🔶Rebecca🔶
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mkcatlady.bsky.social
🔶Rebecca🔶
@mkcatlady.bsky.social
250 followers 330 following 250 posts
Local Lib Dem🔶🇪🇺 campaigner. Passionate about getting good people elected and fair votes for all across entire UK. Remainer 'til I die. Former tax writer.
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mkcatlady.bsky.social
Grifters
13sarahmurphy.bsky.social Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 20h
God honestly. Doesn’t this just sum up Reform. And their plastic patriotism.
Can’t even give a straight answer or follow the rules on their unbelievably naff merch.
So on brand.
Oh well. You sell or wear one of these, you’ve told us all we need to know about you.

(iPaper)
Picture of a Farage Football shirt with the dodgy ‘made in Britain’ logo Headline: Reform UK merchandise does not have permission for its 'Made in Britain' logo Extracts; Reform UK has been using a "Made in Britain" logo on a range of promotional football shirts without permission from either ofthe two UK "Made in Britain" trademark schemes, Thei Paper has found. The shirts sold by Nigel Farage's party range in price from £39 to £359, with funds going to Reform UK. Three styles have been released as merchandise, including a recently launched black and gold shirt signed by Farage himself. They are prominently stamped with the official-looking logo… It is strikingly similar to the logos connected to MadeinBritain.co and the registered trademark that belongs to MadeinBrtain.org, which were both set up with the aim of protecting British manufacturing. Both organisations require companies to pass an audit in order to be accredited and gain permission to use their logo. Use of the trademark from MadeinBritain.org, a not-for-profit organisation, is stricter and a licence fee of at least S195 must be paid annually. Misleading a customer to believe an item has a level of accreditation is potentially a criminal offence. A spokesperson for Reform UK said: "The logo displayed was materially different and simply denotes that this product is made in the UK” The main supplier for Reform's shirts does manufacture them in the UK, The i Paper understands. One of Reform's "Original Edi- tion" tops purchased by The i Paper featured an address for a Leicester-based manufacturer. Upon visiting the site, the address was not a factory but a small office where one person works. A spokesperson for Reform said: "Each and every Reform FC shirt is made in the UK.”
December 30, 2025 at 8:54 AM
mkcatlady.bsky.social
Shock and surprise!
Reform UK took control of Leicestershire council in May 2025.
Since then 38 complaints have been filed against councillors conduct, 35 of those relate to Reform cllrs.
In 2023/24 there were 5 such complaints and 7 in 2022/23.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Spike in complaints against Leicestershire county councillors - BBC News
The council's Reform UK leader said some of the complaints were politically motivated.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 29, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
edmorrish.bsky.social
i post this story every christmas, and will keep doing so until it stops making me cry

merry christmas xx
A real Good Samaritan
One act of kindness that befell Leeds writer Bernard Hare in 1982 changed him profoundly. Here he tells his story.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 25, 2025 at 10:25 AM
mkcatlady.bsky.social
I'll be listening to this while walking to the carehome to have lunch with my Mum.
quietriotpod.bsky.social Quiet Riot @quietriotpod.bsky.social · 5d
🔔 Nothing to see Year... with James O'Brien ☃️

Who's up? Who's down? Who's in and who's out?

🎅🏽 Join us for a review of 2025 🛷

Part I of a @sturdyalex.bsky.social, @pimlicat.bsky.social & @mrjamesob.bsky.social special.

🎁
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q...
🎄 open.spotify.com/episode/2dbS...
December 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
jdportes.bsky.social
This is a very simple coordination problem.

No one Labour MP can solve it. But No. 10/the government could, tomorrow, with one letter from the Cabinet Secretary.

Both in their own self-interest and for the sake of our democracy, they should.
December 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM
mkcatlady.bsky.social
Trump to be added to name of Washington’s Kennedy Center - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
Trump to be added to name of Washington’s Kennedy Center
Performing arts centre’s board votes to rename events hub
giftarticle.ft.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:08 PM
mkcatlady.bsky.social
The Kennedy centre in Washington DC will be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center , without Congress approval.
This is not a joke- giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
Trump to be added to name of Washington’s Kennedy Center
Performing arts centre’s board votes to rename events hub
giftarticle.ft.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
barryhow2c.bsky.social
Despite the archaic FPTP voting system the efficiency of the Lib Dem vote share and some tactical voting delivered 72 MPs at GE 2024, on 12.2% of votes.

Since LE 2025 the efficiency in votes and some tactical voting is still paying dividends, winning 55/188 seats on 19.6% vote share.
#LibDems🔶
December 14, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
thetnholler.bsky.social
We are failing our kids
December 16, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
sarahoconnorft.ft.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
beany.bsky.social
So he’s suing BBC and now this. Remind me again why we rolled out the red carpet for him TWICE!? Did we really think it would make a difference? The only difference it’s made is show the whole world that, since Brexit, we are all alone, weak and desperate.
US puts £31bn tech ‘prosperity deal’ with Britain on ice
Pledge to invest billions in UK paused, with Washington citing lack of progress on trade barriers across pond
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
snellarthur.bsky.social
MI6 Chief gives speech. Speech may contain words that are interesting. But because MI6 Chief is a woman @telegraph.co.uk prints an article about her appearance, with no mention of the speech’s content.
December 16, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
jeffroushwriting.bsky.social
If you’re wondering why a president managing to be both batshit and decrepit doesn’t get the 25th deployed, it’s because chasing the puppet distracts everyone from those pulling the strings. Trump is out-Zaphoding Beeblebrox and out-weekending Bernie.
The President of the Universe holds no real power. His sole purpose is to take attention away from where the power truly exists... Douglas Adams The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy The Bushwick Book Club Seattle
December 15, 2025 at 10:58 PM
mkcatlady.bsky.social
This is a long overdue change. Leaseholders of flats need to have access to high speed broadband, or the properties become digital black holes where the occupants can't work from home.

giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
UK plans curb on freeholders blocking broadband cabling in flats
Building owners would no longer be able to ‘unreasonably refuse’ upgrade requests from leaseholders
giftarticle.ft.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:35 AM
mkcatlady.bsky.social
All @libdems.org.uk should listen to this.
December 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
iandunt.bsky.social
Incredibly brave. Imagine the faceless bores the BBC will have making their programmes if they continue down this path.
robinince.bsky.social Robin Ince @robinince.bsky.social · 18d
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
This is the saddest day of my professional life. Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage. I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until | dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys. I resigned in September, after sixteen years of dedication to the show, A show that I named and helped develop over all those years. Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for sometime, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry. These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter In a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices. Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or 'Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices'. • I chose the latter. It broke my heart. I love this show and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular, that this decision was so difficult to make. I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer. I felt I couldn't pamper myself with the luxury of silence. One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career. I have thought a lot about my heroes, Sinead O Connor, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and so many more. I think of Sinead's words, "the job of an artist is to be themselves at any cost". James Baldwin said prejudice was really just a word for cowardice. Audre Lorde, viewing her life, wrote that her only regrets were her silences. I think of my father as I resign, he brought me up to believe in fairness , justice and kindness. Though my heart is broken, it is also full of fire. I apologise to our incredible listeners for my departure, your love of the show means a great deal. I am so sorry to let you down. I hope that you can understand my reasoning. I have to accept that I am not what the current BBC expects of their freelance presenters. Despite this I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not "just a job" I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world. From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists too. The strawberry is dead. Long live the strawberry. B
December 13, 2025 at 7:28 AM
mkcatlady.bsky.social
This is what could happen in many wards across England in the May 2026 local elections.
Under FPTP Reform will get in as the anti-Reform vote will be split 3 ways.
robfordmancs.bsky.social Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 18d
A result which both illustrates the magnitude of the Reform threat and the problems with Labour’s “Farage is right, don’t vote for him” response. 37 point Lab to Reform swing. Labour go from first to 4th as anti-Reform vote splits 3 ways. Combined Lab/LD/Grn vote larger than Reform vote.
electionmaps.uk Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 19d
Red Hall & Lingfield (Darlington) Council By-Election Result:

➡️ RFM: 37.7% (New)
🌳 CON: 17.3% (-22.5)
🔶 LDM: 17.3% (New)
🌹 LAB: 16.8% (-37.1)
🌍 GRN: 9.8% (+3.6)
🙋 Ind: 1.0% (New)

Reform GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2023.
December 12, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
robfordmancs.bsky.social
A result which both illustrates the magnitude of the Reform threat and the problems with Labour’s “Farage is right, don’t vote for him” response. 37 point Lab to Reform swing. Labour go from first to 4th as anti-Reform vote splits 3 ways. Combined Lab/LD/Grn vote larger than Reform vote.
electionmaps.uk Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 19d
Red Hall & Lingfield (Darlington) Council By-Election Result:

➡️ RFM: 37.7% (New)
🌳 CON: 17.3% (-22.5)
🔶 LDM: 17.3% (New)
🌹 LAB: 16.8% (-37.1)
🌍 GRN: 9.8% (+3.6)
🙋 Ind: 1.0% (New)

Reform GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2023.
December 12, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
barryhow2c.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
torstenbell.bsky.social
We’re now up to 22 ex-Tory MPs joining reform. It’s not subtle - every day clearer this is just a rebranding of the nutty fringe of the Conservative Party offering to rerun the Truss/Johnson omnishambles
December 11, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
greenmirandahere.bsky.social
As so often, great piece from @robertshrimsley.bsky.social and truly sensational illustration by Ellie Foreman Peck - 🎶REACH (beat) for the stars (ti tum ti tum ti tum ti TUM) 🎤🎵
December 11, 2025 at 2:15 PM
mkcatlady.bsky.social
I've just donated to @FullFact.
If you give by 9 December and your donation will be DOUBLED.
Please donate here: fullfact.org/biggive #ChristmasChallenge to support the fight against lies.
Fighting misinformation – Big Give
Misinformation ruins lives, damages people’s health and promotes hate. As Full Fact's team continues to fight the causes and consequences of misinformation, the rise of a harmful new narrative equatin...
fullfact.org
December 8, 2025 at 7:37 AM
mkcatlady.bsky.social
#ReformUK councillor’s company fined £40,000 for hiring an illegal worker - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
The councillor, Andrew Harrison , is challenging the decision in court.
Reform UK councillor’s company fined £40,000 for hiring illegal worker
Michael Andrew Harrison, who represents Seaham in Durham, is appealing against the penalty
giftarticle.ft.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
paulbrand.bsky.social
The Lords had its third day of debate over the various amendments on Friday, but so far has only managed to get through around 80.

At this rate the bill will not pass in time, with claims from supporters that this is a deliberate tactic. Opponents insist it is proper scrutiny.
December 6, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Reposted by 🔶Rebecca🔶
paulbrand.bsky.social
NEW: In a joint letter, senior peers including 3 former cabinet secretaries and 3 former Lords speakers have warned peers not to use procedural manoeuvres to thwart the assisted dying bill.

With 1,100+ amendments tabled, they warn the reputation of Parliament is on the line.
December 6, 2025 at 10:57 PM