Steve Whalley
@whalleysteve.bsky.social
Love to visit the far corners of Britain (Spain, Italy, France) in search of good food, wine, pubs & countryside: It's all geographical, often meteorological and sometimes political.
It will come as no surprise to report that the last few days in #Darwen #Lancashire have been very wet. 84mm (3.3 in) of rain has fallen since Friday morning. 27mm associated with #StormBram. So far, total December rainfall is 94mm which is 76% of the average total for the month of 124mm (4.9 in).
December 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
It will come as no surprise to report that the last few days in #Darwen #Lancashire have been very wet. 84mm (3.3 in) of rain has fallen since Friday morning. 27mm associated with #StormBram. So far, total December rainfall is 94mm which is 76% of the average total for the month of 124mm (4.9 in).
Just noticed that I accidentally omitted rent as the third real tax that normal folk pay: interest, excess profits , *and* rent.
The UK has been a rentier economy for many years. Rachel Reeves - Act to reduce the real 'taxes' normal folk pay. These are interest, excess profits. Let those on low and middle incomes hold onto their wealth. Then you'll see growth.
Who can we really afford — the rich or everyone else? youtu.be/SzTi95kUBKo?...
December 9, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Just noticed that I accidentally omitted rent as the third real tax that normal folk pay: interest, excess profits , *and* rent.
At least eight UKIP/Brexit party MEPs are known to have been the focus of efforts by Reform’s former Wales leader Nathan Gill to co-opt them into fulfilling tasks set by his Kremlin paymasters: I don't feel that this story lit up the UK MSM as much as it might.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Three more Farage bloc MEPs alleged to have followed Russian asset’s script
At least eight MEPs elected for Ukip or Brexit party now known to have been focus of efforts by jailed Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:24 PM
At least eight UKIP/Brexit party MEPs are known to have been the focus of efforts by Reform’s former Wales leader Nathan Gill to co-opt them into fulfilling tasks set by his Kremlin paymasters: I don't feel that this story lit up the UK MSM as much as it might.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Surprised? Christopher Harborne has been responsible for 59% of Reform’s total donations since the last election, and he's a crypto billionaire who wants the Bank of England to relax cryptocurrency controls. This is what Reform is really about.
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Reform’s record £9m crypto donation is just the latest offering from abroad | The Observer
observer.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Surprised? Christopher Harborne has been responsible for 59% of Reform’s total donations since the last election, and he's a crypto billionaire who wants the Bank of England to relax cryptocurrency controls. This is what Reform is really about.
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
The week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: Very mild & wet at first. Showery & less mild after midweek...
MON 11°C Sunny spells & odd shower
TUE 14°C Rain, heavy at first. Fine pm
WED 10°C Sunshine & showers
THU 9°C Sunny spells
FRI 9°C Light rain
SAT 9°C Cloudy
Week after: Less mild & showery
MON 11°C Sunny spells & odd shower
TUE 14°C Rain, heavy at first. Fine pm
WED 10°C Sunshine & showers
THU 9°C Sunny spells
FRI 9°C Light rain
SAT 9°C Cloudy
Week after: Less mild & showery
A lot of rain on the way over the next 2 weeks. #relentless
December 7, 2025 at 4:13 AM
The week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: Very mild & wet at first. Showery & less mild after midweek...
MON 11°C Sunny spells & odd shower
TUE 14°C Rain, heavy at first. Fine pm
WED 10°C Sunshine & showers
THU 9°C Sunny spells
FRI 9°C Light rain
SAT 9°C Cloudy
Week after: Less mild & showery
MON 11°C Sunny spells & odd shower
TUE 14°C Rain, heavy at first. Fine pm
WED 10°C Sunshine & showers
THU 9°C Sunny spells
FRI 9°C Light rain
SAT 9°C Cloudy
Week after: Less mild & showery
What a farce. Quite rightly, Trump was not awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He has made the world a more perilous place. So his mates phone FIFA, that well-known peace organisation, and establish the super dooper FIFA Peace Prize.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Trump awarded inaugural Fifa peace prize at World Cup draw in Washington
US president receives new Fifa honour as scrutiny grows over Infantino’s political alliances and Trump’s disputed record on global conflicts
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
What a farce. Quite rightly, Trump was not awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He has made the world a more perilous place. So his mates phone FIFA, that well-known peace organisation, and establish the super dooper FIFA Peace Prize.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
This is what Farage is all about - not the good people of Clacton or the UK.
🔴 NEW - Farage rescued (for now) by mega donor
Reform is in a worse financial position than it appears...
