Alan Stedman
@alanjstedman.bsky.social
You will find me around the middle of the room. Outward looking because if you are not you get isolated and stop learning
NHS for many years before retiring. Read a lot, listen a lot.
Dovestones Reservoir ⬆️
I don't have access to DMs so don't bother!
NHS for many years before retiring. Read a lot, listen a lot.
Dovestones Reservoir ⬆️
I don't have access to DMs so don't bother!
Pinned
If you want me to follow you I need to see a bit in your timeline to have an idea of who you are and what you're about please
Reposted by Alan Stedman
If you ever feel, as I often do, that you’re just not quite smart enough to maintain a grasp of the complexities and rapidly-changing nature of the modern world, console yourself with the thought that they made Liz Truss Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and you’re way, way smarter than her.
January 6, 2026 at 11:59 AM
If you ever feel, as I often do, that you’re just not quite smart enough to maintain a grasp of the complexities and rapidly-changing nature of the modern world, console yourself with the thought that they made Liz Truss Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and you’re way, way smarter than her.
The numbers are clear. They could even be said to be stark and very worrying for our economy
But that will not stop the racists thinking the world is about to end via immigration
Wake up and smell the coffee!
But that will not stop the racists thinking the world is about to end via immigration
Wake up and smell the coffee!
In the end, someone has to ask *why* people have been persuaded to be so terrified of immigration, when it has so many benefits and so few real downsides. Almost all of the claimed downsides are either lies or misinterpretations of statistics.
Why would any sane country do this to itself?
Why would any sane country do this to itself?
I'm afraid there *is* an obvious answer: it can't.
January 6, 2026 at 10:33 AM
The numbers are clear. They could even be said to be stark and very worrying for our economy
But that will not stop the racists thinking the world is about to end via immigration
Wake up and smell the coffee!
But that will not stop the racists thinking the world is about to end via immigration
Wake up and smell the coffee!
Really uncomfortable with this
This firm is simply not trustworthy imo. Once in the door they make it very very difficult for you to leave and use someone else
This firm is simply not trustworthy imo. Once in the door they make it very very difficult for you to leave and use someone else
Yet another huge contract, awarded without any competitive bidding process, to Wes Streeting's favourite NHS supplier, the Hard Right US surveillance tech specialists Palantir, for military decision making capability.
Palantir lands biggest ever UK defense deal
The £240 million contract with the Ministry of Defence has renewed a debate about Britain’s dependence on American technology.
www.politico.eu
January 6, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Really uncomfortable with this
This firm is simply not trustworthy imo. Once in the door they make it very very difficult for you to leave and use someone else
This firm is simply not trustworthy imo. Once in the door they make it very very difficult for you to leave and use someone else
Whack a mole or 'cherry picking is us' linked to 'we are Britain, so we are special' disease?
The only good thing I can see is that ultimately it will force Labour to confront the elephant in the room. If you want the benefits you might just have to join the club properly, but not holding my breath
The only good thing I can see is that ultimately it will force Labour to confront the elephant in the room. If you want the benefits you might just have to join the club properly, but not holding my breath
Oh, I know, is it because we STILL can't face up to freedom of movement?
Negotiating a Brexit “reset” deal with the EU is turning into a game of whack-a-mole.
Despite U.K. negotiators’ best efforts, barriers seem to be springing up faster than they can knock them down.
Despite U.K. negotiators’ best efforts, barriers seem to be springing up faster than they can knock them down.
January 6, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Whack a mole or 'cherry picking is us' linked to 'we are Britain, so we are special' disease?
