Mike Thornton
@mikethornton.bsky.social
Chair & volunteer driver with Local Good Neighbours. Trustee/Governor of Wyvern College. Street Pastor. Trustee of AWCA. Bishopstoke Parish Councillor. Eastleigh Basics Bank volunteer. Avid Tennis player. Very happily married.
Former MP of Eastleigh.
Former MP of Eastleigh.
Defending against tyrants is not tub thumping for war
“Igitur qui desiderat pacem praeperet bellum”
“Igitur qui desiderat pacem praeperet bellum”
See Starmer is tub thumping for war again and BBC is obsessing on Royals.
What a world we live in.
What a world we live in.
March 27, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Defending against tyrants is not tub thumping for war
“Igitur qui desiderat pacem praeperet bellum”
“Igitur qui desiderat pacem praeperet bellum”
Thanks. Fairly new to Bluesky
You interact in a very weird way. You could just include this correction in reply to your own post but you're quoting me for some reason. You quoted my pay the separate times saying disjointed trite liberal talking points when you could just make one thread out a quote. Just a tip
March 24, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Thanks. Fairly new to Bluesky
For “your” cause read one’s cause
Honestly so funny for him to say that about Pancake Man of all people
This absolute confidence in the rightness of your cause results in a Robespierre or a Lenin or a Stalin or a Trump.
March 24, 2025 at 11:44 PM
For “your” cause read one’s cause
I’m not sure why 2% is unsustainable. Property values, gold and stock and shares have all grown faster than 2% each year for the last 75 years.
I’m not convinced a wealth tax is the answer but 2% would be sustainable if there was one
I’m not convinced a wealth tax is the answer but 2% would be sustainable if there was one
Did we have a flight of capital in 2010 when the Tories raised the top rate of income tax to 40%
This is idiotic.
There might be a case for a one-off wealth tax (though beware the real danger of setting a precedent).
But an annual levy of 2% on assets over £10 million is totally unsustainable.
The fact that it's even being proposed shows evidence of a very high degree of economic illiteracy.
There might be a case for a one-off wealth tax (though beware the real danger of setting a precedent).
But an annual levy of 2% on assets over £10 million is totally unsustainable.
The fact that it's even being proposed shows evidence of a very high degree of economic illiteracy.
March 24, 2025 at 11:42 PM
I’m not sure why 2% is unsustainable. Property values, gold and stock and shares have all grown faster than 2% each year for the last 75 years.
I’m not convinced a wealth tax is the answer but 2% would be sustainable if there was one
I’m not convinced a wealth tax is the answer but 2% would be sustainable if there was one
This absolute confidence in the rightness of your cause results in a Robespierre or a Lenin or a Stalin or a Trump.
This is what Marc meant by proletarian dictatorship.
March 24, 2025 at 11:31 PM
This absolute confidence in the rightness of your cause results in a Robespierre or a Lenin or a Stalin or a Trump.
The idea that only one system of government is right and all others are wrong; the idea that I am right and if you disagree you are wrong and must be “re-educated” always results in despotism. Alternatively you can call it dictatorship.
This is what Marc meant by proletarian dictatorship.
March 24, 2025 at 11:31 PM
The idea that only one system of government is right and all others are wrong; the idea that I am right and if you disagree you are wrong and must be “re-educated” always results in despotism. Alternatively you can call it dictatorship.
The world certainly did know about despotism. Despotism has existed since time immemorial. The idea that there is a modern despotism and an another type is nonsense. From Pharoahs to Roman Emperors to Louis XVI to the Tsars despots were known and understood.
This is what Marc meant by proletarian dictatorship.
March 24, 2025 at 11:31 PM
The world certainly did know about despotism. Despotism has existed since time immemorial. The idea that there is a modern despotism and an another type is nonsense. From Pharoahs to Roman Emperors to Louis XVI to the Tsars despots were known and understood.
Have you read Das Kapital? I have and he was certainly not talking about democratic socialism
From a brief glance at your profile you don't appear to be a hard-core Stalinist (& even they would argue their system is a form a democracy).
Therefore you must be repeating anti-Marxist propaganda.
Marx's "dictatorship of the Proletariat" was precisely the kind of democratic republic I describe.
Therefore you must be repeating anti-Marxist propaganda.
Marx's "dictatorship of the Proletariat" was precisely the kind of democratic republic I describe.
