Ruth Dawson
@ruthd.bsky.social
Ex DTI, COI, CBI, LSE & CCC. Current affairs addict also interested in history, theatre, art, reading & beer.
Tout passe, tout casse, tout lasse
Tout passe, tout casse, tout lasse
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Made around 1953, 'Gondolas by the Salute, Venice,' reflects Edward Seago's subtle and nuanced eye; he's painted this Sargent-like work by balancing light and dark and reconciling a multiplicity of shapes, to create a feeling of depth and atmosphere.
December 18, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Made around 1953, 'Gondolas by the Salute, Venice,' reflects Edward Seago's subtle and nuanced eye; he's painted this Sargent-like work by balancing light and dark and reconciling a multiplicity of shapes, to create a feeling of depth and atmosphere.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
The "political genius" of Morgan McSweeney in one chart
December 18, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The "political genius" of Morgan McSweeney in one chart
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Move over, Jeffrey Archer...
Not sure about the latest Trump Plaques
Donald Trump - winner of the Olympic 100 & 200m sprint, Decathlon, Long Jump, 1500 metres 1948-present
Played James Bond in all 25 movies
Mr Universe (current)
Invented The Jet Engine, Penicillin and Cheeseburger
Donald Trump - winner of the Olympic 100 & 200m sprint, Decathlon, Long Jump, 1500 metres 1948-present
Played James Bond in all 25 movies
Mr Universe (current)
Invented The Jet Engine, Penicillin and Cheeseburger
December 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Move over, Jeffrey Archer...
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
As the government launches its new policy over violence against women and girls, we go to Nigel Farage for Reform’s response.
December 18, 2025 at 7:17 PM
As the government launches its new policy over violence against women and girls, we go to Nigel Farage for Reform’s response.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
“… likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future!” WTF? 😂
Kennedy Center to be renamed Trump-Kennedy Center —Karoline Leavitt x.com/PressSec/sta...
December 18, 2025 at 7:52 PM
“… likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future!” WTF? 😂
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
YES, YES, YES!!
*goes to eat some cheese*
*goes to eat some cheese*
Cheese Linked to Lower Dementia Risk in 25-Year Study : ScienceAlert share.google/EDh7fGzFhtFH...
Cheese Linked to Lower Dementia Risk in 25-Year Study
One of the finest foods available to humanity may carry an unexpected benefit.
share.google
December 18, 2025 at 3:52 PM
YES, YES, YES!!
*goes to eat some cheese*
*goes to eat some cheese*
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Why talk about the kinds of thing you are doing that have the potential to impact people's lives positively when you can talk about immigration instead?
massive increases in council budgets to come @jamesdaustin.bsky.social @chadbourn.bsky.social @warrenmorgan.bsky.social www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland... this changes so much social care everything and yet only just seen it
December 18, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Why talk about the kinds of thing you are doing that have the potential to impact people's lives positively when you can talk about immigration instead?
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Just as the US re-elected Trump, so the UK is going to make the idiotic mistake of re-electing Boris Johnson ... in the guise of his alter ego Farage:
Another braying demagogue posing as a tribune of the people, with the same vanity, arrogance and carelessness, the same Russian friends ...
Another braying demagogue posing as a tribune of the people, with the same vanity, arrogance and carelessness, the same Russian friends ...
December 18, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Just as the US re-elected Trump, so the UK is going to make the idiotic mistake of re-electing Boris Johnson ... in the guise of his alter ego Farage:
Another braying demagogue posing as a tribune of the people, with the same vanity, arrogance and carelessness, the same Russian friends ...
Another braying demagogue posing as a tribune of the people, with the same vanity, arrogance and carelessness, the same Russian friends ...
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
One of those sad days when a person you remember as a toddler becomes a defendant in a case…. you check the name, place and date of birth about three times before giving up any hope that you’re possibly mistaken. The cycle continues.
December 18, 2025 at 9:34 AM
One of those sad days when a person you remember as a toddler becomes a defendant in a case…. you check the name, place and date of birth about three times before giving up any hope that you’re possibly mistaken. The cycle continues.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
A fascinating example of how, what can appear to be reasonably robust, governance structures can be circumvented. This will be seen by HMT as further support for their traditional opposition to devolution. What lessons will ministers draw for planned, and existing, MCAs?
Auditors and new officials have been turning over stones at the body in charge of Teesworks. Turns out the Tees Valley Combined Authority has been lending hundreds of millions of £ to connected orgs, without loan agreements, and those orgs are now struggling to repay
as.ft.com/r/ac457745-4...
as.ft.com/r/ac457745-4...
Auditors raise red flags at public body run by Ben Houchen
[FREE TO READ] EY said errors included ‘material misstatements’ in latest setback for Conservative metro mayor Lord Houchen
as.ft.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:55 AM
A fascinating example of how, what can appear to be reasonably robust, governance structures can be circumvented. This will be seen by HMT as further support for their traditional opposition to devolution. What lessons will ministers draw for planned, and existing, MCAs?
