Martin Hughes
@martinhughes8.bsky.social
'Albert Einstein on filing tax returns: “too difficult for a mathematician. It takes a philosopher.”
Question is: what is tax for? Best answer...Taxation is unfortunate necessity given requirement to raise public funds in a complex society of many needs'
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/essays/46413...
Question is: what is tax for? Best answer...Taxation is unfortunate necessity given requirement to raise public funds in a complex society of many needs'
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/essays/46413...
What is tax for?
It could be time to boost the money we earn from the land
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 1:33 PM
'Albert Einstein on filing tax returns: “too difficult for a mathematician. It takes a philosopher.”
Question is: what is tax for? Best answer...Taxation is unfortunate necessity given requirement to raise public funds in a complex society of many needs'
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/essays/46413...
Question is: what is tax for? Best answer...Taxation is unfortunate necessity given requirement to raise public funds in a complex society of many needs'
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/essays/46413...
Reposted by Martin Hughes
When I hear Farage talking about rounding up and deporting hundreds of thousands of human beings, and threatening those with leave to remain or settled status, I cannot help but think of the schoolboy sidling up to me and telling me that “Hitler was right”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt | Peter Ettedgui
Now that my former classmate has finally spoken about the allegations of his behaviour at school, I feel compelled to address his points directly, says Peter Ettedgui, a film director and producer
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:34 PM
When I hear Farage talking about rounding up and deporting hundreds of thousands of human beings, and threatening those with leave to remain or settled status, I cannot help but think of the schoolboy sidling up to me and telling me that “Hitler was right”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Martin Hughes
Reform UK’s vow to scrap thousands of nature laws risks pushing Britain’s depleted countryside into irreversible decline, argues Stuart Spray
'Nigel Farage's Plan to Scrap Nature Protections Would Speed 'Demise' of UK Countryside'
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Reform UK’s vow to scrap thousands of nature laws risks pushing Britain’s depleted countryside into irreversible decline, argues Stuart Spray
Reposted by Martin Hughes
Britain's absolutely-impossible-extremely-difficult-no-good-options fiscal bind: latest
When can you declare an emergency over?
The 5p “emergency” petrol tax cut was introduced in March 2022, to offset a spike in prices
They are now about 30p down on that month, & about 50p down on the absolute peak
The 5p “emergency” petrol tax cut was introduced in March 2022, to offset a spike in prices
They are now about 30p down on that month, & about 50p down on the absolute peak
November 25, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Britain's absolutely-impossible-extremely-difficult-no-good-options fiscal bind: latest
Brexit costing UK up to £90bn in lost tax revenue , new analysis shows - www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
November 25, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Brexit costing UK up to £90bn in lost tax revenue , new analysis shows - www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by Martin Hughes
Yes. It is a fact. Trump is the most corrupt U.S president of all time and that was just in his first term. www.republicreport.org/2020/ten-rea...
Ten Reasons Trump is the Most Corrupt President in U.S. History - Republic Report
This website focuses on corruption of American politics and policy, so we've been busy for four years. Donald Trump, with a few months left in his presidential term, is the most corrupt president in U...
www.republicreport.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Yes. It is a fact. Trump is the most corrupt U.S president of all time and that was just in his first term. www.republicreport.org/2020/ten-rea...
Reposted by Martin Hughes
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 9:26 AM
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
Reposted by Martin Hughes
What's this? Farage and Reform are already in Trumpian fascist mode and they haven't even been elected to power.
If you receive legal threats from Nigel Farage for your reporting of Reform, please get in touch.
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform’s ‘Trumpian’ legal threats hint at more aggressive approach to media
Ultimatums sent to publications appear to intensify as Nigel Farage’s party rises in polls
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:09 AM
What's this? Farage and Reform are already in Trumpian fascist mode and they haven't even been elected to power.
Reposted by Martin Hughes
It's true, we'll see if there are any tax hikes for banks in the budget or not tomorrow. But the Treasury has been leaking like a sieve & some things are much more locked on than earlier kite-flying (to mix metaphors). This is via the Financial Times which has proven fairly reliable on this stuff.
Rachel Reeves asks banks to praise her plans as they escape Budget tax raid
Chancellor is under pressure from some Labour MPs to raise levies on business this week
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
It's true, we'll see if there are any tax hikes for banks in the budget or not tomorrow. But the Treasury has been leaking like a sieve & some things are much more locked on than earlier kite-flying (to mix metaphors). This is via the Financial Times which has proven fairly reliable on this stuff.
Reposted by Martin Hughes
Bossy headline from The Times letting Farage insist his “Hitler was right” racism was just ‘banter’.
If that were true, his politics now would be different and he’d apologise. He’s defensive because this is what he is and always has been and he’s angry with us for knowing that and for minding.
