Owentheblues
@owentheblues.bsky.social
Goldwing rider, drummer and all round grumpy old man but lover of all things Brecon Beacons, Bruce, Bolan, Broncos, Bulldogs, Bradfield and Bristol Rovers.
Reposted by Owentheblues
🔴 Nigel Farage’s Reform is more reliant on super-rich backers than any major party in modern British political history
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of Reform UK’s donations have come from just three rich men
Calls grow for donation caps as Democracy for Sale research reveals that three-quarters of Reform’s funding comes from a trio of wealthy donors
democracyforsale.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:55 AM
🔴 Nigel Farage’s Reform is more reliant on super-rich backers than any major party in modern British political history
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
Reposted by Owentheblues
Last year Sky News was rending its garments over Starmer's free eyeglasses: WHAT INFLUENCE DID LORD ALLI BUY?
Now, RefUK get £9m from a crypto bro, they have not one word about the donor's interests; just BRAVO NIGEL, barely concealed glee, and "what a huge boost... money goes where momentum is". 🤡
Now, RefUK get £9m from a crypto bro, they have not one word about the donor's interests; just BRAVO NIGEL, barely concealed glee, and "what a huge boost... money goes where momentum is". 🤡
December 4, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Last year Sky News was rending its garments over Starmer's free eyeglasses: WHAT INFLUENCE DID LORD ALLI BUY?
Now, RefUK get £9m from a crypto bro, they have not one word about the donor's interests; just BRAVO NIGEL, barely concealed glee, and "what a huge boost... money goes where momentum is". 🤡
Now, RefUK get £9m from a crypto bro, they have not one word about the donor's interests; just BRAVO NIGEL, barely concealed glee, and "what a huge boost... money goes where momentum is". 🤡
Reposted by Owentheblues
There's going to be a lot more pain – and regrettably there *needs* to be a lot more pain – for Farage supporters before this is out.
The Farage way is costly. That's the lesson. And you will damn well learn it.
The Farage way is costly. That's the lesson. And you will damn well learn it.
Around 26,000 of the neediest people in County Durham will have to start paying council tax next year...
About 2,400 others who already pay some council tax will lose part of their rebate.
Women and the disabled will be disproportionately affected.
Not quite what Reform UK had promised.
About 2,400 others who already pay some council tax will lose part of their rebate.
Women and the disabled will be disproportionately affected.
Not quite what Reform UK had promised.
Council tax shock for thousands of Durham’s poorest – thanks to Reform UK
Durham will scrap full council-tax rebates, forcing 26,000 low-income working-age residents to start paying for the first time
northeastbylines.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 6:19 PM
There's going to be a lot more pain – and regrettably there *needs* to be a lot more pain – for Farage supporters before this is out.
The Farage way is costly. That's the lesson. And you will damn well learn it.
The Farage way is costly. That's the lesson. And you will damn well learn it.
“But Johnson and Cummings, the one girdled by his sense of entitlement, the other by his misplaced intellectual vanity, are incapable of humility or shame. As for Frost, he shows the self-awareness of a toilet seat.” 😂
Brexit reminders. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog. Brexit may not be in the headlines, but many current news stories carry reminders of it, including the Hallett Inquiry report, the Gill scandal, the Budget & the latest net migration figures: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/brex...
November 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM
“But Johnson and Cummings, the one girdled by his sense of entitlement, the other by his misplaced intellectual vanity, are incapable of humility or shame. As for Frost, he shows the self-awareness of a toilet seat.” 😂
Reposted by Owentheblues
Whatever else this government do (and there's plenty of issues with this budget) ministers will always be able to point to this as an incredible important contribution to the country's future. Almost half a million kids taken out of poverty.
Scrapping the two-child limit in full is a monumental decision. Well done to all involved in the Child Poverty Strategy, and everyone who has made the case against the policy.
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
November 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Whatever else this government do (and there's plenty of issues with this budget) ministers will always be able to point to this as an incredible important contribution to the country's future. Almost half a million kids taken out of poverty.
Reposted by Owentheblues
"A cryptocurrency backed by one of Nigel Farage’s biggest donors has been used to help Russia fight its war against Ukraine, British investigators say."
It's not "ancient history" if you're knee-deep in it, Zia... ~AA
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
It's not "ancient history" if you're knee-deep in it, Zia... ~AA
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
November 24, 2025 at 3:40 PM
"A cryptocurrency backed by one of Nigel Farage’s biggest donors has been used to help Russia fight its war against Ukraine, British investigators say."
It's not "ancient history" if you're knee-deep in it, Zia... ~AA
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
It's not "ancient history" if you're knee-deep in it, Zia... ~AA
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Owentheblues
Farage et al really mustn't be allowed to walk away from this scandal, and its wider implications:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Former Reform in Wales leader Nathan Gill jailed for pro-Russian bribery
Nathan Gill, 52, is sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison after admitting taking bribes while an MEP.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Farage et al really mustn't be allowed to walk away from this scandal, and its wider implications:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Owentheblues
Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage.
