Max Colbert
@mc00.bsky.social
Freelance journo/researcher.
Bylines: Guardian, Mirror, Good Law Project, DeSmog, Byline Times, Democracy for Sale, Index on Censorship, The Citizens etc.
Cited: BBC, LBC, The Times, Searchlight etc.
[email protected]
Bylines: Guardian, Mirror, Good Law Project, DeSmog, Byline Times, Democracy for Sale, Index on Censorship, The Citizens etc.
Cited: BBC, LBC, The Times, Searchlight etc.
[email protected]
Reposted by Max Colbert
No, ChatGPT is not conscious. Are the journalists who keep writing these fucking articles?
November 25, 2025 at 10:27 PM
No, ChatGPT is not conscious. Are the journalists who keep writing these fucking articles?
Reposted by Max Colbert
We are moving inexorably to the end point of electoral chaos - five parties all tied on 19% in the polls, election to be decided by blindfolded chimps chucking coloured darts at a constituency map
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 25% (-2)
LAB: 19% (=)
CON: 18% (+1)
GRN: 16% (-1)
LDM: 15% (+2)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 23-24 Nov.
Changes w/ 16-17 Nov.
RFM: 25% (-2)
LAB: 19% (=)
CON: 18% (+1)
GRN: 16% (-1)
LDM: 15% (+2)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 23-24 Nov.
Changes w/ 16-17 Nov.
November 25, 2025 at 11:14 AM
We are moving inexorably to the end point of electoral chaos - five parties all tied on 19% in the polls, election to be decided by blindfolded chimps chucking coloured darts at a constituency map
Reposted by Max Colbert
Morning Bluesky.
November 26, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Morning Bluesky.
Reposted by Max Colbert
As for Farage’s use of racist slurs being confined to his childhood - well, that's not what Alan Sked, the founder of UKIP, claimed in this 2014 interview.
He says here that Farage was using the "n" word as late as 1997.
Farage would have been about 33 at time.
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
He says here that Farage was using the "n" word as late as 1997.
Farage would have been about 33 at time.
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
Ukip founder Alan Sked: 'The party has become a Frankenstein's monster'
He may have founded Ukip, but Alan Sked's moderate, Brussels-boycotting party has gone rogue. Stuart Jeffries meets the academic who's desperate to stop the bandwagon he first set rolling
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:55 AM
As for Farage’s use of racist slurs being confined to his childhood - well, that's not what Alan Sked, the founder of UKIP, claimed in this 2014 interview.
He says here that Farage was using the "n" word as late as 1997.
Farage would have been about 33 at time.
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
He says here that Farage was using the "n" word as late as 1997.
Farage would have been about 33 at time.
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
Reposted by Max Colbert
Not everything is political strategy. The truth matters for it's own sake.
this is going to backfire, the way putting Trump on trial for campaign finance backfired. In both cases, the target claims a witchhunt, and his base believes that claim.
I'm sure the stories are true, but Farage will just continue repeating "I was a teenager".
I'm sure the stories are true, but Farage will just continue repeating "I was a teenager".
November 26, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Not everything is political strategy. The truth matters for it's own sake.
Reposted by Max Colbert
new allegation concerning Farage’s behaviour when he was 18 years old
November 26, 2025 at 7:59 AM
new allegation concerning Farage’s behaviour when he was 18 years old
Reposted by Max Colbert
This valuable research on US tech company Palantir is essential reading for anyone interested in data governance in the UK.
Great stuff from Mark!
If you want to read more about Palantir's aggressive expansion into the UK, it is something I have mapped quite extensively over time.
2022: bylinetimes.com/2022/06/30/h...
2023: www.bylinesupplement.com/p/the-defaul...
2025: bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
If you want to read more about Palantir's aggressive expansion into the UK, it is something I have mapped quite extensively over time.
2022: bylinetimes.com/2022/06/30/h...
2023: www.bylinesupplement.com/p/the-defaul...
2025: bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
November 26, 2025 at 8:08 AM
This valuable research on US tech company Palantir is essential reading for anyone interested in data governance in the UK.
Reposted by Max Colbert
Labour is turning Britain into an authoritarian state.
That’s bad enough now.
But imagine what a Nigel Farage government will build on all these authoritarian foundations.
That’s bad enough now.
But imagine what a Nigel Farage government will build on all these authoritarian foundations.
Justice secretary wants most jury trials scrapped
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Labour is turning Britain into an authoritarian state.
That’s bad enough now.
But imagine what a Nigel Farage government will build on all these authoritarian foundations.
That’s bad enough now.
But imagine what a Nigel Farage government will build on all these authoritarian foundations.
