Jim Grogan
@jimgrogan.bsky.social
Long time retired, ex Labour now Green supporter. Interested in politics, education and sport.
Reposted by Jim Grogan
I’ve been critical of Starmer on here. I see now in plain sight what the alternative is and it is repulsive. It is terrifying. It is morally repugnant - and if an ideology like this gets to take hold it will destroy this country. So no more friendly fire from me.
January 8, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I’ve been critical of Starmer on here. I see now in plain sight what the alternative is and it is repulsive. It is terrifying. It is morally repugnant - and if an ideology like this gets to take hold it will destroy this country. So no more friendly fire from me.
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Starmer deepens NHS privatisation.
Can increase NHS capacity by buying private hospitals.
Plan won't generate new health staff. Private sector will poach NHS staff.
NHS to be a shell, doling out contracts to private sector. 30%-40% money will vanish in profits.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Can increase NHS capacity by buying private hospitals.
Plan won't generate new health staff. Private sector will poach NHS staff.
NHS to be a shell, doling out contracts to private sector. 30%-40% money will vanish in profits.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Private sector’s role in cutting NHS waiting lists in England to rise by 20%
Critics decry Keir Starmer’s plan as ‘feeding the parasite’ rather than investing in the public health service
www.theguardian.com
January 6, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Starmer deepens NHS privatisation.
Can increase NHS capacity by buying private hospitals.
Plan won't generate new health staff. Private sector will poach NHS staff.
NHS to be a shell, doling out contracts to private sector. 30%-40% money will vanish in profits.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Can increase NHS capacity by buying private hospitals.
Plan won't generate new health staff. Private sector will poach NHS staff.
NHS to be a shell, doling out contracts to private sector. 30%-40% money will vanish in profits.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Despite what politicians say, in my experience NHS patients aren’t bothered about ‘choosing their healthcare provider’. They just want their local NHS hospital to function properly. But guess who loves it? Private companies seeking to infiltrate the NHS🚨
…
…
January 6, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Despite what politicians say, in my experience NHS patients aren’t bothered about ‘choosing their healthcare provider’. They just want their local NHS hospital to function properly. But guess who loves it? Private companies seeking to infiltrate the NHS🚨
…
…
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Can't end England's social care crisis without ending privatisation.
2011-2023: 804 out of 816 homes closed by regulator were for-profit homes.
30%-40% of public money vanishes in profits.
Low staffing/wages, lack of investment, regulation/safety breaches, poor care.
www.ox.ac.uk/news/2024-03...
2011-2023: 804 out of 816 homes closed by regulator were for-profit homes.
30%-40% of public money vanishes in profits.
Low staffing/wages, lack of investment, regulation/safety breaches, poor care.
www.ox.ac.uk/news/2024-03...
New analysis: most care homes closed by industry regulator are run
A new analysis led by researchers at the University of Oxford and funded by the Nuffield Foundation has found that virtually all care homes forced to close in England by the Care Quality Commission
www.ox.ac.uk
January 6, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Can't end England's social care crisis without ending privatisation.
2011-2023: 804 out of 816 homes closed by regulator were for-profit homes.
30%-40% of public money vanishes in profits.
Low staffing/wages, lack of investment, regulation/safety breaches, poor care.
www.ox.ac.uk/news/2024-03...
2011-2023: 804 out of 816 homes closed by regulator were for-profit homes.
30%-40% of public money vanishes in profits.
Low staffing/wages, lack of investment, regulation/safety breaches, poor care.
www.ox.ac.uk/news/2024-03...
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Nick Ferrari on @lbc.co.uk just called Tim Montgomerie from Reform "Timmo".
Timmo then called Tommy Robinson a "rough diamond".
Just two guys shooting the breeze. Will be the same when Farage swings by the show tomorrow...
Rancid.
January 6, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Nick Ferrari on @lbc.co.uk just called Tim Montgomerie from Reform "Timmo".
Timmo then called Tommy Robinson a "rough diamond".
Just two guys shooting the breeze. Will be the same when Farage swings by the show tomorrow...
Rancid.
