David Cairns
@davidcairns.bsky.social
Music lover, GO community chorus and Henley Choral Society, countryside explorer, retired village cricketer but still supporting Stockport County after 70+ years of ups and down. Post-retirement BA inspired me to do OU history masters.
Reposted by David Cairns
This is how Chris Mason, like a child filled with wonder, described "the choreography and theatre that surrounds a Budget" in Feb 2024, when a male Tory Chancellor was in post.
"Plans, or even just options, can be floated... Reaction to them can be tested. Opponents can be teased or wrongfooted." 👀
"Plans, or even just options, can be floated... Reaction to them can be tested. Opponents can be teased or wrongfooted." 👀
December 2, 2025 at 9:29 PM
This is how Chris Mason, like a child filled with wonder, described "the choreography and theatre that surrounds a Budget" in Feb 2024, when a male Tory Chancellor was in post.
"Plans, or even just options, can be floated... Reaction to them can be tested. Opponents can be teased or wrongfooted." 👀
"Plans, or even just options, can be floated... Reaction to them can be tested. Opponents can be teased or wrongfooted." 👀
Reposted by David Cairns
No, it's not just you.
November 30, 2025 at 12:59 PM
No, it's not just you.
Reposted by David Cairns
"The govt. is clamping down on migration for work and study in a way which is certainly going to have negative impacts for growth."
@jdportes.bsky.social explains why today's ONS figures showing a huge drop in net migration will impact economic forecasts
Catch up👇
www.youtube.com/live/rgBYn93...
@jdportes.bsky.social explains why today's ONS figures showing a huge drop in net migration will impact economic forecasts
Catch up👇
www.youtube.com/live/rgBYn93...
November 27, 2025 at 3:20 PM
"The govt. is clamping down on migration for work and study in a way which is certainly going to have negative impacts for growth."
@jdportes.bsky.social explains why today's ONS figures showing a huge drop in net migration will impact economic forecasts
Catch up👇
www.youtube.com/live/rgBYn93...
@jdportes.bsky.social explains why today's ONS figures showing a huge drop in net migration will impact economic forecasts
Catch up👇
www.youtube.com/live/rgBYn93...
Reposted by David Cairns
“In the last year of the Conservative Government alone, 115 prisoners were released in error, including a series of serious offenders.
“At no point did this fact ever make the front pages of British newspapers, or lead news bulletins on the BBC.”
“At no point did this fact ever make the front pages of British newspapers, or lead news bulletins on the BBC.”
How ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
The 'Great Noticing' Era
Ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 6:35 PM
“In the last year of the Conservative Government alone, 115 prisoners were released in error, including a series of serious offenders.
“At no point did this fact ever make the front pages of British newspapers, or lead news bulletins on the BBC.”
“At no point did this fact ever make the front pages of British newspapers, or lead news bulletins on the BBC.”
Reposted by David Cairns
How ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
The 'Great Noticing' Era
Ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 12:23 PM
How ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
Reposted by David Cairns
The history and legacy of the British Empire with @davidolusoga.bsky.social
Coming in November.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
🗃️📚📺 #history
Coming in November.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
🗃️📚📺 #history
October 24, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The history and legacy of the British Empire with @davidolusoga.bsky.social
Coming in November.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
🗃️📚📺 #history
Coming in November.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
🗃️📚📺 #history
Reposted by David Cairns
Excellent letter from the Bishop of Birmingham to Robert Jenrick.
At a time when so many other voices have been silent, the bishops have been admirably outspoken against attempts to stir up division.
The churches do a lot of community cohesion work & do not want to see this trashed for party gain.
At a time when so many other voices have been silent, the bishops have been admirably outspoken against attempts to stir up division.
The churches do a lot of community cohesion work & do not want to see this trashed for party gain.
The Bishop of Birmingham has written to the Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick about his comments about Handsworth
October 7, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Excellent letter from the Bishop of Birmingham to Robert Jenrick.
At a time when so many other voices have been silent, the bishops have been admirably outspoken against attempts to stir up division.
The churches do a lot of community cohesion work & do not want to see this trashed for party gain.
At a time when so many other voices have been silent, the bishops have been admirably outspoken against attempts to stir up division.
