Fr Jonathan Bish
@frjonathanbish.bsky.social
Vicar of the Batley Benefice in West Yorkshire. I like steam trains, Anglo-Catholicism, travel, history, politics, choral music, wine and more.
What Sam said.
And honestly I don't give a fuck if it's popular or not. It's going to make a lot of kids' lives better. That's the point of government. Not an opinion poll.
November 26, 2025 at 2:31 PM
What Sam said.
A great deal of ‘welfare’ spending is basically the taxpayer picking up the tab for economic and political failures. I mean, how much of the UK’s welfare spending is basically down to the housing crisis and a decade of minimal wage growth?
There's an advert on his website for a 'Depot Supervisor' that pays £12.75 an hour for shift work.
If he wants to reduce welfare spending maybe he should pay staff enough that they don't need in-work benefits.
If he wants to reduce welfare spending maybe he should pay staff enough that they don't need in-work benefits.
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
November 26, 2025 at 8:39 AM
A great deal of ‘welfare’ spending is basically the taxpayer picking up the tab for economic and political failures. I mean, how much of the UK’s welfare spending is basically down to the housing crisis and a decade of minimal wage growth?
Reposted by Fr Jonathan Bish
I think this is a very important point in yimby discourse: people say they don’t like densification but in London at least the densification is happening anyway. It happens via house shares, kids living in parents houses forever etc. you get the densification with or without more housing!
A long time ago Ian Mulherin made this chart and this is densification. That part is already happening! Look at the line for London!
November 22, 2025 at 11:04 AM
I think this is a very important point in yimby discourse: people say they don’t like densification but in London at least the densification is happening anyway. It happens via house shares, kids living in parents houses forever etc. you get the densification with or without more housing!
Reposted by Fr Jonathan Bish
What Canadian friends, anyway?
So apparently this is fine but Canadian governments using advertising to share views with Americans about trade is completely inappropriate.
Got it.
Got it.
November 21, 2025 at 8:05 PM
What Canadian friends, anyway?
A timely piece for political life, and indeed for anyone in any position of leadership: there is only so much you can gain from listening to what people already believe and do. You have to believe in what you're about, or else you'll end up going nowhere and bringing no-one with you.
Latest piece for the @thehousemag.bsky.social, on the island of strangers speech and similar. Also ft Bob Hawke.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
The Professor Will See You Now: Island of strangers
Lessons in political science. This week: island of strangers
www.politicshome.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:26 AM
A timely piece for political life, and indeed for anyone in any position of leadership: there is only so much you can gain from listening to what people already believe and do. You have to believe in what you're about, or else you'll end up going nowhere and bringing no-one with you.
That US peace plan for Ukraine in full:
two muppets are standing on a balcony in front of a red curtain .
ALT: two muppets are standing on a balcony in front of a red curtain .
media.tenor.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:16 AM
That US peace plan for Ukraine in full:
Feels like just about time for a rewatch. I think Liz Truss was PM last time I watched it! (It was a quick gallop through…)
The first episode of House of Cards was broadcast on this day in 1990.
November 18, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Feels like just about time for a rewatch. I think Liz Truss was PM last time I watched it! (It was a quick gallop through…)
Two things have struck me about how we talk about refugee status in the UK:
1) moral imperatives really aren’t part of the discussion at all
2) how important symbols are. Taking jewellery especially, but also limiting refugees stays achieves little, but symbolism seems more important than policy.
1) moral imperatives really aren’t part of the discussion at all
2) how important symbols are. Taking jewellery especially, but also limiting refugees stays achieves little, but symbolism seems more important than policy.
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
November 18, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Two things have struck me about how we talk about refugee status in the UK:
1) moral imperatives really aren’t part of the discussion at all
2) how important symbols are. Taking jewellery especially, but also limiting refugees stays achieves little, but symbolism seems more important than policy.
1) moral imperatives really aren’t part of the discussion at all
2) how important symbols are. Taking jewellery especially, but also limiting refugees stays achieves little, but symbolism seems more important than policy.
A policy that will raise virtually no money (what, is the Home Office going to have an eBay & Pawn Shops Officer now?) and has historical resonances that, at best, leave most people feeling a little uncomfortable…
Plus, the far right will still say ‘Woke Open Borders Labour.’
Plus, the far right will still say ‘Woke Open Borders Labour.’
The Sun has been told Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will on Monday propose confiscating jewellery, watches, necklaces from asylum seekers to meet asylum costs
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
November 17, 2025 at 8:19 AM
A policy that will raise virtually no money (what, is the Home Office going to have an eBay & Pawn Shops Officer now?) and has historical resonances that, at best, leave most people feeling a little uncomfortable…
Plus, the far right will still say ‘Woke Open Borders Labour.’
