Bobby O'Malley
@bobbyom3282.bsky.social
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
Very funny piece that also is, essentially, every complaint I have heard about McSweeney's management style as chief of staff and head of Labour Together, but through the medium of 'making a podcast with him'.
mashallah he is gone, to celebrate I've made the piece I wrote last year about arguably the most embarrassing project I've ever worked on free to read: youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/so-about-t...
February 8, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Very funny piece that also is, essentially, every complaint I have heard about McSweeney's management style as chief of staff and head of Labour Together, but through the medium of 'making a podcast with him'.
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
Yeah, he’s gone sooner rather than later…
NEW: An email has just gone round No 10 staff confirming that the PM has asked Jill Cuthbertson and Vidhya Alakeson to be acting chiefs of staff, with immediate effect.
February 8, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Yeah, he’s gone sooner rather than later…
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
mashallah he is gone, to celebrate I've made the piece I wrote last year about arguably the most embarrassing project I've ever worked on free to read: youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/so-about-t...
February 8, 2026 at 3:59 PM
mashallah he is gone, to celebrate I've made the piece I wrote last year about arguably the most embarrassing project I've ever worked on free to read: youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/so-about-t...
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
Young men are the second most liberal group in the country after young women.
The untold story that is told constantly and isn’t really true
February 7, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Young men are the second most liberal group in the country after young women.
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
This! Labour’s leadership is being talked about as if it’s some kind of poisoned chalice.
In reality it’s a chance to take over the first term of a government with a huge majority. It’s the political opportunity of a lifetime.
In reality it’s a chance to take over the first term of a government with a huge majority. It’s the political opportunity of a lifetime.
Yet this is a government with three years left to run and an enormous Commons majority. For all the problems, there is an enormous opportunity there for someone with the political nous to take it and use it.
Starmer's reported condition - incredibly unpopular, shorn of authority, probably un-reelectable and yet will stagger on for want of an alternative - is just the new normal of how Britain is governed. It was also true for two-thirds of May's premiership, half of Johnson's and all of Sunak's.
February 8, 2026 at 11:27 AM
This! Labour’s leadership is being talked about as if it’s some kind of poisoned chalice.
In reality it’s a chance to take over the first term of a government with a huge majority. It’s the political opportunity of a lifetime.
In reality it’s a chance to take over the first term of a government with a huge majority. It’s the political opportunity of a lifetime.
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
In competence and venality of the old political elite is ushering in a class of oligarchic politicians that are backed by unprecedented levels of private wealth and driven by some batshit crazy ideas (that just happen to be good for their wealth…)
Thiel is a prime mover in this
Thiel is a prime mover in this
Peter Thiel warns the Antichrist and apocalypse are linked to the ‘end of modernity’ currently happening—and cites Greta Thunberg as a driving example
fortune.com/2026/02/04/p...
*Not satire.
fortune.com/2026/02/04/p...
*Not satire.
Peter Thiel warns the Antichrist and apocalypse are linked to the ‘end of modernity’ currently happening—and cites Greta Thunberg as a driving example | Fortune
The Gen Z Swedish climate activist is a legionnaire of the Antichrist, Thiel claims, a “Luddite” who wants to halt technological progress in its tracks.
fortune.com
February 8, 2026 at 9:10 AM
In competence and venality of the old political elite is ushering in a class of oligarchic politicians that are backed by unprecedented levels of private wealth and driven by some batshit crazy ideas (that just happen to be good for their wealth…)
Thiel is a prime mover in this
Thiel is a prime mover in this
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
Worried about this MAGA style book censorship happening in our schools.
“some librarians told The Ferret they are “thinking twice” about putting potentially controversial books on display, concerned that they could face organised online campaigns and doxxing.”
www.theferret.scot/books-scotti...
“some librarians told The Ferret they are “thinking twice” about putting potentially controversial books on display, concerned that they could face organised online campaigns and doxxing.”
www.theferret.scot/books-scotti...
Books are being challenged in Scottish schools. Librarians fear a 'chilling effect' on freedom of speech
Dozens of complaints about reading material in school libraries have been received, with campaigners warning that "book bans" could increase.
www.theferret.scot
February 8, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Worried about this MAGA style book censorship happening in our schools.
“some librarians told The Ferret they are “thinking twice” about putting potentially controversial books on display, concerned that they could face organised online campaigns and doxxing.”
www.theferret.scot/books-scotti...
