David Craven
@davidjcraven.bsky.social
“Think David Attenborough meets a snarky film critic. A delightful mix of wildlife passion and pop culture commentary!” apparently… 😉
I think they should say to government ministers in these cases “You can appeal, but if you lose, you pay the country back”. That would stop frivolous appeals designed only to waste time.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...
Palestine Action ban ruled unlawful but group remains proscribed for now - live updates
Three judges rule against the Home Office in a massive blow to the government, but say the ban must remain until a further hearing.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 12:40 PM
I think they should say to government ministers in these cases “You can appeal, but if you lose, you pay the country back”. That would stop frivolous appeals designed only to waste time.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...
We have our own little redpoll flock
February 13, 2026 at 8:56 AM
We have our own little redpoll flock
Reposted by David Craven
Friends from Minneapolis reporting to me that things are at the point where folks are being hidden in other people's houses and we are in the "again" part of "never again" which the "never" was supposed to preclude
February 10, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Friends from Minneapolis reporting to me that things are at the point where folks are being hidden in other people's houses and we are in the "again" part of "never again" which the "never" was supposed to preclude
Given how Jim Ratcliffe organises his affairs, the average immigrant probably contributes more than him to the UK. So let’s strip him of his knighthood and give it to an immigrant.
February 11, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Given how Jim Ratcliffe organises his affairs, the average immigrant probably contributes more than him to the UK. So let’s strip him of his knighthood and give it to an immigrant.
100% correct and exactly what we should be expecting from every organisation.
February 10, 2026 at 8:59 AM
100% correct and exactly what we should be expecting from every organisation.
Reposted by David Craven
Nothing to worry about here, nope. All is well...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
UK and US sink to new lows in global index of corruption
Countries’ drop in scores in annual table comes amid ‘worrying trend’ of backsliding in established democracies
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Nothing to worry about here, nope. All is well...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Reposted by David Craven
Policy by Pub Bore. He's just that spittle-flecked Hate Guy in the corner of your done-up bar saying that modern beer is horrible and anyone under 50 is lazy and a loser. As beatable a politician as there'll ever be.
BREAKING: Nigel Farage calls for an end to working from home and the focus on work-life balance
"People aren't more productive working from home - it's a load of nonsense”
Whatever you do JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM!
"People aren't more productive working from home - it's a load of nonsense”
Whatever you do JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM!
February 9, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Policy by Pub Bore. He's just that spittle-flecked Hate Guy in the corner of your done-up bar saying that modern beer is horrible and anyone under 50 is lazy and a loser. As beatable a politician as there'll ever be.
At least 41m people in America are Hispanic and around 40% voted for Trump in 2024. And I’m sure plenty more know or understand Spanish. And there’ll be plenty who get that you can understand music without understanding the words
So when he says “nobody” he means “the white people I care about”.
So when he says “nobody” he means “the white people I care about”.
February 9, 2026 at 9:32 AM
At least 41m people in America are Hispanic and around 40% voted for Trump in 2024. And I’m sure plenty more know or understand Spanish. And there’ll be plenty who get that you can understand music without understanding the words
So when he says “nobody” he means “the white people I care about”.
So when he says “nobody” he means “the white people I care about”.
Reposted by David Craven
The Home Office now describes asylum seekers as "illegal immigrants [living in hotels]" with no reference to the reason that these people are in government-funded accommodation is that this government has taken & will process the asylum claim from them in 98-99% of cases of unauthorised entry.
February 8, 2026 at 12:50 PM
The Home Office now describes asylum seekers as "illegal immigrants [living in hotels]" with no reference to the reason that these people are in government-funded accommodation is that this government has taken & will process the asylum claim from them in 98-99% of cases of unauthorised entry.
Also, as with “Boris Johnson’s 2019 Landslide”, the idea that Labour triumphantly won some massive majority is a myth. In both cases the opposition and a hideous electoral system handed out something disproportionate.
I do wonder about anyone who thinks McSweeney single-handedly won Labour its majority. They do realise they were up against a catastrophically unpopular government? The 2024 result was very much an underperformance against the fundamentals.
Not *all* Labour MPs wanted McSweeney out.
“Gutted about Morgan”, one texts.
“So many of us know he’s brilliant to work with, so exceptional at the bigger picture strategic thinking, relentlessly focused on the moving pieces… and credit him with winning the majority”.
“Gutted about Morgan”, one texts.
“So many of us know he’s brilliant to work with, so exceptional at the bigger picture strategic thinking, relentlessly focused on the moving pieces… and credit him with winning the majority”.
