Ben Belshaw
@benbelshaw.bsky.social
Canadian immersed in the Glasgow experience. Hockey, literature and fried chicken aficionado. Politically observant. Eternal hatred of the Minnesota Wild. Literature and film content is very welcome.
Reposted by Ben Belshaw
🚨Some personal news.
I'm thrilled to announce that I've just filed my first copy for The New Yorker.
A profile of Jonathan Gullis.
"You get the sense that offstage, Jonathan Gullis struggles with being Jonathan Gullis."
open.substack.com/pub/mrhenrym...
I'm thrilled to announce that I've just filed my first copy for The New Yorker.
A profile of Jonathan Gullis.
"You get the sense that offstage, Jonathan Gullis struggles with being Jonathan Gullis."
open.substack.com/pub/mrhenrym...
Jonathan Gullis, The Seagull's Lament
A New Yorker Profile
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:01 AM
🚨Some personal news.
I'm thrilled to announce that I've just filed my first copy for The New Yorker.
A profile of Jonathan Gullis.
"You get the sense that offstage, Jonathan Gullis struggles with being Jonathan Gullis."
open.substack.com/pub/mrhenrym...
I'm thrilled to announce that I've just filed my first copy for The New Yorker.
A profile of Jonathan Gullis.
"You get the sense that offstage, Jonathan Gullis struggles with being Jonathan Gullis."
open.substack.com/pub/mrhenrym...
Reposted by Ben Belshaw
I see Reform have found room for Primark Hodor. He'll feel right at home. Gullis is so heroically stupid it's like he’s been bitten by a radioactive idiot. A discarded early draft of Chewbacca that someone dragged out of the bin and taught rudimentary table manners.
December 1, 2025 at 11:30 AM
I see Reform have found room for Primark Hodor. He'll feel right at home. Gullis is so heroically stupid it's like he’s been bitten by a radioactive idiot. A discarded early draft of Chewbacca that someone dragged out of the bin and taught rudimentary table manners.
On the same day that I began outlining a 10-year retrospective on the Canucks' failure to build (since rebuild was never an option) a competent team, they are getting caved by the Lightning and lucky to escape down 1-0 after 20. To think "Chronicle of Failure" seemed too harsh a working title...
November 16, 2025 at 10:51 PM
On the same day that I began outlining a 10-year retrospective on the Canucks' failure to build (since rebuild was never an option) a competent team, they are getting caved by the Lightning and lucky to escape down 1-0 after 20. To think "Chronicle of Failure" seemed too harsh a working title...
Labour has already lost my vote, but Shabana Mahmood's carcinogenic immigration policies, replete with cherry-picked data and the language of moral panic, have hardened the desire to proactively show them the door. Campaigning for union disaffiliation seems like a good start.
November 16, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Labour has already lost my vote, but Shabana Mahmood's carcinogenic immigration policies, replete with cherry-picked data and the language of moral panic, have hardened the desire to proactively show them the door. Campaigning for union disaffiliation seems like a good start.
@simonjackbbc.bsky.social
While uncritically letting this ghoulish squab Done quack on about being the best steward for addictive behaviours, it might have been worth a reminder of how every 2nd ad shown on YouTube, FB etc is promoting gambling. Far from responsible (+)
www.bbc.com/news/article...
While uncritically letting this ghoulish squab Done quack on about being the best steward for addictive behaviours, it might have been worth a reminder of how every 2nd ad shown on YouTube, FB etc is promoting gambling. Far from responsible (+)
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Betfred says all its shops may close if Reeves hikes gambling tax
The company's co-founder says it would be forced to close all its sites, putting 7,500 jobs at risk, if gambling taxes go up.
www.bbc.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:31 AM
@simonjackbbc.bsky.social
While uncritically letting this ghoulish squab Done quack on about being the best steward for addictive behaviours, it might have been worth a reminder of how every 2nd ad shown on YouTube, FB etc is promoting gambling. Far from responsible (+)
www.bbc.com/news/article...
