James Porter
@porterjames.bsky.social
Left of centre Trade Unionist. UNISON Member. Interested in citizen journalism. Committed European and the EU. Dog lover. Supporter and part owner of Heart of Midlothian FC and Norwich City fan. Hates Trump and RefUK.
That’s what I would expect.
December 7, 2025 at 5:47 PM
That’s what I would expect.
A question was asked of the Minister . “Are there similar limits on Britons going to work in France”. The answer? “Not as far as I am aware”. It’s been going on a long time, this exceptionalism.
December 7, 2025 at 12:18 PM
A question was asked of the Minister . “Are there similar limits on Britons going to work in France”. The answer? “Not as far as I am aware”. It’s been going on a long time, this exceptionalism.
On this, some history. My 101 yo aunt died recently and one of her 100th birthday present was a copy of the Times from the day of her birth 15.5.1924. There is a short piece on parliament that day about a limited number of French people being given permission to work here. I think it was 550 pa.
December 7, 2025 at 12:16 PM
On this, some history. My 101 yo aunt died recently and one of her 100th birthday present was a copy of the Times from the day of her birth 15.5.1924. There is a short piece on parliament that day about a limited number of French people being given permission to work here. I think it was 550 pa.
On that point about flags. I used to have a house in the Lot Dèpartement and it was always noticeable but at the same time discreet that the Tricolor and the EU flag were always seen laying across each other at the door of the Mairie in each town and village across France.
December 7, 2025 at 12:12 PM
On that point about flags. I used to have a house in the Lot Dèpartement and it was always noticeable but at the same time discreet that the Tricolor and the EU flag were always seen laying across each other at the door of the Mairie in each town and village across France.
We live in volatile times and we need Pecksniff and the Muckrakers to keep us on an even keel if they can. And to try persuade people to examine the facts and come to a judgement on the basis of evidence. Given the population appears to have the attention span of a gnat, this will be your challenge!
November 29, 2025 at 10:45 AM
We live in volatile times and we need Pecksniff and the Muckrakers to keep us on an even keel if they can. And to try persuade people to examine the facts and come to a judgement on the basis of evidence. Given the population appears to have the attention span of a gnat, this will be your challenge!
Along, of course, with our man from Clacton. Do these people think we don’t remember things? As to the overt racism of Farage’s own GB News, are we to be surprised? I must confess never to have been anywhere near it but the evidence of “reportage” suggests that it is all about othering.
November 29, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Along, of course, with our man from Clacton. Do these people think we don’t remember things? As to the overt racism of Farage’s own GB News, are we to be surprised? I must confess never to have been anywhere near it but the evidence of “reportage” suggests that it is all about othering.
We go from Badenough telling us, at her most vituperative worst, that Reeves is the worst Chancellor in living memory. Where, I wonder, was she when Kamikaze Kwarteng presented his “mini budget”? Thank goodness it was only “mini”. Imagine if it had been “maxi”. Badenough was, of course, backing it.
November 29, 2025 at 10:37 AM
We go from Badenough telling us, at her most vituperative worst, that Reeves is the worst Chancellor in living memory. Where, I wonder, was she when Kamikaze Kwarteng presented his “mini budget”? Thank goodness it was only “mini”. Imagine if it had been “maxi”. Badenough was, of course, backing it.
My dear. Where to begin. Only today we have the Daily Mail accusing Ms Reeves of lying. A bit rich from an organ that employs, at vast expense, the biggest liar of all time, one B Johnson. The budget has conjured up some wonderful superlatives for what is, in effect, a mixed bag of mediocrity.
November 29, 2025 at 10:32 AM
My dear. Where to begin. Only today we have the Daily Mail accusing Ms Reeves of lying. A bit rich from an organ that employs, at vast expense, the biggest liar of all time, one B Johnson. The budget has conjured up some wonderful superlatives for what is, in effect, a mixed bag of mediocrity.
Of course, Yusuf doesn’t want to talk about it. But it’s not going to go away. Mind you, we still don’t know who paid for Farage’s house in Clacton. So let’s keep bringing that up as well.
November 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Of course, Yusuf doesn’t want to talk about it. But it’s not going to go away. Mind you, we still don’t know who paid for Farage’s house in Clacton. So let’s keep bringing that up as well.
Been there. As far as I recall, the EU symbols are easy to see.
November 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Been there. As far as I recall, the EU symbols are easy to see.
