Tom Railton
@tomrailton.bsky.social
520 followers 1.2K following 380 posts
Head of Comms and Politics at Prospect union. Mainly politics and Newcastle United on here.
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tomrailton.bsky.social
Also, call me crazy, but I remember a time when Conservatives were somewhat against the 'collapse of the old order'
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
I know plenty of politicians 'working classify' their backgrounds, but this from Jenrick is taking the piss.

His father's linked in is here: uk.linkedin.com/in/bill-jenr...

He was a managing accountant who ended up as the Managing Director of Cannon Industries
Reposted by Tom Railton
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
I know plenty of politicians 'working classify' their backgrounds, but this from Jenrick is taking the piss.

His father's linked in is here: uk.linkedin.com/in/bill-jenr...

He was a managing accountant who ended up as the Managing Director of Cannon Industries
Reposted by Tom Railton
jackkessler.bsky.social
Has Labour learned anything from Remain?

The government actually has to make a case for the things it believes — or risk proving the populists right.

✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/has-labour...

My newsletter, out now.
All governments relied upon — if not revelled in — claiming they couldn’t do things because of the EU, whether that be state aid restrictions or free movement of people. For example, every time a failing sector appealed to ministers for a bailout, the Treasury would always reply with words to the effect of: “We’d absolutely love to help. We’d like nothing more than to pour billions of pounds of taxpayer money into this bottomless pit. But EU state aid rules prevent us from doing so. Such a shame though!”

Where on Earth did voters get the idea that EU membership was more trouble than it was worth? Why did governments never bother explaining the reason for state aid regulations, and the fact that Britain was so often the one pushing for them in Brussels (answer: to stop those sneaky French and Germans from unfairly supporting their own national champions). In other words, over multiple political generations, we got used to simply abandoning the principle of advocating for things on their own merits.

This is not a purely British disease, mind you. Friend of the newsletter and Director of UK in a Changing Europe Anand Menon, recalled a conversation with a European Commission official, who told him of a visit from a French minister begging them to block more state aid to Air France, before adding: “Obviously, we’ll criticise you if you do it.”
tomrailton.bsky.social
At least our freedom wouldn't be compromised by ID cards though...
benansell.bsky.social
Otherwise the plan would be this. All UK citizens, all legal permanent residents, all legal visa holders & all tourists would need to provide facial ID to the government.

And the facial recognition system would need a zero % false positive rate. And then you simply flag anyone not in the system 3/n
tomrailton.bsky.social
If, as seem likely, a Badenoch/Jenrick led Tory party only doubles down on the extreme stuff, I do wonder whether you might get May/Osborne/Cameron etc starting to say some things...
tomrailton.bsky.social
So Botman and Thiaw is a fun partnership #nufc
Reposted by Tom Railton
dylandifford.bsky.social
Indeed, it really is ridiculous how much it needs restating that it is the cost of living and services that are central here. This is why these voters elected Labour; it’s why they’re pissed off.
tomrailton.bsky.social
Actually very surprised that she didn't jump on Kuenssberg's "are trade unions anti-Semitic?" question earlier. She said she hadn't studied the issue in detail, which isn't normally a barrier to her steaming into an answer when something fits her priors...
tomrailton.bsky.social
Great minds! (Also mainly based on some content from Scouted and two U21s Euros games....)
tomrailton.bsky.social
Top content!

As a Newcastle fan was very helpful for making sense of the Howe/Simeone link
tomrailton.bsky.social
Would be delighted with either of these tbh
Reposted by Tom Railton
prospectunion.bsky.social
🚨 Prospect condemns Arron Banks’ violent remarks about civil servants.

It isn't surprising that someone like Banks who has no understanding of the complexity of government wants to see civil service job cuts, but it's shocking that anyone in politics would use such language.
Reposted by Tom Railton
duncanweldon.bsky.social
Retrospectively removing indefinite leave to remain would be immoral and economically damaging. It would tear families apart.
Attacking it as ‘potentially illegal’ is completely beside the point.
Argue with the (awful) idea. Don’t try ’well, actually you can’t do that’.
tomrailton.bsky.social
Don't think being a wing back suits Hall at all. Stuck out on the touchline, often receiving the ball facing his own goal. Didn't make the most of his abilities.

Botman looked great, Rolls Royce.
tomrailton.bsky.social
Game plan was clearly to keep it tight and try and nick a goal. Did the first part pretty well. Very very unlucky not to get a pen for a smash and grab.

Given the rotation, fwds out, and our attack still clicking, it's a decent point.

Also great to see Botman and Hall back looking decent. #nufc
Reposted by Tom Railton
stja.bsky.social
How is that not a penalty? Absolutely scandalous. #nufc
Reposted by Tom Railton
alistrathern.bsky.social
As ever, Nick Lowles is spot on.

When it comes to taking on the far right, progressives haven’t got a moment to waste in building a vision of togetherness we can unite the country behind.

Plenty to reflect on from his Guardian interview 👉 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
tomrailton.bsky.social
This opening was visible from space, and yet neither of the remaining Deputy leader candidates seems to have spotted it
Reposted by Tom Railton
pickardje.bsky.social
Bluesky isn’t perfect but at least its owner isn’t demanding violent insurrection in the UK from thousands of miles away
Reposted by Tom Railton
duncanrobinson.bsky.social
Shot, chaser

Young men more likely to vote Green than Reform. Young men second most progressive group of any demographic. Combined right-wing vote barely bigger than Green vote alone for young men
Reposted by Tom Railton
robertsaunders.bsky.social
Govt should take this message seriously.

The far right, backed by the world's richest man, is actively stoking racial & political violence.

Staying quiet, flattering them, saying "we hear you" won't work.

Stand up for decency, for respect, for the best of modern Britain or watch those things burn
paleofuture.bsky.social
Elon Musk spoke by video to Tommy Robinson's anti-immigrant rally in the UK today.

"You're in a fundamental situation here where, whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you," said Musk. "You either fight back or you die."
Reposted by Tom Railton
allymcgovern.bsky.social
It didn't work out for me in the race to be deputy leader, but given events today, am sharing this again.

We in Labour are uniquely placed to bring our diverse country together against the forces of hate. When we stand up for each other, we all win.

labourlist.org/2025/09/alis...
'We win when we fight together – that's the story Labour needs to tell' - LabourList
We can never give in to the forces that would divide us and send us backwards.  The answer is the Labour winning over a broad coalition for our future.
labourlist.org