Finn Brennan
@finnbrennan.bsky.social
Bad speller, believer in public transport, #ASLEF
Reposted by Finn Brennan
Children need their families. Refugee children are no different.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘Pulling up the drawbridge’: Alf Dubs criticises Shabana Mahmood’s plans for child refugees
Exclusive: Labour peer, who came to UK as a refugee, says some ministers try to show they won’t ‘just do things because of their background’
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Children need their families. Refugee children are no different.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
In case I missed it ? I only wish I had!
ICYMI: Brighton and Hove Albion beaten by Crystal Palace at the Amex
Brighton and Hove Albion beaten by Crystal Palace at the Amex
Brighton and Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1 A second-half goal from Senegal striker Ismaila Sarr proved enough to consign Brighton and Hove Albion to a miserable defeat at home to Crystal Palace. Albion fans booed at the final whistle and the chants included: “You don’t know what you’re doing!” The Seagulls looked the livelier […]
dlvr.it
February 9, 2026 at 9:00 PM
In case I missed it ? I only wish I had!
A cynic would say that only a fool would want to take over the leadership a couple of months before punishing local elections. Let the boss take the blame and then make your move. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
How the Downing Street machine ensured Starmer survived to fight another day
There was a very real chance the PM would be out after losing two senior staffers but some well-organised support bought him some time
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:58 PM
A cynic would say that only a fool would want to take over the leadership a couple of months before punishing local elections. Let the boss take the blame and then make your move. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Finn Brennan
Definitely worth a read. And worth thinking about too:
New on FT website:
Downing Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer knew Palantir was a client of Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm when they both visited the company in Washington last February — ahead of it winning a £240mn UK government contract.
www.ft.com/content/5bba...
Downing Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer knew Palantir was a client of Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm when they both visited the company in Washington last February — ahead of it winning a £240mn UK government contract.
www.ft.com/content/5bba...
Starmer faces questions over visit to Palantir office alongside Mandelson
Former ambassador was also shareholder in lobbying group that counted US tech firm as a client
www.ft.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Definitely worth a read. And worth thinking about too:
Oh for God's sake. Just resign and save us all the drama!
February 6, 2026 at 11:09 PM
Oh for God's sake. Just resign and save us all the drama!
I know a bloke who can do in for 30. He reckons he can start next week once his van is back from the garage.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Restoring Palace of Westminster could cost £40bn and take 61 years
Home of UK parliament spends £1.5m a week on repairs but critics say restoration proposals lack accountability
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:00 PM
I know a bloke who can do in for 30. He reckons he can start next week once his van is back from the garage.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
The PM is not the only person with hard questions to answer.
February 5, 2026 at 3:14 PM
The PM is not the only person with hard questions to answer.
Not persuaded by the argument that we need a huge increase in defence spending to stop the Russians.
If they can't make it as far as Kyiv in 4 years, the chances of them turning up at the chanel ports seem pretty slim.
Remember the articles in the late 70's about how many tanks they had?
If they can't make it as far as Kyiv in 4 years, the chances of them turning up at the chanel ports seem pretty slim.
Remember the articles in the late 70's about how many tanks they had?
share.google
February 5, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Not persuaded by the argument that we need a huge increase in defence spending to stop the Russians.
If they can't make it as far as Kyiv in 4 years, the chances of them turning up at the chanel ports seem pretty slim.
Remember the articles in the late 70's about how many tanks they had?
If they can't make it as far as Kyiv in 4 years, the chances of them turning up at the chanel ports seem pretty slim.
Remember the articles in the late 70's about how many tanks they had?
We all hoped the Epstein files might bring down a US Republican President who was actively involved with his crimes. Instead it's brought down a UK Labour PM who never even met him !
Politics isn't fair.
Politics isn't fair.
February 5, 2026 at 10:11 AM
We all hoped the Epstein files might bring down a US Republican President who was actively involved with his crimes. Instead it's brought down a UK Labour PM who never even met him !
Politics isn't fair.
Politics isn't fair.
I am shocked and appalled that the person I hired who was twice before sacked for disgraceful behaviour behaved disgracefuly.
No one could have anticipated that and it does not reflect on my judgment in anyway.
Hope that clears things up.
