Wealthy want UK govt to ditch pensions triple lock, cut welfare spending. Silence on corporate welfare Oil/gas, water, energy profiteering HMRC not collecting £59bn last yr Poorest 20% paying higher proportion in income in taxes than the richest 20%. It is always about hitting the poor, old, sick.

Ditch pensions triple lock and cut welfare spending to calm markets, Burnham told

Bond market shock has ramifications for new prime minister’s first Budget, his former adviser warns

independent.co.uk

The BBC's Nick Robinson - a lifelong Tory - is practically a one-man case study in how violent white supremacy was normalised by the UK's national broadcaster.

Peter Geoghegan@petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 9h ago

Nick Robinson on Today is literally talking about ‘legitimate concerns’ after second night of organised men dressed in black - sorry ‘protesters’ - mobilising en masse in another littoral town. This is how street fascism is normalised

The government of the United States of America. The idiots are in charge.

Once again the Times “facts” include that asylum-seekers are a rising share of immigrants: a statistical artefact that results from the push to restrict migration for work, study and family. And who pushed for that restriction: the Times, among others

Does Jenrick mean, therefore, that these rightwing, homophobic, transphobic, far right "protesters" who turn up at Pride events and abuse marchers/attendees can now be hit with a weapon, have their hair pulled, and be hit in the face and manhandled because they had it coming? Really? Just checking.

The right is currently desperately stoking a “migration crisis” that has no factual basis, because they need it as a political weapon.

Chris Bertram@crookedfootball.bsky.social · 7h ago

Once again the Times “facts” include that asylum-seekers are a rising share of immigrants: a statistical artefact that results from the push to restrict migration for work, study and family. And who pushed for that restriction: the Times, among others

Home Office response to 100’d of masked thugs blockading Dover makes me incandescent It’s like apologizing to a mugger after they mugged you, saying you’ll do your best to have more valuables on you next time Pathetic❗️😡

Adam Bienkov@adambienkov.bsky.social · 8h ago

This is the Home Office's response to hundreds of masked far-right thugs blocking roads, intimidating refugees and attacking the police

I note that the state gave Jaguar Land Rover huge support last year, as a thank you the company is making around 4000 people redundant. It’s how trickledown works.

It's because responses are so weak that racists and bigots feel they can get away with it. Responses to hate have to be far more aggressive. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Almost 75% of A&E staff in UK face violence or aggression daily or weekly

Survey finds long waiting times and overcrowding have made abuse ‘routine’ part of working on hospital frontline

theguardian.com

UK petrol prices hit highest level since Iran war began. Accompanied by huge rise in household energy bills, record profits, shareholder dividends and share buybacks. Higher inflation, business costs will push more people into poverty. Must levy 100% windfall tax on excess profits.

UK petrol prices hit highest level since Iran war began

The price of unleaded hits 163p a litre, according to motoring group the RAC, as oil prices remain elevated.

bbc.co.uk

Bob Dylan's best acoustic performance a master piece youtu.be/DNNcetoqK3I?...

Bob Dylan's best acoustic performance a master piece

YouTube video by David Stanley

youtu.be

Federal minimum wage in: 2009: $7.25 2010: $7.25 2011: $7.25 2012: $7.25 2013: $7.25 2014: $7.25 2015: $7.25 2016: $7.25 2017: $7.25 2018: $7.25 2019: $7.25 2020: $7.25 2021: $7.25 2022: $7.25 2023: $7.25 2024: $7.25 2025: $7.25 2026: $7.25 Folks, it's time to raise the damn wage already.

“[Farage] may have to pay more attention to what is going on”: BBC not even trying to shake off the “soft on the far right” allegations, then

Nigel Farage tells BBC he 'wasn't listening' in foreign donor talks

The Reform leader also told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg that his family are "begging" him to leave his job.

bbc.co.uk

Trump has hired a company run by this guy, Richard Rosen, for $2.7M to work on the algae problem in the Reflecting Pool. Last year, he was convicted of voting in two states in the 2016 presidential election. Gee, wonder who he supported. Story here: www.yahoo.com/news/politic...

