I cannot think of one good reason they could have for doing this. Nor even a bad one. They should fix it.

Adam Bienkov@adambienkov.bsky.social · last wk.

I've been a member of the lobby for well over a decade. Not a single one of my lobby colleagues has said a word about the Conservatives banning me from their conferences, without any explanation. Contrast with the US where even Fox News stood in solidarity when Trump banned news outlets he disliked

Not to put words in anyone's mouths, but look out for the prominent British, Jewish, otherwise vociferous Zionists who are notable absentees from the chorus attacking the Uk's new sanctions. Because even among those who traditionally take a pro-Israel view, settlements are a big dividing line.

Nashville, 2009. Very possibly the nicest person I've ever interviewed.

Obviously I post this mainly as a humblebrag. But I'd also love to know how the machine in my gym has decided that the average 49 yearold has a metabolic age of 43.

The short answer is: "no, honest" The slightly longer, and more worrying, answer is: "...because they don't even *need* to" And this post is one of the best longform explanations as to why that I've seen.

Alexis Conran@alexisconran.com · 2mo ago

It’s the question I get asked the most. The answer is troubling.

Burnham is the first PM who went to Cambridge since Stanley Baldwin. Were it not for 38 days of Kwasi Kwarteng, Healey would be the first Chancellor who went to Cambridge since Ken Clarke.

Christopher Nolan's version of the half time show is still going on.

For no particular reason, obviously, this weekend I found myself remembering all those allegations about mysterious dark money funding untraceable Facebook ads during the Brexit campaign.

Deeply wise post from Alison here. Just in case you're planning your holiday reading...

Alison@alisonauciel.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Just finished @hugorifkind.bsky.social novel “Rabbits” which is a funny, poignant piece of social commentary whether you remember Edinburgh in the 90s or not. Loved it.

My Week: Nigel Farage* www.thetimes.com/article/ba64...

“What a referendum creates, by definition, is a responsibility gap” @hugorifkind.bsky.social www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...

"Yeah,oh by the way, I've got some random Monday booked off in June to take my daughter to a university open day. I doubt much will be going on."

Tomorrow ain't what it used to be. pod.fo/e/434e14

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Strong Message Here - Fanning the Flames (with Hugo Rifkind) - BBC Sounds

When does politicisation become weaponisation? And how does language fan the flames?

bbc.co.uk

Tbf, Farage on a desert island would be the best reason I've ever heard to Stop The Boats.

Robert Hutton@roberthutton.co.uk · 4mo ago

BBC couldn't get copyright permission to play the Horst Wessel Song.

Went on holiday. Ran out of books. Found a Donnie Darko-esque Wittgenstein duck-rabbit on the beach. Family didn't give a shit.

Yet another reminder that there is simply no tech hack that will allow you, yourself, to do all that cool shit people like if you, yourself, do not understand what cool shit is or why people like it.

Scott Bryan@scottygb.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Are we okay?

The mighty @salihughes.bsky.social is fundraising for Beauty Banks by auctioning loads of great shit from loads of brilliant people. Have a look: uk.givergy.com/beautybanksh...

The Heist | Powered by Givergy

Bid on exclusive money can't buy items & experiences with Beauty Banks. Enter into one of our charity auctions, prize draws or buy exclusive items now

uk.givergy.com

Two days on. I don't really think the local elections particularly changed much, told us much, or signified much at all. This is the end of my considered analysis.

What just happened, and what happens now. podfollow.com/how-to-win-a...

How To Win An Election: How Labour Suffered An Historic Defeat

Labour has taken a hammering at elections in England, Scotland and Wales, with Nigel Farage calling it an ‘historic shift in British politics’ - does this add up to the end of the two-party sys...

podfollow.com

Every bit of this is so odd. They produce a vetting document but Robbins doesn't see it and neither does the PM. Who does? Does nobody? Is it just produced and published, never to be seen?

Fucking hell, though.

Is it, though?

"Hello, yes, I'm a doctor. Normal doctor. Try not to notice that winged angel warlock thing up there. This is a regular sight in hospitals. Perhaps he's the registrar? I'm sure that's a hospital word. Also, the birds. They're just vultures. But you'll be fine. Now, eat this light bulb."

Jim Pickard@pickardje.bsky.social · 6mo ago

"Trump said Monday he posted the image but insisted it was meant to depict him as a doctor, dismissing suggestions it portrayed him as Jesus Christ as a fabrication by 'fake news'."

Now preparing myself to find out which right-wing pundits were getting paid by Hungary by henceforth seeing them turn up a hell of a lot more doing 24-hour news channel paper reviews.

‘Normal people can feel themselves going mad.’ I think that might be me - and you - that @hugorifkind.bsky.social is writing about. Addiction to the attention ‘reward mechanisms’ of social media publishing companies is so destructive

What's the low low common denominator between Kanye West and Donald Trump? @hugorifkind.bsky.social in fine form: www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...

Kanye West and Donald Trump are doing it for the clicks

Social media ‘engagement addiction’ accelerates extremism, whether that’s praising Hitler or threatening to destroy a civilisation

thetimes.com

#Radio Strong Message Here @aiannucci.bsky.social Righteous Targets for Violence (with Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind.bsky.social) Today 09:45 BBC Radio 4 Pentagon prayers, sweary Easter messages and Trump praising Allah - is politics becoming more religious? www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

BBC Radio 4 - Strong Message Here, Righteous Targets for Violence (with Hugo Rifkind)

Are politicians invoking the Almighty more regularly than before?

bbc.co.uk

I know we've all seen it already. But I honestly think this is the defining moment of our time. Past generations couldn't have believed it would happen. Future generations won't believe it could have happened. But here we are, bang in the moment. Lucky, lucky us.