Alan M
@alan1874.bsky.social
Chair Bournemouth Interpreters' Group CIC. Translator, language consultant/trainer/author, sold more books than Liz Truss, & 1874Northwich fan/co-owner. Another twitter refugee seeking asylum here - still hiding in the Bear's Den though.
The obvious flaw with a "disposable income" stat is that it doesn't take account of money you have to "dispose of" on council tax, energy bills, insurances etc.
"Disposable" gives the illusion that it's money you have control over
#wato
"Disposable" gives the illusion that it's money you have control over
#wato
December 30, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The obvious flaw with a "disposable income" stat is that it doesn't take account of money you have to "dispose of" on council tax, energy bills, insurances etc.
"Disposable" gives the illusion that it's money you have control over
#wato
"Disposable" gives the illusion that it's money you have control over
#wato
Double standards looming large today.
Presumably Philp & Co would be ok with the social media posts if they'd merely been "hurty words" calling for people's homes to be set fire to with them inside?
And Farage & co would have defended them if he'd been 5 years younger when posting?
#wato
Presumably Philp & Co would be ok with the social media posts if they'd merely been "hurty words" calling for people's homes to be set fire to with them inside?
And Farage & co would have defended them if he'd been 5 years younger when posting?
#wato
December 29, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Double standards looming large today.
Presumably Philp & Co would be ok with the social media posts if they'd merely been "hurty words" calling for people's homes to be set fire to with them inside?
And Farage & co would have defended them if he'd been 5 years younger when posting?
#wato
Presumably Philp & Co would be ok with the social media posts if they'd merely been "hurty words" calling for people's homes to be set fire to with them inside?
And Farage & co would have defended them if he'd been 5 years younger when posting?
#wato
Independent retail? We've got a butcher, a florist, a pet shop, the rest are chains (Boots, Poundland, Tesco, travel agent) or services (optician, undertaken, photo shop, solicitors ...)
It attracts nobody.
#wato
It attracts nobody.
#wato
There are five "Turkish barbers" in the little town (pop 12,000) near me, but 'only' two vape shops - one of which was shut down recently by the authorities for selling illegal cigs.
There are also 6 estate agents, 5 coffee shops & 9 charity shops.
But no bank (apart from Nationwide).
#wato
There are also 6 estate agents, 5 coffee shops & 9 charity shops.
But no bank (apart from Nationwide).
#wato
December 28, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Independent retail? We've got a butcher, a florist, a pet shop, the rest are chains (Boots, Poundland, Tesco, travel agent) or services (optician, undertaken, photo shop, solicitors ...)
It attracts nobody.
#wato
It attracts nobody.
#wato
Reposted by Alan M
Man who bought up 33,000 acres of farmland to avoid tax and moved his business to Singapore after the Brexit he voted for wants your sympathy.
December 28, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Man who bought up 33,000 acres of farmland to avoid tax and moved his business to Singapore after the Brexit he voted for wants your sympathy.
Christmas Greetings one and all.
Hope Santa brings you some joy.
Hope Santa brings you some joy.
December 24, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Christmas Greetings one and all.
Hope Santa brings you some joy.
Hope Santa brings you some joy.
Reposted by Alan M
Free speech news
Trump is now calling the New York Times a national security threat and says they “must be dealt with and stopped.”
December 23, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Free speech news
Reposted by Alan M
I’m sure the “protect our women and girls” brigade will have plenty to say about this👍🏼
There are indeed some parts of our society that don’t treat women properly…
Here is a former TORY Councillor (and 5 OTHER men) charged with the rape and sexual assault of HIS WIFE
🧵
1/10
There are indeed some parts of our society that don’t treat women properly…
Here is a former TORY Councillor (and 5 OTHER men) charged with the rape and sexual assault of HIS WIFE
🧵
1/10
December 23, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I’m sure the “protect our women and girls” brigade will have plenty to say about this👍🏼
There are indeed some parts of our society that don’t treat women properly…
Here is a former TORY Councillor (and 5 OTHER men) charged with the rape and sexual assault of HIS WIFE
🧵
1/10
There are indeed some parts of our society that don’t treat women properly…
Here is a former TORY Councillor (and 5 OTHER men) charged with the rape and sexual assault of HIS WIFE
🧵
1/10
It's not "we've listened", it's "we've given in". I don't see why the already favourable inheritance tax rules for farmers should be made even more favourable. #wato
December 23, 2025 at 1:12 PM
It's not "we've listened", it's "we've given in". I don't see why the already favourable inheritance tax rules for farmers should be made even more favourable. #wato
RIP Chris Rea.