Two tier policing. Arrest retired folk peacefully protesting genocide in Gaza. Allow right wing thugs to block streets and ports. I know which group presents the real threat to democracy and the so-called “British way of life”, which these vigilante bullies preposterously claim to be defending.

Dr Jo Kershaw@mthrjo.bsky.social · 2d ago

“Spontaneous”?! We all saw the footage, they were dressed uniformly, for crying out loud

Farage speech: Appoint cabinet ministers regardless of their experience of gov't, Ignore constitution, Ignore judiciary, ignore second chamber, fire civil servants & replace them with people who voted Reform. We've seen all this quite recently. Remind me, how's it working out for you in the US?

So, if I understand Nigel Farage's argument correctly it is: "Everyone I trusted and elevated into a position of responsibility is constantly doing crimes that benefit me but of which I somehow have no knowledge. I am a man with the character, judgement, and intelligence to run the country." Ok.

"After all sir, you wouldn't want anyone to fall on it..."

Shane Chowen@ukshane.bsky.social · 3d ago

Good morning from Reform UK’s party conference in Birmingham where earlier today this delegate had his sword confiscated

I love the dedication in My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinhem

the Outsiders Arts Club is in the FT today!!!! www.ft.com/content/c1b6...

It is always the same betrayal: the public interest is sacrificed for the sake of immensely wealthy people. And Andy Burnham has already gone and done it. My column on how Burnham needs to defy the ultra-rich if he's not to follow Starmer out of the door. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Andy Burnham has already made a mistake that will cost him his premiership: he lost his nerve over political donations | George Monbiot

Being subservient to the interests of the wealthy now means that his hands are tied, and he will be unable to tackle Britain’s most pressing issues, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

theguardian.com

I didn't mean to turn this into a thread, but the issue has got me properly triggered (again). Read on for how this approach has been embedded in every aspect of government, who has driven the process and how it works.

George Monbiot@georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 6d ago

Officially, the water industry in England is regulated. Practically, it's unregulated. There's no difference between what it does under the eye of the Environment Agency and what it would do if the EA did not exist. The EA is completely useless, by design. www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Not seen the word ‘cheating’ as often as seems warranted.

The New Republic@newrepublic.com · 7d ago

If approved, the third-most populous county in Texas will scrap 92 polling stations just weeks ahead of the midterm election. trib.al/wc8ZUdg

Your ever-regular reminder that Republicans in Congress fully support what Hegseth and the president are doing to the American military. It’s disgraceful and disqualifying

Daniel Drezner@dandrezner.bsky.social · 7d ago

“Hegseth, more than ever, now owns every aspect of the Pentagon’s dysfunction.” www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

Trans-Pacific trade deal kicks in today. It “makes the value to Britain’s coffers look like a rounding error” when compared to the ongoing economic cratering of not being in the EU Single Market. The slavish protection given to Brexit defies belief. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

Introduce yourself with 10 acts or bands you’ve seen live. Dr Feelgood Patti Smith The Clash The Skids Elvis Costello Bob Dylan Van Morrison Ray Charles Richard Thompson Nina Simone

valerie.bsky.social@valeriea.bsky.social · 7d ago

Introduce yourself with 10 acts or bands you’ve seen live Al Stewart Curved Air The Crazy World of Arthur Brown Jethro Tull The Who Barbara Dickson Osibisa The Rolling Stones Plainsong Red Priest

PSA: The recipe for economic growth isn’t tax cuts for the rich. It’s investment in our people — in health care, infrastructure and education — to build a strong middle class. You don't grow the economy through trickle-down nonsense.

Electricity in the UK isn't expensive because of net zero. Electricity in the UK is expensive because privatised energy companies are ripping us off.

UK households have the most expensive energy bill in Europe. In 2024 energy companies made £30bn profit. Profit margins, 23%-38%. £500 of average household bill is profit. Profiteering is a bigger factor in household bills than green levies. Nationalise energy to cut household/business costs