Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 ====> Refugees cost 0.22% of UK GDP
@b31bowden.bsky.social
Proud Brummie. Sceptic, pedant and is frequently sarcastic, but tries to be polite. Retired from Public Service, ex Local Authority Childcare, ex DWP Fraud, ex IPCC Investigator. Assume nothing, Believe nobody. Check everything.
Could someone create a virus that put an autocorrect on word processors, so every time 'illegal immigrant' was typed in, it replaced it with 'asylum seeker'?
Oh, how we would laugh.
Oh, how we would laugh.
November 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Could someone create a virus that put an autocorrect on word processors, so every time 'illegal immigrant' was typed in, it replaced it with 'asylum seeker'?
Oh, how we would laugh.
Oh, how we would laugh.
I'd just like to tell my current MP @preetkgillmp.bsky.social that I will not vote for any candidate who supports what the Home Secretary is proposing.
AFAIK, my family has been in the UK since Agincourt & I fail to understand why an accident of birthplace should disadvantage anyone born elsewhere.
AFAIK, my family has been in the UK since Agincourt & I fail to understand why an accident of birthplace should disadvantage anyone born elsewhere.
November 17, 2025 at 6:08 PM
I'd just like to tell my current MP @preetkgillmp.bsky.social that I will not vote for any candidate who supports what the Home Secretary is proposing.
AFAIK, my family has been in the UK since Agincourt & I fail to understand why an accident of birthplace should disadvantage anyone born elsewhere.
AFAIK, my family has been in the UK since Agincourt & I fail to understand why an accident of birthplace should disadvantage anyone born elsewhere.
Douglas Adams knew:
November 15, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Douglas Adams knew:
I'm getting increasingly tired of reading 'nobody is above the law' then reading about Trumps latest pardons.
Why does any system give asn individual the power to pardon convicted criminals - &, if they must, not leash the power to extraordinary circumstances.
This isn't about Trump per se, BTW.
Why does any system give asn individual the power to pardon convicted criminals - &, if they must, not leash the power to extraordinary circumstances.
This isn't about Trump per se, BTW.
November 10, 2025 at 12:23 PM
I'm getting increasingly tired of reading 'nobody is above the law' then reading about Trumps latest pardons.
Why does any system give asn individual the power to pardon convicted criminals - &, if they must, not leash the power to extraordinary circumstances.
This isn't about Trump per se, BTW.
Why does any system give asn individual the power to pardon convicted criminals - &, if they must, not leash the power to extraordinary circumstances.
This isn't about Trump per se, BTW.
Not seen this before - and it shook me.
November 9, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Not seen this before - and it shook me.
Why is Lammy getting the blame for the Tories running down the prison system? I know he is the bloke at the top now, but its a bit unfair holding him responsible for the massive failures of his predecessors.
November 9, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Why is Lammy getting the blame for the Tories running down the prison system? I know he is the bloke at the top now, but its a bit unfair holding him responsible for the massive failures of his predecessors.
Everyone else is doing it!
November 9, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Everyone else is doing it!
More of this please.
November 7, 2025 at 10:48 AM
More of this please.
How can you have a regulatory tariff that has no mechanism to regulate the thing it relates to? UK lawyers are generally expected to live in the real world; is this not also true of government lawyers in the USA?
November 6, 2025 at 11:48 AM
How can you have a regulatory tariff that has no mechanism to regulate the thing it relates to? UK lawyers are generally expected to live in the real world; is this not also true of government lawyers in the USA?
I drive an EV and have no problem with a 3p/mile charge to replace the fuel duty I no longer pay. I am very curious however how it will be collected. I charge at home so how will HMG know how far I've been since last time? Am I getting a tracker (Brilliant for anti-theft security!)?
November 6, 2025 at 11:16 AM
I drive an EV and have no problem with a 3p/mile charge to replace the fuel duty I no longer pay. I am very curious however how it will be collected. I charge at home so how will HMG know how far I've been since last time? Am I getting a tracker (Brilliant for anti-theft security!)?
If I, as an individual, had done to car buyers what the industry did, I would probably be prosecuted for fraud. Why the f*ck should I/we care about the future profitability of this group of crooks? If some fold, there will be replacements, IDK.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Car finance redress scheme shows City watchdog ‘nakedly’ siding with lenders, MPs say
Cross-party group says Financial Conduct Authority had been ‘patently influenced’ by concerns over profits
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:35 PM
If I, as an individual, had done to car buyers what the industry did, I would probably be prosecuted for fraud. Why the f*ck should I/we care about the future profitability of this group of crooks? If some fold, there will be replacements, IDK.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 ====> Refugees cost 0.22% of UK GDP
'A "heroic" LNER staff member who intervened in the mass stabbing to save the lives of high-speed train passengers suffered life-threatening injuries, police said. He was recorded on CCTV attempting to stop the attacker.'
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Cambridgeshire train stabbings: ‘heroic’ LNER staff member suffered ‘life-threatening injuries’
British Transport Police say rail staff member was recorded on CCTV intervening in attempt to stop attacker
www.theguardian.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:49 PM
'A "heroic" LNER staff member who intervened in the mass stabbing to save the lives of high-speed train passengers suffered life-threatening injuries, police said. He was recorded on CCTV attempting to stop the attacker.'