While uncritically letting this ghoulish squab Done quack on about being the best steward for addictive behaviours, it might have been worth a reminder of how every 2nd ad shown on YouTube, FB etc is promoting gambling. Far from responsible (+)
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Makes a good case for the abandonment, in the public consciousness, of the simplistic right-left political spectrum and the development of a spectrum of verticality which reflects class interests.
Government approval by household income
£70k+: 28% approve (net -24)
£50-70k: 19% (-41)
£30-50k: 17% (-48)
£20-30k: 13% (-57)
Less than £20k: 12% (-60)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
£70k+: 28% approve (net -24)
£50-70k: 19% (-41)
£30-50k: 17% (-48)
£20-30k: 13% (-57)
Less than £20k: 12% (-60)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
May 27, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Makes a good case for the abandonment, in the public consciousness, of the simplistic right-left political spectrum and the development of a spectrum of verticality which reflects class interests.
Reposted by Ben Belshaw
Wikipedia will be cancelled in Lincolnshire.
May 5, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Wikipedia will be cancelled in Lincolnshire.
It is impossible to overstate what a cataclysmic failure the 🇨🇦 election was for the NDP, or the magnitude of the top-to-bottom housecleaning and soul-searching the party's remnants must now conduct. (1/)
April 29, 2025 at 6:20 PM
It is impossible to overstate what a cataclysmic failure the 🇨🇦 election was for the NDP, or the magnitude of the top-to-bottom housecleaning and soul-searching the party's remnants must now conduct. (1/)
Massive thanks to the people of Carleton for hammering a stake through Pierre Poilievre. Now we all just wait for the sunrise.
April 29, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Massive thanks to the people of Carleton for hammering a stake through Pierre Poilievre. Now we all just wait for the sunrise.
Reposted by Ben Belshaw
How can this be happening, if it’s true that the public were clamouring for a mean as fuck do-nothing Labour government led by repellent briefcase psychos, as we have been angrily assured they were over and over at remarkable volume and intensity for years on end?
Why Local Election Night Could Be Even Worse For Labour Than The Tories
Both main parties are braced for disappointment as voters go to the polls again.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
April 26, 2025 at 6:38 AM
How can this be happening, if it’s true that the public were clamouring for a mean as fuck do-nothing Labour government led by repellent briefcase psychos, as we have been angrily assured they were over and over at remarkable volume and intensity for years on end?
Reposted by Ben Belshaw
900 people have already signed the petition so that the issue of MPs voting status & residency can be discussed in parliament.
Many who come across this petition think this is already in place - it’s not.
Please read, sign & share ✍🏽✍🏼✍🏾
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
Many who come across this petition think this is already in place - it’s not.
Please read, sign & share ✍🏽✍🏼✍🏾
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
Petition: Require candidates for MP to be registered to vote and residents of the UK
Currently, a candidate for MP is not required to be registered to vote or be resident in the UK. We ask the Government to require candidates for MP be registered to vote and residents of the UK.
petition.parliament.uk
April 21, 2025 at 7:05 AM
900 people have already signed the petition so that the issue of MPs voting status & residency can be discussed in parliament.
Many who come across this petition think this is already in place - it’s not.
Please read, sign & share ✍🏽✍🏼✍🏾
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
Many who come across this petition think this is already in place - it’s not.
Please read, sign & share ✍🏽✍🏼✍🏾
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
Set aside for a minute that Poilievre is, politically, a mendacious, unscrupulous Trumpian ideologue.
Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover. And when I look at Poilievre, I see a man I wouldn't trust to make me a coffee without poisoning it.
Please don't pull the pin on this grenade, Canada.
Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover. And when I look at Poilievre, I see a man I wouldn't trust to make me a coffee without poisoning it.
Please don't pull the pin on this grenade, Canada.