No one could have anticipated that and it does not reflect on my judgment in anyway.
Hope that clears things up.
February 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM
I am shocked and appalled that the person I hired who was twice before sacked for disgraceful behaviour behaved disgracefuly.
No one could have anticipated that and it does not reflect on my judgment in anyway.
Hope that clears things up.
No one could have anticipated that and it does not reflect on my judgment in anyway.
Hope that clears things up.
Reposted by Finn Brennan
I’ve written this lengthy FT analysis overnight about the multiple multi-thousand pound Epstein payments to Mandelson’s husband
these particular paragraphs are worth reading slowly
www.ft.com/content/608a...
these particular paragraphs are worth reading slowly
www.ft.com/content/608a...
January 31, 2026 at 12:34 PM
I’ve written this lengthy FT analysis overnight about the multiple multi-thousand pound Epstein payments to Mandelson’s husband
these particular paragraphs are worth reading slowly
www.ft.com/content/608a...
these particular paragraphs are worth reading slowly
www.ft.com/content/608a...
Have your kids birthday party at home ! Wow. Amazing no one ever thought of that before !
A mom explains why she skips expensive birthday venues and hosts simple at-home parties that save money and are just as fun for kids.
I save hundreds by hosting my kids' birthday parties at home. It's worth it.
A mom explains why she skips expensive birthday venues and hosts simple at-home parties that save money and are just as fun for kids.
www.businessinsider.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Have your kids birthday party at home ! Wow. Amazing no one ever thought of that before !
Reposted by Finn Brennan
Young professionals are bitterly angry about the student loans system, protesting that agreements they were encouraged to sign up to as 18-year-old school pupils are blighting their financial futures.
Do they have a point? ft.trib.al/vzP0xgI
Do they have a point? ft.trib.al/vzP0xgI
Will student loans be the next mis-selling scandal?
Graduates are in uproar about Budget changes to loan repayment terms, and they have a point
ft.trib.al
January 28, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Young professionals are bitterly angry about the student loans system, protesting that agreements they were encouraged to sign up to as 18-year-old school pupils are blighting their financial futures.
Do they have a point? ft.trib.al/vzP0xgI
Do they have a point? ft.trib.al/vzP0xgI
Pretty clear from this piece what the game is. There will be a leadership election, so Burnham had to be blocked to make sure Streeting wins.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Here’s the lesson of the Andy Burnham saga: Labour needs a new leader – fast | Polly Toynbee
Keir Starmer’s dismal decision to block the Greater Manchester mayor has bought him time, but it won’t change his fate, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Pretty clear from this piece what the game is. There will be a leadership election, so Burnham had to be blocked to make sure Streeting wins.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Finn Brennan
Any updates on how that's going?
January 25, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Any updates on how that's going?
One thing you can say about the Downing St operation, they are absolutely ruthlessly focused on losing the next election.
January 25, 2026 at 12:42 PM
One thing you can say about the Downing St operation, they are absolutely ruthlessly focused on losing the next election.
Reposted by Finn Brennan
Western countries are hitting refugees twice: they are making it harder to claim asylum *and* they are cutting aid to troubled regions.
I went to Sudan, the world's worst humanitarian situation, where the UN refugee agency has had to cut half its staff. Please have a read: as.ft.com/r/df593f1e-e...
I went to Sudan, the world's worst humanitarian situation, where the UN refugee agency has had to cut half its staff. Please have a read: as.ft.com/r/df593f1e-e...
Adapt, shrink or die: the global crisis in humanitarian aid
[FREE TO READ] On the road in Sudan with the UN’s outgoing High Commissioner for Refugees
as.ft.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Western countries are hitting refugees twice: they are making it harder to claim asylum *and* they are cutting aid to troubled regions.
I went to Sudan, the world's worst humanitarian situation, where the UN refugee agency has had to cut half its staff. Please have a read: as.ft.com/r/df593f1e-e...
I went to Sudan, the world's worst humanitarian situation, where the UN refugee agency has had to cut half its staff. Please have a read: as.ft.com/r/df593f1e-e...