Reform is in a worse financial position than it appears...
Farage rescued (for now) by mega donor
Reform lands £9 million from one man...
writesbright.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:08 AM
This is what Farage is all about - not the good people of Clacton or the UK.
First, #Ofgem should be abolished. Second, the UK govt, & Ed Miliband, should do what they claim to be doing: cut household energy bills. Third, nationalise the energy supply industry to staunch the leakage of billions into the investment portfolios of oligarchs. It can be better used elsewhere.
#Ofgem's main duty is to protect consumers. It's doing a damned poor job. It allowed energy bills to unexpectedly rise by 0.2% in January. Now, it's letting them add another £104 for "investment". Energy network companies, have pocketed nearly £4bn in profits over the last 4 years.
December 4, 2025 at 10:49 PM
First, #Ofgem should be abolished. Second, the UK govt, & Ed Miliband, should do what they claim to be doing: cut household energy bills. Third, nationalise the energy supply industry to staunch the leakage of billions into the investment portfolios of oligarchs. It can be better used elsewhere.
Reposted by Steve Whalley
#Ofgem's main duty is to protect consumers. It's doing a damned poor job. It allowed energy bills to unexpectedly rise by 0.2% in January. Now, it's letting them add another £104 for "investment". Energy network companies, have pocketed nearly £4bn in profits over the last 4 years.
December 4, 2025 at 10:36 PM
#Ofgem's main duty is to protect consumers. It's doing a damned poor job. It allowed energy bills to unexpectedly rise by 0.2% in January. Now, it's letting them add another £104 for "investment". Energy network companies, have pocketed nearly £4bn in profits over the last 4 years.
#Ofgem's main duty is to protect consumers. It's doing a damned poor job. It allowed energy bills to unexpectedly rise by 0.2% in January. Now, it's letting them add another £104 for "investment". Energy network companies, have pocketed nearly £4bn in profits over the last 4 years.
December 4, 2025 at 10:36 PM
#Ofgem's main duty is to protect consumers. It's doing a damned poor job. It allowed energy bills to unexpectedly rise by 0.2% in January. Now, it's letting them add another £104 for "investment". Energy network companies, have pocketed nearly £4bn in profits over the last 4 years.
Earthquakes were felt in #Darwen #Lancashire last night. This is a geologically complex area, so movements on the ancient faultlines are not unexpected.
Main earthquake
03/12/2025 23:23:34.0 GMT Location 54.172N-2.833W
Magnitude 3.3 SILVERDALE,LANCASHIRE
Aftershock
00:54:55.9 GMT
Magnitude 0.8
Main earthquake
03/12/2025 23:23:34.0 GMT Location 54.172N-2.833W
Magnitude 3.3 SILVERDALE,LANCASHIRE
Aftershock
00:54:55.9 GMT
Magnitude 0.8
December 4, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Earthquakes were felt in #Darwen #Lancashire last night. This is a geologically complex area, so movements on the ancient faultlines are not unexpected.
Main earthquake
03/12/2025 23:23:34.0 GMT Location 54.172N-2.833W
Magnitude 3.3 SILVERDALE,LANCASHIRE
Aftershock
00:54:55.9 GMT
Magnitude 0.8
Main earthquake
03/12/2025 23:23:34.0 GMT Location 54.172N-2.833W
Magnitude 3.3 SILVERDALE,LANCASHIRE
Aftershock
00:54:55.9 GMT
Magnitude 0.8
It's not as if the UK has been immune to miscarriages of justice. Justice is not an area for cutbacks.
This hasn't had much coverage, amidst all the debate about jury trials, but there is also a lot of concern about Lammy's plans to remove the automatic right to appeal
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/03/d...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/03/d...
David Lammy's Plans to Scrap Automatic Right to Appeal Risk 'Increasing Miscarriages of Justice'
Lawyers and legal campaigners say the changes risk removing "vital safeguards" and shutting out vulnerable defendants from justice
bylinetimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:52 PM
It's not as if the UK has been immune to miscarriages of justice. Justice is not an area for cutbacks.
Royal Mail was sold off under the pretext of keeping stamp prices down. First-class stamp prices have DOUBLED in just the last four years. Ofcom is consulting on stamp pricing. Demand they bring Royal Mail into public ownership. @we_ownit weownit.org.uk/act-now/end-...