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Some people in recent days have alleged a ‘cover-up’ over the grooming & rape of hundreds of young girls in predominantly northern UK towns, leading to calls for a ‘national’ public inquiry into child sexual exploitation
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
January 4, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Some people in recent days have alleged a ‘cover-up’ over the grooming & rape of hundreds of young girls in predominantly northern UK towns, leading to calls for a ‘national’ public inquiry into child sexual exploitation
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
Reposted by Jim Grogan
POLLING: Brits trust the EU significantly more than they trust the US.
Over half of Brits say the UK should be trading more with the EU.
And Brits think the UK should prioritise improving its trading relationship with the EU ahead of any other country👇
Over half of Brits say the UK should be trading more with the EU.
And Brits think the UK should prioritise improving its trading relationship with the EU ahead of any other country👇
Public Opinion: UK's international and trading relationships
Instructive new poll reveals twice as many voters think the Prime Minister should prioritise trade with the EU over trade with the USA.
buff.ly
January 5, 2025 at 4:24 PM
POLLING: Brits trust the EU significantly more than they trust the US.
Over half of Brits say the UK should be trading more with the EU.
And Brits think the UK should prioritise improving its trading relationship with the EU ahead of any other country👇
Over half of Brits say the UK should be trading more with the EU.
And Brits think the UK should prioritise improving its trading relationship with the EU ahead of any other country👇
Reposted by Jim Grogan
As others including Carole Caddwaladr have flagged, X/Elon Musk has registered a new UK company
Having a UK company (which is trading) is essential to being able to donate to a UK party
Could be other reasons, but the timing is a significant red flag...
Having a UK company (which is trading) is essential to being able to donate to a UK party
Could be other reasons, but the timing is a significant red flag...
January 4, 2025 at 10:39 AM
As others including Carole Caddwaladr have flagged, X/Elon Musk has registered a new UK company
Having a UK company (which is trading) is essential to being able to donate to a UK party
Could be other reasons, but the timing is a significant red flag...
Having a UK company (which is trading) is essential to being able to donate to a UK party
Could be other reasons, but the timing is a significant red flag...
Reposted by Jim Grogan
We're looking back at our most read articles of 2024.
3️⃣8️⃣ - Gabrielle Pickard Whitehead covered the campaign to prevent a right wing takeover of the National Trust.
3️⃣8️⃣ - Gabrielle Pickard Whitehead covered the campaign to prevent a right wing takeover of the National Trust.
Vote to stop right-wing takeover of National Trust – again
Not deterred by three failed attempts, the opaquely funded Restore Trust is making its annual attempt to take over one of Britain’s best-loved institutions.
leftfootforward.org
January 4, 2025 at 10:41 AM
We're looking back at our most read articles of 2024.
3️⃣8️⃣ - Gabrielle Pickard Whitehead covered the campaign to prevent a right wing takeover of the National Trust.
3️⃣8️⃣ - Gabrielle Pickard Whitehead covered the campaign to prevent a right wing takeover of the National Trust.
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Sobering discussion on Today of the tech billionaires jostling to buy influence with Trump, so they can gut the regulation of their industries.
It's plutocratic feudalism, with tech-barons fighting to control the court.
The long project to bring economic power under democratic control is in ruins.
It's plutocratic feudalism, with tech-barons fighting to control the court.
The long project to bring economic power under democratic control is in ruins.
January 4, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Sobering discussion on Today of the tech billionaires jostling to buy influence with Trump, so they can gut the regulation of their industries.
It's plutocratic feudalism, with tech-barons fighting to control the court.
The long project to bring economic power under democratic control is in ruins.
It's plutocratic feudalism, with tech-barons fighting to control the court.
The long project to bring economic power under democratic control is in ruins.
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Reposted by Jim Grogan
These comments by Streeting are disgraceful. The safety of a senior female politician has been put at risk; let alone that she's been grotesquely defamed.
January 3, 2025 at 10:30 PM
These comments by Streeting are disgraceful. The safety of a senior female politician has been put at risk; let alone that she's been grotesquely defamed.
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Private equity tycoon Guy Hands' luxury hotel chain cuts workers' wages .
Cut profit margins, exec pay, dividends ... thought not.
Hands just made £4.3bn profit, sold MoD servicemen’s homes back to the UK govt for £6bn.
Workers blood/sweat makes tycoons rich, but earns no loyalty
archive.ph/PTaNy
Cut profit margins, exec pay, dividends ... thought not.