The churches do a lot of community cohesion work & do not want to see this trashed for party gain.
Reposted by David Cairns
‘What would Orwell think’, Musk had on his T-shirt. My guess is he’d think Musk is a master of Doublespeak. A man who bought his own Ministry of Truth and embodies some of the nightmarish developments he anticipated.
September 17, 2025 at 7:21 AM
‘What would Orwell think’, Musk had on his T-shirt. My guess is he’d think Musk is a master of Doublespeak. A man who bought his own Ministry of Truth and embodies some of the nightmarish developments he anticipated.
Reposted by David Cairns
I want my country back, too. The one that welcomed the Wertheims whose son would become one of the truly great Britons, imho, Sir Nicholas Winton.
September 14, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I want my country back, too. The one that welcomed the Wertheims whose son would become one of the truly great Britons, imho, Sir Nicholas Winton.
Reposted by David Cairns
I want my country back. The country that welcomed my Grandfather fleeing from the Armenian genocide. That welcomed the Polish grandfather of our political editor, who then fought against Hitler. That welcomed the Indian parents of our editor-in-chief, as citizens of the British Empire. That country
September 14, 2025 at 8:21 PM
I want my country back. The country that welcomed my Grandfather fleeing from the Armenian genocide. That welcomed the Polish grandfather of our political editor, who then fought against Hitler. That welcomed the Indian parents of our editor-in-chief, as citizens of the British Empire. That country
Reposted by David Cairns
He's EXTREMELY tetchy.
As my granny used to say: "To be a good liar, you need a good memory".
September 8, 2025 at 10:10 AM
He's EXTREMELY tetchy.
Reposted by David Cairns
Angela Rayner accidentally pays less tax than she should have, resigns, and the media gives her hell.
Nigel Farage deliberately pays less tax than he should have, and the media gives him a free pass.
That, right there, is the problem.
Nigel Farage deliberately pays less tax than he should have, and the media gives him a free pass.
That, right there, is the problem.
September 5, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Angela Rayner accidentally pays less tax than she should have, resigns, and the media gives her hell.
Nigel Farage deliberately pays less tax than he should have, and the media gives him a free pass.
That, right there, is the problem.
Nigel Farage deliberately pays less tax than he should have, and the media gives him a free pass.
That, right there, is the problem.
Reposted by David Cairns
"Farage claimed last year to have “bought a house” in his constituency, but the property is actually owned in the name of his partner, meaning he legally avoided higher-rate stamp duty on the purchase of an additional home – given that he already owns other properties."
Just wait until the BBC, Sky, Mail, Telegraph, Express, Sun, and GBeebies get hold of this story of obvious and deliberate tax avoidance!
JUST WAIT!
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
JUST WAIT!
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Nigel Farage uses private company to pay less tax on GB News earnings
Exclusive: Reform leader’s use of personal services firm is a practice criticised across the political spectrum
www.theguardian.com
September 5, 2025 at 8:49 AM
"Farage claimed last year to have “bought a house” in his constituency, but the property is actually owned in the name of his partner, meaning he legally avoided higher-rate stamp duty on the purchase of an additional home – given that he already owns other properties."
Reposted by David Cairns
For god’s sake someone remind the bbc.
YES! Thank you...
Say it again, and again, and again. They are not "illegal immigrants".
- seeking asylum is legal and has been since 1951.
Say it again, and again, and again. They are not "illegal immigrants".
- seeking asylum is legal and has been since 1951.
Silencing the drumbeat again: seeking asylum is legal
Hundreds protested in Ashington against so-called "illegal immigrants" - though seeking asylum has been legal since 1951
northeastbylines.co.uk
August 31, 2025 at 4:15 PM
For god’s sake someone remind the bbc.
Reposted by David Cairns
Seeking asylum has been legal since 1951 when the UK signed the UN Convention on Asylum Seekers.
This convention was created in the wake of WW2 when people looked at ways of avoid future tragedies and to help those affected by war and persecution by providing a safe haven.
This convention was created in the wake of WW2 when people looked at ways of avoid future tragedies and to help those affected by war and persecution by providing a safe haven.
YES! Thank you...
Say it again, and again, and again. They are not "illegal immigrants".
- seeking asylum is legal and has been since 1951.
