Lorraine Smart
@l-aine57.bsky.social
Retired Child & Family Worker. Worked within a front-line child protection team.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
⚡2026 is a turning point. UK #climate & environmental activists face both crisis & opportunity.
Fascism rises, the #climate agenda is under attack, & political representation is urgent.
🧵A longish thread on why we must unite behind @zackpolanski.bsky.social & the @greenparty.org.uk 💚
Fascism rises, the #climate agenda is under attack, & political representation is urgent.
🧵A longish thread on why we must unite behind @zackpolanski.bsky.social & the @greenparty.org.uk 💚
January 8, 2026 at 9:46 AM
⚡2026 is a turning point. UK #climate & environmental activists face both crisis & opportunity.
Fascism rises, the #climate agenda is under attack, & political representation is urgent.
🧵A longish thread on why we must unite behind @zackpolanski.bsky.social & the @greenparty.org.uk 💚
Fascism rises, the #climate agenda is under attack, & political representation is urgent.
🧵A longish thread on why we must unite behind @zackpolanski.bsky.social & the @greenparty.org.uk 💚
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
“The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” tinyurl.com/4rrn2mkx
James O'Brien Daily
Daily News Podcast · Updated daily · Welcome to the best bits of James O'Brien's LBC phone-in show.
Listen back to all the highlights in a 60-minute bite sized chunk of his show with new episodes ever...
tinyurl.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:48 PM
“The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” tinyurl.com/4rrn2mkx
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Sofia has replied to my polite request either to add a note to the film stating that I was misled, or to remove my contribution. Her answer? Flat refusal and a threat of legal action! Not a trace of remorse or contrition.
What I find utterly chilling is that, in her day job, she's a psychiatrist.
What I find utterly chilling is that, in her day job, she's a psychiatrist.
1. This short thread is about what I see as a serious breach of journalistic ethics, in the making of Sofia Pineda Ochoa’s online documentary Greenwashed. She interviewed me for the film, but neither before, during or after was I given any idea I would be its target. www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjWU...
GREENWASHED | Full Documentary [Official]
YouTube video by Dr. Sofia Pineda Ochoa
www.youtube.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Sofia has replied to my polite request either to add a note to the film stating that I was misled, or to remove my contribution. Her answer? Flat refusal and a threat of legal action! Not a trace of remorse or contrition.
What I find utterly chilling is that, in her day job, she's a psychiatrist.
What I find utterly chilling is that, in her day job, she's a psychiatrist.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
I'm writing about the Palestine Action hunger strikers at the moment, any of whom could die at any moment, and the astonishing media and government silence surrounding them. The Establishment seems to have become even crueller than when Thatcher was PM.
January 5, 2026 at 12:27 PM
I'm writing about the Palestine Action hunger strikers at the moment, any of whom could die at any moment, and the astonishing media and government silence surrounding them. The Establishment seems to have become even crueller than when Thatcher was PM.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
🔴 Farage is a foot soldier in Trump’s oil war
Reform is being advised by the architects of Trump’s oil agenda 👇🏻
Reform is being advised by the architects of Trump’s oil agenda 👇🏻
Farage is a foot soldier in Trump’s oil war
📝 He’s been importing the president’s oil agenda architects...
writesbright.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:12 PM
🔴 Farage is a foot soldier in Trump’s oil war
Reform is being advised by the architects of Trump’s oil agenda 👇🏻
Reform is being advised by the architects of Trump’s oil agenda 👇🏻
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
“There are definitely days that are less enjoyable than others, particularly personal attacks on my loved ones or my family, but actually, 99% of the time, it’s the most privileged, wonderful position to be in, and I’m loving every second.”
Vote against genocide, vote Green.
Vote against genocide, vote Green.
We're challenging this terrible Labour Government.
And we're ready to take on Reform.
I spoke with the Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
And we're ready to take on Reform.
I spoke with the Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘We were missing in the conversation’: how Zack Polanski hit on plan to beat Reform at their own game
This time last year Polanski was barely known outside the party. Now he’s hoping for success at May’s local elections – by taking a page from Nigel Farage’s playbook
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:51 PM
“There are definitely days that are less enjoyable than others, particularly personal attacks on my loved ones or my family, but actually, 99% of the time, it’s the most privileged, wonderful position to be in, and I’m loving every second.”
Vote against genocide, vote Green.
Vote against genocide, vote Green.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Independent of large denomination donors and legions of special advisers, Polanski’s Green Party has ability and freedom. It makes an unparalleled launchpad for change
We're challenging this terrible Labour Government.
And we're ready to take on Reform.
I spoke with the Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
And we're ready to take on Reform.
I spoke with the Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘We were missing in the conversation’: how Zack Polanski hit on plan to beat Reform at their own game
This time last year Polanski was barely known outside the party. Now he’s hoping for success at May’s local elections – by taking a page from Nigel Farage’s playbook
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Independent of large denomination donors and legions of special advisers, Polanski’s Green Party has ability and freedom. It makes an unparalleled launchpad for change
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Want to know what the UK would look like under Farage?
