Alistair King
@alistairking.bsky.social
If you’d be my bodyguard, I can be your long-lost pal.
Pinned
Alistair King
@alistairking.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Nice to see my follower count rise. My policy is to follow back people I know from elsewhere and generally follow others after there's been a bit of interaction. If I haven't followed you back despite knowing you, it's probably because you're using a different photo. Just like this and I'll rectify.
Feeling a bit nihilistic and have the urge to see how many random LinkedIn posts I can reply to with “Wise words, mate” before I’m pulled up on it in some way.
January 31, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Feeling a bit nihilistic and have the urge to see how many random LinkedIn posts I can reply to with “Wise words, mate” before I’m pulled up on it in some way.
Finally! The signed portrait of Brexit-supporting England goalkeeper Peter Shilton I’ve been hoping to stumble on for MONTHS. And it’s in our local charity shop. It’ll take pride of place next to my life-size cardboard cutout of Lord Botham.
January 31, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Finally! The signed portrait of Brexit-supporting England goalkeeper Peter Shilton I’ve been hoping to stumble on for MONTHS. And it’s in our local charity shop. It’ll take pride of place next to my life-size cardboard cutout of Lord Botham.
I read this interview with Mackenzie Crook yesterday and my mind keeps returning to this observation of his: “Everything seems to have been 20 years ago.”
So depressing. So true.
So depressing. So true.
‘Watching The Office recently, my heart just sank’ – Mackenzie Crook on comedy, cruelty and being TV royalty
After a very hard landing into fame in the 00s, he decided to take a softer approach – and hit on a winning formula for classic comedy. The star talks about his fantastical new show Small Prophets, hi...
www.theguardian.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:23 PM
I read this interview with Mackenzie Crook yesterday and my mind keeps returning to this observation of his: “Everything seems to have been 20 years ago.”
So depressing. So true.
So depressing. So true.
1/2
The thing about Epstein is that it seems that everyone who spent any time with him MUST have been aware of all the young women that surrounded and were associated with him.
The trouble is, though, there’s a superficial plausible deniability. “Oh, that’s just Jeffrey,” you can hear them saying.
The thing about Epstein is that it seems that everyone who spent any time with him MUST have been aware of all the young women that surrounded and were associated with him.
The trouble is, though, there’s a superficial plausible deniability. “Oh, that’s just Jeffrey,” you can hear them saying.
January 31, 2026 at 10:25 AM
1/2
The thing about Epstein is that it seems that everyone who spent any time with him MUST have been aware of all the young women that surrounded and were associated with him.
The trouble is, though, there’s a superficial plausible deniability. “Oh, that’s just Jeffrey,” you can hear them saying.
The thing about Epstein is that it seems that everyone who spent any time with him MUST have been aware of all the young women that surrounded and were associated with him.
The trouble is, though, there’s a superficial plausible deniability. “Oh, that’s just Jeffrey,” you can hear them saying.
Cryptic crosswords demonstrate brilliantly how you can get through much of life by retaining not nothing but just the slimmest superficial memories of school.
Minute Cryptic - 31 January, 2026
"Plain, unsalted barnacle" (4)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (60,870 solvers so far).
Minute Cryptic - 31 January, 2026
"Plain, unsalted barnacle" (4)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (60,870 solvers so far).
Minute Cryptic
Solve a clue with a hidden meaning
www.minutecryptic.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Cryptic crosswords demonstrate brilliantly how you can get through much of life by retaining not nothing but just the slimmest superficial memories of school.
Minute Cryptic - 31 January, 2026
"Plain, unsalted barnacle" (4)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (60,870 solvers so far).
Minute Cryptic - 31 January, 2026
"Plain, unsalted barnacle" (4)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (60,870 solvers so far).
Radio 4 newsreaders: for the next ten years or so, please refer to ‘Queen Camilla’ in the first instance rather than ‘the queen’; the latter is discombobulating, and I can’t be alone in taking a few moments to reset my brain, which is left thinking ‘hang on, the queen’s dead’. Wait till 2036, maybe.
January 30, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Radio 4 newsreaders: for the next ten years or so, please refer to ‘Queen Camilla’ in the first instance rather than ‘the queen’; the latter is discombobulating, and I can’t be alone in taking a few moments to reset my brain, which is left thinking ‘hang on, the queen’s dead’. Wait till 2036, maybe.
Oh no! And I’d been meaning to seek out and follow this quality account.
January 30, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Oh no! And I’d been meaning to seek out and follow this quality account.
The dangerous, rabble-rousing, right-wing gobshite, who dabbles in fringe politics that appeal to thugs because it's the only way he can stay relevant, is reported to have welcomed Robinson's support.
Labour accuses Reform candidate of ‘toxic politics’ after Tommy Robinson endorsement
Far-right activist tells 1.8m X followers to ‘Vote for Matt’, referring to Reform UK’s Gorton and Denton candidate Matthew Goodwin
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:29 PM
The dangerous, rabble-rousing, right-wing gobshite, who dabbles in fringe politics that appeal to thugs because it's the only way he can stay relevant, is reported to have welcomed Robinson's support.
