James Austin
@jamesdaustin.bsky.social
This again. Outdoors. Politics. Sport. Not always in that order. Labour. Trade Unionist. Trying to do community things. Views entirely my own
Reposted by James Austin
White House with image of a Black man and an emoji of chains.
And the chosen image is of Don Lemon doing journalism.
And the chosen image is of Don Lemon doing journalism.
the White House's official X account gloats over the arrest of Don Lemon with a chains emoji
January 30, 2026 at 3:29 PM
White House with image of a Black man and an emoji of chains.
And the chosen image is of Don Lemon doing journalism.
And the chosen image is of Don Lemon doing journalism.
Reposted by James Austin
Every one of homes was under construction during the Labour administration
All Councillor Parsons has done is attend ribbon-cutting ceremonies, pat himself on the back, and cut over 2,000 homes from the council housebuilding programme…
All Councillor Parsons has done is attend ribbon-cutting ceremonies, pat himself on the back, and cut over 2,000 homes from the council housebuilding programme…
January 30, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Every one of homes was under construction during the Labour administration
All Councillor Parsons has done is attend ribbon-cutting ceremonies, pat himself on the back, and cut over 2,000 homes from the council housebuilding programme…
All Councillor Parsons has done is attend ribbon-cutting ceremonies, pat himself on the back, and cut over 2,000 homes from the council housebuilding programme…
Reposted by James Austin
John Oxley points out the clear yet often overlooked point that young men 18-24 are the second most liberal, left-leaning group in society (after young women) - being more so than young-ish thirtysomething women, and older women, as well as than men in older cohorts
🚨🚨 NEW BLOGPOST 🚨🚨
The right wing should be worried about young men. Unlike Europe and the US, British young men are swinging wildly behind progressive parties. Some thoughts on why, and why most of the right are ignoring it.
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
The right wing should be worried about young men. Unlike Europe and the US, British young men are swinging wildly behind progressive parties. Some thoughts on why, and why most of the right are ignoring it.
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
The Revolt of the Young Men?
Britain's second wokest cohort might surprise you
open.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:47 AM
John Oxley points out the clear yet often overlooked point that young men 18-24 are the second most liberal, left-leaning group in society (after young women) - being more so than young-ish thirtysomething women, and older women, as well as than men in older cohorts
Reposted by James Austin
I didn't think I could like the @manchestermill.bsky.social any more than I already do. Is it possible to be petty and important simultaneously? If you live or work in and around Manchester you should be reading the Mill manchestermill.co.uk/why-the-mill...
Why The Mill will be republishing ‘MEN Premium journalism’
How a publicly-funded scheme is being misused
manchestermill.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 8:15 AM
I didn't think I could like the @manchestermill.bsky.social any more than I already do. Is it possible to be petty and important simultaneously? If you live or work in and around Manchester you should be reading the Mill manchestermill.co.uk/why-the-mill...
Reposted by James Austin
Democrats have to battle an information environment where people who are nominally on their side lie about them just as much as their enemies. This party has its faults but you’re not going to improve it or the country by being supremely dishonest about it and making it harder for it to win.
January 30, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Democrats have to battle an information environment where people who are nominally on their side lie about them just as much as their enemies. This party has its faults but you’re not going to improve it or the country by being supremely dishonest about it and making it harder for it to win.
This seems like cope.
If this sort of thing is allowed to happen, with no institutions stepping in, your constitution evidently doesn't work.
It doesn't really matter that you technically have a avenue to stop it.
If this sort of thing is allowed to happen, with no institutions stepping in, your constitution evidently doesn't work.
It doesn't really matter that you technically have a avenue to stop it.
The United States is not actually in a constitutional crisis. Our Constitution works just fine.
We are in a crisis of character — where nearly every single person who has sworn an oath to uphold our Constitution and enforce the law lacks the courage, moral fiber, and decency to do what is right.
We are in a crisis of character — where nearly every single person who has sworn an oath to uphold our Constitution and enforce the law lacks the courage, moral fiber, and decency to do what is right.
the president of the united states should not be allowed to personally loot the treasury to the sum of ten billion dollars and that this is not resulting in immediate, unanimous impeachment is a dramatic indictment of what has become of our political system
January 30, 2026 at 7:20 AM
This seems like cope.
