A key thing about #Clacton is that Reform themselves have said there will likely be two by-elections. People, including Reform supporters, can vote Binface this time to send a message. They can vote differently in the second by-election.
Antony Hook
@antonyhook.bsky.social
Leader of the Official Opposition at Kent County Council. Liberal Democrat. Ex-MEP.
This is what Farage was saying in 2019. How things change?
Most of us were glad to see the Royal Marines interdict a Russian sanctions evading ship. But not the Reform leader at Kent County Council. At this rate, I think they took down the 🇺🇦 to replace with a 🇷🇺 at County Hall.
🚨 These remarks today from Reform’s Bridget Porter are utterly outrageous. Watch her comments below. The Reform Party must denounce this immediately and remove the whip, or the public will rightly assume these views represent their party as a whole. 👇
Why is there a shortage of people working in publicly funded criminal law? Well, the state paying people *SEVEN YEARS* after they do some work work might be a factor. The software said "received with thanks" on my behalf. I had my own words.
School breakfast clubs have been under attack from Reform but I felt someone needed to defend them. (Not my choice of photo 😐 but hopefully the words make sense) www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/re...
‘Reform leader is simply wrong on school breakfast clubs’
The leader of the opposition at County Hall has taken aim at KCC boss Linden Kemkaran over her views on school breakfast clubs.
kentonline.co.uk
I see a number of politicians weighing in on the referral to the Court of Appeal of the sentence of two boys for rape. I don't wish to comment on a case that is sub judice but can shed a bit of light on the process having been in in criminal law, both in private practice and in-house for the CPS.
I was talking to fellow councillors about planting more trees to cool local streets in the future. It reminded me of Marshal Lyautey asking to plant some oaks. His gardener said, "But Monsieur, they'll take a hundred years to mature." He replied, "In that case, plant them this afternoon!"
Democracy in Kent is under attack from a Reform administration that is clearly terrified of scrutiny. They are moving to quiet the opposition while prioritising songs and prayers over policy discussion. It is a bizarre and anti-democratic shift for our county. 🧵 1/6
Badenoch punishing Worcs Conservatives for working with Greens and Lib Dems to keep Reform out of power is odd. Across England, local Cons have fought elections recently saying "vote for us to keep Reform out" - asking other parties to vote for them tactically.
#RefUK already dismantling the mechanisms for democratic scrutiny and accountability at Kent County Council. The @libdems.org.uk - Opposition Leader, @antonyhook.bsky.social is not standing for any of their shenanigans. www.maidstonelibdems.co.uk/news/article...
Kent Opposition Leader Slams Reform’s “Disgraceful” Plot to Silence Scrutiny
Antony Hook, Leader of the Opposition at Kent County Council, has condemned a series of "anti-democratic" moves by the Reform administration designed to gag opposition parties and shield the ruling gr...
maidstonelibdems.co.uk
I'm seeing increased talk about proportional representation, which is good. It will obv make multi-party administrations more likely. But PR will also make such coalitions easier to manage. The electoral risks for coalition partners will be less severe under PR.
Happy Europe Day. As Churchill said, "we have remade the fabric of Europe". Work that goes on, and must continue to go on.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve met some incredible people and heard what matters most to them and their communities. I’m so grateful to every Lib Dem candidate and volunteer who has worked so hard to be a voice for their community. Let’s keep it going. Polls are open until 10pm.
Shirley Porter is a reminder that the corruption of a political group using power for its own political advantage is not new. But it is disgusting, preventable and warrants days of reckoning for those who do it. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Dame Shirley Porter obituary
Former leader of Westminster city council found to have misused her powers in the ‘homes for votes’ scandal
theguardian.com
1/5 🚨 Nigel Farage’s new plan isn’t a policy—it’s a protection racket. Suggesting that detention centres should be allocated to "punish" communities who don't vote Reform is a direct assault on the rule of law and the principles of British democracy. 🧵
Come celebrate Europe Day with us at the European Parliament in Brussels on 9 May and Strasbourg on 17 May! Have fun with interactive activities for all ages, learn something new about Europe, and ask questions to MEPs and experts. Learn more: link.europa.eu/dfDFfR
He says "like in Kent" where Reform in power are preparing to move people out of care homes into different care homes with no regard for their welfare.
Best for Britain@bestforbritain.org · 3mo agoAll Reform UK has to offer is grievance. No plan. No idea. Just anger and division. Farage is becoming increasingly irate under scrutiny.
This is leadership with courage!
Alex Cole-Hamilton 🔶🇺🇦@alex.scotlibdems.org.uk · 3mo agoSeats across Scotland, and especially in the Highlands are swinging away from the SNP and to the Lib Dems. But no matter where you live, you can elect a Liberal Democrat MSP on the peach-coloured regional ballot.
This is very important to follow. Reform is assisted by media that quantifiably does not report, for example, it's funding.
Don McGowan@donmcgowan.bsky.social · 3mo agoThe UK media is letting Reform receive tens of millions from controversial billionaires, with very little scrutiny. I analysed how many times our media posted about those billionaires vs. far less significant Labour 'scandals'. The results are genuinely shocking. open.substack.com/pub/donmcgow...
Edward Hopper, American (1882-1967), The Long Leg, 1935, oil on canvas 50.8 x 76.8 cm, The Huntington, San Marino, California, USA
Yesterday’s tragedy in Golders Green is a sombre reminder of the work ahead. Lib Dems in Kent, and everywhere, stand in solidarity with Shloime Rand, Moshe Shine, and the Jewish community during this painful time. It is imperative that we intensify our fight against antisemitism.
It should be to law that anything you can subscribe to with a few clicks should be unsubscribable that way, and not need a phone call.
Nigel Farage described the ban on handguns brought in following the Dunblane school shooting as "ludicrous" and a "kneejerk reaction". This is the man Lord Offord wants to put into Downing Street.
This is a small example of how Europe is a regulatory superpower and more the pity the UK isn't there, part of these decisions.
European Parliament@europarl.europa.eu · 3mo agoThe common charger era is finally here for laptops as well! As of today, new laptops must feature a USB-C port, under common charger rules. This means no more buying a new charger with every device, saving you money and reducing e-waste.
As an Englishman, my natural assumption is that "two kings" is written with deliberate irony, and someone in the White House social media team is making fun of Trump. I see from the comments underneath the post that no-one in the US reads it that way, alas.
The IFS is scathing about the Green Party manifesto in Wales. Basically, a lot of spending with no plan to pay for it. This is a shame because for progressives to succeed we need plans that will work. ifs.org.uk/articles/ini...
Initial response to the Green Party’s Welsh manifesto | Institute for Fiscal Studies
A manifesto with a vision for a bigger state but no detail on how to pay for it.
ifs.org.uk
Having read The Times since I was 11 (Dad brought it home) I've decided to cancel my subscription.
Mark O’Neill 🐻@radiobeartime.com · 4mo agoIn which Melanie Phillips explains Catholicism to the Pope. The article is complete, offensive nonsense from beginning to end. Like Scooby Doo trying to explain Maimonides. The Times really is an abject rag these days. www.thetimes.com/article/2123...