Patrick McDermott
@sibelian62.bsky.social
OAP. Not a musician. Enjoy music, CBSO/HALLE, plus eclectic tastes. RT's not endorsements! Typos normal :-) Living in N. Shropshire UK.
Pinned
Patrick McDermott
@sibelian62.bsky.social
· Feb 26
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
If free speech means anything worth fighting for, it means the ability to punch up at power.
So if you’re taking on powerful interests and you get a legal letter, get in touch 👇
https://goodlaw.social/el2g
So if you’re taking on powerful interests and you get a legal letter, get in touch 👇
https://goodlaw.social/el2g
November 28, 2025 at 6:42 PM
If free speech means anything worth fighting for, it means the ability to punch up at power.
So if you’re taking on powerful interests and you get a legal letter, get in touch 👇
https://goodlaw.social/el2g
So if you’re taking on powerful interests and you get a legal letter, get in touch 👇
https://goodlaw.social/el2g
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
The #Budget2025’s extended freeze on tax thresholds means from April 2028 people will pay more in these taxes than they otherwise would have.
So our Government Tracker’s now rating Labour’s pledge to “not increase taxes on working people” as ‘Not kept’.
So our Government Tracker’s now rating Labour’s pledge to “not increase taxes on working people” as ‘Not kept’.
Has the government kept its pledge not to increase taxes on ‘working people’? – Full Fact
Full Fact looks at Labour’s manifesto commitment on taxation, which has led to much debate over the meaning of the phrase ‘working people’.
fullfact.org
November 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The #Budget2025’s extended freeze on tax thresholds means from April 2028 people will pay more in these taxes than they otherwise would have.
So our Government Tracker’s now rating Labour’s pledge to “not increase taxes on working people” as ‘Not kept’.
So our Government Tracker’s now rating Labour’s pledge to “not increase taxes on working people” as ‘Not kept’.
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Alf Dubs Accuses Shabana Mahmood of ‘Letting the Country Down’ With Plans to Outdo Reform on Asylum
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/28/a...
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/28/a...
Alf Dubs Accuses Shabana Mahmood of 'Letting the Country Down' With Plans to Outdo Reform on Asylum
The veteran Labour peer and lifelong campaigner for child refugees, Alf Dubs, tells Byline Times that the Home Secretary's plans are "bitterly disappointing coming from a Labour Government"
bylinetimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Alf Dubs Accuses Shabana Mahmood of ‘Letting the Country Down’ With Plans to Outdo Reform on Asylum
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/28/a...
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/28/a...
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
🎯 @zackpolanski.bsky.social: "We can judge Farage not just by the words he, allegedly, shouted as a child, but by the words and actions he has chosen to broadcast as an adult..."
"But will he ever take any responsibility for anything he says? I seriously doubt it."
"But will he ever take any responsibility for anything he says? I seriously doubt it."
November 28, 2025 at 7:15 PM
🎯 @zackpolanski.bsky.social: "We can judge Farage not just by the words he, allegedly, shouted as a child, but by the words and actions he has chosen to broadcast as an adult..."
"But will he ever take any responsibility for anything he says? I seriously doubt it."
"But will he ever take any responsibility for anything he says? I seriously doubt it."
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
#NowSpinning Something unusual. Not the music - Karelia is very familiar - but Sibelius from this source! I am starting with the suite and will keep the Symphony for another day when I have more time.
November 28, 2025 at 6:05 PM
#NowSpinning Something unusual. Not the music - Karelia is very familiar - but Sibelius from this source! I am starting with the suite and will keep the Symphony for another day when I have more time.
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Met a shockingly flexible old lady today.
Her name is Baba Yoga.
Her name is Baba Yoga.
November 28, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Met a shockingly flexible old lady today.
Her name is Baba Yoga.
Her name is Baba Yoga.
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Join the @londonsymphony.bsky.social for Thea Musgrave's incandescent 'Phoenix Rising' in two concerts supported by the RPS Thea Musgrave Fund, 11 December at the Barbican Centre, and 13 December at Bristol Beacon. You can find out more and book here: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/whats_on/lso...