End the Royal Mail privatisation experiment now
Ofcom is consulting on stamp prices. It is time to demand that they end Royal Mail privatisation.
weownit.org.uk
December 3, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Royal Mail was sold off under the pretext of keeping stamp prices down. First-class stamp prices have DOUBLED in just the last four years. Ofcom is consulting on stamp pricing. Demand they bring Royal Mail into public ownership. @we_ownit weownit.org.uk/act-now/end-...
With regard to David Dimbleby, absence has made the heart grow unexpectedly fonder. #WhatsTheMonarchyFor? was a balanced and interesting documentary: fascinating at times. Age has not wearied Dimbleby's sharpness. To Ash Sarker, he explained that it was, "inherited talent." Quite probably.
9pm TODAY on @BBCOne
What's the Monarchy For?
Ep 1 of 3
With access to political players and royal insiders, broadcaster David Dimbleby asks: how much power does the monarch really have – and is it more than we tend to think?
What's the Monarchy For?
Ep 1 of 3
With access to political players and royal insiders, broadcaster David Dimbleby asks: how much power does the monarch really have – and is it more than we tend to think?
BBC One - What's the Monarchy For?, Series 1, Episode 1
How much power does the monarch really have? David Dimbleby asks politicians and insiders.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 10:25 PM
With regard to David Dimbleby, absence has made the heart grow unexpectedly fonder. #WhatsTheMonarchyFor? was a balanced and interesting documentary: fascinating at times. Age has not wearied Dimbleby's sharpness. To Ash Sarker, he explained that it was, "inherited talent." Quite probably.
It's a moderately important story whose time has now passed. For dubious reasons, the BBC is reinforcing the agenda of our right-wing MSM, but the government must get its wagons in a circle. They should read up on how the Wilson government survived.
There is always speculation, conflicting briefing and media confusion before a Budget. That's just how it goes, and certainly happened under the Tories. Why is the BBC and other media kicking up a fuss now? And why is Labour Comms so bad they are letting this happen?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cl...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cl...
Starmer insists 'there was no misleading' from Reeves in the build-up to her Budget
Rachel Reeves has been accused of over-stating the UK's financial problems in the build-up to the Budget - but the PM backs his chancellor.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 6:23 PM
It's a moderately important story whose time has now passed. For dubious reasons, the BBC is reinforcing the agenda of our right-wing MSM, but the government must get its wagons in a circle. They should read up on how the Wilson government survived.
The week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: No frosts. Mild but very wet at first, then colder but fine. Showery after midweek...
MON 12°C Blustery heavy rain
TUE 8°C Sunny spells
WED 8°C Sunny spells
THU 8°C Dull→pm rain
FRI 7°C pm Breezy showers
SAT 9°C Chance of light rain
Week after: Mild and wet
MON 12°C Blustery heavy rain
TUE 8°C Sunny spells
WED 8°C Sunny spells
THU 8°C Dull→pm rain
FRI 7°C pm Breezy showers
SAT 9°C Chance of light rain
Week after: Mild and wet
One possible result of weather patterns being simultaneously pushed toward blocking highs in the Arctic & an enhanced jet stream is a succession of lows racing into Europe, bringing bouts of wet & windy weather in the 1st half of December.
Not a scenario I'm keen to experience.
Not a scenario I'm keen to experience.
November 30, 2025 at 11:54 AM
The week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: No frosts. Mild but very wet at first, then colder but fine. Showery after midweek...
MON 12°C Blustery heavy rain
TUE 8°C Sunny spells
WED 8°C Sunny spells
THU 8°C Dull→pm rain
FRI 7°C pm Breezy showers
SAT 9°C Chance of light rain
Week after: Mild and wet
MON 12°C Blustery heavy rain
TUE 8°C Sunny spells
WED 8°C Sunny spells
THU 8°C Dull→pm rain
FRI 7°C pm Breezy showers
SAT 9°C Chance of light rain
Week after: Mild and wet
Yep.
How the right-wing newspapers still manage to dictate BBC coverage.
Almost all of the Beeb's big post-Budget interview with the Chancellor devoted to asking whether she is a liar.
Next to nothing on any of the big measures announced this week
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-real-b...
Almost all of the Beeb's big post-Budget interview with the Chancellor devoted to asking whether she is a liar.
Next to nothing on any of the big measures announced this week
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-real-b...
The Real 'Benefits Street' Protecting Britain's Wealthiest
The sheer scale of outrage about plans to lift children out of poverty, by taxing millionaire homeowners, tells you everything you need to know about the priorities of the British press
www.adambienkov.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Yep.
It's very alarming. It reflects how far our universities have been commercialised too far, and it shouldn't be happening. And do Reform have "key people"?
