Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
@sandgrouse.bsky.social
Retired IT project manager. #LibDems 🔶️. Ex Labour, disillusioned idealist. I go for walks and take photographs. My 3 political wishes: 1 Green economy, 2 #PR, 3 #Rejoin 🇪🇺 #FBPE. Make that 4 - free 🇺🇦.
PS, I don't reply to DMs.
PS, I don't reply to DMs.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
Best two pieces I’ve read today are by @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social
(The other one precedes this in my feed.)
(The other one precedes this in my feed.)
Donald Trump is set on regime change - in Europe. Latest column www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Donald Trump is pursuing regime change – in Europe | Jonathan Freedland
The US made it clear this week that it plans to help the parties of the European far right gain power. Keir Starmer and his fellow leaders have to face this new reality, writes Guardian columnist Jona...
www.theguardian.com
December 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Best two pieces I’ve read today are by @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social
(The other one precedes this in my feed.)
(The other one precedes this in my feed.)
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
Starmer and other European leaders are daily humiliated by Trump. Their response? Thanking him and praising his leadership! Maybe it’s the only way to deal with the man child but if they don’t learn a lesson from this then they deserve to be humiliated.
December 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Starmer and other European leaders are daily humiliated by Trump. Their response? Thanking him and praising his leadership! Maybe it’s the only way to deal with the man child but if they don’t learn a lesson from this then they deserve to be humiliated.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
Essential reading for Keir Starmer.
Donald Trump is pursuing regime change – in Europe | Jonathan Freedland
The US made it clear this week that it plans to help the parties of the European far right gain power. Keir Starmer and his fellow leaders have to face this new reality, writes Guardian columnist Jona...
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Essential reading for Keir Starmer.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
“Reform wasn’t alone in its cowardice. Kemi Badenoch, that proud defender of British democracy, was also nowhere to be seen. Nor indeed were any of her shadow cabinet”
“Reform wasn’t alone in its cowardice. Kemi Badenoch, that proud defender of British democracy, was also nowhere to be seen. Nor indeed were any of her shadow cabinet”
Trump wants to destabilise European democracy. Where on earth is parliament? | John Crace
You’d think MPs would be lining up to decry the US president’s support for far-right nationalists. Instead, only backbenchers and a few junior ministers bothered to turn up
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:18 AM
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
“Reform wasn’t alone in its cowardice. Kemi Badenoch, that proud defender of British democracy, was also nowhere to be seen. Nor indeed were any of her shadow cabinet”
“Reform wasn’t alone in its cowardice. Kemi Badenoch, that proud defender of British democracy, was also nowhere to be seen. Nor indeed were any of her shadow cabinet”
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
So hideously true. A nation crumbling under the weight of its own moral degradation.
December 12, 2025 at 10:33 AM
So hideously true. A nation crumbling under the weight of its own moral degradation.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
And this is BEFORE the latest strictures.
America's tourism and hospitality industry must be overjoyed.
America's tourism and hospitality industry must be overjoyed.
December 12, 2025 at 10:49 AM
And this is BEFORE the latest strictures.
America's tourism and hospitality industry must be overjoyed.
America's tourism and hospitality industry must be overjoyed.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
"The US can no longer be relied on... Rather any US involvement will be transactional, and the UK needs to rapidly unpick 80 years of defence integration with, and dependence on, the US."
✍️ Andrew Dorman on Starmer's defence dilemma & the US National Security Strategy
ukandeu.ac.uk/starmers-def...
✍️ Andrew Dorman on Starmer's defence dilemma & the US National Security Strategy
ukandeu.ac.uk/starmers-def...
Starmer’s defence dilemma - UK in a changing Europe
Andrew M Dorman reflects on UK defence policy and argues that while the UK must deintegrate its defence capabilities from the US and implement the recommendations of this year's Strategic Defence Revi...
ukandeu.ac.uk
December 12, 2025 at 10:49 AM
"The US can no longer be relied on... Rather any US involvement will be transactional, and the UK needs to rapidly unpick 80 years of defence integration with, and dependence on, the US."
✍️ Andrew Dorman on Starmer's defence dilemma & the US National Security Strategy
ukandeu.ac.uk/starmers-def...
✍️ Andrew Dorman on Starmer's defence dilemma & the US National Security Strategy
ukandeu.ac.uk/starmers-def...
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
Sobering but acute analysis.
"The US can no longer be relied on... Rather any US involvement will be transactional, and the UK needs to rapidly unpick 80 years of defence integration with, and dependence on, the US."