“some librarians told The Ferret they are “thinking twice” about putting potentially controversial books on display, concerned that they could face organised online campaigns and doxxing.”
www.theferret.scot/books-scotti...
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
And we must ensure such bullshit does not protect them from the housecleaning that's coming down the pike
over the next 3 years, be ready for seeing a lot of coverage of Republican lawmakers, business leaders, university leaders who did absolutely nothing to stall Trump (on the contrary) — about how *actually* they were wringing their hands all along. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/u...
February 7, 2026 at 4:19 AM
And we must ensure such bullshit does not protect them from the housecleaning that's coming down the pike
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
i now feel compelled to look at Fraser's back catalogue to see what he was saying about Cameron and Johnson
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Who will return a sense of shame to politics?
A disdain for the old conflict-of-interest rules binds Peter Mandelson with Donald Trump and Nigel Farage. No wonder voters lose faith
www.thetimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:56 AM
i now feel compelled to look at Fraser's back catalogue to see what he was saying about Cameron and Johnson
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
New on FT website:
Downing Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer knew Palantir was a client of Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm when they both visited the company in Washington last February — ahead of it winning a £240mn UK government contract.
www.ft.com/content/5bba...
Downing Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer knew Palantir was a client of Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm when they both visited the company in Washington last February — ahead of it winning a £240mn UK government contract.
www.ft.com/content/5bba...
Starmer faces questions over visit to Palantir office alongside Mandelson
Former ambassador was also shareholder in lobbying group that counted US tech firm as a client
www.ft.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:20 AM
New on FT website:
Downing Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer knew Palantir was a client of Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm when they both visited the company in Washington last February — ahead of it winning a £240mn UK government contract.
www.ft.com/content/5bba...
Downing Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer knew Palantir was a client of Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm when they both visited the company in Washington last February — ahead of it winning a £240mn UK government contract.
www.ft.com/content/5bba...
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
The UK's political order may collapse over this Epstein stuff and the US is just shrugging this shit off like it's any given Tuesday because it is now the country equivalent of the guy who goes into Walmart without a shirt on
February 6, 2026 at 3:08 PM
The UK's political order may collapse over this Epstein stuff and the US is just shrugging this shit off like it's any given Tuesday because it is now the country equivalent of the guy who goes into Walmart without a shirt on
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
The major flaw with the claim that Trump's foreign policy is "realist" is the fact that it is so deeply ideological. There is no "realist" case for driving South Africa into China's embrace, rather than competing for its partnership. The only reason Trump is doing so is based on racist memes.
Facing high Trump tariffs, Africa's leading economy says it's close to a new trade deal with China
China and South Africa have signed a framework agreement for a new trade deal. It shows how Africa’s leading economy is looking for other options following the high U.S. import tariffs imposed on it b...
apnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:05 PM
The major flaw with the claim that Trump's foreign policy is "realist" is the fact that it is so deeply ideological. There is no "realist" case for driving South Africa into China's embrace, rather than competing for its partnership. The only reason Trump is doing so is based on racist memes.
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
One thing the Mandelson affair shows is that it is good for politicians to have a moral compass that exists outside of polls and media cycles. Because the latter changes on a dime and suddenly something that was ok becomes the reason for a major political crisis
February 6, 2026 at 10:15 AM
One thing the Mandelson affair shows is that it is good for politicians to have a moral compass that exists outside of polls and media cycles. Because the latter changes on a dime and suddenly something that was ok becomes the reason for a major political crisis
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
Folks outside SF/F don't know that Asimov was a sexual harasser because while he was alive fandom thought it was cute (up to and including Asimov being invited to give a lecture on "The Power of Positive Posterior Pinching" at Worldcon, which he, wisely, declined).
daily.jstor.org/asimovs-empi...
daily.jstor.org/asimovs-empi...
February 5, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Folks outside SF/F don't know that Asimov was a sexual harasser because while he was alive fandom thought it was cute (up to and including Asimov being invited to give a lecture on "The Power of Positive Posterior Pinching" at Worldcon, which he, wisely, declined).
daily.jstor.org/asimovs-empi...
daily.jstor.org/asimovs-empi...
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
The topic of David Eddings came up at my table talk at Worldcon.
Half the folks around the table - a pretty heavily invested in genre group - didn't know.
