@jonnyturner44.bsky.social
I hope Keir Starmer is not expecting massive post PM earnings for speaking.
The economics of speaking fees confound me. Like when Johnson resigned and immediately exceeded his annual salary as PM with a couple of speeches. I don’t really understand the ROI
Ezra Klein is cashing in the right way
December 30, 2025 at 5:58 AM
I hope Keir Starmer is not expecting massive post PM earnings for speaking.
When European companies have failed to develop their own tech then its impossible to move away from US companies.
There is to much regulation & Europeans lack the entrepreneurial drive that Americans have & US attracts from elsewhere.
There is to much regulation & Europeans lack the entrepreneurial drive that Americans have & US attracts from elsewhere.
We need to get our arms out of the US machine. Regulate US companies out of our countries. It’s as big a security threat as Russia.
NEW: last night, the US govt launched an assault on the ‘global censorship industrial complex’, aka European tech researchers/campaigners.
It’s a deeply chilling move & speaks as to why we need international solidarity more than ever.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
It’s a deeply chilling move & speaks as to why we need international solidarity more than ever.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
December 25, 2025 at 7:53 AM
When European companies have failed to develop their own tech then its impossible to move away from US companies.
There is to much regulation & Europeans lack the entrepreneurial drive that Americans have & US attracts from elsewhere.
There is to much regulation & Europeans lack the entrepreneurial drive that Americans have & US attracts from elsewhere.
Why people dont post about certain issues.
I'll say it again: if any other ethnic or religious minority said "please don't use this particular term or chant, you might not have bad intentions but it is deeply racist and threatening to us", the reaction would be mortified apology.
And that's without a mass terror event four days ago
And that's without a mass terror event four days ago
December 19, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Why people dont post about certain issues.
"We want housing to remain scarce and very expensive "
Green space the size of Snowdonia could be lost under Labour planning reforms trib.al/FeqqcQe
Green space the size of Snowdonia could be lost under Labour planning reforms
The head of the National Trust has accused the Government of 'scapegoating' nature ahead of an expected weakening of biodiversity protections in the planning system
inews.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 7:19 AM
"We want housing to remain scarce and very expensive "
Exhibit A
December 2, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Exhibit A
To many politicians are trained at university.They think the same,dont take risks,comform to the orthodoxy and lack real life experience in running a business,being a trade unionist or other profession.This also makes it an unattractive option for successful people to enter politics.
Closed shop.
Closed shop.
I don’t think this is a “politicians have got dumber” issue for the most part. If you look at the *actual CVs* of previous cohorts of MPs, their background is not radically different when you account for, you know, the fact the economy is different! It is primarily a media and ecosystem issue.
We have got to make politics intellectual again. It is the only way that societies thrive is when politicians have the capability to actually think and reflect deeply:
November 29, 2025 at 6:55 AM
To many politicians are trained at university.They think the same,dont take risks,comform to the orthodoxy and lack real life experience in running a business,being a trade unionist or other profession.This also makes it an unattractive option for successful people to enter politics.
Closed shop.
Closed shop.
Two narratives that will not harm Farage & Reform.
"Farage was a prime mover behind Brexit"
"Farage said racist remarks at school"
They are attacks that reinforce the position of Farage & Reform as outsiders going up against the establishment parties.
"Farage was a prime mover behind Brexit"
"Farage said racist remarks at school"
They are attacks that reinforce the position of Farage & Reform as outsiders going up against the establishment parties.
"One of the terrible ironies is that Reform’s leader, Nigel Farage, is now capitalising on the unpopularity of a government whose laudable aims have been frustrated by the economic damage caused by a Brexit behind which he was the prime mover." ~AA
observer.co.uk/news/busines...
observer.co.uk/news/busines...
‘Reset’ with the EU looks more like ‘upset’ as Brexit damage mounts | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Two narratives that will not harm Farage & Reform.
"Farage was a prime mover behind Brexit"
"Farage said racist remarks at school"
They are attacks that reinforce the position of Farage & Reform as outsiders going up against the establishment parties.
"Farage was a prime mover behind Brexit"
"Farage said racist remarks at school"
They are attacks that reinforce the position of Farage & Reform as outsiders going up against the establishment parties.
This is how you dont go after Farage.
Galvanises his base supporters and converts voters who are not sure about voting Reform but decide the establishment will try anything to stop Reform.
Criticising Farage & Reforms policies would be more productive.
Galvanises his base supporters and converts voters who are not sure about voting Reform but decide the establishment will try anything to stop Reform.
Criticising Farage & Reforms policies would be more productive.
Some of the people in this article have shared their recollections with me before - but on condition of anonymity. Coming forward now is an act of patriotism. Farage’s claim that it never happened is the opposite.
(Note also the line about pronouncing his name.)
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
(Note also the line about pronouncing his name.)
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
‘Deeply shocking’: Nigel Farage faces fresh claims of racism and antisemitism at school
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:26 PM
This is how you dont go after Farage.
