Paul Cotterill
@bickerrecord.bsky.social
Nurse by training. Vagabond by nature. Imposter by syndrome.
A Habermas-influenced English pluralist, if that's a thing. An organiser of things, which are definitely things.
He/him/ally
A Habermas-influenced English pluralist, if that's a thing. An organiser of things, which are definitely things.
He/him/ally
As the BBC's under Royal Charter, the obvious thing to do is to send the one previously known as Prince Andrew over to grovel, given he's technically still a royal. He can be sup-poena'd on the Epstein files while he's there, and Fergie can be told to chuck all his stuff in a skip while he's away..
November 11, 2025 at 7:40 PM
As the BBC's under Royal Charter, the obvious thing to do is to send the one previously known as Prince Andrew over to grovel, given he's technically still a royal. He can be sup-poena'd on the Epstein files while he's there, and Fergie can be told to chuck all his stuff in a skip while he's away..
Minor issue really, but I do feel sort of sorry for @lewisgoodall.com, who seems like a decent enough bloke, but who I guess is now going to have to decide if he can ethically continue with the popular News Agents podcast, given the recent content from a co-presenter and justified reaction to it.
November 11, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Minor issue really, but I do feel sort of sorry for @lewisgoodall.com, who seems like a decent enough bloke, but who I guess is now going to have to decide if he can ethically continue with the popular News Agents podcast, given the recent content from a co-presenter and justified reaction to it.
This is very good from @cjayanetti.bsky.social and the quotes from the Reform spokesperson actually made me smirk.
Another case of Reform saying one thing then doing the other:
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madness” and “extortion”
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madness” and “extortion”
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform Council To Double Tax On Second Homes Despite Nigel Farage Calling The Idea 'Madness'
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madne...
www.politicshome.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:48 AM
This is very good from @cjayanetti.bsky.social and the quotes from the Reform spokesperson actually made me smirk.
My dad and Remembrance
I’ve written previously of my dad’s attitude to Remembrance.
medium.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:34 AM
I understand US politics even less than I did a week ago, and a week ago I knew nothing about US politics.
November 10, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I understand US politics even less than I did a week ago, and a week ago I knew nothing about US politics.
Your reminder that people have been complaining about BBC lies since at least 1929.
(From Clash, by 'Red' Ellen Wilkinson' set during the 1926 General Strike).
(From Clash, by 'Red' Ellen Wilkinson' set during the 1926 General Strike).
November 10, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Your reminder that people have been complaining about BBC lies since at least 1929.
(From Clash, by 'Red' Ellen Wilkinson' set during the 1926 General Strike).
(From Clash, by 'Red' Ellen Wilkinson' set during the 1926 General Strike).
This is a good threaded list of what is needed to make it look like it's all improving now,tho I'd emphasize basic built environment maintanance (weed clearance etc) more. I'd also like to see a time extension on 'balanced budget' requirements of s.114 in 1986 Act, and let local politics do the rest
The key is to raise taxes enough to actually be able to do something with it, beyond placating the OBR and bond markets
Breaking the tax pledge is the right call...and politically sulphurous. Reeves must argue, far more forcefully, that taxes are *the* essential downpayment we all pay for a fairer society.
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
November 10, 2025 at 8:48 AM
This is a good threaded list of what is needed to make it look like it's all improving now,tho I'd emphasize basic built environment maintanance (weed clearance etc) more. I'd also like to see a time extension on 'balanced budget' requirements of s.114 in 1986 Act, and let local politics do the rest
This is the first mention of reporting on issues related to trans people in the Michael Prescott report.
He just calls it "the trans issue". If that feels like it's an assumption that the basic right to be trans is open to question, that's because it is.
He just calls it "the trans issue". If that feels like it's an assumption that the basic right to be trans is open to question, that's because it is.
November 10, 2025 at 7:52 AM
This is the first mention of reporting on issues related to trans people in the Michael Prescott report.
He just calls it "the trans issue". If that feels like it's an assumption that the basic right to be trans is open to question, that's because it is.
He just calls it "the trans issue". If that feels like it's an assumption that the basic right to be trans is open to question, that's because it is.
Maybe remind Trump that the BBC is allowed to do its stuff only by totally Royal Charter. Trump loves kings. downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/ass...
