Tomato Soup
@souptomatosoup.uk
Anything posted here are my personal views.
Anonymised UK policy generalist with far too much experience, especially economic, tax, and international.
Preferred pronouns: They/Them/Their.
@souptomatosoup on twitter
Banner credit @pickardje.bsky.social
Anonymised UK policy generalist with far too much experience, especially economic, tax, and international.
Preferred pronouns: They/Them/Their.
@souptomatosoup on twitter
Banner credit @pickardje.bsky.social
Pinned
Tomato Soup
@souptomatosoup.uk
· Jul 23
irst Past the Post (FPTP) distorts the inputs and outcomes of elections.
Not only do most votes get ignored, but most voters are forced to "vote tactically" rather than for who they actually want.
We need #ElectoralReform.
Not only do most votes get ignored, but most voters are forced to "vote tactically" rather than for who they actually want.
We need #ElectoralReform.
Oh, hello Thursday.
a man in a suit is sitting in a chair and says it 's a terrible day emma
ALT: a man in a suit is sitting in a chair and says it 's a terrible day emma
media.tenor.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Oh, hello Thursday.
🤞
🚨 Graham linehan has DIED of shitting himself
November 25, 2025 at 1:41 PM
🤞
I am very uncomfortable with this idea, its bringing an even greater populist approach to justice - and reduced legitimacy too.
🔺BREAKING: Jury trials to be scrapped except for alleged rapists and killers
David Lammy is proposing that judges hear cases alone for crimes that could result in a sentence of up to five years to tackle court backlog
David Lammy is proposing that judges hear cases alone for crimes that could result in a sentence of up to five years to tackle court backlog
Jury trials to be scrapped except for alleged rapists and killers
Jury trials to be scrapped except for alleged rapists and killers
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I am very uncomfortable with this idea, its bringing an even greater populist approach to justice - and reduced legitimacy too.
Reposted by Tomato Soup
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
I have failed to sleep for so long I am now too hungry to sleep…AAARRRGHGGGGHHH
a cartoon character with an angry look on his face and the words freetopsticker below him
ALT: a cartoon character with an angry look on his face and the words freetopsticker below him
media.tenor.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:30 AM
I have failed to sleep for so long I am now too hungry to sleep…AAARRRGHGGGGHHH
Reposted by Tomato Soup
Apparently there isn't good evidence that Google uses Gmail to train LLMs — I'm still glad to no longer rely on gmail for email, because I am a skeptic (paranoid?) and just don't trust that what they say is what they do
The malwarebytes Google opting-your-emails-into-ai-training thing is not true. The post is based on one bad tweet.
I know anti-tech lamenting is a Bluesky core principle, but please use the same judgement you would for any other clickbait.
www.theverge.com/news/826902/...
I know anti-tech lamenting is a Bluesky core principle, but please use the same judgement you would for any other clickbait.
www.theverge.com/news/826902/...
Google denies ‘misleading’ reports of Gmail using your emails to train AI
Google says “we do not use your Gmail content for training our Gemini AI model.”
www.theverge.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Apparently there isn't good evidence that Google uses Gmail to train LLMs — I'm still glad to no longer rely on gmail for email, because I am a skeptic (paranoid?) and just don't trust that what they say is what they do
Reposted by Tomato Soup
Incredible. Grab the data whilst you can this won’t be up for long
X has changed their policy and now you can see where the accounts are based.
Here’s an “influencer from Texas”
Here’s an “influencer from Texas”
November 21, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Incredible. Grab the data whilst you can this won’t be up for long
Reposted by Tomato Soup
Analysis of the language used in Trump’s Ukraine “peace plan” shows it was drafted in Russian and translated into English.
I’ll try to dig up a link.
I’ll try to dig up a link.
November 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Analysis of the language used in Trump’s Ukraine “peace plan” shows it was drafted in Russian and translated into English.
I’ll try to dig up a link.
I’ll try to dig up a link.
If the USA so desperately wants to placate Russia with land gifts, they should offer Alaska
Reuters illustrated how much Ukrainian territory would be handed to Russia under Trump's plan, requiring forces to withdraw from unoccupied Donetsk and Luhansk areas including Sloviansk-Kramatorsk, which would fall under Russian control.