✍️ Andrew Dorman on Starmer's defence dilemma & the US National Security Strategy
ukandeu.ac.uk/starmers-def...
✍️ Andrew Dorman on Starmer's defence dilemma & the US National Security Strategy
ukandeu.ac.uk/starmers-def...
Starmer’s defence dilemma - UK in a changing Europe
Andrew M Dorman reflects on UK defence policy and argues that while the UK must deintegrate its defence capabilities from the US and implement the recommendations of this year's Strategic Defence Revi...
ukandeu.ac.uk
December 12, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Sobering but acute analysis.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
The most shameful language point about school kids in the U.K. is not the number who speak English as a second language, but the number who don’t speak any language other than English.
Even more, the number of adults who don’t.
Even more, the number of adults who don’t.
December 12, 2025 at 9:16 AM
The most shameful language point about school kids in the U.K. is not the number who speak English as a second language, but the number who don’t speak any language other than English.
Even more, the number of adults who don’t.
Even more, the number of adults who don’t.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
YES YES YES thank you @georgemonbiot.bsky.social 🙏
😩AT LAST someone rasiing the alarm about what Europe's plummeting brith rates really mean!!
"In reality, without immigration there will be no Europe, no civilisation and no one left to argue about it."⚠️
It's. that. simple.
😩AT LAST someone rasiing the alarm about what Europe's plummeting brith rates really mean!!
"In reality, without immigration there will be no Europe, no civilisation and no one left to argue about it."⚠️
It's. that. simple.
December 12, 2025 at 10:22 AM
YES YES YES thank you @georgemonbiot.bsky.social 🙏
😩AT LAST someone rasiing the alarm about what Europe's plummeting brith rates really mean!!
"In reality, without immigration there will be no Europe, no civilisation and no one left to argue about it."⚠️
It's. that. simple.
😩AT LAST someone rasiing the alarm about what Europe's plummeting brith rates really mean!!
"In reality, without immigration there will be no Europe, no civilisation and no one left to argue about it."⚠️
It's. that. simple.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
“This government will not succeed unless it gets our economy growing strongly again and the best way to do that is a customs union with Europe”
Ed Davey
#PMQs
Ed Davey
#PMQs
December 10, 2025 at 12:29 PM
“This government will not succeed unless it gets our economy growing strongly again and the best way to do that is a customs union with Europe”
Ed Davey
#PMQs
Ed Davey
#PMQs
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
13 Labour MPs voted in favour of the bill, which was tabled by the Lib Dems.
Nigel Farage did not vote.
Nigel Farage did not vote.
December 10, 2025 at 12:52 PM
13 Labour MPs voted in favour of the bill, which was tabled by the Lib Dems.
Nigel Farage did not vote.
Nigel Farage did not vote.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
Whether it’s dealing with Trump or fixing our relationship with Europe, the PM needs to start listening to Parliament and the public.
If he doesn't he may not be in the job for much longer.
If he doesn't he may not be in the job for much longer.
December 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Whether it’s dealing with Trump or fixing our relationship with Europe, the PM needs to start listening to Parliament and the public.
If he doesn't he may not be in the job for much longer.
If he doesn't he may not be in the job for much longer.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
If the Labour leadership does not clock this and act upon it, immediately, then they are idiots - or worse than idiots.
@imogenwalker.bsky.social @darrenpjones.bsky.social
https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/peter-kellner-an-anti-brexit-majority-of-eight-million/
@imogenwalker.bsky.social @darrenpjones.bsky.social
https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/peter-kellner-an-anti-brexit-majority-of-eight-million/
December 10, 2025 at 10:58 AM
If the Labour leadership does not clock this and act upon it, immediately, then they are idiots - or worse than idiots.
@imogenwalker.bsky.social @darrenpjones.bsky.social
https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/peter-kellner-an-anti-brexit-majority-of-eight-million/
@imogenwalker.bsky.social @darrenpjones.bsky.social
https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/peter-kellner-an-anti-brexit-majority-of-eight-million/
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
Absolutely amazing chart from @peterkellner.bsky.social's piece in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social today:
www.thenewworld.co.uk/peter-kellne...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/peter-kellne...
December 9, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Absolutely amazing chart from @peterkellner.bsky.social's piece in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social today:
www.thenewworld.co.uk/peter-kellne...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/peter-kellne...
