Author | Lightnews

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 16h

I don't believe there is any real strong desire for independence in Wales (unlike Scotland); Plaid won due to them being least worst choice imho.

The lesson here for the rest of the country/England is how important tactical voting is becoming

2

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 16h

It's clear to me that tactical voting is going to become important if the hate mongers of Reform are to be stopped from taking hold. But surely this is too risky and now is the time for Single Transferable Vote Proportional Representation. Yes, no doubt they will get their say but they won't lead

1

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 16h

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
As someone from Caerphilly, and witj wider family from the South Wales mining community, I don't know if I should feel saddened by the 36% who voted for reform or proud that sufficient Labour and Tories voted tactically for Plaid to defy the haters a win.

Plaid Cymru ousts Labour in Caerphilly byelection

Rhun ap Iorwerth’s party seizes Senedd seat after Reform UK challenge

www.theguardian.com

2 1 2

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 1d

I would be interested to know when you thought we ever had enough such assets to fend off a nation such as Russia without the help and assistance of allies; WW2? Nope! WW1? Nope! Oh but we did capture back the Falkand Islands from Argentina without any help 😀

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 1d

I struggle for words that describe my anger at those that wish to score political points. I feel there is some manipulation going on here, and that there is a real risk that no one with their salt will take on this inquiry now due to the likely vitriol should the outcomes not fit agendas

2

Reposted

Channel 4 News @channel4news.bsky.social · 1d

Former police chief Jim Gamble, who has withdrawn as a candidate to lead the grooming gang inquiry, tells Jackie Long abuse survivors have been "treated as a political football" in the whole process.

Read and watch here:

Former police chief attacks ‘political point-scoring’ after withdrawal from grooming gangs inquiry

Jim Gamble told Channel 4 News he ultimately stepped back as he felt he had not won the confidence of all the survivors in the group, and accused misinformation online of spreading lies.

www.channel4.com

3 14 27

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 2d

By the way, and for clarity, my own view is that it should not be about race but about actions. If not focused on actions we risk further such horrendous acts.

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 2d

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
I can't help but feel that this is becoming/ has become a political football. There seems to be those keen to ensure race is not the focus and others who very much want race to be the focus. Ultimately such division serves only the perpetrators (whatever race)

Grooming gang survivors say ministers trying to water down inquiry despite reassurances

Woman who quit panel says she was asked about ‘broader approach’, despite Shabana Mahmood’s insistence focus will not change

www.theguardian.com

1

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 4d

I do hope people realise the importance of tactical voting at the next election. If not I fear the only winners will be Reform, with a Tory/Reform coalition a high likelihood imho

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 10d

I had respect for Tugendhat when he was in Government, but am disappointed to see him engage in political point scoring. The opposition seek to identify to what level either Government ministers or their political advisors interfered, won't take no for an answer then complain when evidence given!

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 11d

And who will get in as a result?

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 12d

Please let's continue as a nation to be more like this and less like the US

8

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 13d

www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Not into football, so don't know much about Gary Neville, but as someone who served 40 years in the military I fully agree with the point he is trying to get across. I note some of the hypocrisy (in both him and myself); but let's all just be the best we can be

Flag alert! Gary Neville may not be Orwell but he is a very English type of patriot | Barney Ronay

An easy target for accusations of luxury hypocrisy, Neville has at least tried to address an issue that has everything to do with aggressively flag-draped and militarised modern sport

www.theguardian.com

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 16d

Maybe some money left their to pay the recent court judgement 🤔

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 16d

I like the way she says this demonstrates that the Tory party is the only one that can be trusted with the UK's economy

a cartoon smiley face is laughing with tears coming out of his eyes .

ALT: a cartoon smiley face is laughing with tears coming out of his eyes .

media.tenor.com

Reposted

James O’Brien @mrjamesob.bsky.social · 16d

Lords Heseltine & Kinnock seem more alive to these self-evident truths than most members of the Commons. Similarly, I find thinkers with direct lived experience of far right dictatorship, Greeks of a certain age for example, crystal clear about what’s happening now.

BBC Newsnight @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social · 17d

“You described Reform and other parties across Europe today as among the 'right wing equivalents of the fascists in the 1930s'. Why?”

“Because that’s what they are”

@vicderbyshire.bsky.social asks Lord Heseltine about remarks he made at Conservative Party Conference.

#Newsnight

61 420 1.6K

Reposted

Melanie D’Arrigo @darrigomelanie.bsky.social · 17d

I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.

1.7K 21K 56K

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 17d

And that's a scary thought 😳

1

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · 22d

I've always held the belief that we get the politicians we deserve (on a national not personal basis). In today's society of instant (and often incorrect news (or even downright lies)) that we the people often perpetuate, what else can we expect/hope for? Defeatist you say? I guess so!

1

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · Sep 23

It's almost like he wished they had completed the job in 3 days; would save him the headache of trying to mediate (as if this term could be used for his innaction)

2

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · Sep 20

It's his belief that Brexit was worth being poorer that really gets me. What he's saying is it's OK for other people to get poorer so that he can enjoy what he hoped would be less regulatory freedoms

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · Sep 20

What an awful thing for him to say; it's not him that's getting poorer, and even if it was in sure he's still a long way off the breadline. I admire the fact that he does at least pay his taxes, but for someone with his wealth to say its OK to be poorer to achieve meet his personal beliefs is cras

1

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · Sep 20

He does recognise that Labour have improved the rate of processing but believes we need a 'Covid' emergency style approach to speed this up. He recognises this would need extra funding, which he says would be realised by accommodation savings. But do we have the staff to manage this?

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · Sep 18

I never mind being wrong: got to love a school day

neil393.bsky.social @neil393.bsky.social · Sep 17

You clearly enjoy being angry

1