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Melanie D’Arrigo @darrigomelanie.bsky.social · 1d

I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.

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George Packer @georgethevet.bsky.social · 11d

The Tax Payer's Alliance criticism of Civil Service salaries is a perfect indication of their narrow minded idiocy and why they should be completely ignored

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James O’Brien @mrjamesob.bsky.social · 16d

On the other hand…

Jane @localnotail.bsky.social · 19d

oh bravo @privateeyenews.bsky.social 🏆

Photo of page in Private Eye

LATEST 'BIG BEAST' DEFECTS TO REFORM
by Our BBC Correspondent E.Z. Questions

FOLLOWING on from Nadine Dorries, Reform was celebrating another big-name defection to the party after their conference in Birmingham, as rumours swirled that Chris Mason had defected to Reform.

"Chris's breathless coverage of our conference could have come straight from our press office," said a jubilant Reform spokesman. "Watching him fanboy Nigel Farage and talk up his prospects to be the next Prime Minister, despite Reform only having four MPs, left us in no doubt that Chris was one of us."

Chris Mason, however, played down the prospect of him defecting to Reform, saying, as a senior BBC political correspondent, he must remain totally impartial and in favour of the Conservative party at all times.

---+++---

REFORM MEMBERS ASK: WHY ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE BEING ALLOWED IN?

by Our Man In Birmingham Lee Vurr

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George Packer @georgethevet.bsky.social · 18d

I stand by the assertion that this is thought management. "You aren't clever enough to see the negative aspects of this argument so we won't let you hear it"

George Packer @georgethevet.bsky.social · 18d

Actually I was referring to the "deplatforming" of speakers at events in the UK. There were a series of these in the last few years. The speakers booked held views that the left disliked and they thought this meant it ok to threaten violence if they spoke.

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George Packer @georgethevet.bsky.social · 20d

Maybe a fair point

George Packer @georgethevet.bsky.social · 20d

Well we don't get those widely reported over here so I'm unsure how accurate your point is.
But, it's not going to be effective to moan about them without acknowledging the overreach on the left.
If Vance said something similar I guess it goes to show even a stopped clock is right twice a day

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George Packer @georgethevet.bsky.social · 20d

The problem is this ignores the point that the traction the right got on this point was in some way a reaction to left wing free speech overreach (thought management). That still needs addressing. It's not ok just because the other side are worse

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Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 23d

Ed Davey, "Elon Musk has applied to sell energy in this country"

"When someone is calling for the overthrow of a democratically elected government, we should take that seriously"

"I don't think Elon Musk is a fit and proper person for us to do business with"

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James Ball @jamesrball.com · 27d

Farage says his partner bought the house with family money. The BBC can’t find that family money:

“Her parents, Bertrand and Chantal, live in a flat worth around 350,000 euros (£302,000) in a Strasbourg suburb. They, and their two daughters, co-own the flat.”

Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 27d

Questions about who funded Farage constituency home purchase www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Nigel Farage faces questions over who funded £885,000 Clacton constituency home

A BBC investigation raises questions about how the Reform UK leader's partner paid for a home in his constituency.

www.bbc.co.uk

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George Packer @georgethevet.bsky.social · 29d

Ah, Jeremy Clarkson's favourite council. They are astounding morons

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Daniel Knowles @dlknowles.bsky.social · Aug 31

Had to do some driving in France. The autoroutes are perfectly smooth, no potholes, no rough spots, no congestion and a 130kmph (80mph) speed limit, all for the bargain price of about 10 euro cents per km. Privatise the highways!

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dag @davidallengreen.bsky.social · Aug 24

An increasingly dictatorial president is deploying the military and police against their enemies, and is using ‘emergency’ powers across the board.

This is a common phenomenon, the world over.

If you think it is somehow different because it is the US, then you have fallen for exceptionalism.

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Peter Jukes @peterjukes.bsky.social · Aug 20

This is an urgent and important question from @adambienkov.bsky.social

Again this summer, British citizens are being terrorised by the organised far right and the silence of mainstream media and our political leaders is astounding and dangerous

bylinetimes.com/2025/08/20/w...

