Chris
@christ36.bsky.social
Retired. Old Gay. Brighton & Hove . Centrist, social liberal but fiscally more conservative . Dogs, conservation, gardening, books, fine wine, single malt whisky
Bet Stephen Kinnock is delighted to be the one who drew the short straw to do the media round this am . He’s actually doing well in v difficult circumstances #r4today
February 17, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Bet Stephen Kinnock is delighted to be the one who drew the short straw to do the media round this am . He’s actually doing well in v difficult circumstances #r4today
Must be very tempting for any decent hardworking Labour (or Tory) councillor who didn’t think they were facing an election in 3 months time, but are now expecting to lose to
the appalling populist hard right Reform/hard left Greens, to just throw in the towel #r4today
the appalling populist hard right Reform/hard left Greens, to just throw in the towel #r4today
February 17, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Must be very tempting for any decent hardworking Labour (or Tory) councillor who didn’t think they were facing an election in 3 months time, but are now expecting to lose to
the appalling populist hard right Reform/hard left Greens, to just throw in the towel #r4today
the appalling populist hard right Reform/hard left Greens, to just throw in the towel #r4today
Starmer is right to raise defence spending to 3% by 2029.
This will however cost circa £15 billion a year, equivalent to 2p on income tax. Or significant cuts to public spending. The small
welfare cuts Starmer u-turned on last year would only have raised £ 5 billion pa.
Hard choices #r4today
This will however cost circa £15 billion a year, equivalent to 2p on income tax. Or significant cuts to public spending. The small
welfare cuts Starmer u-turned on last year would only have raised £ 5 billion pa.
Hard choices #r4today
February 16, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Starmer is right to raise defence spending to 3% by 2029.
This will however cost circa £15 billion a year, equivalent to 2p on income tax. Or significant cuts to public spending. The small
welfare cuts Starmer u-turned on last year would only have raised £ 5 billion pa.
Hard choices #r4today
This will however cost circa £15 billion a year, equivalent to 2p on income tax. Or significant cuts to public spending. The small
welfare cuts Starmer u-turned on last year would only have raised £ 5 billion pa.
Hard choices #r4today
“There’s no obvious candidate. Even without her tax issues, there’s this idea that Rayner is Labour’s Liz Truss, which is very accurate.”
Keir Starmer gets stay of execution as leadership rivals squabble
www.thetimes.com/article/4426...
Keir Starmer gets stay of execution as leadership rivals squabble
www.thetimes.com/article/4426...
Keir Starmer gets stay of execution as leadership rivals squabble
From Angela Rayner’s outstanding tax issues to Wes Streeting’s messages to Lord Mandelson, there’s no clear candidate to replace the prime minister
www.thetimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:33 PM
“There’s no obvious candidate. Even without her tax issues, there’s this idea that Rayner is Labour’s Liz Truss, which is very accurate.”
Keir Starmer gets stay of execution as leadership rivals squabble
www.thetimes.com/article/4426...
Keir Starmer gets stay of execution as leadership rivals squabble
www.thetimes.com/article/4426...
Good to hear Dr Cass taking the moderate “centrist” stance on trans issues . The extremists on both ends of the argument are utterly toxic, as in so many aspects of life #Bbclaurak
February 15, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Good to hear Dr Cass taking the moderate “centrist” stance on trans issues . The extremists on both ends of the argument are utterly toxic, as in so many aspects of life #Bbclaurak
Always weird to hear charlatan Reformers like Jake Berry criticise the Conservative government they supported .
Bit like that snake oil populist Polanski criticising the “austerity” implemented by the Tory/LibDem government he supported and tried to stand as a candidate for 🙄 #Bbclaurak
Bit like that snake oil populist Polanski criticising the “austerity” implemented by the Tory/LibDem government he supported and tried to stand as a candidate for 🙄 #Bbclaurak
February 15, 2026 at 9:39 AM
Always weird to hear charlatan Reformers like Jake Berry criticise the Conservative government they supported .
Bit like that snake oil populist Polanski criticising the “austerity” implemented by the Tory/LibDem government he supported and tried to stand as a candidate for 🙄 #Bbclaurak
Bit like that snake oil populist Polanski criticising the “austerity” implemented by the Tory/LibDem government he supported and tried to stand as a candidate for 🙄 #Bbclaurak
We need to significantly increase defence spending now, not in a few years time.
Unfortunately, that either means large tax rises or major cuts to public spending like welfare . Both will be difficult politically #bbclarak
Unfortunately, that either means large tax rises or major cuts to public spending like welfare . Both will be difficult politically #bbclarak
February 15, 2026 at 9:26 AM
We need to significantly increase defence spending now, not in a few years time.
