Billy Hampson
@billylion67.bsky.social
Wishing for a decentralised free socialist progressive democratic Scotland
Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things and no good thing ever dies
Politics, Reading, Art, Cinema, Theatre, Celtic, Save the planet
Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things and no good thing ever dies
Politics, Reading, Art, Cinema, Theatre, Celtic, Save the planet
Reposted by Billy Hampson
When a centrist like Andy Burnham is deemed to be too much of a left wing threat to the modern Labour party, it tells us just how right wing Starmer's Labour party has become. The founders of the Labour party would be rejected by Starmer. The Labour party has sold its soul to corporate donors.
January 26, 2026 at 2:09 AM
When a centrist like Andy Burnham is deemed to be too much of a left wing threat to the modern Labour party, it tells us just how right wing Starmer's Labour party has become. The founders of the Labour party would be rejected by Starmer. The Labour party has sold its soul to corporate donors.
Reposted by Billy Hampson
"ICE will leave Minnesota if you hand over your voter rolls" tells you everything you need to know.
This was never about immigration or fraud. It was always about rigging elections.
This was never about immigration or fraud. It was always about rigging elections.
January 25, 2026 at 11:01 PM
"ICE will leave Minnesota if you hand over your voter rolls" tells you everything you need to know.
This was never about immigration or fraud. It was always about rigging elections.
This was never about immigration or fraud. It was always about rigging elections.
Reposted by Billy Hampson
Andy Burnham has now been blocked from standing as a by-election candidate by Labour.
Civil war would follow as Starmer doubles down on dissent to hang on to power.
Civil war would follow as Starmer doubles down on dissent to hang on to power.
Starmer allies urge him to block Andy Burnham from running in byelection.
If so, more party turmoil will follow.
Local party, not HQ, must select candidates.
Starmer has reneged on many pledges and made numerous policy errors, his days are numbered.
If so, more party turmoil will follow.
Local party, not HQ, must select candidates.
Starmer has reneged on many pledges and made numerous policy errors, his days are numbered.
Starmer allies urge him to block Andy Burnham from running in byelection
Greater Manchester mayor has applied to stand for Labour in Gorton and Denton, setting up potential fight for PM’s political future
www.theguardian.com
January 25, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Andy Burnham has now been blocked from standing as a by-election candidate by Labour.
Civil war would follow as Starmer doubles down on dissent to hang on to power.
Civil war would follow as Starmer doubles down on dissent to hang on to power.
Reposted by Billy Hampson
Four-time Grammy Award nominee Jesse Welles performs his song "Join Ice."
Bob Dylan once said a single folk singer could defeat an entire army. Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have our man.
Bob Dylan once said a single folk singer could defeat an entire army. Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have our man.
January 24, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Four-time Grammy Award nominee Jesse Welles performs his song "Join Ice."
Bob Dylan once said a single folk singer could defeat an entire army. Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have our man.
Bob Dylan once said a single folk singer could defeat an entire army. Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have our man.
Reposted by Billy Hampson
RIP Paul Robeson who died on this day in 1976.
This sends shivers down my spine when I hear it.
This sends shivers down my spine when I hear it.
January 23, 2026 at 10:33 PM
RIP Paul Robeson who died on this day in 1976.
This sends shivers down my spine when I hear it.
This sends shivers down my spine when I hear it.
Reposted by Billy Hampson
Now more than ever, The DWP now have the power to crawl up your ass & see if you are sitting on a wee nest egg.
Basically you can have what they give you, Don't try to put money aside for unexpected bills or surprises.
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU
www.thenational.scot/news/2577941...
Basically you can have what they give you, Don't try to put money aside for unexpected bills or surprises.
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU
www.thenational.scot/news/2577941...
The DWP can now check your bank account if you receive one of these payments
The UK Government can now have the bank accounts of many pensioners and benefit claimants in Scotland checked under new powers
www.thenational.scot
January 20, 2026 at 11:06 AM
Now more than ever, The DWP now have the power to crawl up your ass & see if you are sitting on a wee nest egg.
Basically you can have what they give you, Don't try to put money aside for unexpected bills or surprises.
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU
www.thenational.scot/news/2577941...
Basically you can have what they give you, Don't try to put money aside for unexpected bills or surprises.
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU
www.thenational.scot/news/2577941...
Reposted by Billy Hampson
Successive UK governments have spent more than four decades hollowing out the social foundations that make a democracy resilient: security, dignity, care, and the basic material conditions that allow people to participate as equals. A country that cannot guarantee food, warmth or housing is failing
January 19, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Successive UK governments have spent more than four decades hollowing out the social foundations that make a democracy resilient: security, dignity, care, and the basic material conditions that allow people to participate as equals. A country that cannot guarantee food, warmth or housing is failing
Reposted by Billy Hampson
Awaiting the next crash.