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
New US National security strategy: Trump believes that America‘s national security is best served by the destruction of liberal democracy in Europe. The US is not (just) an unwilling ally, it is a willing adversary. Time for Europe to act accordingly. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The US is not just Europe’s unwilling ally, but an adversary steeped in far-right ideology | Cas Mudde
Don’t say you weren’t warned: Trump’s new national security strategy seeks to destroy liberal democracy as we know it, says academic and author Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:09 AM
New US National security strategy: Trump believes that America‘s national security is best served by the destruction of liberal democracy in Europe. The US is not (just) an unwilling ally, it is a willing adversary. Time for Europe to act accordingly. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
Of course, abandoning international human rights norms is as Far Right as it gets. What this is really about is dressing up Blue Labour's political strategy of appealing to Reform voters in clothing less likely to alienate everyone else.
December 10, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Of course, abandoning international human rights norms is as Far Right as it gets. What this is really about is dressing up Blue Labour's political strategy of appealing to Reform voters in clothing less likely to alienate everyone else.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
Today MPs voted in favour of the 10 minute rule bill on a new UK-EU Customs Union. A new arrangement would help reduce economic burdens and create a more reliable system for exporters. With the economic pressure increasing, Parliament needs to act.
December 9, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Today MPs voted in favour of the 10 minute rule bill on a new UK-EU Customs Union. A new arrangement would help reduce economic burdens and create a more reliable system for exporters. With the economic pressure increasing, Parliament needs to act.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
🚨BREAKING🚨
MPs have voted to PASS our bill to establish a UK-EU customs union.
The Prime Minister must now listen to his own MPs, drop his self-imposed red lines and finally go for proper growth through an ambitious trade deal with the EU.
MPs have voted to PASS our bill to establish a UK-EU customs union.
The Prime Minister must now listen to his own MPs, drop his self-imposed red lines and finally go for proper growth through an ambitious trade deal with the EU.
December 9, 2025 at 3:21 PM
🚨BREAKING🚨
MPs have voted to PASS our bill to establish a UK-EU customs union.
The Prime Minister must now listen to his own MPs, drop his self-imposed red lines and finally go for proper growth through an ambitious trade deal with the EU.
MPs have voted to PASS our bill to establish a UK-EU customs union.
The Prime Minister must now listen to his own MPs, drop his self-imposed red lines and finally go for proper growth through an ambitious trade deal with the EU.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
I did not expect this.
🚨BREAKING🚨
MPs have voted to PASS our bill to establish a UK-EU customs union.
The Prime Minister must now listen to his own MPs, drop his self-imposed red lines and finally go for proper growth through an ambitious trade deal with the EU.
MPs have voted to PASS our bill to establish a UK-EU customs union.
The Prime Minister must now listen to his own MPs, drop his self-imposed red lines and finally go for proper growth through an ambitious trade deal with the EU.
December 9, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I did not expect this.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
And that's just the UK.
There are massive US bases ALL OVER the EU that America uses to refuel and rearm missions to everywhere east of the Greenwich Meridian.
There are massive US bases ALL OVER the EU that America uses to refuel and rearm missions to everywhere east of the Greenwich Meridian.
So King Donald the Mad has turned his back on Europe.
When are RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Menwith Hill, Fylingdales, Molesworth, Croughton, Welford, Fairford, Barford, Feltwell, Northwood and Alconbury, etc. becoming vacant then?
And where's he going to house all those returning veterans?
When are RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Menwith Hill, Fylingdales, Molesworth, Croughton, Welford, Fairford, Barford, Feltwell, Northwood and Alconbury, etc. becoming vacant then?
And where's he going to house all those returning veterans?
December 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM
And that's just the UK.
There are massive US bases ALL OVER the EU that America uses to refuel and rearm missions to everywhere east of the Greenwich Meridian.
There are massive US bases ALL OVER the EU that America uses to refuel and rearm missions to everywhere east of the Greenwich Meridian.
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
Thirteen Labour MPs have backed a Liberal Democrat bill requiring the government to begin negotiations on joining a bespoke customs union with the EU
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Thirteen Labour MPs vote for talks on joining EU customs union
One hundred MPs voted for and 100 against the Liberal Democrats' bill, which would require the UK to begin talks with the EU for a new customs union.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Thirteen Labour MPs have backed a Liberal Democrat bill requiring the government to begin negotiations on joining a bespoke customs union with the EU
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Phil Aisthorpe 🔶️
Come on #LabourMP's back this bill on next stage- you know what damage Brexit has done- grow a pair!!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Thirteen Labour MPs vote for talks on joining EU customs union
One hundred MPs voted for and 100 against the Liberal Democrats' bill, which would require the UK to begin talks with the EU for a new customs union.
www.bbc.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Come on #LabourMP's back this bill on next stage- you know what damage Brexit has done- grow a pair!!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...