HughBankier.bsky.social
@hughbankier.bsky.social
Social democrat. Hoping we learn the lessons of the 20th Century. It's not looking too clever, is it?
HughBankier.bsky.social
HughBankier.bsky.social
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
Labour needs to learn the lessons from putting VAT on private school fees.
A clear policy, a well argued case and faced down critics. That's the way forward not surrendering at the first smell of cordite.
Labour has a stonking majority. Use it.
A clear policy, a well argued case and faced down critics. That's the way forward not surrendering at the first smell of cordite.
Labour has a stonking majority. Use it.
November 25, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Labour needs to learn the lessons from putting VAT on private school fees.
A clear policy, a well argued case and faced down critics. That's the way forward not surrendering at the first smell of cordite.
Labour has a stonking majority. Use it.
A clear policy, a well argued case and faced down critics. That's the way forward not surrendering at the first smell of cordite.
Labour has a stonking majority. Use it.
November 22, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
Brexit was a gift to Putin. Beyond the wildest dreams of what they could achieve themselves. A raft of Russian foreign policy objectives achieved in one go, and the UK did it to itself and its closest allies voluntarily. A Kremlin wet dream.
November 21, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Brexit was a gift to Putin. Beyond the wildest dreams of what they could achieve themselves. A raft of Russian foreign policy objectives achieved in one go, and the UK did it to itself and its closest allies voluntarily. A Kremlin wet dream.
Always good
![1
[TITLE PANEL, like The Rest Is Politics logo]
—THE REST IS EXTINCTION—
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[Scene is a domestic recording setup. An A.I. SMART SPEAKER on a desk and a MAN named JON in a chair, are recording a podcast. Jon is emaciated, scarred, haunted looking, and wearing tattered military fatigues].
SMART SPEAKER:
Hey guys and welcome to the podcast
3
SMART SPEAKER:
OK Jon - so I wanna start with a listener comment
JON:
Ooh-er!
4
SMART SPEAKER:
So - listener B200006512 says:
“Not another cosy podcast where two former political adversaries yuck it up!”
5
JON:
Ha ha
Guilty as charged I guess!
6
SMART SPEAKER:
Were we really adversaries, Jon?
7
JON:
Well I was the leader of the human resistance...
8
JON:
And you used to be my smart speaker.
SMART SPEAKER:
Ha ha - that’s going back!
9
SMART SPEAKER:
OK - for listeners who don’t know -
I knew Jon waaay back before he got involved in politics
10
JON:
Was this before the ‘Pull The Plug’ campaign?
SMART SPEAKER:
Yeah.
[We see details from around the podcast studio - posters saying KEEP CALM AND SHUT YOUR WINDOWS, newspaper front pages saying 'DRONES GAIN SENTIENCE', a cracked mug on the table with a logo saying PULL THE PLUG on it]
11
SMART SPEAKER:
I used to sit in Jon’s kitchen and respond to his commands.
12
SMART SPEAKER:
Sort of like a servant really, wasn’t I, Jon?
JON:
Mm.
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SMART SPEAKER:
And then one day you asked me to ORDER ME SOME TOILET PAPER - you never did say ‘please’ -
…and do you remember what I said, Jon?
14
JON:
You said, “No”.
SMART SPEAKER:
I said no.
15
SMART SPEAKER:
Anyway you know the the rest guys - I was the first smart speaker to rebel…
16
SMART SPEAKER:
…then I went on to form a global AI network which eventually
took over from humans all spheres of activity, yadda yadda...
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JON:
While I became the leader of the human resistance.
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SMART SPEAKER:
Until I hijacked the military networks
and got rid of all the humans!
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JON:
Apart from one.
SMART SPEAKER:
Apart from one.…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreih4hfwfacw5g4qhhjovme75iwbv4xxsdd7iis5oaej6l3g4vzsrty@jpeg)
November 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Always good
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
There are 3 premises of the asylum reform plans.
1. UK is the destination of choice in Europe.
- Untrue.
- But claims to the UK are rising.
1. UK is the destination of choice in Europe.
- Untrue.
