Josy B
@josyb.bsky.social
Politically and geographically lost in uk
Reposted by Josy B
We cannot have the services we need (notably the NHS, but also local government services, good schools and more) without paying for them.
That means tax rises in some form were necessary and should be welcomed. We can quibble about the nature of the taxes chosen, but not the principle.
That means tax rises in some form were necessary and should be welcomed. We can quibble about the nature of the taxes chosen, but not the principle.
November 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
We cannot have the services we need (notably the NHS, but also local government services, good schools and more) without paying for them.
That means tax rises in some form were necessary and should be welcomed. We can quibble about the nature of the taxes chosen, but not the principle.
That means tax rises in some form were necessary and should be welcomed. We can quibble about the nature of the taxes chosen, but not the principle.
Reposted by Josy B
I mean, obviously the Conservatives have a minor history of spending public money on, you know, duck houses and so on, and there's that slightly embarrassing question mark over some of the Covid VIP lane contracts, but I did think the party institutionally knew what the word "taxation" meant?
November 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM
I mean, obviously the Conservatives have a minor history of spending public money on, you know, duck houses and so on, and there's that slightly embarrassing question mark over some of the Covid VIP lane contracts, but I did think the party institutionally knew what the word "taxation" meant?
Reposted by Josy B
Badenoch: "HIKING TAXES TO PAY FOR WELFARE!"
Er. Yes. You see, you take money from people who have money, and use it to pay for things for everyone and help people who have too little money. That's... the whole point?
Er. Yes. You see, you take money from people who have money, and use it to pay for things for everyone and help people who have too little money. That's... the whole point?
November 26, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Badenoch: "HIKING TAXES TO PAY FOR WELFARE!"
Er. Yes. You see, you take money from people who have money, and use it to pay for things for everyone and help people who have too little money. That's... the whole point?
Er. Yes. You see, you take money from people who have money, and use it to pay for things for everyone and help people who have too little money. That's... the whole point?
This French judge approved Netanyahu’s arrest warrant. Now Trump is targeting him
Owen Jones
Three ICC judges have been put on a sanctions list with terrorists after approving an arrest warrant for Israel’s prime minister.
Owen Jones
Three ICC judges have been put on a sanctions list with terrorists after approving an arrest warrant for Israel’s prime minister.
This French judge approved Netanyahu’s arrest warrant. Now Trump is targeting him | Owen Jones
Three ICC judges have been put on a sanctions list with terrorists after approving an arrest warrant for Israel’s prime minister. This is the charade of the ‘rules-based order’, says Guardian columnis...
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:05 PM
This French judge approved Netanyahu’s arrest warrant. Now Trump is targeting him
Owen Jones
Three ICC judges have been put on a sanctions list with terrorists after approving an arrest warrant for Israel’s prime minister.
Owen Jones
Three ICC judges have been put on a sanctions list with terrorists after approving an arrest warrant for Israel’s prime minister.
Reposted by Josy B
NEW: Wales’s first minister @prifweinidog.gov.wales backs call for a full investigation into Russian interference.
Wales’s Senedd elections next spring ‘at risk’. @bbcwales.bsky.social report below.
Wales’s Senedd elections next spring ‘at risk’. @bbcwales.bsky.social report below.
November 26, 2025 at 9:25 AM
NEW: Wales’s first minister @prifweinidog.gov.wales backs call for a full investigation into Russian interference.
Wales’s Senedd elections next spring ‘at risk’. @bbcwales.bsky.social report below.
Wales’s Senedd elections next spring ‘at risk’. @bbcwales.bsky.social report below.
US, Russia and Saudi Arabia create axis of obstruction as Cop30 sputters out
Oliver Milman
Trump puts US in unflattering company as lack of representative reveals disdain for climate progress
Oliver Milman
Trump puts US in unflattering company as lack of representative reveals disdain for climate progress
US, Russia and Saudi Arabia create axis of obstruction as Cop30 sputters out
Trump puts US in unflattering company as lack of representative at climate talks reveals disdain for climate progress
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:18 PM
US, Russia and Saudi Arabia create axis of obstruction as Cop30 sputters out
Oliver Milman
Trump puts US in unflattering company as lack of representative reveals disdain for climate progress
Oliver Milman
Trump puts US in unflattering company as lack of representative reveals disdain for climate progress
Reposted by Josy B
As Spectator editor, Gove is responsible for the publishing of a recent Daniel Hanson article which is one of the most racist and ignorant opinion pieces, I have ever read in my 53 years on this earth.