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
TVCA's response to this is, frankly, insulting.
"We're under new management for the last 6 months" might hold water if a government review with 20+ recommendations wasn't published TWO YEARS AGO.
"We're under new management for the last 6 months" might hold water if a government review with 20+ recommendations wasn't published TWO YEARS AGO.
Auditors and new officials have been turning over stones at the body in charge of Teesworks. Turns out the Tees Valley Combined Authority has been lending hundreds of millions of £ to connected orgs, without loan agreements, and those orgs are now struggling to repay
as.ft.com/r/ac457745-4...
as.ft.com/r/ac457745-4...
Auditors raise red flags at public body run by Ben Houchen
[FREE TO READ] EY said errors included ‘material misstatements’ in latest setback for Conservative metro mayor Lord Houchen
as.ft.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:39 AM
TVCA's response to this is, frankly, insulting.
"We're under new management for the last 6 months" might hold water if a government review with 20+ recommendations wasn't published TWO YEARS AGO.
"We're under new management for the last 6 months" might hold water if a government review with 20+ recommendations wasn't published TWO YEARS AGO.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Has any political party blown itself up as comprehensively as Labour did in 2025?
They had EVERYTHING going for them after the election: a gigantic majority and a population desperate for a positive respite from 14 calamitous Tory years.
And yet it's been own goal after own goal after own goal.
They had EVERYTHING going for them after the election: a gigantic majority and a population desperate for a positive respite from 14 calamitous Tory years.
And yet it's been own goal after own goal after own goal.
🧵/ How has political opinion changed over 2025?
In voting intention, Labour have made the biggest losses, while the Greens have gained most, and Reform UK have established a clear lead
Ref: 28% (+3 from 12-13 Jan)
Lab: 18% (-8)
Grn: 17% (+9)
Con: 17% (-5)
LD: 14% (=)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
In voting intention, Labour have made the biggest losses, while the Greens have gained most, and Reform UK have established a clear lead
Ref: 28% (+3 from 12-13 Jan)
Lab: 18% (-8)
Grn: 17% (+9)
Con: 17% (-5)
LD: 14% (=)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
December 18, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Has any political party blown itself up as comprehensively as Labour did in 2025?
They had EVERYTHING going for them after the election: a gigantic majority and a population desperate for a positive respite from 14 calamitous Tory years.
And yet it's been own goal after own goal after own goal.
They had EVERYTHING going for them after the election: a gigantic majority and a population desperate for a positive respite from 14 calamitous Tory years.
And yet it's been own goal after own goal after own goal.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Interesting that the numbers are back on my notifications icon having changed about a week ago to 1 all the time no matter how many notifications I had
Additionally people only just seem to have seen some of my posts from about 7 days ago
My breadth of notifications seems to be back where it was
Additionally people only just seem to have seen some of my posts from about 7 days ago
My breadth of notifications seems to be back where it was
December 18, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Interesting that the numbers are back on my notifications icon having changed about a week ago to 1 all the time no matter how many notifications I had
Additionally people only just seem to have seen some of my posts from about 7 days ago
My breadth of notifications seems to be back where it was
Additionally people only just seem to have seen some of my posts from about 7 days ago
My breadth of notifications seems to be back where it was
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
SCIENCE 🧪
As if I need another excuse to eat more cheese... Go Brie Go!!! 🧀😋🧀
#Dementia #Cheese
www.cp24.com/news/world/2...
#Dementia #Cheese
www.cp24.com/news/world/2...
Study finds potential link between high-fat cheese and lower risk of dementia
A study out of Sweden has looked at the possible link between eating more high-fat cheese, like cheddar, gouda and brie, and a lower risk of developing dementia.
www.cp24.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:20 PM
SCIENCE 🧪
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Norman Blamey's 'Jumble Sale,' typifies his intelligent precision rather emotional swagger at capturing a familiar scene. The sale will have been at St Pancras Old Church hall in London. The church is worth a visit if only to view the handsome campanile.
December 18, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Norman Blamey's 'Jumble Sale,' typifies his intelligent precision rather emotional swagger at capturing a familiar scene. The sale will have been at St Pancras Old Church hall in London. The church is worth a visit if only to view the handsome campanile.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Felt a lot smugger about having done my last bit of Christmas shopping on the way to Westminster before the rain disintegrated my paper bag and I had to carry around the gifts under my coat like some kind of festive marsupial.
December 18, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Felt a lot smugger about having done my last bit of Christmas shopping on the way to Westminster before the rain disintegrated my paper bag and I had to carry around the gifts under my coat like some kind of festive marsupial.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
FACT CHECK - YES THIS IS A FAKE PHOTO POSTED BY THE OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM
I looked on Facebook and X and indeed this is an AI generated image look at his fist
I looked on Facebook and X and indeed this is an AI generated image look at his fist
December 18, 2025 at 12:39 PM
FACT CHECK - YES THIS IS A FAKE PHOTO POSTED BY THE OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM
I looked on Facebook and X and indeed this is an AI generated image look at his fist
I looked on Facebook and X and indeed this is an AI generated image look at his fist
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
This sort of thinking is all the more baffling when you consider how much British society and economy has changed since 1945. There simply isn't the same socio-structural base for a Labour Party in 2025 compared to 1945.
