Steven Fielding
@polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Emeritus Professor of Political History. The Labour Party and other currently lost causes. “'Tis a muddle, and that's aw.”
You have got to be a complete idiot or cynically politically self interested not to know that people like Bonehill-Paine who claim to be combating antisemitism are merely using Jews to attack Muslims.
Mark Wallace@wallaceme.bsky.social · 9h agoConservativeHome has always been a critical friend of the Conservative Party, and a place for all of its wings and views to debate and discuss. So in addition to the above editorial, Bonehill-Paine is also in today’s Comment section making his own case conservativehome.com/2026/08/05/j...
Big Pussy is dead. Again. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/01/a...
Vincent Pastore, Whose ‘Sopranos’ Character Ratted Out Tony, Dies at 80 (Gift Article)
He played Salvatore Bonpensiero, a mobster’s foot soldier turned F.B.I. informant known to his friends as Big Pussy, on the celebrated HBO series.
nytimes.com
One reason why so much UK journalism is a cesspit.
It’s so interesting that recently deceased individuals best known for spouting pretty rancid views for fun and profit both turn out to be, apparently, in private, such warm-hearted, lovely people. 🫤
The Little Echo of our right-wing press is merely responding to the change there. The really interesting question is why Murdoch et al have now turned on Farage? To boost the Cons now they’re Reform Lite or build up Restore?
Ian Dunt@iandunt.bsky.social · 2d agoFascinating change in BBC news bulletins about Reform. Farage announcement on small boats only gets the third spot and is balanced by critics saying he's trying to distract from allegations over his finances. Quite the change from the uncritical coverage earlier this year.
I’m pretty sure I don’t much care what Goodall thinks about anything.
Dorian Lynskey@dorianlynskey.bsky.social · 3d agoConfused by Lewis Goodall going weird about Covid in 2026, without even the excuse of lockdown
I don’t know what they’re drinking over at the Express but I would steer well clear of it… www.aol.co.uk/articles/and...
Andy Burnham dealt huge blow as new bombshell poll reveals who people truly want as PM - AOL
The newly crowned Prime Minister's Downing Street honeymoon could already be over, according to the latest YouGov poll.
aol.co.uk
The Greens might now need to change their pitch. But what should it be?
If Starmer had gone about four months ago, there would be many more Labour councillors in the Greater Manchester area today.
Diane Abbott calls Russia’s full scale invasion against Ukraine, which last night murdered nine civilians and earlier this week killed an 18 month old baby “The NATO campaign against Russia” youtu.be/SMBjoiMskxA?...
Diane Abbott MP
YouTube video by StoptheWarCoalition
youtu.be
My entire life I’ve never called it the FIFA World Cup. I’ve always called it the World Cup. Fans don’t give a shit about FIFA. If national teams showed up for a World Cup tournament not held by FIFA we would all watch it. World Cup is the brand. FIFA is nothing.
It is utterly bizarre that so many people are prepared to put themselves through years of microscopic scrutiny and unpaid or badly paid research work & endure painful writing regimes all to in the end get repeatedly kicked in the crotch.
will pooley@willpooley.bsky.social · 5d agoyouve heard of failing upwards. well academic careers in 2026 encapsulate the reverse: succeeding downwards. so many talented, highly qualified people, being punished for their achievements
There are difficult decisions to be made thanks to Trump and Putin but this just denies the need for them and ‘if the left’ (sic) takes the author’s advice it’ll likely turn out to be yet another blind alley. tribunemag.co.uk/2026/07/agai...
Against Rearmament
America is ushering in a new age of militarism and bellicosity — with the British establishment in tow. The Left’s politics should be organised around stopping the relentless drive to war.
tribunemag.co.uk
Never knowingly listened to Belle and Sebastian.
James Austin@jamesdaustin.bsky.social · last wk.what is the world's most offensively beige band and why is it Belle and Sebastian?
The @nytimes.com picture editor is making some kind of a statement there. Or perhaps Douthat has just heard he’s going to be joined by obsessive Islamophobe Trevor Phillips on 60 Minutes…
1/4 A growing number of higher education institutions are using dirty tactics to undermine staff pension rights, pay and working conditions.
Exactly my experience re: my dad. This might have a wider resonance!
Farrukh@implausibleblog.bsky.social · last wk.Andy Burnham, "To me, carers should be the best paid people in society, not the worst" "Many people from other countries have been caring for my dad" Andy Burnham praises migrants to the UK who care for our elderly, a stark contrast to Keir-island-of-strangers-Starmer
Proofs submitted for the forthcoming article. Here's some of the characters who feature in the article. I read them together because they all advocate politically for/using the same concept.
It’s a questionable indicator but on my Manchester road I’ve not seen so many Labour posters or boards for a very long time - and that includes the last general election. NB the ward went Green after years of returning Labour councillors.
#OtD 29 Jul 1962 fascist Oswald Mosley tried to march with the Union Movement in Manchester, UK. However, he was attacked by anti-fascists and had to be rescued by police. A Mosley speech later was drowned out by a crowd of anti-fascists. More info: www.patreon.com/posts/e37b-6...
That Burnham: Polanski matchup is quite something. & very disturbing for the Greens.
YouGov@yougov.co.uk · last wk.Who would make the better PM? Burnham 48% vs Farage 22% Burnham 45% vs Polanski 9% Burnham 41% vs Davey 8% Burnham 38% vs Badenoch 26% Badenoch 41% vs Farage 17% Badenoch 36% vs Polanski 20% Badenoch 32% vs Davey 23% Davey 35% vs Farage 24% Davey 27% vs Polanski 13% Polanski 29% vs Farage 27%
My assumption was that many more would oppose than support. I’m not sure what the trajectory of opinion has been on this issue over the years but this is interesting… and there’s not much difference between different parties’ supporters.
YouGov@yougov.co.uk · last wk.Britons are divided on whether the UK should introduce compulsory voting for general elections, amid reports the government is considering such proposals as part of a raft of future electoral reforms Support: 43% Oppose: 47% yougov.com/en-gb/daily-...
I’m not sure if Starmer could ever have turned it around and certainly by the time he resigned it was way too late, but given what everybody was saying about Labour‘s decline & where it was losing votes it’s utterly staggering he didn’t make any attempt to recalibrate: it’s a fascinating failure.
Luke Tryl@luketryl.bsky.social · last wk.Our latest voting intention sees cross over. Labour move ahead by 4. Their first lead since March 2025 & highest share since Nov 24 🌹 LAB 28% (+4) ⏩ REF 24% (-2) 🌳 CON 22% (nc) 🔶 LIB DEM 12% (+1) 🟢 GREEN 8% (-3) 🟡 SNP 2% (nc) N = 2061| Dates 24-27/7| Change w 22/7
A new Peterloo jug is news, because all known examples are printed over a leftover batch commemorating an admiral. This one is part of a new batch on a purpose-made jug, indicating sustained demand. On display soon at the People’s History Museum. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
People's History Museum to display rare Peterloo massacre jug
The jug commemorating the 1819 Peterloo massacre will be displayed at the People's History Museum.
bbc.co.uk