Reposted by Arlene
A fair point well made by David Aaronovitch.
February 4, 2026 at 5:56 PM
A fair point well made by David Aaronovitch.
Reposted by Arlene
NEW: Reform UK says it would re-impose the two-child benefit cap - scrapped by Labour - for most families to fund £3bn support package for pubs.
February 3, 2026 at 3:41 PM
NEW: Reform UK says it would re-impose the two-child benefit cap - scrapped by Labour - for most families to fund £3bn support package for pubs.
Reposted by Arlene
Starmer gives Mandelson dossier to police and begins process to strip his peerage
Starmer gives Mandelson dossier to police and begins process to strip his peerage
Cabinet Office forwards Mandelson-Epstein emails to Met as PM says former business secretary ‘let his country down’
*
UK politics live – latest updates
Keir Starmer has handed a dossier on Peter Mandelson to the police and will legislate to strip the disgraced former minister of his peerage, after reports that he leaked market-sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein at the height of the financial crisis.
Starmer told his cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning he was “appalled” by the reported leaks and had also asked officials to draft legislation to strip Mandelson of his peerage “as quickly as possible”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Starmer gives Mandelson dossier to police and begins process to strip his peerage
Reposted by Arlene
1. Interesting to see Reform abandon its flirtation with nativism / birth rate boosterism in favour of the policy of the last Tory government
2. “Starve a kid for a cheaper pint” is quite the policy. Be interested to see how that performed in focus groups (especially all male versus mixed).
2. “Starve a kid for a cheaper pint” is quite the policy. Be interested to see how that performed in focus groups (especially all male versus mixed).
February 3, 2026 at 10:49 AM
1. Interesting to see Reform abandon its flirtation with nativism / birth rate boosterism in favour of the policy of the last Tory government
2. “Starve a kid for a cheaper pint” is quite the policy. Be interested to see how that performed in focus groups (especially all male versus mixed).
2. “Starve a kid for a cheaper pint” is quite the policy. Be interested to see how that performed in focus groups (especially all male versus mixed).
Reposted by Arlene
Oh.
February 2, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Oh.
Reposted by Arlene
This is an absolutely incredible example of someone telling on himself, because for almost all of his life Matthew Goodwin craved nothing more than exactly this. He boasted for years of being the “youngest full professor of politics”, and then applied for post after post at more prestigious unis.
Reform politician Matthew Goodwin tells the Sunday Times that he would "rather shoot myself in the head" than be at dinner with Nick Robinson and Mary Beard, and the last thing the ex-acadenuc would ever have wanted would be to be a Professor at some Oxford college "backwater with zero influence"
You dont win 'em all! Reform's Matt Goodwin in Sunday Times: 'Most .. people criticising me are nerds.The last thing I want is to be at some dinner party table with Nick Robinson & Mary Beard. I'd rather shoot myself in the head'. Hang on, I'm not THAT bad!Nerds sometimes have a (thoughtful!) point.
February 1, 2026 at 12:07 PM
This is an absolutely incredible example of someone telling on himself, because for almost all of his life Matthew Goodwin craved nothing more than exactly this. He boasted for years of being the “youngest full professor of politics”, and then applied for post after post at more prestigious unis.
Reposted by Arlene
How was this appalling man allowed to remain relevant for so long?
And your occasional reminder that it's almost impossible to remove a peer.
And your occasional reminder that it's almost impossible to remove a peer.
BREAKING on ft website:
Lord Peter Mandelson leaked a sensitive UK government document to Jeffrey Epstein while he was business secretary that proposed £20bn of asset sales and revealed Labour’s tax policy plans
www.ft.com/content/fdf7...
Lord Peter Mandelson leaked a sensitive UK government document to Jeffrey Epstein while he was business secretary that proposed £20bn of asset sales and revealed Labour’s tax policy plans
www.ft.com/content/fdf7...
Mandelson leaked sensitive UK government tax plans to Epstein
Former ambassador forwarded memo from special adviser to Gordon Brown to late sex offender in 2009
www.ft.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:46 PM
How was this appalling man allowed to remain relevant for so long?
And your occasional reminder that it's almost impossible to remove a peer.
And your occasional reminder that it's almost impossible to remove a peer.
Reposted by Arlene
'Melania' defies critics by winning FIFA Oscar for Best Movie
February 2, 2026 at 11:11 AM
'Melania' defies critics by winning FIFA Oscar for Best Movie
Reposted by Arlene
As it traditional on Groundhog Day, I spend February 2nd staring in disbelief at how fucking terrible the posters for the film were.
