perfect.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
November 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
In essence: juries are important for what decisions they prevent others from making.
Reposted
BBC removes description of Donald Trump as "the most openly corrupt president in American history" from the broadcast today of Rutger Bregman's Reith Lecture. I was among the several hundred people to hear the original at the lecture theatre
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 12:49 PM
BBC removes description of Donald Trump as "the most openly corrupt president in American history" from the broadcast today of Rutger Bregman's Reith Lecture. I was among the several hundred people to hear the original at the lecture theatre
Reposted
Imagine coming up with a proposal so stupid, so unworkable, so thoughtless, that it makes Robert Jenrick look sane by comparison.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases
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 4:04 PM
Imagine coming up with a proposal so stupid, so unworkable, so thoughtless, that it makes Robert Jenrick look sane by comparison.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted
Law Society says getting rid of jury trials in most criminal cases would be extreme and a 'step too far' - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
No 10 says no final decisions after leak reveals jury trials might be scrapped except for alleged rapists and killers – UK politics live
Downing Street does not deny that justice secretary, David Lammy, is considering scrapping juries for most trials
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Law Society says getting rid of jury trials in most criminal cases would be extreme and a 'step too far' - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reposted
🚨The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy has already passed 40,000 signatures! Let’s get it to 100,000. If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 25, 2025 at 2:13 PM
🚨The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy has already passed 40,000 signatures! Let’s get it to 100,000. If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Please sign and share 🙏
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted
This is exactly what the recent Trump-BBC 'scandal' was designed to achieve. The BBC is now self-censoring criticisms of Trump in the name of "impartiality"
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 AM
This is exactly what the recent Trump-BBC 'scandal' was designed to achieve. The BBC is now self-censoring criticisms of Trump in the name of "impartiality"
Reposted
Robbie Gibb describes the BBC's Political Editor Chris Mason as the "unsung hero of covering politics" and "absolutely first rate"
November 24, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Robbie Gibb describes the BBC's Political Editor Chris Mason as the "unsung hero of covering politics" and "absolutely first rate"
Reposted
"gender ideology is anti-gravity nonsense that only the desperate, the deluded and the double-dealing grifters still believe": just in case you were still wondering quite how consumed with hatred are Hadley Freeman and The Sunday Times.
November 23, 2025 at 8:10 AM
"gender ideology is anti-gravity nonsense that only the desperate, the deluded and the double-dealing grifters still believe": just in case you were still wondering quite how consumed with hatred are Hadley Freeman and The Sunday Times.
Reposted
I genuinely find it astonishing that someone of colour could advocate the random picking of potential migrants to create a climate of fear among minoritised people.
I mean... how do you think thatll work for other black British people Trevor?
I mean... how do you think thatll work for other black British people Trevor?
Trevor Philips in the Times, calling for a Trump/Miller-style of random deportations based on skin colour.
archive.ph/RlXPj
archive.ph/RlXPj
November 24, 2025 at 10:58 PM
I genuinely find it astonishing that someone of colour could advocate the random picking of potential migrants to create a climate of fear among minoritised people.
I mean... how do you think thatll work for other black British people Trevor?
I mean... how do you think thatll work for other black British people Trevor?
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Just a jaw-dropping paragraph in Trevor Phillips's column for The Times.
This is a policy that, by his own account, has left parents of a particular race too frightened to walk their children to school.
And that's the example he chooses of the "vigour" we "need".
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
This is a policy that, by his own account, has left parents of a particular race too frightened to walk their children to school.
And that's the example he chooses of the "vigour" we "need".
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
November 24, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Just a jaw-dropping paragraph in Trevor Phillips's column for The Times.
This is a policy that, by his own account, has left parents of a particular race too frightened to walk their children to school.
And that's the example he chooses of the "vigour" we "need".
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
This is a policy that, by his own account, has left parents of a particular race too frightened to walk their children to school.
And that's the example he chooses of the "vigour" we "need".
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Reposted
Given how the BBC has self-censored under pressure from the English far right, this is sadly not surprising at all.
At the same time, open racists continue to be invited as “experts” and given free reign.
At the same time, open racists continue to be invited as “experts” and given free reign.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Given how the BBC has self-censored under pressure from the English far right, this is sadly not surprising at all.
At the same time, open racists continue to be invited as “experts” and given free reign.
At the same time, open racists continue to be invited as “experts” and given free reign.
Reposted
Someone really needs to explain the Striesand Effect to the BBC. And also tell them to stop being so pathetic.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Someone really needs to explain the Striesand Effect to the BBC. And also tell them to stop being so pathetic.
Reposted
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Trump’s Fury at BBC Gets Unnerving Results with Pro-MAGA Edit Stunner
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:10 PM
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Reposted
1) Start the worst European war since 1945 and commit every imaginable war crime
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
November 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
1) Start the worst European war since 1945 and commit every imaginable war crime
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
Reposted
What a shit show. Everyone could see this plan was written by the Kremlin. Adopted by Witkoff and Trump who demanded Ukraine accept it by this Thursday. After a firestorm of objections by Europe and Republican senators it appears Rubio wants to distance himself from it.
