Chris Guiton
@chrisguiton.bsky.social
Recently retired copywriter. But words still matter. The right words mattering most of all... Eco-socialist. Also available for general chit-chat about the arts, culture and all the crazy stuff that makes the world go round.
Pinned
Chris Guiton
@chrisguiton.bsky.social
· Apr 1
Bourgeois society stands at the crossroads, either transition to socialism or regression into barbarism.
Rosa Luxemburg
Rosa Luxemburg
George tying himself in knots again as he attempts to obscure the real issue. We know that corporate control of the media is a major problem. But the root cause of our existential crisis is our economic system. Either we destroy capitalism or capitalism will destroy life on earth.
Climate breakdown is driven by a storm of lies. This lying is systemic, funded and coordinated, and operates across almost all media, old and new.
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Dark forces are preventing us fighting the climate crisis – by taking knowledge hostage | George Monbiot
The fundamental problem is this: that most of the means of communication are owned or influenced by the very rich, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:59 PM
George tying himself in knots again as he attempts to obscure the real issue. We know that corporate control of the media is a major problem. But the root cause of our existential crisis is our economic system. Either we destroy capitalism or capitalism will destroy life on earth.
Reposted by Chris Guiton
I'll tell you who's 'holding Britain to ransom'. It's 156 billionaires, not 77,000 resident doctors.
November 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I'll tell you who's 'holding Britain to ransom'. It's 156 billionaires, not 77,000 resident doctors.
I don't agree with all the analysis/conclusions here (the route to a soft left recovery, for example, looks to be terminally blocked) but a useful perspective on how Labour has reached this impasse.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Starmer’s backers never meant him to be prime minister – his leadership was doomed from the start | Neal Lawson
His alliance with the party’s anti-Corbyn faction was a shotgun marriage that totally lacked vision. Now Labour is paying the price, says Neal Lawson of the cross-party campaign organisation Compass
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I don't agree with all the analysis/conclusions here (the route to a soft left recovery, for example, looks to be terminally blocked) but a useful perspective on how Labour has reached this impasse.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
'It is common ground on the left – or should be – that serious efforts must be made to win over some of the millions of people presently intending to vote for the hard-right Reform UK.'
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/refo...
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/refo...
Reform voting bloc can be challenged by the left
IT IS common ground on the left – or should be – that serious efforts must be made to win over some of the millions of people presently intending to vote for the hard-right Reform UK.Where they have t...
morningstaronline.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 11:17 AM
'It is common ground on the left – or should be – that serious efforts must be made to win over some of the millions of people presently intending to vote for the hard-right Reform UK.'
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/refo...
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/refo...
Spot on. She won't though as Labour are clearly happy with the pro-Establishment role played by the BBC.
Well somebody's got to say it. Nandy has failed and should resign.
“We need a healthy, independent BBC because it holds power to account. This BBC has not been doing that.”
Zarah Sultana says Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is responsible and should resign.
Zarah Sultana says Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is responsible and should resign.
November 14, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Spot on. She won't though as Labour are clearly happy with the pro-Establishment role played by the BBC.
'History always teaches that resistance is born in the darkest hours. It is sustained by those who refuse despair, who turn critique into action, and who know that hope is not a sentiment but a discipline.'
Great piece!
www.counterpunch.org/2025/11/14/t...
Great piece!
www.counterpunch.org/2025/11/14/t...
The Democrats: a Modern Day Version of Zombie Politics and the Walking Dead
Bill Clinton’s endorsement of former governor Andrew Cuomo, coupled with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer’s refusal to support Zohran Mamdani, the
www.counterpunch.org
November 14, 2025 at 10:24 AM
'History always teaches that resistance is born in the darkest hours. It is sustained by those who refuse despair, who turn critique into action, and who know that hope is not a sentiment but a discipline.'
Great piece!
www.counterpunch.org/2025/11/14/t...
Great piece!
www.counterpunch.org/2025/11/14/t...
Raising income tax was political suicide. So this is no bad thing. But the budget chaos reveals a bigger problem. Starmer/Reeves are totally out of their depth. As long as policy remains driven by a failed neoliberal paradigm they'll stagger from one crisis to the next.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Starmer and Reeves rip up plans to raise income tax in Budget
Prime Minister and Chancellor set to abandon manifesto-breaking proposals amid fears they could anger voters and Labour MPs
inews.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Raising income tax was political suicide. So this is no bad thing. But the budget chaos reveals a bigger problem. Starmer/Reeves are totally out of their depth. As long as policy remains driven by a failed neoliberal paradigm they'll stagger from one crisis to the next.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
'New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani chooses his words carefully. In quoting Eugene Debs, he not only signaled his democratic socialist beliefs; he was also issuing a call to action.'
www.democracynow.org/2025/11/6/zo...
www.democracynow.org/2025/11/6/zo...