Plus, the far right will still say ‘Woke Open Borders Labour.’
Yeah, basically all of these hit.
Whereas now ‘control the memes of production’ would probably garner at least 5%. And ‘do away with rights for minorities and women’ would probably be well north of 10%.
Whereas now ‘control the memes of production’ would probably garner at least 5%. And ‘do away with rights for minorities and women’ would probably be well north of 10%.
November 15, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Yeah, basically all of these hit.
Whereas now ‘control the memes of production’ would probably garner at least 5%. And ‘do away with rights for minorities and women’ would probably be well north of 10%.
Whereas now ‘control the memes of production’ would probably garner at least 5%. And ‘do away with rights for minorities and women’ would probably be well north of 10%.
Reposted by Fr Jonathan Bish
"Thank Heavens Reeves froze the thresholds," says the median voter in 2029 as they walk past the derelict sports centre and down the empty high street to cast their vote.
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
Survey finds 60% of key cities councils are planning to sell assets to meet costs of adult and children’s social care
English councils are planning to sell social clubs, sports centres and shopping arcades as they bet on a fire sale of assets to balance the books, according to a survey of local authorities.
The key cities group of councils, which represents second-tier cities in England, said 60% of councils were planning to sell assets to meet the escalating costs of adult and children’s social care. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:34 AM
"Thank Heavens Reeves froze the thresholds," says the median voter in 2029 as they walk past the derelict sports centre and down the empty high street to cast their vote.
I mean, one of Labour’s great electoral successes too… which just goes to show that you can do everything right in terms of winning elections efficiently, but without a vision, the people perish.
Starmer isn't Britain's worst ever prime minister, but he is Labour's worst ever prime minister and it's not even close
November 14, 2025 at 9:34 AM
I mean, one of Labour’s great electoral successes too… which just goes to show that you can do everything right in terms of winning elections efficiently, but without a vision, the people perish.
Reposted by Fr Jonathan Bish
Just think how long her budget speech is going to be. It's like a Radio 4 panel game show. "You've got 120 minutes to raise £30 billion pounds and you can't mention income tax. And you're time starts....."
November 13, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Just think how long her budget speech is going to be. It's like a Radio 4 panel game show. "You've got 120 minutes to raise £30 billion pounds and you can't mention income tax. And you're time starts....."
Unbelievable dithering. Running scared of their shadow.
They're polling 20%! They aren't going to make any friends with the next budget anyway; they might as well do what's right for the country (basic rate rise, NI-income tax swap) and show the markets they have some idea what consistency is.
They're polling 20%! They aren't going to make any friends with the next budget anyway; they might as well do what's right for the country (basic rate rise, NI-income tax swap) and show the markets they have some idea what consistency is.
November 14, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Unbelievable dithering. Running scared of their shadow.
They're polling 20%! They aren't going to make any friends with the next budget anyway; they might as well do what's right for the country (basic rate rise, NI-income tax swap) and show the markets they have some idea what consistency is.
They're polling 20%! They aren't going to make any friends with the next budget anyway; they might as well do what's right for the country (basic rate rise, NI-income tax swap) and show the markets they have some idea what consistency is.
Reposted by Fr Jonathan Bish
This will kill the heat pump market.
And that means cuts in investment in the whole system: tech, skills, supply chain, business investment.
And the subsidy is not a *benefit*, it's designed to equalise the choice between gas and electric.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
And that means cuts in investment in the whole system: tech, skills, supply chain, business investment.
And the subsidy is not a *benefit*, it's designed to equalise the choice between gas and electric.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan
Exclusive: chancellor plans to fund energy efficiency levies via warm homes plan as part of drive to lower energy bills
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:39 PM
This will kill the heat pump market.
And that means cuts in investment in the whole system: tech, skills, supply chain, business investment.
And the subsidy is not a *benefit*, it's designed to equalise the choice between gas and electric.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
And that means cuts in investment in the whole system: tech, skills, supply chain, business investment.
And the subsidy is not a *benefit*, it's designed to equalise the choice between gas and electric.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Fr Jonathan Bish
Do you have plans for Holy Week? Would you like to have plans for Holy Week?
Come and join us! Grants available for ordinands, students, and those in need.
Come and join us! Grants available for ordinands, students, and those in need.
November 12, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Do you have plans for Holy Week? Would you like to have plans for Holy Week?
Come and join us! Grants available for ordinands, students, and those in need.
Come and join us! Grants available for ordinands, students, and those in need.
So basically the song had Hitler and Goering the wrong way around?
Exclusive: Adolf Hitler’s DNA has been sequenced by scientists
It has:
- shown he had a disorder which impacted his sexual development
- debunked rumours about his ancestry
- shown a high likelihood that he had a neurodivergent condition and/or bipolar disorder
www.thetimes.com/article/e728...
