Miles King
@milesking.bsky.social
Now at tail end of a long career in UK Nature Conservation - nature reserves, SSSIs, policy work, lots of reports - and 10+ years of blogging. Currently run @poundburynatureproject. Cellist. Living with chronic vestibular migraine. Personal account.
Pinned
Ex Tory MP John Redwood has been made a peer, as Lord Redwood on 31 January, and was formally introduced in the Lords on Tuesday
Toby Young, Matthew Elliott, Daniel Moylan, Claire Fox, Daniel Hannan, Michael Gove, Therese Coffey (a Brexit convert), Paul Goodman, John Moynihan, Ruth Lea, Stewart Jackson, Michael Hintze, Charles Moore, David Frost, Theo Agnew; & now John Redwood.
Rewarded for the Brexit calamity with peerages.
Rewarded for the Brexit calamity with peerages.
Labour Together dirty tricks scandal broken by @petergeoghegan.bsky.social Democracy for Sale, finally picked up by BBC www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Keir Starmer orders investigation into Labour Together claims
The think tank paid a company at least £30,000 to investigate the origins of a story about undeclared donations.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Labour Together dirty tricks scandal broken by @petergeoghegan.bsky.social Democracy for Sale, finally picked up by BBC www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Miles King
Quite possibly THE best theme tune ever!
youtu.be/RQFuzWSIjjc?...
youtu.be/RQFuzWSIjjc?...
February 15, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Quite possibly THE best theme tune ever!
youtu.be/RQFuzWSIjjc?...
youtu.be/RQFuzWSIjjc?...
If you're interested in the ever morphing language of Brexit, I recommend reading @chrisgrey.bsky.social chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com and listening to @aiannucci.bsky.social and guests, on www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand.... Between them they cover all the ground you could want covered (and more).
February 15, 2026 at 6:35 PM
If you're interested in the ever morphing language of Brexit, I recommend reading @chrisgrey.bsky.social chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com and listening to @aiannucci.bsky.social and guests, on www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand.... Between them they cover all the ground you could want covered (and more).
Reposted by Miles King
This isn't a purely philosophical or semantic argument about what "British" means.
Once you accept different tiers of British citizenship you gain a way to formally discriminate.
USSR documents famously had a "5th line" denoting ethnicity. Stalin's nationalist repressions used this as their basis.
Once you accept different tiers of British citizenship you gain a way to formally discriminate.
USSR documents famously had a "5th line" denoting ethnicity. Stalin's nationalist repressions used this as their basis.
It *literally* does.
Thats what it is. A document which says youre British.
Thats what it is. A document which says youre British.
February 15, 2026 at 2:01 PM
This isn't a purely philosophical or semantic argument about what "British" means.
Once you accept different tiers of British citizenship you gain a way to formally discriminate.
USSR documents famously had a "5th line" denoting ethnicity. Stalin's nationalist repressions used this as their basis.
Once you accept different tiers of British citizenship you gain a way to formally discriminate.
USSR documents famously had a "5th line" denoting ethnicity. Stalin's nationalist repressions used this as their basis.
The worst kind of fake-balance from the BBC in this headline, and to a lesser extent the article.
One person has said the purchase is divisive, but it's their words that have been used for the headline.
One person. Along with his photo.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
One person has said the purchase is divisive, but it's their words that have been used for the headline.
One person. Along with his photo.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Bid to buy Rothbury Estate as divisive as Brexit'
Funds are being raised to buy the Northumberland estate - but the plans have split opinion.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 6:29 PM
The worst kind of fake-balance from the BBC in this headline, and to a lesser extent the article.
One person has said the purchase is divisive, but it's their words that have been used for the headline.
One person. Along with his photo.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
One person has said the purchase is divisive, but it's their words that have been used for the headline.
One person. Along with his photo.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Utter madness.
February 15, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Utter madness.
Reposted by Miles King
"In Britain as a whole, you are never more than six feet from a rat. In Westminster, you are either right next to a rat or, as is more likely, you are actually a rat and haven’t realised."
www.thenerve.news/p/stewart-le...
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www.thenerve.news/p/stewart-le...
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February 15, 2026 at 11:12 AM
"In Britain as a whole, you are never more than six feet from a rat. In Westminster, you are either right next to a rat or, as is more likely, you are actually a rat and haven’t realised."
www.thenerve.news/p/stewart-le...
👇
www.thenerve.news/p/stewart-le...
👇
Reposted by Miles King
My thought exactly. Historians of all people should understand why this is wrong.
*Academic sells history off to the highest bidder*
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Professor finds Iron Age coin hoard near Bury St Edmunds
Tom Licence says he feels a personal connection to the coins, which are to be auctioned.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 9:22 AM
My thought exactly. Historians of all people should understand why this is wrong.