If this sort of thing is allowed to happen, with no institutions stepping in, your constitution evidently doesn't work.
It doesn't really matter that you technically have a avenue to stop it.
If this sort of thing is allowed to happen, with no institutions stepping in, your constitution evidently doesn't work.
It doesn't really matter that you technically have a avenue to stop it.
Reposted by James Austin
This website flying into a paroxysm of fury over an obvious Democratic strategic win is yet another reminder how cooked and out of touch with reality the discourse has become here
🚨 The Senate has agreed to a deal to vote on 5/6 full appropriations bills and replace the DHS funding measure with a 2-week stopgap bill, per multiple sources. That gives time to negotiate on the Dem demands for ICE and CBP restraints.
January 29, 2026 at 11:02 PM
This website flying into a paroxysm of fury over an obvious Democratic strategic win is yet another reminder how cooked and out of touch with reality the discourse has become here
Reposted by James Austin
UK murders are at their lowest level in half a century.
Homicides at lowest level in nearly 50 years, ONS statistics show
The 499 homicide cases in the year to September were the lowest in England and Wales since 1977.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 11:08 PM
UK murders are at their lowest level in half a century.
Reposted by James Austin
Kyiv residents share photos and videos on social media showing their freezing apartments and how they are trying to keep warm.
January 29, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Kyiv residents share photos and videos on social media showing their freezing apartments and how they are trying to keep warm.
Reposted by James Austin
I understand this, but I think it's surely a broader issue? Male pensioners who did manual work are similarly disadvantaged by having to retire later
Today’s statement is so disappointing for WASPI women, who feel strongly the injustice they have suffered.
I asked the SoS about the personal impact on my constituent who left school at 15 to do hard physical work and do it for longer than Uni graduates who make up 90% of MPs
I asked the SoS about the personal impact on my constituent who left school at 15 to do hard physical work and do it for longer than Uni graduates who make up 90% of MPs
January 29, 2026 at 6:13 PM
I understand this, but I think it's surely a broader issue? Male pensioners who did manual work are similarly disadvantaged by having to retire later
Reposted by James Austin
I’ve been out campaigning in Gorton & Denton today.
The response on the doors confirmed to me what all polling & fair analysis shows: this is a Labour vs Reform contest
Labour in Manchester is strong not just in activists but in public recognition of the city’s progress.
Together, we can win this
The response on the doors confirmed to me what all polling & fair analysis shows: this is a Labour vs Reform contest
Labour in Manchester is strong not just in activists but in public recognition of the city’s progress.
Together, we can win this
January 29, 2026 at 4:55 PM
I’ve been out campaigning in Gorton & Denton today.
The response on the doors confirmed to me what all polling & fair analysis shows: this is a Labour vs Reform contest
Labour in Manchester is strong not just in activists but in public recognition of the city’s progress.
Together, we can win this
The response on the doors confirmed to me what all polling & fair analysis shows: this is a Labour vs Reform contest
Labour in Manchester is strong not just in activists but in public recognition of the city’s progress.
Together, we can win this
Reposted by James Austin
The actual biggest knock on the UK Greens for me is that their foreign policy remains an embarrassing joke because they’re fundamentally cranks mounting a sporadic effort to pretend otherwise… but the leader being the most transparent conman imaginable certainly doesn’t *help*
It's telling how Green people keep trying to twist what Polanski did with Thypnoboobs stuff because it is entirely indefensible and speaks hugely to his character.
It's a puff piece. He is directly quoted saying his hypnosis can have a physical effect. He's lying to vulnerable women for publicity.
It's a puff piece. He is directly quoted saying his hypnosis can have a physical effect. He's lying to vulnerable women for publicity.
He never claimed...
weird because here he is directly quoted *literally doing that*. And he's never said he was misquoted - he's said he disowned the comments immediately but never did so on his website etc (he just noted how much attention they've got
weird because here he is directly quoted *literally doing that*. And he's never said he was misquoted - he's said he disowned the comments immediately but never did so on his website etc (he just noted how much attention they've got
January 29, 2026 at 2:04 PM
The actual biggest knock on the UK Greens for me is that their foreign policy remains an embarrassing joke because they’re fundamentally cranks mounting a sporadic effort to pretend otherwise… but the leader being the most transparent conman imaginable certainly doesn’t *help*
I can't speak for Eamon - but Angeliki is a lovely woman and a exceptional candidate. Delighted she's got shortlisted and hopefully has a chance to stand.