One interesting nugget in this piece could explain the (otherwise baffling) appearance of Ramsay MacDonald in a 2024 Labour Party Election Broadcast
December 18, 2025 at 1:07 PM
This sort of thinking is all the more baffling when you consider how much British society and economy has changed since 1945. There simply isn't the same socio-structural base for a Labour Party in 2025 compared to 1945.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Which words have given you happiness this year? I’d love to hear them.
(And if you fancy some distraction over the holidays, do give my word game Two Words a try.
twowords2.page.link/play)
(And if you fancy some distraction over the holidays, do give my word game Two Words a try.
twowords2.page.link/play)
December 18, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Which words have given you happiness this year? I’d love to hear them.
(And if you fancy some distraction over the holidays, do give my word game Two Words a try.
twowords2.page.link/play)
(And if you fancy some distraction over the holidays, do give my word game Two Words a try.
twowords2.page.link/play)
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
This is, as always, very good.
It's worth remembering that at the present rate of advance it'd take the Russians roughly *40 years* to reach Kyiv, and at the present rate of loses they'd lose 20m people in doing so.
It's just as unsustainable for them to continue as Ukraine.
It's worth remembering that at the present rate of advance it'd take the Russians roughly *40 years* to reach Kyiv, and at the present rate of loses they'd lose 20m people in doing so.
It's just as unsustainable for them to continue as Ukraine.
My latest post looks at the battle for Kupyansk, where Ukraine has enjoyed some recent success, and its relevance to the narrative war between Russia and Ukraine. (£/free trial), open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...?
Why Kupyansk Matters
Undermining the Russian narrative
open.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:49 PM
This is, as always, very good.
It's worth remembering that at the present rate of advance it'd take the Russians roughly *40 years* to reach Kyiv, and at the present rate of loses they'd lose 20m people in doing so.
It's just as unsustainable for them to continue as Ukraine.
It's worth remembering that at the present rate of advance it'd take the Russians roughly *40 years* to reach Kyiv, and at the present rate of loses they'd lose 20m people in doing so.
It's just as unsustainable for them to continue as Ukraine.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Am I hearing you right? Garlic beer?
December 18, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Am I hearing you right? Garlic beer?
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
This week's post: Understanding the rise of the populist far right mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/12/unde...
The contrast between Heath/Powell and today isn't voters becoming less liberal or poorer than in 68 - quite the opposite. Its because the attitudes of political elites have changed.
The contrast between Heath/Powell and today isn't voters becoming less liberal or poorer than in 68 - quite the opposite. Its because the attitudes of political elites have changed.
Understanding the rise of the populist far right
This is a follow-up to last week’s post. Occasionally I receive comments on social media that point me to academic analysis that I wasn’t ...
mainlymacro.blogspot.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:36 AM
This week's post: Understanding the rise of the populist far right mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/12/unde...
The contrast between Heath/Powell and today isn't voters becoming less liberal or poorer than in 68 - quite the opposite. Its because the attitudes of political elites have changed.
The contrast between Heath/Powell and today isn't voters becoming less liberal or poorer than in 68 - quite the opposite. Its because the attitudes of political elites have changed.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Have enjoyed Reith Lectures, incl Q&A. Esp exchange starting 44:30 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Reith Lectures - Rutger Bregman - Moral Revolution - 3. A conspiracy of decency - BBC Sounds
Dutch historian Rutger Bregman gives the third of his 2025 BBC Reith Lectures.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Have enjoyed Reith Lectures, incl Q&A. Esp exchange starting 44:30 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
I used to rely on social media to point me at what I needed to know about. Now I use it to help me avoid knowing too much about things. Today my timeline suggests that I should at all costs avoid:
1. Checking the cricket score; and
2. Checking what Trump had to say in his speech.
1. Checking the cricket score; and
2. Checking what Trump had to say in his speech.
December 18, 2025 at 8:40 AM
I used to rely on social media to point me at what I needed to know about. Now I use it to help me avoid knowing too much about things. Today my timeline suggests that I should at all costs avoid:
1. Checking the cricket score; and
2. Checking what Trump had to say in his speech.
1. Checking the cricket score; and
2. Checking what Trump had to say in his speech.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
"Little pigs, little pigs let me in" said the Big Bad Wolf
![s/s of article in link: Putin calls European leaders 'little pigs'
Russian leader says Europe supported the war in Ukraine to benefit from a Russian collapse.
[Photo of Putin talking replaced by image which is half Putin, half wolf]
https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-vladimir-putin-calls-european-leaders-little-pigs/](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreihrw3htopuvxw3vk3ut4pm3d4pgsdm5n2thouzmggeimm2rmaq3gm@jpeg)
December 18, 2025 at 8:57 AM
"Little pigs, little pigs let me in" said the Big Bad Wolf