You will no doubt have seen the Rancid Right having a field day with the report and that Cummings has rubbished it? Makes me think that nails are being bashed on heads. No one would underestimate the task or expect no mistakes but Johnson in charge was always a disaster. Let there be revenge!
November 22, 2025 at 5:11 PM
You will no doubt have seen the Rancid Right having a field day with the report and that Cummings has rubbished it? Makes me think that nails are being bashed on heads. No one would underestimate the task or expect no mistakes but Johnson in charge was always a disaster. Let there be revenge!
Delighted, of course, to see that old Handjob is back in the limelight. Whatever became of old Dildo Harding? Or, indeed, the £37bn. Perhaps it was blown on Laughing Boy in the 2.30 at Kempton Park which I believe may still be running. The tip, I believe, may have come from Owen Patterson.
November 22, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Delighted, of course, to see that old Handjob is back in the limelight. Whatever became of old Dildo Harding? Or, indeed, the £37bn. Perhaps it was blown on Laughing Boy in the 2.30 at Kempton Park which I believe may still be running. The tip, I believe, may have come from Owen Patterson.
My dear, I imagine the Gill verdict came too late for the diary. I take the view that the heat must be put on Farage to explain his role in this. I think ithat he made speeches in the EP similar to those of Gill. Gill was his mate; Farage was the mentor. Farage simply must have known the score.
November 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
My dear, I imagine the Gill verdict came too late for the diary. I take the view that the heat must be put on Farage to explain his role in this. I think ithat he made speeches in the EP similar to those of Gill. Gill was his mate; Farage was the mentor. Farage simply must have known the score.
Followed by “Didn’t you make very similar speeches in the European Parliament?”
November 22, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Followed by “Didn’t you make very similar speeches in the European Parliament?”
You obviously don’t know your Dickens.
November 15, 2025 at 9:28 AM
You obviously don’t know your Dickens.
And as for Farage representing the interests of Clacton at Mar a Lago. A story even more fanciful than Downing Street’s assertion that hacks had been fooled by imposters. The only one being fooled by imposters is Starmer. Clear out the whole nest of vipers and start again. Pecksniff to the rescue!
November 15, 2025 at 9:27 AM
And as for Farage representing the interests of Clacton at Mar a Lago. A story even more fanciful than Downing Street’s assertion that hacks had been fooled by imposters. The only one being fooled by imposters is Starmer. Clear out the whole nest of vipers and start again. Pecksniff to the rescue!
Talking of Trump, as I fear we must, I see that he is upping the ante and looking for $5bn. I hope the BBC has a lawyer who might point out that Trump was not exactly critical of the mass and has since pardoned all or most of the insurrectionists. Something about guilty by association, methinks.
November 15, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Talking of Trump, as I fear we must, I see that he is upping the ante and looking for $5bn. I hope the BBC has a lawyer who might point out that Trump was not exactly critical of the mass and has since pardoned all or most of the insurrectionists. Something about guilty by association, methinks.
My dear. One must hope that the “Dobbing in Drummond” campaign is not confronted by m’learned friends in Florida. He does look the type who might have a touch of the Trumps about him. I am quite sure we may be able to find others who require to be dobbed in to, as it were, diversify the activity.
November 15, 2025 at 9:16 AM
My dear. One must hope that the “Dobbing in Drummond” campaign is not confronted by m’learned friends in Florida. He does look the type who might have a touch of the Trumps about him. I am quite sure we may be able to find others who require to be dobbed in to, as it were, diversify the activity.
And there, I think, we have it. On the one hand, someone who gets the message right and employs an army of volunteers to communicate it and win. On the other, a group of people who clearly have no idea what they are doing and are split like the proverbial log, no doubt suffering much the same fate.
November 8, 2025 at 9:22 AM
And there, I think, we have it. On the one hand, someone who gets the message right and employs an army of volunteers to communicate it and win. On the other, a group of people who clearly have no idea what they are doing and are split like the proverbial log, no doubt suffering much the same fate.
And I wonder if Andy Burnham might be our Mamdani. It seems unlikely although he does have a good track record in Manchester, it must be said. I rather imagine that the man who would expect to wear the crown would be the sainted Jeremy. That’s if he can ever get the moolah from Sultana, of course.
November 8, 2025 at 9:19 AM
And I wonder if Andy Burnham might be our Mamdani. It seems unlikely although he does have a good track record in Manchester, it must be said. I rather imagine that the man who would expect to wear the crown would be the sainted Jeremy. That’s if he can ever get the moolah from Sultana, of course.