April 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Set aside for a minute that Poilievre is, politically, a mendacious, unscrupulous Trumpian ideologue.
Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover. And when I look at Poilievre, I see a man I wouldn't trust to make me a coffee without poisoning it.
Please don't pull the pin on this grenade, Canada.
Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover. And when I look at Poilievre, I see a man I wouldn't trust to make me a coffee without poisoning it.
Please don't pull the pin on this grenade, Canada.
Customer service in Canada: "Customer's always right. Maybe we'll pay you? Anything you want, just no kissing on the lips."
Customer service in the UK: "Fuck off and don't forget to say thanks on your way out."
Customer service in the UK: "Fuck off and don't forget to say thanks on your way out."
April 17, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Customer service in Canada: "Customer's always right. Maybe we'll pay you? Anything you want, just no kissing on the lips."
Customer service in the UK: "Fuck off and don't forget to say thanks on your way out."
Customer service in the UK: "Fuck off and don't forget to say thanks on your way out."
A legal permanent resident, at an appointment to finalise his citizenship. The only remarkable thing about him, his role as a peaceful protestor and activist. Disappeared, his lawyers have no idea where he is. Americans, wake the fuck up. THIS IS TEXTBOOK FASCISM.
www.cbc.ca/news/world/m...
www.cbc.ca/news/world/m...
Palestinian activist arrested by ICE while expecting U.S. citizenship interview | CBC News
A Palestinian man who led protests against the war in Gaza as a student at Columbia University was arrested Monday at a Vermont immigration office where he expected to be interviewed about finalizing ...
www.cbc.ca
April 15, 2025 at 5:19 AM
A legal permanent resident, at an appointment to finalise his citizenship. The only remarkable thing about him, his role as a peaceful protestor and activist. Disappeared, his lawyers have no idea where he is. Americans, wake the fuck up. THIS IS TEXTBOOK FASCISM.
www.cbc.ca/news/world/m...
www.cbc.ca/news/world/m...
Reposted by Ben Belshaw
Honestly, UK, do it or fuck off.
The world’s in flames, and you’re pissing about over the name of the most basic and uncontroversial form of cooperation imaginable.
If you can’t even manage this, go away and come back when you’ve grown the fuck up.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
The world’s in flames, and you’re pissing about over the name of the most basic and uncontroversial form of cooperation imaginable.
If you can’t even manage this, go away and come back when you’ve grown the fuck up.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Post-Brexit youth mobility scheme with EU on the table under a different name
Exclusive: There is growing optimism that a fresh proposal for youth mobility across the UK and EU will be accepted by the government
www.independent.co.uk
April 13, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Honestly, UK, do it or fuck off.
The world’s in flames, and you’re pissing about over the name of the most basic and uncontroversial form of cooperation imaginable.
If you can’t even manage this, go away and come back when you’ve grown the fuck up.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
The world’s in flames, and you’re pissing about over the name of the most basic and uncontroversial form of cooperation imaginable.
If you can’t even manage this, go away and come back when you’ve grown the fuck up.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by Ben Belshaw
The European Union and China are now starting negotiations to abolish EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
This is a major strategic failure for the United States.
This is a major strategic failure for the United States.
EU, China start talks on lifting EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, Handelsblatt reports
The European Union and China have begun negotiations on the abolition of EU tariffs on imports of Chinese electric cars, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported on Thursday.
www.reuters.com
April 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM
The European Union and China are now starting negotiations to abolish EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
This is a major strategic failure for the United States.
This is a major strategic failure for the United States.
