Mark Shepstone
@mrshepstone.bsky.social
Curriculum AHT/acting DHT in Suffolk. Spaniel handler. ‘the man with orange hair’. Football ref. 🌹. Views mine etc.
#UKTeaching
#UKTeaching
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
RIP Tom Stoppard. He left a fantastic body of work - playful with language, and serious about ideas of democracy, liberalism and freedom.
November 30, 2025 at 9:53 AM
RIP Tom Stoppard. He left a fantastic body of work - playful with language, and serious about ideas of democracy, liberalism and freedom.
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
'This isn't an opinion. This is counting.'
- A 100,000 drop in net migration costs us £7bn
- Scrapping the two-child benefit cap costs us £3bn
What gets more attention?
James O’Brien says 'we have become a ludicrous country'.
- Scrapping the two-child benefit cap costs us £3bn
What gets more attention?
James O’Brien says 'we have become a ludicrous country'.
November 27, 2025 at 11:29 AM
'This isn't an opinion. This is counting.'
Week 149 of @1001albumsgen.bsky.social feat an album everyone thinks came out ‘when they were at high school’ and a good home result for the Spacemen vs Playing with Fire
November 26, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Week 149 of @1001albumsgen.bsky.social feat an album everyone thinks came out ‘when they were at high school’ and a good home result for the Spacemen vs Playing with Fire
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
🚨 The recent revelation that X (formerly Twitter) will now show users’ country of origin isn’t just a minor policy tweak: it should be a wake-up call for anyone serious about defending Western democratic institutions. (1/14)
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
MAGA X accounts exposed as being run from far-flung foreign countrie
The rollout has hit the MAGA movement particularly hard, with high-profile accounts which often post about election results and Trump's anti-immigration agenda linked to far-flung foreign nations.
www.dailymail.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
🚨 The recent revelation that X (formerly Twitter) will now show users’ country of origin isn’t just a minor policy tweak: it should be a wake-up call for anyone serious about defending Western democratic institutions. (1/14)
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Really pleased to see this, Ben is my MP and I’ve written to him regarding this issue. The continued use of X by any UK government (or government funded) agency is simply untenable
I’m calling on the UK Government to seriously review its presence on X (formerly Twitter) and then leave. It’s not just a communication channel anymore. Read more:
www.politicshome.com/news/article... 1/10
www.politicshome.com/news/article... 1/10
Labour MPs Call For A More Serious Review Of The Government's Use Of X
Labour MPs are calling for ministers to take control of decisions over the government’s continued use of X, as concerns grow about the platform’s s...
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Really pleased to see this, Ben is my MP and I’ve written to him regarding this issue. The continued use of X by any UK government (or government funded) agency is simply untenable
Week 148 of @1001albumsgen.bsky.social feat the best album ever (per some folks)
November 19, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Week 148 of @1001albumsgen.bsky.social feat the best album ever (per some folks)
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
Parties across Europe must understand: mimicking far-right parties will not win them any voters.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/16/the-guardian-view-on-europes-firewall-against-the-far-right-in-growing-need-of-repair
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/16/the-guardian-view-on-europes-firewall-against-the-far-right-in-growing-need-of-repair
The Guardian view on Europe’s firewall against the far right: in growing need of repair | Editorial
Editorial: The fragility of France’s cordon sanitaire against Le Pen is part of a worrying wider pattern, as centrist parties seek to revive their fortunes
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Parties across Europe must understand: mimicking far-right parties will not win them any voters.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/16/the-guardian-view-on-europes-firewall-against-the-far-right-in-growing-need-of-repair
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/16/the-guardian-view-on-europes-firewall-against-the-far-right-in-growing-need-of-repair
This is very sad but true for big parts of the USA www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Michelle Obama says the U.S. is 'not ready' for a woman president
"Don't even look at me about running," Obama said, adding the country has "a lot of growing up to do."
www.nbcnews.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:57 PM
This is very sad but true for big parts of the USA www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
Okay, I can't let this one go. I live in Ireland, not the UK, but the use of this image by a supposedly socialist party is so stupid and offensive, I'm going to get stuck in.
Let me explain to you why any experienced illustrator/designer could have stopped you making so many miserable mistakes. 1/
Let me explain to you why any experienced illustrator/designer could have stopped you making so many miserable mistakes. 1/
November 15, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Okay, I can't let this one go. I live in Ireland, not the UK, but the use of this image by a supposedly socialist party is so stupid and offensive, I'm going to get stuck in.
Let me explain to you why any experienced illustrator/designer could have stopped you making so many miserable mistakes. 1/
Let me explain to you why any experienced illustrator/designer could have stopped you making so many miserable mistakes. 1/
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
Not the first to make this point. But there is a tyrant in charge of another country who is accused of being heavily linked to a paedophile sex ring - and supposed ‘patriots’ in this country are passionately willing him to take down our national broadcaster. Madness.
