Gary Sheffield | Lightnews

Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 4d

The bit that gets missed in the scandal around Farage's schooldays is that his school made him a prefect - despite warnings from staff about his conduct.

It's a recurring theme for Trump, Johnson, Farage & co. We can't be surprised at the way they behave, when their behavior is constantly rewarded.

LaindonFeminist: Labour led by Keir for me @viviane49.bsky.social · 4d

Will Hutton has published a very positive article today. I’ve summarised his points here. But attach full article in second tweet.

2026 forecasts
- Economists think GDP will rise to 1.5%.
- S&P PMI composite output index for the services and manufacturing sectors, has expanded to 52
- PWC polled global execs the UK was seen as the second most attractive place to invest in the world
- Tax takes near to 34.4% – but still in line with the other rich members of the OECD, and below most other European countries.
- Adjusting for changes in the way the data is collected it seems likely that rather fewer people have been leaving the country. And a record number of Americans applied for British citizenship in 2025
- Revisions show the economy performed noticeably better in the last few years than had been thought. The latest estimate is that public debt is 94.5% of GDP.
- Cost of government borrowing has edged down since the budget.
- UK is not far behind the San Francisco Bay Area when it comes to the funds raised for seed and early stage companies. And there are some highly innovative businesses out there. One area to watch: quantum computing, where real signs of strength are emerging in Britain.
- Energy prices are coming down. Interest rates may fall a little more. The pace of growth in wages is slowing. Inflation dropped to 3.2% in November and the OBR thinks the figure for 2026 will be down to 2.5%.
- The green growth story is emerging. The regulator has given the go-ahead to investments of £90bn in gas and electricity networks by 2031.
- Rolls-Royce has orders for three small nuclear reactors in Anglesey.
- The giant Sizewell C reactor project is grinding into life.
- Last week Nissan started production of its third generation electric vehicles in Sunderland

Gary Sheffield @profgsheffield.bsky.social · 6d

Well I think Lee is overrated but it is a long time since I read those books

Matthew Taylor, author of "Black Redcoats" @blackredcoats.bsky.social · 6d

Via @nationalarmymuseum.bsky.social - 19 Dec 1945, Viceroy of #India Wavell awards a posthumous Victoria Cross #VC to the widow an Indian Army soldier.

Her husband was a British hero & she is wearing a #burka.

13/30 Indian VCs were posthumous in #WW2. #History #Burma
@historybowsh.bsky.social

Claire S (UK not USA) @csav55.bsky.social · 7d

Me too and the media's ludicrous reaction to the announcement only confirms my opinion. They've wilfully refused to report the positives, an example being the scant coverage the Employment Rights bill has been given. It's a huge piece of legislation which will benefit all employees.

Gary Sheffield @profgsheffield.bsky.social · 7d

I understand why you think that, but at least in terms of the present government, it is too harsh. Anyway, we have a blueprint in the form of the Jenkins report commissioned by Blair but not acted upon.

Jonathan Boff @jfb1066.bsky.social · 7d

My final point on this is that we are living through a period of the lowest-quality MPs and governments - on both sides - that I can remember and I would not trust _any_ of the current shower to cross the road on their own, never mind fundamentally reform our constitution

Jonathan Boff @jfb1066.bsky.social · 7d

My final point on this is that we are living through a period of the lowest-quality MPs and governments - on both sides - that I can remember and I would not trust _any_ of the current shower to cross the road on their own, never mind fundamentally reform our constitution

Gary Sheffield @profgsheffield.bsky.social · 7d

I believe there are

Jonathan Boff @jfb1066.bsky.social · 7d

All fair points. The one thing I do really like about FPTP is voting for your constituency MP, knowing who it will be, and them then being responsible for all their constituents. Maybe there are clever ways to preserve that link under PR?

Jonathan Boff @jfb1066.bsky.social · 7d

All fair points. The one thing I do really like about FPTP is voting for your constituency MP, knowing who it will be, and them then being responsible for all their constituents. Maybe there are clever ways to preserve that link under PR?

Gary Sheffield @profgsheffield.bsky.social · 7d

Up to a point, Lord Copper. It is also about fairness in voting. That is not an abstract concept – it has contributed to the current feeling of (literal) disenfranchisement and disillusionment. FTPT benefited my lot last time. It does not make it right, fair, or sustainable.

Gary Sheffield @profgsheffield.bsky.social · 7d

All good points but as a voter who habitually votes for a party other than my preferred one (because I don't want to waste my vote in a hopeless constituency) I have been opposed to FPTP for many years. Only thing in its favour was it produced stable government (mostly). Now probably no longer true.

Bremain in Spain @bremaininspain.com · 7d

Farage's failed Brexit promised the world and has delivered nothing but misery. So why trust Farage's Reform with the UK economy? They can't even run councils they've won.
#SpottedNews

Reform Party UK Exposed @reformexposed.bsky.social · 7d

Reform UK’s flagship Kent Council’s budget reveals ‘gaping’ £60 million deficit – and it could get worse

Reform UK council’s budget reveals ‘gaping’ £60 million deficit

Kent County Council (KCC), faces a projected debt increase of tens of millions of pounds, even with maximum council tax hikes

www.independent.co.uk

Gary Sheffield @profgsheffield.bsky.social · 7d

Neither do I entirely, but I really don't want to take the risk. Also a fairer voting system is a positive good IMHO.

