Vivienne Pay
@viviennepay.bsky.social
Retired lawyer, quite attached to the dear old rule of law. Also here for natural history, dogs and entertaining snark.
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
I wonder what Londoners know that the rest of the country don’t?
January 11, 2026 at 9:26 AM
I wonder what Londoners know that the rest of the country don’t?
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
Frans Van Mieris’ self-portrait of himself interrupting his singing wife Cunera by passing her a glass of wine ~ music suggests harmony, the pet dog suggests fidelity, & I’m particularly enjoying the still-life of the flowers at L (The Interrupted Song, 1671)
www.petitpalais.paris.fr/en/oeuvre/in...
www.petitpalais.paris.fr/en/oeuvre/in...
January 11, 2026 at 7:04 AM
Frans Van Mieris’ self-portrait of himself interrupting his singing wife Cunera by passing her a glass of wine ~ music suggests harmony, the pet dog suggests fidelity, & I’m particularly enjoying the still-life of the flowers at L (The Interrupted Song, 1671)
www.petitpalais.paris.fr/en/oeuvre/in...
www.petitpalais.paris.fr/en/oeuvre/in...
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
There is, to my mind, no justification for the continued use by the UK Government of X as a platform for official comms. There hasn't been for some time, in fact, but if the latest developments around AI-generated image abuse and CSAM don't change the policy I really don't know what will.
NEW: People are using Elon Musk's chatbot, Grok, to alter images to depict real women being sexually abused, humiliated, hurt, and even killed.
futurism.com/future-socie...
futurism.com/future-socie...
Grok Is Being Used to Depict Horrific Violence Against Real Women
People are asking Elon Musk's Grok chatbot to alter images to depict women being sexually abused, humiliated, and even killed.
futurism.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:18 PM
There is, to my mind, no justification for the continued use by the UK Government of X as a platform for official comms. There hasn't been for some time, in fact, but if the latest developments around AI-generated image abuse and CSAM don't change the policy I really don't know what will.
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
It's New Year, so time to look back and forward. These are 10 things I think we need to recognise in 2026. It’s a response to what I think are profoundly damaging mistaken assumptions I’ve heard and read from practitioners, journalists, and analysts in 2025. Warning: very long🧵
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
It's New Year, so time to look back and forward. These are 10 things I think we need to recognise in 2026. It’s a response to what I think are profoundly damaging mistaken assumptions I’ve heard and read from practitioners, journalists, and analysts in 2025. Warning: very long🧵
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
One of the strongest justifications for the ECHR and the Human Rights Act is that they provide (some) protection when a government wants to take punitive action against people it decides it doesn’t like - including for politically expedient, even irrational, capricious or ephemeral reasons
December 30, 2025 at 9:49 AM
One of the strongest justifications for the ECHR and the Human Rights Act is that they provide (some) protection when a government wants to take punitive action against people it decides it doesn’t like - including for politically expedient, even irrational, capricious or ephemeral reasons
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
Insurance would refuse to pay out because you put "Tapestry" on the policy and actually it's an embroidery.
Find this fascinating.
The Tapestry is literally priceless. There is no market. Why not £2 billion? Or £500 million?
www.ft.com/content/ec9a... Bayeux Tapestry set to be covered by £800mn UK Treasury indemnity
The Tapestry is literally priceless. There is no market. Why not £2 billion? Or £500 million?
www.ft.com/content/ec9a... Bayeux Tapestry set to be covered by £800mn UK Treasury indemnity
Bayeux Tapestry set to be covered by £800mn UK Treasury indemnity
Nearly 1,000-year-old depiction of Norman Conquest will be on display at British Museum in 2026
www.ft.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Insurance would refuse to pay out because you put "Tapestry" on the policy and actually it's an embroidery.
Sharing my own spare room, so not sure whether this counts for #duvetknowitschristmas
Saluting the happy morn will be happening soon as it’s nearly breakfast time.
Saluting the happy morn will be happening soon as it’s nearly breakfast time.
December 25, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Sharing my own spare room, so not sure whether this counts for #duvetknowitschristmas
Saluting the happy morn will be happening soon as it’s nearly breakfast time.