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
Covid inquiry live: ‘Inexcusable’ delays under Johnson led to 23,000 deaths
Lockdowns may have been avoided if Boris Johnson’s government had acted faster, damning report finds
www.thetimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage.
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
Reposted by Owentheblues
Some of the people in this article have shared their recollections with me before - but on condition of anonymity. Coming forward now is an act of patriotism. Farage’s claim that it never happened is the opposite.
(Note also the line about pronouncing his name.)
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
(Note also the line about pronouncing his name.)
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
‘Deeply shocking’: Nigel Farage faces fresh claims of racism and antisemitism at school
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Some of the people in this article have shared their recollections with me before - but on condition of anonymity. Coming forward now is an act of patriotism. Farage’s claim that it never happened is the opposite.
(Note also the line about pronouncing his name.)
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
(Note also the line about pronouncing his name.)
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
Reposted by Owentheblues
November 17, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Reposted by Owentheblues
Everything about the current 'debate' around this is dismal, not just morally but because it is so stupid. For example:
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
Asylum system in UK ‘out of control’ and dividing country, home secretary says
Shabana Mahmood to unveil new proposals modelled on Denmark’s controversial system
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Everything about the current 'debate' around this is dismal, not just morally but because it is so stupid. For example:
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
Reposted by Owentheblues
Liz Truss on Fox News supporting Trump suing the BBC
"There are lots of people in Britain who are cheering President Trump on and want him to sue the BBC"
"And I believe the organisation needs to be defunded"
"There are lots of people in Britain who are cheering President Trump on and want him to sue the BBC"
"And I believe the organisation needs to be defunded"
November 15, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Liz Truss on Fox News supporting Trump suing the BBC
"There are lots of people in Britain who are cheering President Trump on and want him to sue the BBC"
"And I believe the organisation needs to be defunded"
"There are lots of people in Britain who are cheering President Trump on and want him to sue the BBC"
"And I believe the organisation needs to be defunded"
Reposted by Owentheblues
Interesting to see so many great British patriots right now begging an American president to bankrupt one of Britain’s last remaining truly national institutions.
November 15, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Interesting to see so many great British patriots right now begging an American president to bankrupt one of Britain’s last remaining truly national institutions.
Reposted by Owentheblues
Wales, UK nach Regenschauer nur mir dem Boot gefahrbar.
Massive flooding due to the River Monnow overflowing in Monmouth, Wales, UK 🇬🇧
t.me/Disaster_New...
Massive flooding due to the River Monnow overflowing in Monmouth, Wales, UK 🇬🇧
t.me/Disaster_New...
November 15, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Wales, UK nach Regenschauer nur mir dem Boot gefahrbar.
Massive flooding due to the River Monnow overflowing in Monmouth, Wales, UK 🇬🇧
t.me/Disaster_New...
Massive flooding due to the River Monnow overflowing in Monmouth, Wales, UK 🇬🇧
t.me/Disaster_New...
Reposted by Owentheblues
Today we remember one of British Speedway’s greats, SIMON WIGG, 25 years after his passing. 💚
#HullNeedsSpeedway
#HullNeedsSpeedway
November 15, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Today we remember one of British Speedway’s greats, SIMON WIGG, 25 years after his passing. 💚
#HullNeedsSpeedway
#HullNeedsSpeedway
Reposted by Owentheblues
Stasis, sanctimony and the liberal paradox. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog with such Brexit news as there is, but mainly analysis of what 'responsible Farage' tells us about the tensions in Reform and what the BBC row tells us about Brexitism: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/stas...
November 14, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Stasis, sanctimony and the liberal paradox. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog with such Brexit news as there is, but mainly analysis of what 'responsible Farage' tells us about the tensions in Reform and what the BBC row tells us about Brexitism: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/stas...
Reposted by Owentheblues
🏴 Wales has been “hurt hardest” by Brexit amid a “mess” of trade barriers, cultural blockades, and a “fading” Welsh presence in EU relations, Senedd committees have warned.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/wales-hurt-hardest-brexit-politician-32826185
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/wales-hurt-hardest-brexit-politician-32826185
Wales 'hurt hardest' by Brexit as politician warns: 'We are in a mess'
The EU remains Wales' biggest trading partner
www.walesonline.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 3:05 PM
🏴 Wales has been “hurt hardest” by Brexit amid a “mess” of trade barriers, cultural blockades, and a “fading” Welsh presence in EU relations, Senedd committees have warned.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/wales-hurt-hardest-brexit-politician-32826185
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/wales-hurt-hardest-brexit-politician-32826185
Reposted by Owentheblues
In case you missed it
Immigration, indecency, and incompetence. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog. The ever-more indecent terms of the immigration 'debate' are another failure of Brexit, which links to the ever-more obvious incompetence of Reform in local government: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/10/immi...
November 2, 2025 at 10:37 AM
In case you missed it
Reposted by Owentheblues
Some graffiti has appeared on the Reform UK office in Caerphilly.
Following a by election last week which Reform lost someone has written “now you can fuck off home”.
Reform had made immigration a key issue in by election.
These pictures are the copyright of Matthew Horwood.