Capital requirements for UK banks to be lowered.
Safety buffers reduced as govt appeases the finance lobby.
Practical effect will be higher dividends, rather than investment in the real economy.
Public purse will bailout banks. Profits privatised, losses see socialised.
Capital requirements for UK banks to be lowered.
Safety buffers reduced as govt appeases the finance lobby.
Practical effect will be higher dividends, rather than investment in the real economy.
Public purse will bailout banks. Profits privatised, losses see socialised.
The Bank of England’s capital mistake?
On 2 December 2025, the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee announced it would be lowering the capital requirement for UK banks. This column argues that higher macro-financial risk and sharply reduced fiscal capacity point to a need for higher rather than lower bank capital requirements. The most likely practical effect of this weakening of resilience will be higher payouts to bank shareholders, rather than increased lending to the real economy.
cepr.org
January 18, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Awaiting the next crash.
Capital requirements for UK banks to be lowered.
Safety buffers reduced as govt appeases the finance lobby.
Practical effect will be higher dividends, rather than investment in the real economy.
Public purse will bailout banks. Profits privatised, losses see socialised.
Capital requirements for UK banks to be lowered.
Safety buffers reduced as govt appeases the finance lobby.
Practical effect will be higher dividends, rather than investment in the real economy.
Public purse will bailout banks. Profits privatised, losses see socialised.
Reposted by Billy Hampson
“What the founder of Palantir, Peter Thiel, does not believe in, is democracy. That is clear from his own statements"
With thanks to @implausibleblog.bsky.social for extracting this important text in the image below
Full podcast here
shows.acast.com/bold-politic...
With thanks to @implausibleblog.bsky.social for extracting this important text in the image below
Full podcast here
shows.acast.com/bold-politic...
January 19, 2026 at 4:17 AM
“What the founder of Palantir, Peter Thiel, does not believe in, is democracy. That is clear from his own statements"
With thanks to @implausibleblog.bsky.social for extracting this important text in the image below
Full podcast here
shows.acast.com/bold-politic...
With thanks to @implausibleblog.bsky.social for extracting this important text in the image below
Full podcast here
shows.acast.com/bold-politic...
Reposted by Billy Hampson
Ex-Rangers directors Sandy and James Easdale, who wiped out a blogger who falsely accused them of being involved in organised crime and who are jointly among the top handful of Scots on the Sunday Times Rich List, say they want to help Scottish Labour “remove the SNP from power”.
January 17, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Ex-Rangers directors Sandy and James Easdale, who wiped out a blogger who falsely accused them of being involved in organised crime and who are jointly among the top handful of Scots on the Sunday Times Rich List, say they want to help Scottish Labour “remove the SNP from power”.
Reposted by Billy Hampson
It is the source of so many of our evils: the astonishing concentration of wealth in the hands of a very few, and the immense political power that gives them. We cannot solve our problems until we tackle it.
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
At the root of all our problems stands one travesty: politicians’ surrender to the super-rich | George Monbiot
There are many excuses for failing to tax the ultra-wealthy. The truth is that governments don’t tackle the problem because they don’t want to, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:18 PM
It is the source of so many of our evils: the astonishing concentration of wealth in the hands of a very few, and the immense political power that gives them. We cannot solve our problems until we tackle it.
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Billy Hampson
Donald Trump continues to threaten the invasion of our allies in Greenland.
Scotland must be clear that we stand with our friends, by ensuring the US military cannot use Scottish infrastructure and assets to launch operations against them.
Scotland must be clear that we stand with our friends, by ensuring the US military cannot use Scottish infrastructure and assets to launch operations against them.
January 15, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Donald Trump continues to threaten the invasion of our allies in Greenland.
Scotland must be clear that we stand with our friends, by ensuring the US military cannot use Scottish infrastructure and assets to launch operations against them.
Scotland must be clear that we stand with our friends, by ensuring the US military cannot use Scottish infrastructure and assets to launch operations against them.