Unfortunately, that either means large tax rises or major cuts to public spending like welfare . Both will be difficult politically #bbclarak
Unfortunately, that either means large tax rises or major cuts to public spending like welfare . Both will be difficult politically #bbclarak
Massive applause for Starmer when he tells Munich security conference “We are no longer the Britain of the Brexit years” .
(Unless of course Farage wins in 2029, assisted by Polanski and turns the clock back)
(Unless of course Farage wins in 2029, assisted by Polanski and turns the clock back)
a crowd of people are sitting in a theatre applauding .
ALT: a crowd of people are sitting in a theatre applauding .
media.tenor.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Massive applause for Starmer when he tells Munich security conference “We are no longer the Britain of the Brexit years” .
(Unless of course Farage wins in 2029, assisted by Polanski and turns the clock back)
(Unless of course Farage wins in 2029, assisted by Polanski and turns the clock back)
Answer : probably the best option Labour has at the moment to prevent a disastrous lurch to the hard left and crisis in the bond markets .
What kind of prime minister would Wes Streeting be?
www.thetimes.com/article/156b...
What kind of prime minister would Wes Streeting be?
www.thetimes.com/article/156b...
What kind of prime minister would Wes Streeting be?
To some he is a tall poppy in need of cutting down. To others he’s the future. Allies, former staff and friends reveal what he might be like in No 10
www.thetimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Answer : probably the best option Labour has at the moment to prevent a disastrous lurch to the hard left and crisis in the bond markets .
What kind of prime minister would Wes Streeting be?
www.thetimes.com/article/156b...
What kind of prime minister would Wes Streeting be?
www.thetimes.com/article/156b...
The immediate impact of a new Leader moving the party and Govt to the left would be chaos and turmoil
in the bond markets.
Labour must not go through its Liz Truss phase before appointing its Rishi Sunak.
The new leader must be a centrist & fiscal conservative
#R4today
in the bond markets.
Labour must not go through its Liz Truss phase before appointing its Rishi Sunak.
The new leader must be a centrist & fiscal conservative
#R4today
February 14, 2026 at 8:58 AM
The immediate impact of a new Leader moving the party and Govt to the left would be chaos and turmoil
in the bond markets.
Labour must not go through its Liz Truss phase before appointing its Rishi Sunak.
The new leader must be a centrist & fiscal conservative
#R4today
in the bond markets.
Labour must not go through its Liz Truss phase before appointing its Rishi Sunak.
The new leader must be a centrist & fiscal conservative
#R4today
Starmer is correct here, Reform UK and the Greens are ideological extremists who would undermine Britain’s national security and make war in Europe more likely.
Sir Keir Starmer: Vote Reform or Green and risk war
www.thetimes.com/article/ad7f...
Sir Keir Starmer: Vote Reform or Green and risk war
www.thetimes.com/article/ad7f...
Sir Keir Starmer: Vote Reform or Green and risk war
The prime minister will use his speech at the Munich security conference to warn that both parties are ‘soft on Russia and weak on Nato’ and threaten unity
www.thetimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 6:33 AM
Starmer is correct here, Reform UK and the Greens are ideological extremists who would undermine Britain’s national security and make war in Europe more likely.
Sir Keir Starmer: Vote Reform or Green and risk war
www.thetimes.com/article/ad7f...
Sir Keir Starmer: Vote Reform or Green and risk war
www.thetimes.com/article/ad7f...
Has the BBC really descended to the point that they have to “show balance” by having someone on (in this case Farage) to support/defend racist comments ? FFS. #R4today
February 13, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Has the BBC really descended to the point that they have to “show balance” by having someone on (in this case Farage) to support/defend racist comments ? FFS. #R4today
Why on earth would anyone have a problem with using someone’s preferred pronouns ? Surely it’s, just common decency/respect, regardless of one’s “stance” on trans rights ? #R4today
February 13, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Why on earth would anyone have a problem with using someone’s preferred pronouns ? Surely it’s, just common decency/respect, regardless of one’s “stance” on trans rights ? #R4today
Seems unsurprising that with all the talk of the jobs market tightening and many people not knowing how AI will impact their employment over the medium term, there is a reluctance to buy a home/trade up #r4today
February 13, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Seems unsurprising that with all the talk of the jobs market tightening and many people not knowing how AI will impact their employment over the medium term, there is a reluctance to buy a home/trade up #r4today
Labour hard left back bencher Rachel Maskell seems to be the BBC’s new “go to” person when they want someone to attack Starmer .
She’s always more than happy to oblige #R4today
She’s always more than happy to oblige #R4today
February 12, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Labour hard left back bencher Rachel Maskell seems to be the BBC’s new “go to” person when they want someone to attack Starmer .
