Leigh Sparks
@sparksstirling.bsky.social
Professor of Retail Studies, University of Stirling, Chair Scotland's Towns Partnership, Fellow Royal Society of Edinburgh, Extremely long-suffering Welsh rugby fan, occasional gardener.
Stirlingretail.com
Stirlingretail.com
"Asked why he had been taken off the Palestine Action case, the Ministry of Justice referred the Guardian to the judiciary press office, which refused to comment."
Simply unacceptable behaviour. Have the guts to explain or don't do it.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Simply unacceptable behaviour. Have the guts to explain or don't do it.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Removal of judge in Palestine Action ban legal challenge ‘deeply concerning’
Unusual last-minute change means panel of three will now hear case rather than Mr Justice Chamberlain
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:16 PM
"Asked why he had been taken off the Palestine Action case, the Ministry of Justice referred the Guardian to the judiciary press office, which refused to comment."
Simply unacceptable behaviour. Have the guts to explain or don't do it.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Simply unacceptable behaviour. Have the guts to explain or don't do it.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
ICYMI: My recent post on the shops and ghostsigns of Whitby, with an added bit on the Flying Scotsman at Grosmont
stirlingretail.com/2025/11/24/w...
stirlingretail.com/2025/11/24/w...
November 25, 2025 at 1:16 PM
ICYMI: My recent post on the shops and ghostsigns of Whitby, with an added bit on the Flying Scotsman at Grosmont
stirlingretail.com/2025/11/24/w...
stirlingretail.com/2025/11/24/w...
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Not been to Whitby for a while but remember it having some interesting shopfronts.
The Spanton 1930s frontage is excellent.
The Spanton 1930s frontage is excellent.
November 24, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Not been to Whitby for a while but remember it having some interesting shopfronts.
The Spanton 1930s frontage is excellent.
The Spanton 1930s frontage is excellent.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
You can create your own Ruck The WRU flag at flagsfc.com
Hang it from a lamp post.
Coming to a stadium near you.... soon.
Coming to a stadium near you.... soon.
November 24, 2025 at 9:02 PM
You can create your own Ruck The WRU flag at flagsfc.com
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
I've said since Trump picked on Mahmoud Khalil that he was picking his political martyrs poorly.
But this one...
But this one...
November 24, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I've said since Trump picked on Mahmoud Khalil that he was picking his political martyrs poorly.
But this one...
But this one...
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
This is one of the most damning videos I’ve ever watched of Farage.
He essentially admits being racist at school - only says he didn’t do it “with intent”.
The quiver in his voice at the end - he knows he can’t squirm out of this one.
He essentially admits being racist at school - only says he didn’t do it “with intent”.
The quiver in his voice at the end - he knows he can’t squirm out of this one.
“I would never ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way”
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
This is one of the most damning videos I’ve ever watched of Farage.
He essentially admits being racist at school - only says he didn’t do it “with intent”.
The quiver in his voice at the end - he knows he can’t squirm out of this one.
He essentially admits being racist at school - only says he didn’t do it “with intent”.
The quiver in his voice at the end - he knows he can’t squirm out of this one.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
I wrote about the fake account blowup on X this weekend. A genuine post-truth nightmare and proof that these companies have polluted their platforms so thoroughly and traded reality for profit that they've undermined the very idea of what the internet is supposed to be.
That MAGA Account Might Be a Troll From Pakistan
How X blew up its own platform with a new location feature
www.theatlantic.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I wrote about the fake account blowup on X this weekend. A genuine post-truth nightmare and proof that these companies have polluted their platforms so thoroughly and traded reality for profit that they've undermined the very idea of what the internet is supposed to be.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Hang it from a lamp post.
Coming to a stadium near you.... soon.
Coming to a stadium near you.... soon.
November 24, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Hang it from a lamp post.
Coming to a stadium near you.... soon.
Coming to a stadium near you.... soon.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
I'd like to see the response to this if the question added "if that that means universities have less money to spend on UK students".
With Rachel Reeves reportedly set to apply a new tax on tuition fees paid by overseas students, most Britons support such a move at the previously mooted level of 6%
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
November 24, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I'd like to see the response to this if the question added "if that that means universities have less money to spend on UK students".
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
The A55 upgrade received tens of millions from YUP you guessed it EU funding as part of the Trans European Transport Network.
So yes, sure, turn up and listen to him witter on ... and vote for him if you want Wales... but he's done NOTHING for you and never ever will.
Whereas the EU did loads.
So yes, sure, turn up and listen to him witter on ... and vote for him if you want Wales... but he's done NOTHING for you and never ever will.
Whereas the EU did loads.
a welsh flag with a red dragon on it
ALT: a welsh flag with a red dragon on it
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The A55 upgrade received tens of millions from YUP you guessed it EU funding as part of the Trans European Transport Network.
So yes, sure, turn up and listen to him witter on ... and vote for him if you want Wales... but he's done NOTHING for you and never ever will.
Whereas the EU did loads.
So yes, sure, turn up and listen to him witter on ... and vote for him if you want Wales... but he's done NOTHING for you and never ever will.
Whereas the EU did loads.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
In the unlikely event that Farage arrived by train he will have gone to Llandudno station - renovated courtesy of the £21.5 million contributed by the EU to the Wales Station Improvement Programme started in 2005.
If he drove then he'd have gone on the coastal stretch of the A55 ...guess what folks
If he drove then he'd have gone on the coastal stretch of the A55 ...guess what folks
November 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM
In the unlikely event that Farage arrived by train he will have gone to Llandudno station - renovated courtesy of the £21.5 million contributed by the EU to the Wales Station Improvement Programme started in 2005.