November 9, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Maybe remind Trump that the BBC is allowed to do its stuff only by totally Royal Charter. Trump loves kings. downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/ass...
1/ Yep, the more I think about this, the more I think one way to tackle this would be to alert users, perhaps on the basis of a test case, that they run the risk of prosecution under the Fraudt Act 2006 for doing so. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
AI-powered nimbyism could grind UK planning system to a halt, experts warn
Tools that help people scan applications and find grounds for objection have potential to hit government’s housebuilding plans
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:15 PM
1/ Yep, the more I think about this, the more I think one way to tackle this would be to alert users, perhaps on the basis of a test case, that they run the risk of prosecution under the Fraudt Act 2006 for doing so. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Nb. I'm actually serious about this. The wording of the law was not done with AI-based 'crime' in mind, but it fits. I think driving prosecutions under it should be progressive party policy.
A clever prosecutor would, I think, be able to persuade a court that using AI to generate what might reasonably be a "false representation", with a view to creating some form of financial loss to an applicant, constitutes an offence under the Fraud Act 2006 s.2 (Fraud by false representation).
November 9, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Nb. I'm actually serious about this. The wording of the law was not done with AI-based 'crime' in mind, but it fits. I think driving prosecutions under it should be progressive party policy.
This has been an interesting series to date, as you'd expect. John will now turn to his own 'convincing alternative.
FWIW, here's my attempt at something similar (more UK specific), from a year or two back medium.com/@bickerrecor... Nobody read it, as you'd expect.
FWIW, here's my attempt at something similar (more UK specific), from a year or two back medium.com/@bickerrecor... Nobody read it, as you'd expect.
November 9, 2025 at 1:31 PM
This has been an interesting series to date, as you'd expect. John will now turn to his own 'convincing alternative.
FWIW, here's my attempt at something similar (more UK specific), from a year or two back medium.com/@bickerrecor... Nobody read it, as you'd expect.
FWIW, here's my attempt at something similar (more UK specific), from a year or two back medium.com/@bickerrecor... Nobody read it, as you'd expect.
This is ofc v silly by Syed, but what strikes me is the apparent assumption that western history is something other, at least in avowed 'worldview' terms (pace Domenico Losurdo) something other than the shift to liberalism. Has he simply never heard of the Enlightenment?
Rage against group think, writes Matthew Syed in the Sunday Times, by reading out a paragraph of what *I* think at the beginning of every BBC editorial meeting.
November 9, 2025 at 1:14 PM
This is ofc v silly by Syed, but what strikes me is the apparent assumption that western history is something other, at least in avowed 'worldview' terms (pace Domenico Losurdo) something other than the shift to liberalism. Has he simply never heard of the Enlightenment?
The whole ballroom construction thing is just a front for getting industrial quantities of paint into the White House to be used for its real purpose.
November 9, 2025 at 10:21 AM
The whole ballroom construction thing is just a front for getting industrial quantities of paint into the White House to be used for its real purpose.
My instant reaction is that this was a Tiktok video filmed by another group member, and somebody put the drink in on the stop below/above.
Also, I'm going to arrange the same tomorrow, although it will be a newly opened can of Special Brew.
Also, I'm going to arrange the same tomorrow, although it will be a newly opened can of Special Brew.
Got back to my hotel. Group got on elevator same time. Man (probably mid 40’s) sees a drink on the floor of elevator. Says it looks “brand new. Ice isn’t even melted.”
Him and his girl both start drinking it. “It’s great. Rum and Coke!”
THE FLOOR DRINK!
THE DRINK FOUND ON THE FLOOR OF AN ELEVATOR!
Him and his girl both start drinking it. “It’s great. Rum and Coke!”
THE FLOOR DRINK!
THE DRINK FOUND ON THE FLOOR OF AN ELEVATOR!
November 8, 2025 at 5:42 PM
My instant reaction is that this was a Tiktok video filmed by another group member, and somebody put the drink in on the stop below/above.
Also, I'm going to arrange the same tomorrow, although it will be a newly opened can of Special Brew.
Also, I'm going to arrange the same tomorrow, although it will be a newly opened can of Special Brew.