Hands just made £4.3bn profit, sold MoD servicemen’s homes back to the UK govt for £6bn.
Workers blood/sweat makes tycoons rich, but earns no loyalty
archive.ph/PTaNy
Guy Hands’ Hand Picked Hotels chain cuts staff wages
The luxury hotel chain owned by the private equity tycoon is cutting hours and pay as demand weakens
www.thetimes.com
January 4, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Private equity tycoon Guy Hands' luxury hotel chain cuts workers' wages .
Cut profit margins, exec pay, dividends ... thought not.
Hands just made £4.3bn profit, sold MoD servicemen’s homes back to the UK govt for £6bn.
Workers blood/sweat makes tycoons rich, but earns no loyalty
archive.ph/PTaNy
Cut profit margins, exec pay, dividends ... thought not.
Hands just made £4.3bn profit, sold MoD servicemen’s homes back to the UK govt for £6bn.
Workers blood/sweat makes tycoons rich, but earns no loyalty
archive.ph/PTaNy
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Musk is ignorant, insane - and extremely dangerous.
January 3, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Musk is ignorant, insane - and extremely dangerous.
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Good advice for almost any supposedly intractable problem
What *exactly* is a social care commission going to tell us that we don't know?
What is the magical cross-party solve that *multiple* com'ns & reviews, incl a Royal Com'n, have failed to find?
The issue is funding. Its a political choice. MAKE THE CHOICE you're elected to make & get on with it
What is the magical cross-party solve that *multiple* com'ns & reviews, incl a Royal Com'n, have failed to find?
The issue is funding. Its a political choice. MAKE THE CHOICE you're elected to make & get on with it
January 3, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Good advice for almost any supposedly intractable problem
Reposted by Jim Grogan
The announcement of Louise Casey's adult care commission essentially means the Fabian Society inquiry and report on adult care reform that Wes Streeting commissioned in opposition - which reported in 2023 - was essentially a waste of time
January 3, 2025 at 7:52 AM
The announcement of Louise Casey's adult care commission essentially means the Fabian Society inquiry and report on adult care reform that Wes Streeting commissioned in opposition - which reported in 2023 - was essentially a waste of time
Reposted by Jim Grogan
This is shocking. Last government spent almost £1m on lawyers to fight transparency
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-t...
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-t...
Revealed: Tory government spent almost £1 million on lawyers to fight transparency
Court battles to maintain secrecy “a great waste of taxpayer money”, MP says.
democracyforsale.substack.com
January 2, 2025 at 11:29 AM
This is shocking. Last government spent almost £1m on lawyers to fight transparency
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-t...
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-t...
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Energy price rises are due to regulation that favours companies, not people youtu.be/ECTGhvVpsQc?... The UK has the highest domestic energy prices in Europe, and it’s all down to poor regulation, political dogma, and the fact that we haven’t got nationalised energy companies.
Energy price rises are due to regulation that favours companies, not people
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtu.be
January 3, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Energy price rises are due to regulation that favours companies, not people youtu.be/ECTGhvVpsQc?... The UK has the highest domestic energy prices in Europe, and it’s all down to poor regulation, political dogma, and the fact that we haven’t got nationalised energy companies.
Reposted by Jim Grogan
The total intellectual vacuum amongst our politicians www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/01... Wes Streeting might manage to produce a social care plan by 2028. By then, Labour will be in its last inglorious days in office. How did people as incompetent as this ever reach high office in the UK?
The total intellectual vacuum amongst our politicians
As Politico notes this morning:
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is kicking off the government’s first round of morning TV and radio interviews for almost a fortnight as the festive lull ends with a jol...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
January 3, 2025 at 7:43 AM
The total intellectual vacuum amongst our politicians www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/01... Wes Streeting might manage to produce a social care plan by 2028. By then, Labour will be in its last inglorious days in office. How did people as incompetent as this ever reach high office in the UK?
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Curse of Private Equity
PE has devoured water companies, transport systems, communications networks, power providers, schools/hospitals through the PFI scheme.
Govts are handing GP surgeries, dental services & the NHS to it.
Result will be the same. Govts serve money not people.
archive.ph/N5eKT
PE has devoured water companies, transport systems, communications networks, power providers, schools/hospitals through the PFI scheme.
Govts are handing GP surgeries, dental services & the NHS to it.
