Tessera

We hit September today, which means the start of the new school year in England. Thanks to Keir Starmer's government and the hard work of @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social as education secretary (not you Lucy Powell), this month we see: 1) 1,400 additional free breakfast clubs opening 1/2

Two things I actually love about how Sir Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as an MP: 1) timed it for Burnham's first day as PM in Parliament - overshadowing anything Burnham says or does today 2) gave it as an exclusive to a local north-London paper, by-passing the national media 1/2

This new by-election in Holborn and St Pancras is a big problem for Zack Polanski. Does he stand, and risk losing, or not stand and be callled a coward? He has said he was waiting for a constituency in London - is this that. 1/2

Sir Keir Starmer announces he is to step down as an MP (and who can blame him?) He says he aims to work on 'international affair including defence, security, trade and technology' and 'continue working with others as [he has] done over many decades to tackle violence against women and girls'. 1/2

A correct move in the correct direction, thanks to the decisions of a Labour government under Sir Keir Starmer's leadership.

This is quite an opportunity for someone with the money and the interest in wines! Sussex vineyard, south of Lewes, goes on sales for £4m following death of previous owner over last 50 years. Sussex wines are a growing industry, especially with climate change. If you have the money, consider this!

Legendary vineyard goes on sale for £4m following death of English wine 'pioneer'

Breaky Bottom, near Lewes, one of England’s most legendary vineyards has been put up for sale following the death Peter Hall, English wine pioneer.

theargus.co.uk

Our fossil 'haul' from our holiday to Lyme Regis. The two small rocks are an ammonite fragment and piece of a belemnite that we found in Lyme Regis and Charmouth respectively. The large piece is a local ammonite we bought found and prepared by local fossil hunter Paul Crossley.

What a fucking headline! "Burnham says he will not vote on assisted dying unlike Starmer" While I personally would have voted differently to Starmer on the version of the bill put before the Commons, at least he had a view on it. But Burnham will get splinters from this sort of fence sitting!

Andy Burnham says he will not vote on assisted dying unlike Starmer

Burnham has called for all views to be respected as MPs vote in two weeks on legalising assisted dying in England and Wales.

bbc.co.uk

Just back from a lovely week in Lyme Regis. Amazing weather: most days were sunny & not too hot. Very nice food from Swim, Poco Italian, Royal Lion, The Crepiere, The Lyme Bay & more! Enjoyed our visit to the Lyme Regis Museum, Mary Anning statue, Ammonite Pavement & a trip to Charmouth! 1/2

Cannot believe 9 to 5 only ever made it to position 47 in the UK on original release. That really surprises me. But this week, it has reached number 12, along with 2 other songs by Dolly Parton in the top 40 announced today. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Paul Heaton scores first number one album as Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 finally reaches top 40

Heaton's Jenius! tops the album chart, while Parton's US hit 9 to 5 reaches the UK top 40 at last.

bbc.co.uk

Financial Times@financialtimes.com · last wk.

By his own admission (i.e. why he resigned as defence secretary) Healey is not planning on spending enough on defence to keep our country safe. How can he stay in this job when he is failing to do what he claimed was necessary just a few weeks ago. Is he a hypocrite or a liar?

Healey to shelve his own defence spending target of 3% of GDP by 2030 ft.trib.al/qrq5xum

This is one death this weak few will mourn. Shame he wasn't in prison for much longer than he was. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Convicted Bosnian Serb war criminal Mladić dies aged 84

He was jailed for life in 2017 for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity during the wars in the ex-Yugoslavia in 1992-95.

bbc.co.uk

Number of young people not in education, employment or training falls. Hotel use for asylum seekers falls 50%. Small boat crossings fall 23%. Asylum and visa applications also fall. But the Labour government cannot take any credit, because the drops are in the year to June 2026... 1/2

Warren Oates@warrenoates1.bsky.social · last mo.

Voting for the Labour NEC election closes today at noon. I was asked before for my views on who to vote for - my thoughts on the matter are in the thread below.

Labour National Executive Committee (NEC) elections are talking place. Voting closes noon on Thursday 27th August and ballots will have been/will be emailed to you. I've been asked a few times about my thoughts on the candidates. There are 17 candidates, 9 will be elected - at least 4 women. 1/4

Correct headline: Starmer devolution plans, which became law earlier this year, being rolled out by Burnham www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Burnham expected to give mayors new powers over local planning decisions

Move would allow mayors to greenlight large-scale developments and have more say on national housing funding

theguardian.com

OOO is on. Off to Lyme Regis for a week tomorrow!

Woke up to this sad news this morning - it is local to us and we heard 4 people were in difficulty in the water yesterday and had been hoping all were going to be OK. Please take care in water everyone, it has hidden dangers. Far too many have died this summer already.

Three dead after family get into difficulty in water off Shoreham-by-Sea

A man, woman and teenage girl have died, while a younger girl is in a critical condition, say Sussex police

theguardian.com

Anyone else thing this story has been put out there now to scare the public into backing the approval of liences for the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields? The piece leaves you thinking we should support the industry and increase oil and gas production otherwise we risk freezing next decade... 1/2

UK risks running out of gas by 2030s, ministers told

Government assessment warns of supply shock that could leave homes and businesses without gas within a decade

theguardian.com

UK risks running out of gas by 2030s, ministers told

Government assessment warns of supply shock that could leave homes and businesses without gas within a decade

theguardian.com

In case you were wondering: Jan 2025: West Midlands mayor explores plans plans to take local bus services under public control, with a formal announcement in May 2025 For 18 months these plans progress under the WM mayors guidance 1/3

I have avoided most commentry on this issue. But really feel this is a media witch hunt based on little evidence that has resulted in the most awful tragedy. The media need to be brought under control. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Jason Arday: Former Cambridge university professor found dead

His family said it was "in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son" after the academic was found dead in London on Friday.

bbc.co.uk

Count Binface@countbinface.bsky.social · 3w ago

Who thinks that to win an election, a candidate ought to have to turn up at the count and be there to be declared a winner? Failing to turn up should be seen as withdrawing and the candidate with the next highest number of votes wins.

I came first in the Clacton by-election! Of the candidates who bothered to turn up for the results. Here is my victory speech!

Well done to @countbinface.bsky.social for his best election performance yet - highest percentage (over 26%), highest position (2nd) and by far the most votes in a Westminster constituency election. Now the summer of pointless by-elections are over, I look forward to seeing... 1/2

Most of our butterflies have emergedfrom their chrysalises today. 10 caterpillars, 10 chrysalises. 7 butterflies out so far, though one poor thing does have crooked wings.