February 2, 2026 at 1:03 PM
As it traditional on Groundhog Day, I spend February 2nd staring in disbelief at how fucking terrible the posters for the film were.
Reposted by Arlene
A reminder that Reform's candidate for Gorton and Denton, Matt Goodwin, has still not explained what he meant by this claim that developments in genetic science will make younger generations more right wing as they understand the "inherent differences" between different groups
February 2, 2026 at 9:53 AM
A reminder that Reform's candidate for Gorton and Denton, Matt Goodwin, has still not explained what he meant by this claim that developments in genetic science will make younger generations more right wing as they understand the "inherent differences" between different groups
Reposted by Arlene
I didn't think Goodwin could sink any lower in my estimation.
I was wrong.
I was wrong.
A reminder that Reform's candidate for Gorton and Denton, Matt Goodwin, has still not explained what he meant by this claim that developments in genetic science will make younger generations more right wing as they understand the "inherent differences" between different groups
February 2, 2026 at 1:06 PM
I didn't think Goodwin could sink any lower in my estimation.
I was wrong.
I was wrong.
Reposted by Arlene
1. Take over one of the most prestigious arts centres in America
2. Put your buddies in charge of it
3. Insult everyone involved with it, both their work and what they believe in
4. Put your name on it
5. Shut it down entirely for two years and try to frame that as a triumph
2. Put your buddies in charge of it
3. Insult everyone involved with it, both their work and what they believe in
4. Put your name on it
5. Shut it down entirely for two years and try to frame that as a triumph
Trump: "I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur, is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year period of time, with a scheduled Grand Reopening that will rival and surpass anything."
February 2, 2026 at 12:22 AM
1. Take over one of the most prestigious arts centres in America
2. Put your buddies in charge of it
3. Insult everyone involved with it, both their work and what they believe in
4. Put your name on it
5. Shut it down entirely for two years and try to frame that as a triumph
2. Put your buddies in charge of it
3. Insult everyone involved with it, both their work and what they believe in
4. Put your name on it
5. Shut it down entirely for two years and try to frame that as a triumph
Reposted by Arlene
Trump says he had nothing to do with the Texas state Senate race despite endorsing the Republican candidate just a day earlier.
Democrat Taylor Rehmet wins a reliably Republican Texas state Senate seat, stunning GOP
Democrat Taylor Rehmet has won a special election for the Texas state Senate and flipped a reliably Republican district that President Donald Trump won by 17 points in 2024.
bit.ly
February 1, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Trump says he had nothing to do with the Texas state Senate race despite endorsing the Republican candidate just a day earlier.
Reposted by Arlene
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
February 1, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Reposted by Arlene
Every single one of us should be united…
For once
In demanding that he, & those named in the files, is arrested & held to account
…& if reading them doesn’t set something blazing inside you, then accept that you’ve been conditioned to look injustice in the eye & feel nothing.
For once
In demanding that he, & those named in the files, is arrested & held to account
…& if reading them doesn’t set something blazing inside you, then accept that you’ve been conditioned to look injustice in the eye & feel nothing.
January 31, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Every single one of us should be united…
For once
In demanding that he, & those named in the files, is arrested & held to account
…& if reading them doesn’t set something blazing inside you, then accept that you’ve been conditioned to look injustice in the eye & feel nothing.
For once
In demanding that he, & those named in the files, is arrested & held to account
…& if reading them doesn’t set something blazing inside you, then accept that you’ve been conditioned to look injustice in the eye & feel nothing.
Reposted by Arlene
This is a disgusting, tasteless and disrespectful way to portray the most beautiful and beloved woman in America.
Miss Piggy should sue.
youtu.be/XTAQkifHAxY?...
Miss Piggy should sue.
youtu.be/XTAQkifHAxY?...
Miss Piggy documentary parody trailer AI
YouTube video by Blah Blah videos
youtu.be
January 30, 2026 at 2:34 PM
This is a disgusting, tasteless and disrespectful way to portray the most beautiful and beloved woman in America.
Miss Piggy should sue.
youtu.be/XTAQkifHAxY?...
Miss Piggy should sue.
youtu.be/XTAQkifHAxY?...
Reposted by Arlene
We're being sued for libel by a London businessman who thinks he can bully us into taking down a @londonermag.bsky.social story about him. He's wrong!
Please read and share.
www.the-londoner.co.uk/the-londoner...
Please read and share.
www.the-londoner.co.uk/the-londoner...
