Mark Braund
@markbraund.substack.com
Politics, Economics, Culture, Music & Wine (DipWSET, no less) Writer of fiction: https://bloomsbury.substack.com and non-fiction: https://markbraund.substack.com https://winestories.substack.com/ https://theguardian.com/profile/markbraund
None of us is more important than a Palestinian child being bombed by Israel, or a Sudanese woman being assaulted by the RSF, or a Congolese child being enslaved so you can use a smartphone and AI, or an immigrant being tortured in ICE detention, or a detainee in Riker's who can't afford bail.
And we can now safely assume that he went home and took it out on his wife.
Parody Nigel Farage@parodypm.bsky.social · 6d agoIt is two years today since this dimwit gave us the most hilarious demonstration of karma in history.
Anthropic shredding millions of rare books should be a crime. It’s also a perfect encapsulation of what utter shit generative AI is and how it fundamentally makes the world worse.
New post from me explaining why banks are a special case and should therefore be taxed more heavily than other businesses. markbraund.substack.com/p/jamie-dimo...
Jamie Dimon really doesn't get it
Banks like J.P. Morgan sit at the heart of our dysfunctional economy but make very little contribution to the creation of new wealth
markbraund.substack.com
@rafaelbehr.bsky.social at his absolute best in @theguardian.com today, especially in his analysis of Trumpian far-right anti-free market capitalism. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Suddenly the British right feels a political chill. It’s getting cold in Andy Burnham’s shadow | Rafael Behr
The Tories and Reform had it easy when Keir Starmer was self-destructing – but a new PM with ideas exposes how vacant the opposition has become, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
theguardian.com
Today experienced the 24th day of year hitting 30C in London. For perspective in whole of 1980s we had 21 days.
The Office: Woman Holding 'HOT' Sign
ALT: The Office: Woman Holding 'HOT' Sign
static.klipy.com
Fifty years ago, when I was laughing my head off at The Goodies, I never thought I'd one day be a member of the very institution they lampoon so hilariously here. RIP the great Bill Oddie www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdf...
The M.C.C Reserve | The Goodies
YouTube video by Goodies Clips - Any Clips, Any Time
youtube.com
You see everything is connected. The marine heatwaves off the coasts of Europe make heatwaves on land more intense, which in turn dries out vegetation, which then creates perfect fire weather conditions. Brought to you by the world's refusal to drastically reduce the burning of fossil fuels.
Ongoing marine heatwave in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea | EU Space Support Office
In late May 2026, several countries in Western Europe faced above-average temperatures. During the same period, large areas of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea also recorded above-average ...
eu-space.europa.eu
My standard FT subscription won't let me read this. But it's a clear indication of what happens as we move rapidly towards a two-tier economy in which wealth creation no longer depends on human labour. It will tear a massive hole in social fabric, and politicians are nowhere near acknowledging it.
Financial Times@financialtimes.com · last wk.Why wages and productivity look set to diverge further ft.trib.al/PrTmG3v
For far too long, the United States has been ambivalent about its war dead, and wounded veterans. But this is beyond the pale. RIP Isabella Gonzalez, you immensely brave young woman. You will not be forgotten.
Meidas Charise Lee 💙🌊🌴🥥🫘@chariselee.bsky.social · last wk.Died for a country that won’t even acknowledge her.
But it's the occasional exception that proves the rule. C'mon Andy!
The Economist@economist.com · last wk.The first-100-days meme reflects a fundamental truth of British politics. The most consequential government actions happen almost immediately or not at all
What a fabulous picture! I was just 9 days old when Campbell broke the record, but grew up hearing all about his exploits, and those of his father from my dad, especially on holidays in the Lake District.
Hannah Howe@hannahhowe.bsky.social · last wk.Sixties Sunday Supplement Issue #7, 26 July 1964 Welcome. Our cover picture this week features Mr Donald Campbell breaking the world land speed record. Many thanks to @gleanniucha.bsky.social for additional content.
Great that Peter Hammill is getting the recognition he deserves. I've always thought that he'll be remembered in centuries to come long after the Ed Sheerans of this world have been forgotten. Not sure how he'd feel about such an accolade from Mr Clarkson, but hey. www.thetimes.com/article/c533...
Jeremy Clarkson: The tech bros should really be funding prog rock
If we don’t give the next musical genius enough money to create their 23-minute epic, we’ll be forever stuck with Adele
thetimes.com
I knew of Guy Scott, but not how he came to be President. What a fascinating story, and a remarkable life. Great obituary by @stephenkb.bsky.social.