Zohran Mamdani, Eugene V. Debs, and the Dawn
By Amy Goodman & Denis Moynihan
Eugene V. Debs was arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to 10 years in prison. His address to the court at sentencing is considered one of the most eloquent speech...
www.democracynow.org
November 14, 2025 at 9:26 AM
'New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani chooses his words carefully. In quoting Eugene Debs, he not only signaled his democratic socialist beliefs; he was also issuing a call to action.'
www.democracynow.org/2025/11/6/zo...
www.democracynow.org/2025/11/6/zo...
With apologies to Abraham Lincoln, this is another example of how Labour now represents government of the lobbyists, by the lobbyists, for the lobbyists.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Housing secretary tells Labour MPs to vote down planning bill amendment
Amendment restricts protection for animals to allow faster house building
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:29 PM
With apologies to Abraham Lincoln, this is another example of how Labour now represents government of the lobbyists, by the lobbyists, for the lobbyists.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Party capture facilities state capture... The trend will presumably only worsen as member and trade union donations continue to decline as Labour continues its march to the right.
Labour Party’s latest accounts reveal the party’s biggest donor was Cayman Islands-based “arms-dealing” hedge fund Quadrature Capital.
Arms dealing hedge fund was Labour's biggest ever donor
Martin Shipton Serious concerns have been expressed about the Labour Party’s finances following the publication of accounts that confirm its biggest ever donation came from a hedge fund that stood to ...
nation.cymru
November 13, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Party capture facilities state capture... The trend will presumably only worsen as member and trade union donations continue to decline as Labour continues its march to the right.
'BBC Panorama’s Trump gaff was shockingly poor. But the contrast between the furore it’s caused and the silence over their far more egregious 2019 doc on Corbyn reveals the reaction to these scandals is all about the interests at stake – not the scale of the crime.'
www.medialens.org/2025/inversi...
www.medialens.org/2025/inversi...
Inversion Of Reality
The BBC: A ‘Leftist Propaganda Machine’?
The resignations of Tim Davie, BBC director general, and Deborah Turness, BBC head of news, after an intense, right-wing campaign led by the Daily Telegraph...
www.medialens.org
November 13, 2025 at 9:49 AM
'BBC Panorama’s Trump gaff was shockingly poor. But the contrast between the furore it’s caused and the silence over their far more egregious 2019 doc on Corbyn reveals the reaction to these scandals is all about the interests at stake – not the scale of the crime.'
www.medialens.org/2025/inversi...
www.medialens.org/2025/inversi...
The organ grinder and the organ grinder's monkey both need to go. Needless to say, that won't be the end of Labour's problems...
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/star...
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/star...
Starmer in crisis as war breaks out in Labour right
DUSK started falling on Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership today as his government was engulfed by an extraordinary outburst of right-on-right political brawling.The Prime Minister was forced to declare “...
morningstaronline.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The organ grinder and the organ grinder's monkey both need to go. Needless to say, that won't be the end of Labour's problems...
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/star...
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/star...
Once again, Starmer's dishonesty is on full display. Removing Gibb clearly isn't 'interference' given the circumstances & wld go some way to restoring the BBC's fortunes. Taken with his refusal to oppose Trump's threat to sue the BBC, it's clear he'd rather see its destruction than do what is right.
"Robbie Gibb should have no role in appointing the next Director General, and given the Royal Charter gives the government the power to remove him will the Prime Minister sack him now?" asks Ed Davey.
Starmer says he won't interfere in running the BBC
Starmer says he won't interfere in running the BBC
November 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Once again, Starmer's dishonesty is on full display. Removing Gibb clearly isn't 'interference' given the circumstances & wld go some way to restoring the BBC's fortunes. Taken with his refusal to oppose Trump's threat to sue the BBC, it's clear he'd rather see its destruction than do what is right.
Spot on. Millburn's a snake oil salesman. Streeting's in the pockets of the private health sector.
Starmer's Labour is a bigger threat to the NHS than the Conservative Party has ever been.
