Dean Wilkinson🔶
@deancheviotview.bsky.social
North Northumberland Lib Dem Exec. Francophile. Pro EU & PR. Expect politics, wildlife, rewilding, music.
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
Fantastic progress going on inside Parliament re Customs Union! 👏
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Thirteen Labour MPs vote for talks on joining EU customs union
One hundred MPs voted for and 100 against the Liberal Democrats' bill, which would require the UK to begin talks with the EU for a new customs union.
www.bbc.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Fantastic progress going on inside Parliament re Customs Union! 👏
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
Reform UK - formerly the Brexit Party - claims it’s “pro-business.”
However, this letter in The Journal exposes the truth: their hard Brexit
stance continues to damage the very small firms they pretend to
support.
However, this letter in The Journal exposes the truth: their hard Brexit
stance continues to damage the very small firms they pretend to
support.
November 20, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Reform UK - formerly the Brexit Party - claims it’s “pro-business.”
However, this letter in The Journal exposes the truth: their hard Brexit
stance continues to damage the very small firms they pretend to
support.
However, this letter in The Journal exposes the truth: their hard Brexit
stance continues to damage the very small firms they pretend to
support.
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
Lib Dems urge Starmer to let Labour MPs vote for 10-minute rule bill saying UK should join EU customs union.
Letter to Starmer:
“Even if the government retains its position of ruling out a customs union it is only right that you grant your MP’s the opportunity to express their support for it”
Letter to Starmer:
“Even if the government retains its position of ruling out a customs union it is only right that you grant your MP’s the opportunity to express their support for it”
December 9, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Lib Dems urge Starmer to let Labour MPs vote for 10-minute rule bill saying UK should join EU customs union.
Letter to Starmer:
“Even if the government retains its position of ruling out a customs union it is only right that you grant your MP’s the opportunity to express their support for it”
Letter to Starmer:
“Even if the government retains its position of ruling out a customs union it is only right that you grant your MP’s the opportunity to express their support for it”
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
🗳 No single party should form a majority government on a minority vote.
In 2024 Labour won a majority, with over 63% of the seats contested, on less than 34% of votes cast.
It’s possible that a party could gain a majority on as low as 25-30% under the disproportionate FPTP voting system🤷♂️
#getPRdone
In 2024 Labour won a majority, with over 63% of the seats contested, on less than 34% of votes cast.
It’s possible that a party could gain a majority on as low as 25-30% under the disproportionate FPTP voting system🤷♂️
#getPRdone
Our voting system is broken.
It's time for a change that truly reflects what voters want.
It's time for a change that truly reflects what voters want.
December 6, 2025 at 3:06 PM
🗳 No single party should form a majority government on a minority vote.
In 2024 Labour won a majority, with over 63% of the seats contested, on less than 34% of votes cast.
It’s possible that a party could gain a majority on as low as 25-30% under the disproportionate FPTP voting system🤷♂️
#getPRdone
In 2024 Labour won a majority, with over 63% of the seats contested, on less than 34% of votes cast.
It’s possible that a party could gain a majority on as low as 25-30% under the disproportionate FPTP voting system🤷♂️
#getPRdone
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
Women in public life are still too often targeted over trivialities instead of being judged on their ideas and actions. It discourages talented women from entering politics. My thoughts in this weeks column: @scotsman.com www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
Nasty attacks on Rachel Reeves' chess claims show why UK should learn from Iceland
The difference in cross-party respect and tone in the Icelandic parliament was startling, with no petty name calling or mansplaining, writes Christine Jardine after a recent trip there
www.scotsman.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Women in public life are still too often targeted over trivialities instead of being judged on their ideas and actions. It discourages talented women from entering politics. My thoughts in this weeks column: @scotsman.com www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
Ed Davey has raised one of the most serious questions in British politics: why have Nigel Farage and his senior team repeatedly aligned themselves with Kremlin-backed media and messaging?
December 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Ed Davey has raised one of the most serious questions in British politics: why have Nigel Farage and his senior team repeatedly aligned themselves with Kremlin-backed media and messaging?
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
Brexit ‘badly damaged’ our economy says David Lammy, the deputy prime minister also says rejoining the EU customs union would boost economic growth. More and more people are realising the sky doesn’t fall in when you tell the truth about Brexit!
December 5, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Brexit ‘badly damaged’ our economy says David Lammy, the deputy prime minister also says rejoining the EU customs union would boost economic growth. More and more people are realising the sky doesn’t fall in when you tell the truth about Brexit!
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
BY ELECTION RESULT:
Torridge DC, Winkleigh
LD: 325 - 42.3% (+8.7)
RefUK: 252 - 32.8% (new)
Con: 191 - 24.9% (-23.7)
Lib Dem GAIN from Conservative
Huge well done to new Cllr Stephen Middleton and team!