Galvanises his base supporters and converts voters who are not sure about voting Reform but decide the establishment will try anything to stop Reform.
Criticising Farage & Reforms policies would be more productive.
Galvanises his base supporters and converts voters who are not sure about voting Reform but decide the establishment will try anything to stop Reform.
Criticising Farage & Reforms policies would be more productive.
A lengthy article about politicians & their advisers getting involved in positions of power at the BBC.
Like most recent articles and comments about the BBC it demonstrates the BBC is not fit for purpose as a unbiased state broadcaster.Let the BBC become independent& free from political interference
Like most recent articles and comments about the BBC it demonstrates the BBC is not fit for purpose as a unbiased state broadcaster.Let the BBC become independent& free from political interference
Nearly two years ago, I wrote about the extraordinary influence of former Tory spin doctor Sir Robbie Gibb on the BBC. It's still a helpful backgrounder for what's going on now. New readers start here: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
How the government captured the BBC
A right-wing cabal, largely unaccountable, is waging war on the principles that made our public broadcaster great. It must not succeed
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 PM
A lengthy article about politicians & their advisers getting involved in positions of power at the BBC.
Like most recent articles and comments about the BBC it demonstrates the BBC is not fit for purpose as a unbiased state broadcaster.Let the BBC become independent& free from political interference
Like most recent articles and comments about the BBC it demonstrates the BBC is not fit for purpose as a unbiased state broadcaster.Let the BBC become independent& free from political interference
This is no innocent remark.Calculated to put pressure on Starmer for the May election results.
The health secretary has compared the Caerphilly defeat to the day the prime minister almost quit.
Wes Streeting Piles More Pressure On Keir Starmer In Wake Of Labour's By-Election Humiliation
The health secretary has compared the Caerphilly defeat to the day the prime minister almost quit.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 7:35 AM
This is no innocent remark.Calculated to put pressure on Starmer for the May election results.
Labour comms are poor because the message Labour are trying to sell is so poor.Blair & Cameron both had a clear message and product to sell.
I do wonder if Labour might look at the sorts of people dominating the discourse and dominating the content wars and maybe, just maybe, rethink the sorts of grey figures they routinely put up for interviews, instructed at that to be as cautious as possible. Things have changed. Their comms hasn’t.
October 10, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Labour comms are poor because the message Labour are trying to sell is so poor.Blair & Cameron both had a clear message and product to sell.
Why do Starmer & Reeves look so nervous in front of camera?They know that the magical growth is not going to happen,cuts will be required & their MPs will not vote for cuts.They know their jobs are on the line.
Yes, no real prospect of an election before 2029. Theoretically Labour could descend into such a fragmented shambles that the turkeys themselves get sick of humiliation & derision and come to see an early Christmas as the least bad option. But no, not likely.
October 7, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Why do Starmer & Reeves look so nervous in front of camera?They know that the magical growth is not going to happen,cuts will be required & their MPs will not vote for cuts.They know their jobs are on the line.
This would have mattered 10 years ago.Next election will be won on Youtube,podcasts,X,
Tiktok,Facebook and content friends share.
Tiktok,Facebook and content friends share.
The Greens requested an interview on the Laura Kuenssberg Show with Zack Polanski when he was elected leader, but were denied, with a promise to interview him during Green conference instead.
This was then scrapped citing the Manchester synagogue attack. Polanski is both Jewish and from Manchester
This was then scrapped citing the Manchester synagogue attack. Polanski is both Jewish and from Manchester
BBC Laura Kuenssberg Show Accused of Anti-Green Bias After Cancelling Zack Polanski Interview
The new Green Party leader was the only major party leader not to have been granted a conference interview on the flagship BBC show
bylinetimes.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:25 AM
This would have mattered 10 years ago.Next election will be won on Youtube,podcasts,X,
Tiktok,Facebook and content friends share.
Tiktok,Facebook and content friends share.
The impact of AI on the Professional Managerial Class could be dramatic in the next few years.Could see more voters drifting towards Reform or the Greens if redundancies are widespread & fewer graduate jobs are required.
On the morning of Keir Starmer's conference speech here's a new post on an odd psychopathology in British politics - our main parties don't like the people who vote for them - the dreaded Professional Managerial Class. And so they are acting out like a divorced dad seeking cooler voters. 1/n
British Politics' Midlife Crisis
Why British Parties Can't Make Peace with Their Actual Voters
benansell.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:04 AM
The impact of AI on the Professional Managerial Class could be dramatic in the next few years.Could see more voters drifting towards Reform or the Greens if redundancies are widespread & fewer graduate jobs are required.
Not really a fun stat for any of the care workers.They know their wages are going to stay low because there is a never ending supply of workers prepared to live in an HMO on the minimum wage.
Another benefit for big business carehome owners.
Another benefit for big business carehome owners.
