@darcyswickham.bsky.social
Paddy in London. Or a Londoner, former Paddy depending on how you see it.
Pint and a pamphlet. Proper.
February 9, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Pint and a pamphlet. Proper.
What really baffles me about Starmer. He seems to be a decent guy but he went out of his way to appear dismissive or indifferent? Like, I’m overly effusive with people, bur it’s just pleasant to do and people like to see they’re considered and thought well off.
One of many things that Starmer and McSweeney have in common is neither is particularly interested in policy, and I think the lack of 'I need goodwill in order to deliver change' and the 'our planning for government goes to another school' all come from that.
What went wrong? Managing to lose goodwill and aggravate your own MPs, party members and voters is certainly an achievement of sorts
That goodwill is what you need to deliver the level of change promised seems to have been lost on McSweeney
That goodwill is what you need to deliver the level of change promised seems to have been lost on McSweeney
February 9, 2026 at 11:04 AM
What really baffles me about Starmer. He seems to be a decent guy but he went out of his way to appear dismissive or indifferent? Like, I’m overly effusive with people, bur it’s just pleasant to do and people like to see they’re considered and thought well off.
Why aren’t there any announcements on buses reminding idiots to wear headphones? Why don’t we see just random fines being handed out for scum playing their crap aloud? Why have we just given up on people being so casually selfish?
February 9, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Why aren’t there any announcements on buses reminding idiots to wear headphones? Why don’t we see just random fines being handed out for scum playing their crap aloud? Why have we just given up on people being so casually selfish?
It was a wonderful evening! Tom can cook and chat lads.
Delightful evening with @darcyswickham.bsky.social and Jet, enjoying my vain efforts at veggie Indian cuisine
February 8, 2026 at 11:08 PM
It was a wonderful evening! Tom can cook and chat lads.
Shot the captain and just gave the same orders to his favourite helmsmen.
NEW: Hearing that Starmer is considering making Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson, Morgan McSweeney's deputies, his joint chiefs of staff.
February 8, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Shot the captain and just gave the same orders to his favourite helmsmen.
There’s many funny things about this piece, but I think middle age now encompassing 30 years is what has broken me.
mashallah he is gone, to celebrate I've made the piece I wrote last year about arguably the most embarrassing project I've ever worked on free to read: youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/so-about-t...
February 8, 2026 at 4:54 PM
There’s many funny things about this piece, but I think middle age now encompassing 30 years is what has broken me.
Wormtongue being contained will surely save Saruman
February 8, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Wormtongue being contained will surely save Saruman
I’m having a moment here
February 8, 2026 at 12:58 PM
I’m having a moment here
Pop down to the local church and become a canvas for free
February 8, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Pop down to the local church and become a canvas for free
Man had such a presence that the wind moves with him.
February 8, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Man had such a presence that the wind moves with him.
None of these words are in the bible.
we gotta open the schools…or close down the schools. not sure. yikes
February 7, 2026 at 10:13 PM
None of these words are in the bible.
Today was set up well
February 7, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Today was set up well
Crouching like that weird guy in the park smiling through the pain at his dog that hates him.
February 7, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Crouching like that weird guy in the park smiling through the pain at his dog that hates him.
Why is he standing like that?
February 7, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Why is he standing like that?
Not much to add here. James is a good man. Goodwin is not.
Its not a new sentiment but: Fuck Matt Goodwin.
I have family members who'd dearly like to have kids, but can't due to medical stuff. Friends who have spent years trying but it hadnt happened. Multiple miscarriages.
Fuck Goodwin and everyone who supports him.
I have family members who'd dearly like to have kids, but can't due to medical stuff. Friends who have spent years trying but it hadnt happened. Multiple miscarriages.
Fuck Goodwin and everyone who supports him.
So as I struggled with miscarriage after miscarriage before having my 🌈 baby, Reform would seriously think I should pay more tax during that agony.
This policy isn’t just a slippery slope to a handmaids tale dystopian future - it’s a deliberate step towards it
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
This policy isn’t just a slippery slope to a handmaids tale dystopian future - it’s a deliberate step towards it
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
February 7, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Not much to add here. James is a good man. Goodwin is not.
Wonderful thread
Good morning and welcome to your FT Weekend highlights giftlink thread. First the Weekend Essay
"both Putin and Trump know that we live in a world where being able to impose your story is what matters". Peter Pomerantsev writes that Europe needs to change the story as.ft.com/r/1b2d55d0-8...
"both Putin and Trump know that we live in a world where being able to impose your story is what matters". Peter Pomerantsev writes that Europe needs to change the story as.ft.com/r/1b2d55d0-8...
Putin isn’t really winning. Europe needs to make that clear
[FREE TO READ] Behind Russia’s victory narrative in Ukraine is a system under strain. To fight back, the ‘middle powers’ must work harder on their own story
as.ft.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Wonderful thread
Awful awful man
"They say, 'Donald Trump is using the Justice Department to get even.' And I don't. But wouldn't I have a right to?"
-- Trump
-- Trump
February 6, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Awful awful man
It also just looks terrible. Bit sick of projects that are both simply not needed, and that look soulless too.
I'm sorry but it's ridiculous that the taxpayer is being asked to fund up to £40 billion pounds for urgent works to 'save Parliament burning down', which also yknow features Essential Improvements such as a brand new underground visitors centre
February 6, 2026 at 9:38 AM
It also just looks terrible. Bit sick of projects that are both simply not needed, and that look soulless too.
I’m enjoying how finance guy I follow has become so radicalised that he wants to nationalise Starbucks now.
February 6, 2026 at 8:18 AM
I’m enjoying how finance guy I follow has become so radicalised that he wants to nationalise Starbucks now.
A lot of teaching is just working over lunch to help a kid who is wonderful but just aren’t feeling the confidence they need. It’s so crushing when they love a subject but can’t seem to access it as easily as their peers.
February 5, 2026 at 1:48 PM
A lot of teaching is just working over lunch to help a kid who is wonderful but just aren’t feeling the confidence they need. It’s so crushing when they love a subject but can’t seem to access it as easily as their peers.
Reposted
Not to be all sanctimonious but the Mandelson Epstein revelations really are incredibly shocking? Just appalling stuff
February 4, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Not to be all sanctimonious but the Mandelson Epstein revelations really are incredibly shocking? Just appalling stuff