Francis Bebbington
@fsbebbington.bsky.social
Octogenarian pondering political process.
All donations to political parties should be strictly limited. Wealthy donors ‘expect something in return’, Sir John Major, One Nation Oration, Westminster Abbey. Can’t remember the date off hand
Overseas tycoons such as Elon Musk would be barred from giving substantial donations to UK political parties under new legislation to block companies making gifts if they do not have British owners or make sufficient revenue in the country
www.ft.com/content/f4ed...
www.ft.com/content/f4ed...
UK to ban political party donations from foreign-owned companies
Government says new legislation will curb overseas interference in elections
www.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:07 AM
All donations to political parties should be strictly limited. Wealthy donors ‘expect something in return’, Sir John Major, One Nation Oration, Westminster Abbey. Can’t remember the date off hand
Reposted by Francis Bebbington
People who speak like this under oath to our elected Representatives in the People’s House should face actual legal & professional consequences
Pam Bondi throws a fit:
"You don't tell me anything, you washed up loser lawyer"
"You don't tell me anything, you washed up loser lawyer"
February 12, 2026 at 6:04 AM
People who speak like this under oath to our elected Representatives in the People’s House should face actual legal & professional consequences
Reposted by Francis Bebbington
A bit long but here’s Marx from the 1844 manuscripts providing an exposition of Goethe and Shakespeare on the power of money that all happens to sum up exactly where we are right now. (Reminded of this passage by Epstein’s capture of prominent academics.)
![That which is for me through the medium of money - that for which I can pay (i.e., which money can buy) - that am I myself, the possessor of the money. The extent of the power of money is the extent of my power. Money's properties are my - the possessor's - properties and essential powers. Thus, what I am and am capable of is by no means determined by my individuality. I am ugly, but I can buy for myself the most beautiful of women. Therefore I am not ugly, for the effect of ugliness - its deterrent power - is nullified by money. I, according to my individual characteristics, am lame, but money furnishes me with twenty-four feet. Therefore I am not lame. I am bad, dishonest, unscrupulous, stupid; but money is honoured, and hence its possessor. Money is the supreme good, therefore its possessor is good. Money, besides, saves me the trouble of being dishonest: I am therefore presumed honest. I am brainless, but money is the real brain of all things and how then should its possessor be brainless? Besides, he can buy clever people for himself, and is he who has [In the manuscript: "is. - Ed.] power over the clever not more clever than the clever? Do not I, who thanks to money am capable of all that the human heart longs for, possess all human capacities? Does not my money, therefore, transform all my incapacities into their contrary?](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:givg3amslsq46o3f25ga5esh/bafkreig4odpf2rmnmzzaiw45dbmsiiltel6wiv4sv32o7ojwdz3vpuf34q@jpeg)
February 12, 2026 at 6:35 AM
A bit long but here’s Marx from the 1844 manuscripts providing an exposition of Goethe and Shakespeare on the power of money that all happens to sum up exactly where we are right now. (Reminded of this passage by Epstein’s capture of prominent academics.)
MSM should stick to reporting facts and refrain from expressing opinion. The current right wing ‘pile on’ is undignified and unhelpful.
There is a systematic problem in the UK’s majoritarian political system. Parties and factions within have lost the ability to build consensus.
There is a systematic problem in the UK’s majoritarian political system. Parties and factions within have lost the ability to build consensus.
Labour MPs come out in support of Keir Starmer, so obviously that's not good enough for BBC, and so they went out and asked the good old public whether they think he should go. Trying once again to force an early General Election knowing that Reform won't be riding anywhere near as high come 2029.
February 10, 2026 at 10:51 AM
MSM should stick to reporting facts and refrain from expressing opinion. The current right wing ‘pile on’ is undignified and unhelpful.
There is a systematic problem in the UK’s majoritarian political system. Parties and factions within have lost the ability to build consensus.
