One line from this sums up the issue many had with Starmer, and expect to repeat with Burnham, sooner or later: "Progressive voters combined to throw the Tories out, only for Labour to alienate its own supporters in a doomed attempt to win the backing of people who would never vote for it."

Ian Dunt@iandunt.bsky.social · 2w ago

Many progressives have embraced despair and it doesn't do them a damn bit of good www.arguably.uk/p/the-left-s...

We might as well reduce the UK's parliamentary terms to 2.5 years, given that that's roughly the shelf life of a Prime Minister nowadays. May & Johnson: about 3 years; Truss: 3 about minutes; Sunak: less than 2 years; Starmer: just over 2 years; And Burnham? I guess the media haven't decided yet.

🤣🤣🤣

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 4w ago

Trump: "Spain is a wasted cause. We don't want to do any trade business with Spain anymore, by the way. I'd like to cut it off. Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. Cut off all trade with Spain, please. Including visits. We don't want anything to do. They're hopeless. Bad people."

Are they booing Infantino or Trump? #WorldCupFinal #SPAvARG

It should be patently obvious to anyone who knows even a basic summary of the events surrounding the VIP lane was an ill-advised idea which almost immediately, predictably, succumbed to corruption. No amount of yachts could make me feel ok about enriching myself while others died as a consequence.

Johnson government wasted £10bn on PPE, Covid inquiry finds

Chair criticises use of ‘VIP lane’ to prioritise PPE contracts for companies with Tory connections in damning report

theguardian.com

After Antonio Salazar suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and emerged from a month-long coma, his circle didn't tell him he'd been removed from power. Instead, he spent almost two years 'ruling' Portugal from bed. They even made fake newspapers referencing the 'policies' he came up with. Just saying...

Forbes@forbes.com · 4w ago

Trump also referred to the “Islamic Republic of Iran” as the “Islamic Republic of Japan.”

What SHOULD happen: The folk of Clacton (a place Farage barely visits and done absolutely no work for as an MP) boot him off. What probably WILL happen: all news outlets run 24/7 coverage, effectively giving Farage a permanent party broadcast, and the racists come out in force to vote him back in.

Whatever the hell that statement from Farage was meant to be, it wasn't Prime Ministerial.

I forgot one can't believe the same body that invented a peace prize for Trump and chose to hold a World Cup in Qatar would do something so blatantly corrupt.

FIFA lifts US star striker Balogun’s red card suspension at World Cup after Trump calls Infantino

U.S. President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium on Mon...

apnews.com

Self employed people! What's the longest you've had to wait for an invoice to be paid? I have an outstanding one from LAST NOVEMBER, which might be a record (aka Hall of Shame) for my business.

Oh goodness this just got intense... #BELvSEN #WorldCup2026

Invoicing and writing time. But first... #coffee

Guitarist Magazine have run a lovely tribute article to Alan Entwhistle in their August 2026 edition. (Apologies for not being able to scan the text for alt text - the original article is behind a paywall) #guitar #pickup #Entwhistle #tribute #luthier #guitarist

Tim the Guitarist@tim-guitar.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Very saddened to learn that guitar & pickup guru Alan Entwhistle has passed away at the age of 79, following a battle with cancer. Entwhistle pickups are among some of the best available and Alan continued to work on the best versions of his guitars up until the end. R.I.P., fella.

Wowee. That's Germany out - and that may be the first time they've ever lost a penalty shootout, no? #WorldCup26 #GERvPAR #Germany #Paraguay

Parabens, Brasil and お気の毒に思います, Japan. Japan played a blinder there, holding one of the best teams in the world to account for most of the game, and can go home with their heads held high. #BRAvJAP #BRAJAP #WorldCup26 #WorldCup #Brazil #Japan

In the last few days, Thomann has responded to Fender's attempted Cease & Desist Order by effectively counter-suing for clarification. Their blog post below explains why, as well as why Fender doesn't have a leg to stand on. #Fender #Stratocaster #Guitar #GuitarNews #Thomann #Strat

Thomann takes legal action against Fender - Thomann Blog

For brand diversity and innovation: Why we are taking legal action against Fender's cease and desist demand.

thomann.de

Tim the Guitarist@tim-guitar.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Decades on from the famous Japanese 'lawsuit' copies of famous guitar designs back in the 1970s, it looks like Fender is getting litigious again... Are Fender hoping that all the thousands of cheaply available Stratocaster style guitars will just disappear? #guitar #Fender #Stratocaster #guitarist

Scotland saved (if you call being just the one goal down safe) by the ref there 😲 #SCOvBRA #WorldCup26

Scotland really does have one of the best national anthems.

Someone at the BBC website is having a giggle... #FRAvIRQ #WorldCup #FIFA #BBC

I'm no Starmer defenders, but whoever comes next will not improve things in UK politics. All Labour have achieved from any of this is making themselves look like the Tories: infighting, MPs putting career before public service and a rolling succession of PMs - all the things we voted out in 2024.

The most dangerous thing about Trump is the people around him doing nothing to rein him in. The fact that his team haven't stepped in (or taken his phone away) show us that they want him to say the things he's saying. Even after Trump is gone, the USA may still continue its descent into fascism.

If you see this, post a picture of you in glasses. (In fairness, almost any photo of me probably involves glasses).

Van3ssaV 🦋@shewithcapitalv.bsky.social · 2mo ago

If you see this, post a picture of you in glasses 🤓

This point has been made by a few people and I completely agree. Children are taught about social media and how to spot misinformation online in a way that your boomer dad never has - but it's the elder generation calling the shots because they create the most revenue for tech companies.

There is no justification whatsoever for @labour.ie (or any self-respecting political party), the Prime Minister, cabinet members, or ANY MP or government official to be using Twitter / X anymore. Absolutely none.

Sam Freedman@samfr.bsky.social · 2mo ago

We need leaders who can spell out what's happening clearly and with force.

One of the highlights of #Carlisle is the amazing Bookends #bookshop on Castle Street (between Carlisle Castle and Carlisle Cathedral - also worth visiting). Four floors of #books old & new, scores, prints, a café and lots of comfy chairs to sit on (useful, because you WILL get lost in here).

Whoops... #coffee #cafebreak #books

Iran almost certainly won't win the #WorldCup, but there's lots of other funny things they can do to upset Trump, such as: - Go further in the tournament than the USA team - Beat the USA team (if they meet for a match) - Be the reason the USA team can't progress - Win over the fan in the stadiums

Where in the world have I been? Submit your guesses.. (There might be a prize for the closest correct answer - especially if you manage not to use Google - or my earlier posts - to work it out) #StreetPhotography #travel #photgraphy #CableCar

How exactly is Farage even still an MP, let alone a figure of influence in this country? Oh that's right - someone is still making a lot of money from his grifting (and not just him).

AndroidMark@marksheekey.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The root of a lot of this country's problems is Nigel Farage.

Farage knew exactly what he was doing yesterday. June hit and the far-right needed an excuse to restart another summer of riots and violence that is becoming regular for the UK. Another grieving family manipulated. Absolutely disgusting.