November 15, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Not the first to make this point. But there is a tyrant in charge of another country who is accused of being heavily linked to a paedophile sex ring - and supposed ‘patriots’ in this country are passionately willing him to take down our national broadcaster. Madness.
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
Trump-supporting, self-styled upholders of ‘Judeo-Christian values’ on either side of the Atlantic will be along any moment now*…
*Spoiler alert: they absolutely won’t.
*Spoiler alert: they absolutely won’t.
What a photograph.
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
November 15, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Trump-supporting, self-styled upholders of ‘Judeo-Christian values’ on either side of the Atlantic will be along any moment now*…
*Spoiler alert: they absolutely won’t.
*Spoiler alert: they absolutely won’t.
Week 147 of @1001albumsgen.bsky.social was a good mix with one obvious standout 😍
November 13, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Week 147 of @1001albumsgen.bsky.social was a good mix with one obvious standout 😍
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
I find the endless, often pointless drama that has typified UK politics coverage for a decade as draining & unedifying as anyone. But, *as of now* & by every relevant measure, Starmer’s position is perilously close to untenable. Of course people are planning for a future where he’s no longer leader.
November 12, 2025 at 7:58 AM
I find the endless, often pointless drama that has typified UK politics coverage for a decade as draining & unedifying as anyone. But, *as of now* & by every relevant measure, Starmer’s position is perilously close to untenable. Of course people are planning for a future where he’s no longer leader.
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
I reckon easily half of difficult conversations with families about attendance include a parent saying "you only care about your figures".
I'm sure this'll help no end 🙄
Such a massive misunderstanding of the issue.
I'm sure this'll help no end 🙄
Such a massive misunderstanding of the issue.
Every school will get an individual target to improve attendance – and this will be powered by AI, the government has announced
DfE sets AI-powered attendance targets for schools
Headteachers’ leaders dismiss new individual attendance targets for every school as a ‘Whitehall diktat’ that will be an extra burden on staff
www.tes.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:48 AM
I reckon easily half of difficult conversations with families about attendance include a parent saying "you only care about your figures".
I'm sure this'll help no end 🙄
Such a massive misunderstanding of the issue.
I'm sure this'll help no end 🙄
Such a massive misunderstanding of the issue.
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
Conservative Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston tells GB News that the BBC should "grovel" to Trump.
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
November 11, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Conservative Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston tells GB News that the BBC should "grovel" to Trump.
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
Your cat when you're choking to death in your apartment
November 6, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Your cat when you're choking to death in your apartment
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
Wearing a poppy is meaningful because it is voluntary. There are many different & shifting views in Ireland about whether and how to engage with commemorations of the world wars, which include many Irish servicemen, given our complex history. We should respect people's choices, not try to impose
November 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Wearing a poppy is meaningful because it is voluntary. There are many different & shifting views in Ireland about whether and how to engage with commemorations of the world wars, which include many Irish servicemen, given our complex history. We should respect people's choices, not try to impose
Week 146 of @1001albumsgen.bsky.social has one of the greatest live albums ever, some early morning DnB and a band I’ve never heard of
November 5, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Week 146 of @1001albumsgen.bsky.social has one of the greatest live albums ever, some early morning DnB and a band I’ve never heard of
Liverpool fans right now being particularly embarrassing
November 4, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Liverpool fans right now being particularly embarrassing
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
British government and MPs still use this man's social media platform.
Elon Musk, "These lovely small towns in England, Scotland and Ireland, they've been living their lives quietly. They're like hobbits"
"And so one day, 1,000 people show up in your village of 500 and start raping the kids"
"This has now happened, God knows how many times in Britain"
"And so one day, 1,000 people show up in your village of 500 and start raping the kids"
"This has now happened, God knows how many times in Britain"
November 2, 2025 at 8:42 PM
British government and MPs still use this man's social media platform.
‘Tommy Robinson’ hearing about the incident, then finding out the facts
November 2, 2025 at 7:35 PM
‘Tommy Robinson’ hearing about the incident, then finding out the facts
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
The fact that one of the two men arrested has now been cleared and released is a pretty huge "STOP" sign to everyone who's spent the last 24 hours rushing to interpret the attack. Facts, like trains, are sometimes slower to arrive than we'd like. But you just have to wait for them.
Extract from more recent Goodwin post. He really should never be allowed on the BBC - or any other reputable broadcaster - again.
November 2, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The fact that one of the two men arrested has now been cleared and released is a pretty huge "STOP" sign to everyone who's spent the last 24 hours rushing to interpret the attack. Facts, like trains, are sometimes slower to arrive than we'd like. But you just have to wait for them.
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
Reposted by Mark Shepstone
Did he read the bit in Lord of The Rings where a creepy toxic guy filled the local ruler’s head with idiotic poison and wrecked everything in that kingdom until the king came to his senses and chucked the toxic creep out?
October 29, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Did he read the bit in Lord of The Rings where a creepy toxic guy filled the local ruler’s head with idiotic poison and wrecked everything in that kingdom until the king came to his senses and chucked the toxic creep out?