There is a systematic problem in the UK’s majoritarian political system. Parties and factions within have lost the ability to build consensus.
Reposted by Francis Bebbington
"In eight years we’ll be commemorating the 200-year anniversary of the fire that burned down parliament. And MPs will probably still be arguing about how to prevent it burning down again."
Some personal thoughts on the plans for the restoration of parliament
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Some personal thoughts on the plans for the restoration of parliament
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
How long before parliament burns down?
The crumbling Palace of Westminster is a symbol of our broken political mindset
www.newstatesman.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:21 AM
"In eight years we’ll be commemorating the 200-year anniversary of the fire that burned down parliament. And MPs will probably still be arguing about how to prevent it burning down again."
Some personal thoughts on the plans for the restoration of parliament
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Some personal thoughts on the plans for the restoration of parliament
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
What would be wrong with a PM speaking on behalf of a Cabinet that had considered options presented by an elite and trusted civil service and reached consensus on the best possible option for addressing an issue?
Morgan McSweeney has resigned as Downing Street chief of staff.
But what does the chief of staff do? Our explainer tells you everything you need to know about the role www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/do...
But what does the chief of staff do? Our explainer tells you everything you need to know about the role www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/do...
Downing Street chief of staff | Institute for Government
The Downing Street chief of staff is the UK prime minister’s most senior political adviser.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 8, 2026 at 5:32 PM
What would be wrong with a PM speaking on behalf of a Cabinet that had considered options presented by an elite and trusted civil service and reached consensus on the best possible option for addressing an issue?
We have seen several in our area of Somerset; working hard and doing a great job.
Is it weird I never see bin women?
There’s lots of postwomen, but I’ve never seen a bin woman.
Is bin collecting the last great bastion of masculinity?
A lot of those guys seem really angry and frustrated though.
There’s lots of postwomen, but I’ve never seen a bin woman.
Is bin collecting the last great bastion of masculinity?
A lot of those guys seem really angry and frustrated though.
January 30, 2026 at 11:10 AM
We have seen several in our area of Somerset; working hard and doing a great job.
Reposted by Francis Bebbington
This. I'm not a BBC-basher but IMO Mason is a poor political journalist. It's not that he's 'biased' per se, it's that he reports politics as a kind of giggly spectator sport and as such is preoccupied with spectacle, talking up 'exciting' events rather than analysing them. 1/2
~ Chris Mason, the BBC's Farage fanboy - The New World ~
https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sack-chris-mason-the-bbcs-farage-fanboy/
https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sack-chris-mason-the-bbcs-farage-fanboy/
Chris Mason, the BBC's Farage fanboy - The New World
The corporation's political editor has penned another piece cheering on Reform after Suella Braverman defected to the party
www.thenewworld.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 5:53 PM
This. I'm not a BBC-basher but IMO Mason is a poor political journalist. It's not that he's 'biased' per se, it's that he reports politics as a kind of giggly spectator sport and as such is preoccupied with spectacle, talking up 'exciting' events rather than analysing them. 1/2
Reposted by Francis Bebbington
Full EU membership should be put to the public at the next election. It's time to return home.
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
Rejoining the EU is the only way to stop Trump
It is time to return home
inews.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Full EU membership should be put to the public at the next election. It's time to return home.
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
Reposted by Francis Bebbington
New - Nigel Farage has been found by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to have made 17 standards breaches, adding up to over £380,000 in late declarations.
He’s apologised, so no further investigation (which seems unusual for a breach this large)
He’s apologised, so no further investigation (which seems unusual for a breach this large)
January 21, 2026 at 8:53 AM
New - Nigel Farage has been found by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to have made 17 standards breaches, adding up to over £380,000 in late declarations.
He’s apologised, so no further investigation (which seems unusual for a breach this large)
He’s apologised, so no further investigation (which seems unusual for a breach this large)
Reposted by Francis Bebbington
NEW: NEW: Standards commissioner finds Nigel Farage committed seventeen breaches of MPs code of conduct.
