Ben Mitchell
@bmitchellwrites.bsky.social
Painfully nostalgic for the 90s.
It can't be said enough but our trains really are a piece of (overpriced) shit. They've definitely got steadily worse post Covid.
January 20, 2026 at 6:26 PM
It can't be said enough but our trains really are a piece of (overpriced) shit. They've definitely got steadily worse post Covid.
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Hard agree. Trump looks drunk on the power of the spectacle
Hard to see how ‘security and economic guarantees’ are gonna cut it.
What will Europe - and UK - do if he pushes on?
This could quickly become an existential question for Brussels - and for Starmer
Hard to see how ‘security and economic guarantees’ are gonna cut it.
What will Europe - and UK - do if he pushes on?
This could quickly become an existential question for Brussels - and for Starmer
It's clear that Greenland is now such an idée fixe for Trump that the entire US state will be used to pursue it.
Interesting how, when pressed to sound more forceful personally against Trump, Starmer restates essential nuclear and intelligence partnership. Wld be interesting to know what, if any, implicit and explicit threats US has made to withdraw that cooperation. Strong whiff of backstage menaces there.
January 19, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Hard agree. Trump looks drunk on the power of the spectacle
Hard to see how ‘security and economic guarantees’ are gonna cut it.
What will Europe - and UK - do if he pushes on?
This could quickly become an existential question for Brussels - and for Starmer
Hard to see how ‘security and economic guarantees’ are gonna cut it.
What will Europe - and UK - do if he pushes on?
This could quickly become an existential question for Brussels - and for Starmer
JFC.
PM says he doesn't think Trump is genuinely considering military action.
"I don’t actually. I think that this can be resolved and should be resolved through calm discussion."
"I don’t actually. I think that this can be resolved and should be resolved through calm discussion."
January 19, 2026 at 10:18 AM
JFC.
Delusional. Clueless. And dangerously out of his depth.
NEW: Keir Starmer suggests retaliatory tariffs on the US - as the EU is considering - were not the right course.
“Threatening tariffs on allies is the wrong thing to do, completely wrong. But a trade war is not in our interests".
“Threatening tariffs on allies is the wrong thing to do, completely wrong. But a trade war is not in our interests".
January 19, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Delusional. Clueless. And dangerously out of his depth.
Starmer is a Grade A coward. Now is not the time for some wishy-washy, terrified of taking sides or offending anyone, approach. He's going to leave us without any allies. What part of Trump is a dangerous unhinged madman does our idiot PM not understand?
Interesting how, when pressed to sound more forceful personally against Trump, Starmer restates essential nuclear and intelligence partnership. Wld be interesting to know what, if any, implicit and explicit threats US has made to withdraw that cooperation. Strong whiff of backstage menaces there.
January 19, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Starmer is a Grade A coward. Now is not the time for some wishy-washy, terrified of taking sides or offending anyone, approach. He's going to leave us without any allies. What part of Trump is a dangerous unhinged madman does our idiot PM not understand?
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Brilliant piece on one of the most likeable football managers I can remember. And featuring Bristol's best cider pub.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
Inside the real life of a football manager
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Brilliant piece on one of the most likeable football managers I can remember. And featuring Bristol's best cider pub.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Big picture to the defections: parties of government die rarely, bringing big changes when they do. What would actually change if Reform replaced the Tories? www.economist.com/britain/2026...
January 15, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Big picture to the defections: parties of government die rarely, bringing big changes when they do. What would actually change if Reform replaced the Tories? www.economist.com/britain/2026...
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Badenoch driving the most troublesome rat off her sinking ship, ideally to go and plague Farage with competing ambition, is not the worst move.
January 15, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Badenoch driving the most troublesome rat off her sinking ship, ideally to go and plague Farage with competing ambition, is not the worst move.
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
The paradox of Badenoch's personal bounce is it made her position more secure, that in turn made Jenrick's leadership ambitions less likely, furthering the chance of a damaging defection that might well undo (or worse) any progress.
January 15, 2026 at 11:25 AM
The paradox of Badenoch's personal bounce is it made her position more secure, that in turn made Jenrick's leadership ambitions less likely, furthering the chance of a damaging defection that might well undo (or worse) any progress.