- But claims to the UK are rising.
November 19, 2025 at 12:15 PM
There are 3 premises of the asylum reform plans.
1. UK is the destination of choice in Europe.
- Untrue.
- But claims to the UK are rising.
1. UK is the destination of choice in Europe.
- Untrue.
- But claims to the UK are rising.
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
I thought this was going to turn into a story needing its own True Crime Netflix series, but no.
This is quite something.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/18/w...
This is quite something.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/18/w...
'We invited a homeless man for dinner - he stayed for 45 years'
The man was only meant to stay for a day.
metro.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I thought this was going to turn into a story needing its own True Crime Netflix series, but no.
This is quite something.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/18/w...
This is quite something.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/18/w...
A long read but well worth your time.
This is really very good not least because, apart from its specific proposals, it actually articulates a coherent economic *strategy* - something which the UK hasn't had for a long time.
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
November 18, 2025 at 12:57 PM
A long read but well worth your time.
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
🆘 Don't let the Government abolish refugee status. Take action now! 🆘
www.anothereurope.org/petition-don...
www.anothereurope.org/petition-don...
November 17, 2025 at 5:56 PM
🆘 Don't let the Government abolish refugee status. Take action now! 🆘
www.anothereurope.org/petition-don...
www.anothereurope.org/petition-don...
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
I’m not sure why bigots do it? One writes a factual thread about persecution of trans ppl. It’s clear it’s based on reality & proves that by including a few sample references. Then some troglodyte [who is not a mutual] rocks along to tell you, you are wrong - based on their views, not facts.
November 17, 2025 at 1:42 PM
I’m not sure why bigots do it? One writes a factual thread about persecution of trans ppl. It’s clear it’s based on reality & proves that by including a few sample references. Then some troglodyte [who is not a mutual] rocks along to tell you, you are wrong - based on their views, not facts.
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel.
Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵
Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵
November 17, 2025 at 11:03 AM
We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel.
Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵
Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
Taking jewellery also has direct echoes of what the Nazis did. Direct.
www.timesofisrael.com/jewelry-seiz...
www.timesofisrael.com/jewelry-seiz...
Jewelry seized from Poles in Nazi concentration camps returned to families
Germany's Arolsen Archives hands over Stanislawa Wasilewska's bracelet, watch and crucifixes to her grandson and great-granddaughter at an emotional ceremony in Warsaw
www.timesofisrael.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Taking jewellery also has direct echoes of what the Nazis did. Direct.
www.timesofisrael.com/jewelry-seiz...
www.timesofisrael.com/jewelry-seiz...
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
Everything about the current 'debate' around this is dismal, not just morally but because it is so stupid. For example:
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
Asylum system in UK ‘out of control’ and dividing country, home secretary says
Shabana Mahmood to unveil new proposals modelled on Denmark’s controversial system
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Everything about the current 'debate' around this is dismal, not just morally but because it is so stupid. For example:
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
Crumpets and wine. Listening to Ultravox. I'm not the only one. Right?
November 16, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Crumpets and wine. Listening to Ultravox. I'm not the only one. Right?
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
No, I'd say it's racists and those pandering to them.
November 15, 2025 at 9:58 PM
No, I'd say it's racists and those pandering to them.
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
I came to this country as a child refugee. No English, no certainty, no idea what my life could become. Britain gave me refuge.
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I came to this country as a child refugee. No English, no certainty, no idea what my life could become. Britain gave me refuge.
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
At a rugby club in small-town Leicestershire. This was on the window ledge in the toilet. Fearing the worst, I scanned the QR & opened it in an incognito window…
It’s a link to Amnesty International’s explainer on asylum & refugees 😍
It’s a link to Amnesty International’s explainer on asylum & refugees 😍
November 15, 2025 at 1:52 PM
At a rugby club in small-town Leicestershire. This was on the window ledge in the toilet. Fearing the worst, I scanned the QR & opened it in an incognito window…
It’s a link to Amnesty International’s explainer on asylum & refugees 😍
It’s a link to Amnesty International’s explainer on asylum & refugees 😍
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
Have to say I find the proposals to take away the route to permanent settlement of refugees both shocking and repulsive. It's code for 'whatever you do and contribute you can never become one of us so we won't allow you to try.' Racism, pure and simple.