He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…
He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…
January 21, 2026 at 8:48 AM
NEW: NEW: Standards commissioner finds Nigel Farage committed seventeen breaches of MPs code of conduct.
He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…
He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…
Reposted by Francis Bebbington
It would be quite amusing if Farage now said 'nope, we don't want him either'
January 15, 2026 at 12:21 PM
It would be quite amusing if Farage now said 'nope, we don't want him either'
Rothkoesque 👏
December 17, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Rothkoesque 👏
ECHR reform: a danger of contagion in relation to Article 3 constitution-unit.com/2025/12/09/e...
ECHR reform
Ahead of tomorrow’s meeting on reform of the European Convention of Human Rights, Veronika Fikfak argues that a tipping point for future significant change to the Convention has been reached.…
constitution-unit.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:47 AM
ECHR reform: a danger of contagion in relation to Article 3 constitution-unit.com/2025/12/09/e...
Reposted by Francis Bebbington
NEW BLOG: ECHR reform: a danger of contagion in relation to Article 3
@profveronika.bsky.social argues that the ECHR is at a tipping point, and urges the Starmer government not to seek a reinterpretation of Article 3, a policy that she views as undermining the very core of the human rights system.
@profveronika.bsky.social argues that the ECHR is at a tipping point, and urges the Starmer government not to seek a reinterpretation of Article 3, a policy that she views as undermining the very core of the human rights system.
ECHR reform: a danger of contagion in relation to Article 3
Veronika Fikfak argues that the ECHR is at a tipping point, and urges the Starmer government not to seek a reinterpretation of Article 3, a policy that she views as undermining the very core of the human rights system.
constitution-unit.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:00 AM
NEW BLOG: ECHR reform: a danger of contagion in relation to Article 3
@profveronika.bsky.social argues that the ECHR is at a tipping point, and urges the Starmer government not to seek a reinterpretation of Article 3, a policy that she views as undermining the very core of the human rights system.
@profveronika.bsky.social argues that the ECHR is at a tipping point, and urges the Starmer government not to seek a reinterpretation of Article 3, a policy that she views as undermining the very core of the human rights system.
Reposted by Francis Bebbington
🔴Crypto Investor Donates £9 Million to Reform UK After Nigel Farage Plugs His Company and Tells Industry ‘I Am Your Champion’
The Reform leader recently used media interviews to back Christopher Harborne’s company while promising to cut taxes and regulations on crypto firms
The Reform leader recently used media interviews to back Christopher Harborne’s company while promising to cut taxes and regulations on crypto firms
Crypto Investor Donates £9 Million to Reform UK After Nigel Farage Plugs His Company and Tells Industry 'I Am Your Champion'
The Reform leader recently used media interviews to back Christopher Harborne's company while promising to cut taxes and regulations on crypto firms
bylinetimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:34 AM
🔴Crypto Investor Donates £9 Million to Reform UK After Nigel Farage Plugs His Company and Tells Industry ‘I Am Your Champion’
The Reform leader recently used media interviews to back Christopher Harborne’s company while promising to cut taxes and regulations on crypto firms
The Reform leader recently used media interviews to back Christopher Harborne’s company while promising to cut taxes and regulations on crypto firms
As Sir John Major said, funding of political parties needs to be thought about carefully. Rich donors “expect something in return”. The current system is wide open to corruption.
This is the guy who gave Boris Johnson £1 million and then won a big MoD contract....
Reform gets largest ever political donation by an individual in UK history from a crypto baron living in Thailand
This is not normal
www.ft.com/content/db73...
This is not normal
www.ft.com/content/db73...
December 4, 2025 at 10:34 AM
As Sir John Major said, funding of political parties needs to be thought about carefully. Rich donors “expect something in return”. The current system is wide open to corruption.