Yesterday was the first dry day (midnight to midnight) since the 5th January. So we didn't quite reach the biblical 40 days of rain.
February 15, 2026 at 8:04 AM
Yesterday was the first dry day (midnight to midnight) since the 5th January. So we didn't quite reach the biblical 40 days of rain.
More on the growing Labour Together scandal from @petergeoghegan.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/democrac...
open.substack.com/pub/democrac...
Starmer ally Josh Simons faces fresh questions about digging dirt on journalists
Tory and SNP chiefs call for Labour minister Simons to ‘come clean’ as we reveal new details of PR firm’s campaign to discredit journalists
open.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 11:47 AM
More on the growing Labour Together scandal from @petergeoghegan.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/democrac...
open.substack.com/pub/democrac...
Is he crossing the channel in a small boat?
February 14, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Is he crossing the channel in a small boat?
Latest post from Stewart Lee on @thenerve.news sees Lee explore an extended flight of fancy about rats in Parliament (yes metaphorical & real). "A mischief of six rats was deliberately maintained at Westminster in a tradition dating back to the days of Charles II" www.thenerve.news/p/stewart-le...
Stewart Lee: The rats are taking over Westminster - and there’s a rodent problem too
In Britain and around the world, the vermin seem to be becoming more visible. But then they recognise a sinking ship when they see one
www.thenerve.news
February 14, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Latest post from Stewart Lee on @thenerve.news sees Lee explore an extended flight of fancy about rats in Parliament (yes metaphorical & real). "A mischief of six rats was deliberately maintained at Westminster in a tradition dating back to the days of Charles II" www.thenerve.news/p/stewart-le...
More analysis of the Palestine Action appeal from @davidallengreen.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/emptycit...
What the Palestine Action judgment means - and what it does not mean
The High Court rules against the government, but not with enthusiasm
open.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:35 AM
More analysis of the Palestine Action appeal from @davidallengreen.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/emptycit...
Very much enjoying season two of Patience. And they actually made a decent effort at researching the botany episode (6).
February 13, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Very much enjoying season two of Patience. And they actually made a decent effort at researching the botany episode (6).
Reposted by Miles King
NEW
What the Palestine Action judgment means - and what it does not mean
How the High Court ruled against the government, but not with enthusiasm
By me: emptycity.substack.com/p/what-the-p...
(A follow up to my Prospect post this morning.)
What the Palestine Action judgment means - and what it does not mean
How the High Court ruled against the government, but not with enthusiasm
By me: emptycity.substack.com/p/what-the-p...
(A follow up to my Prospect post this morning.)
What the Palestine Action judgment means - and what it does not mean
The High Court rules against the government, but not with enthusiasm
emptycity.substack.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:51 PM
NEW
What the Palestine Action judgment means - and what it does not mean
How the High Court ruled against the government, but not with enthusiasm
By me: emptycity.substack.com/p/what-the-p...
(A follow up to my Prospect post this morning.)
What the Palestine Action judgment means - and what it does not mean
How the High Court ruled against the government, but not with enthusiasm
By me: emptycity.substack.com/p/what-the-p...
(A follow up to my Prospect post this morning.)
As with everything else climate crisis-related, the sooner we take action to massively increase our domestic fruit & veg output, the better prepared we will be when our current fruit & veg imports decline away to nothing. It's not if, but when.
www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/floods-...
www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/floods-...
Floods in Spain and Morocco set to hit UK fruit & veg supply
The flooding has devastated farms supplying olives, strawberries, citrus, avocados and winter crops
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 10:44 AM
As with everything else climate crisis-related, the sooner we take action to massively increase our domestic fruit & veg output, the better prepared we will be when our current fruit & veg imports decline away to nothing. It's not if, but when.
www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/floods-...
www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/floods-...
Reposted by Miles King
Palestine Action have WON their judicial review in the High Court!
A massive victory for free speech, freedom of association and the right to protest.
A massive defeat for the draconian attempts by Keir Starmer's government to curtail our fundamental rights.
A massive victory for free speech, freedom of association and the right to protest.
A massive defeat for the draconian attempts by Keir Starmer's government to curtail our fundamental rights.
February 13, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Palestine Action have WON their judicial review in the High Court!
A massive victory for free speech, freedom of association and the right to protest.
A massive defeat for the draconian attempts by Keir Starmer's government to curtail our fundamental rights.
A massive victory for free speech, freedom of association and the right to protest.
A massive defeat for the draconian attempts by Keir Starmer's government to curtail our fundamental rights.