Great stuff from Mark!
If you want to read more about Palantir's aggressive expansion into the UK, it is something I have mapped quite extensively over time.
2022: bylinetimes.com/2022/06/30/h...
2023: www.bylinesupplement.com/p/the-defaul...
2025: bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
If you want to read more about Palantir's aggressive expansion into the UK, it is something I have mapped quite extensively over time.
2022: bylinetimes.com/2022/06/30/h...
2023: www.bylinesupplement.com/p/the-defaul...
2025: bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
November 26, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Great stuff from Mark!
If you want to read more about Palantir's aggressive expansion into the UK, it is something I have mapped quite extensively over time.
2022: bylinetimes.com/2022/06/30/h...
2023: www.bylinesupplement.com/p/the-defaul...
2025: bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
If you want to read more about Palantir's aggressive expansion into the UK, it is something I have mapped quite extensively over time.
2022: bylinetimes.com/2022/06/30/h...
2023: www.bylinesupplement.com/p/the-defaul...
2025: bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
Reposted by Max Colbert
“It seems free speech only exists for people who agree with them.” Reform UK's legal threats against Welsh news service @nation.cymru hints at the party taking a more aggressive approach to the #UK media. Read Daniel Boffey's analysis:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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 1:38 PM
“It seems free speech only exists for people who agree with them.” Reform UK's legal threats against Welsh news service @nation.cymru hints at the party taking a more aggressive approach to the #UK media. Read Daniel Boffey's analysis:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Max Colbert
…And here’s how Michael Gove’s Spectator reported on Homelessness this Month.
(Gove is now a Judge for the Orwell Prize on “Reporting Homelessness” )
🤷♂️🤦🏻♂️
(Gove is now a Judge for the Orwell Prize on “Reporting Homelessness” )
🤷♂️🤦🏻♂️
November 26, 2025 at 7:06 AM
…And here’s how Michael Gove’s Spectator reported on Homelessness this Month.
(Gove is now a Judge for the Orwell Prize on “Reporting Homelessness” )
🤷♂️🤦🏻♂️
(Gove is now a Judge for the Orwell Prize on “Reporting Homelessness” )
🤷♂️🤦🏻♂️
Reposted by Max Colbert
"Warming is going to exceed 1.5°C. We are heading into “overshoot” within the next few years. The world is going to become more turbulent and more dangerous. So, what comes after failure?" Some thoughts from Johan Rockstrom & me 10 years after Paris Agreement.
theconversation.com/the-world-lo...
theconversation.com/the-world-lo...
The world lost the climate gamble. Now it faces a dangerous new reality
The world bet on collective but voluntary action to keep global warming at a safe level.
theconversation.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:35 AM
"Warming is going to exceed 1.5°C. We are heading into “overshoot” within the next few years. The world is going to become more turbulent and more dangerous. So, what comes after failure?" Some thoughts from Johan Rockstrom & me 10 years after Paris Agreement.
theconversation.com/the-world-lo...
theconversation.com/the-world-lo...
Reposted by Max Colbert
pretty much every long-time Labour volunteer I know is seriously considering whether to vote Green or Lib Dem.
It is amazingly horrifying in how little Labour leaders have zero, even negative faith in the values that their party's supposed to stand for. I have the deepest sympathies for the party ground floor workers and supporters who're disgusted by this grotesque betrayal of their values. It's despairing.
November 25, 2025 at 8:53 PM
pretty much every long-time Labour volunteer I know is seriously considering whether to vote Green or Lib Dem.
Reposted by Max Colbert
This seems not good...
Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham Councils are among London local borough governments which have reportedly been hit a "cybersecurity incident"
www.mylondon.news/news/east-lo...
Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham Councils are among London local borough governments which have reportedly been hit a "cybersecurity incident"
www.mylondon.news/news/east-lo...
'Multiple' London councils hit by cyber attack - live updates
MyLondon has seen internal memos from three local authorities confirming an incident
www.mylondon.news
November 25, 2025 at 6:10 PM
This seems not good...
Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham Councils are among London local borough governments which have reportedly been hit a "cybersecurity incident"
www.mylondon.news/news/east-lo...
Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham Councils are among London local borough governments which have reportedly been hit a "cybersecurity incident"
www.mylondon.news/news/east-lo...
Reposted by Max Colbert
Olivia Nuzzi wrote an entire story based on unnamed sources about Biden's decline, reinvigorating calls for him to leave the race -- and the whole time, she was working on RFK Jr.'s behalf, according to her ex-fiance. newrepublic.com/article/2035...