The only good thing I can see is that ultimately it will force Labour to confront the elephant in the room. If you want the benefits you might just have to join the club properly, but not holding my breath
The only good thing I can see is that ultimately it will force Labour to confront the elephant in the room. If you want the benefits you might just have to join the club properly, but not holding my breath
Fat cats get their way
When he's gone it should be immediately renegotiated
Sick of bullies
When he's gone it should be immediately renegotiated
Sick of bullies
This is just as significant as Maduro’s seizure. The inability of governments to collect tax from multinational companies is a key factor in the relative poverty of the Global South. Trump’s USA has gained extraordinary exemption from a scheme to mitigate it.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
US will be exempt from global tax deal targeting profits of large multinationals
Agreement finalised by the OECD waters down a landmark 2021 deal that set a minimum global corporate tax of 15%
www.theguardian.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Fat cats get their way
When he's gone it should be immediately renegotiated
Sick of bullies
When he's gone it should be immediately renegotiated
Sick of bullies
Reposted by Alan Stedman
🚨🚨"Trump’s pursuit of an illusory sphere of influence is unlikely to bring us peace or prosperity—any more than the invasion of Ukraine brought peace and prosperity to Russians- and this might become clear sooner than anyone expects." @anneapplebaum.bsky.social on #Trump's invasion of Venezuela:
January 6, 2026 at 5:41 AM
🚨🚨"Trump’s pursuit of an illusory sphere of influence is unlikely to bring us peace or prosperity—any more than the invasion of Ukraine brought peace and prosperity to Russians- and this might become clear sooner than anyone expects." @anneapplebaum.bsky.social on #Trump's invasion of Venezuela:
Reposted by Alan Stedman
What in the Gestapo is going on in Grand Rapids?
Watch this activist get arrested *mid-interview* for speaking out against U.S. action in Venezuela.
Watch this activist get arrested *mid-interview* for speaking out against U.S. action in Venezuela.
January 5, 2026 at 4:12 PM
What in the Gestapo is going on in Grand Rapids?
Watch this activist get arrested *mid-interview* for speaking out against U.S. action in Venezuela.
Watch this activist get arrested *mid-interview* for speaking out against U.S. action in Venezuela.
Reposted by Alan Stedman
More on Musk/ Grok’s vile cyber bullying
Insane that he’s been allowed to have as much power as he has and with so little consequence.
bsky.app/profile/elio...
Insane that he’s been allowed to have as much power as he has and with so little consequence.
bsky.app/profile/elio...
One example of how Grok is being used to target women. Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch being sexualised, degraded, and humiliated step-by-step by Grok. All the images accurately reflect the prompts provided.
January 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM
More on Musk/ Grok’s vile cyber bullying
Insane that he’s been allowed to have as much power as he has and with so little consequence.
bsky.app/profile/elio...
Insane that he’s been allowed to have as much power as he has and with so little consequence.
bsky.app/profile/elio...
So, what's Congress going to do about this?
More 'f' the law from Trump, I'll do what I want
More 'f' the law from Trump, I'll do what I want
Reporter: Did you speak with the oil companies before the operation? Did you tip them off?
Trump: Before and after. They want to go in and they’re going to do a great job.
Trump: Before and after. They want to go in and they’re going to do a great job.
January 5, 2026 at 1:33 PM
So, what's Congress going to do about this?
More 'f' the law from Trump, I'll do what I want
More 'f' the law from Trump, I'll do what I want
I do get that it's a diplomatic fine line to tread re Venezuela & Greenland for the UK
The question though is at what point is the world going to realise Trump can't 'fight' on innumerable fronts. It's not logistically possible surely
So when are we going to say, enough and get off the fine line?
The question though is at what point is the world going to realise Trump can't 'fight' on innumerable fronts. It's not logistically possible surely
So when are we going to say, enough and get off the fine line?
January 5, 2026 at 10:19 AM
I do get that it's a diplomatic fine line to tread re Venezuela & Greenland for the UK
The question though is at what point is the world going to realise Trump can't 'fight' on innumerable fronts. It's not logistically possible surely
So when are we going to say, enough and get off the fine line?
The question though is at what point is the world going to realise Trump can't 'fight' on innumerable fronts. It's not logistically possible surely
So when are we going to say, enough and get off the fine line?