Reposted by Miles King
This means that even if Palestine Action ad not won on Human Rights Act/ECHR grounds, Palestine Action would have won on another ground.
No doubt this will be missed by a lot of media reporting of this judgment, but even if HRA repealed etc, Palestine Action would have *still won*.
No doubt this will be missed by a lot of media reporting of this judgment, but even if HRA repealed etc, Palestine Action would have *still won*.
February 13, 2026 at 10:29 AM
This means that even if Palestine Action ad not won on Human Rights Act/ECHR grounds, Palestine Action would have won on another ground.
No doubt this will be missed by a lot of media reporting of this judgment, but even if HRA repealed etc, Palestine Action would have *still won*.
No doubt this will be missed by a lot of media reporting of this judgment, but even if HRA repealed etc, Palestine Action would have *still won*.
Reposted by Miles King
Wow!
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule
Protest group’s co-founder wins legal challenge against decision to proscribe it under anti-terrorism laws
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Wow!
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Who would have thought Tony Blair would end up licking Trump's arse.
The Tony Blair Institute out there today calling for more oil and gas drilling in an absolute gift for Farage and Badenoch. Government will be forgiven for thinking, with friends like these... www.businessgreen.com/news/4525624...
Government hits back at Tony Blair Institute call to ditch clean power targets
Think tank calls for 'energy strategy reset' to permit more drilling in the North Sea and drop clean power by 2030 goal, sparking criticism from government and analysts
www.businessgreen.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Who would have thought Tony Blair would end up licking Trump's arse.
Reposted by Miles King
#FindsFriday The stunning head of the Capel Garmon firedog, dug up from a peat bog in north Wales in 1852
A masterpiece of Late Iron Age forging & smithing, with bull's horns & plaited equine mane representing a composite animal
More here: coflein.gov.uk/en/site/800314
📷 My own, NMW St Fagans
A masterpiece of Late Iron Age forging & smithing, with bull's horns & plaited equine mane representing a composite animal
More here: coflein.gov.uk/en/site/800314
📷 My own, NMW St Fagans
February 13, 2026 at 7:38 AM
#FindsFriday The stunning head of the Capel Garmon firedog, dug up from a peat bog in north Wales in 1852
A masterpiece of Late Iron Age forging & smithing, with bull's horns & plaited equine mane representing a composite animal
More here: coflein.gov.uk/en/site/800314
📷 My own, NMW St Fagans
A masterpiece of Late Iron Age forging & smithing, with bull's horns & plaited equine mane representing a composite animal
More here: coflein.gov.uk/en/site/800314
📷 My own, NMW St Fagans
Reposted by Miles King
It’s not your language that offends. It’s your racism.
February 12, 2026 at 12:11 PM
It’s not your language that offends. It’s your racism.
The preservation of the decoration on this Bronze Age sword is insane. Look at that hilt and pommel.
In 2023, a Bronze Age sword was found during excavations in Nördlingen, Bavaria.
Non-destructive analysis now revealed new details about Bronze Age craftsmanship.
👉 www.helmholtz-berlin.de/pubbin/news_...
Non-destructive analysis now revealed new details about Bronze Age craftsmanship.
👉 www.helmholtz-berlin.de/pubbin/news_...
February 12, 2026 at 6:06 PM
The preservation of the decoration on this Bronze Age sword is insane. Look at that hilt and pommel.
Vox-pop. The emblem of the lazy news editor.
But also....so easy to shift the frame of a story, with a couple of carefully selected vox-pops. Do that day in day out, week in week out, for years, and the immigration story, for example, rises up the media agenda, and therefore the political agenda.
But also....so easy to shift the frame of a story, with a couple of carefully selected vox-pops. Do that day in day out, week in week out, for years, and the immigration story, for example, rises up the media agenda, and therefore the political agenda.
Am obviously hating the way Radio Four, rather than binning vox pops on this and other issues, now just uses a few comments from Radio Five Live's morning phone-in. Cheaper, and saves a reporter having to stand in the cold recruiting jobless and retired passers-by. But it's still rubbish journalism.
Ratcliffe says sorry his language 'offended some people' after criticism of immigration comments - live updates
The Man Utd co-owner says it's important to talk about
www.bbc.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Vox-pop. The emblem of the lazy news editor.
But also....so easy to shift the frame of a story, with a couple of carefully selected vox-pops. Do that day in day out, week in week out, for years, and the immigration story, for example, rises up the media agenda, and therefore the political agenda.
But also....so easy to shift the frame of a story, with a couple of carefully selected vox-pops. Do that day in day out, week in week out, for years, and the immigration story, for example, rises up the media agenda, and therefore the political agenda.