On the one hand, more independents = good for democracy. On the other, indicative of the very real risk Labour are running with their policies and complete inability to rise to the moment. It takes years to not only establish new party leadership with the public, but also a political hierarchy /1
🚨 Projection suggests leftist Leanne Mohamad would defeat Wes Streeting by a landslide margin 😮
⚪️ IND 41% (+9)
🔵 CON 21% (+1)
🔴 LAB 19% (-14)
🟣 REF 10% (+2)
🟢 GRN 6% (+2)
Via @JLPartnersPolls, April 2025 (+/- vs GE2024)
⚪️ IND 41% (+9)
🔵 CON 21% (+1)
🔴 LAB 19% (-14)
🟣 REF 10% (+2)
🟢 GRN 6% (+2)
Via @JLPartnersPolls, April 2025 (+/- vs GE2024)
April 10, 2025 at 6:09 AM
On the one hand, more independents = good for democracy. On the other, indicative of the very real risk Labour are running with their policies and complete inability to rise to the moment. It takes years to not only establish new party leadership with the public, but also a political hierarchy /1
Reposted by Ben Belshaw
Eat Shit Wayne Gretzky, you traitorous bum.
April 5, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Eat Shit Wayne Gretzky, you traitorous bum.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Time to start pushing back on the pretence that we can count on the party structure and electoral system to produce change. We're just playing in a sandbox filled with scorpions.
Pretty remarkable findings from @spotlightcorruption.org, focussing not just on the corporate lobbying of ministers but also officials, meaning Whitehall's doors are being opened several times a week to banks and consultancy companies.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK ministers and officials treated to hospitality 3,500 times in five years, study finds
Some of firms providing meals and tickets also among those to secure most meetings in key departments
www.theguardian.com
March 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Time to start pushing back on the pretence that we can count on the party structure and electoral system to produce change. We're just playing in a sandbox filled with scorpions.
Reposted by Ben Belshaw
“When context changes, and US deserting Europe is one such context, you have an opportunity to make the case for changes that otherwise would be off the table”
Brexit and austerity? Or neither? That’s the choice.
It shouldn’t be this difficult to make it.
anthonypainter.substack.com/p/brexterity...
Brexit and austerity? Or neither? That’s the choice.
It shouldn’t be this difficult to make it.
anthonypainter.substack.com/p/brexterity...
Brexterity Britain - no way out?
Without confronting the impairment of Brexit and austerity directly, the Government risks sinking into the same quicksand that swallowed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
anthonypainter.substack.com
March 23, 2025 at 8:59 AM
“When context changes, and US deserting Europe is one such context, you have an opportunity to make the case for changes that otherwise would be off the table”
Brexit and austerity? Or neither? That’s the choice.
It shouldn’t be this difficult to make it.
anthonypainter.substack.com/p/brexterity...
Brexit and austerity? Or neither? That’s the choice.
It shouldn’t be this difficult to make it.
anthonypainter.substack.com/p/brexterity...
Coming soon: Pokemon Blood Money Red
www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
Pokemon Go maker sells off games division to Saudi company for $3.5B | CBC News
The company that made the hit mobile-phone game Pokemon Go is getting out of the mobile gaming business.
www.cbc.ca
March 12, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Coming soon: Pokemon Blood Money Red
www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
Reposted by Ben Belshaw
This is a bigger scandal than people realize.
It really makes it look as though this entire meeting was a setup by Trump that was planned in advance.
If you watch the video it is clear that they are deliberately and almost derangedly blindsiding Zelenskyy. Now we know who the audience was.
Putin.
It really makes it look as though this entire meeting was a setup by Trump that was planned in advance.
If you watch the video it is clear that they are deliberately and almost derangedly blindsiding Zelenskyy. Now we know who the audience was.
Putin.
February 28, 2025 at 7:24 PM
This is a bigger scandal than people realize.
It really makes it look as though this entire meeting was a setup by Trump that was planned in advance.
If you watch the video it is clear that they are deliberately and almost derangedly blindsiding Zelenskyy. Now we know who the audience was.
Putin.
It really makes it look as though this entire meeting was a setup by Trump that was planned in advance.
If you watch the video it is clear that they are deliberately and almost derangedly blindsiding Zelenskyy. Now we know who the audience was.
Putin.