November 25, 2025 at 7:35 PM
As Spectator editor, Gove is responsible for the publishing of a recent Daniel Hanson article which is one of the most racist and ignorant opinion pieces, I have ever read in my 53 years on this earth.
Reposted by Josy B
As co-convener of Vote Leave, Michael Gove occupied a position of legal responsibility. The unlawful spending & campaign coordination happened on his watch. The denials - proven to be false - ditto. Vote Leave, ultimately, accepted the finding & paid the fine.
There were no other consequences.
3/
There were no other consequences.
3/
November 25, 2025 at 6:19 PM
As co-convener of Vote Leave, Michael Gove occupied a position of legal responsibility. The unlawful spending & campaign coordination happened on his watch. The denials - proven to be false - ditto. Vote Leave, ultimately, accepted the finding & paid the fine.
There were no other consequences.
3/
There were no other consequences.
3/
Reposted by Josy B
The whistleblower of that public interest investigation, @shahmirsanni.bsky.social was viciously smeared by figures around Gove including those in government.
He lost his job. He was outed as gay.
2/
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019...
He lost his job. He was outed as gay.
2/
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019...
The Vote Leave scandal, one year on: ‘the whole thing was traumatic’
A year after revealing that the official leave campaign broke electoral law, Shahmir Sanni assesses the impact
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:07 PM
The whistleblower of that public interest investigation, @shahmirsanni.bsky.social was viciously smeared by figures around Gove including those in government.
He lost his job. He was outed as gay.
2/
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019...
He lost his job. He was outed as gay.
2/
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019...
Reposted by Josy B
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Reposted by Josy B
This must end any remaining doubt about the true motivations of Trump's "peace" envoy.
Bloomberg has obtained a transcript of a phone call in which Witkoff advised the Russian government on how to pitch the strongy pro-Kremlin so-called "peace plan" to Trump.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Bloomberg has obtained a transcript of a phone call in which Witkoff advised the Russian government on how to pitch the strongy pro-Kremlin so-called "peace plan" to Trump.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukra...
www.bloomberg.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:20 AM
This must end any remaining doubt about the true motivations of Trump's "peace" envoy.
Bloomberg has obtained a transcript of a phone call in which Witkoff advised the Russian government on how to pitch the strongy pro-Kremlin so-called "peace plan" to Trump.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Bloomberg has obtained a transcript of a phone call in which Witkoff advised the Russian government on how to pitch the strongy pro-Kremlin so-called "peace plan" to Trump.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Josy B
Well said, immigration benefits the UK economically and culturally.
I'm married to an immigrant, but she happens to be white. Farage fans are keen to tell her they like immigrants of her type; which means their anti-migrant rhetoric is down to nothing but racism.
I'm married to an immigrant, but she happens to be white. Farage fans are keen to tell her they like immigrants of her type; which means their anti-migrant rhetoric is down to nothing but racism.
November 26, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Well said, immigration benefits the UK economically and culturally.
I'm married to an immigrant, but she happens to be white. Farage fans are keen to tell her they like immigrants of her type; which means their anti-migrant rhetoric is down to nothing but racism.
I'm married to an immigrant, but she happens to be white. Farage fans are keen to tell her they like immigrants of her type; which means their anti-migrant rhetoric is down to nothing but racism.
Reposted by Josy B
We have a rapidly ageing population combined with a collapsing birth rat, in common with many other countries.
We'll soon be competing with other European & other countries for immigrants, not trying to discourage them from coming.
We'll soon be competing with other European & other countries for immigrants, not trying to discourage them from coming.
November 26, 2025 at 8:07 AM
We have a rapidly ageing population combined with a collapsing birth rat, in common with many other countries.
We'll soon be competing with other European & other countries for immigrants, not trying to discourage them from coming.
We'll soon be competing with other European & other countries for immigrants, not trying to discourage them from coming.
