David Herdson
@davidherdson.bsky.social
Part-time writer. Political activist. Fan of Bradford City and rail travel (amongst other things). Bibliophile. Dad. List not necessarily in order of importance.
Reposted by David Herdson
An important point that needs to be made on the AEI website. The best deal that the Trump administration is willing to offer Ukraine is still an abomination. Trump has so warped expectations that too many can’t admit this. @kschake.bsky.social
www.aei.org/articles/tru...
www.aei.org/articles/tru...
www.aei.org
December 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
An important point that needs to be made on the AEI website. The best deal that the Trump administration is willing to offer Ukraine is still an abomination. Trump has so warped expectations that too many can’t admit this. @kschake.bsky.social
www.aei.org/articles/tru...
www.aei.org/articles/tru...
Reposted by David Herdson
He isn't "losing" this money. This is called "paying tax like a responsible citizen and not hiding your money offshore" and we need to start recognising and applauding it.
December 24, 2025 at 8:10 AM
He isn't "losing" this money. This is called "paying tax like a responsible citizen and not hiding your money offshore" and we need to start recognising and applauding it.
I would be astonished if someone who kept Epstein's company and was as entitled, arrogant, privileged and stupid as Andrew hasn't left something properly criminally incriminating - as opposed to just very dodgy - somewhere. But this e-mail isn't it.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3...
Email by 'A' from 'Balmoral' asked Ghislaine Maxwell for 'inappropriate friends', Epstein files show - live updates
The emails do not indicate any wrongdoing. The BBC has contacted Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's team for a response.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 3:52 PM
I would be astonished if someone who kept Epstein's company and was as entitled, arrogant, privileged and stupid as Andrew hasn't left something properly criminally incriminating - as opposed to just very dodgy - somewhere. But this e-mail isn't it.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3...
We shouldn't get too carried away here, by what looks like a swing away from the challenger parties.
- Reform still leads
- Ref+Grn is still 40%
- YG's house methods routinely report lower Ref shares; their last 12 polls have all put them in the 25-28% range.
Still, worth noting going into 2026.
- Reform still leads
- Ref+Grn is still 40%
- YG's house methods routinely report lower Ref shares; their last 12 polls have all put them in the 25-28% range.
Still, worth noting going into 2026.
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 25% (-3)
LAB: 20% (+2)
CON: 19% (+2)
LDM: 15% (+1)
GRN: 15% (-2)
SNP: 3% (-1)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 21-22 Dec.
Changes w/ 14-15 Dec.
RFM: 25% (-3)
LAB: 20% (+2)
CON: 19% (+2)
LDM: 15% (+1)
GRN: 15% (-2)
SNP: 3% (-1)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 21-22 Dec.
Changes w/ 14-15 Dec.
December 23, 2025 at 2:46 PM
We shouldn't get too carried away here, by what looks like a swing away from the challenger parties.
- Reform still leads
- Ref+Grn is still 40%
- YG's house methods routinely report lower Ref shares; their last 12 polls have all put them in the 25-28% range.
Still, worth noting going into 2026.
- Reform still leads
- Ref+Grn is still 40%
- YG's house methods routinely report lower Ref shares; their last 12 polls have all put them in the 25-28% range.
Still, worth noting going into 2026.
Elections should not be cancelled except in the most extreme of circumstances.
Re-organisations and 'capacity issues' are not good enough reasons. Democracy isn't subject to party interest.
news.sky.com/story/watchd...
Re-organisations and 'capacity issues' are not good enough reasons. Democracy isn't subject to party interest.
news.sky.com/story/watchd...
Watchdog criticises 'unprecedented' government offer to delay local elections – as five councils confirm requests for postponement
The Electoral Commission said voting should only be deferred in exceptional circumstances and that the move risked "damaging public confidence".
news.sky.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Elections should not be cancelled except in the most extreme of circumstances.
Re-organisations and 'capacity issues' are not good enough reasons. Democracy isn't subject to party interest.
news.sky.com/story/watchd...
Re-organisations and 'capacity issues' are not good enough reasons. Democracy isn't subject to party interest.
news.sky.com/story/watchd...
Just going through the comments on a local planning application and came across this gem. I can't say I entirely agree with the phrasing but I do have a certain understanding for the sentiment!
December 19, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Just going through the comments on a local planning application and came across this gem. I can't say I entirely agree with the phrasing but I do have a certain understanding for the sentiment!
Trump is completely unreliable and will always break his word, in pursuit of more favourable 'deals' (which, inevitably, he'll also feel free to break).
The only way he stops is if directly threatened.
Time for a 1000% tax on US-owned golf courses in Britain.
The only way he stops is if directly threatened.
Time for a 1000% tax on US-owned golf courses in Britain.
The US has suspended the technology deal with the UK that was signed during Donald Trump's state visit
www.ft.com/content/afd4...
www.ft.com/content/afd4...