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Obviously no world in which more Tory infighting helps them, and a defection from someone as prominent as Robert Jenrick is damaging and a boost to Reform. But in terms of mitigation of a bad hand and demonstrating leadership credentials to the public Badenoch's direct approach is probably right one
January 15, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Obviously no world in which more Tory infighting helps them, and a defection from someone as prominent as Robert Jenrick is damaging and a boost to Reform. But in terms of mitigation of a bad hand and demonstrating leadership credentials to the public Badenoch's direct approach is probably right one
Once again, people speaking about how awful VAR is. I keep reading from high profile footy writers that 'VAR is here to stay' and the answer is to make it better. No! The answer is to scrap it:
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
January 14, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Once again, people speaking about how awful VAR is. I keep reading from high profile footy writers that 'VAR is here to stay' and the answer is to make it better. No! The answer is to scrap it:
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Johns piece well worth reading, definitely one of best and most clarifying about apparent mismatch between opinion and data I’ve read in past year . www.ft.com/content/7488...
The great crime paradox
Disorder is rising in public consciousness. Is it rising in reality?
www.ft.com
January 13, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Johns piece well worth reading, definitely one of best and most clarifying about apparent mismatch between opinion and data I’ve read in past year . www.ft.com/content/7488...
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
This is exactly what we heard in our focus groups, few thought that London had become Gotham city and were proud of their city - and didn’t wanted it talked down. But they were also frustrated by what is often (mistakenly imo) called low level crime
January 13, 2026 at 10:29 AM
This is exactly what we heard in our focus groups, few thought that London had become Gotham city and were proud of their city - and didn’t wanted it talked down. But they were also frustrated by what is often (mistakenly imo) called low level crime
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Clearly tackling violent crime should be a priority, but it is also as John says often not random and it affects fewer people. Perceptions of rising crime are driven by the visible disorderly crimes shows and also inc fare dodging, lime bike theft, which some take as breakdown of social contract.
January 13, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Clearly tackling violent crime should be a priority, but it is also as John says often not random and it affects fewer people. Perceptions of rising crime are driven by the visible disorderly crimes shows and also inc fare dodging, lime bike theft, which some take as breakdown of social contract.
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Debate about London is obscured by the false binaries both sides put on it. Best on it is @jburnmurdoch.ft.com who shows it is both case violent crime down (an undisputed good) & crimes of disorder (shop lifting, snatching) up which affects/is visible to more but far less devastating consequences
January 13, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Debate about London is obscured by the false binaries both sides put on it. Best on it is @jburnmurdoch.ft.com who shows it is both case violent crime down (an undisputed good) & crimes of disorder (shop lifting, snatching) up which affects/is visible to more but far less devastating consequences
Never mind a social media ban. I'd go further and ban smartphones for all under-16s. They're doing immense damage to kids. Rewiring their brains as some have said. Kids need to be allowed to be kids. No child should be exposed to some of the content readily available on their screens.
Blanket ban on social media for kids does feel like an open goal (if only because voters love banning stuff). Ban on smartphones in schools slightly trickier ("but my child is addicted") but that feels like short-term problem
January 12, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Never mind a social media ban. I'd go further and ban smartphones for all under-16s. They're doing immense damage to kids. Rewiring their brains as some have said. Kids need to be allowed to be kids. No child should be exposed to some of the content readily available on their screens.
Ok, last night's episode was great. A very public ding dong, possibly the best we've ever seen on the show. Two contestants trying to be too clever by half and it'll certainly backfire on both. And the retired detective 'who knows people' making a fool of herself.
Latest series not doing it for me. Does always get better though. The Secret Traitor thing (revealed in ep.4) pointless. Offered nothing bar reducing the power of the other traitors. And assume they're sticking with the annoying no reveal of status of evicted contestant status at final roundtable.
#TheTraitors had its highest ever linear audience last night. 7.3 million.
January 9, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Ok, last night's episode was great. A very public ding dong, possibly the best we've ever seen on the show. Two contestants trying to be too clever by half and it'll certainly backfire on both. And the retired detective 'who knows people' making a fool of herself.
Latest series not doing it for me. Does always get better though. The Secret Traitor thing (revealed in ep.4) pointless. Offered nothing bar reducing the power of the other traitors. And assume they're sticking with the annoying no reveal of status of evicted contestant status at final roundtable.
#TheTraitors had its highest ever linear audience last night. 7.3 million.
January 8, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Latest series not doing it for me. Does always get better though. The Secret Traitor thing (revealed in ep.4) pointless. Offered nothing bar reducing the power of the other traitors. And assume they're sticking with the annoying no reveal of status of evicted contestant status at final roundtable.
"We received some pushback."
"We are committed to learning and doing better."
The Woke, still very much alive and kicking and terrified of 'some pushback.'
Spineless and cowardly but modern day liberals aren't actually liberal at all.
"We are committed to learning and doing better."
The Woke, still very much alive and kicking and terrified of 'some pushback.'
Spineless and cowardly but modern day liberals aren't actually liberal at all.