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 ====> Refugees cost 0.22% of UK GDP
Nigel Farage currently railing against Parliament being full of "professional politicians".
He founded UKIP in 1993 and was first elected as an MEP in 1999, twenty-six years ago. Less than 5% of current MPs (31 to be precise) have a longer career in politics than Farage. ~AA
He founded UKIP in 1993 and was first elected as an MEP in 1999, twenty-six years ago. Less than 5% of current MPs (31 to be precise) have a longer career in politics than Farage. ~AA
November 3, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Nigel Farage currently railing against Parliament being full of "professional politicians".
He founded UKIP in 1993 and was first elected as an MEP in 1999, twenty-six years ago. Less than 5% of current MPs (31 to be precise) have a longer career in politics than Farage. ~AA
He founded UKIP in 1993 and was first elected as an MEP in 1999, twenty-six years ago. Less than 5% of current MPs (31 to be precise) have a longer career in politics than Farage. ~AA
Reposted by Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 ====> Refugees cost 0.22% of UK GDP
Next time someone tells you that train drivers "just push buttons" show them this from the BBC
November 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Next time someone tells you that train drivers "just push buttons" show them this from the BBC
I hope both CAB and DWP arrange detailed interviews shortly about his claims that he and others helped claimants lie to DWP in order to claim benefits. I'm reasonably sure that's fraud by false representation. Looking forward with interest to his 'clarification'.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Tightening Pip benefit eligibility could save £9bn a year, says Reform
Lee Anderson says ‘gaming the system’ is too common and jokes about symptoms of anxiety and depression
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
I hope both CAB and DWP arrange detailed interviews shortly about his claims that he and others helped claimants lie to DWP in order to claim benefits. I'm reasonably sure that's fraud by false representation. Looking forward with interest to his 'clarification'.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
How can any country claim to be a democracy whilst - at the same time - legally permitting voting districts to be amended for partisan political advantage as well as operating a system able to override the popular vote to elect the President?
Trump has just highlighted the absurdity.
Trump has just highlighted the absurdity.
October 24, 2025 at 10:28 AM
How can any country claim to be a democracy whilst - at the same time - legally permitting voting districts to be amended for partisan political advantage as well as operating a system able to override the popular vote to elect the President?
Trump has just highlighted the absurdity.
Trump has just highlighted the absurdity.
Is it just me who finds this amusing?
'I have no right of reply' claims man in widely read social media reply.
'I have no right of reply' claims man in widely read social media reply.
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Is it just me who finds this amusing?
'I have no right of reply' claims man in widely read social media reply.
'I have no right of reply' claims man in widely read social media reply.
I'm struggling with the concept of left and right-wing judges in the USA. I grant that UK judges aren't politically appointed, but I am pretty sure they are universally regarded as being politically neutral 'at work' & guided entirely by the law. The US system of political law seems dangerous.
October 12, 2025 at 8:12 PM
I'm struggling with the concept of left and right-wing judges in the USA. I grant that UK judges aren't politically appointed, but I am pretty sure they are universally regarded as being politically neutral 'at work' & guided entirely by the law. The US system of political law seems dangerous.
How come the USA politicians - who caused the shutdown by failing to agree a budget - get paid, when the staff (some of whom are FORCED to work for no pay) do not?
And this is intentional?
And has been the case for decades?
What kind of 2nd class Country are you running there?
And this is intentional?
And has been the case for decades?
What kind of 2nd class Country are you running there?
October 10, 2025 at 8:22 PM
How come the USA politicians - who caused the shutdown by failing to agree a budget - get paid, when the staff (some of whom are FORCED to work for no pay) do not?
And this is intentional?
And has been the case for decades?
What kind of 2nd class Country are you running there?
And this is intentional?
And has been the case for decades?
What kind of 2nd class Country are you running there?
Today seems a good day to re-share this.
October 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Today seems a good day to re-share this.
Reposted by Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 ====> Refugees cost 0.22% of UK GDP
Lots of flag-botherers over on Facebook now suddenly demanding the council step in to take these down
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Signs of kindness put up along Nottingham road in place of flags
It is not clear who put up the signs, which have appeared on lamp-posts along a road in Nottingham.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Lots of flag-botherers over on Facebook now suddenly demanding the council step in to take these down
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Hadn't struck me before but 'Trumped up charges' are now just literal nominative determinism.
October 10, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Hadn't struck me before but 'Trumped up charges' are now just literal nominative determinism.
If you see this anywhere, repost it. Everyone on the internet needs to see this.
Greatest Country In The World.
Yeah.
Greatest Country In The World.
Yeah.
October 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM
If you see this anywhere, repost it. Everyone on the internet needs to see this.
Greatest Country In The World.
Yeah.
Greatest Country In The World.
Yeah.
@mrjamesob.bsky.social should have enlivened Badenoch's speech by doing his Royal Commentator job on it.
October 8, 2025 at 11:14 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social should have enlivened Badenoch's speech by doing his Royal Commentator job on it.