November 28, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Join the @londonsymphony.bsky.social for Thea Musgrave's incandescent 'Phoenix Rising' in two concerts supported by the RPS Thea Musgrave Fund, 11 December at the Barbican Centre, and 13 December at Bristol Beacon. You can find out more and book here: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/whats_on/lso...
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Negotiations for UK to join EU’s £130bn defence fund fall apart
UK talks to join the EU’s £130bn SAFE defence fund collapsed, leaving British defence firms without access to loans
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
UK talks to join the EU’s £130bn SAFE defence fund collapsed, leaving British defence firms without access to loans
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Negotiations for UK to join EU’s £130bn defence fund fall apart
UK talks to join the EU’s £130bn SAFE defence fund collapsed, leaving British defence firms without access to loans
northeastbylines.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Negotiations for UK to join EU’s £130bn defence fund fall apart
UK talks to join the EU’s £130bn SAFE defence fund collapsed, leaving British defence firms without access to loans
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
UK talks to join the EU’s £130bn SAFE defence fund collapsed, leaving British defence firms without access to loans
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Will Britain’s exceptionalism wreck the reset?
In a world of rising protectionism, Britain is in danger of being left outside all of the big trade blocks
@sussexbylines.co.uk
In a world of rising protectionism, Britain is in danger of being left outside all of the big trade blocks
@sussexbylines.co.uk
Willl Britain’s exceptionalism wreck the reset?
In a world of rising protectionism, Britain is in danger of being left outside all of the big trade blocks
sussexbylines.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Will Britain’s exceptionalism wreck the reset?
In a world of rising protectionism, Britain is in danger of being left outside all of the big trade blocks
@sussexbylines.co.uk
In a world of rising protectionism, Britain is in danger of being left outside all of the big trade blocks
@sussexbylines.co.uk
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Czech in with Dvořák before Sunday’s performance at the Royal Festival Hall!
Ahead of our performance of Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony with Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali, here’s an extract from his Czech Suite!
Book your tickets for Sun 30 Nov, 3pm:
philharmonia.co.uk/whats-on/san...
Ahead of our performance of Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony with Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali, here’s an extract from his Czech Suite!
Book your tickets for Sun 30 Nov, 3pm:
philharmonia.co.uk/whats-on/san...
November 28, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Czech in with Dvořák before Sunday’s performance at the Royal Festival Hall!
Ahead of our performance of Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony with Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali, here’s an extract from his Czech Suite!
Book your tickets for Sun 30 Nov, 3pm:
philharmonia.co.uk/whats-on/san...
Ahead of our performance of Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony with Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali, here’s an extract from his Czech Suite!
Book your tickets for Sun 30 Nov, 3pm:
philharmonia.co.uk/whats-on/san...
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
An amazing number of youth groups, schools and organisations across North Shropshire have taken part in UK Parliament Week - 44 in fact! Brilliant to see so many engaging with politics - from Question Time-style debates, to Parliament tours and much more. What a week! Here's to next year 📣#UKPW
November 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM
An amazing number of youth groups, schools and organisations across North Shropshire have taken part in UK Parliament Week - 44 in fact! Brilliant to see so many engaging with politics - from Question Time-style debates, to Parliament tours and much more. What a week! Here's to next year 📣#UKPW
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Did you know you can gift RPS Membership to the classical music lovers in your life? A chance to fuel musical curiosity whilst supporting musicians, you can request Gift Membership in time for Christmas 2025 up until midday on Tuesday 16 December:
royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/support-our-...
royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/support-our-...
November 28, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Did you know you can gift RPS Membership to the classical music lovers in your life? A chance to fuel musical curiosity whilst supporting musicians, you can request Gift Membership in time for Christmas 2025 up until midday on Tuesday 16 December:
royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/support-our-...
royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/support-our-...
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
We don't often agree with The Spectator - but this time we do.
November 28, 2025 at 5:16 PM
We don't often agree with The Spectator - but this time we do.