February 8, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Also, as with “Boris Johnson’s 2019 Landslide”, the idea that Labour triumphantly won some massive majority is a myth. In both cases the opposition and a hideous electoral system handed out something disproportionate.
Reposted by David Craven
🚨 Want to work with Little Terns?
We’re recruiting a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistants to protect the Beacon Ponds colony at Spurn.
👉 spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
We’re recruiting a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistants to protect the Beacon Ponds colony at Spurn.
👉 spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
February 6, 2026 at 7:30 PM
🚨 Want to work with Little Terns?
We’re recruiting a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistants to protect the Beacon Ponds colony at Spurn.
👉 spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
We’re recruiting a Head Little Tern Warden and 2 Assistants to protect the Beacon Ponds colony at Spurn.
👉 spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news
Reposted by David Craven
Have a read of this. Great scoop, obviously, but it’s also an absolute masterclass in how to report on these jokers. Plenty of London-based hacks could learn a lot from Martin Shipton here. If they actually wanted to…
nation.cymru/news/the-new...
nation.cymru/news/the-new...
The new leader of Reform UK Wales lives in Bath, not Wales
Martin Shipton The newly appointed leader of Reform UK in Wales hasn’t moved back to his home town in the Valleys, but has bought a £1m house near Bath, we can reveal. Dan Thomas, the former Conservat...
nation.cymru
February 7, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Have a read of this. Great scoop, obviously, but it’s also an absolute masterclass in how to report on these jokers. Plenty of London-based hacks could learn a lot from Martin Shipton here. If they actually wanted to…
nation.cymru/news/the-new...
nation.cymru/news/the-new...
I was listening to someone talking about how they’ve ‘trained their robins’ to come and sit and sing on a fence post, in exchange for food. All I could think was “yeah, it’s not the robin that’s been trained there”.
February 7, 2026 at 11:34 AM
I was listening to someone talking about how they’ve ‘trained their robins’ to come and sit and sing on a fence post, in exchange for food. All I could think was “yeah, it’s not the robin that’s been trained there”.
I’d agree with both the Brown article and Naomi’s addition. I’d go further on lobbyists on second jobs, removing all loopholes and temptation, lifetime ban on any work with an industry you regulated, no gifts or donations.
Very good piece by Gordon Brown. I agree with it but would add proportional voting for the HoC to end safe seats and the cosiness that accompanies them. We have no equality without democratic equality. All votes should matter.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We owe it to Epstein’s victims and to British democracy to demand historic change | Gordon Brown
The abuse of women by figures such as Epstein, and of political power by the likes of Mandelson, must be confronted. As far as I am able, I will play my part, says former UK prime minister Gordon Brow...
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:33 AM
I’d agree with both the Brown article and Naomi’s addition. I’d go further on lobbyists on second jobs, removing all loopholes and temptation, lifetime ban on any work with an industry you regulated, no gifts or donations.
And we continue to be in a world where poor working class white people in the UK are told the problem is refugees taking their house and benefits.
Someone needs to find a way to get the message through that they are not the real problem.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Someone needs to find a way to get the message through that they are not the real problem.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Number of homeless refugees in England soars, BBC has found
Analysis of government data shows numbers increased from 3,560 in 2021/22 to 19,310 in 2024/25.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 7:26 AM
And we continue to be in a world where poor working class white people in the UK are told the problem is refugees taking their house and benefits.
Someone needs to find a way to get the message through that they are not the real problem.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Someone needs to find a way to get the message through that they are not the real problem.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The BBC really need to stop being the PR department of the Enhanced Games. This nonsense needs to die in the darkness.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articl...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articl...
Enhanced Games: British sprinter Reece Prescod 'not against' taking drugs for competition
Former Great Britain sprinter Reece Prescod gives the clearest indication yet that he will take performance-enhancing drugs as part of the controversial Enhanced Games.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 6:22 PM
The BBC really need to stop being the PR department of the Enhanced Games. This nonsense needs to die in the darkness.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articl...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articl...
Reposted by David Craven
New poll finds Labour’s anti-nature rhetoric is costing voter trust.
After Keir Starmer called environmental protections misguided, 19% of 2024 Labour voters are less likely to vote Labour again.
Attacking wildlife protections is not a winning strategy.
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/anti-na...
After Keir Starmer called environmental protections misguided, 19% of 2024 Labour voters are less likely to vote Labour again.
Attacking wildlife protections is not a winning strategy.
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/anti-na...