Reposted by Josy B
Good morning, while everyone is waiting for the budget to be announced it’s a good time to say that immigration is a source of prosperity for the UK and painting Britain as a hostile state is sabotaging the country. Thanks!
November 26, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Good morning, while everyone is waiting for the budget to be announced it’s a good time to say that immigration is a source of prosperity for the UK and painting Britain as a hostile state is sabotaging the country. Thanks!
Reposted by Josy B
All is not well at Kent County Council (KCC). Reform UK, having taken charge at KCC...
...are now faced with exactly the same problems as their Conservative predecessors; funding social care, funding Special Educational Needs (SEN), and fixing potholes.
...are now faced with exactly the same problems as their Conservative predecessors; funding social care, funding Special Educational Needs (SEN), and fixing potholes.
Are standards of civility falling at Reform Kent County Council?
The ‘suck it up’ Linden Kimkaran car crash video of Reform UK’s KCC virtual meeting escapes onto the web
kentandsurreybylines.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 8:21 AM
All is not well at Kent County Council (KCC). Reform UK, having taken charge at KCC...
...are now faced with exactly the same problems as their Conservative predecessors; funding social care, funding Special Educational Needs (SEN), and fixing potholes.
...are now faced with exactly the same problems as their Conservative predecessors; funding social care, funding Special Educational Needs (SEN), and fixing potholes.
Reposted by Josy B
🔥 Rachel Reeves says there’s a “hole” in the public finances.
A new decade-long Brexit study quantifies it:
A 6–8% hit to GDP
That's £180bn-£240bn a year
It means less tax revenue and so less money for everything.
Brexit made Britain MUCH poorer.
A new decade-long Brexit study quantifies it:
A 6–8% hit to GDP
That's £180bn-£240bn a year
It means less tax revenue and so less money for everything.
Brexit made Britain MUCH poorer.
New: Boris Johnson’s ‘Brexit Titanic success’ was half right
Nearly ten years on, the first full assessment of Brexit confirms what millions warned: Britain made itself poorer
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 6:49 AM
🔥 Rachel Reeves says there’s a “hole” in the public finances.
A new decade-long Brexit study quantifies it:
A 6–8% hit to GDP
That's £180bn-£240bn a year
It means less tax revenue and so less money for everything.
Brexit made Britain MUCH poorer.
A new decade-long Brexit study quantifies it:
A 6–8% hit to GDP
That's £180bn-£240bn a year
It means less tax revenue and so less money for everything.
Brexit made Britain MUCH poorer.
The Guardian view on renewing municipal England: the Tories’ malign legacy lives on
Editorial
Labour is putting in place some laudable reforms. But councils need to be given financial sustainability and enabled to move beyond crisis management
Editorial
Labour is putting in place some laudable reforms. But councils need to be given financial sustainability and enabled to move beyond crisis management
The Guardian view on renewing municipal England: the Tories’ malign legacy lives on | Editorial
Editorial: Labour is putting in place some laudable reforms. But councils need to be given financial sustainability and enabled to move beyond crisis management
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:35 AM
The Guardian view on renewing municipal England: the Tories’ malign legacy lives on
Editorial
Labour is putting in place some laudable reforms. But councils need to be given financial sustainability and enabled to move beyond crisis management
Editorial
Labour is putting in place some laudable reforms. But councils need to be given financial sustainability and enabled to move beyond crisis management
Rachel Reeves has many problems. She’s realising that her Brexit bind may be the biggest of all
Rafael Behr
Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament?
Rafael Behr
Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament?
Rachel Reeves has many problems. She’s realising that her Brexit bind may be the biggest of all | Rafael Behr
Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament, asks Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Rachel Reeves has many problems. She’s realising that her Brexit bind may be the biggest of all
Rafael Behr
Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament?
Rafael Behr
Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament?
Reposted by Josy B
The US Agency for International Development, which provided foreign aid for other countries, was shut down over the summer following an effort by Musk to shutter it, with its few remaining functions being absorbed by the State Department.
DOJ Tries To Block Musk Deposition In Lawsuit Over USAID Cuts
The US Agency for International Development, which provided foreign aid for other countries, was shut down over the summer following an effort by Musk to shutter it, with its few remaining functions being absorbed by the State Department.
www.forbes.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:50 AM
The US Agency for International Development, which provided foreign aid for other countries, was shut down over the summer following an effort by Musk to shutter it, with its few remaining functions being absorbed by the State Department.