Reposted by Finn Brennan
Another ICE killing in Minneapolis. 'Fascism arrives as your friend'
wp.me/p15p2Q-enm
wp.me/p15p2Q-enm
Fascism arrives as your friend
Michael Rosen’s poem remains a powerful warning not to normalise racism & far right politics Fascism: I sometimes fear… I sometimes fear that people think that fascism arrives in fancy dress wo…
wp.me
January 24, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Another ICE killing in Minneapolis. 'Fascism arrives as your friend'
wp.me/p15p2Q-enm
wp.me/p15p2Q-enm
Go on Andy ! www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Andy Burnham applies to stand for Labour in Gorton and Denton byelection
Greater Manchester mayor’s application will need approval from party’s ruling body, which is dominated by Starmer allies
www.theguardian.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Go on Andy ! www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Finn Brennan
The more I look into yesterday’s announcement on ‘Access for All’ funding from Lord Hendy, the worse it gets.
From what I’ve seen, the 23 stations progressing to “detailed design” are far from a done deal.
For all the warm words, rail accessibility is being shunted into the sidings under Labour.
From what I’ve seen, the 23 stations progressing to “detailed design” are far from a done deal.
For all the warm words, rail accessibility is being shunted into the sidings under Labour.
January 16, 2026 at 6:06 PM
The more I look into yesterday’s announcement on ‘Access for All’ funding from Lord Hendy, the worse it gets.
From what I’ve seen, the 23 stations progressing to “detailed design” are far from a done deal.
For all the warm words, rail accessibility is being shunted into the sidings under Labour.
From what I’ve seen, the 23 stations progressing to “detailed design” are far from a done deal.
For all the warm words, rail accessibility is being shunted into the sidings under Labour.
Maybe he is looking to Iran for some tips on how to deal with the situation.
Trump threatens to use Insurrection Act to end Minneapolis protests https://aje.news/kh4key
January 15, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Maybe he is looking to Iran for some tips on how to deal with the situation.
Reposted by Finn Brennan
"And what would YOU bring to Reform, Mr Jenrick?"
"Glad you asked, Nigel. My special skill is being outmanoevred by Kemi Badenoch. Twice."
"Glad you asked, Nigel. My special skill is being outmanoevred by Kemi Badenoch. Twice."
January 15, 2026 at 4:30 PM
"And what would YOU bring to Reform, Mr Jenrick?"
"Glad you asked, Nigel. My special skill is being outmanoevred by Kemi Badenoch. Twice."
"Glad you asked, Nigel. My special skill is being outmanoevred by Kemi Badenoch. Twice."
Pretty sure the world would be a better place if us over 60's were banned from using social media. Would save the NHS a fortune in blood pressure medication for a start. Start an online petition?
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/j...
More than 100,000 people urge MPs to ban social media for under-16s in UK
Letters sent using campaign group’s template as Keir Starmer indicates Australia-style move being considered
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Pretty sure the world would be a better place if us over 60's were banned from using social media. Would save the NHS a fortune in blood pressure medication for a start. Start an online petition?
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/j...
London Trams depot becomes TfL’s first fossil-fuel-free operating site share.google/Gs1gisFR21h7...
London Trams depot becomes TfL’s first fossil-fuel-free operating site
At the southern edge of London’s tram network, the Therapia Lane depot, home to London Trams, has become Transport for London’s first operational depot to switch off fossil fuels altogether, following...
share.google
January 14, 2026 at 12:14 PM
London Trams depot becomes TfL’s first fossil-fuel-free operating site share.google/Gs1gisFR21h7...
Reposted by Finn Brennan
Today's record-breaking windfarm auction is good news.
Securing significant investment in clean power is what we need to hit net zero.
This is a golden opportunity to on-shore supply chains and create good jobs across the UK.
We must take it.
Securing significant investment in clean power is what we need to hit net zero.
This is a golden opportunity to on-shore supply chains and create good jobs across the UK.
We must take it.
January 14, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Today's record-breaking windfarm auction is good news.
Securing significant investment in clean power is what we need to hit net zero.
This is a golden opportunity to on-shore supply chains and create good jobs across the UK.
We must take it.
Securing significant investment in clean power is what we need to hit net zero.
This is a golden opportunity to on-shore supply chains and create good jobs across the UK.
We must take it.