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Alex Andreou

@sturdyalex.bsky.social

I write, act, sing, broadcast and cook. Occasionally, even for money. One third of the @quietriotpod.bsky.social with @pimlicat.bsky.social and @mrkennycampbell.bsky.social Support me on https://ko-fi.com/quietriotpod

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Alex Andreou@sturdyalex.bsky.social · 9h ago

Sad to see LibDems jump on the prison panic bandwagon. "We know some prisoners must be released earlier, but not them, or them, or him, or her, or them, etc..." is an infinite loop that destroys public trust. Also potentially dangerous, as it throttles arrest/prosecution/sentencing at the other end.

Alex Andreou@sturdyalex.bsky.social · yesterday

There is a danger that by arguing the amount, we end up conceding the framing. Britain's welfare is ungenerous, the spend in total is mid-to-low table, and below past peaks. Benefits need reforming because they're unfit for purpose and trap, instead of enabling people. Not to make fantasy savings.

Chart of UK overall benefit spend, showing it lower than post-GFC or pandemic and largely in similar proportions, pensions being the largest chunk by far.Charts showing the UK is mid-table of comparative OECD countris on total social expenditure and bottom third in terms of cash benefits.Charts showing that the UK has the lowest welfare income replacement rate (ie. how far one's income drops if they lose their job) of any comparator OECD country, and third lowest, if you add housing benefit (which is more than the cash benefit element).Graph showing that the generosity of the UK's welfare spending has been declining over decades against trend.
Alex Andreou@sturdyalex.bsky.social · yesterday

The state of this. A lovely day out for Badenoch and Philp, playing dress up and making pronouncements about early release schemes - having left the country with one hundred available men's prison places, after fourteen years in charge. You read that right. One hundred places.

Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch and Shadow Home Office Secretary Chris Philp, in high-vis police jackets enjoy a photo opportunity.
Roz Keene@rozkeene.bsky.social · 4d ago

Loved the film and powerful contemporary messages. Thoroughly recommend @alexpodyssey.bsky.social for an in depth discussion of The Odyssey led by Alex Andreou who is originally from Greece, includes experts in Greek mythology and relating the themes to today’s world plus the Greek view of the film.

daughterofmrandmrss@nosregis.bsky.social · 3d ago

Absolutely brilliant! Also the odes to democracy genuinely moved me. Thank you @pimlicat.bsky.social @sturdyalex.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social @mayaonstage.bsky.social @quietriotpod.bsky.social & @countbinface.bsky.social - the Clactonites need you! Big up Rick for the "just the tip" gag :)

Quiet Riot@quietriotpod.bsky.social · 3d ago

💥 LIVE SHOW part two feat. COUNT BINFACE is out now 💥 We discuss what the UK can learn from the US to avoid "Temu Trump" with @therickwilson.bsky.social and @mayaonstage.bsky.social, hosted by @hardeepmatharu.bsky.social. 🎧👇 🔊 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q... 🍏 open.spotify.com/episode/2KKZ...

Quiet Riot@quietriotpod.bsky.social · 3d ago

“There may never be a moment when we're 'out of the woods'. We have to accept that fascism is a cold sore. It never goes away. It just waits for our political immune system to weaken. So, this may not be a battle that ever ends. That was our mistake in recent decades. We thought the fight was done.”

Quiet Riot@quietriotpod.bsky.social · 3d ago

💥 LIVE SHOW part two feat. COUNT BINFACE is out now 💥 We discuss what the UK can learn from the US to avoid "Temu Trump" with @therickwilson.bsky.social and @mayaonstage.bsky.social, hosted by @hardeepmatharu.bsky.social. 🎧👇 🔊 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q... 🍏 open.spotify.com/episode/2KKZ...

Alex Andreou@sturdyalex.bsky.social · 3d ago

The funniest - and least discussed - aspect of this is that Farage, having reportedly told RefUK he'd only lead them if compensated for the £1m a year income he had outside politics, pocketed their five million, then kept earning from outside interests at the same rate anyway. He scammed even them.

Nigel Farage’s income since being elected MP has hit £2m, analysis shows Reform UK leader has registered wide range of financial interests on top of his Commons salary since July 2024 Cameo, speeches, pushing gold bullion: how Farage has made millions since becoming an MP Helena Horton and Anna Isaac Wed 6 May 2026 19.57 BST Share Prefer the Guardian on Google Nigel Farage’s income since he was elected as an MP has now reached £2m on top of his parliamentary salary, analysis of the register of MPs has shown.
Alex Andreou@sturdyalex.bsky.social · 3d ago

Important, because Farage's defence for not declaring Harborne's £5m 'gift' has always been very specific: he did not decide to stand until 3rd of June. Turns out this deal was struck mid-May (confirmed by RefUK) and facilitated by Farage's other big donor, convicted felon 'Posh' George Cotrell. 🧐

Steve Peers@stevepeers.bsky.social · 5d ago

Here are those special rules on Ceuta and Melilla as regards Schengen - dating back to Spain acceding to the Schengen Convention eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...

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Nissim@nissimss.bsky.social · 5d ago

Ceuta isn’t in mainland Spain. Is on Morocco’s coast. Under Spanish control since 1500 Is one of 2 Spanish cities that form the European Union’s only land borders with Africa, While Ceuta is part of the EU, it operates under special rules that restrict people from entering Spain and the rest of EU.

Alex Andreou@sturdyalex.bsky.social · 3d ago

RefUK, RW media, & Eurofash are plainly trying to whip up a panic about this. Any serious report must begin by explaining that Ceuta is in Africa - not mainland Spain - and 48k+ of the 50k crossers were already returned. It is frightening how many still don't know this. Please share on all socials.