And two of them didn't know about MZB.
Half the folks around the table - a pretty heavily invested in genre group - didn't know.
And two of them didn't know about MZB.
February 6, 2026 at 2:38 AM
The topic of David Eddings came up at my table talk at Worldcon.
Half the folks around the table - a pretty heavily invested in genre group - didn't know.
And two of them didn't know about MZB.
Half the folks around the table - a pretty heavily invested in genre group - didn't know.
And two of them didn't know about MZB.
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
The blunt truth is that if Karen Pierce had been a man, then she would still be US ambassador now and Keir Starmer's government would not be on the brink of death.
February 5, 2026 at 11:16 PM
The blunt truth is that if Karen Pierce had been a man, then she would still be US ambassador now and Keir Starmer's government would not be on the brink of death.
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
*(french) chef-kiss*
February 6, 2026 at 7:36 AM
*(french) chef-kiss*
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
My story on Elon Musk cutting safeguards at xAI is on the front page of today's @washingtonpost.com. I’m also among 100’s of reporters laid off. I absolutely loved my job my brilliant coworkers & the thrill of reporting @ the center of forces upending the world: AI & Silicon Valley’s political power
February 4, 2026 at 7:40 PM
My story on Elon Musk cutting safeguards at xAI is on the front page of today's @washingtonpost.com. I’m also among 100’s of reporters laid off. I absolutely loved my job my brilliant coworkers & the thrill of reporting @ the center of forces upending the world: AI & Silicon Valley’s political power
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
”Provocative” is like “intellectual.” If other people use it to describe you, maybe you are. If you use it to describe yourself, you’re more likely just an asshole.
February 4, 2026 at 7:36 PM
”Provocative” is like “intellectual.” If other people use it to describe you, maybe you are. If you use it to describe yourself, you’re more likely just an asshole.
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
One by one, Europeans mentioned in the Epstein files who still hold political office are beginning to resign or are being forced out of office.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
February 3, 2026 at 2:39 PM
One by one, Europeans mentioned in the Epstein files who still hold political office are beginning to resign or are being forced out of office.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
This is preying on my mind a bit. Jeffrey Epstein was not primarily a British scandal! So far we've removed a Prince from the Royal family, fired our US ambassador who was one of the most important political figures of the last few decades and banned the CEO of Barclays from the financial industry..
One by one, Europeans mentioned in the Epstein files who still hold political office are beginning to resign or are being forced out of office.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
February 4, 2026 at 11:13 AM
This is preying on my mind a bit. Jeffrey Epstein was not primarily a British scandal! So far we've removed a Prince from the Royal family, fired our US ambassador who was one of the most important political figures of the last few decades and banned the CEO of Barclays from the financial industry..
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
And being done only to court favourable coverage from newspapers that will never provide it. Moral bankruptcy, political stupidity, economic suicide. Very, very this government.
Labour's changes to immigration rules, including potentially applying them retroactively, would be some of the most draconian anti-immigration policies in decades. They're the hostile environment on speed.
This is pure cruelty as policy, with absolutely no merit to them
archive.today/2026.02.03-2...
This is pure cruelty as policy, with absolutely no merit to them
archive.today/2026.02.03-2...
February 4, 2026 at 7:45 AM
And being done only to court favourable coverage from newspapers that will never provide it. Moral bankruptcy, political stupidity, economic suicide. Very, very this government.
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
Further evidence that neo- liberalism is destroying itself. Privatisation has resulted in less house building, more expensive infrastructure and public transport, generated inter - generational inequality and hollowed out state capacity to respond.
One overlooked aspect is that graduates are now forecast to cover 83% of higher education costs – the funding system has been almost entirely privatised.
February 2, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Further evidence that neo- liberalism is destroying itself. Privatisation has resulted in less house building, more expensive infrastructure and public transport, generated inter - generational inequality and hollowed out state capacity to respond.
Reposted by Bobby O'Malley
Sick and tired of seeing people make jokes and viral content about Epstein at the expense of victims. When your only reaction to sexual abuse is to laugh you contribute directly to a rape culture that trivializes and minimizes these crimes
February 1, 2026 at 3:14 AM
Sick and tired of seeing people make jokes and viral content about Epstein at the expense of victims. When your only reaction to sexual abuse is to laugh you contribute directly to a rape culture that trivializes and minimizes these crimes