Andy Hulme
@andy-hulme.bsky.social
Geographer at heart, head often in the clouds but feet firmly planted on the ground! Some work stuff, but all views expressed are very much my own...
Or they figure dropping a few tonnes of coal might cause a load of damage on the ground (we’ve seen what hailstones can do!).
February 11, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Or they figure dropping a few tonnes of coal might cause a load of damage on the ground (we’ve seen what hailstones can do!).
Sounds a lot but it’s a whopping 0.26% of the annual NHS budget over the life of the contract. It’s peanuts. It’s also awarded after a competitive process so any suggestion of it being ‘handed’ to them is nuts. Have you met any procurement professionals? Process is everything.
February 10, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Sounds a lot but it’s a whopping 0.26% of the annual NHS budget over the life of the contract. It’s peanuts. It’s also awarded after a competitive process so any suggestion of it being ‘handed’ to them is nuts. Have you met any procurement professionals? Process is everything.
That’s not true though is it Zack? Plantir is part of a consortium that was appointed by NHS England after a “rigorous, competitive procurement process”. The contract was awarded in November 2023, before Labour even came to power. You say you want better politics. Start with yourself.
February 10, 2026 at 3:37 PM
That’s not true though is it Zack? Plantir is part of a consortium that was appointed by NHS England after a “rigorous, competitive procurement process”. The contract was awarded in November 2023, before Labour even came to power. You say you want better politics. Start with yourself.
Or the press has zero interest in reporting it.
February 9, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Or the press has zero interest in reporting it.
I’m an outlier with you, tbh. Lots of good stuff just getting lost in the flak thrown up constantly, at every slip (though tbf, a few too may slips at times). It’s as if the good stuff gets zero credit because it is expected and taken for granted. Whilst the bad stuff gets massively overblown.
February 9, 2026 at 3:01 PM
I’m an outlier with you, tbh. Lots of good stuff just getting lost in the flak thrown up constantly, at every slip (though tbf, a few too may slips at times). It’s as if the good stuff gets zero credit because it is expected and taken for granted. Whilst the bad stuff gets massively overblown.
The likelihood of any government ‘actually doing anything about it’ is remote and not unique to the UK or Labour. We’ve been doing similar stuff ourselves for years (I give you The British Council amongst others).
February 6, 2026 at 3:49 PM
The likelihood of any government ‘actually doing anything about it’ is remote and not unique to the UK or Labour. We’ve been doing similar stuff ourselves for years (I give you The British Council amongst others).
Not sure he “hates the left”, more just doesn’t want them anywhere near the levers of power. Which vaguely reminds me of something that you and @iandunt.bsky.social said in one of your excellent Origin Story podcasts?
February 6, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Not sure he “hates the left”, more just doesn’t want them anywhere near the levers of power. Which vaguely reminds me of something that you and @iandunt.bsky.social said in one of your excellent Origin Story podcasts?
Maybe do half at a time. Kick the Lords out into the regions, decant the Commons’ business across to the HoL while the former gets a much needed refurb. Then switch back to enable the rest of the estate to be done. Doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
February 6, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Maybe do half at a time. Kick the Lords out into the regions, decant the Commons’ business across to the HoL while the former gets a much needed refurb. Then switch back to enable the rest of the estate to be done. Doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Matter of opinion whether it’s needed or not. Have you visited Parliament lately? As a visitor it’s a laborious and uncomfortable process especially in bad weather, whether it’s the HoC or HoL visitor entrance.
February 6, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Matter of opinion whether it’s needed or not. Have you visited Parliament lately? As a visitor it’s a laborious and uncomfortable process especially in bad weather, whether it’s the HoC or HoL visitor entrance.
Where’s a passing asteroid when you need one…
February 4, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Where’s a passing asteroid when you need one…
Wow, that is excellent news! Adds to the £bns already being invested in LCR by JLR, Stellantis and Ford but which is often ignored or overlooked!
January 29, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Wow, that is excellent news! Adds to the £bns already being invested in LCR by JLR, Stellantis and Ford but which is often ignored or overlooked!
And they expect it to be delivered instantly too - decades of decline reversed overnight.
January 29, 2026 at 7:59 AM
And they expect it to be delivered instantly too - decades of decline reversed overnight.
Up in the gods there Sarah!
January 28, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Up in the gods there Sarah!
Copenhagen is great. Maple is a fab place to eat and 71 Nyhaven is a lovely hotel (has a great restaurant of its own in the basement).
Agree with others on Stockholm too - Hotel Rival is excellent (the ‘ABBA hotel’) both to stay and eat. Lovely tapas place round the corner too!
Agree with others on Stockholm too - Hotel Rival is excellent (the ‘ABBA hotel’) both to stay and eat. Lovely tapas place round the corner too!
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January 28, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Copenhagen is great. Maple is a fab place to eat and 71 Nyhaven is a lovely hotel (has a great restaurant of its own in the basement).
Agree with others on Stockholm too - Hotel Rival is excellent (the ‘ABBA hotel’) both to stay and eat. Lovely tapas place round the corner too!
Agree with others on Stockholm too - Hotel Rival is excellent (the ‘ABBA hotel’) both to stay and eat. Lovely tapas place round the corner too!
So sorry for you both. He looks a beautiful boy, full of character.
January 26, 2026 at 9:44 PM
So sorry for you both. He looks a beautiful boy, full of character.
Fair enough, I stand corrected. Still not worth people seeing their arse over though.
January 26, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Fair enough, I stand corrected. Still not worth people seeing their arse over though.
Not on his official blue tick account - at least I can’t find it. It’s clearly someone sh*t stirring.
January 26, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Not on his official blue tick account - at least I can’t find it. It’s clearly someone sh*t stirring.
But the NEC aren’t imposing a candidate are they.
January 26, 2026 at 6:39 PM
But the NEC aren’t imposing a candidate are they.
It’s fake. The original post on X has no image associated with it.
January 26, 2026 at 6:37 PM
It’s fake. The original post on X has no image associated with it.
Louis waiting for dinner…
January 22, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Louis waiting for dinner…
Absolutely. Why waste hundreds of thousands of pounds on elections for authorities that won’t exist 12 months down the line. Just extend the terms of existing elected members and then have elections to the new unitaries.
January 21, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Absolutely. Why waste hundreds of thousands of pounds on elections for authorities that won’t exist 12 months down the line. Just extend the terms of existing elected members and then have elections to the new unitaries.