If that were true, his politics now would be different and he’d apologise. He’s defensive because this is what he is and always has been and he’s angry with us for knowing that and for minding.
November 25, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Bossy headline from The Times letting Farage insist his “Hitler was right” racism was just ‘banter’.
If that were true, his politics now would be different and he’d apologise. He’s defensive because this is what he is and always has been and he’s angry with us for knowing that and for minding.
If that were true, his politics now would be different and he’d apologise. He’s defensive because this is what he is and always has been and he’s angry with us for knowing that and for minding.
Reposted by Martin Hughes
After years of arguments, the numbers are finally in. A decade of data shows Brexit hit investment, growth and productivity exactly as predicted – only worse.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...
New: Boris Johnson’s ‘Brexit Titanic success’ was half right
Nearly ten years on, the first full assessment of Brexit confirms what millions warned: Britain made itself poorer
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
After years of arguments, the numbers are finally in. A decade of data shows Brexit hit investment, growth and productivity exactly as predicted – only worse.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...
Elections Bill needs donations cap
Ultra-wealthy can not just to influence a political movement, but to bankroll it entirely. When one person is sole funder of a party/campaign, politics becomes more about what benefits the donor rather than society/nation
electoral-reform.org.uk/minister-put...
Ultra-wealthy can not just to influence a political movement, but to bankroll it entirely. When one person is sole funder of a party/campaign, politics becomes more about what benefits the donor rather than society/nation
electoral-reform.org.uk/minister-put...
Minister: Put a donations cap in the Elections Bill
A million pounds here, a few hundred thousand there. Life-changing sums for most of us. Yet in the world of political finance, these are the figures some individuals can casually drop in
electoral-reform.org.uk
November 22, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Elections Bill needs donations cap
Ultra-wealthy can not just to influence a political movement, but to bankroll it entirely. When one person is sole funder of a party/campaign, politics becomes more about what benefits the donor rather than society/nation
electoral-reform.org.uk/minister-put...
Ultra-wealthy can not just to influence a political movement, but to bankroll it entirely. When one person is sole funder of a party/campaign, politics becomes more about what benefits the donor rather than society/nation
electoral-reform.org.uk/minister-put...
WASPI women - please sign: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/co...
WASPI scandal: Pay out compensation to the women affected
The Government has announced it will reconsider whether to compensate the WASPI women, following growing pressure and undisclosed "evidence"
Last December, the Government announced women born in the ...
you.38degrees.org.uk
November 22, 2025 at 1:50 PM
WASPI women - please sign: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/co...
Reposted by Martin Hughes
The disgraced former leader of Reform UK in Wales, Nathan Gill, will remain eligible to start receiving a ‘generous’ European Union pension less than two months after completing his sentence for accepting Russian bribes, Nation.Cymru can reveal ✍️ Luke James
Nathan Gill to pocket 'generous' EU pension after completing prison sentence for accepting Russian bribes
Luke James, Brussels The disgraced former leader of Reform UK in Wales, Nathan Gill, will remain eligible to start receiving a “generous” European Union pension less than two months after completing h...
wp.me
November 22, 2025 at 8:01 AM
The disgraced former leader of Reform UK in Wales, Nathan Gill, will remain eligible to start receiving a ‘generous’ European Union pension less than two months after completing his sentence for accepting Russian bribes, Nation.Cymru can reveal ✍️ Luke James
Reposted by Martin Hughes
‘As with climate change, the focus on consumers deflects scrutiny that should be directed towards industry. Not only do companies help establish false representations of consumer wastefulness, they are themselves waste creators on a gigantic scale.’
Brett Christophers:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Brett Christophers:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Brett Christophers · Assume the worst: Where our waste goes
Just as Big Oil has repeatedly failed to deliver on pledges to begin decarbonising, so too the promises of plastics...
www.lrb.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
‘As with climate change, the focus on consumers deflects scrutiny that should be directed towards industry. Not only do companies help establish false representations of consumer wastefulness, they are themselves waste creators on a gigantic scale.’
Brett Christophers:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Brett Christophers:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Reposted by Martin Hughes
I should like to see several former Tory government ministers in prison. Not for incompetence, because that isn't a crime, but for misconduct in public office associated with turning the pandemic into an enrichment opportunity and for gross negligence manslaughter.
November 21, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I should like to see several former Tory government ministers in prison. Not for incompetence, because that isn't a crime, but for misconduct in public office associated with turning the pandemic into an enrichment opportunity and for gross negligence manslaughter.
Reposted by Martin Hughes
Overseas-trained doctors leaving the UK in record numbers.
Direct result of racism and insecurity unleashed by major political parties.
Not enough home trained doctors. Takes years and high debt to become a doctor.
A healthcare crisis in the making.
Direct result of racism and insecurity unleashed by major political parties.
