Ben Mitchell
@bmitchellwrites.bsky.social
Painfully nostalgic for the 90s.
Typically excellent from Janan Ganesh. Forget the politics, the opening paragraph is my favourite bit:
www.ft.com/content/68ee...
www.ft.com/content/68ee...
November 19, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Typically excellent from Janan Ganesh. Forget the politics, the opening paragraph is my favourite bit:
www.ft.com/content/68ee...
www.ft.com/content/68ee...
A grown up speaks. In a party full of some of the worst gender ideologues in British politics.
How can any elected representative say, with a straight face, that listening to an opposing view makes them feel 'unsafe' at work?
Wretched party.
How can any elected representative say, with a straight face, that listening to an opposing view makes them feel 'unsafe' at work?
Wretched party.
BREAKING: Bristol city councillor resigns from the Green group
Full story here
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Full story here
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Councillor quits Greens over City Hall trans protests
It puts the Greens back below half the councillors at City Hall
www.bristolpost.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 12:35 PM
A grown up speaks. In a party full of some of the worst gender ideologues in British politics.
How can any elected representative say, with a straight face, that listening to an opposing view makes them feel 'unsafe' at work?
Wretched party.
How can any elected representative say, with a straight face, that listening to an opposing view makes them feel 'unsafe' at work?
Wretched party.
Completely predictable. But a terrible idea. Series 6 was mediocre at best. At times it was farcical. Series 1-5 superb. And that's when it should have ended.
BBC News - Line of Duty to return for seventh series, BBC confirms - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Line of Duty to return for seventh series, BBC confirms - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Line of Duty to return for seventh series, BBC confirms
Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure and Martin Compston will all reprise their roles in the hugely popular drama.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Completely predictable. But a terrible idea. Series 6 was mediocre at best. At times it was farcical. Series 1-5 superb. And that's when it should have ended.
BBC News - Line of Duty to return for seventh series, BBC confirms - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Line of Duty to return for seventh series, BBC confirms - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Without exception "you've/we've/I've got this" is the most cringeworthy newism.
November 14, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Without exception "you've/we've/I've got this" is the most cringeworthy newism.
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Increasingly likely that "all pain, no gain" will be the title of the post-mortem of this government.
“All pain, no gain,” says government source of extraordinary FT story that Reeves has abandoned income tax rise after weeks of pitch-rolling. www.ft.com/content/6cbb...
Starmer and Reeves ditch Budget plan to increase income tax rates
Chancellor explores alternative ways to raise revenue to fill fiscal hole estimated at up to £30bn
www.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Increasingly likely that "all pain, no gain" will be the title of the post-mortem of this government.
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Adam isn’t speculating here: it’s what Reeves did last time (alongside a hefty employers’ NI hike) and it *didn’t* go down well.
It also didn’t raise enough to protect against shocks, hence more rises being needed now.
This is total, dismal, political failure.
It also didn’t raise enough to protect against shocks, hence more rises being needed now.
This is total, dismal, political failure.
Exchanging one unpopular, but effective, tax-raising measure for a load more unpopular, controversial and piecemeal tax-raising measures is not going to end well
November 14, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Adam isn’t speculating here: it’s what Reeves did last time (alongside a hefty employers’ NI hike) and it *didn’t* go down well.
It also didn’t raise enough to protect against shocks, hence more rises being needed now.
This is total, dismal, political failure.
It also didn’t raise enough to protect against shocks, hence more rises being needed now.
This is total, dismal, political failure.
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Thanks to months of pitch rolling, the Labour government has now effectively told anyone paying attention that income tax rises are necessary, but they’re not going to do them because they’re politically weak. Let’s see how that plays!
November 14, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Thanks to months of pitch rolling, the Labour government has now effectively told anyone paying attention that income tax rises are necessary, but they’re not going to do them because they’re politically weak. Let’s see how that plays!
This govt's ability to promise one thing and piss some people off, then u-turn and promise something else and piss some other people off, whilst the first pissed off group still remain pissed off, thereby succeeding in pissing off everyone, has been a feature of Starmer's govt since day 1.
November 14, 2025 at 8:12 AM
This govt's ability to promise one thing and piss some people off, then u-turn and promise something else and piss some other people off, whilst the first pissed off group still remain pissed off, thereby succeeding in pissing off everyone, has been a feature of Starmer's govt since day 1.
Two very good and quite different pieces on the BBC's latest own goals:
1. From @ianleslie.bsky.social
www.ian-leslie.com/p/the-bbcs-f...