If he drove then he'd have gone on the coastal stretch of the A55 ...guess what folks
If he drove then he'd have gone on the coastal stretch of the A55 ...guess what folks
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Farage is speaking at Venue Cymru tonight.
Last revamped in 2018 with £1.8 million of EU development money and another £1 million in business development cash.
Original development also received significant EU funding.
Farage, by contrast, will give Llandudno nothing but hot air and lies.
Last revamped in 2018 with £1.8 million of EU development money and another £1 million in business development cash.
Original development also received significant EU funding.
Farage, by contrast, will give Llandudno nothing but hot air and lies.
November 24, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Farage is speaking at Venue Cymru tonight.
Last revamped in 2018 with £1.8 million of EU development money and another £1 million in business development cash.
Original development also received significant EU funding.
Farage, by contrast, will give Llandudno nothing but hot air and lies.
Last revamped in 2018 with £1.8 million of EU development money and another £1 million in business development cash.
Original development also received significant EU funding.
Farage, by contrast, will give Llandudno nothing but hot air and lies.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
I wonder what those local farmers think about Farage's close mate who represented North Wales for UKIP, Brexit Party and Reform UK, and who just got 10.5 years for accepting pro-Russia bribes instead of helping local farmers.
November 24, 2025 at 3:45 PM
I wonder what those local farmers think about Farage's close mate who represented North Wales for UKIP, Brexit Party and Reform UK, and who just got 10.5 years for accepting pro-Russia bribes instead of helping local farmers.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
£25bn of imagined savings, real-world cruelty and mathematics that should come with a trigger warning.
The truth behind Reform UK’s reckless budget
£25bn of imagined savings, real-world cruelty and mathematics that should come with a trigger warning
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 9:25 AM
£25bn of imagined savings, real-world cruelty and mathematics that should come with a trigger warning.
Our October travels continued to Whitby. Great shopfront, stores and a variety of ghostsigns, old and quite new.
stirlingretail.com/2025/11/24/w...
stirlingretail.com/2025/11/24/w...
November 24, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Our October travels continued to Whitby. Great shopfront, stores and a variety of ghostsigns, old and quite new.
stirlingretail.com/2025/11/24/w...
stirlingretail.com/2025/11/24/w...
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
siepr.stanford.edu
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
Whitby and Whitby Ghost Signs
As noted in the last post, we ended up in Yorkshire, being based at Grosmont, a few miles inland by train from Whitby, somewhere I had never been as far as I know (I did spend the first 4 years of my life in Yorkshire, but recollect nothing beyond vague memories of…
As noted in the last post, we ended up in Yorkshire, being based at Grosmont, a few miles inland by train from Whitby, somewhere I had never been as far as I know (I did spend the first 4 years of my life in Yorkshire, but recollect nothing beyond vague memories of…
Whitby and Whitby Ghost Signs
As noted in the last post, we ended up in Yorkshire, being based at Grosmont, a few miles inland by train from Whitby, somewhere I had never been as far as I know (I did spend the first 4 years of my life in Yorkshire, but recollect nothing beyond vague memories of Halifax). Obviously I knew of Whitby’s connections with Dracula…
stirlingretail.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Whitby and Whitby Ghost Signs
As noted in the last post, we ended up in Yorkshire, being based at Grosmont, a few miles inland by train from Whitby, somewhere I had never been as far as I know (I did spend the first 4 years of my life in Yorkshire, but recollect nothing beyond vague memories of…
As noted in the last post, we ended up in Yorkshire, being based at Grosmont, a few miles inland by train from Whitby, somewhere I had never been as far as I know (I did spend the first 4 years of my life in Yorkshire, but recollect nothing beyond vague memories of…
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Please don't judge me just because I was friends with the traitor Nathan Gill. Instead you can judge me because I described a man charged with rape, human trafficking, controlling prostitution and actual bodily harm as "an important voice for young men".
November 23, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Please don't judge me just because I was friends with the traitor Nathan Gill. Instead you can judge me because I described a man charged with rape, human trafficking, controlling prostitution and actual bodily harm as "an important voice for young men".
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
NEW: This is worth your time.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
November 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
NEW: This is worth your time.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Exactly ⬇️ This 💯......
November 23, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Exactly ⬇️ This 💯......
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
I hope Baroness Hallett has Boris Johnson hauled up before the courts for contempt. Seems he lied under oath to the Covid inquiry.
Boris Johnson took four days off as NHS warned Covid could ‘overwhelm’ system
Files show then PM was walking dog, riding motorbike and hosting guests as pandemic planning stalled in ‘lost month’
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:14 AM
I hope Baroness Hallett has Boris Johnson hauled up before the courts for contempt. Seems he lied under oath to the Covid inquiry.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
So the line is that he wasn't getting paid for any of this
November 22, 2025 at 5:33 PM
So the line is that he wasn't getting paid for any of this
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
This young man has it exactly right.
November 21, 2025 at 11:30 PM
This young man has it exactly right.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
elon installs a new feature that publicly displays the country where your app was installed and operates from
people find out the most racist pro-US accounts are based in israel, india, bangladesh, etc
US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TWITTER BASED IN ISRAEL
elon pauses location feature
people find out the most racist pro-US accounts are based in israel, india, bangladesh, etc
US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TWITTER BASED IN ISRAEL
elon pauses location feature
November 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
elon installs a new feature that publicly displays the country where your app was installed and operates from
people find out the most racist pro-US accounts are based in israel, india, bangladesh, etc
US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TWITTER BASED IN ISRAEL
elon pauses location feature
people find out the most racist pro-US accounts are based in israel, india, bangladesh, etc
US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TWITTER BASED IN ISRAEL
elon pauses location feature