Norrette M.
@norrette.bsky.social
#UK West London Socialist (Uxb), interested in #art, #history, #gardening and #politics. #BoycottUSA
(NO DMs - unverified age, try the other place)
Ex IT bod. Perpetual OU student.
Here since Sept 2023
(NO DMs - unverified age, try the other place)
Ex IT bod. Perpetual OU student.
Here since Sept 2023
We are their customers after all. They need us.
Marco Rubio says US and Europe 'belong together' despite tensions
Marco Rubio says US and Europe 'belong together' despite tensions
The US Secretary of State reassures European leaders that the Trump administration backs the transatlantic alliance.
www.bbc.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:03 PM
We are their customers after all. They need us.
Reposted by Norrette M.
BREAKING - WE HAVE WON!
Following a successful Judicial Review brought by Huda Ammori, and a sustained campaign of defiance by defend our juries leading to almost 3,000 ‘terror’ arrests, the ban on Palestine Action has been ruled unlawful in the courts.
Following a successful Judicial Review brought by Huda Ammori, and a sustained campaign of defiance by defend our juries leading to almost 3,000 ‘terror’ arrests, the ban on Palestine Action has been ruled unlawful in the courts.
February 13, 2026 at 11:04 AM
BREAKING - WE HAVE WON!
Following a successful Judicial Review brought by Huda Ammori, and a sustained campaign of defiance by defend our juries leading to almost 3,000 ‘terror’ arrests, the ban on Palestine Action has been ruled unlawful in the courts.
Following a successful Judicial Review brought by Huda Ammori, and a sustained campaign of defiance by defend our juries leading to almost 3,000 ‘terror’ arrests, the ban on Palestine Action has been ruled unlawful in the courts.
"expedited process" ?
I am stunned at how empty his head is...
I am stunned at how empty his head is...
‘Starmer said to be keen to push through the appointment of Romeo as soon as possible with an expedited process amid a bitter briefing war over her suitability for the role’ 4.
February 12, 2026 at 4:57 PM
"expedited process" ?
I am stunned at how empty his head is...
I am stunned at how empty his head is...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"In this land of vanished crafts and endangered trades, there did arise recently a nice cottage industry of defining “Starmerism”. Writers and academics tried to plumb its depths and chart its hinterland."
<< Aditya on the evaporating puddle.
"In this land of vanished crafts and endangered trades, there did arise recently a nice cottage industry of defining “Starmerism”. Writers and academics tried to plumb its depths and chart its hinterland."
<< Aditya on the evaporating puddle.
Behold the incredible shrinking Starmer: the PM who promises more while giving less | Aditya Chakrabortty
It is not just this doomed government but the Labour party itself that is disappearing before our very eyes, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:06 AM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"In this land of vanished crafts and endangered trades, there did arise recently a nice cottage industry of defining “Starmerism”. Writers and academics tried to plumb its depths and chart its hinterland."
<< Aditya on the evaporating puddle.
"In this land of vanished crafts and endangered trades, there did arise recently a nice cottage industry of defining “Starmerism”. Writers and academics tried to plumb its depths and chart its hinterland."
<< Aditya on the evaporating puddle.
Peter Mandelson: I am a fighter and not a quitter - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-p...
A new day a new script.
A new day a new script.
February 11, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Peter Mandelson: I am a fighter and not a quitter - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-p...
A new day a new script.
A new day a new script.
#PMQs re the Graun report.
He defended the attack from Badenough, by streams of whataboutery. No different to the Tories then. Change?
Why not announce forthcoming plans to clean up lobbying, funding and other corruption or to tightens the HoLs?
Because he has no intention of doing it.
I'm done
He defended the attack from Badenough, by streams of whataboutery. No different to the Tories then. Change?
Why not announce forthcoming plans to clean up lobbying, funding and other corruption or to tightens the HoLs?
Because he has no intention of doing it.
I'm done
February 11, 2026 at 1:34 PM
#PMQs re the Graun report.
He defended the attack from Badenough, by streams of whataboutery. No different to the Tories then. Change?
Why not announce forthcoming plans to clean up lobbying, funding and other corruption or to tightens the HoLs?
