[foreign office 2025]
CIVIL SERVANT: Prime Minister we have news on Mandelson's vetting, it turns out-
STARMER: no don't tell me, I want it to be a surprise when the scandal comes out in 8 months' time
CIVIL SERVANT: I really insis-
STARMER: god forbid we have any MYSTERY in our lives any more
Somewhat ludicrous BBC headline: "staggering" I was not told Mandelson failed vetting, says PM
[climbing out of my car which is now embedded in my neighbours' front room, turning to them hands on hips] honestly I'm as mad about this as you are
Labour Party loyalty groupthink endangering UK security and ignoring Epstein's victims.
This requires accountability.
It's beyond belief to assume Peter Mandelson would pass security vetting for anyone who has read his Wikipedia page.
The core problem is the appointment. They wanted Mandelson, the system gave them Mandelson. The system worked as it is meant to. The problem is the original sin - the decision (the desire) to appoint Mandelson.
So much of the Mandelson affair involves people making objectively insane decisions and thinking, well, this surely will not blow up in my face -- despite substantial precedent that, where Mandelson is concerned, it really will definitely blow up in your face.
Literally all of Labour’s scandals in office would have been avoided if they had genuinely modernised the party 2019-24, because they are all things that a modern workplace would go “sorry, you want to do what? Are you nuts?”
The Pope is in Cameroon and saying very normal things that are fully expected, given Catholic teaching.
Arguably more significant is that he wrote to the Cardinals yday basically reiterating that they are building on reforms begun by Pope Francis. This will displease far right Catholics in the US.
Not clear that tribunals will work effectively enough for the New Deal for Working People. Renters' Rights comes into force 1st May, sincerely hoping this works as intended.
Seems like time has run out to effect change at the BBC? And to save Higher Ed as it currently functions. Meanwhile there is inaction over the erosion of the Equality Act, and a racist approach to immigration.
Nearly two years in, a generational opportunity wasted.
List of anti-migrant articles on BBC News page
Ffs. This is at the bottom of another article and does not include today's DV one so there are at least seven anti-migrant articles on BBC News within the last day
Think I actually am going to need to sit down, wade through the muck and do some writing about this....
The BBC undercover investigation into false immigration claims is deeply irresponsible journalism. It does not highlight that exploitation by unregulated advisors occurs because legal aid was cut and the system is insane to navigate.
As someone just reminded me, the recently appointed Executive News Editor at BBC News — Lindsay McIntosh — comes straight from the Sunday Times. Billy Kenber, the lead reporter on the story, is also ex-Times. The whole thing has a very Murdoch press tone to it.
It's a little hard to fit everything into news stories like this but something I wanted to spell out - Prof Yasuyuki Aono was an *incredibly* dedicated person, by all accounts, who brought us the now-famous cherry blossom climate indicator.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
You can't keep on just slashing and burning everything that makes it worthwhile living and creates a sense of place and belonging. In the end you have nothing real left.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Let's be clear: the destruction of universities is a political choice. It doesn't have to be like this. Sure, there are issues, some serious, but Ireland's universities aren't totally screwed, nor The Netherlands'. The UK government has made a choice - it is demolishing and incinerating education.
This reporting from BBC stokes division, racism and homophobia, and fails to engage with that reality faced by most LGBTQIA+ individuals. I will be making a formal complaint and hope many others will as well
www.bbc.co.uk/contact/comp...
Used to use LNER's site as they would send thru a PDF via email. Now it just doesn't work when I try to click "Continue" to buy tickets. Ugh.
Seems like I can't now buy on the day tickets for Northern from LNER's website. Continuously erroring 🤷🏻♀️
(Having endless problems trying to buy on the day tickets without using the app. I always print tickets if I can as otherwise idk how you prove you have a ticket if your phone battery dies.)
Was going to send them the guidance but I think it's confusing?
I think this is not very clear: "There are 2 types of LPA. An LPA can be made to cover the donor’s property and financial affairs or their health and welfare.".
www.lastingpowerofattorney.service.gov.uk/guide#topic-...
Going slightly insane trying to explain to an older relative the difference between a solicitor who facilitates your making a lasting power of attorney and an attorney within the LPA framework 😭
RIP Moya Brennan of Clannad - for someone like me, she'll always be best known as the voice of Chicane's 'Saltwater'
Immigration enriches our society and benefits our economy. Changing settlement rules will have financial consequences for us all - this video explains why and how. If truth matters to you when it comes to immigration pass it on.
All data quoted in this video from Migration Advisory Committee.
Without going all Angela's Ashes about it, the imprint of poverty never really leaves you does it. You can see it in the data from the disaster that was the 1980s. Number one reason to keep Reform out is to stop this happening yet again.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
At the point where I really can't tell if people are joking but I personally am glad that my older relatives didn't die in their 50s.
a gentle reminder that the UK's healthcare spending per capita is at the OECD average, and pensions as % of GDP are well below it
The messaging would have been so much better if they'd used this mechanism (which is now in place) from the beginning.
Esp because of the way the DWP informs pensioners by letter.
NEW: Alf Dubs, Kindertransport refugee & Labour peer, says he
— had more success on immigration policy under Tories than he does now
— hasn’t met w Mahmood whereas Tory home secs used to invite him to meet
— agrees w Rayner: immigration changes are “unBritish”
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Labour MPs have been told to vote down House of Lords amendments to the Victims and Courts bill which would allow people to have free access to transcripts of court proceedings in which they are the victims. Three clauses were added to the legislation by the House of Lords, including "a clause that would enable victims to have access to free transcripts of court proceedings". MPs are set to vote on them on Wednesday afternoon. Costs for victims requesting transcripts of trials, including those who are victims of rape or sexual assault, can run into the tens of thousands, which critics say leaves many unable to pay the fees and therefore unable to access transcripts of trials in which they are the victim.
Labour MPs Told To Block Amendments Giving Victims Right To Free Court Transcripts www.politicshome.com/news/article... (UK)
Lords amendment publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
Debate hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026... + briefing commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
#openjustice
Once again the government are moving asylum seekers who are members of our congregation, with almost no notice, to cities hours away, and no matter how many times it happens I don't get any less mad.