Reposted by Francis Bebbington
The super-rich rightwing are pouring money into Reform. Do ordinary voters really think their aim is to even out social inequality and make their lives better? Do they think they’re doing it so Farage invests in infrastructure and public services? Ffs. Democracy being beaten to death in plain sight.
December 4, 2025 at 10:10 AM
The super-rich rightwing are pouring money into Reform. Do ordinary voters really think their aim is to even out social inequality and make their lives better? Do they think they’re doing it so Farage invests in infrastructure and public services? Ffs. Democracy being beaten to death in plain sight.
Mason does a lot of bleating, innuendo, sowing seeds of doubt to increase contention and scandalous rumour mongering. Should stick to facts.
So much for all that bleating about being misled by the Treasury from the BBC's political editor Chris Mason .....
www.ft.com/content/48c2...
www.ft.com/content/48c2...
UK Politics: OBR says Reeves did not mislead public over Budget forecasts
Fiscal watchdog faces Treasury committee after accidental publication of key report prompted chair to resign
www.ft.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Mason does a lot of bleating, innuendo, sowing seeds of doubt to increase contention and scandalous rumour mongering. Should stick to facts.
State of the Stack, One Year In
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
State of the Stack, One Year In
I guess I’m not retired yet
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:21 PM
State of the Stack, One Year In
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Reposted by Francis Bebbington
What a wonderful story - and a beautiful illustration of the power of the arts.
Great writing expands our imagination. It helps us to see the world in new ways.
And that has consequences that can never be measured by "average starting salaries" or "contribution to GDP".
Great writing expands our imagination. It helps us to see the world in new ways.
And that has consequences that can never be measured by "average starting salaries" or "contribution to GDP".
December 2, 2025 at 9:35 AM
What a wonderful story - and a beautiful illustration of the power of the arts.
Great writing expands our imagination. It helps us to see the world in new ways.
And that has consequences that can never be measured by "average starting salaries" or "contribution to GDP".
Great writing expands our imagination. It helps us to see the world in new ways.
And that has consequences that can never be measured by "average starting salaries" or "contribution to GDP".
Reposted by Francis Bebbington
EXCL: The UK is hoping to secure an agreement within weeks to rejoin the EU’s flagship student mobility programme, as part of a drive to pursue closer relations with Brussels after a setback on defence @ecourea.bsky.social & @kiranstacey.bsky.social report www.theguardian.com/education/20...
UK aims to secure agreement to rejoin Erasmus student exchange scheme
Britain quit EU programme after Brexit, when Boris Johnson claimed it did not offer good value for money
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:44 AM
EXCL: The UK is hoping to secure an agreement within weeks to rejoin the EU’s flagship student mobility programme, as part of a drive to pursue closer relations with Brussels after a setback on defence @ecourea.bsky.social & @kiranstacey.bsky.social report www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Absolutely right, all parties do it, short term tactics to gain/retain power. It is a function of the UK’s majoritarian political system which needs structural and cultural change. See:
francisbebbington.wordpress.com
Constitutionalism in Britain
francisbebbington.wordpress.com
Constitutionalism in Britain
December 2, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Absolutely right, all parties do it, short term tactics to gain/retain power. It is a function of the UK’s majoritarian political system which needs structural and cultural change. See:
francisbebbington.wordpress.com
Constitutionalism in Britain
francisbebbington.wordpress.com
Constitutionalism in Britain
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/s...
“Once again the truly difficult decisions have been put off”. The story of past decades & successive governments. Will UK ever be able to form an honest government?
“Once again the truly difficult decisions have been put off”. The story of past decades & successive governments. Will UK ever be able to form an honest government?
Survival - for now
Five big risks hidden in the budget
open.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:40 AM
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/s...
“Once again the truly difficult decisions have been put off”. The story of past decades & successive governments. Will UK ever be able to form an honest government?
“Once again the truly difficult decisions have been put off”. The story of past decades & successive governments. Will UK ever be able to form an honest government?