Jonathan Boff @jfb1066.bsky.social · 7d

Don’t buy your premise.

Gary Sheffield @profgsheffield.bsky.social · 7d

We'll have to agree to disagree about timing. It is exactly the time to introduce PR as FPTP doesn't work in 5 party system. Nasty parties - yes, but that's democracy. PR in 29 likely to produce centre left coalition government.

Jonathan Boff @jfb1066.bsky.social · 7d

PR would embed some very nasty smaller parties in our politics for ever. If there is ever a time, it isn’t now

Jonathan Boff @jfb1066.bsky.social · 7d

Don’t buy your premise.

Jonathan Boff @jfb1066.bsky.social · 7d

PR would embed some very nasty smaller parties in our politics for ever. If there is ever a time, it isn’t now

Gary Sheffield @profgsheffield.bsky.social · 7d

An excellent and optimistic piece www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

My lesson from 2025: Reform is much more vulnerable than it appears | Gaby Hinsliff

The party’s astonishingly speedy growth disguised shallow roots – and its success has brought a level of scrutiny for which it simply isn’t ready, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff

www.theguardian.com

Holger Nehring @holgernehring.bsky.social · 7d

And it has happened.

EU agrees €90bn loan to Ukraine after frozen Russian asset plan fails - www.ft.com/content/e569... via @FT

Warren Oates @warrenoates1.bsky.social · 7d

....to tell them, if they wish to postpone elections, to formally set out the reasons and we can then make a decision.

The opposition takes and media reporting on this are terrible!

2/2

Warren Oates @warrenoates1.bsky.social · 7d

Possible postponement of elections next year.

I listened to the Ministerial Statement on this yesterday.

Opposition parties: Labour are cancelling elections

Labour: some councils have been in touch asking about postponing elections. We are writing to councils...

1/2

Gary Sheffield @profgsheffield.bsky.social · 7d

Starmer should introduce PR in time for next general election. And announce that if Labour wins, UK will rejoin customs union & single market. Two game changers.

Martin Warne @martinwarne.net · 7d

Almost 70% of voters didn’t want a Reform councillor but they’re getting one anyway thanks to our stupid, broken electoral system.

Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 7d

Columb Minor & Colan (Cornwall) Council By-Election Result:

➡️ RFM: 31.7% (-4.2)
🙋 Ind: 25.3% (-4.1)
🔶 LDM: 23.0% (+14.6)
🌍 GRN: 13.4% (New)
🌳 CON: 5.7% (-11.2)
🌹 LAB: 0.7% (-7.8)
🙋 Ind: 0.2% (-0.8)

Reform HOLD.
Changes w/ 2025.

John Springford @johnspringford.bsky.social · 7d

Eurobonds becoming the emergency funding mechanism of choice. Note too that this was (de facto?) enhanced co-operation.
www.ft.com/content/e569...

EU agrees €90bn loan to Ukraine after frozen Russian asset plan fails

Money to be borrowed against bloc’s budget after leaders fail to agree on proposal using Moscow’s funds

www.ft.com

Martin Warne @martinwarne.net · 7d

Almost 70% of voters didn’t want a Reform councillor but they’re getting one anyway thanks to our stupid, broken electoral system.

Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 7d

Columb Minor & Colan (Cornwall) Council By-Election Result:

➡️ RFM: 31.7% (-4.2)
🙋 Ind: 25.3% (-4.1)
🔶 LDM: 23.0% (+14.6)
🌍 GRN: 13.4% (New)
🌳 CON: 5.7% (-11.2)
🌹 LAB: 0.7% (-7.8)
🙋 Ind: 0.2% (-0.8)

Reform HOLD.
Changes w/ 2025.

Roland Smith @rolandmcs.bsky.social · 7d

Morning.

Gary Sheffield @profgsheffield.bsky.social · 7d

Currently channelling my inner...

Dr Adam Evans @a-b-evans.bsky.social · 7d

When you're running the BBC website in 1533

Pippa Crerar @pippacrerar.bsky.social · 7d

The lobby may be an imperfect system, but these briefings give journalists from every outlet, regardless of editorial line, a chance to ask whatever they want.

This move is bad for transparency, bad for accountability, and a bad look for a government that already struggles with its communications.

Bylines Network @bylinesnetwork.co.uk · 8d

The House of Lords fought hard to dilute parts of Labour’s Employment Rights Bill – but the core reforms survived. From sick pay to fire-and-rehire, here's how the landscape is about to change dramatically ⤵️

@eastangliabylines.co.uk @stephenmcnair.bsky.social

Labour delivers on its promise to workers

The Employment Rights Bill aims to reverse a generation of employment legislation. This week it became law

eastangliabylines.co.uk

Han🌹🏳️‍🌈 @ceremonialgeek.bsky.social · 8d

With Labour, interest has fallen at the quickest rate for seventeen years.

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