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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith
@smithtonyd.bsky.social
650 followers 1.5K following 790 posts
#Networks with #government, #thinktanks etc for #Birmingham, one of the UK's great but dis-empowered #cities. I own my views but they are socially constructed.
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 2d
#c4news
smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 2d
The French constitution (at least they have one!) is nuts. The president should challenge the parties to form a voting coalition and nominate a PM (as would happen in any sane country). It is not Macron’s fault that the parties won’t compromise! #bbcpm
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 2d
The French constitution (at least they have one!) is nuts. The president should challenge the parties to form a voting coalition and nominate a PM (as would happen in any sane country). It is not Macron’s fault that the parties won’t compromise! #bbcpm
smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 3d
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Liberalism has betrayed the working class, but illiberali...
If we fail to uphold equality and democracy, where will our society be?
observer.co.uk
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 11d
Convenience and security. Simple.
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 11d
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
‘Don’t trust Trump’: how UK health experts are fighting back against a war on medicine
Ministers and medical groups have acted quickly to limit fallout after US president made unproven link between paracetamol and autism
www.theguardian.com
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Reposted by Tony Smith
callumparrish.bsky.social
Callum Parrish @callumparrish.bsky.social · 12d
For some reason , #Newsnight appears to be having Tom Harwood of GB News on panel tonight.

If people wanted to watch that channel, they would do.
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 11d
What a load of nonsense about ID cards. The government proposal is just common sense and there is no suggestion of compulsory cards. 🙄 #newsnight
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 22d
If this is the replacement for Netanyahu then God help us… 😞🙄

#c4news
smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 23d
observer.co.uk/news/interna...

- @kenanmalik.bsky.social
Charlie Kirk killing puts America to the test over the fr...
There’s a risk that political violence becomes a weapon in the culture wars
observer.co.uk
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 24d
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

- @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social
The US is on the brink of another era of political violence – and Donald Trump ‘couldn’t care less’ | Jonathan Freedland
In their humane responses to the killing of Charlie Kirk, Democrats are observing the old norms. Things are different now: anger and division rule, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 26d
I really think Nick is getting carried away with these attack lines on Starmer. Rayner went as soon as the ethics advisor reported and if he’d sacked Mandelson any quicker he would have been acting in what was already known when he was appointed! Stop fitting facts to your narrative. #r4today
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 26d
Why are the media not challenging the contradictory and self serving words of Republicans and right wing US commentators? And where is the challenge from the so called left? Most sane people would regard Kirk as a racist religious nutter and not someone to be taken so seriously. #r4today
eddwilson.bsky.social
Ed Wilson @eddwilson.bsky.social · 26d
The call for government to "restore order" in one sentence, and lauding Kirk's calm debating in the next, then "today isn't the time to both-sides it" in the next answer is the mechanism.

#r4today
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · 29d
Probably not, but who knows?
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · Sep 8
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Johnson and Cummings’ secret meeting with Palantir founder revealed
Non-disclosure of apparent meeting a year before firm won NHS role raises serious questions over transparency
www.theguardian.com
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · Sep 8
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Boris Johnson had dinner in lockdown with peer funding flat refit, files suggest
Apparent meeting with David Brownlow is one of several potential further lockdown breaches revealed in Boris Files
www.theguardian.com
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · Sep 8
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Boris Johnson was paid £240,000 after Maduro meeting, invoice shows
Johnson’s office sent invoice to hedge fund manager, which was paid, weeks after meeting Venezuelan leader last year
www.theguardian.com
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · Sep 8
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Boris Johnson sought business with Saudi officials he had met while PM
Leaked documents appear to show Johnson used political contacts in commercial approach to crown prince
www.theguardian.com
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · Sep 8
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
What are the Boris Files and what do they reveal about former PM’s conduct?
Leaked material from Johnson’s private office raises serious questions relating to his time in No 10 and since he resigned
www.theguardian.com
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · Sep 8
France is a land of oppositionalists but no leaders. No one is doing anything but blaming others for the failures of the system. It’s madness #c4news
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · Sep 7
observer.co.uk/culture/book...

I think I’m on the side of Mr Berners-Lee…
Nick Clegg and Tim Berners-Lee: the battle for the soul o...
The ex-deputy PM toes the line of his former Meta paymasters, while the web's inventor shares his vision of a utopian digital future
observer.co.uk
smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · Sep 7
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Putin’s fear of death is his weak spot | The Observer
For most autocrats, with the approach of mortality comes vulnerability and paranoia – no wonder so many have dreamed of conquering death
observer.co.uk
smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · Sep 7
observer.co.uk/news/columni...

Worth noting when reflecting on Angela Rayner…
She listened to Grenfell’s bereaved and then acted. Rayne...
Unlike her predecessors as housing minister, she confronted the issue of the tower and demolition has started
observer.co.uk
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · Sep 7
observer.co.uk/news/columni...

@kenanmalik.bsky.social :
British identity isn’t neatly tied in red, white and blue
The current debate over flying the national flag is not as important as the common values we want to ascribe to it
observer.co.uk
smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · Sep 7
observer.co.uk/news/politic...

“When we are seeing falling numbers of parents getting their children vaccinated, and a resurgence of disease we had previously eradicated, it is shockingly irresponsible for Nigel Farage to give a platform to these poisonous lies.”
Covid jab may have caused royal cancers, says Reform speaker
Cardiologist at conference says studies show MRNA vaccines could interfere with genes
observer.co.uk
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smithtonyd.bsky.social
Tony Smith @smithtonyd.bsky.social · Sep 7
observer.co.uk/news/politic...

Now I’m starting to understand this reshuffle - but why wasn’t the narrative communicated better?

observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Keir Starmer ushers in a new cabinet of trusted ‘fixers...
The prime minister’s reshuffle signals a clear determination to tackle issues such as immigration and welfare by putting the ministers he considers most ...
observer.co.uk
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