Turns out Labour isn't just one man. Who knew?
Turns out Labour isn't just one man. Who knew?
January 29, 2026 at 12:39 PM
I can't speak for Eamon - but Angeliki is a lovely woman and a exceptional candidate. Delighted she's got shortlisted and hopefully has a chance to stand.
Turns out Labour isn't just one man. Who knew?
Turns out Labour isn't just one man. Who knew?
Reposted by James Austin
As expected, the Government has 're-taken' the WASPI compensation decision, but has come to exactly the same conclusion - no compensation. Just announced in the House of Commons.
January 29, 2026 at 11:58 AM
As expected, the Government has 're-taken' the WASPI compensation decision, but has come to exactly the same conclusion - no compensation. Just announced in the House of Commons.
Reposted by James Austin
another point in favour of the thesis that having literally any hobbies or community at all is lib coded
BREAKING: A gender-critical challenge the City of London's trans-inclusive arrangements at Hampstead Heath ponds has been refused permission, just as consultation responses show majority back trans inclusion pa.media/blogs/pa-edi...
January 29, 2026 at 12:21 PM
another point in favour of the thesis that having literally any hobbies or community at all is lib coded
Okay, so I think I'm heading to Gorton and Denton to Stop Goodwin for the 14th (romantic Valentine's day)
Who fancies joining? And then having a beer or two after? (or just the beer if you aren't Laboury enough)
Who fancies joining? And then having a beer or two after? (or just the beer if you aren't Laboury enough)
If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.
So, vaugely academic Labour blueskiers (and, hell, non-academic ones) fancy a trip to Gorton to Stop Goodwin?
So, vaugely academic Labour blueskiers (and, hell, non-academic ones) fancy a trip to Gorton to Stop Goodwin?
Are you an academic already alarmed and upset by the prospect of Matt Goodwin MP?
Just think! If Reform wins the next general election, they'll probably make him higher education minister.
Just think! If Reform wins the next general election, they'll probably make him higher education minister.
January 29, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Okay, so I think I'm heading to Gorton and Denton to Stop Goodwin for the 14th (romantic Valentine's day)
Who fancies joining? And then having a beer or two after? (or just the beer if you aren't Laboury enough)
Who fancies joining? And then having a beer or two after? (or just the beer if you aren't Laboury enough)
Reposted by James Austin
At the risk of preaching not just to the choir but to the house of bishops, for my New Statesman column this week I have written about leaving Twitter a year ago, and how surreal it's been watching people make excuses for sharing a site with an AI sex pest tool
www.newstatesman.com/culture/soci...
www.newstatesman.com/culture/soci...
How I quit Elon Musk’s toxic online playground
X abandoned me long before I abandoned it
www.newstatesman.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:55 AM
At the risk of preaching not just to the choir but to the house of bishops, for my New Statesman column this week I have written about leaving Twitter a year ago, and how surreal it's been watching people make excuses for sharing a site with an AI sex pest tool
www.newstatesman.com/culture/soci...
www.newstatesman.com/culture/soci...
This may be, quite genuinely, the worst bit of electoral polling ive seen. Proper malpractice
Tables are up now. The number of respondents for the headline voting intention, once don't knows and won't votes are removed, is 51.
<Meaningful stare>
<Meaningful stare>
January 29, 2026 at 11:38 AM
This may be, quite genuinely, the worst bit of electoral polling ive seen. Proper malpractice
Reposted by James Austin
This means that Reform being ahead of Labour is presumably the product of 1 respondent's response.
Tables are up now. The number of respondents for the headline voting intention, once don't knows and won't votes are removed, is 51.
<Meaningful stare>
<Meaningful stare>
January 29, 2026 at 10:59 AM
This means that Reform being ahead of Labour is presumably the product of 1 respondent's response.