Upsets a male in cinema nightmare (7)
#IfFilmReviewsWereCrosswordClues
(Haven’t seen it and don’t intend to, by the way, but I’m sure this is an accurate assessment.)
#IfFilmReviewsWereCrosswordClues
(Haven’t seen it and don’t intend to, by the way, but I’m sure this is an accurate assessment.)
January 30, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Upsets a male in cinema nightmare (7)
#IfFilmReviewsWereCrosswordClues
(Haven’t seen it and don’t intend to, by the way, but I’m sure this is an accurate assessment.)
#IfFilmReviewsWereCrosswordClues
(Haven’t seen it and don’t intend to, by the way, but I’m sure this is an accurate assessment.)
Minute Cryptic - 30 January, 2026
"Fig 'n' ram!" (5,7)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 6 under the community par (42,173 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic
Solve a clue with a hidden meaning
www.minutecryptic.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:34 AM
Minute Cryptic - 30 January, 2026
"Fig 'n' ram!" (5,7)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 6 under the community par (42,173 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
‘First crewed mission to the moon…’
Anyone else take half a second to process that Anna Foster on #r4today just now said ‘crewed’, not ‘crude’?
Anyone else take half a second to process that Anna Foster on #r4today just now said ‘crewed’, not ‘crude’?
January 30, 2026 at 7:49 AM
‘First crewed mission to the moon…’
Anyone else take half a second to process that Anna Foster on #r4today just now said ‘crewed’, not ‘crude’?
Anyone else take half a second to process that Anna Foster on #r4today just now said ‘crewed’, not ‘crude’?
Everyone's laying into guy - and, tbh, I can see why. What a twit.
Also, I know his style is 'high-energy scattergun list that's just separated by commas and without an "and" before the last item' but I'm enjoying reading 'and eggs' as though it IS a final item, rather than attached to 'eat steak'.
Also, I know his style is 'high-energy scattergun list that's just separated by commas and without an "and" before the last item' but I'm enjoying reading 'and eggs' as though it IS a final item, rather than attached to 'eat steak'.
January 29, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Everyone's laying into guy - and, tbh, I can see why. What a twit.
Also, I know his style is 'high-energy scattergun list that's just separated by commas and without an "and" before the last item' but I'm enjoying reading 'and eggs' as though it IS a final item, rather than attached to 'eat steak'.
Also, I know his style is 'high-energy scattergun list that's just separated by commas and without an "and" before the last item' but I'm enjoying reading 'and eggs' as though it IS a final item, rather than attached to 'eat steak'.
Gorton and Denton in the tarmac in Muswell Hill. Probably a sign of some sort.
Unless it’s Australia. Or possibly Guinea.
Unless it’s Australia. Or possibly Guinea.
January 29, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Gorton and Denton in the tarmac in Muswell Hill. Probably a sign of some sort.
Unless it’s Australia. Or possibly Guinea.
Unless it’s Australia. Or possibly Guinea.
Aldi own-brand tampons. Hats off to their branding team: this is a clever product name.
January 29, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Aldi own-brand tampons. Hats off to their branding team: this is a clever product name.
Everyone is sharing this but fuck me, I can see why - it's AMAZING.
Catchy upbeat major key; damning words.
If I lived in Minneapolis, I'd be weeping from the sense of heartfelt, angry solidarity that Springsteen is conveying. I mean, I'm genuinely crying a bit here in north London.
Catchy upbeat major key; damning words.
If I lived in Minneapolis, I'd be weeping from the sense of heartfelt, angry solidarity that Springsteen is conveying. I mean, I'm genuinely crying a bit here in north London.
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
www.youtube.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Everyone is sharing this but fuck me, I can see why - it's AMAZING.
Catchy upbeat major key; damning words.
If I lived in Minneapolis, I'd be weeping from the sense of heartfelt, angry solidarity that Springsteen is conveying. I mean, I'm genuinely crying a bit here in north London.
Catchy upbeat major key; damning words.
If I lived in Minneapolis, I'd be weeping from the sense of heartfelt, angry solidarity that Springsteen is conveying. I mean, I'm genuinely crying a bit here in north London.
Another evening plodding on with tedious freelance work on my laptop in Wetherspoons, made more tolerable by a classical music mix.
I know this is quite a basic observation but how can we live in a world where something as beautiful as The Blue Danube can exist alongside something as ugly as Trump?
I know this is quite a basic observation but how can we live in a world where something as beautiful as The Blue Danube can exist alongside something as ugly as Trump?
January 28, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Another evening plodding on with tedious freelance work on my laptop in Wetherspoons, made more tolerable by a classical music mix.
I know this is quite a basic observation but how can we live in a world where something as beautiful as The Blue Danube can exist alongside something as ugly as Trump?
I know this is quite a basic observation but how can we live in a world where something as beautiful as The Blue Danube can exist alongside something as ugly as Trump?
Bowen therapy? No idea what this is but I bet it’s super, smashing, great.
January 28, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Bowen therapy? No idea what this is but I bet it’s super, smashing, great.
Reposted by Alistair King
Jewish descendent of holocaust victims and survivors here.
What he said was fine.