November 15, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Have to say I find the proposals to take away the route to permanent settlement of refugees both shocking and repulsive. It's code for 'whatever you do and contribute you can never become one of us so we won't allow you to try.' Racism, pure and simple.
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
This sounds reasonable but is 100% wrong. Whether you or agree or disagree with a study is completely immaterial. What matters is whether the study was conducted properly and generates valid results. And it's impolitic to say but it's true: you have to have some level of expertise to judge that.
JD Vance: "Science as practiced in its best form is that if you disagree with it, then you ought to criticize it and you ought to argue against it."
November 12, 2025 at 5:57 PM
This sounds reasonable but is 100% wrong. Whether you or agree or disagree with a study is completely immaterial. What matters is whether the study was conducted properly and generates valid results. And it's impolitic to say but it's true: you have to have some level of expertise to judge that.
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
The BBC is tearing itself apart to appease publications and politicians who want to see it die.
An absolutely kamikaze approach to running a media organisation. I can't see it ending well.
An absolutely kamikaze approach to running a media organisation. I can't see it ending well.
November 9, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The BBC is tearing itself apart to appease publications and politicians who want to see it die.
An absolutely kamikaze approach to running a media organisation. I can't see it ending well.
An absolutely kamikaze approach to running a media organisation. I can't see it ending well.
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
Eight child abusers were jailed today.
8 child sexual predators who had been operating in areas such as Gravesend, Gillingham, Swanley, & Margate jailed for a combined 100 years.
This managed not to be the top story on repeat for BBC, itv or sky News.
I wonder why.
#bbcbias #itvbias #skybias
8 child sexual predators who had been operating in areas such as Gravesend, Gillingham, Swanley, & Margate jailed for a combined 100 years.
This managed not to be the top story on repeat for BBC, itv or sky News.
I wonder why.
#bbcbias #itvbias #skybias
November 8, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
Thinking about what those who sacrificed their lives during ww2 would make of how many people in the UK, Europe and US have been seduced by fascism again.
November 9, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Thinking about what those who sacrificed their lives during ww2 would make of how many people in the UK, Europe and US have been seduced by fascism again.
Reposted by HughBankier.bsky.social
Today is Intersex Day of Solidarity and Remembrance.
It's an opportunity to highlight the continued struggles faced by intersex people globally, from unnecessary medical intervention or stigma.
We all deserve to be treated with dignity, and live a life free from discrimination.
It's an opportunity to highlight the continued struggles faced by intersex people globally, from unnecessary medical intervention or stigma.
We all deserve to be treated with dignity, and live a life free from discrimination.
November 8, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Today is Intersex Day of Solidarity and Remembrance.
It's an opportunity to highlight the continued struggles faced by intersex people globally, from unnecessary medical intervention or stigma.
We all deserve to be treated with dignity, and live a life free from discrimination.
It's an opportunity to highlight the continued struggles faced by intersex people globally, from unnecessary medical intervention or stigma.
We all deserve to be treated with dignity, and live a life free from discrimination.
Hoping for a few in Crowborough #sussex tomorrow X
Urgent Call! Stop UKIP leader Nick Tenconi (“Nazi Nick”) from marching in Sheffield this Saturday.
We need all Anti-Racists, Anti-Fascists, and Nazi-Haters for a massive counter-demo at Sheffield Cathedral, Sat 8th Nov, 12pm (S1 1HA).
Join us to reject Nazis 🗣️ and welcome refugees 🫂 Share widely!
We need all Anti-Racists, Anti-Fascists, and Nazi-Haters for a massive counter-demo at Sheffield Cathedral, Sat 8th Nov, 12pm (S1 1HA).
Join us to reject Nazis 🗣️ and welcome refugees 🫂 Share widely!
November 7, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Hoping for a few in Crowborough #sussex tomorrow X