Ellen Horton
@ellenhorton.bsky.social
Here to learn from clever, interesting people. Preoccupied by the state of politics, distract myself with swimming and crochet.
Had lots of much needed laughs, thank you!
Can't help with Liverpool but I will tell my Leeds friends and family to come along.
Can't help with Liverpool but I will tell my Leeds friends and family to come along.
A really enjoyable show at the Attic in Southampton (or Totton) tonight. Thank you to everyone there! Can’t believe I only have 4 shows left now - next week I’m in Liverpool, Leeds, Guildford and Brighton…
November 23, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Had lots of much needed laughs, thank you!
Can't help with Liverpool but I will tell my Leeds friends and family to come along.
Can't help with Liverpool but I will tell my Leeds friends and family to come along.
@mattgreencomedy.com planning our trip to see you on Saturday. How long is the show? Just wondering if we can come by train and have a few drinks.
November 19, 2025 at 6:17 PM
@mattgreencomedy.com planning our trip to see you on Saturday. How long is the show? Just wondering if we can come by train and have a few drinks.
Reposted by Ellen Horton
Reposted by Ellen Horton
www.facebook.com/share/p/19C1...
My friend Mark Mardell was chucked off his Turkish Airlines flight at the weekend because he had Parkinson’s and his son had asked for assistance for him. (He’s written about it as a public post on Facebook but the link is proving hard to share outside,)
My friend Mark Mardell was chucked off his Turkish Airlines flight at the weekend because he had Parkinson’s and his son had asked for assistance for him. (He’s written about it as a public post on Facebook but the link is proving hard to share outside,)
October 27, 2025 at 6:00 AM
www.facebook.com/share/p/19C1...
My friend Mark Mardell was chucked off his Turkish Airlines flight at the weekend because he had Parkinson’s and his son had asked for assistance for him. (He’s written about it as a public post on Facebook but the link is proving hard to share outside,)
My friend Mark Mardell was chucked off his Turkish Airlines flight at the weekend because he had Parkinson’s and his son had asked for assistance for him. (He’s written about it as a public post on Facebook but the link is proving hard to share outside,)
Day 14 of no bank access and credit and debit cards stopped by my Dad's bank because *they* decided he doesn't have capacity and haven’t actioned his LPA.
A vulnerable 83 year old with advanced Parkinons left with no access to his money by HSBC.
@felicityhannah.bsky.social #moneybox
A vulnerable 83 year old with advanced Parkinons left with no access to his money by HSBC.
@felicityhannah.bsky.social #moneybox
October 14, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Day 14 of no bank access and credit and debit cards stopped by my Dad's bank because *they* decided he doesn't have capacity and haven’t actioned his LPA.
A vulnerable 83 year old with advanced Parkinons left with no access to his money by HSBC.
@felicityhannah.bsky.social #moneybox
A vulnerable 83 year old with advanced Parkinons left with no access to his money by HSBC.
@felicityhannah.bsky.social #moneybox
Reposted by Ellen Horton
Lots on the substack this week:
Me on the increasing plausibility of a total Tory collapse, how it would happen and what it would mean for the political landscape:
samf.substack.com/p/last-rites...
Me on the increasing plausibility of a total Tory collapse, how it would happen and what it would mean for the political landscape:
samf.substack.com/p/last-rites...
Last Rites
What happens if the Conservatives completely disintegrate?
samf.substack.com
September 28, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Lots on the substack this week:
Me on the increasing plausibility of a total Tory collapse, how it would happen and what it would mean for the political landscape:
samf.substack.com/p/last-rites...
Me on the increasing plausibility of a total Tory collapse, how it would happen and what it would mean for the political landscape:
samf.substack.com/p/last-rites...
Reposted by Ellen Horton
When speaking to Tommy Robinson at the far right demonstration in London today, Elon Musk wore a t-shirt saying "What would Orwell think?"
So let's dive in - what would George Orwell think about Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk? 🧵
So let's dive in - what would George Orwell think about Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk? 🧵
September 13, 2025 at 10:37 PM
When speaking to Tommy Robinson at the far right demonstration in London today, Elon Musk wore a t-shirt saying "What would Orwell think?"