Torridge DC, Winkleigh
LD: 325 - 42.3% (+8.7)
RefUK: 252 - 32.8% (new)
Con: 191 - 24.9% (-23.7)
Lib Dem GAIN from Conservative
Huge well done to new Cllr Stephen Middleton and team!
December 4, 2025 at 11:21 PM
BY ELECTION RESULT:
Torridge DC, Winkleigh
LD: 325 - 42.3% (+8.7)
RefUK: 252 - 32.8% (new)
Con: 191 - 24.9% (-23.7)
Lib Dem GAIN from Conservative
Huge well done to new Cllr Stephen Middleton and team!
Torridge DC, Winkleigh
LD: 325 - 42.3% (+8.7)
RefUK: 252 - 32.8% (new)
Con: 191 - 24.9% (-23.7)
Lib Dem GAIN from Conservative
Huge well done to new Cllr Stephen Middleton and team!
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
The Tories botched Brexit deal has left us £90 billion worse per year.
The Lib Dems have a plan for a Customs Union with the EU that would bring around £25 billion to the economy.
The Lib Dems will bring a vote on this next week and I hope Labour backbenchers will support us.
The Lib Dems have a plan for a Customs Union with the EU that would bring around £25 billion to the economy.
The Lib Dems will bring a vote on this next week and I hope Labour backbenchers will support us.
December 4, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The Tories botched Brexit deal has left us £90 billion worse per year.
The Lib Dems have a plan for a Customs Union with the EU that would bring around £25 billion to the economy.
The Lib Dems will bring a vote on this next week and I hope Labour backbenchers will support us.
The Lib Dems have a plan for a Customs Union with the EU that would bring around £25 billion to the economy.
The Lib Dems will bring a vote on this next week and I hope Labour backbenchers will support us.
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
The UK’s laziest Councillor?
Reform UK’s Councillor Shaun Knowles in Northumberland has been paid £9340.67 since becoming a councillor.
An FOI has shown he’s sent 2, TWO emails since May!
He’s attended just 1 meeting (in Sept) since elected.
Reform UK wasting tax payer money.
Reform UK’s Councillor Shaun Knowles in Northumberland has been paid £9340.67 since becoming a councillor.
An FOI has shown he’s sent 2, TWO emails since May!
He’s attended just 1 meeting (in Sept) since elected.
Reform UK wasting tax payer money.
December 3, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The UK’s laziest Councillor?
Reform UK’s Councillor Shaun Knowles in Northumberland has been paid £9340.67 since becoming a councillor.
An FOI has shown he’s sent 2, TWO emails since May!
He’s attended just 1 meeting (in Sept) since elected.
Reform UK wasting tax payer money.
Reform UK’s Councillor Shaun Knowles in Northumberland has been paid £9340.67 since becoming a councillor.
An FOI has shown he’s sent 2, TWO emails since May!
He’s attended just 1 meeting (in Sept) since elected.
Reform UK wasting tax payer money.
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
It's by-election Thursday!
- 5 polls today defences LD 3 C 1 It's Complicated 1
Another fine selection of England's quirks and eccentricities awaits in Andrew's Previews for @britainelects.com:
- 5 polls today defences LD 3 C 1 It's Complicated 1
Another fine selection of England's quirks and eccentricities awaits in Andrew's Previews for @britainelects.com:
Previewing the five council by-elections of 4th December 2025
"All the right votes, but not necessarily in the right order"
open.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:06 AM
It's by-election Thursday!
- 5 polls today defences LD 3 C 1 It's Complicated 1
Another fine selection of England's quirks and eccentricities awaits in Andrew's Previews for @britainelects.com:
- 5 polls today defences LD 3 C 1 It's Complicated 1
Another fine selection of England's quirks and eccentricities awaits in Andrew's Previews for @britainelects.com:
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
December 3, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
Vote for Fran McElhone and Suzanne Isaacs our
@libdems.org.uk candidates for #Halsdon Ward, #Exmouth on Thursday 4th December.
@libdems.org.uk candidates for #Halsdon Ward, #Exmouth on Thursday 4th December.
December 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Vote for Fran McElhone and Suzanne Isaacs our
@libdems.org.uk candidates for #Halsdon Ward, #Exmouth on Thursday 4th December.
@libdems.org.uk candidates for #Halsdon Ward, #Exmouth on Thursday 4th December.
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
You know what? I really don't think it is. Great domestic political posturing, but Labour have no plans to go beyond the 'reset' agenda, certainly none the EU are likely to accept. This will be talk to little if any action.
Starmer declaring “we have to keep moving towards a closer relationship with the EU” is a significant moment.
