Armando Martino
@bouncymandy.bsky.social
Professor of Maths at Southampton University. Geek, somewhat Italian. Opinions are my own.
Reposted by Armando Martino
Greta Thunberg arrested for holding a sign opposing genocide.
When peaceful protest is a crime, democracy is in deep trouble.
Happening under a Labour Government.
When peaceful protest is a crime, democracy is in deep trouble.
Happening under a Labour Government.
🚨BREAKING: GRETA THUNBERG ARRESTED UNDER TERRORISM ACT FOR SUPPORTING 'PALESTINE ACTION PRISONERS'
December 23, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Greta Thunberg arrested for holding a sign opposing genocide.
When peaceful protest is a crime, democracy is in deep trouble.
Happening under a Labour Government.
When peaceful protest is a crime, democracy is in deep trouble.
Happening under a Labour Government.
Reposted by Armando Martino
Wonderful to announce Jamie Driscoll has joined the Green Party, now is the time to build on the foundations laid by the Newcastle Green team to make a real change for the city in May 26!
More and more people are seeing the Green message of hope and feeling inspired!
More and more people are seeing the Green message of hope and feeling inspired!
December 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Wonderful to announce Jamie Driscoll has joined the Green Party, now is the time to build on the foundations laid by the Newcastle Green team to make a real change for the city in May 26!
More and more people are seeing the Green message of hope and feeling inspired!
More and more people are seeing the Green message of hope and feeling inspired!
I’m also slightly confused about why Starmer is so disliked across the political spectrum.
I think people perceive him as a "bureaucratic bully"; someone who applies rules selectively, vindictively, dishonestly. People have seen it in their lives and they really, really dislike it.
I think people perceive him as a "bureaucratic bully"; someone who applies rules selectively, vindictively, dishonestly. People have seen it in their lives and they really, really dislike it.
I have now developed a Vague Theory, but yeah, ultimately as you say, have to accept it.
December 11, 2025 at 6:52 PM
I’m also slightly confused about why Starmer is so disliked across the political spectrum.
I think people perceive him as a "bureaucratic bully"; someone who applies rules selectively, vindictively, dishonestly. People have seen it in their lives and they really, really dislike it.
I think people perceive him as a "bureaucratic bully"; someone who applies rules selectively, vindictively, dishonestly. People have seen it in their lives and they really, really dislike it.
Reposted by Armando Martino
✍️Cllr Katherine Barbour has written to her local MP. southampton.greenparty.org.uk/2025/10/27/p...
Planning and Infrastructure Bill - comments from your constituent - Southampton Green Party
The following is a copy of an email Councillor Katherine Barbour sent to Satvir Kaur, MP for Southampton Test. “Dear Satvir I am writing about the planning and infrastructure bill which I have major c...
southampton.greenparty.org.uk
October 29, 2025 at 10:32 AM
✍️Cllr Katherine Barbour has written to her local MP. southampton.greenparty.org.uk/2025/10/27/p...
Rhianna is just lovely, of course.
Dad’s books are full of empathy, common sense, and a healthy suspicion of the powerful. But at its heart his work is also about how systems keep people poor while pretending it’s their own fault. So I hope Kemi’s taking notes as well as reading the jokes.
Kemi Badenoch claiming Terry Pratchett as her favourite author is wild
October 7, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Rhianna is just lovely, of course.
Reposted by Armando Martino
This is grim & dangerous over reach.
This is a government that have lost the moral argument & are still selling arms to Israel. Now further cracking down on dissent.
Absolutely the opposite of what they should be doing - so of course this is what the Labour Government choose.
This is a government that have lost the moral argument & are still selling arms to Israel. Now further cracking down on dissent.
Absolutely the opposite of what they should be doing - so of course this is what the Labour Government choose.
NEW: Home Office announces planned new anti-protest powers, mainly aimed at pro-Gaza protests like those for Palestine Action. Police will be able to consider the "cumulative impact" of repeated protests and potentially order that they be relocated.
October 5, 2025 at 7:44 AM
This is grim & dangerous over reach.
This is a government that have lost the moral argument & are still selling arms to Israel. Now further cracking down on dissent.
Absolutely the opposite of what they should be doing - so of course this is what the Labour Government choose.
This is a government that have lost the moral argument & are still selling arms to Israel. Now further cracking down on dissent.
Absolutely the opposite of what they should be doing - so of course this is what the Labour Government choose.
Lots of people viewing me at the moment. What I would say is, lots of us are disappointed with Labour and we react in different ways. I can say that I feel happy to have joined the Greens.
The Greens need your vote, your time, and your energy if you can spare it.
The Greens need your vote, your time, and your energy if you can spare it.
October 2, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Lots of people viewing me at the moment. What I would say is, lots of us are disappointed with Labour and we react in different ways. I can say that I feel happy to have joined the Greens.
The Greens need your vote, your time, and your energy if you can spare it.
The Greens need your vote, your time, and your energy if you can spare it.
Its very strange. But, also, this is not stable. They will drive away voters they don't like.