Map showing the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa.Screengrab from Politico piece that explains, citing Reuters, that 48,300 of the 50,000 recent crossings have already been expelled or voluntarily returned to Morocco.BBC report on Friday, still echoing the RW disinformation - or at the very least not challengning it sufficiently. "Spain's PM blames traffickers after 60,000 migrants reach Ceuta from Morocco 01:32 What triggered the mass migrant crossings into Ceuta? Sofia Ferreira Santos and Sarah Rainsford, Southern and Eastern Europe correspondent 31 July 2026 Spain's prime minister has blamed trafficking gangs after about 60,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco. At least 57 people died during the surge, according to local media."Daily Mail and Daily Express from this weekend, with front page headlines "Ministers MUST stop the Spanish border invaders reaching UK" and "SPANISH BORDER CRISIS IS 'WAKE-UP CALL' FOR UK", respectively.
Alex Andreou@sturdyalex.bsky.social · 3d ago

Important, because Farage's defence for not declaring Harborne's £5m 'gift' has always been very specific: he did not decide to stand until 3rd of June. Turns out this deal was struck mid-May (confirmed by RefUK) and facilitated by Farage's other big donor, convicted felon 'Posh' George Cotrell. 🧐

Nigel Farage struck Reform comeback deal long before election Supervised by the convicted fraudster George Cottrell, the agreement undermines Farage's claim about when he decided to return to politics REFORM UK Bank of Single Richard Tice was demoted to deputy leader when Farage returned in 2024 Gabriel Pogrund, Emanuele Midolo, Venetia Menzies Saturday August 1 2026, 8.15pm, The Sunday Times Nigel Farage struck a secret deal to return as leader of Reform UK months before the general election. Farage negotiated the pact with Richard Tice, then the leader, in March and April 2024. George Cottrell, the convicted fraudster who had been secretly bankrolling Farage, supervised the discussions. Under the terms of the deal, once Farage became leader Reform would repay or write off more than £1 million in outstanding loans it had received from Tice's company. The deal was first presented by Farage and Cottrell to the party's treasurer in mid-May. Its existence undermines the Reform leader's claim that he had no intention until June 2024 of returning to politics. Farage has used this to defend his failure to declare donations made to him in the year before he was elected as an MP, which triggered two parliamentary investigations.
European Heart@bexbitchley.bsky.social · 4d ago

@mrjamesob.bsky.social @sturdyalex.bsky.social @pimlicat.bsky.social www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/nigel-farage-reform-leader-deal-george-cottrell-5gfrcrmb0

Tom Gallagher@tomdg.bsky.social · 4d ago

Just caught up with this incredible podcast from @sturdyalex.bsky.social I loved the movie. I have never read the poem. So it was amazing to listen to classicists and film buffs swap notes together. The most accessible Nolan film gets the most accessible review 👏👏👏

Alex Andreou's Podyssey@alexpodyssey.bsky.social · 2w ago

🆕 ODD-POD: 🐴 A Deep Dive into Chris Nolan's Odyssey 🏛️ The one you've been waiting for. Every shot. Every choice. Every moment. Every controversy. What was in. What wasn't. All the experts. A review almost as long as the film. 🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a... 🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/4WtT...

Alex Andreou@sturdyalex.bsky.social · 4d ago

"The Republicans always knew that 25% of our base, if I may put it bluntly, were cousin-f**king weirdos. We brought them out of the closet every four years, hosed them off, and sent them to vote. We did not really like those people, but they were part of the route to gov't. Now, they ARE the gov't.”

The Authoritarian Playbook LIVE: Part 1

Podcast Episode · Quiet Riot · S3, E84 Bonus · 52min

podcasts.apple.com

Quiet Riot@quietriotpod.bsky.social · 4d ago

LIVE SHOW PART ONE Is out now. We talk all things Trump, tariffs, bridges, explosive diarrhoea, and more with Rick Wilson and Maya May. 🎧👇 open.spotify.com/episode/0Vhv...

Alex Andreou@sturdyalex.bsky.social · 5d ago

Yeah. They've been not-trying quite a lot recently. And I think your analysis is too simple. There are big parts of the combined authority - Bury, Bolton, Trafford, etc - in which Tories *have* been competitive. Johnson got 6-7 seats. Letting your voters drift to other parties has consequences.

Best for Britain@bestforbritain.org · 5d ago

The UK Health Security Agency has recorded 2,877 heat-associated deaths so far this summer. Almost double the 2025 figure.

Alex Andreou@sturdyalex.bsky.social · 6d ago

While fires rage in large parts of Europe incl UK, farmers face crop failure and livestock loss, every RefUK or Tory politician on the news must be challenged on their "let's do away with costly net zero nonsense" stance, side-by-side with live images of the cost of inaction. Expose the charlatans.

Tufty McTavish@tuftymctavish.com · 5d ago

🎧 The one that considered the lower-case ‘L’ of liberal across the hosts, a “wishy-washy wokey-dokey” 👕 and an eloquent summary from @sturdyalex.bsky.social that gets to the core of the dodgy political parties. Oh, it seems 🚲 + 🚶‍♂️ are now ‘woke’ in 🇺🇸🤦‍♂️ 🇬🇧 #UKPolitics 🗳️ #Podcasts 📻

“Essentially trying to pick holes in REF’s stance on issue A or issue B, it credits them with having a political or moral philosophy behind them that just isn’t there… that departures from which might embarrass them or upset their followers, and they just don’t. Their sole platform is ‘kick someone so they hurt like you hurt’.”
Quiet Riot@quietriotpod.bsky.social · 5d ago

B-SIDE: Free speech. We talk about its limits, its imbalance and its hypocritical zealots. With @sturdyalex.bsky.social @mrkennycampbell.bsky.social and @pimlicat.bsky.social 🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q... 🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/32Mj...