Reposted by Alan Stedman
Here's a thing I did for the Observer yesterday looking at non-voters - the 'dark matter' of electoral politics- hard to observe, seldom discussed, yet potentially very influential
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
January 5, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Here's a thing I did for the Observer yesterday looking at non-voters - the 'dark matter' of electoral politics- hard to observe, seldom discussed, yet potentially very influential
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Alan Stedman
Seen a few comments that Trump’s abduction of Maduro opens the door to Putin doing the same, so once again reminding people that Putin already attempted to capture or kill Zelenskyy in the first days of his invasion of Ukraine.
Trump is emulating Putin, his role-model, because he admires him.
Trump is emulating Putin, his role-model, because he admires him.
Even aside from the fact that it very obviously didn’t happen for the reasons below, I think it’s also worth remembering that Putin sent a snatch/kill squad to get Zelenskyy during Russia’s 2022 invasion, prompting the US to offer Zel extraction.
He replied “I need ammunition, not a ride”
He replied “I need ammunition, not a ride”
PSA: The reason Ukraine isn't targetting Putin's residences with drones and missiles are that both are finite resources and:
a) It's not clear killing him would help;
b) The residences are heavily protected by air defense;
c) They include bunkers;
d) They are huge so you can hit and still miss.
a) It's not clear killing him would help;
b) The residences are heavily protected by air defense;
c) They include bunkers;
d) They are huge so you can hit and still miss.
January 4, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Seen a few comments that Trump’s abduction of Maduro opens the door to Putin doing the same, so once again reminding people that Putin already attempted to capture or kill Zelenskyy in the first days of his invasion of Ukraine.
Trump is emulating Putin, his role-model, because he admires him.
Trump is emulating Putin, his role-model, because he admires him.
Reposted by Alan Stedman
Source: Sky News
search.app/1nbCB
search.app/1nbCB
Starmer accused of diverting NHS 'billions' to appease Trump
Lib Dems critical of deal that means UK pays 25% more for new medicines but stops US imposing trade tariffs on drugs.
search.app
January 4, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Source: Sky News
search.app/1nbCB
search.app/1nbCB
This, absolutely this ⬇️
What the hell is Starmer going to say if/when Trump invades Greenland? “I will have to talk to Donald”? NATO is dead, we need a new alliance, without the USA.
January 4, 2026 at 1:51 PM
This, absolutely this ⬇️
Reposted by Alan Stedman
In which Mumsnet women persuade each other that voting Reform will give the establishment “a kick in the arse”
Oh well done, you lot. Brexit again. Falling for the con and risking it all, cos that’ll teach them.
It won’t. It’ll just ruin life for everyone. Your children most of all.
(Sunday Times)
Oh well done, you lot. Brexit again. Falling for the con and risking it all, cos that’ll teach them.
It won’t. It’ll just ruin life for everyone. Your children most of all.
(Sunday Times)
January 4, 2026 at 9:28 AM
In which Mumsnet women persuade each other that voting Reform will give the establishment “a kick in the arse”
Oh well done, you lot. Brexit again. Falling for the con and risking it all, cos that’ll teach them.
It won’t. It’ll just ruin life for everyone. Your children most of all.
(Sunday Times)
Oh well done, you lot. Brexit again. Falling for the con and risking it all, cos that’ll teach them.
It won’t. It’ll just ruin life for everyone. Your children most of all.