November 21, 2025 at 5:39 PM
If the USA so desperately wants to placate Russia with land gifts, they should offer Alaska
Reposted by Tomato Soup
The anti-trans movement has always just been a veneer for the increased normalisation of misogyny and homophobia
November 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The anti-trans movement has always just been a veneer for the increased normalisation of misogyny and homophobia
Reposted by Tomato Soup
"Trans people could be asked about whether they should be accessing single-sex services based on their physical appearance."
No. not "trans people". ANYONE. This moral panic leads inexorably to the policing of women based on their appearance deemed to be "unfeminine".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
No. not "trans people". ANYONE. This moral panic leads inexorably to the policing of women based on their appearance deemed to be "unfeminine".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trans people could be barred from services based on appearance
The new code of practice on access to single-sex services cannot gain legal force until it gets sign-off from ministers.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 3:36 PM
"Trans people could be asked about whether they should be accessing single-sex services based on their physical appearance."
No. not "trans people". ANYONE. This moral panic leads inexorably to the policing of women based on their appearance deemed to be "unfeminine".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
No. not "trans people". ANYONE. This moral panic leads inexorably to the policing of women based on their appearance deemed to be "unfeminine".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This is a point I have been yelling about for years the 5 year forecast makes sense in terms of limitations, but the fiscal rules aligned to that period have locked us into short-termist thinking that is killing effective policy.
Never fails to make me smile the way politicians understand the problem of short time horizons and embrace the 'objective of getting government to think further forward' once they are.... no longer politicians. www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Mend broken budgets or Britain goes bust
Our system of five-year OBR forecasts means chancellors don’t worry much what happens after, but that’s the road to ruin
www.thetimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:35 AM
This is a point I have been yelling about for years the 5 year forecast makes sense in terms of limitations, but the fiscal rules aligned to that period have locked us into short-termist thinking that is killing effective policy.
Reposted by Tomato Soup
Exclusive: The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika, nooses and the Confederate flag as hate symbols.
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Exclusive: The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika, nooses and the Confederate flag as hate symbols.
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
Reposted by Tomato Soup
When Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (aka. Tommy Robinson, aka. Tiny-Tommeh-Ten-Names) treats your policy announcement as a win, you must realise that things have gone sideways in a pretty significant way? Or is that just me?
A post on the Hostile Environment 2.0 asking:
Why is Labour doing this?
A post on the Hostile Environment 2.0 asking:
Why is Labour doing this?
The Hostile Environment 2.0 Patch Update
Labour’s asylum policy proves they fear the far-right more than they trust their own values.
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 11:33 AM
When Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (aka. Tommy Robinson, aka. Tiny-Tommeh-Ten-Names) treats your policy announcement as a win, you must realise that things have gone sideways in a pretty significant way? Or is that just me?
A post on the Hostile Environment 2.0 asking:
Why is Labour doing this?
A post on the Hostile Environment 2.0 asking:
Why is Labour doing this?
Reposted by Tomato Soup
A life bookended by uniformed thugs
79-year-old Paul Bojerski was born to Polish parents in a WWII German refugee camp. His family legally emigrated to the U.S. when he was 5.
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
Sanford grandfather, born in refugee camp, nabbed by ICE after 70 years in U.S.
Paul Bojerski never gained official residency, but he checked in regularly with ICE for years. Then in July, at age 79, he was detained and sent to Alligator Alcatraz.
www.orlandosentinel.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:36 PM
A life bookended by uniformed thugs
Reposted by Tomato Soup
One of the most shameful incidents of WW2 was when the government and press scapegoated refugees, then decided to pack them off an a cramped ship, The HMT DUNERA and ship them to Australia.
As they boarded the boat they were stripped of the valuables and robbed by the guards.
Now government policy
As they boarded the boat they were stripped of the valuables and robbed by the guards.
Now government policy
November 17, 2025 at 6:17 PM
One of the most shameful incidents of WW2 was when the government and press scapegoated refugees, then decided to pack them off an a cramped ship, The HMT DUNERA and ship them to Australia.
As they boarded the boat they were stripped of the valuables and robbed by the guards.