Say it again, and again, and again. They are not "illegal immigrants".
- seeking asylum is legal and has been since 1951.
Silencing the drumbeat again: seeking asylum is legal
Hundreds protested in Ashington against so-called "illegal immigrants" - though seeking asylum has been legal since 1951
northeastbylines.co.uk
August 31, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Seeking asylum has been legal since 1951 when the UK signed the UN Convention on Asylum Seekers.
This convention was created in the wake of WW2 when people looked at ways of avoid future tragedies and to help those affected by war and persecution by providing a safe haven.
This convention was created in the wake of WW2 when people looked at ways of avoid future tragedies and to help those affected by war and persecution by providing a safe haven.
Reposted by David Cairns
The radical right in Britain increasingly claims to represent "Christian values" & "Christian civilisation" - though its leaders rarely go to church or pretend to believe anything.
It's especially important that Christian leaders speak out against this, as it's their tradition that's being claimed.
It's especially important that Christian leaders speak out against this, as it's their tradition that's being claimed.
A courteous but very impressive rebuke to Nigel Farage from the Bishop of Oxford.
"I heard no compassion in what you said...".
"I disagree profoundly with your attempts to ... increase fear of the stranger in our communities".
Do read.
blogs.oxford.anglican.org/an-open-lett...
"I heard no compassion in what you said...".
"I disagree profoundly with your attempts to ... increase fear of the stranger in our communities".
Do read.
blogs.oxford.anglican.org/an-open-lett...
An open letter to Nigel Farage - Bishop Steven's Blog
Bishop Steven writes an open letter in response to Nigel Farage MP's immigration policy which was launched in Oxford this week.
blogs.oxford.anglican.org
August 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The radical right in Britain increasingly claims to represent "Christian values" & "Christian civilisation" - though its leaders rarely go to church or pretend to believe anything.
It's especially important that Christian leaders speak out against this, as it's their tradition that's being claimed.
It's especially important that Christian leaders speak out against this, as it's their tradition that's being claimed.
Reposted by David Cairns
It bothers me that today I had to point out…
To former Tory MP @PhilipDaviesUK
That the Hillsborough families invoked the ECHR in their fight for justice
Because he, like so many, either doesn’t know
…or is being disingenuous about the vital protections the ECHR affords us.
To former Tory MP @PhilipDaviesUK
That the Hillsborough families invoked the ECHR in their fight for justice
Because he, like so many, either doesn’t know
…or is being disingenuous about the vital protections the ECHR affords us.
August 28, 2025 at 4:07 PM
It bothers me that today I had to point out…
To former Tory MP @PhilipDaviesUK
That the Hillsborough families invoked the ECHR in their fight for justice
Because he, like so many, either doesn’t know
…or is being disingenuous about the vital protections the ECHR affords us.
To former Tory MP @PhilipDaviesUK
That the Hillsborough families invoked the ECHR in their fight for justice
Because he, like so many, either doesn’t know
…or is being disingenuous about the vital protections the ECHR affords us.
Reposted by David Cairns
Very important work by @lgilbert.co comprehensively dissecting and demolishing the myth spread by politicians and "thinktanks" that recent migrants are likely to be a drain on public finances.
www.laurenpolicy.com/p/are-recent...
www.laurenpolicy.com/p/are-recent...
Are recent immigrants a "ticking time bomb" for British public finances?
At a few recent policy events, I keep hearing that dependents on visas are a Problem.
www.laurenpolicy.com
August 26, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Very important work by @lgilbert.co comprehensively dissecting and demolishing the myth spread by politicians and "thinktanks" that recent migrants are likely to be a drain on public finances.
www.laurenpolicy.com/p/are-recent...
www.laurenpolicy.com/p/are-recent...
Reposted by David Cairns
Despite all the hysteria whipped up by the far right, certain sectors of the media and our own government, official figures show the UK has HALF the number of asylum applications that Germay has, and significantly fewer than Spain, France and Italy.
An interesting point to note on "pull factors" - the top nationality claiming asylum in Spain is Venezuelan, a country which barely features in the UK at all, showing that language/culture can be an important factor for people choosing a destination country
August 21, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Despite all the hysteria whipped up by the far right, certain sectors of the media and our own government, official figures show the UK has HALF the number of asylum applications that Germay has, and significantly fewer than Spain, France and Italy.