Because he has no intention of doing it.
I'm done
He defended the attack from Badenough, by streams of whataboutery. No different to the Tories then. Change?
Why not announce forthcoming plans to clean up lobbying, funding and other corruption or to tightens the HoLs?
Because he has no intention of doing it.
I'm done
February 11, 2026 at 1:32 PM
#PMQs re the Graun report.
He defended the attack from Badenough, by streams of whataboutery. No different to the Tories then. Change?
Why not announce forthcoming plans to clean up lobbying, funding and other corruption or to tightens the HoLs?
Because he has no intention of doing it.
I'm done
He defended the attack from Badenough, by streams of whataboutery. No different to the Tories then. Change?
Why not announce forthcoming plans to clean up lobbying, funding and other corruption or to tightens the HoLs?
Because he has no intention of doing it.
I'm done
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
"Every vice-signal, whether it’s Trump or Farage or Jenrick or Herbert Kickl, is telling you the rules are over. If you can’t believe them the first time, at least believe them the 100th."
"Every vice-signal, whether it’s Trump or Farage or Jenrick or Herbert Kickl, is telling you the rules are over. If you can’t believe them the first time, at least believe them the 100th."
The rise of vice-signalling: how hatred poisoned politics
Over the last 10 years, the terms of political debate have changed completely – and week by week they seem to get worse
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:24 PM
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
"Every vice-signal, whether it’s Trump or Farage or Jenrick or Herbert Kickl, is telling you the rules are over. If you can’t believe them the first time, at least believe them the 100th."
"Every vice-signal, whether it’s Trump or Farage or Jenrick or Herbert Kickl, is telling you the rules are over. If you can’t believe them the first time, at least believe them the 100th."
The answers. Long read, requires coffee. But excellent. Don't know why I missed it before.
Insider dealing
Tax avoidance
Theft
Lying
Gift Article.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/m...
Insider dealing
Tax avoidance
Theft
Lying
Gift Article.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/m...
Scams, Schemes, Ruthless Cons: The Untold Story of How Jeffrey Epstein Got Rich
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:23 AM
The answers. Long read, requires coffee. But excellent. Don't know why I missed it before.
Insider dealing
Tax avoidance
Theft
Lying
Gift Article.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/m...
Insider dealing
Tax avoidance
Theft
Lying
Gift Article.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/m...
Yes, yes, yes
Mandelson revelations show need for tougher UK constraints to resist rule of the rich.
Big money buys access to policymakers, ministers, thwarts threatening laws. Political corruption is normalised. Democracy hijacked l
Must end political donations, second jobs for MPs; must control lobbyists.
Big money buys access to policymakers, ministers, thwarts threatening laws. Political corruption is normalised. Democracy hijacked l
Must end political donations, second jobs for MPs; must control lobbyists.
Mandelson revelations show need for tougher UK constraints to resist rule of the rich | Heather Stewart
Labour must protect democracy and learn lessons from Jeffrey Epstein’s efforts to influence government policy
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Yes, yes, yes
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
And also that term "growth" which purely represents a growth in profits, ie growth for the few not the many.
And also that term "growth" which purely represents a growth in profits, ie growth for the few not the many.
Global economy must move past GDP to avoid planetary disaster, warns UN chief
Exclusive: António Guterres says world’s accounting systems should place true value on the environment
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:36 AM
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
And also that term "growth" which purely represents a growth in profits, ie growth for the few not the many.
And also that term "growth" which purely represents a growth in profits, ie growth for the few not the many.
Reposted by Norrette M.
Regressive Taxation.
Wages taxed at marginal rates of 20% to 45% + National Insurance.
Capital gains taxed at 18% to 32%: dividends taxed at 8.75% to 39.35%; No NIC levied.
Successive govts appease the rich. Difference in rates/NIC fuels tax abuse industry, public purse robbed of billions.
Wages taxed at marginal rates of 20% to 45% + National Insurance.
Capital gains taxed at 18% to 32%: dividends taxed at 8.75% to 39.35%; No NIC levied.
Successive govts appease the rich. Difference in rates/NIC fuels tax abuse industry, public purse robbed of billions.