1. From @ianleslie.bsky.social
www.ian-leslie.com/p/the-bbcs-f...
The BBC's Friends Can Be Its Worst Enemies
On the Wild and Self-Destructive Over-Reaction To Prescott
www.ian-leslie.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Two very good and quite different pieces on the BBC's latest own goals:
1. From @ianleslie.bsky.social
www.ian-leslie.com/p/the-bbcs-f...
1. From @ianleslie.bsky.social
www.ian-leslie.com/p/the-bbcs-f...
Great idea. Now start banning Airbnbs. Not all, but impose a strict limit.
The policy has been described as 'extortion' and 'madness' by the party’s leader Nigel Farage. on.ft.com/43nsMBl
November 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Great idea. Now start banning Airbnbs. Not all, but impose a strict limit.
Because this is Bluesky, very little commentary on the BBC's disgraceful capitulation to Transactivism over the past decade. Senior figures either too afraid, or too cowardly to stand up to the post-modernist censorious bullies. This is a far greater scandal than the Trump editing nonsense.
November 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Because this is Bluesky, very little commentary on the BBC's disgraceful capitulation to Transactivism over the past decade. Senior figures either too afraid, or too cowardly to stand up to the post-modernist censorious bullies. This is a far greater scandal than the Trump editing nonsense.
Most of these suggestions are barking:
"More points for scoring more than 2 goals!!"
"Penalising 0-0 draws!"
The only one worth listening to is Stephen Warnock's:
"More points for scoring more than 2 goals!!"
"Penalising 0-0 draws!"
The only one worth listening to is Stephen Warnock's:
November 11, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Most of these suggestions are barking:
"More points for scoring more than 2 goals!!"
"Penalising 0-0 draws!"
The only one worth listening to is Stephen Warnock's:
"More points for scoring more than 2 goals!!"
"Penalising 0-0 draws!"
The only one worth listening to is Stephen Warnock's:
Children.
But they're right on one thing. There's no longer any point in trying to debate with them (not that they ever did debate). TRAs are flat earthers. They're post-modernist, post-truth, religious zealots. And they'll keep on losing in the courts.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
But they're right on one thing. There's no longer any point in trying to debate with them (not that they ever did debate). TRAs are flat earthers. They're post-modernist, post-truth, religious zealots. And they'll keep on losing in the courts.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Bristol Greens ‘have right to walk out’ if women question trans policy
City council leader defends colleagues who found it ‘offensive’ when women in the public gallery wanted to raise the issue of safety in single-sex spaces
www.thetimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Children.
But they're right on one thing. There's no longer any point in trying to debate with them (not that they ever did debate). TRAs are flat earthers. They're post-modernist, post-truth, religious zealots. And they'll keep on losing in the courts.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
But they're right on one thing. There's no longer any point in trying to debate with them (not that they ever did debate). TRAs are flat earthers. They're post-modernist, post-truth, religious zealots. And they'll keep on losing in the courts.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
There should be a tax on ridiculously bloated road boats registered in urban areas, because (a) they cause obvious problems in such areas (b) they are bad for the environment (c) they are dangerous for children (d) they are awful, and driving them should be expensive and socially stigmatised.
Cars the U.K are up to 55% larger today than they were in the 1970s and there are twice the number of motors on our roads as there were 30 years ago, but anti-Low Traffic Neighbourhood and anti-cycle lane campaigners keep claiming they 'cause congestion'.
Okay.
Okay.
November 4, 2025 at 9:50 AM
There should be a tax on ridiculously bloated road boats registered in urban areas, because (a) they cause obvious problems in such areas (b) they are bad for the environment (c) they are dangerous for children (d) they are awful, and driving them should be expensive and socially stigmatised.
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Male entitlement writ large.
Male violence is definitely the way to persuade us all that these men should have access to women's services, provisions & sports.
Male violence is definitely the way to persuade us all that these men should have access to women's services, provisions & sports.
October 31, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Male entitlement writ large.
Male violence is definitely the way to persuade us all that these men should have access to women's services, provisions & sports.
Male violence is definitely the way to persuade us all that these men should have access to women's services, provisions & sports.
No, the government are just being cowards and failing to ensure organisations comply with *existing law.* Where the hell was the impact assessment when women and girls' facilities were sacrificed in favour of 'gender neutral' ones? Any 'liberals' speak up???