Anti-nature rhetoric damaging voter confidence in Labour, new poll finds | The Wildlife Trusts
19% less likely to vote Labour because Starmer threatens to remove nature rules
www.wildlifetrusts.org
February 4, 2026 at 7:58 PM
New poll finds Labour’s anti-nature rhetoric is costing voter trust.
After Keir Starmer called environmental protections misguided, 19% of 2024 Labour voters are less likely to vote Labour again.
Attacking wildlife protections is not a winning strategy.
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/anti-na...
After Keir Starmer called environmental protections misguided, 19% of 2024 Labour voters are less likely to vote Labour again.
Attacking wildlife protections is not a winning strategy.
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/anti-na...
I think the only way to clean politics up is to increase MP pay, but then have an absolute ban on second jobs, any gifts of any description for them or family. A lifetime ban on ever subsequently working for or in any way financially benefitting from an industry they regulated…
February 4, 2026 at 7:55 PM
I think the only way to clean politics up is to increase MP pay, but then have an absolute ban on second jobs, any gifts of any description for them or family. A lifetime ban on ever subsequently working for or in any way financially benefitting from an industry they regulated…
Reposted by David Craven
"Rhe only reason we know any of this [about Mandelson] is because Epstein became entangled in the MAGA movement’s narrative.
"What we still aren’t asking is how similar networks of influence are operating elsewhere today."
New on D4S: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/release-th...
"What we still aren’t asking is how similar networks of influence are operating elsewhere today."
New on D4S: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/release-th...
Release the files - on Mandelson, Starmer and McSweeney
Sunlight is the only disinfectant to the corruption that's been revealed this week
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:50 PM
"Rhe only reason we know any of this [about Mandelson] is because Epstein became entangled in the MAGA movement’s narrative.
"What we still aren’t asking is how similar networks of influence are operating elsewhere today."
New on D4S: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/release-th...
"What we still aren’t asking is how similar networks of influence are operating elsewhere today."
New on D4S: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/release-th...
We’re not going to learn. We’ll burn Epstein, Mandelson, Andrew and a few others at the stake then we’ll go back to normal and pat ourselves on the back. We won’t ask who are the equivalents today and we won’t look at the systems that enable this culture and behaviour.
February 4, 2026 at 8:43 AM
We’re not going to learn. We’ll burn Epstein, Mandelson, Andrew and a few others at the stake then we’ll go back to normal and pat ourselves on the back. We won’t ask who are the equivalents today and we won’t look at the systems that enable this culture and behaviour.
Reposted by David Craven
“Jaywalking is permitted in London. In 1966, the police tried to crack down on it, but gave up after three months.”
People walk and cycle on roads by right, people drive under licence.
Jaywalking is not a thing in English law and Waymo must not change that.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
People walk and cycle on roads by right, people drive under licence.
Jaywalking is not a thing in English law and Waymo must not change that.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Self-driving taxis are coming to London – should we be worried? | Jack Stilgoe
Waymo’s cars were first rolled out in San Francisco, but the English capital’s old roads, pelican crossings and jaywalkers may pose issues for AI, says science and technology professor Jack Stilgoe
www.theguardian.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:48 PM
“Jaywalking is permitted in London. In 1966, the police tried to crack down on it, but gave up after three months.”
People walk and cycle on roads by right, people drive under licence.
Jaywalking is not a thing in English law and Waymo must not change that.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
People walk and cycle on roads by right, people drive under licence.
Jaywalking is not a thing in English law and Waymo must not change that.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I hate this world
Xfinity has just released its Jurassic Park-themed Super Bowl ad that features a digitally de-aged Sam Neil, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum. https://bit.ly/4rmRhrK
February 3, 2026 at 7:17 AM
I hate this world
And this is what Farage would do in the UK.
Peter Thiel has been open about this for a long time. Trump is a way to break the republic, which can then be replaced by “free economic zones” with oligarchs as dictators and tech as a taskmaster for helpless humans without any rights. (1/2)
Definitely seems like they destroyed the country on purpose.
February 3, 2026 at 7:09 AM
And this is what Farage would do in the UK.
Honestly, f*** the sheer unfairness of this world.
OH NO!!! This is so upsetting — what a brilliant career, what an extraordinary talent we have lost
www.tmz.com/2026/01/30/c...
www.tmz.com/2026/01/30/c...
Catherine O'Hara Dead at 71
Catherine O'Hara -- famous for her work in "Schitt's Creek," "Home Alone," and "Best In Show" -- is dead ... TMZ has learned.
www.tmz.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Honestly, f*** the sheer unfairness of this world.