So let's dive in - what would George Orwell think about Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk? 🧵
So let's dive in - what would George Orwell think about Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk? 🧵
Reposted by Ellen Horton
George Orwell went to Spain to fight fascism. Literally. Not to take holidays, but to stand against the likes of Robinson and Musk.
Orwell saw in Spain how fascist "leaders" turned resentment into organised cruelty. That is why he bled in the trenches there.
Orwell saw in Spain how fascist "leaders" turned resentment into organised cruelty. That is why he bled in the trenches there.
September 13, 2025 at 10:37 PM
George Orwell went to Spain to fight fascism. Literally. Not to take holidays, but to stand against the likes of Robinson and Musk.
Orwell saw in Spain how fascist "leaders" turned resentment into organised cruelty. That is why he bled in the trenches there.
Orwell saw in Spain how fascist "leaders" turned resentment into organised cruelty. That is why he bled in the trenches there.
Reposted by Ellen Horton
For there to be no comment from the government on Musk's call for violence, let alone action against X, is unconscionable. An utter dereliction of its responsibility for national security and an affront to every member of an ethnic minority, who is being put at risk by this rhetoric.
September 14, 2025 at 9:56 AM
For there to be no comment from the government on Musk's call for violence, let alone action against X, is unconscionable. An utter dereliction of its responsibility for national security and an affront to every member of an ethnic minority, who is being put at risk by this rhetoric.
Reposted by Ellen Horton
The problem is that ‘this is not who we are’ is coming to feel a little empirically unconvincing. It might help if the PM actually stood up and made the case for a liberal, tolerant and inclusive country.
It didn't work out for me in the race to be deputy leader, but given events today, am sharing this again.
We in Labour are uniquely placed to bring our diverse country together against the forces of hate. When we stand up for each other, we all win.
labourlist.org/2025/09/alis...
We in Labour are uniquely placed to bring our diverse country together against the forces of hate. When we stand up for each other, we all win.
labourlist.org/2025/09/alis...
'We win when we fight together – that's the story Labour needs to tell' - LabourList
We can never give in to the forces that would divide us and send us backwards. The answer is the Labour winning over a broad coalition for our future.
labourlist.org
September 14, 2025 at 8:42 AM
The problem is that ‘this is not who we are’ is coming to feel a little empirically unconvincing. It might help if the PM actually stood up and made the case for a liberal, tolerant and inclusive country.
Reposted by Ellen Horton
New post just out:
"The route to chaotic authoritarianism"
On why Reform's deportation plans would have consequences well beyond asylum, that could change Britain forever.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The route to chaotic authoritarianism"
On why Reform's deportation plans would have consequences well beyond asylum, that could change Britain forever.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
The route to chaotic authoritarianism
Why Reform’s deportation plan would have consequences well beyond asylum
open.substack.com
September 13, 2025 at 8:11 AM
New post just out:
"The route to chaotic authoritarianism"
On why Reform's deportation plans would have consequences well beyond asylum, that could change Britain forever.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The route to chaotic authoritarianism"
On why Reform's deportation plans would have consequences well beyond asylum, that could change Britain forever.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
Reposted by Ellen Horton
Richard Tice consistently claims to be standing up for "Christian values", on the basis that "we are a Christian nation".
If that's your pitch, you can't just tell the Bishops to shut up when they criticise your policies.
If that's your pitch, you can't just tell the Bishops to shut up when they criticise your policies.
Richard Tice hits back at C of E criticism of Reform immigration policy
Richard Tice hits back at C of E criticism of Reform immigration policy
Deputy leader says archbishop should stay out of matter after Stephen Cottrell calls policy isolationist and kneejerk
Reform UK has engaged in a war of words with the Church of England over the party’s plans to deport all asylum seekers who arrive in small boats, after the church’s most senior bishop called the proposal “isolationist, short-term [and] kneejerk”.