National Insurance is a regressive tax that hits the less well-off hardest
Compared to income tax, national insurance contributions attract little sustained scrutiny even though they provide large amounts to the public purse.
leftfootforward.org
February 9, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Regressive Taxation.
Wages taxed at marginal rates of 20% to 45% + National Insurance.
Capital gains taxed at 18% to 32%: dividends taxed at 8.75% to 39.35%; No NIC levied.
Successive govts appease the rich. Difference in rates/NIC fuels tax abuse industry, public purse robbed of billions.
Wages taxed at marginal rates of 20% to 45% + National Insurance.
Capital gains taxed at 18% to 32%: dividends taxed at 8.75% to 39.35%; No NIC levied.
Successive govts appease the rich. Difference in rates/NIC fuels tax abuse industry, public purse robbed of billions.
One down, more to fall davelevy.info/one-down-mor...
One down, more to fall
So McSweeney is permitted to resign ‘from government’ and in his apology seeks to constrain his downfall to his support for Mandelson as US ambassador. His departure gives Labour the opportunity to fi...
davelevy.info
February 9, 2026 at 9:18 AM
One down, more to fall davelevy.info/one-down-mor...
Indeed!
Criticise the #BBC all you want but there was this documentary on last night that was well made and totally fascinating… about a Young Conservatives outward bound exercise - excellent investigative reporting…
#LordOfTheFlies
#LordOfTheFlies
February 8, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Indeed!
Reposted by Norrette M.
Cripes... the new BBC adaptation of #LordOfTheFlies is exceptional. A brilliant telling of this darkest and most timelessly-relevant of tales, with strong performances from the young cast, some daring, haunting camerawork and absolutely no shying away from the visceral violence of the material (1/2)
February 8, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Cripes... the new BBC adaptation of #LordOfTheFlies is exceptional. A brilliant telling of this darkest and most timelessly-relevant of tales, with strong performances from the young cast, some daring, haunting camerawork and absolutely no shying away from the visceral violence of the material (1/2)
Reposted by Norrette M.
Reposted by Norrette M.
Nor is it enough to say that only Starmer’s Chief of Staff should take the rap. McSweeney should have been sacked months ago labourhub.org.uk/2026/02/08/m...
February 8, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Nor is it enough to say that only Starmer’s Chief of Staff should take the rap. McSweeney should have been sacked months ago labourhub.org.uk/2026/02/08/m...
[email protected]
Lewis, if Starmer doesn't want the job, why on earth did he block Burnham.. Or was that also down to McSweeney.
Lewis, if Starmer doesn't want the job, why on earth did he block Burnham.. Or was that also down to McSweeney.
February 8, 2026 at 6:15 PM
[email protected]
Lewis, if Starmer doesn't want the job, why on earth did he block Burnham.. Or was that also down to McSweeney.
Lewis, if Starmer doesn't want the job, why on earth did he block Burnham.. Or was that also down to McSweeney.
Look at Sweeney now alas
His body mortified and numb
Unconsoled and sleepless
In the rough blast of the storm.
Seamus Heaney - From Sweeney Astray.
Been waiting a couple of years for this quote. 🙃
His body mortified and numb
Unconsoled and sleepless
In the rough blast of the storm.
Seamus Heaney - From Sweeney Astray.
Been waiting a couple of years for this quote. 🙃
February 8, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Look at Sweeney now alas
His body mortified and numb
Unconsoled and sleepless
In the rough blast of the storm.
Seamus Heaney - From Sweeney Astray.
Been waiting a couple of years for this quote. 🙃
His body mortified and numb
Unconsoled and sleepless
In the rough blast of the storm.
Seamus Heaney - From Sweeney Astray.
Been waiting a couple of years for this quote. 🙃
McSweeney resigns from the govt. Hopefully not to return as consultant...
Did Starmer receive advice from his Chief:"sit it out"?
KS 'sat it out' at the footie yesterday
Yes "the same contempt for public accountability"
Browns support is conditional.
labourhub.org.uk/2026/02/08/m...
Did Starmer receive advice from his Chief:"sit it out"?