Now government policy
As they boarded the boat they were stripped of the valuables and robbed by the guards.
Now government policy
Reposted by Tomato Soup
Bold move to start with three countries which have massive human rights issues. When you claim to be a "progressive government" and then directly copy Trump I am definitely going to call bullshit on your "progressive" claims.
November 16, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Bold move to start with three countries which have massive human rights issues. When you claim to be a "progressive government" and then directly copy Trump I am definitely going to call bullshit on your "progressive" claims.
Reposted by Tomato Soup
There were 93 homicides in London last year: population 9 million
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
November 16, 2025 at 5:28 PM
There were 93 homicides in London last year: population 9 million
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
Fuck washing machines. 1h49 min for the cycle. My alarm goes off so I go to check it, 35 mins remaining.
I get that it may take some extra time to heat the water if you don’t give it a hot water line.
BUT THIS ONE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE A CHOICE TO PLUMB HOT WATER IN FFS
I get that it may take some extra time to heat the water if you don’t give it a hot water line.
BUT THIS ONE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE A CHOICE TO PLUMB HOT WATER IN FFS
November 14, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Fuck washing machines. 1h49 min for the cycle. My alarm goes off so I go to check it, 35 mins remaining.
I get that it may take some extra time to heat the water if you don’t give it a hot water line.
BUT THIS ONE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE A CHOICE TO PLUMB HOT WATER IN FFS
I get that it may take some extra time to heat the water if you don’t give it a hot water line.
BUT THIS ONE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE A CHOICE TO PLUMB HOT WATER IN FFS
Reposted by Tomato Soup
Increasingly likely that "all pain, no gain" will be the title of the post-mortem of this government.
“All pain, no gain,” says government source of extraordinary FT story that Reeves has abandoned income tax rise after weeks of pitch-rolling. www.ft.com/content/6cbb...
Starmer and Reeves ditch Budget plan to increase income tax rates
Chancellor explores alternative ways to raise revenue to fill fiscal hole estimated at up to £30bn
www.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Increasingly likely that "all pain, no gain" will be the title of the post-mortem of this government.
Reposted by Tomato Soup
You absolute fucking clowns.
Massive move in gilts on open. Looks like giving up almost half the gains from the last month. Terrible
I am excited to see the gilt market reaction to this news. Think it could be quite bad. A big chunk of the recent gilt rally was predicated on Labour showing they could hike the big taxes if needed and….well I guess that idea is dead.
November 14, 2025 at 8:08 AM
You absolute fucking clowns.
I hate scientists who say this.
Octopuses evolved before humans, and they STILL have not evolved intelligence and society even approaching early humans.
If they could have, they would have.
Octopuses evolved before humans, and they STILL have not evolved intelligence and society even approaching early humans.
If they could have, they would have.
November 13, 2025 at 8:12 PM
I hate scientists who say this.
Octopuses evolved before humans, and they STILL have not evolved intelligence and society even approaching early humans.
If they could have, they would have.
Octopuses evolved before humans, and they STILL have not evolved intelligence and society even approaching early humans.
If they could have, they would have.
Reposted by Tomato Soup
The governments plans are going to collapse the public sector, and utterly undermine any attempts at promoting growth.
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
DBT’s plans for 1,500 job cuts and office closures dubbed ‘irrational’
PCS union says department’s Bristol base is set to shut, with five other outposts also at risk
www.civilserviceworld.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The governments plans are going to collapse the public sector, and utterly undermine any attempts at promoting growth.
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Anything going slow in government? Its because y'all cheered on cutting the civil service.
Its going to get MUCH worse over the next few years
Its going to get MUCH worse over the next few years
‘Why is this not more of a priority?’ – Alexis Jay questions slow progress on abuse inquiry
www.channel4.com/news/why-is-...
www.channel4.com/news/why-is-...
‘Why is this not more of a priority?’ – Alexis Jay questions slow progress on abuse inquiry
We spoke to the chair of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse about the systemic failings that contributed to Sara Sharif's death.
www.channel4.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Anything going slow in government? Its because y'all cheered on cutting the civil service.
Its going to get MUCH worse over the next few years
Its going to get MUCH worse over the next few years