Saluting the happy morn will be happening soon as it’s nearly breakfast time.
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
MARY: I slammed the screen door, and the first thing he said was he hated being alone, and we weren’t that young anymore. I said, “Get off my porch.” Then he said, “You ain’t a beauty, but hey, you’re all right.” I said, “Get out of my driveway.”
Bruce Springsteen’s Exes Grab Brunch
Several women share bottomless mimosas somewhere in the swamps of Jersey. MARY 1: I slammed the screen door, and the first thing he said was he hat...
buff.ly
December 15, 2025 at 2:00 AM
MARY: I slammed the screen door, and the first thing he said was he hated being alone, and we weren’t that young anymore. I said, “Get off my porch.” Then he said, “You ain’t a beauty, but hey, you’re all right.” I said, “Get out of my driveway.”
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
This year I’m doing something different - I’m only going to talk about this one appeal.
Please donate at the link here if you possibly can, or share this to beat the far right vigilante groups 👉 www.justgiving.com/campaign/tog...
Please donate at the link here if you possibly can, or share this to beat the far right vigilante groups 👉 www.justgiving.com/campaign/tog...
December 6, 2025 at 1:20 PM
This year I’m doing something different - I’m only going to talk about this one appeal.
Please donate at the link here if you possibly can, or share this to beat the far right vigilante groups 👉 www.justgiving.com/campaign/tog...
Please donate at the link here if you possibly can, or share this to beat the far right vigilante groups 👉 www.justgiving.com/campaign/tog...
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
Reform UK’s attack on nature protections risks destroying the UK's already fragile ecosystem | Stuart Spray
Reform plan to scrap nature protections would speed “demise” of UK countryside
Reform UK’s attack on nature protections risks destroying the UK's already fragile ecosystem
kentandsurreybylines.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Reform UK’s attack on nature protections risks destroying the UK's already fragile ecosystem | Stuart Spray
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
Farage has been dismissing evidence of Russian ties to the Salisbury Novichok attack since 2018 🧐
December 4, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Farage has been dismissing evidence of Russian ties to the Salisbury Novichok attack since 2018 🧐
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
Your reminder that political spending isn't regulated or recorded outside an election year
So public will probably have no idea how the biggest donation in British political history is spent
Why we urgently need political finance reform - sign petition here
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ta...
So public will probably have no idea how the biggest donation in British political history is spent
Why we urgently need political finance reform - sign petition here
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ta...
December 4, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Your reminder that political spending isn't regulated or recorded outside an election year
So public will probably have no idea how the biggest donation in British political history is spent
Why we urgently need political finance reform - sign petition here
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ta...
So public will probably have no idea how the biggest donation in British political history is spent
Why we urgently need political finance reform - sign petition here
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ta...
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
November 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
Today we’ll get latest net immigration figures - They’ll show immigration for work is plummeting.
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
November 27, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Today we’ll get latest net immigration figures - They’ll show immigration for work is plummeting.
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
✨I always lose myself in this photo. 📷A moment of serenity: the jaw-dropping Gothic beauty of Salisbury Cathedral, mirrored in the shimmering reflection of William Pye’s font. 📷 #throwbackthursday
November 27, 2025 at 7:13 AM
✨I always lose myself in this photo. 📷A moment of serenity: the jaw-dropping Gothic beauty of Salisbury Cathedral, mirrored in the shimmering reflection of William Pye’s font. 📷 #throwbackthursday
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics and democracy has reached 30k. There are signs that the wall of silence protecting Farage is beginning to crumble. Let's keep sharing the petition.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 24, 2025 at 10:56 PM
The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics and democracy has reached 30k. There are signs that the wall of silence protecting Farage is beginning to crumble. Let's keep sharing the petition.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
November 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
A couple more from me/most of us:
Do you deny, Farage, that Putin has been delighted with the Brexit result and ongoing damage to British and European interests?
What are your thoughts on these comments from Russia’s ambassador to the UK?
bsky.app/profile/13sa...