Neighbours hiding minority children from uniformed government thugs in service to a nativist agenda is bad enough.
I'm sure Anne would have preferred people spoke up BEFORE the Nazis got to the death camps stage.
What he said was fine.
Neighbours hiding minority children from uniformed government thugs in service to a nativist agenda is bad enough.
I'm sure Anne would have preferred people spoke up BEFORE the Nazis got to the death camps stage.
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
Tim Walz condemned for comparing Minnesota children to Anne Frank
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
bit.ly
January 28, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Jewish descendent of holocaust victims and survivors here.
What he said was fine.
Neighbours hiding minority children from uniformed government thugs in service to a nativist agenda is bad enough.
I'm sure Anne would have preferred people spoke up BEFORE the Nazis got to the death camps stage.
What he said was fine.
Neighbours hiding minority children from uniformed government thugs in service to a nativist agenda is bad enough.
I'm sure Anne would have preferred people spoke up BEFORE the Nazis got to the death camps stage.
With China (including Hong Kong) our third biggest trading partner, the US our second, and all that he’s doing to grease the wheels of free trade, I can’t wait to hear Keir Starmer’s plans for improving things with whichever is our first. I bet there are some quick wins to be had. #wato
January 28, 2026 at 1:24 PM
With China (including Hong Kong) our third biggest trading partner, the US our second, and all that he’s doing to grease the wheels of free trade, I can’t wait to hear Keir Starmer’s plans for improving things with whichever is our first. I bet there are some quick wins to be had. #wato
Kemi Badenoch was on Desert Island Discs the other day.
Despite some iffy tracks, and a lot of opinions I disagreed with or were straw men, she could've come across a lot worse, so I chalked it up as a PR win.
Why did she bother, now she's squandered it with, I'd guess, 95% of Radio 4's listeners?
Despite some iffy tracks, and a lot of opinions I disagreed with or were straw men, she could've come across a lot worse, so I chalked it up as a PR win.
Why did she bother, now she's squandered it with, I'd guess, 95% of Radio 4's listeners?
January 28, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Kemi Badenoch was on Desert Island Discs the other day.
Despite some iffy tracks, and a lot of opinions I disagreed with or were straw men, she could've come across a lot worse, so I chalked it up as a PR win.
Why did she bother, now she's squandered it with, I'd guess, 95% of Radio 4's listeners?
Despite some iffy tracks, and a lot of opinions I disagreed with or were straw men, she could've come across a lot worse, so I chalked it up as a PR win.
Why did she bother, now she's squandered it with, I'd guess, 95% of Radio 4's listeners?
Reposted by Alistair King
A cash prize for anyone who can identify a significant difference between the "new" Tories and Reform. Nobody's defecting on policy grounds
Badenoch is on now, and says: what would a Tory govt under her do? She says:
• Cut taxes
• End "welfare addiction"
• Curb immigration
• Anti-net zero
The message is, basically: we're Reform, but we've done our homework.
The message is, also: centrists are not welcome.
• Cut taxes
• End "welfare addiction"
• Curb immigration
• Anti-net zero
The message is, basically: we're Reform, but we've done our homework.
The message is, also: centrists are not welcome.
January 28, 2026 at 10:20 AM
A cash prize for anyone who can identify a significant difference between the "new" Tories and Reform. Nobody's defecting on policy grounds
Don’t know how this has happened but I seem to have reached the age at which, when idly scrolling through Facebook and seeing pics of kids posted by people from primary school you’ve not really kept in contact with, you’re not sure if your classmates are old first-time parents or young grandparents.
January 28, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Don’t know how this has happened but I seem to have reached the age at which, when idly scrolling through Facebook and seeing pics of kids posted by people from primary school you’ve not really kept in contact with, you’re not sure if your classmates are old first-time parents or young grandparents.
Radio 4’s More Or Less is excellent. But so much of it exists to debunk nonsense right-wing talking points. It’s a real shame its reach is dwarfed by the programmes on which these talking points are aired. These corrections and clarifications should feature on those or be put to future interviewees.
January 28, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Radio 4’s More Or Less is excellent. But so much of it exists to debunk nonsense right-wing talking points. It’s a real shame its reach is dwarfed by the programmes on which these talking points are aired. These corrections and clarifications should feature on those or be put to future interviewees.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t have as good a relationship with China as is possible and compatible with UK values, or that it’s not an important nation, but the original sin that’s made all this necessary and led to accusations Starmer is abroad too much is his refusal to be bolder on Europe. #r4today
January 28, 2026 at 8:18 AM
I’m not saying we shouldn’t have as good a relationship with China as is possible and compatible with UK values, or that it’s not an important nation, but the original sin that’s made all this necessary and led to accusations Starmer is abroad too much is his refusal to be bolder on Europe. #r4today
Reposted by Alistair King
“I just saw a boat full of scouts go speeding past”
“How many knots were they doing?”
“All of them”.
“How many knots were they doing?”
“All of them”.
January 27, 2026 at 9:15 PM
“I just saw a boat full of scouts go speeding past”
“How many knots were they doing?”
“All of them”.
“How many knots were they doing?”
“All of them”.