Reflects transformation in public opinion + need for economic growth.
Reflects transformation in public opinion + need for economic growth.
December 3, 2025 at 11:04 AM
You know what? I really don't think it is. Great domestic political posturing, but Labour have no plans to go beyond the 'reset' agenda, certainly none the EU are likely to accept. This will be talk to little if any action.
Thread.
Time for day 2 of the "British General Election of 2024" advent calender. Who won & lost the campaign last summer? Which parties gained ground in polls? Who fell back? In the next post, we find out but first: here's a thread detailing how you can claim your discounted copy! bsky.app/profile/robf...
Looking forward to a much briefed bumper hamper of politics? No, not the Budget, The British General Election of 2024! We had a wonderful all star launch event in London last night, with representatives of all five Britain-wide parties, and now I have a special launch gift for you...read on! 1/?
December 2, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Thread.
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
Either way, the fact Labour is talking like this is showing the @libdems.org.uk plan is working. Pushing Labours overton window slowly back towards the centre on Europe
December 2, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Either way, the fact Labour is talking like this is showing the @libdems.org.uk plan is working. Pushing Labours overton window slowly back towards the centre on Europe
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
The French TV series “Un village français” (The Line) has been released on ITVX with little fanfare. It deserves more publicity than it’s had so far. Really very good.
October 5, 2025 at 10:24 AM
The French TV series “Un village français” (The Line) has been released on ITVX with little fanfare. It deserves more publicity than it’s had so far. Really very good.
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
A fundraising appeal to purchase a Northumberland estate for nature has reached a third of its target:
Fundraising appeal to buy Northumberland estate gathers momentum
The Wildlife Trusts hope to purchase the 3,800-ha Rothbury Estate in order to restore nature.
bit.ly
December 1, 2025 at 7:16 AM
A fundraising appeal to purchase a Northumberland estate for nature has reached a third of its target:
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
Well, we've finally deactivated our Twitter account for good, thanks to the actions of its owner. On a lighter note, here's a real emperor 😀
February 23, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Well, we've finally deactivated our Twitter account for good, thanks to the actions of its owner. On a lighter note, here's a real emperor 😀
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
One big thing weakening the Brexit debate is that many Remainers are still holding out for a grovelling apology from Leavers, and take every opportunity to mock their stupidity.
Even people who have changed their minds will push back HARD against being called stupid.
Play the ball not the players.
Even people who have changed their minds will push back HARD against being called stupid.
Play the ball not the players.
November 30, 2025 at 9:37 AM
One big thing weakening the Brexit debate is that many Remainers are still holding out for a grovelling apology from Leavers, and take every opportunity to mock their stupidity.
Even people who have changed their minds will push back HARD against being called stupid.
Play the ball not the players.
Even people who have changed their minds will push back HARD against being called stupid.
Play the ball not the players.
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
The tide is turning. Even the Telegraph is now admitting the damage the Brexit deal has done to the economy.
November 29, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The tide is turning. Even the Telegraph is now admitting the damage the Brexit deal has done to the economy.
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
France hosted a large musical flash mob featuring 100 musicians who came together to perform a new orchestral version of Carol of the Bells to mark the ceremonial switching-on of the Christmas lights in the streets of Paris.
November 28, 2025 at 8:52 PM
France hosted a large musical flash mob featuring 100 musicians who came together to perform a new orchestral version of Carol of the Bells to mark the ceremonial switching-on of the Christmas lights in the streets of Paris.
Hunstanton (King's Lynn & West Norfolk) Council By-Election Result:
➡️ RFM: 29.2% (New)
🔶 LDM: 25.6% (New)
🙋 Ind: 18.2% (-11.0)
🌳 CON: 17.8% (-23.0)
🙋 Ind: 6.1% (New)
🌹 LAB: 3.2% (-21.0)
No Ind (-35.0) as previous.
Reform GAIN from Independent.
Changes w/ 2023.
➡️ RFM: 29.2% (New)
🔶 LDM: 25.6% (New)
🙋 Ind: 18.2% (-11.0)
🌳 CON: 17.8% (-23.0)
🙋 Ind: 6.1% (New)
🌹 LAB: 3.2% (-21.0)
No Ind (-35.0) as previous.
Reform GAIN from Independent.
Changes w/ 2023.
November 28, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Reposted by Dean Wilkinson🔶
And this, from @chrisgrey.bsky.social just today, highlights one of the real problems in SM/ a CU/ Art49.
https://chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/brexit-reminders.html
https://chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/brexit-reminders.html
November 28, 2025 at 10:26 AM
And this, from @chrisgrey.bsky.social just today, highlights one of the real problems in SM/ a CU/ Art49.
https://chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/brexit-reminders.html
https://chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/brexit-reminders.html