She’s always more than happy to oblige #R4today
She’s always more than happy to oblige #R4today
A lot of journalists, Tories, Greens, Corbyn cranks and Reform supporters seem very annoyed this morning that Starmer just refused to throw in the towel yesterday .
Tough
#R4today
Tough
#R4today
February 10, 2026 at 8:40 AM
A lot of journalists, Tories, Greens, Corbyn cranks and Reform supporters seem very annoyed this morning that Starmer just refused to throw in the towel yesterday .
Tough
#R4today
Tough
#R4today
I am both pleased tonight that Starmer has survived the day and that Wes Streeting remains a contender to succeed him if he eventually goes .
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Ignore the smears: I was never a close friend of Peter Mandelson. And I fully understand the lessons we must learn | Wes Streeting
I knew him but not well, and worry now that he thrived in our political culture. There was a failure of moral seriousness, says health secretary Wes Streeting
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:41 PM
I am both pleased tonight that Starmer has survived the day and that Wes Streeting remains a contender to succeed him if he eventually goes .
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I actually admire Starmer for putting up a fight like this 💪
Keir Starmer latest: I’ve won every fight I’ve been in, he tells MPs
www.thetimes.com/article/9214...
Keir Starmer latest: I’ve won every fight I’ve been in, he tells MPs
www.thetimes.com/article/9214...
Keir Starmer latest: I’ve won every fight I’ve been in, he tells MPs
Follow the latest news and live updates today as Anas Sarwar calls for Keir Starmer’s resignation
www.thetimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:22 PM
I actually admire Starmer for putting up a fight like this 💪
Keir Starmer latest: I’ve won every fight I’ve been in, he tells MPs
www.thetimes.com/article/9214...
Keir Starmer latest: I’ve won every fight I’ve been in, he tells MPs
www.thetimes.com/article/9214...
Anas Starwar looks a bit of a Scottish Crested Tit tonight bless him
February 9, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Anas Starwar looks a bit of a Scottish Crested Tit tonight bless him
Keir Starmer latest: Anas Sarwar to call for PM to quit over No 10 ‘chaos’
www.thetimes.com/article/9214...
www.thetimes.com/article/9214...
Keir Starmer latest: Anas Sarwar to call for PM to quit over No 10 ‘chaos’
Follow the latest news and live updates today after Tim Allan resigned
www.thetimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Keir Starmer latest: Anas Sarwar to call for PM to quit over No 10 ‘chaos’
www.thetimes.com/article/9214...
www.thetimes.com/article/9214...
The Times reporting that Anas Sarwar will demand Keir Starmer’s resignation at 2.30pm this afternoon
February 9, 2026 at 1:14 PM
The Times reporting that Anas Sarwar will demand Keir Starmer’s resignation at 2.30pm this afternoon
The Socialist Campaign Croup and others on the hard left will be delighted that they have Kemi Badenoch and Farage on their side in trying to destroy Starmer and damage Britain #r4today
February 9, 2026 at 7:56 AM
The Socialist Campaign Croup and others on the hard left will be delighted that they have Kemi Badenoch and Farage on their side in trying to destroy Starmer and damage Britain #r4today
Listening to Andy McDonald of the Socialist Campaign Group on the radio, it seems quite clear that the far left of the party are going to try to use this crisis as an attemp to move Labour to the hard left .
#r4today
#r4today
February 9, 2026 at 7:08 AM
Listening to Andy McDonald of the Socialist Campaign Group on the radio, it seems quite clear that the far left of the party are going to try to use this crisis as an attemp to move Labour to the hard left .
#r4today
#r4today
He’s running #r4today
MPs are secretly planning to lend staff to work on a leadership campaign by Wes Streeting in anticipation of a formal move to dislodge Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister.
www.thetimes.com/article/c7ef...
MPs are secretly planning to lend staff to work on a leadership campaign by Wes Streeting in anticipation of a formal move to dislodge Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister.
www.thetimes.com/article/c7ef...
MPs ‘lending staff to work on Wes Streeting’s leadership campaign’
Allies of the health secretary have suggested parliamentary officials should delay their annual leave so they are free to help Starmer’s rival
www.thetimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:21 AM
He’s running #r4today
MPs are secretly planning to lend staff to work on a leadership campaign by Wes Streeting in anticipation of a formal move to dislodge Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister.
www.thetimes.com/article/c7ef...
MPs are secretly planning to lend staff to work on a leadership campaign by Wes Streeting in anticipation of a formal move to dislodge Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister.
www.thetimes.com/article/c7ef...