Following a by election last week which Reform lost someone has written “now you can fuck off home”.
Reform had made immigration a key issue in by election.
These pictures are the copyright of Matthew Horwood.
October 25, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Some graffiti has appeared on the Reform UK office in Caerphilly.
Following a by election last week which Reform lost someone has written “now you can fuck off home”.
Reform had made immigration a key issue in by election.
These pictures are the copyright of Matthew Horwood.
Following a by election last week which Reform lost someone has written “now you can fuck off home”.
Reform had made immigration a key issue in by election.
These pictures are the copyright of Matthew Horwood.
Reposted by Owentheblues
Beth Rigby: "Keir Starmer has changed his top team more than I've had hot dinners."
In two years before Starmer we had 3 PMs, 4 Chancellors, 3 Foreign Secretaries, 5 Home Secretaries, 5 Education Secretaries, 5 Cabinet Secretaries, etc. - total 221 ministerial departures.
Maybe Beth is on a diet.
In two years before Starmer we had 3 PMs, 4 Chancellors, 3 Foreign Secretaries, 5 Home Secretaries, 5 Education Secretaries, 5 Cabinet Secretaries, etc. - total 221 ministerial departures.
Maybe Beth is on a diet.
October 25, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Beth Rigby: "Keir Starmer has changed his top team more than I've had hot dinners."
In two years before Starmer we had 3 PMs, 4 Chancellors, 3 Foreign Secretaries, 5 Home Secretaries, 5 Education Secretaries, 5 Cabinet Secretaries, etc. - total 221 ministerial departures.
Maybe Beth is on a diet.
In two years before Starmer we had 3 PMs, 4 Chancellors, 3 Foreign Secretaries, 5 Home Secretaries, 5 Education Secretaries, 5 Cabinet Secretaries, etc. - total 221 ministerial departures.
Maybe Beth is on a diet.
Reposted by Owentheblues
"This is insane. Turnout 50%. Up on 41% in 21. Young Plaid organiser telling me of all the texts and DMs from apolitical friends that they’re turning out to stop Reform."
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Caerphilly byelection result live: Plaid Cymru beats challenge from Reform UK to win pivotal Welsh parliament vote
Party that wants Wales to become independent seizes constituency from Labour and resists a fierce challenge from Reform UK
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:18 AM
"This is insane. Turnout 50%. Up on 41% in 21. Young Plaid organiser telling me of all the texts and DMs from apolitical friends that they’re turning out to stop Reform."
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reposted by Owentheblues
NEW: Police knew a Kremlin spy ring recruited former leader of Reform Wales at least 3 years ago.
So why was Nathan Gill not charged till Feb this year?
Pls read part 2 of @thenerve.news special investigation into Nathan Gill. And please share!
1/
So why was Nathan Gill not charged till Feb this year?
Pls read part 2 of @thenerve.news special investigation into Nathan Gill. And please share!
1/
October 18, 2025 at 8:53 AM
NEW: Police knew a Kremlin spy ring recruited former leader of Reform Wales at least 3 years ago.
So why was Nathan Gill not charged till Feb this year?
Pls read part 2 of @thenerve.news special investigation into Nathan Gill. And please share!
1/
So why was Nathan Gill not charged till Feb this year?
Pls read part 2 of @thenerve.news special investigation into Nathan Gill. And please share!
1/
Reposted by Owentheblues
This deserves more attention than it has received.
Gove: "we were too anxious as a government to secure those deals in order to show that Brexit was working".
Exactly as so many of us warned at the time, and as the government denied at the time.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/country-and-...
Gove: "we were too anxious as a government to secure those deals in order to show that Brexit was working".
Exactly as so many of us warned at the time, and as the government denied at the time.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/country-and-...
Michael Gove admits that post-Brexit trade deals were bad for farmers
Michael Gove has admitted for the first time that the Australia and New Zealand trade deals negotiated by the former Tory government did not protect Britain’s farmers.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 9:48 AM
This deserves more attention than it has received.
Gove: "we were too anxious as a government to secure those deals in order to show that Brexit was working".
Exactly as so many of us warned at the time, and as the government denied at the time.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/country-and-...
Gove: "we were too anxious as a government to secure those deals in order to show that Brexit was working".
Exactly as so many of us warned at the time, and as the government denied at the time.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/country-and-...
It’s time for a REAL Russia report
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
It’s time for a REAL Russia report
Putin’s fingerprints are all over our politics. It’s time to prove it.
open.substack.com
October 12, 2025 at 4:48 PM
It’s time for a REAL Russia report
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
Reposted by Owentheblues
Free stickers suitable for flag-bearing lampposts. Send a large A4 envelope with a 1st class large stamp to me at Bragg Office, PO Box 6830 Bridport DT6 9BH and I’ll send you a sheet. #ReclaimtheFlag 🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧
October 5, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Free stickers suitable for flag-bearing lampposts. Send a large A4 envelope with a 1st class large stamp to me at Bragg Office, PO Box 6830 Bridport DT6 9BH and I’ll send you a sheet. #ReclaimtheFlag 🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