November 23, 2025 at 12:17 AM
What a shit show. Everyone could see this plan was written by the Kremlin. Adopted by Witkoff and Trump who demanded Ukraine accept it by this Thursday. After a firestorm of objections by Europe and Republican senators it appears Rubio wants to distance himself from it.
Reposted
Congress just loudly rebuked Trump on his rancid Epstein cover up.
Now it must rebuke him for attempting to surrender Ukraine to Putin. Let’s work together to deliver a very loud vote of “no confidence” in the days ahead.
My latest 👇
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/congress-l...
Now it must rebuke him for attempting to surrender Ukraine to Putin. Let’s work together to deliver a very loud vote of “no confidence” in the days ahead.
My latest 👇
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/congress-l...
Congress Rebuked Trump On His Epstein Cover Up. Now It Must Rebuke Him On His Surrendering Of Ukraine To Putin
“The President’s appeasement plan to Russia is forcing our hand" - Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.)
www.hopiumchronicles.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Congress just loudly rebuked Trump on his rancid Epstein cover up.
Now it must rebuke him for attempting to surrender Ukraine to Putin. Let’s work together to deliver a very loud vote of “no confidence” in the days ahead.
My latest 👇
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/congress-l...
Now it must rebuke him for attempting to surrender Ukraine to Putin. Let’s work together to deliver a very loud vote of “no confidence” in the days ahead.
My latest 👇
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/congress-l...
Reposted
Let's start with immigration because it's easy to follow - BES has a scale from wanting many fewer immigrants (zero) to many more (ten). You will not be surprised that the average is just above three. But if you are Shabana Mahmood you might be surprised that Labour voters are at 5 (whatevs). 8/n
November 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Let's start with immigration because it's easy to follow - BES has a scale from wanting many fewer immigrants (zero) to many more (ten). You will not be surprised that the average is just above three. But if you are Shabana Mahmood you might be surprised that Labour voters are at 5 (whatevs). 8/n
Reposted
The misconceived notion that the way to deal with the backlog of asylum claims is to duplicate the system so as to have exit assessments too.
In essence: addressing the problem of a queue by forming another queue, just as long.
Daft, as well as cruelly unsettling.
In essence: addressing the problem of a queue by forming another queue, just as long.
Daft, as well as cruelly unsettling.
November 18, 2025 at 12:22 PM
The misconceived notion that the way to deal with the backlog of asylum claims is to duplicate the system so as to have exit assessments too.
In essence: addressing the problem of a queue by forming another queue, just as long.
Daft, as well as cruelly unsettling.
In essence: addressing the problem of a queue by forming another queue, just as long.
Daft, as well as cruelly unsettling.
Reposted
“They went for pensioners, they went for the disabled, and now they’re going for people fleeing war and conflict. I am furious — this government should hang their heads in shame.”
Zack Polanski on Labour’s new immigration reforms on Newsnight.
Zack Polanski on Labour’s new immigration reforms on Newsnight.
November 18, 2025 at 10:01 AM
“They went for pensioners, they went for the disabled, and now they’re going for people fleeing war and conflict. I am furious — this government should hang their heads in shame.”
Zack Polanski on Labour’s new immigration reforms on Newsnight.
Zack Polanski on Labour’s new immigration reforms on Newsnight.
Reposted
Labour peer Lord Dubs: "To use children as a weapon, as the home secretary is doing, is I think a shabby thing. I’m lost for words, frankly."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour...
Labour Peer Who Fled The Nazis Condemns His Party's Immigration Crackdown
Lord Dubs said he was "lost for words".
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Labour peer Lord Dubs: "To use children as a weapon, as the home secretary is doing, is I think a shabby thing. I’m lost for words, frankly."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour...
Reposted
Labour’s “we have to do it, or racism will get worse” argument is striking. Any other public policy failures British ethnic minorities should be on the hook for? Can we be blamed en bloc for Rachel Reeves’ budget next week too? www.ft.com/content/37b0...
Defence of Labour asylum policy reveals backsliding on racism
Home secretary’s framing of failures is partly low politics, but also a result of ministers’ poor approach to race relations
www.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Labour’s “we have to do it, or racism will get worse” argument is striking. Any other public policy failures British ethnic minorities should be on the hook for? Can we be blamed en bloc for Rachel Reeves’ budget next week too? www.ft.com/content/37b0...
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“on article 8 of the ECHR in particular the right to family life ..we want to constrain in legislation the way that that is applied in immigration cases” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood tells Sky’s Trevor Philips
Who would have imagined we would ever hear this from a Labour government
Who would have imagined we would ever hear this from a Labour government
November 16, 2025 at 8:55 AM
“on article 8 of the ECHR in particular the right to family life ..we want to constrain in legislation the way that that is applied in immigration cases” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood tells Sky’s Trevor Philips
Who would have imagined we would ever hear this from a Labour government
Who would have imagined we would ever hear this from a Labour government