Stephen Bush@stephenkb.bsky.social · 2w agoWrote an obituary for Guy Scott, the first and thus far only white man to run a democratic government in postcolonial Africa:
Well, he can tell the country what he’s up to, so that’s a start.
Ros Taylor@rostaylor.bsky.social · last mo.Can an English graduate govern the country? We shall soon find out.
This is why the "B..but he stood for leader before and lost! Twice!" discourse was so dumb. Maybe people staying in politics when they lose or fail & sticking at it makes them...better? If we applied today's norms on when you're meant to leave politics, Churchill would've been gone after Gallipoli
Chris Dillow@chrisdillow.bsky.social · 2w agoI don't remember Burnham having this relaxed communication manner in his 2010 or 2015 Labour leadership contests. Which shows he can learn - & if he can learn this he can learn other things too. This alone elevates him above his recent predecessors.
And I wonder if @sofasound.bsky.social ever reads reviews?
Mark Braund@markbraund.substack.com · 2w agoSending my latest substack post to @stuartmaconie.bsky.social, who put together a fantastic prom last weekend, which features large in this round-up of six excellent concerts I had the privilege if attending over the last fortnight. markbraund.substack.com/p/in-praise-...
Sending my latest substack post to @stuartmaconie.bsky.social, who put together a fantastic prom last weekend, which features large in this round-up of six excellent concerts I had the privilege if attending over the last fortnight. markbraund.substack.com/p/in-praise-...
In Praise of Prog Rock
A fortnight of sublime music that I'm writing about in the hope it'll cheer you up as much as it did me
markbraund.substack.com
A long read for the weekend, inspired by six wonderful concerts I’ve had the pleasure of attending over the last fortnight. Enjoy! markbraund.substack.com/p/in-praise-...
In Praise of Prog
A fortnight of sublime music that I'm writing about in the hope it'll cheer you up as much as it did me
markbraund.substack.com
@wigmore-hall.org.uk Hello, I really enjoyed the Jean Rondeau concert last evening. Do you by any chance the know the name of the piece he played for the encore? Many thanks.
Andy Burnham is suggesting "honesty" in UK politics. OK, I'll start.... -Brexit has made us much weaker -Well-organised immigration is a boon and not a bane -big money in politics and our media is destroying the UK
She's dead right. And all of it is perfectly doable, and would already be happening in truly civilized society. C'Mon Andy.
Ellie Mae O'Hagan@elliemaeohagan.bsky.social · 2w agoTo end rough sleeping you need to fund domestic violence shelters, mental health services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programmes, let people seeking asylum work, and increase welfare spending.
Reversed, wrong-headed, lied; unhinged, wrong-headed, deprived.
'No such danger for Peter Hammill. At 77 he was in mighty voice singing the poignant Refugees.' Great review of Saturday's Prog prom in today's Times, including a photo of Peter in full flight. Copying in @sofasound.bsky.social just in case. www.thetimes.com/culture/musi...
Prog Rock Prom review — symphonic ambition and bangin’ tunes
The Proms celebrated the golden age of prog rock with new orchestral arrangements of songs by Jethro Tull, Yes, King Crimson, Pink Floyd and Emerson, Lake & Palmer
thetimes.com
One of the worst things about the revolving door of party leadership is that it affords Chris Mason an arena in which to deliver his tedious and banal commentary on it all
As Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister, a new piece from me on Burnham's previous support for land value tax as part of a wider strategy to get the economy working again and enabling everyone to earn a decent living by effective participation in the economy. markbraund.substack.com/p/andy-burnh...
Andy Burnham and Land Value Tax
Will Britain's new Prime Minister have the courage of his convictions?
markbraund.substack.com
She's a friend of mine, but in a way it's even more rewarding when someone you've known for many years takes the time to read something you've written, and recommend it. Thanks Luci.
Luci Gosling (it’s short for Lucinda)@lucigosling.bsky.social · 2w agoMy ex-colleague @markbraund.substack.com is brilliant at eloquently expressing ideas to make everyone's lives better (unless you're a company that owns a shit load of land). Recommend reading this - open.substack.com/pub/markbrau...
Great open letter to the incoming Chancellor of the Exchequer by the Resolution Foundation’s @ruthcurtice.bsky.social Let’s hope whoever it is, (s)he takes Ruth’s advice onboard. resolutionfoundation.substack.com/p/the-three-...
The three steps needed to climb out of the UK’s fiscal hole
Ruth Curtice shares her advice for the next Chancellor, who's about to step into a deep, and growing, hole.
resolutionfoundation.substack.com
