David Osland
@davidosland.bsky.social
Forty-year veteran of British leftwing politics. Not the opinions of any publication for which I write.
The Murdoch press is complaining about BBC bias. That's the very definition of foolish bravado.
November 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The Murdoch press is complaining about BBC bias. That's the very definition of foolish bravado.
Robin Hood robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, without even a second thought for the net negative fiscal impact after numerous barons relocated to Dubai
November 9, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Robin Hood robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, without even a second thought for the net negative fiscal impact after numerous barons relocated to Dubai
The best way to honour those who fought in world war two would be to rebuild the NHS and the welfare state they voted in huge numbers to bring about
November 9, 2025 at 12:59 PM
The best way to honour those who fought in world war two would be to rebuild the NHS and the welfare state they voted in huge numbers to bring about
'There's an argument the minimum wage is too high for younger workers' says Nigel Farage. There's also an argument that the minimum wage should be at least £20 an hour for everybody.
November 4, 2025 at 1:47 PM
'There's an argument the minimum wage is too high for younger workers' says Nigel Farage. There's also an argument that the minimum wage should be at least £20 an hour for everybody.
In a country that imposes a de facto 9% tax on graduates earning the average wage, the case against a 2% tax on multimillionaires looks remarkably weak
November 4, 2025 at 1:47 PM
In a country that imposes a de facto 9% tax on graduates earning the average wage, the case against a 2% tax on multimillionaires looks remarkably weak
So Yaxley-Lennon is not guilty of terrorism offences but grannies holding Palestine Action placards are. Go figure.
November 4, 2025 at 1:46 PM
So Yaxley-Lennon is not guilty of terrorism offences but grannies holding Palestine Action placards are. Go figure.
Reform press conferences on what it might do were it to win an election four years from now shouldn't be getting more media coverage than concrete policy announcements from Britain's actual government
November 3, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Reform press conferences on what it might do were it to win an election four years from now shouldn't be getting more media coverage than concrete policy announcements from Britain's actual government
The cost of winter fuel payments is £3bn a year. The profits of the big four gas supply giants in 2023 were £65bn. It's hard to see any obvious policy conclusions here, but I'm sure top economists are working on the problem.
November 2, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The cost of winter fuel payments is £3bn a year. The profits of the big four gas supply giants in 2023 were £65bn. It's hard to see any obvious policy conclusions here, but I'm sure top economists are working on the problem.
Around £500 of a £1700 energy bill is pure profit. In plain English, that's extortion.
November 2, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Around £500 of a £1700 energy bill is pure profit. In plain English, that's extortion.
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor will now have to be called by his real name, just like everybody else, and rent or buy somewhere to live, just everybody else. That's supposed to be a punishment, by the way.
November 1, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor will now have to be called by his real name, just like everybody else, and rent or buy somewhere to live, just everybody else. That's supposed to be a punishment, by the way.
Some people will never forgive Corbyn and McDonnell for reducing the level of Labour support to twice what it is now
October 30, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Some people will never forgive Corbyn and McDonnell for reducing the level of Labour support to twice what it is now
Elon Musk is seeking a trillion-dollar pay packet. That's enough money to eradicate hunger worldwide, three times over.
October 29, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Elon Musk is seeking a trillion-dollar pay packet. That's enough money to eradicate hunger worldwide, three times over.
Has privately educated wealthy white person Sarah Pochin condemned the over-representation of privately educated wealthy white people among Reform UK MPs yet?
October 29, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Has privately educated wealthy white person Sarah Pochin condemned the over-representation of privately educated wealthy white people among Reform UK MPs yet?
Michelle Mone got a private jet, a superyacht and a £10m luxury home in Florida on the NHS. Most of us can't even get a GP appointment.
October 27, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Michelle Mone got a private jet, a superyacht and a £10m luxury home in Florida on the NHS. Most of us can't even get a GP appointment.
Michelle Mone has just bought a £10m home in Florida, even though she has yet to repay a penny of the £122m PPE Medpro owes the taxpayer. Good job she hasn't committed housing benefit fraud, because she might have been prosecuted then.
October 27, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Michelle Mone has just bought a £10m home in Florida, even though she has yet to repay a penny of the £122m PPE Medpro owes the taxpayer. Good job she hasn't committed housing benefit fraud, because she might have been prosecuted then.
Catherine Connolly is being described by serious British newspapers as 'hard left' or even 'far left'. Could anyone who knows about Irish politics tell me how accurate the labels are? Which English politician would be her closest counterpart?
October 26, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Catherine Connolly is being described by serious British newspapers as 'hard left' or even 'far left'. Could anyone who knows about Irish politics tell me how accurate the labels are? Which English politician would be her closest counterpart?
Absent a major change of course, the Labour Party faces a bleak future
October 25, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Absent a major change of course, the Labour Party faces a bleak future
The 17% turnout in the Labour deputy leadership contest is a telling comment on the scale of activist disengagement among ordinary members right now
October 25, 2025 at 11:37 AM
The 17% turnout in the Labour deputy leadership contest is a telling comment on the scale of activist disengagement among ordinary members right now
Breakfast clubs are a great idea. But as long as Britain remains dominated by the products of its private schools, it's nonsense to describe them as 'giving all kids an equal start'.
October 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Breakfast clubs are a great idea. But as long as Britain remains dominated by the products of its private schools, it's nonsense to describe them as 'giving all kids an equal start'.
Most previous Labour leaders have had obvious contempt for Labour members. Until now, none have had obvious contempt for Labour voters.
October 24, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Most previous Labour leaders have had obvious contempt for Labour members. Until now, none have had obvious contempt for Labour voters.
Keir Starmer is destroying the Labour Party
October 24, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Keir Starmer is destroying the Labour Party
How can a woman be fined £150 for pouring a cup of coffee down a drain when water companies are still pumping billions of litres of shit into our rivers?
October 23, 2025 at 12:05 PM
How can a woman be fined £150 for pouring a cup of coffee down a drain when water companies are still pumping billions of litres of shit into our rivers?
Andrew Malkinson spent 17 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit but 'saved living costs' were deducted from his compensation. Prince Andrew lives rent free in a 30-bedroom mansion. Tell me how that can possibly be fair.
October 22, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Andrew Malkinson spent 17 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit but 'saved living costs' were deducted from his compensation. Prince Andrew lives rent free in a 30-bedroom mansion. Tell me how that can possibly be fair.
The rent on a 30-bedroom mansion in Windsor should not be lower than the rent on a one-bed council flat anywhere else in the country. Tell me I'm wrong.
October 22, 2025 at 12:04 PM
The rent on a 30-bedroom mansion in Windsor should not be lower than the rent on a one-bed council flat anywhere else in the country. Tell me I'm wrong.
Let's be generous and allow Prince Andrew to keep a rent-free bedroom at the Royal Lodge. But the other 29 bedrooms would be perfect for asylum seekers.
October 22, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Let's be generous and allow Prince Andrew to keep a rent-free bedroom at the Royal Lodge. But the other 29 bedrooms would be perfect for asylum seekers.