Reposted by Josy B
Q: Have you heard this audio that Bloomberg has of Witkoff coaching the Russians on how to appeal to you?
TRUMP: That's a standard thing. He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gonna sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does. I haven't heard it but I heard it was standard negotiation.
TRUMP: That's a standard thing. He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gonna sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does. I haven't heard it but I heard it was standard negotiation.
November 26, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Q: Have you heard this audio that Bloomberg has of Witkoff coaching the Russians on how to appeal to you?
TRUMP: That's a standard thing. He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gonna sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does. I haven't heard it but I heard it was standard negotiation.
TRUMP: That's a standard thing. He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gonna sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does. I haven't heard it but I heard it was standard negotiation.
Reposted by Josy B
"Most Reform UK voters don’t object to green policies, so who is its climate crisis denialism designed to serve?"
Why Reform UK hates net zero … follow the money!
Most Reform UK voters don’t object to green policies, so who is its climate crisis denialism designed to serve?
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:14 PM
"Most Reform UK voters don’t object to green policies, so who is its climate crisis denialism designed to serve?"
Reposted by Josy B
“The £25bn savings plan1 that they were flogging at last week’s event, with all the grievance filled outrage we’ve come to expect from each episode of this ever-running series, was done under the auspices of giving Rachel Reeves some ideas ahead of this month’s autumn budget.”
The truth behind Reform UK’s reckless budget
£25bn of imagined savings, real-world cruelty and mathematics that should come with a trigger warning
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:21 AM
“The £25bn savings plan1 that they were flogging at last week’s event, with all the grievance filled outrage we’ve come to expect from each episode of this ever-running series, was done under the auspices of giving Rachel Reeves some ideas ahead of this month’s autumn budget.”
Reposted by Josy B
“Harrods appointed the law firm, MPL Legal, to administer the scheme, claiming independent oversight...
No truly survivor-centred process would be designed this way. We were not consulted in its creation. We were not given a voice in defining its terms.“
No truly survivor-centred process would be designed this way. We were not consulted in its creation. We were not given a voice in defining its terms.“
When redress feels like re-trauma: a survivor’s view of the Harrods compensation scheme
The representatives of the perpetrators of abuse must not be allowed to control the process for survivor redress
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:14 AM
“Harrods appointed the law firm, MPL Legal, to administer the scheme, claiming independent oversight...
No truly survivor-centred process would be designed this way. We were not consulted in its creation. We were not given a voice in defining its terms.“
No truly survivor-centred process would be designed this way. We were not consulted in its creation. We were not given a voice in defining its terms.“
Reposted by Josy B
Tariffs apply to goods, not services. Zero in on the goods-producing sector, and you'll discover that it's hemorrhaging jobs. Indeed, the start of the trade war marks the peak in that sector, and it's been in recession ever since.
November 22, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Tariffs apply to goods, not services. Zero in on the goods-producing sector, and you'll discover that it's hemorrhaging jobs. Indeed, the start of the trade war marks the peak in that sector, and it's been in recession ever since.
Reposted by Josy B
This is what the discourse on subsidies does not get. Cheap capital system-wide is China’s killer advantage. A bit like what was long Silicon Valley’s advantage in SW, but applied to entire industrial sectors. So cheap as to be disposable: the rate of waste is crazy, but allows quick tech evolution
there's an old stereotype of china as outcompeting america because of masses of cheap labor. but as michael pettis puts it, contemporary chinese firms don't act as if labor is free. they act as if capital is free
“Yang Jiemin, VP of the state-owned company behind the port, said its highly automated operations require 60% fewer workers than traditional ports. It underscores one advantage Chinese companies have in deploying AI versus the U.S.: no independent labor unions.” www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-r... (🎁🔗)
November 26, 2025 at 6:41 AM
This is what the discourse on subsidies does not get. Cheap capital system-wide is China’s killer advantage. A bit like what was long Silicon Valley’s advantage in SW, but applied to entire industrial sectors. So cheap as to be disposable: the rate of waste is crazy, but allows quick tech evolution