Peter Oates
@thirdlightpress.bsky.social
Third Light Press occasionally publishes Kindle versions of history and historical fiction (and one collection of Augusta Webster's poetry). We look for neglected books that we think someone might want to read again. We're often wrong about that.
Pinned
Gent in the profile pic is Martin Longman, my great grandfather. Came to England aged 16 around 1886 and eventually founded Longman's florists, the company that made Princess Elizabeth's wedding bouquet and her coronation bouquet when she became Queen. Immigrants, eh?
Reposted by Peter Oates
Few thoughts on the "Polish exodus" from the UK.
1. It's not an 'exodus', it's a slow drip. We're fine, thanks.
2. Migration is really complicated.
3. The absolute cheek of the very same media attacking Poles for years lamenting their departure.
4. What you can do?
THREAD 🧵
1. It's not an 'exodus', it's a slow drip. We're fine, thanks.
2. Migration is really complicated.
3. The absolute cheek of the very same media attacking Poles for years lamenting their departure.
4. What you can do?
THREAD 🧵
December 14, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Few thoughts on the "Polish exodus" from the UK.
1. It's not an 'exodus', it's a slow drip. We're fine, thanks.
2. Migration is really complicated.
3. The absolute cheek of the very same media attacking Poles for years lamenting their departure.
4. What you can do?
THREAD 🧵
1. It's not an 'exodus', it's a slow drip. We're fine, thanks.
2. Migration is really complicated.
3. The absolute cheek of the very same media attacking Poles for years lamenting their departure.
4. What you can do?
THREAD 🧵
Reposted by Peter Oates
Is the tide turning? New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog. Renewed talk of a customs union may well come to nothing, but rapidly changing geo-politics mean the UK needs urgently to face up to the failure of the entire Brexit ‘strategy’: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/is-t...
December 12, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Is the tide turning? New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog. Renewed talk of a customs union may well come to nothing, but rapidly changing geo-politics mean the UK needs urgently to face up to the failure of the entire Brexit ‘strategy’: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/is-t...
Reposted by Peter Oates
Innocent people end up in our criminal courts.
Completely, terrifyingly innocent.
And all that stands between them and losing everything is a fair trial.
Politicians would do well to remember this when they tell us that justice is all about processing “criminals” swiftly.
Completely, terrifyingly innocent.
And all that stands between them and losing everything is a fair trial.
Politicians would do well to remember this when they tell us that justice is all about processing “criminals” swiftly.
December 11, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Innocent people end up in our criminal courts.
Completely, terrifyingly innocent.
And all that stands between them and losing everything is a fair trial.
Politicians would do well to remember this when they tell us that justice is all about processing “criminals” swiftly.
Completely, terrifyingly innocent.
And all that stands between them and losing everything is a fair trial.
Politicians would do well to remember this when they tell us that justice is all about processing “criminals” swiftly.
Reposted by Peter Oates
There's a lot you could say about this unhinged, late night rant from the President. But the most reckless part is how easily he throws around the word "seditious" whenever someone says something he doesn't like. It undermines our democracy and puts people in danger.
December 10, 2025 at 5:28 PM
There's a lot you could say about this unhinged, late night rant from the President. But the most reckless part is how easily he throws around the word "seditious" whenever someone says something he doesn't like. It undermines our democracy and puts people in danger.
Reposted by Peter Oates
The argument here is that because the war was still a big subject in 1970s playgrounds, this excuses Farage's gross behaviour at the time. No, Farage went way beyond anything I remember - which was more about air-shooting phantom Nazis invading the school grounds
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
December 10, 2025 at 12:28 PM
The argument here is that because the war was still a big subject in 1970s playgrounds, this excuses Farage's gross behaviour at the time. No, Farage went way beyond anything I remember - which was more about air-shooting phantom Nazis invading the school grounds
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
Reposted by Peter Oates
This entire grift relies on convincing people that they don't know how to do the things they have always known how to do, and ironically, if it works, we will, in a very short amount of time, forget how to do all the things we have always known how to do.
Jimmy Fallon: "And do you use ChatGPT when raising your baby?"
Sam Altman: "I cannot imagine figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT."
Sam Altman: "I cannot imagine figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT."
December 9, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This entire grift relies on convincing people that they don't know how to do the things they have always known how to do, and ironically, if it works, we will, in a very short amount of time, forget how to do all the things we have always known how to do.