You'll have to ignore the buckets of anti-trans campaigning commentary in the piece, but the basic news is quite simple. The EHRC has failed to get the government to accept its anti-guidance in haste. Something is holding it up, perhaps for another a year www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Rules forcing trans people to use birth-sex facilities delayed
The Equality and Human Rights Commission set out statutory guidance on how gyms, clubs and hospitals must judge single-sex spaces based on biology
www.thetimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:58 AM
No, the government are just being cowards and failing to ensure organisations comply with *existing law.* Where the hell was the impact assessment when women and girls' facilities were sacrificed in favour of 'gender neutral' ones? Any 'liberals' speak up???
Annoyed to see #celebritytraitors sticking with the new rule change they added to series 3, where at the last roundtable the person voted out won't reveal if they're a traitor or a faithful. It slightly spoiled the end of S3. An unnecessary change.
October 30, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Annoyed to see #celebritytraitors sticking with the new rule change they added to series 3, where at the last roundtable the person voted out won't reveal if they're a traitor or a faithful. It slightly spoiled the end of S3. An unnecessary change.
It's been said a thousand times, but train travel in this country is the most miserable fucking experience and it's getting worse.
October 27, 2025 at 11:14 AM
It's been said a thousand times, but train travel in this country is the most miserable fucking experience and it's getting worse.
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
A good use of state power for this government *right now* would be get utterly mediaeval with Chansiri and find a way to strip him of ownership.
Sheffield Wednesday’s perilous financial plight has worsened after being placed in administration by owner Dejphon Chansiri this morning.
Staff at the Championship club have been informed of the situation.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Staff at the Championship club have been informed of the situation.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
October 24, 2025 at 10:53 AM
A good use of state power for this government *right now* would be get utterly mediaeval with Chansiri and find a way to strip him of ownership.
Yep. I believe immigration should be significantly reduced but what the Tories/Reform are proposing is extremely concerning. We're weeks away from 'white immigrants only' proposals.
Let's face it, the speed at which the immigration debate is moving, Britain's unhinged Right are going to start attacking dual citizens within weeks. To which my reply is: Donegal and the Irish West are beautiful mate, now none of us are welcome you can do one.
October 23, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Yep. I believe immigration should be significantly reduced but what the Tories/Reform are proposing is extremely concerning. We're weeks away from 'white immigrants only' proposals.
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
You never have to admit you were wrong, never have to say you're sorry, never have to apologise, never have to show shame or doubt or contrition. Your ridiculous views on Bismarck and Nasa and project governance will help you fail upwards. That's Britain! 🇬🇧 (2/2) www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Dominic Cummings: ‘Keir Starmer’s rubbish at politics’
The former aide to Boris Johnson pulls no punches in his assessment of the current state of British politics
www.thetimes.com
October 19, 2025 at 9:41 AM
You never have to admit you were wrong, never have to say you're sorry, never have to apologise, never have to show shame or doubt or contrition. Your ridiculous views on Bismarck and Nasa and project governance will help you fail upwards. That's Britain! 🇬🇧 (2/2) www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Britain's problems in one capsule. If you pay to go to a posh private school and Oxford and do History and marry into wealth you can say anything, do anything, smash anything, fail anywhere. And people will still lap up what you say and nod like donkeys. (1/2) www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Dominic Cummings: ‘Keir Starmer’s rubbish at politics’
The former aide to Boris Johnson pulls no punches in his assessment of the current state of British politics
www.thetimes.com
October 19, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Britain's problems in one capsule. If you pay to go to a posh private school and Oxford and do History and marry into wealth you can say anything, do anything, smash anything, fail anywhere. And people will still lap up what you say and nod like donkeys. (1/2) www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
How about the police do their job and arrest the troublemakers/anti-Semites?
West Midlands Police (WMP) has requested that supporters of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv not be allowed to attend the Europa League game against Aston Villa in Birmingham on November 6 due to concerns over unrest, sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic.
📝 @jacobtanswell.bsky.social
📝 @jacobtanswell.bsky.social
Police request Maccabi Tel Aviv fans not be allowed to attend Aston Villa game in Europa League
When Maccabi Tel Aviv travelled to face Ajax last year, 62 people were arrested and five hospitalised after violent clashes.
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:37 PM
How about the police do their job and arrest the troublemakers/anti-Semites?
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Two weeks after Heaton Park and we're already in "yeah but antisemitism is actually declining" territory.
BBC asking Bridget Phillipson at length about rising antisemitism in the UK (which actually fell last year according to new figures, albeit still very high) but not at all about rising Islamophobia, which is up by 19% year-on-year
October 12, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Two weeks after Heaton Park and we're already in "yeah but antisemitism is actually declining" territory.