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
November 30, 2025 at 11:32 AM
It's very alarming. It reflects how far our universities have been commercialised too far, and it shouldn't be happening. And do Reform have "key people"?
The Institute of Fiscal Studies is still having plenty to say about the Budget on BBC News. Auntie needs to understand that the IFS is neither independent nor neutral. Its judgements generally favour accounting over social outcomes. Much of its funding is rather opaque. Its word cannot be trusted.
Neoliberal IFS wants govt to ditch the triple lock on state pension.
Silence on corporate welfare, taxing the rich/corporations.
UK state pension is almost the worst in Europe.
2m retirees live in poverty. 110,000 a year die in fuel poverty.
How many pensioners does the IFS kill?
archive.ph/AaLRa
Silence on corporate welfare, taxing the rich/corporations.
UK state pension is almost the worst in Europe.
2m retirees live in poverty. 110,000 a year die in fuel poverty.
How many pensioners does the IFS kill?
archive.ph/AaLRa
The UK must remove the pension triple lock
With each economic shock, it ratchets up the value of state retirement payments relative to average earnings
www.ft.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The Institute of Fiscal Studies is still having plenty to say about the Budget on BBC News. Auntie needs to understand that the IFS is neither independent nor neutral. Its judgements generally favour accounting over social outcomes. Much of its funding is rather opaque. Its word cannot be trusted.
This "toxic and chaotic" charlatan is owed nothing from the public purse. Following the findings of the Hallett inquiry, any Ex-PM benefits should be ended forthwith.
c.org/98WW6gFdHK
c.org/98WW6gFdHK
End Ex-PM Benefits For Boris Johnson Following Covid Inquiry Verdict
Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?
c.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:11 PM
This "toxic and chaotic" charlatan is owed nothing from the public purse. Following the findings of the Hallett inquiry, any Ex-PM benefits should be ended forthwith.
c.org/98WW6gFdHK
c.org/98WW6gFdHK
Don't let this one go.
Asked again and again whether he ever racially abused his fellow pupils, as 20 people at his old school have now said he did, Nigel Farage will only say that he never did so in a "hurtful way" or "with intent"
November 25, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Don't let this one go.
The week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: Quite cold at first. Some frost. Milder with rain from late on Wednesday...
MON 7°C Sunny spells
TUE 6°C Frost→Sunny
WED 5°C Feeling cold. Milder with rain later
THU 11°C Rain
FRI 9°C Showers
SAT 8°C Sunshine & showers
Week after: Mild with rain
MON 7°C Sunny spells
TUE 6°C Frost→Sunny
WED 5°C Feeling cold. Milder with rain later
THU 11°C Rain
FRI 9°C Showers
SAT 8°C Sunshine & showers
Week after: Mild with rain
SUNDAY 💦
Heavy rain to start the day with some torrential downpours. This will clear quite quickly in the morning, but be followed by a few showers. The general theme for the rest of the day from late-morning or lunchtime onwards is for more heavy rain to keep spiralling in from the W.
1/2
Heavy rain to start the day with some torrential downpours. This will clear quite quickly in the morning, but be followed by a few showers. The general theme for the rest of the day from late-morning or lunchtime onwards is for more heavy rain to keep spiralling in from the W.
1/2
November 23, 2025 at 12:37 AM
The week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: Quite cold at first. Some frost. Milder with rain from late on Wednesday...
MON 7°C Sunny spells
TUE 6°C Frost→Sunny
WED 5°C Feeling cold. Milder with rain later
THU 11°C Rain
FRI 9°C Showers
SAT 8°C Sunshine & showers
Week after: Mild with rain
MON 7°C Sunny spells
TUE 6°C Frost→Sunny
WED 5°C Feeling cold. Milder with rain later
THU 11°C Rain
FRI 9°C Showers
SAT 8°C Sunshine & showers
Week after: Mild with rain
Thoughts on what Labour and the BBC have in common.
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
What Labour and the BBC have in common
They still don’t get it...
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Thoughts on what Labour and the BBC have in common.
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
Last (Wednesday) night's minimum was -1.8°C. We may beat that tonight.
We are experiencing the first sub-zero temperatures of the season in #Darwen #Lancashire. It is currently -0.5°C and likely to approach -3°C before sunrise. That will be the lowest temperature since -4.5°C on 11th January, which was the day after last winter's lowest minimum of -6.1°C.
November 20, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Last (Wednesday) night's minimum was -1.8°C. We may beat that tonight.