Not enough home trained doctors. Takes years and high debt to become a doctor.
A healthcare crisis in the making.
Overseas-trained doctors leaving the UK in record numbers
Medical bodies warn that hostility towards migrants is behind a 26% rise in departures last year that imperils NHS
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Overseas-trained doctors leaving the UK in record numbers.
Direct result of racism and insecurity unleashed by major political parties.
Not enough home trained doctors. Takes years and high debt to become a doctor.
A healthcare crisis in the making.
Direct result of racism and insecurity unleashed by major political parties.
Not enough home trained doctors. Takes years and high debt to become a doctor.
A healthcare crisis in the making.
Reposted by Martin Hughes
Reposted by Martin Hughes
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc... “Not only does this agreement sell out Ukraine and Europe for the benefit of Russia—which attacked Ukraine—it explicitly separates the U.S. from NATO, a long-time goal of Russia’s president Vladimir Putin.” This is a complete capitulation to Russia - it’s treachery
November 21, 2025
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Ukrainian people today.
open.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:03 AM
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc... “Not only does this agreement sell out Ukraine and Europe for the benefit of Russia—which attacked Ukraine—it explicitly separates the U.S. from NATO, a long-time goal of Russia’s president Vladimir Putin.” This is a complete capitulation to Russia - it’s treachery
Reposted by Martin Hughes
23,000. That's how many deaths can be blamed on Boris Johnson's chaotic Covid decisions and delays. Enough is enough, he must be stripped of his annual £115,000 handout. Sign the petition today: act.38degrees.org.uk/act/strip-Bo...
Sign the petition: Strip Boris Johnson of his annual former PM allowance
23,000. That's how many deaths can be blamed on Boris Johnson's chaotic Covid decisions and delays. Enough is enough, he must be stripped of his annual £115,000 handout. Sign the petition today:
act.38degrees.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 5:13 PM
23,000. That's how many deaths can be blamed on Boris Johnson's chaotic Covid decisions and delays. Enough is enough, he must be stripped of his annual £115,000 handout. Sign the petition today: act.38degrees.org.uk/act/strip-Bo...
Reposted by Martin Hughes
Extraordinary, when you think about it, that anyone could look at former *head of communications for Theresa May* Robbie Gibb & think ‘now that’s exactly the skillset we need a slice of’.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC board member quits after being ‘cut out’ of talks over liberal bias claims
Shumeet Banerji was away during crucial discussions that led to resignation of director general and BBC News chief
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Extraordinary, when you think about it, that anyone could look at former *head of communications for Theresa May* Robbie Gibb & think ‘now that’s exactly the skillset we need a slice of’.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Reposted by Martin Hughes
I could’ve sworn the Telegraph led accusations of the BBC skewing its news output but that can’t be right
Quite the correction by the Telegraph. The publication in question is @freemovement.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 5:52 PM
I could’ve sworn the Telegraph led accusations of the BBC skewing its news output but that can’t be right
Reposted by Martin Hughes
Researching this week's column, I stumbled across something that amazed me:
the near-absence of reliable data about climate impacts over most of the
world. Due to the rich world's failure to fund research. We don't know
because our governments don't care. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
the near-absence of reliable data about climate impacts over most of the
world. Due to the rich world's failure to fund research. We don't know
because our governments don't care. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
There’s a catastrophic black hole in our climate data – and it’s a gift to deniers | George Monbiot
Climate sceptics tell us that more people die of extreme cold than extreme heat. What’s the truth? asks Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Researching this week's column, I stumbled across something that amazed me:
the near-absence of reliable data about climate impacts over most of the
world. Due to the rich world's failure to fund research. We don't know
because our governments don't care. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
the near-absence of reliable data about climate impacts over most of the
world. Due to the rich world's failure to fund research. We don't know
because our governments don't care. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Martin Hughes
And we now know that Epstein and Bannon were involved with Farage. It sounds like a massive treasonous fraud was perpetrated on the British people. @bylinetimes.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/19/d...
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/19/d...
November 21, 2025 at 10:38 AM
And we now know that Epstein and Bannon were involved with Farage. It sounds like a massive treasonous fraud was perpetrated on the British people. @bylinetimes.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/19/d...
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/19/d...
Dinner with Mr Brexit: Bannon’s European Revolution – Planned with Farage, Backed by Epstein – Byline Times
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/19/d...
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/19/d...
Dinner with Mr Brexit: Bannon’s European Revolution – Planned with Farage, Backed by Epstein
Nigel Farage was the figurehead and his partner Laure Ferrari started it. Steve Bannon and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were providing almost daily support
bylinetimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Dinner with Mr Brexit: Bannon’s European Revolution – Planned with Farage, Backed by Epstein – Byline Times
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/19/d...
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/19/d...