Declan
@blench.bsky.social
Birgitte Nyborg fan account. [SNP councillor and staffer. Freelance translator. Glasgow. He/him]
Pinned
Declan
@blench.bsky.social
· Nov 12
I don’t plan to use this account for anything remotely council-related but better to err on the side of caution.
Reposted by Declan
Michael Shanks has been rebuked by the UK statistics watchdog over a video attacking Scotland’s NHS that may have 'misled' the public – but he has not deleted it
January 14, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Michael Shanks has been rebuked by the UK statistics watchdog over a video attacking Scotland’s NHS that may have 'misled' the public – but he has not deleted it
Reposted by Declan
Honestly one of the most terrifying things I’ve read in a long time - how often is this happening and decisions being made on the basis of AI hallucinated information??
WM Police chief Craig Guildford has apologised for identifying a fictitious West Ham v Maccabi Tel Aviv match in a police report. He’s written to the home affairs committee and blames Microsoft CoPilot for the error
January 14, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Honestly one of the most terrifying things I’ve read in a long time - how often is this happening and decisions being made on the basis of AI hallucinated information??
Reposted by Declan
Reposted by Declan
Sorry, are we now saying it’s not a U-turn for Starmer to have said “You will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID. It's as simple as that.” and for the government to now be saying it’ll be one option to prove your right to work among others?
The media, Badenoch, Davey and Polanski need to educate themselves as to what a ‘Public Consultation’ is.
Until then don’t talk about U Turns. They all look more stupid as each day passes.
Until then don’t talk about U Turns. They all look more stupid as each day passes.
January 14, 2026 at 6:52 AM
Sorry, are we now saying it’s not a U-turn for Starmer to have said “You will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID. It's as simple as that.” and for the government to now be saying it’ll be one option to prove your right to work among others?
Reposted by Declan
Not usually a fan of U-turn gotcha politics but this was such an obvious own goal that a certain amount of shedenfraude seems appropriate
Artificial Unintelligence: the government is in full retreat over copyright, and the attempts to make it look dignified only make it funnier. My SKETCH.
thecritic.co.uk/arti...
thecritic.co.uk/arti...
January 14, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Not usually a fan of U-turn gotcha politics but this was such an obvious own goal that a certain amount of shedenfraude seems appropriate
Reposted by Declan
It truly is fascinating how Leftists are given a grace to shake hands with fascists they will never extend to anyone who's an actual Dem.
Mamdani has plenty of reasons to keep up a good working relationship with the president, including preventing him from withholding money from the city, as he has threatened, or sending in National Guard troops.
www.axios.com/2026/01/13/t...
www.axios.com/2026/01/13/t...
Scoop: Trump's surprising phone pal — Zohran Mamdani
Their private communications have been more extensive than previously thought.
www.axios.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:13 AM
It truly is fascinating how Leftists are given a grace to shake hands with fascists they will never extend to anyone who's an actual Dem.
Reposted by Declan
Nah, it's even simpler than that. When they say "liberal" they mean "someone I don't like".
January 13, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Nah, it's even simpler than that. When they say "liberal" they mean "someone I don't like".
Reposted by Declan
In this Budget, the SNP is expanding the best package of cost of living support anywhere in the UK.
✅ More wraparound childcare.
✅ Free breakfast clubs in every primary school.
✅ More people paying less income tax because they live in Scotland.
A short summary in a thread 👇
✅ More wraparound childcare.
✅ Free breakfast clubs in every primary school.
✅ More people paying less income tax because they live in Scotland.
A short summary in a thread 👇
January 13, 2026 at 4:30 PM
In this Budget, the SNP is expanding the best package of cost of living support anywhere in the UK.
✅ More wraparound childcare.
✅ Free breakfast clubs in every primary school.
✅ More people paying less income tax because they live in Scotland.
A short summary in a thread 👇
✅ More wraparound childcare.
✅ Free breakfast clubs in every primary school.
✅ More people paying less income tax because they live in Scotland.
A short summary in a thread 👇
Reposted by Declan
Welsh Labour, very funny.
January 13, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Welsh Labour, very funny.
Reposted by Declan
BREAKING: More than 55% of Scots will pay less income tax that they would in England or Wales, the Finance Secretary has said
Shona Robison has announced that the thresholds for basic and intermediate tax bands will rise by 7.4%
Shona Robison has announced that the thresholds for basic and intermediate tax bands will rise by 7.4%
January 13, 2026 at 2:58 PM
BREAKING: More than 55% of Scots will pay less income tax that they would in England or Wales, the Finance Secretary has said
Shona Robison has announced that the thresholds for basic and intermediate tax bands will rise by 7.4%
Shona Robison has announced that the thresholds for basic and intermediate tax bands will rise by 7.4%
this is much easier than remembering to type -ai at the end of every search! Firefox extension udm=14.
There's even a firefox add-on for it, it removes AI from your google search
January 13, 2026 at 1:44 PM
this is much easier than remembering to type -ai at the end of every search! Firefox extension udm=14.
Reposted by Declan
The increasingly common habit of screenshotting the AI summary of a Google search and presenting it as evidence must be nipped in the bud immediately. That is nothing. That is not anything, it is not a thing.