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
The yearly rewatch. ✨
November 28, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The yearly rewatch. ✨
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Downing Street has denied Chancellor Rachel Reeves misled the public about the state of the public finances in the run-up to this week's Budget
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
No 10 denies Reeves misled public in run up to Budget
The Office for Budget Responsibility says it told the chancellor the gap in public finances was smaller than thought.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Downing Street has denied Chancellor Rachel Reeves misled the public about the state of the public finances in the run-up to this week's Budget
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Brexit costing UK as much as £90bn in lost tax revenue every year, analysis finds
The analysis also found that the average Briton has seen a hit to GDP per head of between £2,700 and £3,700
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/bre...
The analysis also found that the average Briton has seen a hit to GDP per head of between £2,700 and £3,700
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/bre...
Brexit costing UK as much as £90bn in lost tax revenue every year, analysis finds
Brexit is costing the UK up to £90bn in lost tax revenues every year, according to new analysis.
www.thelondoneconomic.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Brexit costing UK as much as £90bn in lost tax revenue every year, analysis finds
The analysis also found that the average Briton has seen a hit to GDP per head of between £2,700 and £3,700
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/bre...
The analysis also found that the average Briton has seen a hit to GDP per head of between £2,700 and £3,700
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/bre...
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Destroying jury trials because everything else is broken is a terrible idea
www.standard.co.uk/comment/jury...
www.standard.co.uk/comment/jury...
Destroying jury trials because everything else is broken is a terrible idea
Tristan Kirk: While not perfect, the jury system is a treasured and historic commodity that fosters a level of trust in our courts
www.standard.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Destroying jury trials because everything else is broken is a terrible idea
www.standard.co.uk/comment/jury...
www.standard.co.uk/comment/jury...
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
The line between populism and fascism isn’t rhetorical – it’s measured in the degree of violence used to crush opposition. Putin’s Russia comes closest to the fascist pattern today. Here's Prof Paul Kenny explainer ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
The nature of fascism and why it differs from populism
Fascism isn’t populism; it fuses leader-worship with organised violence to crush opposition entirely and decisively at roots
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The line between populism and fascism isn’t rhetorical – it’s measured in the degree of violence used to crush opposition. Putin’s Russia comes closest to the fascist pattern today. Here's Prof Paul Kenny explainer ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
🚨Now on 86,000 signatures! Let’s get it to 90,000 tonight!
If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 28, 2025 at 5:51 PM
🚨Now on 86,000 signatures! Let’s get it to 90,000 tonight!
If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
In My Life (Remastered 2009)
YouTube video by The Beatles - Topic
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
I have an absolutely exquisite little landscape from @theweeowl.bsky.social. It brings me joy every day! Definitely check out what they’ve got!
As part of Folksy's Real Deal event this weekend they are giving sellers a weekend of 0% commission charges. You would really help me out if you purchase this weekend...
folksy.com/find/item/85...
#Landscape #TheRealDeal #OriginalArt #Drawing #Artwork #GiftIdeas #bsnm #SupportSmallBusiness
folksy.com/find/item/85...
#Landscape #TheRealDeal #OriginalArt #Drawing #Artwork #GiftIdeas #bsnm #SupportSmallBusiness
November 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I have an absolutely exquisite little landscape from @theweeowl.bsky.social. It brings me joy every day! Definitely check out what they’ve got!
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
"Labour has managed to squander its capital with immense speed, it's more than a little shocking."
Salman Rushdie says a reluctance to acknowledge the damage Brexit has done and is harming people's faith in politics.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Salman Rushdie says a reluctance to acknowledge the damage Brexit has done and is harming people's faith in politics.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:22 PM
"Labour has managed to squander its capital with immense speed, it's more than a little shocking."
Salman Rushdie says a reluctance to acknowledge the damage Brexit has done and is harming people's faith in politics.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Salman Rushdie says a reluctance to acknowledge the damage Brexit has done and is harming people's faith in politics.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Reposted by Patrick McDermott
Is there anything more delightful than hearing a Welsh person say ‘tooth’?
November 28, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Is there anything more delightful than hearing a Welsh person say ‘tooth’?