Reposted by David Cairns
This is a barn-stormer.
The part about Keir Starmer is boggling.
The part about Keir Starmer is boggling.
On LBC @zoejardiniere.bsky.social lists 3 previous instances where military aircraft have been targeted by campaigners in order to prevent them being used in war crimes, and she describes the govt banning Palestine Action as terrorists as an abuse of state power.
Well said.
Well said.
June 24, 2025 at 6:59 AM
This is a barn-stormer.
The part about Keir Starmer is boggling.
The part about Keir Starmer is boggling.
Reposted by David Cairns
I can't believe it needs to be said, least of all to a Labour Government, but we should be tougher on genocide than peaceful protest against genocide.
This is a very worrying over-reaction to a peaceful protest. I expect @palaction.bsky.social has its own legal team but we are reaching out to them (and have contacted a leading KC) and would love to help. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Palestine Action expected to be banned after vandalism of planes at RAF base
Home secretary plans to proscribe group that broke into Brize Norton, effectively branding it a terrorist organisation
www.theguardian.com
June 20, 2025 at 8:17 PM
I can't believe it needs to be said, least of all to a Labour Government, but we should be tougher on genocide than peaceful protest against genocide.
Reposted by David Cairns
"Israel is acting in a way that will produce future generations that will 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 them."
Lord Chris Patten rejects the argument that criticising Netanyahu's and Israel's treatment of Palestinians is anti-Semitic.
@lewisgoodall.com
Lord Chris Patten rejects the argument that criticising Netanyahu's and Israel's treatment of Palestinians is anti-Semitic.
@lewisgoodall.com
June 20, 2025 at 3:32 PM
"Israel is acting in a way that will produce future generations that will 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 them."
Lord Chris Patten rejects the argument that criticising Netanyahu's and Israel's treatment of Palestinians is anti-Semitic.
@lewisgoodall.com
Lord Chris Patten rejects the argument that criticising Netanyahu's and Israel's treatment of Palestinians is anti-Semitic.
@lewisgoodall.com
Reposted by David Cairns
This is very good from @lewisgoodall.com connecting the dots between our gerontocracy, giving rise for the need for a wealth tax, which is exactly why we won’t get one. @patmillsuk.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
Winter Fuel: Proof that Britain has come an old folks' home with a government attached
Welcome to the real Nanny State
open.substack.com
June 10, 2025 at 9:17 PM
This is very good from @lewisgoodall.com connecting the dots between our gerontocracy, giving rise for the need for a wealth tax, which is exactly why we won’t get one. @patmillsuk.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
Reposted by David Cairns
“People were worried it would be sold to developers. It was so touching that local people came and donated, some just coins or a fiver. It meant so much to them.” How the British coast was kept accessible to all, by thousands of ordinary people. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
National Trust celebrates 60 years of coastal project Enterprise Neptune
Campaign has raised more than £114m since 1965 to protect sites such as Wembury Point in Devon
www.theguardian.com
May 29, 2025 at 8:43 AM
“People were worried it would be sold to developers. It was so touching that local people came and donated, some just coins or a fiver. It meant so much to them.” How the British coast was kept accessible to all, by thousands of ordinary people. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by David Cairns
What do tax cuts for the rich do?
They increase inequality.
They have no effect on economic growth or unemployment.
"Our results provide strong evidence against the influential political–economic idea that tax cuts for the rich ‘trickle down’ to boost the wider economy."
They increase inequality.
They have no effect on economic growth or unemployment.
"Our results provide strong evidence against the influential political–economic idea that tax cuts for the rich ‘trickle down’ to boost the wider economy."
May 22, 2025 at 9:14 PM
What do tax cuts for the rich do?
They increase inequality.
They have no effect on economic growth or unemployment.
"Our results provide strong evidence against the influential political–economic idea that tax cuts for the rich ‘trickle down’ to boost the wider economy."
They increase inequality.
They have no effect on economic growth or unemployment.
"Our results provide strong evidence against the influential political–economic idea that tax cuts for the rich ‘trickle down’ to boost the wider economy."