75% of care workers *today* were born in the UK, is such a fun stat imho
September 26, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Not really a fun stat for any of the care workers.They know their wages are going to stay low because there is a never ending supply of workers prepared to live in an HMO on the minimum wage.
Another benefit for big business carehome owners.
Another benefit for big business carehome owners.
Crankery is much more common now thanks to the lies told by politicians and experts during the covid pandemic.Farage's comment will only be disliked by people who would never vote for him.
This is really dangerous territory for Farage. He's being pushed towards crankery by the radicalisation of online support.
Bit of a Reform/Lib Dems row this morning. Nigel Farage asked about Donald Trump's unproven comments on the drug Tylenol and pregnancy on LBC:
"I have no idea ... you know, we were told thalidomide was a very safe drug and it wasn't. Who knows, Nick, I don't know."
"I have no idea ... you know, we were told thalidomide was a very safe drug and it wasn't. Who knows, Nick, I don't know."
September 24, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Crankery is much more common now thanks to the lies told by politicians and experts during the covid pandemic.Farage's comment will only be disliked by people who would never vote for him.
Private school-University-Graduate job makes it more likely you have a privileged upper middle class life.
Sunak & Starmer offer complex technical solutions.Practical people look for alternatives when technical solutions do not work.
Sunak & Starmer offer complex technical solutions.Practical people look for alternatives when technical solutions do not work.
"Keir Starmer’s party, with the most state educated cabinet in history, enjoys a decisive lead among alumni of private schools. Why?"
On @moreincommonuk.bsky.social's voting-intention-by-school analysis and the new left-right divide: pro vs anti system
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
On @moreincommonuk.bsky.social's voting-intention-by-school analysis and the new left-right divide: pro vs anti system
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Which is the political party of the posh?
Reform is full of public schoolboys. But it’s comfortably beating Labour among state-educated voters
www.newstatesman.com
September 19, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Private school-University-Graduate job makes it more likely you have a privileged upper middle class life.
Sunak & Starmer offer complex technical solutions.Practical people look for alternatives when technical solutions do not work.
Sunak & Starmer offer complex technical solutions.Practical people look for alternatives when technical solutions do not work.
It was not long ago people were told to "learn to code" when they lost their job.
Learn to be a plumber or skilled job with your hands is probably the best advice now.
Learn to be a plumber or skilled job with your hands is probably the best advice now.
I no longer see job listings in any of the areas that I used to find employment in that aren't centered around AI. Unemployed 2 years now. People are debating this fucking topic like it's theoretical, but it's ruining people's lives in real time as you debate minor points on the issue.
August 20, 2025 at 5:30 AM
It was not long ago people were told to "learn to code" when they lost their job.
Learn to be a plumber or skilled job with your hands is probably the best advice now.
Learn to be a plumber or skilled job with your hands is probably the best advice now.
McSweeney,Reeves & Kendall will all eventually go because that is the narrative that will allow Starmer to not take the blame.McSweeney is only and advisor.Starmer takes the key decisions and ultimately takes responsibility for success and failure.
Whatever path McSweeney has led Mr Starmer down, its been the wrong one. About time this Labour Govt started acting like a Labour Govt with a huge majority should. Stop pandering to the right wing/reform idiocy & start acting for the general public & caring about those in society that need help most
June 27, 2025 at 8:50 AM
McSweeney,Reeves & Kendall will all eventually go because that is the narrative that will allow Starmer to not take the blame.McSweeney is only and advisor.Starmer takes the key decisions and ultimately takes responsibility for success and failure.
Pure distraction.If the aim is to keep Reform out of power then the Labour government has to improve enough people's lives in a meaningful way.That is why Thatcher and Blair were so successful.
Around 3/4 of people don’t want Reform in power.
But the narrative is that they are unstoppable.
First-past-the-post has warped British politics for far too long.
Now it risks letting the extreme right win a majority.
It needs to go. My latest guardian column:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
But the narrative is that they are unstoppable.
First-past-the-post has warped British politics for far too long.
Now it risks letting the extreme right win a majority.
It needs to go. My latest guardian column:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Here is the single thing Labour can do to see off Reform and make British politics work | Will Hayward
Farage’s party could win 42% of Commons seats with only 26% of the vote. That’s not the way civilised countries do democracy, says Guardian columnist Will Hayward
www.theguardian.com
June 27, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Pure distraction.If the aim is to keep Reform out of power then the Labour government has to improve enough people's lives in a meaningful way.That is why Thatcher and Blair were so successful.
Starmer and Reeves look terrible in front of the camera.Nervous and unconvincing.The nation needs confidence that their plans are going to work.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says no-one has apologised to pensioners over winter fuel because 'the decision we made was the right decision'
'We had to stabilise the economy', he said
'We had to stabilise the economy', he said
June 10, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Starmer and Reeves look terrible in front of the camera.Nervous and unconvincing.The nation needs confidence that their plans are going to work.