Richard Tice, the party’s deputy leader, hit back against the archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, on Sunday, accusing him of interfering in domestic politics. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
August 31, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Richard Tice consistently claims to be standing up for "Christian values", on the basis that "we are a Christian nation".
If that's your pitch, you can't just tell the Bishops to shut up when they criticise your policies.
If that's your pitch, you can't just tell the Bishops to shut up when they criticise your policies.
Reposted by Ellen Horton
The radical right in Britain increasingly claims to represent "Christian values" & "Christian civilisation" - though its leaders rarely go to church or pretend to believe anything.
It's especially important that Christian leaders speak out against this, as it's their tradition that's being claimed.
It's especially important that Christian leaders speak out against this, as it's their tradition that's being claimed.
A courteous but very impressive rebuke to Nigel Farage from the Bishop of Oxford.
"I heard no compassion in what you said...".
"I disagree profoundly with your attempts to ... increase fear of the stranger in our communities".
Do read.
blogs.oxford.anglican.org/an-open-lett...
"I heard no compassion in what you said...".
"I disagree profoundly with your attempts to ... increase fear of the stranger in our communities".
Do read.
blogs.oxford.anglican.org/an-open-lett...
An open letter to Nigel Farage - Bishop Steven's Blog
Bishop Steven writes an open letter in response to Nigel Farage MP's immigration policy which was launched in Oxford this week.
blogs.oxford.anglican.org
August 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The radical right in Britain increasingly claims to represent "Christian values" & "Christian civilisation" - though its leaders rarely go to church or pretend to believe anything.
It's especially important that Christian leaders speak out against this, as it's their tradition that's being claimed.
It's especially important that Christian leaders speak out against this, as it's their tradition that's being claimed.
Reposted by Ellen Horton
Apparently learning about the Civil Rights movement is "inappropriate."
www.upworthy.com/parents-comp...
www.upworthy.com/parents-comp...
Parents complained about 'offensive' book, so the principal read it to the entire school
Apparently learning about the Civil Rights movement is "inappropriate."
www.upworthy.com
August 23, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Apparently learning about the Civil Rights movement is "inappropriate."
www.upworthy.com/parents-comp...
www.upworthy.com/parents-comp...
Reposted by Ellen Horton
Bingo. It's not about "following the rules." It's white supremacy, pure and simple.
July 26, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Bingo. It's not about "following the rules." It's white supremacy, pure and simple.
Reposted by Ellen Horton
Please consider signing this petition, which proposes an increase in funding and improvement in care for people with Parkinson’s. It needs to reach 100000 signatures and then it will be discussed in parliament
July 16, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Please consider signing this petition, which proposes an increase in funding and improvement in care for people with Parkinson’s. It needs to reach 100000 signatures and then it will be discussed in parliament
Reposted by Ellen Horton
July 16, 2025 at 5:32 AM
A chance to win a signed #LUFC shirt and support a Leeds charity that provides mental health support for young people living or studying in Leeds.
www.themarketplaceleeds.org.uk/product/lufc...
www.themarketplaceleeds.org.uk/product/lufc...
LUFC Shirt Raffle
www.themarketplaceleeds.org.uk
March 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
A chance to win a signed #LUFC shirt and support a Leeds charity that provides mental health support for young people living or studying in Leeds.
www.themarketplaceleeds.org.uk/product/lufc...
www.themarketplaceleeds.org.uk/product/lufc...
Reposted by Ellen Horton
New post just out
"Why things are even worse than you think"
Why official statistics aren't telling the full story of the state public services are in.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
"Why things are even worse than you think"
Why official statistics aren't telling the full story of the state public services are in.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
Why things are even worse than you think
Official statistics don't tell the full story about the state of public services
open.substack.com
December 16, 2023 at 9:16 AM
New post just out
"Why things are even worse than you think"
Why official statistics aren't telling the full story of the state public services are in.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
"Why things are even worse than you think"
Why official statistics aren't telling the full story of the state public services are in.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
Reposted by Ellen Horton
Snippy Rishi! My SKETCH of a prime minister failing to contain the beast within. thecritic.co.uk/snippy-rishi/
thecritic.co.uk
December 13, 2023 at 6:02 PM
Snippy Rishi! My SKETCH of a prime minister failing to contain the beast within. thecritic.co.uk/snippy-rishi/
Reposted by Ellen Horton
I have a feature in this month's Prospect - 13 Years of Failure in 13 Charts
Really quite staggering when you pull it all together like this how destructive this government have been.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/641...