Reposted by Billy Hampson
They should add a new entry in the DSM-6. If you proudly accept someone else's Nobel prize, you are automatically diagnosed as having Narcissistic Personality Disorder or something new along the lines of Vicarious Laurel Appropriation Disorder (VLAD) or Super Narcissist Entitlement Syndrome (SNES)
January 16, 2026 at 4:10 AM
They should add a new entry in the DSM-6. If you proudly accept someone else's Nobel prize, you are automatically diagnosed as having Narcissistic Personality Disorder or something new along the lines of Vicarious Laurel Appropriation Disorder (VLAD) or Super Narcissist Entitlement Syndrome (SNES)
Reposted by Billy Hampson
You must be reading my mind DO SOMETHING
Abolish standing charges
for Internet
Water
Electricity
Gas
Telephone connection
Cut home rental costs
Reduce Interest rates
Increase wages
Nationalise all the Utility companies
And that's in 30 seconds off the top of my head
They are so fuckin dumb
Abolish standing charges
for Internet
Water
Electricity
Gas
Telephone connection
Cut home rental costs
Reduce Interest rates
Increase wages
Nationalise all the Utility companies
And that's in 30 seconds off the top of my head
They are so fuckin dumb
January 15, 2026 at 3:18 PM
You must be reading my mind DO SOMETHING
Abolish standing charges
for Internet
Water
Electricity
Gas
Telephone connection
Cut home rental costs
Reduce Interest rates
Increase wages
Nationalise all the Utility companies
And that's in 30 seconds off the top of my head
They are so fuckin dumb
Abolish standing charges
for Internet
Water
Electricity
Gas
Telephone connection
Cut home rental costs
Reduce Interest rates
Increase wages
Nationalise all the Utility companies
And that's in 30 seconds off the top of my head
They are so fuckin dumb
Reposted by Billy Hampson
Toby Young's Free Speech Union does not declare its donors - but through public records we found US anti-abortionists, Brexit politicians and Tufton Street insiders backing them
Ironically, the FSU recently hired an ex Daily Mail journalist - to investigate who funds Hope Not Hate and others 🤔
Ironically, the FSU recently hired an ex Daily Mail journalist - to investigate who funds Hope Not Hate and others 🤔
January 15, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Toby Young's Free Speech Union does not declare its donors - but through public records we found US anti-abortionists, Brexit politicians and Tufton Street insiders backing them
Ironically, the FSU recently hired an ex Daily Mail journalist - to investigate who funds Hope Not Hate and others 🤔
Ironically, the FSU recently hired an ex Daily Mail journalist - to investigate who funds Hope Not Hate and others 🤔
Reposted by Billy Hampson
Disgusted to see the US flag, along with the logo for Trump's politicised version of the 250th anniversary celebration, on display at the Scottish Parliament tonight.
As the US descends ever further into fascism, MSPs should be standing alongside those the regime threatens, not with its leadership.
As the US descends ever further into fascism, MSPs should be standing alongside those the regime threatens, not with its leadership.
January 14, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Disgusted to see the US flag, along with the logo for Trump's politicised version of the 250th anniversary celebration, on display at the Scottish Parliament tonight.
As the US descends ever further into fascism, MSPs should be standing alongside those the regime threatens, not with its leadership.
As the US descends ever further into fascism, MSPs should be standing alongside those the regime threatens, not with its leadership.
Reposted by Billy Hampson
Don't be fooled.
Reform are a clear and present threat to our NHS!
Reform are a clear and present threat to our NHS!
January 13, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Don't be fooled.
Reform are a clear and present threat to our NHS!
Reform are a clear and present threat to our NHS!
Reposted by Billy Hampson
Hands up all you Scottish billionaires who are now seriously thinking about rehousing your private jets from English airports? You must be well pissed off that you need to fill up yer tank in your Porsche SUV & pay the parking for the duration of your stay in the tax haven's that you visit.
January 14, 2026 at 5:14 AM
Hands up all you Scottish billionaires who are now seriously thinking about rehousing your private jets from English airports? You must be well pissed off that you need to fill up yer tank in your Porsche SUV & pay the parking for the duration of your stay in the tax haven's that you visit.
Reposted by Billy Hampson
Bobby Sands died after 66 days on hunger strike. Heba Muraisi is now on day 71. In 1981, everyone knew who Bobby Sands was because his action was all over the press. Ask your neighbour if they've heard of Heba...
January 13, 2026 at 6:30 AM
Bobby Sands died after 66 days on hunger strike. Heba Muraisi is now on day 71. In 1981, everyone knew who Bobby Sands was because his action was all over the press. Ask your neighbour if they've heard of Heba...
Reposted by Billy Hampson
24m Britons live below minimum socially acceptable living standards.
Major parties make sound bites, no plan to address cost of living crisis.
Won't end profiteering, increase real wages, redistribute wealth, curb power of corporations/rich.
Need more working class people in parliament.