On the morning of Keir Starmer's conference speech here's a new post on an odd psychopathology in British politics - our main parties don't like the people who vote for them - the dreaded Professional Managerial Class. And so they are acting out like a divorced dad seeking cooler voters. 1/n
British Politics' Midlife Crisis
Why British Parties Can't Make Peace with Their Actual Voters
benansell.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Its very strange. But, also, this is not stable. They will drive away voters they don't like.
It's an interesting exercise to ask, "What would Starmer do if his goal were to antagonise the Left?". And compare it to what he does.
Labour are confusing 'decisions which Labour members do not enjoy or dislike' with 'decisions anyone outside of the Labour party likes or welcomes', I think. www.ft.com/content/f776...
September 30, 2025 at 6:38 AM
It's an interesting exercise to ask, "What would Starmer do if his goal were to antagonise the Left?". And compare it to what he does.
My perspective on UK food.
The bad: There is just a weird acceptance that food can be bad, and its a necessary chore to eat. Like going to the toilet.
The good: The lack of a real national cuisine makes food in the UK much more adventurous than other countries.
The bad: There is just a weird acceptance that food can be bad, and its a necessary chore to eat. Like going to the toilet.
The good: The lack of a real national cuisine makes food in the UK much more adventurous than other countries.
September 1, 2025 at 12:56 PM
My perspective on UK food.
The bad: There is just a weird acceptance that food can be bad, and its a necessary chore to eat. Like going to the toilet.
The good: The lack of a real national cuisine makes food in the UK much more adventurous than other countries.
The bad: There is just a weird acceptance that food can be bad, and its a necessary chore to eat. Like going to the toilet.
The good: The lack of a real national cuisine makes food in the UK much more adventurous than other countries.
Me at Pride last weekend. A fun time was had.
August 29, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Me at Pride last weekend. A fun time was had.
Trying to say this in an open, non-confrontational way....
1/ The left were broadly correct in predicting what a Starmer Govt would be like, and liberals were broadly incorrect. Why?
1/ The left were broadly correct in predicting what a Starmer Govt would be like, and liberals were broadly incorrect. Why?
August 11, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Trying to say this in an open, non-confrontational way....
1/ The left were broadly correct in predicting what a Starmer Govt would be like, and liberals were broadly incorrect. Why?
1/ The left were broadly correct in predicting what a Starmer Govt would be like, and liberals were broadly incorrect. Why?
I'm back. This is how we fix the UK
YouTube video by Garys Economics
youtu.be
July 19, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Alex was and is (correctly) "pessimistic" about Brexit and Trump and Farage. This isn't nihilism but a considered view about likely negative consequences.
Equally, others *may* also have well-supported negative views about politicians we felt good about.
Equally, others *may* also have well-supported negative views about politicians we felt good about.
If you think you can bash me for not having joined in your nihilism sooner, it won't work, precisely because I am an optimist. I consider it my best quality. By next week, I will have something new to fight for.
I'll keep trying to make things a tiny bit better, while you heckle. I'm ok with that.
I'll keep trying to make things a tiny bit better, while you heckle. I'm ok with that.
May 15, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Alex was and is (correctly) "pessimistic" about Brexit and Trump and Farage. This isn't nihilism but a considered view about likely negative consequences.
Equally, others *may* also have well-supported negative views about politicians we felt good about.
Equally, others *may* also have well-supported negative views about politicians we felt good about.
I seem to have been added to an unwanted mailing list with lots of other academics. Now I am getting flooded with messages from everyone trying to "unsubscribe". *sigh*
December 18, 2024 at 9:26 AM
I seem to have been added to an unwanted mailing list with lots of other academics. Now I am getting flooded with messages from everyone trying to "unsubscribe". *sigh*
Reposted by Armando Martino
How voters have changed their minds since July.
Headline story is obviously the fact one third of 2024 Labour voters currently say they wouldn't vote Labour, but also notable just 13% of Labour 'defectors' are switching to the Conservatives.
Headline story is obviously the fact one third of 2024 Labour voters currently say they wouldn't vote Labour, but also notable just 13% of Labour 'defectors' are switching to the Conservatives.
December 8, 2024 at 1:42 PM
How voters have changed their minds since July.
Headline story is obviously the fact one third of 2024 Labour voters currently say they wouldn't vote Labour, but also notable just 13% of Labour 'defectors' are switching to the Conservatives.
Headline story is obviously the fact one third of 2024 Labour voters currently say they wouldn't vote Labour, but also notable just 13% of Labour 'defectors' are switching to the Conservatives.
Reposted by Armando Martino
Oh my gosh, here's Caroline Lucas! @carolinelucas.bsky.social
Happy days.
Happy days.
November 17, 2024 at 5:26 PM
Oh my gosh, here's Caroline Lucas! @carolinelucas.bsky.social
Happy days.
Happy days.
So Dragon Age: Veilguard is essentially a reworking of Mass Effect 2? I liked it, even though the writing let it down a bit.
November 16, 2024 at 3:57 PM
So Dragon Age: Veilguard is essentially a reworking of Mass Effect 2? I liked it, even though the writing let it down a bit.
Lots of politics nerds here. But what about the maths nerds?
November 14, 2024 at 7:26 AM
Lots of politics nerds here. But what about the maths nerds?