Result will be the same. Govts serve money not people.
archive.ph/N5eKT
Private equity firms need to stay away from the British tech industry - Ben Moorhouse
The UK has become a prime target for Private Equity (PE). For years, PE firms from overseas have poured money into our water companies, transport systems, communications networks, power providers and ...
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
January 2, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Curse of Private Equity
PE has devoured water companies, transport systems, communications networks, power providers, schools/hospitals through the PFI scheme.
Govts are handing GP surgeries, dental services & the NHS to it.
Result will be the same. Govts serve money not people.
archive.ph/N5eKT
PE has devoured water companies, transport systems, communications networks, power providers, schools/hospitals through the PFI scheme.
Govts are handing GP surgeries, dental services & the NHS to it.
Result will be the same. Govts serve money not people.
archive.ph/N5eKT
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Suella Braverman just said that Italy built a wall on their land border with Turkey - a country 1,500 km from Italy. Moron or liar - you decide.
January 2, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Suella Braverman just said that Italy built a wall on their land border with Turkey - a country 1,500 km from Italy. Moron or liar - you decide.
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Former Tory home secretary Suella Braverman claims:
Italy has built a wall on its land border with Turkey. She went to see it. Drones patrol the wall leading to the number of migrants crossing to fall.
Problem: Two countries don't share a land border.
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/sue...
Italy has built a wall on its land border with Turkey. She went to see it. Drones patrol the wall leading to the number of migrants crossing to fall.
Problem: Two countries don't share a land border.
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/sue...
Suella Braverman claims she has seen the 'land border' between Italy and Turkey
Suella Braverman has baffled social media users after suggesting she has seen a "land border" between Italy and Turkey.
www.thelondoneconomic.com
January 2, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Former Tory home secretary Suella Braverman claims:
Italy has built a wall on its land border with Turkey. She went to see it. Drones patrol the wall leading to the number of migrants crossing to fall.
Problem: Two countries don't share a land border.
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/sue...
Italy has built a wall on its land border with Turkey. She went to see it. Drones patrol the wall leading to the number of migrants crossing to fall.
Problem: Two countries don't share a land border.
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/sue...
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Polling shows strong support for VAT on private schools
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Labour’s private school tax plan strongly backed by public, poll shows
Government accuses Tories and rightwing media of being ‘out of touch’, as VAT policy due to come into force
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Polling shows strong support for VAT on private schools
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Jim Grogan
It’s over 1,000km from Berlin to Paris
There’s now a direct daytime train between them, that takes 8 hours and costs just €59. Leave at 10am, arrive 6pm.
And… it’s just 1% the carbon emissions of the equivalent flight
www.euronews.com/travel/2024/...
There’s now a direct daytime train between them, that takes 8 hours and costs just €59. Leave at 10am, arrive 6pm.
And… it’s just 1% the carbon emissions of the equivalent flight
www.euronews.com/travel/2024/...
High-speed Paris-Berlin daily train service debuts
The route is the first directly linking the two capitals' city centres.
www.euronews.com
January 2, 2025 at 8:07 AM
It’s over 1,000km from Berlin to Paris
There’s now a direct daytime train between them, that takes 8 hours and costs just €59. Leave at 10am, arrive 6pm.
And… it’s just 1% the carbon emissions of the equivalent flight
www.euronews.com/travel/2024/...
There’s now a direct daytime train between them, that takes 8 hours and costs just €59. Leave at 10am, arrive 6pm.
And… it’s just 1% the carbon emissions of the equivalent flight
www.euronews.com/travel/2024/...
Reposted by Jim Grogan
Palestinian journalists in Gaza continue to report the horrors of Israel's war in deadly conditions. Al Jazeera pays tribute to the horrific number of journalists killed in Gaza, largely to Western indifference
www.aljazeera.com/features/lon...
www.aljazeera.com/features/lon...
Know their names: The Palestinian journalists killed by Israel in Gaza
Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, at least 217 journalists and media workers have been killed.
www.aljazeera.com
January 2, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Palestinian journalists in Gaza continue to report the horrors of Israel's war in deadly conditions. Al Jazeera pays tribute to the horrific number of journalists killed in Gaza, largely to Western indifference
www.aljazeera.com/features/lon...
www.aljazeera.com/features/lon...