The Londoner is being sued by a holiday let grifter. We’re going to fight him in court
Mysterious emails, incessant demands and a fake lawyer — an editor’s note about a serious threat we’re facing
www.the-londoner.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 1:12 PM
We're being sued for libel by a London businessman who thinks he can bully us into taking down a @londonermag.bsky.social story about him. He's wrong!
Please read and share.
www.the-londoner.co.uk/the-londoner...
Please read and share.
www.the-londoner.co.uk/the-londoner...
Reposted by Arlene
Tory Legacy
14.2m Britons live in poverty, highest in 30 yrs.
6.8m in "very deep poverty".
34% of universal credit claimants are in work. No curbs on profiteering.
Poorest 20% pay higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
14.2m Britons live in poverty, highest in 30 yrs.
6.8m in "very deep poverty".
34% of universal credit claimants are in work. No curbs on profiteering.
Poorest 20% pay higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
Number of people in 'very deep poverty' at highest level in more than 30 years, charity warns
Very deep poverty is defined by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation as earning below 40% of the median household income. According to its latest report, 6.8 million people - almost half of all of those in ...
news.sky.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:14 AM
Tory Legacy
14.2m Britons live in poverty, highest in 30 yrs.
6.8m in "very deep poverty".
34% of universal credit claimants are in work. No curbs on profiteering.
Poorest 20% pay higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
14.2m Britons live in poverty, highest in 30 yrs.
6.8m in "very deep poverty".
34% of universal credit claimants are in work. No curbs on profiteering.
Poorest 20% pay higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
So it turns out that I used to live in what is now the Gorton/Denton constituency. For Labour avoiding potentially losing the mayoralty had to be a major priority. If they do lose the bye-election 🤞🏽that it’s a win for the #GreenParty rather the #ConForms
January 27, 2026 at 3:53 PM
So it turns out that I used to live in what is now the Gorton/Denton constituency. For Labour avoiding potentially losing the mayoralty had to be a major priority. If they do lose the bye-election 🤞🏽that it’s a win for the #GreenParty rather the #ConForms
Reposted by Arlene
Followed.
There's a risk he may turn up on my doorstep, so I need to know the worst things I can ask him about.
There's a risk he may turn up on my doorstep, so I need to know the worst things I can ask him about.
January 27, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Followed.
There's a risk he may turn up on my doorstep, so I need to know the worst things I can ask him about.
There's a risk he may turn up on my doorstep, so I need to know the worst things I can ask him about.
Reposted by Arlene
Full EU membership should be put to the public at the next election. It's time to return home.
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
Rejoining the EU is the only way to stop Trump
It is time to return home
inews.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Full EU membership should be put to the public at the next election. It's time to return home.
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
Reposted by Arlene
Green peer Baroness Jones raises concerns about safety of Brits visiting the US for World Cup and calls to "boycott America at the moment"
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
January 26, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Green peer Baroness Jones raises concerns about safety of Brits visiting the US for World Cup and calls to "boycott America at the moment"
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Reposted by Arlene
The people of Minnesota have executed one of the most impressive civil resistance campaigns I can remember:
- Organized a city wide general strike
- Maintained nonviolent discipline amidst violence
- Mobilized 10,000s in subzero temps to protest and watch ICE
- Flipped public opinion against ICE
- Organized a city wide general strike
- Maintained nonviolent discipline amidst violence
- Mobilized 10,000s in subzero temps to protest and watch ICE
- Flipped public opinion against ICE
January 26, 2026 at 4:17 PM
The people of Minnesota have executed one of the most impressive civil resistance campaigns I can remember:
- Organized a city wide general strike
- Maintained nonviolent discipline amidst violence
- Mobilized 10,000s in subzero temps to protest and watch ICE
- Flipped public opinion against ICE
- Organized a city wide general strike
- Maintained nonviolent discipline amidst violence
- Mobilized 10,000s in subzero temps to protest and watch ICE
- Flipped public opinion against ICE
Reposted by Arlene
Even better, give it to the people of Minnesota bsky.app/profile/bach...
I am an associate professor & public health is considered a social science at my college, so as far as I can tell, I am qualified to submit a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. I will nominate the people of Minnesota for their courageous & peaceful exercise of their rights against gov’t violence
January 27, 2026 at 5:05 AM
Even better, give it to the people of Minnesota bsky.app/profile/bach...
Reposted by Arlene
I continue to believe that the fastest way to get Stephen Miller fired is to convince Trump that Miller's ICE operations are what cost him the Nobel Peace Prize.
January 27, 2026 at 4:54 AM
I continue to believe that the fastest way to get Stephen Miller fired is to convince Trump that Miller's ICE operations are what cost him the Nobel Peace Prize.