Thing is for socialists to be elected the majority of voters need to be socialist. They clearly aren’t in any country
Now Marx believed socialism was only possible in a dictatorship. I agree with Marx
Now Marx believed socialism was only possible in a dictatorship. I agree with Marx
March 24, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Have you read Das Kapital? I have and he was certainly not talking about democratic socialism
Ah. The majority are wrong. They need to re-educated. I had a friend who was re-educated in the so called German Democratic Republic (unicameral by the way). 10 years which wrecked his health
The majority of voters do not control the means of production, distribution or exchange
This gives them a common interest in collectivising the same, even if they are not conscious of it
The task of socialists is to convince the majority, yes, not that the rich would allow us to win democratically
This gives them a common interest in collectivising the same, even if they are not conscious of it
The task of socialists is to convince the majority, yes, not that the rich would allow us to win democratically
March 24, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Ah. The majority are wrong. They need to re-educated. I had a friend who was re-educated in the so called German Democratic Republic (unicameral by the way). 10 years which wrecked his health
Thing is for socialists to be elected the majority of voters need to be socialist. They clearly aren’t in any country
Now Marx believed socialism was only possible in a dictatorship. I agree with Marx
Now Marx believed socialism was only possible in a dictatorship. I agree with Marx
The Weimar republic did not have instantly recallable MPs, nor did it have any of the other parts of what should constitute the minimum programme of any party claiming to represent the interests of the working class, such as nationalised industy or banking
Ebert betrayed the Socialist working class
Ebert betrayed the Socialist working class
Why do you think that would lead to socialism. The Weimar Republic had a very similar system and look where that led
March 24, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Thing is for socialists to be elected the majority of voters need to be socialist. They clearly aren’t in any country
Now Marx believed socialism was only possible in a dictatorship. I agree with Marx
Now Marx believed socialism was only possible in a dictatorship. I agree with Marx
Why do you think that would lead to socialism. The Weimar Republic had a very similar system and look where that led
I'm for a Democratic Republic of England, with a sovereign parliament composed of MPs subject to instant recall, as the 1st step to Socialism
The working class needs a new mass party & shouldn't accept anything less than these basic democratic demands as part of its programme
Socialistparty.org.uk
The working class needs a new mass party & shouldn't accept anything less than these basic democratic demands as part of its programme
Socialistparty.org.uk
March 24, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Why do you think that would lead to socialism. The Weimar Republic had a very similar system and look where that led
There are economic massive gains to be made by investing in renewable energy and protecting the environment. Reform sound just like the governments of the 1960s and 1970s who tried to preserve outdated industries instead of investing in new ones. Reform have no new ideas. They just recycle old ones
March 8, 2025 at 6:43 PM
There are economic massive gains to be made by investing in renewable energy and protecting the environment. Reform sound just like the governments of the 1960s and 1970s who tried to preserve outdated industries instead of investing in new ones. Reform have no new ideas. They just recycle old ones
Remember Scotland voted overwhelmingly against Brexit
There's no way Farage is participating in the leaders debates for Holyrood's 2026 elections, unless he runs for the Scottish Parliament.
Reform will need to nominate one of their candidates to do so, anything else would debase the campaign.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2492144...
Reform will need to nominate one of their candidates to do so, anything else would debase the campaign.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2492144...
Nigel Farage to 'debate Swinney to front Reform UK's Holyrood election campaign'
An Reform UK insider has suggested Nigel Farage could face John Swinney in Holyrood election campaign debates in 2026.
www.heraldscotland.com
February 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Remember Scotland voted overwhelmingly against Brexit
Netanyahu is head of government not head of state
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington early Sunday to meet with President Donald Trump, in what will be the U.S. leader’s first meeting with a foreign head of state since returning to the White House last month.
Live briefing: Netanyahu heads to Washington for Trump’s first meeting with foreign leader
The Israeli prime minister’s trip comes as negotiations for a second phase of a Gaza ceasefire are set to begin. Syria’s new president visits Saudi Arabia.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 2, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Netanyahu is head of government not head of state
Reposted by Mike Thornton
Farage is a complete and utter fraud.
Asked by Sky News whether his fellow Reform MP previously being jailed for repeatedly kicking his girlfriend, and then subsequently lying to voters about it, should be grounds for his expulsion from the party, Nigel Farage replies that "I've got a million followers on TikTok" and storms off
November 29, 2024 at 8:50 AM
Farage is a complete and utter fraud.
