Venetia Caine
@venetiacaine.bsky.social
Pragmatist, moderate, what works over ideology. Remainer of course. Worked in HM Treasury, probation, and (in France) university teaching, long enough in each to gather some moss. Apt to 'like' cat photos. Blog: musiewild.wordpress.com
Reposted by Venetia Caine
Did you see the claim from the Government in the House of Lords that "10.8 million families use X as their main news source"?
Well, the government has admitted it was wrong.
I investigated for Radio 4's More or Less - you can hear it here, starting at 14:55.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Well, the government has admitted it was wrong.
I investigated for Radio 4's More or Less - you can hear it here, starting at 14:55.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
More or Less - Have more than 100 private schools been forced to close because of VAT? - BBC Sounds
Tim Harford investigates closing schools, X users, Covid deaths and churchgoers
www.bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 9:40 AM
Did you see the claim from the Government in the House of Lords that "10.8 million families use X as their main news source"?
Well, the government has admitted it was wrong.
I investigated for Radio 4's More or Less - you can hear it here, starting at 14:55.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Well, the government has admitted it was wrong.
I investigated for Radio 4's More or Less - you can hear it here, starting at 14:55.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
".... seven studies that have been challenged by researchers publishing criticism in the respective journals, while a recent analysis listed 18 studies that it said had not considered that some human tissue can produce measurements easily confused with the signal given by common plastics."
‘A bombshell’: doubt cast on discovery of microplastics throughout human body
Exclusive: Some scientists say many detections are most likely error, with one high-profile study called a ‘joke’
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:16 AM
".... seven studies that have been challenged by researchers publishing criticism in the respective journals, while a recent analysis listed 18 studies that it said had not considered that some human tissue can produce measurements easily confused with the signal given by common plastics."
Reposted by Venetia Caine
If their parties held the balance of power in a hung parliament, current Lib Dem and Green voters would rather their parties backed Labour than either the Conservatives (59-69% vs 4-20%) or Reform UK (66-71% vs 3-7%)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
January 8, 2026 at 10:20 AM
If their parties held the balance of power in a hung parliament, current Lib Dem and Green voters would rather their parties backed Labour than either the Conservatives (59-69% vs 4-20%) or Reform UK (66-71% vs 3-7%)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Reposted by Venetia Caine
Which potential coalitions have the most support from Britons?
LD + Lab, Davey PM: 36% support
Lab + Grn, Starmer PM: 33%
Lab + LD, Starmer PM: 31%
Grn + Lab, Polanski PM: 30%
Ref + Con, Farage PM: 29%
LD + Con, Davey PM: 26%
Con + Ref, Badenoch PM: 25%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
LD + Lab, Davey PM: 36% support
Lab + Grn, Starmer PM: 33%
Lab + LD, Starmer PM: 31%
Grn + Lab, Polanski PM: 30%
Ref + Con, Farage PM: 29%
LD + Con, Davey PM: 26%
Con + Ref, Badenoch PM: 25%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
January 8, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Which potential coalitions have the most support from Britons?
LD + Lab, Davey PM: 36% support
Lab + Grn, Starmer PM: 33%
Lab + LD, Starmer PM: 31%
Grn + Lab, Polanski PM: 30%
Ref + Con, Farage PM: 29%
LD + Con, Davey PM: 26%
Con + Ref, Badenoch PM: 25%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
LD + Lab, Davey PM: 36% support
Lab + Grn, Starmer PM: 33%
Lab + LD, Starmer PM: 31%
Grn + Lab, Polanski PM: 30%
Ref + Con, Farage PM: 29%
LD + Con, Davey PM: 26%
Con + Ref, Badenoch PM: 25%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Reposted by Venetia Caine
Starmer must convene the UN security council to hold Trump to account.
January 3, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Starmer must convene the UN security council to hold Trump to account.