It has:
- shown he had a disorder which impacted his sexual development
- debunked rumours about his ancestry
- shown a high likelihood that he had a neurodivergent condition and/or bipolar disorder
www.thetimes.com/article/e728...
Hitler had hidden genetic sexual disorder, DNA analysis reveals
The Nazi dictator had Kallmann syndrome, which hinders normal puberty and the development of sexual organs, according to groundbreaking research
www.thetimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:39 PM
So basically the song had Hitler and Goering the wrong way around?
Reposted by Fr Jonathan Bish
Do keep thinking that much discussion about the failings of the BBC is in the same category as 'the bus doesn't stop in front of my house so all buses are rubbish'. The BBC has lots of problems, but problems in society won't be removed by removing the BBC.
November 11, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Do keep thinking that much discussion about the failings of the BBC is in the same category as 'the bus doesn't stop in front of my house so all buses are rubbish'. The BBC has lots of problems, but problems in society won't be removed by removing the BBC.
Reposted by Fr Jonathan Bish
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
Look forward to my holiday funded by US government debt!
(I mean, probably should put it somewhere else, should this crazy scheme come to anything, but somehow the particular form it may come makes me think I'd better spend it quick before it evaporates!)
(I mean, probably should put it somewhere else, should this crazy scheme come to anything, but somehow the particular form it may come makes me think I'd better spend it quick before it evaporates!)
"A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone," announces President Trump in a Sunday morning social media post.
November 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Look forward to my holiday funded by US government debt!
(I mean, probably should put it somewhere else, should this crazy scheme come to anything, but somehow the particular form it may come makes me think I'd better spend it quick before it evaporates!)
(I mean, probably should put it somewhere else, should this crazy scheme come to anything, but somehow the particular form it may come makes me think I'd better spend it quick before it evaporates!)
One of the reasons rail electrification is so expensive in this country is because, wait for it, we do it in bits and wait for years before restarting, and have never had a rolling programme of electrification.
Guess what we're doing here?
Guess what we're doing here?
Govt scraps all electrification investment. Midland Main Line to stay forever diesel Leicester Nottingham Derby Sheffield. Hugely embarrassing and inexplicable
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
UK transport secretary says full electrification of railways ‘not affordable right now’
Heidi Alexander says focus will be on other projects such as HS2
www.ft.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:48 AM
One of the reasons rail electrification is so expensive in this country is because, wait for it, we do it in bits and wait for years before restarting, and have never had a rolling programme of electrification.
Guess what we're doing here?
Guess what we're doing here?
Reposted by Fr Jonathan Bish
"Communism is Soviet power plus the electrification of the whole country" (Lenin)
Vs
"Starmerism is Labour power plus lack of electrification of the whole country"
Vs
"Starmerism is Labour power plus lack of electrification of the whole country"
November 13, 2024 at 4:01 PM
"Communism is Soviet power plus the electrification of the whole country" (Lenin)
Vs
"Starmerism is Labour power plus lack of electrification of the whole country"
Vs
"Starmerism is Labour power plus lack of electrification of the whole country"
Rutter tomorrow (definitely the poor relation, but we had Duruflé Thursday), and then… a storm is coming.
November 8, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Rutter tomorrow (definitely the poor relation, but we had Duruflé Thursday), and then… a storm is coming.
Not sure what they aspire to here? An Anglican communion made up of *checks notes* Nigeria, Uganda, the Diocese of Sydney, ACNA (although they're already starting to fall out over LGBT+ issues), maybe South America... and Ireland!?
The #ChurchOfIreland has been drawn into the growing global Anglican rift after two diocesan bishops publicly endorsed GAFCON’s rejection of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s authority
#gafcon #archbishopofcanterbury #Anglicanism #AnglicanCommunion #churchnews
#gafcon #archbishopofcanterbury #Anglicanism #AnglicanCommunion #churchnews
Church of Ireland bishops at odds over GAFCON
‘Centre of gravity is moving south from Canterbury,’ says Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh
www.churchtimes.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Not sure what they aspire to here? An Anglican communion made up of *checks notes* Nigeria, Uganda, the Diocese of Sydney, ACNA (although they're already starting to fall out over LGBT+ issues), maybe South America... and Ireland!?
One of the more moving things I’ve ever done. John J Wallace, Priest RIP.
(And yes, the mayor and our host put on poppies for the occasion!)
(And yes, the mayor and our host put on poppies for the occasion!)
November 5, 2025 at 9:20 AM
One of the more moving things I’ve ever done. John J Wallace, Priest RIP.
(And yes, the mayor and our host put on poppies for the occasion!)
(And yes, the mayor and our host put on poppies for the occasion!)