OK, the Gorton and Denton by-election, I have some thoughts!
Let's take a look at some of the FACTS and burst a few of the more ridiculous takes doing the rounds
But first up, can we acknowledge just what bad losers Reform are?!🤣
Right, let's get started...
🧵 1/
I understand. We understand.
We understand the importance that Europe had in your lives and the sense of biting loss for many of you.
We understand what Brexit has done.
2
Keir Starmer is my MP. This is the letter I wrote to him today.
Subject: Island of Strangers?
Mr Starmer,
Let me tell you about this ‘stranger’.
Image from the Financial Times, placing Keir Starmer next to Enoch Powell.
Starmer's language was deplorable.
It was grotesquely offensive, accusing people who have brought their gifts to this country of doing "incalculable" "damage"; & politically foolish, in endorsing Farage's claims of an establishment conspiracy.
But bad analogies with Powell miss the key problem. 🧵
As a German I will forever be grateful to all who fought for the liberation of Europe.
But as a historian I am looking at front pages today and must wonder: What is the point of remembering #VEDay 80 years on, what is the point of our thanks, when we are failing to protect the sacrifices made? 🧵
BREAKING 🚨 Can you guess which 5 MPs have taken the highest total donations from people+companies linked to the private health sector between 2023-2025?
1. Wes Streeting - £179,575
2. Yvette Cooper - £165,439
3. Shabana Mahmood - £136,168
4. Tom Tugendhat - £106,297
5. Rachel Reeves - £94,043
...
"The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity."
@libdems.org.uk
America, just in case you thought Friday went well here’s how the London Times saw it …..
It's really fucking clear that Trump and his cronies are out to break everything and everyone as much as they can, their 'enemies' within and without. The more cruel, the more mean, the more unfair - the better.
and convert the tears of others into gold in their pockets.
So where does that latest bullying thugfest leave the Trump-loving Brexiters and Anglosphere obsessives? How can they now claim that their preferred cosy club offers the best (or indeed any) protection of our national interest when the leader of a martyred nation is humiliated in public like that?
And yes, I’m a Progressive Activist!
Thank you!
Foreign Leader Favourability Ratings amongst British Voters:
🇺🇦 Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Favourable: 64%
Unfavourable: 16%
NET: +48%
🇺🇸 Donald Trump
Favourable: 22%
Unfavourable: 73%
NET: -51%
🇷🇺 Vladimir Putin
Favourable: 4%
Unfavourable: 89%
NET: -85%
Via @YouGov, 16-17 Feb.
Absolutely fascinating thread and polling. I feel sure I’m one of these PAs and possibly an undogmatic or quiet one. How can I find / work out which category I fall into?
Connections
Puzzle #614
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Not bad for a Brit!
“Nigel Farage — ringmaster of the right — proved so successful in ensuring his Tory opponents danced to his tune that they forgot he was an adversary.
“A populist pied piper, he marched the Tories to and from issues and, eventually, off an electoral cliff edge.”
www.politics.co.uk/5-minute-rea...
24. The big door! And the most joyful bit of Rutter to end with. His 2003 setting of the words to 'A Gallery Carol', 'Rejoice & Be Merry'. Brass! Handbells! A pulsing, dancing, whirling rhythm! Rejoice and be merry! And a very happy Christmas to you all. xx
youtu.be/TRTIvg3uwPI?...
Connections
Puzzle #550
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Tricky! No idea what the arrow was pointing to on the ice cream sundae!
@lorddom.bsky.social
@markkiernan.bsky.social
Interesting analysis. Relevant to UK right now as a niche party seems to be trying to tack to mainstream to expand its appeal while holding together a loose and potentially unstable coalition of current supporters.
Agree about their corners - the rush from back post to near post is fascinating and effective. In tighter games, we are blunt in attack, partly down to young and developing strikers but our midfielders aren’t yet incisive enough in the final third. We’re improving but much still to do.
Blimey! It’s like a completely different era!
Pie Minister, by any chance? Had that one last week and it was excellent (even if it probably is ultra processed food! ☹️)
The last election handed nearly 2/3 of seats to Labour on just over 1/3 of votes cast. The 2019 election gave the Tories a majority of >80 on only 43% of votes. First-past-the-post doesn’t work and we can’t bemoan low turnout if people feel their vote won’t count. www.politics.co.uk/news/2024/11...
@lorddom.bsky.social
@markkiernan.bsky.social
One to follow if you aren’t already.
My feelings exactly. At least Arsenal won!
@lorddom.bsky.social Another one for you, Dom.
Interesting new arrival
@markkieranuk.bsky.social
@lorddom.bsky.social
@markkieranuk.bsky.social
@lorddom.bsky.social
Oh - and if it’s not too much trouble, if you don’t mind Rt this so people can find me here, I’d be very grateful. Thank you
@markkieranuk.bsky.social
@lorddom.bsky.social