Reposted by Peter Oates
He's proud of choosing the dumbest option in the easiest open-book test of Foreign Policy any President has ever faced.
"Biden gave Ukraine $350 billion. And you know what I gave them? Nothing." — Trump.
December 9, 2025 at 12:21 PM
He's proud of choosing the dumbest option in the easiest open-book test of Foreign Policy any President has ever faced.
Reposted by Peter Oates
Because of course Henry had got the full roll call from Dulwich College and of course Trevor Phillips couldn’t even be bothered to read the stories he’s writing about
On a purely factual point, Trevor Phillips’s column in the Times misrepresents our reporting in casting doubts on claims that there were more boys called Patel than Smith at Dulwich in 1980 (we did not report 1976 as the year it occurred). 1980 roll shows 13 Patels and 12 Smiths.
December 8, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Because of course Henry had got the full roll call from Dulwich College and of course Trevor Phillips couldn’t even be bothered to read the stories he’s writing about
Reposted by Peter Oates
then, the transphobes , feeling victorious at how many people they have made unhappy and despairing in the previous week, move on to anything else that has a spectrum and the possibility of more colours than they can conceive - such hateful people - they cannot understand anything that is not THEM
December 7, 2025 at 7:07 PM
then, the transphobes , feeling victorious at how many people they have made unhappy and despairing in the previous week, move on to anything else that has a spectrum and the possibility of more colours than they can conceive - such hateful people - they cannot understand anything that is not THEM
Reposted by Peter Oates
BREAKING: A new poll has found 74% of voters - rising to 85% in the red wall - would rather have a wank than pay more tax. Just 5% of voters would rather pay more tax than have a wank, all of whom are on Bluesky. President Lord Glasman told The Times this shows the woke left wants to tax wanking.
December 6, 2025 at 5:23 PM
BREAKING: A new poll has found 74% of voters - rising to 85% in the red wall - would rather have a wank than pay more tax. Just 5% of voters would rather pay more tax than have a wank, all of whom are on Bluesky. President Lord Glasman told The Times this shows the woke left wants to tax wanking.
Reposted by Peter Oates
Nigel Farage has been a lifelong racist. He's been a racist since his school days. David Lammy was forced to apologise for saying Farage flirted with the Hitler Youth - but what do you call it when someone sings Hitler Youth songs? Read Chloe Deakin's letter on Farage's fascism and racism at school.
October 1, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Nigel Farage has been a lifelong racist. He's been a racist since his school days. David Lammy was forced to apologise for saying Farage flirted with the Hitler Youth - but what do you call it when someone sings Hitler Youth songs? Read Chloe Deakin's letter on Farage's fascism and racism at school.
Reposted by Peter Oates
This is pretty much exactly like a European saying the United States should be abolished, so that the governments of individual states can better represent their people.
It’s a take, you’re entitled to it, but what’s it got to do with you, buddy?
It’s a take, you’re entitled to it, but what’s it got to do with you, buddy?
December 6, 2025 at 3:39 PM
This is pretty much exactly like a European saying the United States should be abolished, so that the governments of individual states can better represent their people.
It’s a take, you’re entitled to it, but what’s it got to do with you, buddy?
It’s a take, you’re entitled to it, but what’s it got to do with you, buddy?
Reposted by Peter Oates
We are reaching Turkmenistan levels
National parks cut free entry for MLK Day, add Trump's birthday
NPS changed its free admission days in 2026, removing MLK Day and Juneteenth while adding Trump's birthday.
www.usatoday.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:16 PM
We are reaching Turkmenistan levels
Reposted by Peter Oates
On Hegseth, drug boats and the corrosion of legal and moral standards that has become the Trump administration’s hallmark. Latest column www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Trump administration sinks to a new low – opening fire on drowning men | Jonathan Freedland
These deadly US boat strikes are the latest example of a president corrupting both the law and morality, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:42 PM
On Hegseth, drug boats and the corrosion of legal and moral standards that has become the Trump administration’s hallmark. Latest column www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Peter Oates
You have to stand back and just applaud the shamelessness of it all.
December 5, 2025 at 5:37 PM
You have to stand back and just applaud the shamelessness of it all.
Reposted by Peter Oates
This abject fawning to someone whose Government only today announced that they want to promote ethnic-nationalism in Europe and are impatient at the unwillingness of Europe to allow Russia to grab want it wants by force is utterly mortifying. It is soul-cringeing.