My 'new' bike. Early 70's frame, original parts, 5 cog cassette, old style gear shift. Gave a neighbour a tenner (I forced in on him tbh). Great option as the 1980s road bike getting bit much for my dodgy back. Rides like a dream. Neighbour really happy.
ps The AED wasn't needed. It was for a job.
ps The AED wasn't needed. It was for a job.
November 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM
My 'new' bike. Early 70's frame, original parts, 5 cog cassette, old style gear shift. Gave a neighbour a tenner (I forced in on him tbh). Great option as the 1980s road bike getting bit much for my dodgy back. Rides like a dream. Neighbour really happy.
ps The AED wasn't needed. It was for a job.
ps The AED wasn't needed. It was for a job.
Watched Bloom, the 2002 film version of Ulysses. Absolutely superb, but I wonder if it wins the 'most completely unintelligible film if you haven't read the book ever' award.
Any other nominations? Lines close at 10pm GMT, or whenever I say. Winner announced tomorrow, or whenever I say.
Any other nominations? Lines close at 10pm GMT, or whenever I say. Winner announced tomorrow, or whenever I say.
November 8, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Watched Bloom, the 2002 film version of Ulysses. Absolutely superb, but I wonder if it wins the 'most completely unintelligible film if you haven't read the book ever' award.
Any other nominations? Lines close at 10pm GMT, or whenever I say. Winner announced tomorrow, or whenever I say.
Any other nominations? Lines close at 10pm GMT, or whenever I say. Winner announced tomorrow, or whenever I say.
The ballroom construction is just a front for getting enough paint into the White House for the main presidential purpose.
initially thought that this was a shadow being projected on his face. didn’t realize he was in blackface
incredible new trump photo
November 8, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The ballroom construction is just a front for getting enough paint into the White House for the main presidential purpose.
BREAKING: Blackpool FC have scored a goal.
November 8, 2025 at 4:13 PM
BREAKING: Blackpool FC have scored a goal.
Actually some good news. Give the ECB that FIFA Peace Prize www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...
Controversial County Kookaburra ball trial scrapped
The experiment of using Kookaburra cricket balls in some rounds of the County Championship has been scrapped.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Actually some good news. Give the ECB that FIFA Peace Prize www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...
“To conclude, Donald Trump is dedicated to lawn order. Now, any mower questions?”
HAPPY FOUR SEASONS TOTAL LANDSCAPING DAY TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE
November 7, 2025 at 10:00 PM
“To conclude, Donald Trump is dedicated to lawn order. Now, any mower questions?”
Back in 2015, I blagged some tickets for Photograph 51 for a load of year 11 kids at the Skem high school Where I was Chair of Governors. Nicole Kidman played Rosalind, and did a big Q&A with the kids after. One of the girls who went is now a promising physicist. #rosalindfranklin
November 7, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Back in 2015, I blagged some tickets for Photograph 51 for a load of year 11 kids at the Skem high school Where I was Chair of Governors. Nicole Kidman played Rosalind, and did a big Q&A with the kids after. One of the girls who went is now a promising physicist. #rosalindfranklin
Oof, didn’t make the cut. I’m going to become a tra…….no, no, only kidding
A great Starter Pack for British Trans Activism - created by @katymontgomerie.com
📌 I’ve copied the link and pinned to my profile so newbies can easily follow.
“Let's start organising and making the UK a better place. We've been on the defense for too long” - Katy M
🇬🇧🏳️⚧️✊
go.bsky.app/N6Qai5F
📌 I’ve copied the link and pinned to my profile so newbies can easily follow.
“Let's start organising and making the UK a better place. We've been on the defense for too long” - Katy M
🇬🇧🏳️⚧️✊
go.bsky.app/N6Qai5F
November 7, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Oof, didn’t make the cut. I’m going to become a tra…….no, no, only kidding
Anyway, as it's #lammypoppygate time, an old thing I wrote on why my dad, awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal in WWII, probably never wore a poppy medium.com/@bickerrecor...
For my dad, killed 40 years ago today
Today, as well as being the day many floating or uncertain voters finally decide which side they are going to back, is exactly 40 years…
medium.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Anyway, as it's #lammypoppygate time, an old thing I wrote on why my dad, awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal in WWII, probably never wore a poppy medium.com/@bickerrecor...