US suspends technology deal with the UK
Washington pushes for concessions from London on the broader trade relationship
www.ft.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Trump is completely unreliable and will always break his word, in pursuit of more favourable 'deals' (which, inevitably, he'll also feel free to break).
The only way he stops is if directly threatened.
Time for a 1000% tax on US-owned golf courses in Britain.
The only way he stops is if directly threatened.
Time for a 1000% tax on US-owned golf courses in Britain.
Reposted by David Herdson
Not just on here - hasn’t really been absorbed by most in government either.
Another bad set of labour market data today. Don’t think it’s quite entered the public consciousness on here how badly the NICs rises plus soaring minimum wage is affecting employment. Uk labour market very soft now.
December 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Not just on here - hasn’t really been absorbed by most in government either.
These stats are now on Labour. 18 months is plenty long enough for policy to take effect.
And unemployment up by a fifth in just a year is easily explained by low growth, supply pressures in some sectors leading to wage inflation, and the costs of the NI tax hike.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
And unemployment up by a fifth in just a year is easily explained by low growth, supply pressures in some sectors leading to wage inflation, and the costs of the NI tax hike.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK unemployment rate rises to 5.1%
Unemployment rises again as job vacancies flatline in a
www.bbc.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 11:10 AM
These stats are now on Labour. 18 months is plenty long enough for policy to take effect.
And unemployment up by a fifth in just a year is easily explained by low growth, supply pressures in some sectors leading to wage inflation, and the costs of the NI tax hike.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
And unemployment up by a fifth in just a year is easily explained by low growth, supply pressures in some sectors leading to wage inflation, and the costs of the NI tax hike.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by David Herdson
Which states Ukraine associates with is not Russia's business. Even engaging on the subject is sending the message that it's a legitimate mode of thinking. Ukraine and Europe should reject it outright (in Europe's case, also for its own sovereignty).
BERLIN (AP) — Russia has indicated it’s open to Ukraine joining the European Union as part of a potential peace deal to end the war, U.S. officials said Monday.
@apnews.com
apnews.com/article/russ...
@apnews.com
apnews.com/article/russ...
December 15, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Which states Ukraine associates with is not Russia's business. Even engaging on the subject is sending the message that it's a legitimate mode of thinking. Ukraine and Europe should reject it outright (in Europe's case, also for its own sovereignty).
It surprises me that Tump never considers that his continual stoking of violence against his enemies might rebound. He was, after all, (probably*) shot during the 2024 campaign, and things are only getting more divisive.
* I know the conspiracy theories but it seemed real enough to me.
* I know the conspiracy theories but it seemed real enough to me.
December 15, 2025 at 3:53 PM
It surprises me that Tump never considers that his continual stoking of violence against his enemies might rebound. He was, after all, (probably*) shot during the 2024 campaign, and things are only getting more divisive.
* I know the conspiracy theories but it seemed real enough to me.
* I know the conspiracy theories but it seemed real enough to me.
Reposted by David Herdson
Thanks to proposed visa changes, people from outside the US who criticise this post could well be denied entry to the US. That's the free speech and Western values the US now stands for.
December 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Thanks to proposed visa changes, people from outside the US who criticise this post could well be denied entry to the US. That's the free speech and Western values the US now stands for.
FIFA have got something like 7 million tickets to sell for the World Cup. I don't see them doing so at these prices.
Do the go with empty seats or climb down on price? It'll be interesting to see.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Do the go with empty seats or climb down on price? It'll be interesting to see.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
World Cup ticket prices: Fifa's prices a 'monumental betrayal' says Football Supporters Europe
Fans' group Football Supporters Europe says it is
www.bbc.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
FIFA have got something like 7 million tickets to sell for the World Cup. I don't see them doing so at these prices.
Do the go with empty seats or climb down on price? It'll be interesting to see.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Do the go with empty seats or climb down on price? It'll be interesting to see.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Reposted by David Herdson
Europe must urgently build an independent “EuroStack”of critical technologies — or risk foreign powers weaponising its digital dependencies, argues @giorgosverdi.bsky.social in a new report out today. A 🧵
December 10, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Europe must urgently build an independent “EuroStack”of critical technologies — or risk foreign powers weaponising its digital dependencies, argues @giorgosverdi.bsky.social in a new report out today. A 🧵
Reposted by David Herdson
Anybody hoping that this is going to be a real problem for Farage and Reform should probably calm down and move on. This expert take suggests it's very unlikely to result in anything - for several reasons.
Nigel Farage accused of breaking election spending laws – the situation explained
Police are looking at whether the MP for Clacton overspent on his campaign – but it’s incredibly hard to make such cases stick.
theconversation.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Anybody hoping that this is going to be a real problem for Farage and Reform should probably calm down and move on. This expert take suggests it's very unlikely to result in anything - for several reasons.
I have known of several cases of obvious procedural electoral abuse by candidates and their campaigns, from overspending (or failure to report), to postal vote abuse. The police could not have made their lack of interest more clear. They certainly won't do much about marginal cases.