🌍 An "ecosystem of different providers"— that’s Alan Milburn, former Labour Health Secretary and current health adviser, describing his vision for the NHS.
But with his ties to private healthcare firm , what does this mean for a truly public NHS?
👉 everydoctor.org.uk/talking-poin...
But with his ties to private healthcare firm , what does this mean for a truly public NHS?
👉 everydoctor.org.uk/talking-poin...
November 12, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Spot on. Millburn's a snake oil salesman. Streeting's in the pockets of the private health sector.
'Undeliverable policies', 'empty promises', 'naive'... The Establishment keeps rolling out the insults.
Three observations:
- They're worried.
- They dare not engage with the Green Party's detailed and practical political programme.
- This is all great publicity for the radical Green alternative!
Three observations:
- They're worried.
- They dare not engage with the Green Party's detailed and practical political programme.
- This is all great publicity for the radical Green alternative!
And today it's the turn of The Times to try and patronise us all.
Every single day the right wing establishment tries to close ranks.
And every day we are growing.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Every single day the right wing establishment tries to close ranks.
And every day we are growing.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
November 12, 2025 at 9:21 AM
'Undeliverable policies', 'empty promises', 'naive'... The Establishment keeps rolling out the insults.
Three observations:
- They're worried.
- They dare not engage with the Green Party's detailed and practical political programme.
- This is all great publicity for the radical Green alternative!
Three observations:
- They're worried.
- They dare not engage with the Green Party's detailed and practical political programme.
- This is all great publicity for the radical Green alternative!
'Professor of Historical and Cultural Geography at the University of Cambridge and author of the book Pub Philip Howell said: “When pubs are ripped out of communities and neighbourhoods, the damage to social cohesion is incalculable.“'
wb.camra.org.uk/2025/10/30/p...
wb.camra.org.uk/2025/10/30/p...
Pubs in frontline in fight against loneliness
With worries about loneliness on a par with peak pandemic levels, new polling by the British Beer and Pubs Association (BBPA) shows two out of three s...
wb.camra.org.uk
November 12, 2025 at 8:58 AM
'Professor of Historical and Cultural Geography at the University of Cambridge and author of the book Pub Philip Howell said: “When pubs are ripped out of communities and neighbourhoods, the damage to social cohesion is incalculable.“'
wb.camra.org.uk/2025/10/30/p...
wb.camra.org.uk/2025/10/30/p...
'the Labour government is incapable of offering any serious resistance to this onslaught. Starmer, Cooper, Nandy and the rest are paralysed before Trump like rabbits before a cobra.'
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/trum...
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/trum...
Trump is leading attack on democracy – the left must defend it
THE crisis engulfing the BBC speaks to critical aspects of international politics today which must command the left’s attention.The first is that US President Donald Trump is daily extending his campa...
morningstaronline.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 8:52 AM
'the Labour government is incapable of offering any serious resistance to this onslaught. Starmer, Cooper, Nandy and the rest are paralysed before Trump like rabbits before a cobra.'
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/trum...
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/trum...
Reposted by Chris Guiton
Asylum Seekers must be given the right to work - to contribute their skills, and their tax! And to be much more safely integrated into our society.
November 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Asylum Seekers must be given the right to work - to contribute their skills, and their tax! And to be much more safely integrated into our society.
Reposted by Chris Guiton
It would be outrageous for UK taxpayers' money to further line the pockets of Trump. This US president is no better than a mobster. The BBC must not pay compensation under duress. It needs to stand up to Trump, fighting for its reputation and independence from political interference.
November 12, 2025 at 7:49 AM
It would be outrageous for UK taxpayers' money to further line the pockets of Trump. This US president is no better than a mobster. The BBC must not pay compensation under duress. It needs to stand up to Trump, fighting for its reputation and independence from political interference.
The retreat into the bunker, galloping paranoia, treachery, delusional thinking... This is Last Days of Hitler territory!
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Starmer allies issue warning to PM’s rivals as fears grow over leadership challenge
No 10 said to be in ‘full bunker mode’ over fears of attempt to oust him after budget or May local elections
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:39 AM
The retreat into the bunker, galloping paranoia, treachery, delusional thinking... This is Last Days of Hitler territory!
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Says everything you need to know about his fundamental immorality, lack of principle and poor grasp of how politics actually works. He, and all the other neoliberal shits, have gotta go!