December 5, 2025 at 5:37 PM
This abject fawning to someone whose Government only today announced that they want to promote ethnic-nationalism in Europe and are impatient at the unwillingness of Europe to allow Russia to grab want it wants by force is utterly mortifying. It is soul-cringeing.
Remember when Donald Trump helped with the League Cup draw? Wonder what he's doing these days.
Donald Trump helps with the League Cup fifth-round draw in 1991 – video
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump helps Jimmy Greaves make the fifth-round draw for the League Cup, or Rumbelows Cup, in December 1991
share.google
December 5, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Remember when Donald Trump helped with the League Cup draw? Wonder what he's doing these days.
Reposted by Peter Oates
Fair play www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I realise now that my view on mental health overdiagnosis was divisive. We all need better evidence | Wes Streeting
The surge in mental ill health is hugely distressing. That’s why I’ve commissioned a review to find out what’s driving it, says health secretary Wes Streeting
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Fair play www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Peter Oates
Extremely funny although most ‘Spoons in the area are more likely to be hosting large groups of elderly cyclists keen to exploit the breakfast menu which finishes at 12 noon. No reason why I know this open.substack.com/pub/mrhenrym...
Jonathan Gullis, The Seagull's Lament
A New Yorker Profile
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Extremely funny although most ‘Spoons in the area are more likely to be hosting large groups of elderly cyclists keen to exploit the breakfast menu which finishes at 12 noon. No reason why I know this open.substack.com/pub/mrhenrym...
Reposted by Peter Oates
NEW BLOGPOST
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
Today, the government has confirmed that it intends to remove the right to trial by jury in the vast majority of cases in the Crown Courts. Serious criminal allegations, carrying up to three years …
thesecretbarrister.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:38 PM
NEW BLOGPOST
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
Reposted by Peter Oates
I wonder if it's time to retire the role of "political editor" altogether
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Watched BBC 6 o clock news. Just a completely unserious broadcast. Chris Mason, acting like a children's entertainer, giving a prolonged impenetrable editorial. Not a whiff of informative content about the Budget or what it means for the country. Just playschool blah blah bollocks.
December 1, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I wonder if it's time to retire the role of "political editor" altogether
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Reposted by Peter Oates
Growing up with a sister who has a learning disability, I’ve seen people shout the R word at her. That was in the 80s and 90s. Now we’re in the 2020s and I am seeing world leaders and tech leaders use it and I cannot begin to tell you how devastating that is.
December 1, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Growing up with a sister who has a learning disability, I’ve seen people shout the R word at her. That was in the 80s and 90s. Now we’re in the 2020s and I am seeing world leaders and tech leaders use it and I cannot begin to tell you how devastating that is.
Reposted by Peter Oates
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
November 30, 2025 at 9:57 AM
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
Reposted by Peter Oates
On every public policy committee I sat on - gambling, drugs, animal experiments, law of homicide and others - someone would ask ‘But what would the Daily Mail say about our recommendations?’ I now regret that we never gave the right answer. ‘We shouldn’t care.’
November 30, 2025 at 7:37 AM
On every public policy committee I sat on - gambling, drugs, animal experiments, law of homicide and others - someone would ask ‘But what would the Daily Mail say about our recommendations?’ I now regret that we never gave the right answer. ‘We shouldn’t care.’
Reposted by Peter Oates
If you were to believe the mainstream media, nobody likes anything in Labour’s Budget.
This YouGov suggests that's BS and that more people think the policies were right than wrong, some overwhelming so;
Of 15, 8 are 50%+ right, 4 are 50%+ wrong.
That's quite an achievement in itself.
This YouGov suggests that's BS and that more people think the policies were right than wrong, some overwhelming so;
Of 15, 8 are 50%+ right, 4 are 50%+ wrong.
That's quite an achievement in itself.
November 27, 2025 at 10:25 PM
If you were to believe the mainstream media, nobody likes anything in Labour’s Budget.
This YouGov suggests that's BS and that more people think the policies were right than wrong, some overwhelming so;
Of 15, 8 are 50%+ right, 4 are 50%+ wrong.
That's quite an achievement in itself.
This YouGov suggests that's BS and that more people think the policies were right than wrong, some overwhelming so;
Of 15, 8 are 50%+ right, 4 are 50%+ wrong.
That's quite an achievement in itself.