No. Starmer did as he was told. The Blairites had a lot of support from the Tories. Bliar is now an employee of Trump!

Starmer didn't appoint Mandelson; Mandelson appointed Starmer

Do you know a decent socialist who still support the so called and ill named Labour Party ?

Them and Labour Together, the pro-Israel lobbyists, arms dealers and friends of the Corporates. The Blairites' next pick is Palantir Streeting.

Lord Mandelson is gone. The trouble is that his allies, acolytes, confederates, proteges and bag carriers still dominate the Labour Party.

Tell your MP: Defend the ECHR Urge your MP to defend our vital human rights framework.

I've just emailed my MP to urge them to defend the European Convention on Human Rights.

Use @libertyhq.bsky.social's helpful tool and call on your MP to oppose the watering down of our key protections.
secure.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/page/189608/...

Designing and delivering employment support | Institute for Government How can government better support people out of work due to ill health?

The extent to which I would much rather be writing about the IfG's new report on employment support (read it! It's really interesting) tomorrow than yet another round of 'man who refuses to do the job of PM properly continues to be bad at it' cannot be overstated.

This is more important than Starmer being a poor fit for the job he is in.

I want to know whether I am going to be able to sit under an umbrella on the beach reading or not.

(or, less selfishly, whether many people are going to go hungry).

Where is the analysis based on days closed?

Sign the Petition Network Rail must remove bird netting under the bridges of New England Road, Brighton

www.change.org/p/network-ra...

I've just signed "Establish a public inquiry into foreign interference" - Will you support the campaign too? actionstorm.org/petitions/fo... @OpenBritainHQ

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF IM ARRESTED? Before arresting you, the police should explain that you’re being arrested, what offence, and why. If you’re arrested, say “no comment” to all questions and do NOT accept a caution until you have legal advice. Seek advice from a solicitor with expertise in protest law (see below). You have the right to: • Tell someone about your arrest • An interpreter if English isn’t your first language • An appropriate adult if you’re under 18 or a vulnerable person You are not legally required to share your nationality or immigration status when arrested, although police may check this if they suspect you’re not a British citizen. For guidance onbeing arrested at a protest, see jcwi.org.uk/immigration-advice-for-protesters SOLICITORS + LEGAL OBSERVERS ITN solicitors 020 3909 8100 Hodge Jones & Allen 0844 848 0222 Kellys 01273 674 898 / 0800 387 463 MTC 07956 308 127 Bindmans 020 7305 5638 Commons 020 3865 5403 BPLS @blkprotestlegal GBC @gbclegal / 07946 541 511

DO I HAVE TO ANSWER POLICE QUESTIONS? If you are stopped and questioned by the police, or they talk to you at a protest, you have the right not to respond, unless you are engaging in “anti-social” behaviour (causing, or likely to cause “harassment, alarm or distress”). You shouldn’t provide false information to the police, as this is a criminal offence. You can’t be searched or arrested just because you lawfully refused to answer police questions. DO I HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTEST? Yes. Your right to protest is protected by the Human Rights Act and can only be lawfully restricted by the police for certain specified purposes (such as preventing crime or disorder) and in a way that is proportionate. For more information and guidance on organising a protest, police powers to restrict or prohibit protests, and your rights if arrested, go to libertyhumanrights.org.uk/advice-and-information and select the topic of ‘protest’ or use the QR code below.

If you're protesting, it's vital to know your rights

Save these bust cards, share with others, write phone numbers on your arm, look for legal observers if you need assistance and remember to say "no comment" without a lawyer

Keep yourselves and each other safe

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Progress for Swifts at Chapel Milton Following Public Pressure There has been an important and encouraging development in the campaign to protect swift nesting sites at Chapel Milton viaduct in Derbyshire.

open.substack.com/pub/protectt...

Odd that the BBC does not think it's newsworthy that Farage misled/lied about this. Not a journalist, but if I found out a politician had misled the public I'd make it known.

BEST OF BYLINES: As the May elections approach, we remember a major figure from local politics - Jeremy Beecham Peter Morris recalls memories of Lord Jeremy Beecham, leader of Newcastle City Council from 1977 until 1994, who has died at the age of 81

open.substack.com/pub/bylinesn...

Joxley Writes | Substack Politics, history and culture from a right of centre perspective. Click to read Joxley Writes, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.

Had about a thousand new followers here recently, so just re-upping and posting for pinning purposes that I have a weekly newsletter - with every other post free to read.

www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk

Trojan Horse? Rupert Lowe’s Far-Right Restore Britain Is Standing 13 Candidates as ‘Independents’ in One Council Anti-racist campaigners accuse the ex-Reform MP of seeking to "disguise" the extreme views and affiliations of his candidates

🔴Trojan Horse? Rupert Lowe’s Far-Right Restore Britain Is Standing 13 Candidates as ‘Independents’ in One Council

Anti-racist campaigners accuse the ex-Reform MP of seeking to “disguise” the extreme views and affiliations of his candidates:
bylinetimes.com/2026/04/17/t...

High Court finds Afghan relocation refusal unlawful and unpublished guidance is withdrawn - Free Movement The High Court has found that the Defence Secretary’s decision to refuse an application under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy was unlawful. The

In case you missed it: High Court finds Afghan relocation refusal unlawful and unpublished guidance is withdrawn | Aiya Nakash

And, they have. What a sorry mess . But, I don’t believe Olly Robbins would have overridden Mandelson’s failed security vetting, without a nod from higher up.

Thinking about this it's not even human. Developed vetting is a notoriously invasive and humiliating investigation. If you were told they were doing a deep dive into one of your colleagues' sordid secrets and that you were allowed to read it, you'd be looking forward to it for weeks!

Is the best defence of Starmer that a whole committee of MPs was told by Robbins that the security vetting was "conducted to the usual standard", and none of them thought to ask: just to check, he did pass, right?

Mmmm, so it turns out Keir Starmer has identified who the victim here and it is, yet again, Keir Starmer

The Tories used to hold most of the 104 councils up this time outside of London. I reckon they'll control just two after these elections...

Hakeem Jeffries slams Republicans for voting against the war powers resolution to end Donald Trump's war in Iran:

"Republicans in the House continue to serve as nothing more than a reckless rubber stamp for Donald Trump's extreme agenda, and it's shameful."

Please don’t forget Gaza.

Israel is still bombing and murdering Palestinian civilians while the world is distracted.

To be fair to Team Starmer, how could anyone possibly have suspected that Mandelson had any blemishes on his character?

the-4billion-pound-lie.blogspot.com

Boris Johnson after No 10: files reveal troubling secrets of the ex-PM’s pursuit of profit In his international dash for cash, Johnson appears to have repeatedly broken ethics rules as he tried to trade on relationships made in Downing Street

www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte... Boris Johnson after No 10: files reveal troubling secrets of the ex-PM’s pursuit of profit

The scene at any event mere seconds after someone says:

"Richard would like to say a few words."

Solar powered motors a step closer - Energy Live News Development of solar cells on the roof of cars could change battery lifespan

This is potentially very cool. Hope it becomes a thing.
www.energylivenews.com/2026/04/15/s...