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Reposted by Ian Middleton

Mrs. Betty Bowers @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social · 20h

Frogs in slowly heating water is a popular allegory for being unaware that you are being destroyed in an incrementally worsening situation.

But I'm drawing hope from the past week that we frogs may be a bit more aware of our situation than those allegorical frogs. #Hop

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 17h

YouTube really needs to get its algorithm sorted. Firstly I'm served an ad for hair conditioner aimed at women. I'm a bald man. Then I'm served an add for wago beef. I'm a vegan. A fairly high profile vegan. Is this really the best that re-targeting can do in these days of ultra-AI profiling?

Reposted by Ian Middleton

Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 1d

Update: 128,000.

Accept this is slightly wild now.

Join.greenparty.org.uk

Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 2d

Sorry you've been a victim of fake news.

I said this morning to @vicderbyshire.bsky.social that the Green Party had passed 123,000 members.

A couple of hours later it's out of date. @greenparty.org.uk have 126,000! 🎉🚀

Join.greenparty.org.uk

Join the Green Party

Join the Green Party from just £6 a year. Become a member today - join the only party standing up for people and planet.

Join.greenparty.org.uk

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 2d

Even if it only raises a couple of billion, its still a couple of billion more than we get now!

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 5d

Never realised Oliver Postgate also originally created Basil Brush

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 5d

Today I discovered the magical Canterbury Museum with its iconic childhood artifacts from Oliver Postgate, including Bagpuss, The Clangers and Ivor. I learned Rupert the bear was also a Canterbury lad. It's always been closed when I've try to visit before. Glad we made it this time and I'll be back!

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 6d

Is it wrong to still enjoy watching Father Ted now that we know one of the writers is an arsehole?

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 7d

So much for "growth, growth, growth!"

www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/10...

Retail sales slowed in September amid Budget concerns - Retail Gazette

Retail sales have slowed as the Autumn Budget approaches, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

www.retailgazette.co.uk

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 8d

Coastal runs are the best!

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 8d

Lovely to catch up with @danthompson33.bsky.social at the Marine Studios in Margate and to meet all the other artists, poets and creatives working there. Part of the East Kent Open Houses project

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 8d

Fantastic to take a tour around the currently delapidated Dreamland cinema in Margate to see some of the sets from the movie Empire of Light. I remember seeing films there when it still operated. It's an iconic building that really deserves to be brought back into use.

Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 8d

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Green party reaches 100,000 members for first time after Polanski becomes leader

Green party in England and Wales has had near-50% rise in membership since since Zack Polanski took over last month

www.theguardian.com

Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 8d

Does that mean local parties can expect capitations to be paid soon then?

Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 9d

www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/2553343...

Nearly 2,000 donations made in first year of reuse scheme

Nearly 2,000 charitable donations have been made since the launch of a campaign to rehome used items a year ago.

www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 10d

English democracy relies on local councillors. So why are so many facing the axe? | Polly Toynbee www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

English democracy relies on local councillors. So why are so many facing the axe? | Polly Toynbee

Government plans to merge councils may not save money, and do nothing to solve the very real problems they face, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

www.theguardian.com

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 11d

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. A ceasefire is not an end to the war, no matter how much Trump would like to claim it is

Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 11d

Great to meet with the UK Ambassador to EU at Blenheim Palace on Monday and to hear from many Oxfordshire business leaders workng on sustainability and clean green energy

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 13d

I understand that @owenjones.bsky.social was excluded from the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social conference for challenging @luke-akehurstmp.bsky.social over war crimes in #Gaza. Luke said he doesn't believe Israel is commiting war crimes. Your 'beliefs' are irrelevant Luke. This is the reality.

Reposted by Ian Middleton

Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 16d

I'm Jewish. I'm also Mancunian.

Every other national party leader was interviewed by Laura Kunesberg during their conference.

Maybe the BBC thought as someone who also supports Palestine - I had nothing to say?

Let's keep growing: join.greenparty.org.uk

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 16d

These are the images that define the Labour government. An elderly clergywoman arrested for holding a cardboard sign simply because the government wants to be seen as being 'strong'. Strength comes in many forms. Moral strength is something we should expect from a supposed socialist party. Not this.

Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 16d

The Israeli government long since ceased being a friend to the Jewish people. Fascist Nazi sympathisers like Yaxley-Lennon never have been. He uses support for Judaism simply as a mechanism for demonising Muslims. So I can see why he'd be welcomed by a fellow right wing racist extremist.

Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 16d

She's right. Because it will never happen. This is just another dog whistle policy statement that hasn't been thought about beyond the level of a PR stunt intended to throw a bit more red meat into the Reform bear pit.

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Reposted by Ian Middleton

Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 17d

London now.

Country next.

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Greens ‘on track’ to supplant Labour as favourite party in London, says Zack Polanski

Exclusive: poll asked voters to rank parties on how favourably they felt about them, with strong support in capital and among younger voters

www.theguardian.com

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 16d

Lots of turning points in this year's conference. This has to be one of the most notable. Green Party membership overtakes Liberal Democrats under Polanski news.sky.com/story/green-...

Green Party membership overtakes Liberal Democrats under Polanski

Around 20,000 people have joined the Green Party in the past few months, and new leader Zack Polanski says he has "undoubtedly" had a role in this success.

news.sky.com

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Ian Middleton @ianmiddleton.bsky.social · 17d

So we have to wonder why the Lib Dems have so many more MPs than us then. Maybe the really important metric is how many active supporters both parties have including members and non-members.

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