Major parties make sound bites, no plan to address cost of living crisis.
Won't end profiteering, increase real wages, redistribute wealth, curb power of corporations/rich.
Need more working class people in parliament.
January 11, 2026 at 8:51 AM
24m Britons live below minimum socially acceptable living standards.
Major parties make sound bites, no plan to address cost of living crisis.
Won't end profiteering, increase real wages, redistribute wealth, curb power of corporations/rich.
Need more working class people in parliament.
Major parties make sound bites, no plan to address cost of living crisis.
Won't end profiteering, increase real wages, redistribute wealth, curb power of corporations/rich.
Need more working class people in parliament.
Reposted by Billy Hampson
Welsh NOT British
Scottish NOT British
Irish NOT British
Cornish NOT British
We are Celtic nations with our own languages, heritage, cultures, and histories.
We existed long before the United Kingdom.
Still here. Proud. Distinct. Sovereign.
Scottish NOT British
Irish NOT British
Cornish NOT British
We are Celtic nations with our own languages, heritage, cultures, and histories.
We existed long before the United Kingdom.
Still here. Proud. Distinct. Sovereign.
January 11, 2026 at 6:41 AM
Welsh NOT British
Scottish NOT British
Irish NOT British
Cornish NOT British
We are Celtic nations with our own languages, heritage, cultures, and histories.
We existed long before the United Kingdom.
Still here. Proud. Distinct. Sovereign.
Scottish NOT British
Irish NOT British
Cornish NOT British
We are Celtic nations with our own languages, heritage, cultures, and histories.
We existed long before the United Kingdom.
Still here. Proud. Distinct. Sovereign.
Reposted by Billy Hampson
This story is a textbook case of how likes of Musk (and Trump) can so easily destroy liberal democratic institutions
Musk responds to questions about Grok creating AI porn with ‘legacy media lie’
Royal Society decides kicking him out would do ‘do more harm than good’ 🤯
www.ft.com/content/088b...
Musk responds to questions about Grok creating AI porn with ‘legacy media lie’
Royal Society decides kicking him out would do ‘do more harm than good’ 🤯
www.ft.com/content/088b...
January 10, 2026 at 8:21 AM
This story is a textbook case of how likes of Musk (and Trump) can so easily destroy liberal democratic institutions
Musk responds to questions about Grok creating AI porn with ‘legacy media lie’
Royal Society decides kicking him out would do ‘do more harm than good’ 🤯
www.ft.com/content/088b...
Musk responds to questions about Grok creating AI porn with ‘legacy media lie’
Royal Society decides kicking him out would do ‘do more harm than good’ 🤯
www.ft.com/content/088b...
Reposted by Billy Hampson
How about Scotland? Is our future for us to decide or is that somehow different because reasons.
January 10, 2026 at 7:05 AM
How about Scotland? Is our future for us to decide or is that somehow different because reasons.
Reposted by Billy Hampson
🚨 Exclusive: Tony Blair isn’t just a big fan of AI — he's now trying to build and sell AI tools to governments
Tony Blair Institute staff have described the plan as 'insane' and compared it to Palantir
New by D4S and @lighthousereports.com 🧵
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Tony Blair Institute staff have described the plan as 'insane' and compared it to Palantir
New by D4S and @lighthousereports.com 🧵
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Blair bids to build own AI tools to rival Palantir
TBI insiders warn of “'insane” plan to transform think tank into a tech company
democracyforsale.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:22 PM
🚨 Exclusive: Tony Blair isn’t just a big fan of AI — he's now trying to build and sell AI tools to governments
Tony Blair Institute staff have described the plan as 'insane' and compared it to Palantir
New by D4S and @lighthousereports.com 🧵
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Tony Blair Institute staff have described the plan as 'insane' and compared it to Palantir
New by D4S and @lighthousereports.com 🧵
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Reposted by Billy Hampson
If Kent County Council is Nigel Farage’s “shop window”, it’s becoming clearer every day what Reform UK are selling: a familiar mixture of incompetence and cronyism.
https://goodlaw.social/kip5
https://goodlaw.social/kip5
Reform council that promised cuts delivers payday for party backer
Reform councils have increased spending and handed out a £30,000 contract to a company owned by a party supporter which was involved with 10 serious pollution incidents in 2024.
goodlaw.social
January 9, 2026 at 7:40 AM
If Kent County Council is Nigel Farage’s “shop window”, it’s becoming clearer every day what Reform UK are selling: a familiar mixture of incompetence and cronyism.
https://goodlaw.social/kip5
https://goodlaw.social/kip5