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James McRae

@jockyblue82.bsky.social

120 followers 630 following 230 posts

The poor man's Dennis Waterman

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James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · 1d

I found this genuinely fascinating on government communications. Peter Hyman suggests, in the modern media environment, Downing Street needs to move on from the 'grid' towards a 'playlist' of campaigns... open.substack.com/pub/peterhym...

Revealed: How the No 10 grid strangles effective communication

A government ‘playlist’ of campaigns could cut through more powerfully than an old-style grid of worthy policy nuggets

open.substack.com

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · 9d

Don't mind it @suedehq.bsky.social...

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · 9d

May have just purchased an album on vinyl...

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · 14d

Billy Bragg has long been excellent on embracing patriotism from the left. There are many, many reasons to be proud of England and Englishness 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

BBC Newsnight @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social · 14d

WATCH: “There are many types of patriotism” | Billy Bragg on the flag debate

#Newsnight

www.youtube.com/watch?v=24iZ05pj180

“There are many types of patriotism” | Billy Bragg on the flag debate

YouTube video by BBC Newsnight

www.youtube.com

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · 18d

Yes, I expect you're right. Although they're heading for electoral suicide anyway 🫣

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · 18d

I agree, unlikely but they may be forced into it by lack of growth and higher than expected borrowing anyway. Would be better to make a political case for it on their terms now rather than being seen as having no other choice later. Unfortunately, Starmer's so terrible at politics he won't see it.

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · 18d

Taken from the excellent The Ruffian newsletter... open.substack.com/pub/ianlesli...

Five Signs of How The Culture Is Changing

A Mega Rattle Bag

open.substack.com

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · 18d

I think this is very correct from @ianleslie.bsky.social. They probably should have done this ages ago but right now there really is very little to lose...

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · 18d

Sounds wonderful! Can't wait to see them on tour next year. Genuinely think they're the best band of ANY description operating right now. Live and on record. They're on fire!

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · 28d

I'm still ordering my thoughts on Suede's Antidepressants - and may have to write something down in an attempt to do so - but in the meantime, here's @msclairebiddles.bsky.social with a superb review of the album which has reminded this ragged old heart how to feel... thequietus.com/quietus-revi...

See It, Say It, Sorted: Antidepressants by Suede | The Quietus

Suede's painterly new album takes the raw energy of its predecessor and twists it through layers of distortion and high drama

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · 28d

A heartfelt portrayal of two cousins trying to come to terms with the enormity of it all. Kieran Culkin's magnetic, mercurial charm and Jesse Eisenberg's awkward yet resilient solicitude capture beautifully the joy, despair and weight of history that can colour a modern existence.

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · Sep 2

It's there in that last line Keir...

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · Sep 2

On the money from @patrickmaguire.bsky.social. At some stage Starmer might want to consider who the one constant has been throughout all the resets, reshuffles and relaunches since he entered No. 10... www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

New hires cannot fill the strategy vacuum at the heart of No 10

Sir Keir Starmer’s hopes that new recruits and sideways moves will give Downing Street some momentum may be forlorn

www.thetimes.com

Reposted by James McRae

Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · Aug 27

It shows such a basic lack of political understanding that Labour didn't go straight on the attack over this.

Just because most people are worried about immigration being too high it doesn't mean they're psychopaths.

YouGov @yougov.co.uk · Aug 27

With Reform UK saying it would be reasonable to pay the Taliban to return migrants to Afghanistan, how many Britons this would be acceptable?

Acceptable: 17%
Unacceptable: 61%

% acceptable by party
Reform: 35%
Con: 23%
Lab/Lib Dem: 7-13%

yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · Aug 27

Starmer must argue for the progress made. The kernel of a significant returns agreement with France is in place, the asylum backlog reduced by 25%, with the prospect of all hotel use for accommodating applicants ending by 2029. Real progress is what's at risk from Farage. Starmer should say so! 5/

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · Aug 27

Farage's policies would damage the UK's ability to control its borders, just as Brexit did previously. Isolating us from the global community by removing us from internationally recognised treaties would make dealing with illegal immigration more difficult not less. Success requires cooperation. 4/

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · Aug 27

Reform are at 30% in most polls. Those numbers can not be dismissed as merely reflective of mid-term protest. Farage will be a real threat to Labour at the next election and the country needs to be warned now what a Reform led government would mean for the UK in actuality. 3/

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · Aug 27

For me, non-response just simply isn't an effective option any longer. If Starmer isn't willing or able to fight his corner and attack Farage's populism, both on moral grounds and, far more importantly, on practical grounds, then he will sleepwalk towards defeat and hand Farage the keys to power. 2/

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · Aug 27

Yesterday's non-response to this from Labour has me fearing the worst for the country. Starmer is mistakenly conflating the importance of recognising the public desire for control, fairness and a resolution on asylum with a fear of attacking Farage in any way at all! 1/ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Dominic Casciani: How achievable is Reform's plan on migration?

A Reform government could see the UK leaving the European Convention on Human Rights to deliver its plan.

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · Aug 18

I braced for The Substance's body horror but should have set for DEFCON 1! Impactful fable on the sin of vanity in the context of a misogynist, patriarchal Hollywood. Almost farcical in its revengeful 3rd act which, although in keeping with the genre, felt a touch contrived. Demi Moore spectacular!

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · Jul 27

Suggs is hammered.

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · Jul 25

First new film I've watched for a couple of months. Although there's nothing particularly groundbreaking about this suspenseful horror film, Hugh Grant is superbly sinister as the psychopathic zealot whose home two young evangelical Christians have the misfortune to visit...

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · Jul 17

I continue to tap the sign... 👇

James Ball @jamesrball.com · Jul 17

Simply reversing Jeremy Hunt’s wildly irresponsible pre-election tax cuts wouldn’t have had these side-effects. But Labour tried to be too clever by half on its tax promises, and now the real-world consequences of that decision are starting to kick in.

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · Jul 8

Norrie goes out and the ghost of Bates' Barrow strikes again... 🇬🇧🎾👻 www.bbc.com/sport/tennis...

James McRae @jockyblue82.bsky.social · Jul 5

This is historeh!