No longer Driving Home this Christmas.
No longer Driving Home this Christmas.
December 22, 2025 at 3:42 PM
RIP Chris Rea.
No longer Driving Home this Christmas.
No longer Driving Home this Christmas.
You'd think (unelected bureaucrat) Zia Yusuf would be in favour of postponing elections if it saves spending twice in 2 years on elections & if it means he can focus on fewer councils & not have to screen so many prospective Reform candidates.
#wato
#wato
December 22, 2025 at 1:23 PM
You'd think (unelected bureaucrat) Zia Yusuf would be in favour of postponing elections if it saves spending twice in 2 years on elections & if it means he can focus on fewer councils & not have to screen so many prospective Reform candidates.
#wato
#wato
This settler spokesman is beyond commentary. For him Palestinians in the West Bank are illegal settlers on Jewish land. Black is white and white is black.
#wato
#wato
December 19, 2025 at 1:34 PM
This settler spokesman is beyond commentary. For him Palestinians in the West Bank are illegal settlers on Jewish land. Black is white and white is black.
#wato
#wato
Reposted by Alan M
Reform party candidate made additional racist comments www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform candidate who told Lammy to ‘go home’ questioned other MPs’ loyalty to UK
Exclusive: Labour says Nigel Farage’s party should swiftly condemn Chris Parry after further comments emerge
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Reform party candidate made additional racist comments www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
I'm tired of saying this, but a Palestinian state is not "Gaza". The West Bank forms a much bigger part of Palestine.
This Israeli spokesman is another who seeks to convince us otherwise. And Sarah does nothing to correct him.
#wato
This Israeli spokesman is another who seeks to convince us otherwise. And Sarah does nothing to correct him.
#wato
December 18, 2025 at 1:31 PM
I'm tired of saying this, but a Palestinian state is not "Gaza". The West Bank forms a much bigger part of Palestine.
This Israeli spokesman is another who seeks to convince us otherwise. And Sarah does nothing to correct him.
#wato
This Israeli spokesman is another who seeks to convince us otherwise. And Sarah does nothing to correct him.
#wato
Reposted by Alan M
The House of Lords fought hard to dilute parts of Labour’s Employment Rights Bill – but the core reforms survived. From sick pay to fire-and-rehire, here's how the landscape is about to change dramatically ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @stephenmcnair.bsky.social
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @stephenmcnair.bsky.social
Labour delivers on its promise to workers
The Employment Rights Bill aims to reverse a generation of employment legislation. This week it became law
eastangliabylines.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 1:07 PM
The House of Lords fought hard to dilute parts of Labour’s Employment Rights Bill – but the core reforms survived. From sick pay to fire-and-rehire, here's how the landscape is about to change dramatically ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @stephenmcnair.bsky.social
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @stephenmcnair.bsky.social
Ooooh, not heard thaat excuse for a while - Cleverly claiming the Tories were about to do something but couldn't because some idiot called a general election #wato
December 17, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Ooooh, not heard thaat excuse for a while - Cleverly claiming the Tories were about to do something but couldn't because some idiot called a general election #wato
Reposted by Alan M
A brilliant profile of Farage by @mrhenrymorris.substack.com - well worth a read!
🚨NEW - My latest piece for The New Yorker.
Nigel Farage: Canterbury Pilgrim
mrhenrymorris.substack.com/p/nigel-fara...
Nigel Farage: Canterbury Pilgrim
mrhenrymorris.substack.com/p/nigel-fara...
Nigel Farage: Canterbury Pilgrim
A New Yorker Profile
mrhenrymorris.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:43 PM
A brilliant profile of Farage by @mrhenrymorris.substack.com - well worth a read!