(Sunday Times)
Looks like those Labour advisors were caught out...again
Tbf this could just be Treasury officials just not spotting the possible loop hole
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Tbf this could just be Treasury officials just not spotting the possible loop hole
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Uber rewrites contracts with drivers to avoid paying UK’s new ‘taxi tax’
Hailing app will now act as agent rather than supplier outside London, avoiding VAT requirement
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Looks like those Labour advisors were caught out...again
Tbf this could just be Treasury officials just not spotting the possible loop hole
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Tbf this could just be Treasury officials just not spotting the possible loop hole
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reading around on here wise voices saying that this Venezuela thing that Trump has started might not work out as he has planned
For those of us old enough to remember Vietnam, there is a whiff of that around this. Not the same and different era, but not sure Venezuelans will take this lying down
For those of us old enough to remember Vietnam, there is a whiff of that around this. Not the same and different era, but not sure Venezuelans will take this lying down
January 4, 2026 at 7:49 AM
Reading around on here wise voices saying that this Venezuela thing that Trump has started might not work out as he has planned
For those of us old enough to remember Vietnam, there is a whiff of that around this. Not the same and different era, but not sure Venezuelans will take this lying down
For those of us old enough to remember Vietnam, there is a whiff of that around this. Not the same and different era, but not sure Venezuelans will take this lying down
🙄
What’s a little insider trading when you’ve got a bonkers pirate in the White House…waging war with Venezuela on a bet?
“What appears to be a newly created account appeared to invest $30,000 Friday in Maduro's exit. After Maduro went into custody Saturday morning, that same investor netted $436,759.61.”
January 4, 2026 at 3:38 AM
🙄
If you need a bit of good news to cheer you up and be inspired by, this might just be it
BBC News - Teenage life was an ordeal, until Caitlyn found her calm with a camera - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Teenage life was an ordeal, until Caitlyn found her calm with a camera - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Teenage life was an ordeal, until Caitlyn found her calm with a camera
Caitlyn McDonald has Autism and Auditory Processing Disorder - a condition that affects how the brain interprets sounds.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 4, 2026 at 3:23 AM
If you need a bit of good news to cheer you up and be inspired by, this might just be it
BBC News - Teenage life was an ordeal, until Caitlyn found her calm with a camera - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Teenage life was an ordeal, until Caitlyn found her calm with a camera - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Alan Stedman
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani: “Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.”
January 3, 2026 at 7:03 PM
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani: “Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.”
Oil!
BBC News - Why has Donald Trump attacked Venezuela and taken Maduro? - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Why has Donald Trump attacked Venezuela and taken Maduro? - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Why has Donald Trump attacked Venezuela and taken Maduro?
The US has been ramping up pressure on the Venezuelan leader since Trump took office last January.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Oil!
BBC News - Why has Donald Trump attacked Venezuela and taken Maduro? - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Why has Donald Trump attacked Venezuela and taken Maduro? - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Okay, so Trump seems to be doing all his business now from Mar a Lago (press conference there today on Venezuela, Zelensky had to go there)
Yes I know it's the Christmas Holiday season but is this going to continue? Moving away from Congress and just welding power from afar?
Yes I know it's the Christmas Holiday season but is this going to continue? Moving away from Congress and just welding power from afar?
January 3, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Okay, so Trump seems to be doing all his business now from Mar a Lago (press conference there today on Venezuela, Zelensky had to go there)
Yes I know it's the Christmas Holiday season but is this going to continue? Moving away from Congress and just welding power from afar?
Yes I know it's the Christmas Holiday season but is this going to continue? Moving away from Congress and just welding power from afar?
Definitely punctures some of the hot air around some podcasts
January 3, 2026 at 3:38 AM
Definitely punctures some of the hot air around some podcasts
Reposted by Alan Stedman
A good point that media outlets misreport this story if they give agency to the AI Grok itself - which generates contradictory statenents whenever prompted to do so
www.readtpa.com/p/grok-cant-...
www.readtpa.com/p/grok-cant-...
Grok Can't Apologize. Grok Isn't Sentient. So Why Do Headlines Keep Saying It Did?
Elon Musk’s chatbot has been “undressing” women and children in public. Journalists are letting xAI off the hook by pretending the bot is responsible.
www.readtpa.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:35 PM
A good point that media outlets misreport this story if they give agency to the AI Grok itself - which generates contradictory statenents whenever prompted to do so
www.readtpa.com/p/grok-cant-...
www.readtpa.com/p/grok-cant-...