Where Is the Political Leadership Against This Violent Far-Right Movement Terrorising Britain?

The silence of senior mainstream politicians and media organisations against the rise of a new well-organised far-right movement on Britain's streets is a disgrace, argues Adam Bienkov

bylinetimes.com

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Robin Brooks @robin-j-brooks.bsky.social · Aug 18

Quick reminder: if the EU wants to deter Putin and have a seat at the table on Ukraine, there's no need for joint EU debt issuance or lots of military spending. Just shut down Putin's shadow fleet in the Baltic (gray). That doesn't cost anything and can be done today. All that's needed is courage...

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George Packer @georgethevet.bsky.social · Aug 12

Ok. Next step add a zero to my bank account and go when they've next got good snow.
Obvs tricky whilst still working
Hoping there's a chance of a snowstorm for you

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George Packer @georgethevet.bsky.social · Aug 12

Yep. Only for the mega rich some time in the next 20 years. Sorry for your situation. Astonishing there's no booze to take the edge off!

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Matt Green @mattgreencomedy.com · Aug 6

I'm sad to say that since leaving Twitter/X my sales for live shows have dropped quite a lot - it turns out that even though it's a dreadful place it was still useful for getting the word out about events. So any shares / RTs of my posts about live shows are hugely appreciated!

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Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · Aug 2

🔴 NEW: Foreign billionaires are using UK companies to pour millions into British politics — legally.

We found £6m+ in political donations from UK firms owned by foreign nationals — people who can’t vote in Britain.

New on Democracy for Sale (🧵)

democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-h...

Revealed: How foreign billionaires pump millions into British politics

The Elon Musk-shaped hole in Starmer’s Election Bill

democracyforsale.substack.com

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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · Jul 31

Keir Starmer's Government is still refusing to explore whether it should stop using X, or use alternative platforms like Bluesky, despite Musk's site amplifying unfiltered hate and misinformation, and despite its in-house AI bot referring to itself as "Mecha-Hitler"
bylinetimes.com/2025/07/31/k...

Keir Starmer's Government Still Hasn't Reviewed Use of Musk's X Despite Platform 'Amplifying Hate Speech and Misinformation'

Downing Street continues to refuse to explore communicating through alternative platforms, like Bluesky, despite the role of X in last summer's violent disorder

bylinetimes.com

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George Packer @georgethevet.bsky.social · Jul 2

Oh my days.
How do they not learn to stop wasting our money on these meaningless "investigations"?

Roland Smith @rolandmcs.bsky.social · Jul 1

Sigh.

www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/news/2025/06...

Update: Investigation into comments made on stage at Glastonbury Festival | Avon and Somerset Police

A criminal investigation is now underway following a review of video footage and audio from Bob Vylan and Kneecap’s performances at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday 28 June.

www.avonandsomerset.police.uk

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Peter Martin @pjmartin.bsky.social · Jul 1

This quote from the US Supreme Court’s judgment (via @davidallengreen.bsky.social ‘s excellent substack) is quite extraordinary.

No one disputes that the Executive has a duty to follow the law. But the Judiciary does not have unbridled authority to enforce this obligation

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Gaby Hinsliff @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social · Jun 30

Fascinating piece on (another) unseen health timebomb, which also helps explain a lot about both pressures on A&E and arguably on sickness benefits www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Britain in 2025: sick man of Europe battling untreated illness crisis

As poverty deepens across Britain, the Guardian visited some of the hardest-hit places where leaders are aiming to shift healthcare from hospitals to communities

www.theguardian.com

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George Packer @georgethevet.bsky.social · Jun 29

This report is paper thin. There is clearly insufficient evidence to draw a firm conclusion.
China continues to withhold sequencing information that would help.
Don't bet loads on it being a zoonotic event

George Packer @georgethevet.bsky.social · Jun 29

World class relaxing

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