It's telling how Green people keep trying to twist what Polanski did with Thypnoboobs stuff because it is entirely indefensible and speaks hugely to his character.
It's a puff piece. He is directly quoted saying his hypnosis can have a physical effect. He's lying to vulnerable women for publicity.
It's a puff piece. He is directly quoted saying his hypnosis can have a physical effect. He's lying to vulnerable women for publicity.
He never claimed...
weird because here he is directly quoted *literally doing that*. And he's never said he was misquoted - he's said he disowned the comments immediately but never did so on his website etc (he just noted how much attention they've got
weird because here he is directly quoted *literally doing that*. And he's never said he was misquoted - he's said he disowned the comments immediately but never did so on his website etc (he just noted how much attention they've got
January 29, 2026 at 11:11 AM
It's telling how Green people keep trying to twist what Polanski did with Thypnoboobs stuff because it is entirely indefensible and speaks hugely to his character.
It's a puff piece. He is directly quoted saying his hypnosis can have a physical effect. He's lying to vulnerable women for publicity.
It's a puff piece. He is directly quoted saying his hypnosis can have a physical effect. He's lying to vulnerable women for publicity.
Reposted by James Austin
This was a minor story on London news this morning - but suspect is a real cautionary (and alarming) tale of an older man getting radicalised online.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sidcup man convicted aover explosive attack on Ulez camera
Kevin Rees's homemade bomb caused damage to vehicles and property including a child's bedroom.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM
This was a minor story on London news this morning - but suspect is a real cautionary (and alarming) tale of an older man getting radicalised online.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Fascinating work - but I do wonder if its a corrolation/causation thing.
The break theyve noted, from The Last Continent, is also about the point where you get a stylistic change in PTerrys writing - its the pretty much last purely 'satire/silly' book from him and was started IIRC years before
The break theyve noted, from The Last Continent, is also about the point where you get a stylistic change in PTerrys writing - its the pretty much last purely 'satire/silly' book from him and was started IIRC years before
Scientists Found an Early Signal of Dementia Hidden in Terry Pratchett's Novels
www.sciencealert.com/scientists-f...
www.sciencealert.com/scientists-f...
Scientists Found an Early Signal of Dementia Hidden in Terry Pratchett's Novels
The earliest signs of dementia are rarely dramatic.
www.sciencealert.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:13 AM
Fascinating work - but I do wonder if its a corrolation/causation thing.
The break theyve noted, from The Last Continent, is also about the point where you get a stylistic change in PTerrys writing - its the pretty much last purely 'satire/silly' book from him and was started IIRC years before
The break theyve noted, from The Last Continent, is also about the point where you get a stylistic change in PTerrys writing - its the pretty much last purely 'satire/silly' book from him and was started IIRC years before
Public opinion is quite nuanced here around weed - but the Green's position on harder drugs is *incredibly* unpopular and seen as extreme.
Which is why Labour are going on it
Which is why Labour are going on it
January 28, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Public opinion is quite nuanced here around weed - but the Green's position on harder drugs is *incredibly* unpopular and seen as extreme.
Which is why Labour are going on it
Which is why Labour are going on it
This data confirms my priors but even so...
... it's really doesn't show anything. Tiny sample size and, as Owen says, no candidates selected. So can't really be taken as anything aside from the very loosest of indications.
Don't read too much into it folks!
... it's really doesn't show anything. Tiny sample size and, as Owen says, no candidates selected. So can't really be taken as anything aside from the very loosest of indications.
Don't read too much into it folks!
Sample size of 143, one month from the election, with no Labour or Green candidates selected
January 28, 2026 at 4:29 PM
This data confirms my priors but even so...
... it's really doesn't show anything. Tiny sample size and, as Owen says, no candidates selected. So can't really be taken as anything aside from the very loosest of indications.
Don't read too much into it folks!
... it's really doesn't show anything. Tiny sample size and, as Owen says, no candidates selected. So can't really be taken as anything aside from the very loosest of indications.
Don't read too much into it folks!
Reposted by James Austin
Sample size of 143, one month from the election, with no Labour or Green candidates selected
January 28, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Sample size of 143, one month from the election, with no Labour or Green candidates selected