‘Starmer hopes lifting the 2-child cap will cheer up his unhappy MPs’
Not lift families out of poverty
Not help the poor and vulnerable
Not improve people’s lives
CHEER UP HIS UNHAPPY MPS
Not lift families out of poverty
Not help the poor and vulnerable
Not improve people’s lives
CHEER UP HIS UNHAPPY MPS
In September, HuffPost UK revealed Starmer had decided the 2-child benefit cap must go.
One MP says: “It’s a recognition that we need to show some kind of progressive inclination, and presumably to try and cool the leadership talk.”
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/st...
One MP says: “It’s a recognition that we need to show some kind of progressive inclination, and presumably to try and cool the leadership talk.”
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/st...
November 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Says everything you need to know about his fundamental immorality, lack of principle and poor grasp of how politics actually works. He, and all the other neoliberal shits, have gotta go!
Excellent reporting.
"In an internal memo from September, CEO Sam Altman said that OpenAI’s “audacious long-term goal is to build 250 gigawatts of capacity by 2033.” If Altman achieves this goal, OpenAI will need almost exactly as much electricity as India’s 1.5 billion people"
Great @truthdig.com piece on chips ->
Great @truthdig.com piece on chips ->
The Ecological Cost of AI Is Much Higher Than You Think - Truthdig
As the demands of AI grow, each generation of microchips requires more energy, minerals and water to produce, driving a ruinous cycle.
www.truthdig.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Excellent reporting.
'neoliberal capitalism has reached a cul-de-sac whose expression is the stagnation of the world economy, and which cannot be overcome within the framework of neoliberal capitalism itself.'
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/what...
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/what...
What is causing the growing militarisation of imperialist countries?
IN A declaration at the Nato summit held at The Hague in June this year, all Nato countries agreed to increase the share of military expenditure in their gross domestic product to 5 per cent by 2035.
morningstaronline.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 9:10 AM
'neoliberal capitalism has reached a cul-de-sac whose expression is the stagnation of the world economy, and which cannot be overcome within the framework of neoliberal capitalism itself.'
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/what...
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/what...
Reposted by Chris Guiton
US planning to establish military base in Gaza, Israeli media reports - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/us-planning-establish-military-base-gaza-israeli-media-reports
US planning to establish military base in Gaza, Israeli media reports
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<span class="field field-title">US planning to establish military base in Gaza, Israeli media reports</span>
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<div class="content">
<div class="field field-field-text"><p>The United States is planning to establish a military base in Gaza, news organisations Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported, citing an Israeli source. </p>
<p>The news comes as the Turkish government is <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-readies-military-brigade-gaza-stabilisation-force">finalising </a>plans that would result in the deployment of hundreds of soldiers to Gaza as part of an international peacekeeping force, as negotiations with the US and Israel continue on the issue. </p>
<p>Sources familiar with the matter told MEE that a peacekeeping brigade, estimated to include at least 2,000 soldiers, has been drafting personnel from across the country in recent weeks.</p>
<p>The contingent, which would join the international stabilisation force in Gaza alongside other partner countries, is set to be made up of soldiers from multiple army branches with prior peacekeeping and conflict-zone experience.</p>
<p>The Gaza peace plan, brokered by US President Donald Trump, envisions Turkey as one of the lead countries to take over large swathes of territory in the Palestinian enclave from Hamas.</p>
</div>
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</article>
www.middleeasteye.net
November 11, 2025 at 8:55 AM
US planning to establish military base in Gaza, Israeli media reports - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/us-planning-establish-military-base-gaza-israeli-media-reports
'Britain is, after all, a vassal state. But this episode makes that truer than ever: Washington is making executive decisions at Britain’s national broadcaster.'
Why appeasing the right will destroy public service broadcasting (and we can assume Labour knows this).
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/11/at-t...
Why appeasing the right will destroy public service broadcasting (and we can assume Labour knows this).
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/11/at-t...
At the BBC, Donald Trump Calls the Shots
The departure of senior BBC figures to satisfy an angry White House shows how the broadcaster doesn’t demonstrate leftist bias, but total loyalty to a right-wing establishment both here and in Washing...
tribunemag.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 8:44 AM
'Britain is, after all, a vassal state. But this episode makes that truer than ever: Washington is making executive decisions at Britain’s national broadcaster.'
Why appeasing the right will destroy public service broadcasting (and we can assume Labour knows this).
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/11/at-t...
Why appeasing the right will destroy public service broadcasting (and we can assume Labour knows this).
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/11/at-t...