Anybody hoping that this is going to be a real problem for Farage and Reform should probably calm down and move on. This expert take suggests it's very unlikely to result in anything - for several reasons.
Nigel Farage accused of breaking election spending laws – the situation explained
Police are looking at whether the MP for Clacton overspent on his campaign – but it’s incredibly hard to make such cases stick.
theconversation.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:53 AM
I have known of several cases of obvious procedural electoral abuse by candidates and their campaigns, from overspending (or failure to report), to postal vote abuse. The police could not have made their lack of interest more clear. They certainly won't do much about marginal cases.
Why are drought measures still in force in Yorkshire? These should only apply in extreme circumstances but reservoir capacity was 87.7% a week ago: entirely normal.
By keeping measures in place excessively, they shift the responsibility from water companies to the public.
By keeping measures in place excessively, they shift the responsibility from water companies to the public.
December 9, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Why are drought measures still in force in Yorkshire? These should only apply in extreme circumstances but reservoir capacity was 87.7% a week ago: entirely normal.
By keeping measures in place excessively, they shift the responsibility from water companies to the public.
By keeping measures in place excessively, they shift the responsibility from water companies to the public.
I'm sure it's nothing that the purchase of a few Trump tokens can't solve.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trump says $72bn Netflix-Warner Bros deal 'could be a problem'
The planned deal would cement Netflix in its position as the world's biggest subscription streaming service.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 9:45 AM
I'm sure it's nothing that the purchase of a few Trump tokens can't solve.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Things that feel like they've taken less time than this World Cup draw:
- Eurovision
- Election night
- The first Ashes Test match
- The World Cup
- The Hundred Years War
- Evolution
- Eurovision
- Election night
- The first Ashes Test match
- The World Cup
- The Hundred Years War
- Evolution
December 5, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Things that feel like they've taken less time than this World Cup draw:
- Eurovision
- Election night
- The first Ashes Test match
- The World Cup
- The Hundred Years War
- Evolution
- Eurovision
- Election night
- The first Ashes Test match
- The World Cup
- The Hundred Years War
- Evolution
Trump getting the FIFA Peace Prize (assuming he does but I'm not laying odds) is going to be his price for not keeping the World Cup trophy in the Oval Office, isn't it?
December 5, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Trump getting the FIFA Peace Prize (assuming he does but I'm not laying odds) is going to be his price for not keeping the World Cup trophy in the Oval Office, isn't it?
Reposted by David Herdson
Holding Musk accountable. What a novel idea. Hopefully the UK govt follows the EU's lead on this front.
Twitter becomes the first site to take a hit from the EU Digital Services Act
*ELON MUSK'S X HIT WITH €120M EU FINE FOR CONTENT LAW BREACHES
*EU COMMISSION SAYS X MADE 3 VIOLATIONS OF DIGITAL SERVICES ACT
*EU GIVES X 60 DAYS TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS, 90 DAYS TO IMPLEMENT
*ELON MUSK'S X HIT WITH €120M EU FINE FOR CONTENT LAW BREACHES
*EU COMMISSION SAYS X MADE 3 VIOLATIONS OF DIGITAL SERVICES ACT
*EU GIVES X 60 DAYS TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS, 90 DAYS TO IMPLEMENT
December 5, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Holding Musk accountable. What a novel idea. Hopefully the UK govt follows the EU's lead on this front.
This will run. Other governments will come under pressure to withdraw, including Britain's - not least from within the Labour Party, and from competitors on the left.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ce...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ce...
Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia boycott Eurovision after Israel allowed to compete
They were among a number of countries who had called for Israel to be excluded over the humanitarian toll of the war in Gaza.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 7:11 PM
This will run. Other governments will come under pressure to withdraw, including Britain's - not least from within the Labour Party, and from competitors on the left.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ce...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ce...
Apparently it's Spotify summary day.
Here's mine:
Zero.
I can't avoid global social media entirely but I'm not doing that one.
Here's mine:
Zero.
I can't avoid global social media entirely but I'm not doing that one.
December 4, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Apparently it's Spotify summary day.
Here's mine:
Zero.
I can't avoid global social media entirely but I'm not doing that one.
Here's mine:
Zero.
I can't avoid global social media entirely but I'm not doing that one.
Reposted by David Herdson
Just to be clear, any politician of any flavour who comes out for crypto is a charlatan or an idiot. Or both.
Nigel Farage used an LBC appearance in September to accuse the Bank of England of being “dinosaurs” for seeking to place restrictions on the use of Stablecoins by crypto firms like Tether.
He did not declare that Reform had just received a £9 million donation from one of its biggest investors
He did not declare that Reform had just received a £9 million donation from one of its biggest investors
Crypto Investor Donates £9 Million to Reform UK After Nigel Farage Plugs His Company and Tells Industry 'I Am Your Champion'
The Reform leader recently used media interviews to back Christopher Harborne's company while promising to cut taxes and regulations on crypto firms
bylinetimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Just to be clear, any politician of any flavour who comes out for crypto is a charlatan or an idiot. Or both.