Do you deny, Farage, that Putin has been delighted with the Brexit result and ongoing damage to British and European interests?
What are your thoughts on these comments from Russia’s ambassador to the UK?
bsky.app/profile/13sa...
Russia's ambassador to the UK, Yakovenko, boasted about Brexit to another diplomat:
“We have crushed the British to the ground. They are on their knees and will not rise for a very long time”
Today, Farage’s close ally, leader of Reform in Wales, was sentenced to 10yrs for taking bribes from Russia.
“We have crushed the British to the ground. They are on their knees and will not rise for a very long time”
Today, Farage’s close ally, leader of Reform in Wales, was sentenced to 10yrs for taking bribes from Russia.
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
November 22, 2025 at 11:56 AM
A couple more from me/most of us:
Do you deny, Farage, that Putin has been delighted with the Brexit result and ongoing damage to British and European interests?
What are your thoughts on these comments from Russia’s ambassador to the UK?
bsky.app/profile/13sa...
Do you deny, Farage, that Putin has been delighted with the Brexit result and ongoing damage to British and European interests?
What are your thoughts on these comments from Russia’s ambassador to the UK?
bsky.app/profile/13sa...
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
The root cause of the small boats challenge is Brexit.
Read my article in the New Statesman on the real political dividing line on border control between Labour and Reform, and my thoughts on how we restore it.
#asylum #immigration #ECHR
t.co/Cbh3ogqH7g
Read my article in the New Statesman on the real political dividing line on border control between Labour and Reform, and my thoughts on how we restore it.
#asylum #immigration #ECHR
t.co/Cbh3ogqH7g
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2025/11/these-are-farages-boats-we-must-not-let-him-off-the-hook
t.co
November 21, 2025 at 10:29 AM
The root cause of the small boats challenge is Brexit.
Read my article in the New Statesman on the real political dividing line on border control between Labour and Reform, and my thoughts on how we restore it.
#asylum #immigration #ECHR
t.co/Cbh3ogqH7g
Read my article in the New Statesman on the real political dividing line on border control between Labour and Reform, and my thoughts on how we restore it.
#asylum #immigration #ECHR
t.co/Cbh3ogqH7g
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
BBC News: "the government believe refugees are deliberately bringing their children to avoid deportation"
As opposed to doing what with their children??
As opposed to doing what with their children??
November 17, 2025 at 10:11 PM
BBC News: "the government believe refugees are deliberately bringing their children to avoid deportation"
As opposed to doing what with their children??
As opposed to doing what with their children??
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour
"The era of permanent protection is over"
Is this Labour government really saying it was wrong in principle to let these refugees of the last 75 years to stay, settle and become British - and they believe that should NEVER happen again in principle or practice?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuR...
Is this Labour government really saying it was wrong in principle to let these refugees of the last 75 years to stay, settle and become British - and they believe that should NEVER happen again in principle or practice?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuR...
Refugees from 7 decades gather to commemorate 70 years of refugee in protection in the UK
YouTube video by Refugee Council
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
Stasis, sanctimony and the liberal paradox. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog with such Brexit news as there is, but mainly analysis of what 'responsible Farage' tells us about the tensions in Reform and what the BBC row tells us about Brexitism: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/stas...
November 14, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Stasis, sanctimony and the liberal paradox. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog with such Brexit news as there is, but mainly analysis of what 'responsible Farage' tells us about the tensions in Reform and what the BBC row tells us about Brexitism: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/stas...
Reposted by Vivienne Pay
Watching Labour MPs take a wrecking ball to nature makes me so angry & so sad. Their action tonight voting down amendments to the #PlanningBill intended to protect wildlife & habitats from destruction is so reckless & so counterproductive. People didn’t vote Labour for this 👇
Housing secretary tells Labour MPs to vote down planning bill amendment
Amendment restricts protection for animals to allow faster house building
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Watching Labour MPs take a wrecking ball to nature makes me so angry & so sad. Their action tonight voting down amendments to the #PlanningBill intended to protect wildlife & habitats from destruction is so reckless & so counterproductive. People didn’t vote Labour for this 👇