Look at the US right now.
The US far-right *is* the UK far-right, with the same people pulling all the strings on both sides of the Atlantic. The useful idiots are different, but the ideas, the tactics, and the funding are the same
Look at the US right now.
The US far-right *is* the UK far-right, with the same people pulling all the strings on both sides of the Atlantic. The useful idiots are different, but the ideas, the tactics, and the funding are the same
Well spotted on the date.
In his emails to Epstein in mid November 2018 Bannon claims to have met up with Rees Mogg, Farage and Boris Johnson to keep Brexit on track and defeat Theresa May. Farage denies this…. And yet….
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/19/d...
In his emails to Epstein in mid November 2018 Bannon claims to have met up with Rees Mogg, Farage and Boris Johnson to keep Brexit on track and defeat Theresa May. Farage denies this…. And yet….
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/19/d...
NTM Farage & Johnson & Johnson & Bannon.
Bannon: ‘He (#LiarJohnson) flew right over after WE👈👈won”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019...
Bannon: ‘He (#LiarJohnson) flew right over after WE👈👈won”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019...
January 2, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Want to know what the UK would look like under Farage?
Look at the US right now.
The US far-right *is* the UK far-right, with the same people pulling all the strings on both sides of the Atlantic. The useful idiots are different, but the ideas, the tactics, and the funding are the same
Look at the US right now.
The US far-right *is* the UK far-right, with the same people pulling all the strings on both sides of the Atlantic. The useful idiots are different, but the ideas, the tactics, and the funding are the same
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
So much this. I hope that in 2026 people start taking an online nationalist right general election victory in 2029 seriously. The consequences if it happens will be across the board disastrous; far, far worse than anything that has ever gone before. By a country mile and then some worse.
This is both entirely correct and misses the point completely, which is that the 'online weirdos" are effectively writing Conservative and Reform policy & have significantly influenced the government's own worst and most xenophobic policies.
Trump should have taught us not to laugh this stuff off.
Trump should have taught us not to laugh this stuff off.
Real talk: there's this circle of extremely online weirdos who firmly believe they're on the verge of victory and are going to expel millions of people from Britain.
Play acting Napoleons planning their March through Moscow from a Daventry bedsit
Play acting Napoleons planning their March through Moscow from a Daventry bedsit
January 1, 2026 at 11:35 AM
So much this. I hope that in 2026 people start taking an online nationalist right general election victory in 2029 seriously. The consequences if it happens will be across the board disastrous; far, far worse than anything that has ever gone before. By a country mile and then some worse.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
✨️ Happy New Year!!
❓️ Need a New Year's resolution?
💚 We've got you covered.
✅️ Here are 10 reasons why should join the Green Party in 2026 ⬇️
❓️ Need a New Year's resolution?
💚 We've got you covered.
✅️ Here are 10 reasons why should join the Green Party in 2026 ⬇️
January 1, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Kemi Badenoch is under pressure to act on the revelations that her shadow attorney general is representing the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, despite UK sanctions against him
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Badenoch under fire as Tory shadow attorney general acts for Roman Abramovich
Labour urges Conservative leader to reveal whether she knew David Wolfson was to represent Russian oligarch in legal case
www.theguardian.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Kemi Badenoch is under pressure to act on the revelations that her shadow attorney general is representing the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, despite UK sanctions against him
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
I’m guessing why so many towns and cities are getting notices about reducing water consumption. We have to feed the machines.
How much of your drinkable water does AI need?💦
An AI data centre boom is coming to #Canada & cooling the tech’s infrastructure requires massive amounts of clean water, CBC’s Jonathan Montpetit tried to dig up the numbers he found a murky business with little oversight.🤬
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
An AI data centre boom is coming to #Canada & cooling the tech’s infrastructure requires massive amounts of clean water, CBC’s Jonathan Montpetit tried to dig up the numbers he found a murky business with little oversight.🤬
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
How much of your drinkable water does AI need?💦
An AI data centre boom is coming to Canada and cooling the tech’s infrastructure requires massive amounts of clean water, but when CBC’s Jonathan Montpetit tried to dig up the numbers he found a murky...
www.cbc.ca
December 30, 2025 at 10:35 AM
I’m guessing why so many towns and cities are getting notices about reducing water consumption. We have to feed the machines.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
This is a key point. Dual citizenship isn't 'half British, half something else'. It's *full* British citizenship, and *full* the other citizenship.
As a dual citizen, you're every bit as much of a British citizen as someone who only has British citizenship.
As a dual citizen, you're every bit as much of a British citizen as someone who only has British citizenship.
Ask this question and its follow-up. Like Begum before him, Alaa el-Fattah is being used as a crowbar to shift reasonable people - even some progressives - into a space of thinking that full citizenship, if granted recently or dual, is retroactively conditional or attracts a lower class of rights.
December 30, 2025 at 11:50 AM
This is a key point. Dual citizenship isn't 'half British, half something else'. It's *full* British citizenship, and *full* the other citizenship.
As a dual citizen, you're every bit as much of a British citizen as someone who only has British citizenship.
As a dual citizen, you're every bit as much of a British citizen as someone who only has British citizenship.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Thanks so much my friend--means a lot!
Finished this excellent book from @michaelemann.bsky.social and @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social.
Strong insights describing how we got into this mess — primarily via plutocrats, petrostates, and propaganda.
And outlining the work required to get us out of this dark place and move forward.
Strong insights describing how we got into this mess — primarily via plutocrats, petrostates, and propaganda.
And outlining the work required to get us out of this dark place and move forward.
December 29, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Thanks so much my friend--means a lot!
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
It was actually quite a wide ranging & valuable conversation on LBC just now, we discussed -
-REALISTIC solutions to the small boats
-How do refugees PAY smugglers?
-Are govt plans for SAFE ROUTES credible?
Check it out: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-y-...
-REALISTIC solutions to the small boats
-How do refugees PAY smugglers?
-Are govt plans for SAFE ROUTES credible?
Check it out: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-y-...
French police REFUSE to intercept small boats - WHY?
YouTube video by Zoe Gardner
www.youtube.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:51 PM
It was actually quite a wide ranging & valuable conversation on LBC just now, we discussed -
-REALISTIC solutions to the small boats
-How do refugees PAY smugglers?
-Are govt plans for SAFE ROUTES credible?
Check it out: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-y-...
-REALISTIC solutions to the small boats
-How do refugees PAY smugglers?
-Are govt plans for SAFE ROUTES credible?
Check it out: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-y-...
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
I remember Australian newsreaders actually laughing when they explained the terms of Liz Truss' dreadful deal, that completely shafted UK farmers.
December 27, 2025 at 9:46 AM
I remember Australian newsreaders actually laughing when they explained the terms of Liz Truss' dreadful deal, that completely shafted UK farmers.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
"But it was so funny when Boris Johnson waved those Tim Tams" so nobody ever
December 27, 2025 at 10:07 AM
"But it was so funny when Boris Johnson waved those Tim Tams" so nobody ever
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
And here's Boris in 2016 quoted by the BBC
December 27, 2025 at 9:48 AM
And here's Boris in 2016 quoted by the BBC
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
This is literally what the Telegraph campaigned for.
December 27, 2025 at 9:42 AM
This is literally what the Telegraph campaigned for.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
📝 The one from Substack I’m most pleased with from 2025.
Primarily because people rarely make the comparison between Farage and Johnson, despite the fact they share the same brand of elitist, chaotic, egomaniac politics 👇🏻
Primarily because people rarely make the comparison between Farage and Johnson, despite the fact they share the same brand of elitist, chaotic, egomaniac politics 👇🏻
Farage will fall into the same trap as Boris Johnson
Farage’s populist insurgency will unravel, and it will bear the hallmarks of Johnson’s demise.
open.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 11:03 AM
📝 The one from Substack I’m most pleased with from 2025.
Primarily because people rarely make the comparison between Farage and Johnson, despite the fact they share the same brand of elitist, chaotic, egomaniac politics 👇🏻
Primarily because people rarely make the comparison between Farage and Johnson, despite the fact they share the same brand of elitist, chaotic, egomaniac politics 👇🏻
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Today's column is on the relentless march of blithering idiocy, which includes denying climate science while your house is - literally in this case - burning down.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A conversation between Joe Rogan and Mel Gibson summed up 2025 for me – and not in a good way | George Monbiot
From merrily dismissing climate science, to promoting irresponsible health claims, the podcast was an unintentional warning for our times, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Today's column is on the relentless march of blithering idiocy, which includes denying climate science while your house is - literally in this case - burning down.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Foreign doctors/nurses shunning the NHS because anti-migrant rhetoric, rising racism have created “a hostile environment”.
Successive UK govts have failed to provide local supply, raided other countries.
Without immigration UK economy/services will decline. Still no honest debate.
Successive UK govts have failed to provide local supply, raided other countries.
Without immigration UK economy/services will decline. Still no honest debate.
Foreign medics shunning NHS because of anti-migrant rhetoric, says top doctor
Exclusive: UK now an ‘unwelcoming, racist’ country for overseas health workers, according to medical colleges leader
www.theguardian.com
December 27, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Foreign doctors/nurses shunning the NHS because anti-migrant rhetoric, rising racism have created “a hostile environment”.
Successive UK govts have failed to provide local supply, raided other countries.
Without immigration UK economy/services will decline. Still no honest debate.
Successive UK govts have failed to provide local supply, raided other countries.
Without immigration UK economy/services will decline. Still no honest debate.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Hunting is completely impractical, causes immense damage to farming, benefits nobody and is very cruel indeed.
No wonder Britain's leading Brexiter backs it.
No wonder Britain's leading Brexiter backs it.
It’s the Boxing Day Hunt, Nigel Farage thinks packs of hounds should chase a fox and tear it to shreds.
December 27, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Hunting is completely impractical, causes immense damage to farming, benefits nobody and is very cruel indeed.
No wonder Britain's leading Brexiter backs it.
No wonder Britain's leading Brexiter backs it.