Really quite staggering when you pull it all together like this how destructive this government have been.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/641...
13 years of failure
This may have been the worst government ever, says one former Tory adviser—who collates evidence of truly dire policymaking into one damning chargesheet
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 6, 2023 at 11:50 AM
I have a feature in this month's Prospect - 13 Years of Failure in 13 Charts
Really quite staggering when you pull it all together like this how destructive this government have been.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/641...
Really quite staggering when you pull it all together like this how destructive this government have been.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/641...
Reposted by Ellen Horton
£25m in UK political donations in last quarter.
£15m to Tories alone
Electoral Commission warning starkly today that Britain needs new laws to stop dark money.
Conservative government's response? Make dark money even easier.
We're in a v bad place
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-b...
£15m to Tories alone
Electoral Commission warning starkly today that Britain needs new laws to stop dark money.
Conservative government's response? Make dark money even easier.
We're in a v bad place
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-b...
Revealed: Britain’s broken election laws have just got even worse
This week the government made it even easier for dark money, foreign influence and the proceeds of crime to bankroll British politics
democracyforsale.substack.com
December 7, 2023 at 12:02 PM
£25m in UK political donations in last quarter.
£15m to Tories alone
Electoral Commission warning starkly today that Britain needs new laws to stop dark money.
Conservative government's response? Make dark money even easier.
We're in a v bad place
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-b...
£15m to Tories alone
Electoral Commission warning starkly today that Britain needs new laws to stop dark money.
Conservative government's response? Make dark money even easier.
We're in a v bad place
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-b...
Reposted by Ellen Horton
A Boris For All Seasons. My SKETCH of Today in men unable to rise to the challenge.
thecritic.co.uk/a-boris-for-...
thecritic.co.uk/a-boris-for-...
A Boris for all seasons | Robert Hutton | The Critic Magazine
“I was bewildered, to be honest.” Boris Johnson was giving evidence to the Covid Inquiry about his feelings when he realised that the virus would not be defeated by hearty optimism and a punchy fr...
thecritic.co.uk
December 6, 2023 at 7:54 PM
A Boris For All Seasons. My SKETCH of Today in men unable to rise to the challenge.
thecritic.co.uk/a-boris-for-...
thecritic.co.uk/a-boris-for-...
Reposted by Ellen Horton
This Rwanda Bill makes (Global) Britain remarkably small on the world stage.
The hypocrisy in demanding other countries abide by international law, whilst the UK tries to sneak out of its own obligations, will damage both the UK & the international system it purports to uphold.
The hypocrisy in demanding other countries abide by international law, whilst the UK tries to sneak out of its own obligations, will damage both the UK & the international system it purports to uphold.
December 6, 2023 at 10:02 PM
This Rwanda Bill makes (Global) Britain remarkably small on the world stage.
The hypocrisy in demanding other countries abide by international law, whilst the UK tries to sneak out of its own obligations, will damage both the UK & the international system it purports to uphold.
The hypocrisy in demanding other countries abide by international law, whilst the UK tries to sneak out of its own obligations, will damage both the UK & the international system it purports to uphold.
Reposted by Ellen Horton
One of more revealing Johnson comments to covid inquiry was his observation that scale of threat hadn't registered with him in early 2020 because it wasn't politically salient yet. And as metric of significance: It hadn't come up in PMQs.
December 6, 2023 at 5:19 PM
One of more revealing Johnson comments to covid inquiry was his observation that scale of threat hadn't registered with him in early 2020 because it wasn't politically salient yet. And as metric of significance: It hadn't come up in PMQs.