Oh and Mike, try learning how to respond … there’s a word for someone who quotes their replies to their own feed, rather than just reply in thread.
November 22, 2024 at 10:47 PM
I quote so it’s easy to see all the posts and replies together.
Oh and Mike, try learning how to respond … there’s a word for someone who quotes their replies to their own feed, rather than just reply in thread.
November 22, 2024 at 10:47 PM
I quote so it’s easy to see all the posts and replies together.
You still have not said whether the drinking and smoking etc she’s should be reduced to 16.
Yes or No ?
Yes or No ?
Pretty sure I did when I said they should have the right to vote on things that affect their lives, but in typical MP fashion you ignored what was said and kept on with your own thoughts. Pretty sure that is why you are now an ex-MP.
a woman in a floral shirt says listen in a kitchen
ALT: a woman in a floral shirt says listen in a kitchen
media.tenor.com
November 22, 2024 at 10:46 PM
You still have not said whether the drinking and smoking etc she’s should be reduced to 16.
Yes or No ?
Yes or No ?
You are not answer the question. The question is if the voting age is reduced to 16 why shouldn’t the other age limits be reduced to 16. If you believe that they are old enough to devife who are rulers are why aren’t they old enough to decide if they can drink or apply for a mortgage ?
They are old enough to vote on how things will affect THEIR lives.
November 22, 2024 at 10:36 PM
You are not answer the question. The question is if the voting age is reduced to 16 why shouldn’t the other age limits be reduced to 16. If you believe that they are old enough to devife who are rulers are why aren’t they old enough to decide if they can drink or apply for a mortgage ?
If you believe someone is old enough to vote then surely they are old enough to make decisions how they lead their life. If they aren’t old enough to make life decisions about their own life how are they old enough to make decisions about other people’s lives?
False equivalences.
November 22, 2024 at 10:26 PM
If you believe someone is old enough to vote then surely they are old enough to make decisions how they lead their life. If they aren’t old enough to make life decisions about their own life how are they old enough to make decisions about other people’s lives?
16 year olds can’t legally smoke or drink or drive cars. They can’t make legally binding contracts. They can’t be sentenced to adult prisons
If they are allowed to vote they will be allowed to vote about these but not do them. So do you believe all these restrictions should lowered to age 16?
If they are allowed to vote they will be allowed to vote about these but not do them. So do you believe all these restrictions should lowered to age 16?
Why you should be old enough to vote at 16.
Teenagers aged 16 and 17 are considered capable of making life-changing decisions and working, so why can’t they vote too?
Share this article from Bylines northwestbylines.co.uk/politics/why...
Teenagers aged 16 and 17 are considered capable of making life-changing decisions and working, so why can’t they vote too?
Share this article from Bylines northwestbylines.co.uk/politics/why...
Why you should be old enough to vote at 16
Teenagers aged 16 and 17 are considered capable of making life-changing decisions and working, so why can’t they vote too?
northwestbylines.co.uk
November 22, 2024 at 10:11 PM
16 year olds can’t legally smoke or drink or drive cars. They can’t make legally binding contracts. They can’t be sentenced to adult prisons
If they are allowed to vote they will be allowed to vote about these but not do them. So do you believe all these restrictions should lowered to age 16?
If they are allowed to vote they will be allowed to vote about these but not do them. So do you believe all these restrictions should lowered to age 16?
I find it difficult to understand why people hide behind pseudonyms on Bluesky. It worries me that it’s because they don’t want to be responsible for their opinions
November 21, 2024 at 10:56 AM
I find it difficult to understand why people hide behind pseudonyms on Bluesky. It worries me that it’s because they don’t want to be responsible for their opinions
I think you mistyped. Surely you meant “ Are we heading for WW3 Putin? “
Are we heading for WW3 Starmer?
The Prime Minister should make a statement, immediately, to confirm whether UK missiles have been fired into Russia. Full statement below.
November 20, 2024 at 9:15 PM
I think you mistyped. Surely you meant “ Are we heading for WW3 Putin? “
Perhaps he like the noise
my dog turns on the air purifier before he goes to sleep. we thought he was doing it accidentally, today we caught him doing it intentionally. i do not know what to think about this.
November 19, 2024 at 11:14 AM
Perhaps he like the noise