January 13, 2026 at 3:13 AM
The increasingly common habit of screenshotting the AI summary of a Google search and presenting it as evidence must be nipped in the bud immediately. That is nothing. That is not anything, it is not a thing.
Reposted by Declan
The Labour Government has bragged that it has pushed the number of immigration raids to the 'highest level in British history'
Home Office immigration raids 'at highest level in UK history', Labour brag
www.thenational.scot
January 13, 2026 at 9:51 AM
The Labour Government has bragged that it has pushed the number of immigration raids to the 'highest level in British history'
Reposted by Declan
Kind of extraordinary that the new Local Growth Fund is to be distributed by the Welsh Government in Wales, but directly by the UK Government in Scotland, and that the rationale for the difference seems to be no more than "we don't trust the Scottish Government".
January 9, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Kind of extraordinary that the new Local Growth Fund is to be distributed by the Welsh Government in Wales, but directly by the UK Government in Scotland, and that the rationale for the difference seems to be no more than "we don't trust the Scottish Government".
Reposted by Declan
I’d really like a Holyrood poll soon to see whether this dip in Reform support that seems to be becoming a trend is happening here too or they’ve still not peaked here. (Or maybe it’s all still just noise).
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 24% (-2)
CON: 20% (+1)
LAB: 19% (+2)
LDM: 16% (=)
GRN: 14% (-2)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 11-12 Jan.
Changes w/ 4-5 Jan.
RFM: 24% (-2)
CON: 20% (+1)
LAB: 19% (+2)
LDM: 16% (=)
GRN: 14% (-2)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 11-12 Jan.
Changes w/ 4-5 Jan.
January 13, 2026 at 8:50 AM
I’d really like a Holyrood poll soon to see whether this dip in Reform support that seems to be becoming a trend is happening here too or they’ve still not peaked here. (Or maybe it’s all still just noise).
This is bonkers. Every text and every email and every image all of us send scanned for surveillance, done through secondary legislation with as far as I could see no consultation or public debate. Frightening.
reclaimthenet.org/uk-expands-o...
reclaimthenet.org/uk-expands-o...
UK Expands Online Safety Act to Mandate Preemptive Scanning of Digital Communications
The system demands machines make moral calls in real time.
reclaimthenet.org
January 13, 2026 at 8:26 AM
This is bonkers. Every text and every email and every image all of us send scanned for surveillance, done through secondary legislation with as far as I could see no consultation or public debate. Frightening.
reclaimthenet.org/uk-expands-o...
reclaimthenet.org/uk-expands-o...
Reposted by Declan
"We get to see the larger community response, which is: what can I do? How can I share? What do you need at the moment?” Such a good, nuanced piece by @libbybrooks.bsky.social looking at the confluence of factors causing tensions in Glasgow but also how the city is fighting Reform's toxic rhetoric.
‘The response is a beautiful thing’: how Glasgow is squaring up to Reform
In the face of Nigel Farage, flag-waving and a longstanding housing crisis, some Glaswegians are taking on anti-immigration rhetoric
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:19 AM
"We get to see the larger community response, which is: what can I do? How can I share? What do you need at the moment?” Such a good, nuanced piece by @libbybrooks.bsky.social looking at the confluence of factors causing tensions in Glasgow but also how the city is fighting Reform's toxic rhetoric.
Reposted by Declan
Reposted by Declan
I BEG every smug commentator who praised Mahmood for doing the “tough but necessary thing” to read this.
All the disadvantages of plummeting immigration for the economy & public services, for NO POLITICAL GAIN.
Labour in DESPERATE need of a 180 change of course on immigration
All the disadvantages of plummeting immigration for the economy & public services, for NO POLITICAL GAIN.
Labour in DESPERATE need of a 180 change of course on immigration
January 11, 2026 at 10:56 AM
I BEG every smug commentator who praised Mahmood for doing the “tough but necessary thing” to read this.
All the disadvantages of plummeting immigration for the economy & public services, for NO POLITICAL GAIN.
Labour in DESPERATE need of a 180 change of course on immigration
All the disadvantages of plummeting immigration for the economy & public services, for NO POLITICAL GAIN.
Labour in DESPERATE need of a 180 change of course on immigration
Reposted by Declan
Ceci n’est pas une mousse au chocolat.
January 10, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Ceci n’est pas une mousse au chocolat.
Reposted by Declan
January 10, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Reposted by Declan
🚨 Native Americans, Indigenous people, harassed, beaten, detained by ICE in front of local police. This took place in northern Minnesota and was posted 11 hours ago. Fuck ICE. Fuck dirty police. Rise up against these criminals - We Are Our Only Hope 1/2
January 10, 2026 at 3:53 AM
🚨 Native Americans, Indigenous people, harassed, beaten, detained by ICE in front of local police. This took place in northern Minnesota and was posted 11 hours ago. Fuck ICE. Fuck dirty police. Rise up against these criminals - We Are Our Only Hope 1/2
Reposted by Declan
How about Scotland? Is our future for us to decide or is that somehow different because reasons.
January 10, 2026 at 7:05 AM
How about Scotland? Is our future for us to decide or is that somehow different because reasons.