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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 23h

A thought experiment! Put to one side, as much as you can, which party leader you like. You meet each of them, in a bar, cafe or whatever. Which of them do you think likes you?

It’s the pint test, basically, but gets to the core of it

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 2d

My sister has just rolled into the family WhatsApp with chat about the secret santa

prince is sitting on a couch in a black and white photo with his eyes closed and a chain around his neck .

ALT: prince is sitting on a couch in a black and white photo with his eyes closed and a chain around his neck .

media.tenor.com

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 2d

Indeed.

Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 2d

Both main party leaders come out of conference season a bit stronger.

What a bunch of pearl-clutchers we can be, eh?

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 5d

I think they’d just like to kid themselves that reach trumps meaningful engagement. Or rather, they’d like to kid themselves that building broad support is easy.

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 5d

There’s something in that for sure

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 5d

I reckon it’s more a fear of losing discipline and being punished for it. Thinking like that underestimates people in my view.

Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 5d

I think some of its bigotgate. There’s been an over reliance on the air war/social media/pods as well, and that should change because it’s broadcasting views (and it’s forgettable) rather than doing politics. Even if you’re torn apart, showing up and taking people’s views on is a sign of respect

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 5d

Not an original point but most arguments are built around data on what people already think. One thing that stood out about Blair & Thatcher was their willingness to argue about policy *with voters* in public. Hard to see much of that happening in the current political culture.

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 6d

Very good film www.theguardian.com/film/2025/se...

Steve review – Cillian Murphy is outstanding in ferocious reform school drama

Adapted by Max Porter from his novella Shy and co-starring Little Simz, Emily Watson and Tracey Ullman this brutal but ultimately hopeful story is fiercely affecting

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Rachel Wearmouth

Jennifer Williams @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social · 8d

This is very late, because it’s been a very long day. But this is from talking to Manchester’s Jewish community

on.ft.com/46wNfpe

Manchester’s Jews left in fear after ‘inevitable’ attack strikes at heart of community

[FREE TO READ] A multicultural city proud of its sense of cohesion reels after atrocity shatters calm on holiest day of the Jewish year

on.ft.com

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Reposted by Rachel Wearmouth

Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 8d

One reflection talking to other Jews today is how unshocking this is.

Numbing, upsetting, scary but not shocking. We all knew it was coming. Given the enormous rise in antisemitic incidents in recent years, it's a surprise it hasn't happened more often.

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 8d

…. to show ourselves to be a people united, throw our arms around those who are grieving, but to be united in our love for one another and our common humanity, which transcends all our religious, political and other traditions.” 2/2

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 8d

David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, on R4: “The principal purpose of terror attacks is to try to divide us, to separate us off into hostile communities not trusting each other & so the best way to defy terrorism is not to seek revenge, it's to draw ever closer together… 1/2

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Reposted by Rachel Wearmouth

The i Paper @theipaper.com · 8d

Breaking news: Two people have died after a suspected terror attack outside a synagogue in Crumpsall by a man who was shot by police

Follow live updates: trib.al/4of1edW

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 9d

UK government wins £122m pandemic case against Michelle Mone-linked firm over faulty PPE

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

UK government wins £122m pandemic case against Michelle Mone-linked firm over faulty PPE

Trial heard 25m surgical gowns supplied by PPE Medpro to protect NHS staff were unusable and could ‘seriously harm or kill patients’

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 11d

Former cabinet minister John Denham tells a Mainstream fringe event that he has known many different Andy Burnhams over the years “and this is the best one yet”

Adds that he doesn’t want Starmer going into the next election like “a pound shop Macron” (ooft) repeating that it’s Labour or Reform

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 12d

Moldova’s pro-European party retains majority in key election
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

Moldova’s pro-European party retains majority in key election

PAS garners 50.03% of vote after more than 99.5% of ballots counted in poll deciding whether country steers closer to EU or Russia

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 12d

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke at Labour conference yesterday & vowed to “defend democracy itself” against the “low politics of fear and resentment” www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

PM hails UK–Australia relationship and vows to 'defend democracy itself'

Anthony Albanese and British counterpart Sir Keir Starmer embrace on stage in Liverpool, northern England, where rumours have been swirling about a leadership challenge to the UK PM.

www.abc.net.au

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 12d

Peter Kyle, business secretary, tells a Labour fringe event that when he accused Farage of siding with foreign billionaires over the online safety legislation, the Reform UK leader started “shaking like a shitting dog”

So, it’s … getting spicy here in Liverpool

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Reposted by Rachel Wearmouth

Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 13d

NEW - Keir Starmer says that Reform UK's policy to abolish indefinite leave to remain is " a racist policy. I do think it is immoral.”

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 13d

Putin preparing to attack another European country, Zelenskyy says

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

Putin preparing to attack another European country, Zelenskyy says

Ukraine’s president says Kremlin checking Europe’s capacity to protect its skies following new drone sightings

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 14d

Heading to Labour conference this weekend. Please do drop me a DM if you’d like to catch up.

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Reposted by Rachel Wearmouth

Kevin Schofield @kevinschofied.bsky.social · 14d

NEW: HuffPost UK understands Keir Starmer has decided that the 2-child benefit cap must be lifted, although it will not be announced at next week's Labour conference.

Over to Rachel Reeves to find the £3bn to pay for it.

All in our weekend read 👇

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/starme...

Starmer Hopes Lifting The 2-Child Benefit Cap Will Cheer Up His Unhappy MPs. But Is It Too Late?

The prime minister is being urged by his allies to use his Labour conference speech to "draw a line" over recent controversies.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk

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Rachel Wearmouth @rewearmouth.bsky.social · 14d

UK needs ‘ambitious’ EU youth migration scheme, says Rachel Reeves
www.thetimes.com/article/ea32...

UK needs ‘ambitious’ EU youth migration deal, says Rachel Reeves

The chancellor believes allowing young people to live and work in Britain would boost the economy and reduce the need for tax rises in the budget

www.thetimes.com

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