Olivia Nuzzi’s Real Victims
More than her fiancé, or fellow female journalists, the public will pay the price for these misdeeds. RFK Jr. will see to that.
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Olivia Nuzzi wrote an entire story based on unnamed sources about Biden's decline, reinvigorating calls for him to leave the race -- and the whole time, she was working on RFK Jr.'s behalf, according to her ex-fiance. newrepublic.com/article/2035...
Reposted by Max Colbert
EXCLUSIVE: Jury trials to be scrapped in most cases to tackle court backlog - in @thetimes.com www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...
Jury trials to be scrapped in most cases to tackle court backlog
David Lammy, the justice secretary, is proposing that judges hear cases alone for crimes that could result in a sentence of up to five years
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:12 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Jury trials to be scrapped in most cases to tackle court backlog - in @thetimes.com www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...
Reposted by Max Colbert
New: Three new ex-pupils come forward, on the record, to say Farage's racism as a teenager was targeted, persistent and nasty. Farage has denied targeting any individuals - but two of the men tell us they recall Farage abusing Peter Ettedgui.
w/ Dan Boffey, @drblacklock.bsky.social
w/ Dan Boffey, @drblacklock.bsky.social
Three more ex-pupils at school with Nigel Farage reject ‘banter’ claims
Exclusive: Dulwich college contemporaries ‘rubbish’ Reform UK leader’s suggestion alleged racist taunts not intended to hurt
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:17 PM
New: Three new ex-pupils come forward, on the record, to say Farage's racism as a teenager was targeted, persistent and nasty. Farage has denied targeting any individuals - but two of the men tell us they recall Farage abusing Peter Ettedgui.
w/ Dan Boffey, @drblacklock.bsky.social
w/ Dan Boffey, @drblacklock.bsky.social
'when I hear Mr 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 8:49 PM
'when I hear Mr 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 Max Colbert
Gove has been an extremely poisonous influence on our politics. Undermining expert consensus on Brexit [had enough of experts, etc] and lying his way through the whole process in the aftermath of the Referendum. A travesty that he is on this panel of judges assessing political writing.
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Gove has been an extremely poisonous influence on our politics. Undermining expert consensus on Brexit [had enough of experts, etc] and lying his way through the whole process in the aftermath of the Referendum. A travesty that he is on this panel of judges assessing political writing.
Reposted by Max Colbert
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Reposted by Max Colbert
The government’s decision to halve the time limit for refugees to leave Home Office accommodation is driving people into homelessness and exploitation, according to migrant rights campaigners and homelessness charities
By me, for @theleaduk.bsky.social national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
By me, for @theleaduk.bsky.social national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
New asylum policies making homeless refugees “targets for the far right”
Labour’s abrupt return to the 28-day move-on period is pushing vulnerable people into rough sleeping and exposing them to fraud and abuse.
national.thelead.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The government’s decision to halve the time limit for refugees to leave Home Office accommodation is driving people into homelessness and exploitation, according to migrant rights campaigners and homelessness charities
By me, for @theleaduk.bsky.social national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
By me, for @theleaduk.bsky.social national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
🔴 NEW: Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say “Orwell would have enjoyed the irony” of the former Conservative minister’s appointment
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Critics say “Orwell would have enjoyed the irony” of the former Conservative minister’s appointment
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:20 PM
🔴 NEW: Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say “Orwell would have enjoyed the irony” of the former Conservative minister’s appointment
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Critics say “Orwell would have enjoyed the irony” of the former Conservative minister’s appointment
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Reposted by Max Colbert
“The more that marginalized voices disappear from legacy outlets, the more it matters to fight for our corner instead of abandoning it.
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
“Texas desperately needs a place where we can tell our stories, where we can be ourselves, mourn our losses, and celebrate our victories,” writes @kitoconnell.com.
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM
“The more that marginalized voices disappear from legacy outlets, the more it matters to fight for our corner instead of abandoning it.
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
Reposted by Max Colbert
My taxes bring all the boys to the yard.
And they're like "this is bad approach to fiscal policy".
And they're like "this is bad approach to fiscal policy".
November 25, 2025 at 11:55 AM
My taxes bring all the boys to the yard.
And they're like "this is bad approach to fiscal policy".
And they're like "this is bad approach to fiscal policy".
Reposted by Max Colbert
🔴Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say “Orwell would have enjoyed the irony” of the former Conservative minister’s appointment
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Critics say “Orwell would have enjoyed the irony” of the former Conservative minister’s appointment
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
🔴Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say “Orwell would have enjoyed the irony” of the former Conservative minister’s appointment
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Critics say “Orwell would have enjoyed the irony” of the former Conservative minister’s appointment
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...