Helen Lewis will no longer be speaking at this year’s festival. To read our full statement go to greenbelt.org.uk/statements
Greenbelt Festival Statements
Stay informed with Greenbelt Festival Statements. Straight from Greenbelt HQ about the festival and programme.
greenbelt.org.uk
January 8, 2026 at 12:23 PM
"We received some pushback."
"We are committed to learning and doing better."
The Woke, still very much alive and kicking and terrified of 'some pushback.'
Spineless and cowardly but modern day liberals aren't actually liberal at all.
"We are committed to learning and doing better."
The Woke, still very much alive and kicking and terrified of 'some pushback.'
Spineless and cowardly but modern day liberals aren't actually liberal at all.
And one thing I'll say over and over again: it's not the Islamists and Far Right I fear. It's the respectable middle class liberals. The 'progressives.' The supposed anti-racists. Often public sector workers, or working in the Arts. The ones David Baddiel lambasts.
I'll say it again: if any other ethnic or religious minority said "please don't use this particular term or chant, you might not have bad intentions but it is deeply racist and threatening to us", the reaction would be mortified apology.
And that's without a mass terror event four days ago
And that's without a mass terror event four days ago
December 18, 2025 at 2:20 PM
And one thing I'll say over and over again: it's not the Islamists and Far Right I fear. It's the respectable middle class liberals. The 'progressives.' The supposed anti-racists. Often public sector workers, or working in the Arts. The ones David Baddiel lambasts.
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
I don't think I've come across a better description of gender identity evangelism than this, from George Orwell.
For 'the party', substitute 'the ideology'. And that's it.
This quote is by no means new to me. Nevertheless, even now, I find it extraordinarily and disturbingly prescient.
For 'the party', substitute 'the ideology'. And that's it.
This quote is by no means new to me. Nevertheless, even now, I find it extraordinarily and disturbingly prescient.
December 4, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I don't think I've come across a better description of gender identity evangelism than this, from George Orwell.
For 'the party', substitute 'the ideology'. And that's it.
This quote is by no means new to me. Nevertheless, even now, I find it extraordinarily and disturbingly prescient.
For 'the party', substitute 'the ideology'. And that's it.
This quote is by no means new to me. Nevertheless, even now, I find it extraordinarily and disturbingly prescient.
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Exemplar of
'men's mental health is more important than women's mental health'
transactivist tactic.
The patriarchal regressive sexist @theguardian.com ofc laps it up.
'men's mental health is more important than women's mental health'
transactivist tactic.
The patriarchal regressive sexist @theguardian.com ofc laps it up.
Rules on single-sex spaces pose risk to trans people’s mental health, UK charities say
Rules on single-sex spaces pose risk to trans people’s mental health, UK charities say
Fifteen organisations sign letter expressing deep concern over EHRC guidance being considered by ministers
New rules on access to single-sex spaces could pose a significant risk to the mental health of trans and non-binary people, according to 15 of the UK’s most respected mental charities.
Organisations including Samaritans, Mind, Centre for Mental Health and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have written to the equalities minister, Bridget Phillipson, to express their “deep concern” about guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) that is awaiting approval from the government. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Exemplar of
'men's mental health is more important than women's mental health'
transactivist tactic.
The patriarchal regressive sexist @theguardian.com ofc laps it up.
'men's mental health is more important than women's mental health'
transactivist tactic.
The patriarchal regressive sexist @theguardian.com ofc laps it up.
Reposted by Ben Mitchell
Warm talk, no big action, and certainly nothing controversial or difficult is pretty much the compass this government navigates to after all
You know what? I really don't think it is. Great domestic political posturing, but Labour have no plans to go beyond the 'reset' agenda, certainly none the EU are likely to accept. This will be talk to little if any action.
Starmer declaring “we have to keep moving towards a closer relationship with the EU” is a significant moment.
Reflects transformation in public opinion + need for economic growth.
Reflects transformation in public opinion + need for economic growth.
December 3, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Warm talk, no big action, and certainly nothing controversial or difficult is pretty much the compass this government navigates to after all
The overdiagnosis of mental health conditions (usually s'thing to do with neurodiversity) follows exactly the same playbook as gender id. People in charge too cowardly to say no to the kids, or worse, affirming a problem that doesn't exist. A system gamed by the entitled middle class.
December 3, 2025 at 12:24 PM
The overdiagnosis of mental health conditions (usually s'thing to do with neurodiversity) follows exactly the same playbook as gender id. People in charge too cowardly to say no to the kids, or worse, affirming a problem that doesn't exist. A system gamed by the entitled middle class.