KS 'sat it out' at the footie yesterday
Yes "the same contempt for public accountability"
Browns support is conditional.
labourhub.org.uk/2026/02/08/m...
Mandelson: Why the Prime Minister must resign
Keir Starmer has to go because of his political complicity with the disgraced peer, argues Mike Phipps. It has dominated the headlines all week, but there is still more to say about Jeffrey Epstein…
labourhub.org.uk
February 8, 2026 at 2:30 PM
McSweeney resigns from the govt. Hopefully not to return as consultant...
Did Starmer receive advice from his Chief:"sit it out"?
KS 'sat it out' at the footie yesterday
Yes "the same contempt for public accountability"
Browns support is conditional.
labourhub.org.uk/2026/02/08/m...
Did Starmer receive advice from his Chief:"sit it out"?
KS 'sat it out' at the footie yesterday
Yes "the same contempt for public accountability"
Browns support is conditional.
labourhub.org.uk/2026/02/08/m...
Reposted by Norrette M.
Starmer problem solved. 1: Party pressure forces Starmer to resign after first giving Andy Burnham seat in House of Lords. 3: Lord Burnham becomes PM (It worked for Alec Douglas Home in 1963).4: Burnham wins by-election safe seat moves to HoC. 5: PR introduced. 6: Left-leaning coalition at next G.E.
February 7, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Starmer problem solved. 1: Party pressure forces Starmer to resign after first giving Andy Burnham seat in House of Lords. 3: Lord Burnham becomes PM (It worked for Alec Douglas Home in 1963).4: Burnham wins by-election safe seat moves to HoC. 5: PR introduced. 6: Left-leaning coalition at next G.E.
If you imagine today #Starmer's:
▪︎working on legislation to clean up govt
▪︎or perhaps he's in long drawn out discussions with McSweeney
▪︎or perhaps working to discuss with the PLP on how things should change
▪︎or even looking for new No. 10 staff
Think again.
*He's at the football*.
Priorities?
▪︎working on legislation to clean up govt
▪︎or perhaps he's in long drawn out discussions with McSweeney
▪︎or perhaps working to discuss with the PLP on how things should change
▪︎or even looking for new No. 10 staff
Think again.
*He's at the football*.
Priorities?
February 7, 2026 at 4:46 PM
If you imagine today #Starmer's:
▪︎working on legislation to clean up govt
▪︎or perhaps he's in long drawn out discussions with McSweeney
▪︎or perhaps working to discuss with the PLP on how things should change
▪︎or even looking for new No. 10 staff
Think again.
*He's at the football*.
Priorities?
▪︎working on legislation to clean up govt
▪︎or perhaps he's in long drawn out discussions with McSweeney
▪︎or perhaps working to discuss with the PLP on how things should change
▪︎or even looking for new No. 10 staff
Think again.
*He's at the football*.
Priorities?
Interesting case file.
USVirginIsles vs JP Morgan vs Staley
Includes good summary of potential money laundering, turning a blind eye to criminal activities. Epstein withdrew $750,000 in *cash* over a year.
Summary of Epsteins crimes.
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
USVirginIsles vs JP Morgan vs Staley
Includes good summary of potential money laundering, turning a blind eye to criminal activities. Epstein withdrew $750,000 in *cash* over a year.
Summary of Epsteins crimes.
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov
February 6, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Interesting case file.
USVirginIsles vs JP Morgan vs Staley
Includes good summary of potential money laundering, turning a blind eye to criminal activities. Epstein withdrew $750,000 in *cash* over a year.
Summary of Epsteins crimes.
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
USVirginIsles vs JP Morgan vs Staley
Includes good summary of potential money laundering, turning a blind eye to criminal activities. Epstein withdrew $750,000 in *cash* over a year.
Summary of Epsteins crimes.
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
Reposted by Norrette M.
Peter Brookes @BrookesTimes @thetimes on #Starmer #Mandelson #Epstein #EpsteinFiles #Profumo – political cartoon gallery in London original-political-cartoon.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Peter Brookes @BrookesTimes @thetimes on #Starmer #Mandelson #Epstein #EpsteinFiles #Profumo – political cartoon gallery in London original-political-cartoon.com