I usually get depressed reading the excellent Robert Reich, but... www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Behold, it’s the Trump who stole Christmas | Robert Reich
The president continues to preach austerity and hate to people struggling to make ends meet. No wonder voters are turning on him
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:36 AM
I usually get depressed reading the excellent Robert Reich, but... www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Map of local by-elections since May 2025. Interesting geographical distribution. www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/e...
Sign in - Google Accounts
www.google.com
December 14, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Map of local by-elections since May 2025. Interesting geographical distribution. www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/e...
Reposted by Venetia Caine
'In these times we would not take control by turning inward. We would surrender it'. We couldn't agree more.
December 2, 2025 at 5:39 PM
'In these times we would not take control by turning inward. We would surrender it'. We couldn't agree more.
Sadly even more apt to purchases of e-books. It's so easy... Click on image for the full story...
Tom Gauld on ordering books online – cartoon
Easier done than read …
www.theguardian.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Sadly even more apt to purchases of e-books. It's so easy... Click on image for the full story...
Reposted by Venetia Caine
Reposted by Venetia Caine
Remember when they said Brexit would save us £350m a week?
Well, it has actually cost us £250m a day this year.
And that goes a long way to explaining why our taxes are high why productivity low.
It’s never been clearer that the key to growth is fixing our relationship with Europe.
Well, it has actually cost us £250m a day this year.
And that goes a long way to explaining why our taxes are high why productivity low.
It’s never been clearer that the key to growth is fixing our relationship with Europe.
Brexit costing UK up to £90bn in lost tax revenue , new analysis shows
Exclusive: Britons also up to £3,700 worse off, leading to calls for the Labour government to improve relations with the EU
www.independent.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Remember when they said Brexit would save us £350m a week?
Well, it has actually cost us £250m a day this year.
And that goes a long way to explaining why our taxes are high why productivity low.
It’s never been clearer that the key to growth is fixing our relationship with Europe.
Well, it has actually cost us £250m a day this year.
And that goes a long way to explaining why our taxes are high why productivity low.
It’s never been clearer that the key to growth is fixing our relationship with Europe.
"The letter highlights recent analysis from the National Bureau of Economic Research which found that Brexit has reduced UK GDP by 6-8%." www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Lib Dems to force vote on creating new customs union with EU
Ed Davey’s party believes the move is the best way to ‘turbocharge’ economy, rather than tax rises
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:09 PM
"The letter highlights recent analysis from the National Bureau of Economic Research which found that Brexit has reduced UK GDP by 6-8%." www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
How ironic, that a device meant to purify water is capable of causing the most horrendous pollution. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
At least 15 English sewage plants use plastic beads spilled at Camber Sands
Exclusive: Experts urge water companies to update plants to avoid another catastrophe, as analysis reveals scale of use
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:22 AM
How ironic, that a device meant to purify water is capable of causing the most horrendous pollution. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"The fundamental problem is this: that most of the means of communication are owned or influenced by the very rich. If democracy is the problem capital is always trying to solve, propaganda is part of the solution." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Dark forces are preventing us fighting the climate crisis – by taking knowledge hostage | George Monbiot
The fundamental problem is this: that most of the means of communication are owned or influenced by the very rich, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:34 AM
"The fundamental problem is this: that most of the means of communication are owned or influenced by the very rich. If democracy is the problem capital is always trying to solve, propaganda is part of the solution." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Venetia Caine
Why is this government such a wimp?
November 11, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Why is this government such a wimp?
Reposted by Venetia Caine
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
Well said, Ed.
The first step towards saving our precious BBC: remove Robbie Gibb from the board | Ed Davey
The BBC belongs to all of us, and it is under attack as never before. The government must defend it from its enemies, within and without, says Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Well said, Ed.
What does Europe mean to you? Watch European Movement UK's video featuring Caroline Lucas:
To so many of us, Europe is more than a place, it’s a part of who we are. Hear what the public had to say when we went out and asked them what Europe means to them.
November 6, 2025 at 10:06 AM
What does Europe mean to you? Watch European Movement UK's video featuring Caroline Lucas:
