Jan O’Brien
@irishnan.bsky.social
Anglo Irish European. Pro EU, NHS, democracy, peace, compassion, kindness
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
The Prime Minister must wake up and stop trying to appease the very forces trying to exploit anti-migrant hate in order to destroy his Government, argues @adambienkov.bsky.social
@bylinetimes.bsky.social
@bylinetimes.bsky.social
Red Flags: The Far-Right Warning Signs Keir Starmer Is Refusing to See
The Prime Minister must wake up and stop trying to appease the very forces trying to exploit anti-migrant hate in order to destroy his Government, argues Adam Bienkov
bylinetimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:19 AM
The Prime Minister must wake up and stop trying to appease the very forces trying to exploit anti-migrant hate in order to destroy his Government, argues @adambienkov.bsky.social
@bylinetimes.bsky.social
@bylinetimes.bsky.social
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
A mandatory swift brick for every new home won't be supported by Housing Secretary Steve Reed. That's quite a u-turn from the former Environment Secretary. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Government U-turns on support for bird-friendly swift bricks in new homes
Housing minister Steve Reed refuses to back mandating measure, despite giving support while in environment job
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:14 PM
A mandatory swift brick for every new home won't be supported by Housing Secretary Steve Reed. That's quite a u-turn from the former Environment Secretary. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
So much global political doom and gloom but so much heartening action happening at grassroots - the more we all take part in local, loving action for the planet (and us), the better we all feel and the more real hope for the future. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Next great leap’: grassroots movement to wild East Anglia goes national
Set up by three ‘eco-anxious’ farmers, WildEast has created UK-wide version of pledge to encourage people to restore nature
www.theguardian.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:22 PM
So much global political doom and gloom but so much heartening action happening at grassroots - the more we all take part in local, loving action for the planet (and us), the better we all feel and the more real hope for the future. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Dear Mahmood/Labour,
Once the strutting fascist, Yaxley Lennon, is taking credit for your policies, you must know you’ve completely lost your way. You need to get your head out of your arse and your account off X.
Yours
The real silent (fair-minded and ignored) majority of the UK
Once the strutting fascist, Yaxley Lennon, is taking credit for your policies, you must know you’ve completely lost your way. You need to get your head out of your arse and your account off X.
Yours
The real silent (fair-minded and ignored) majority of the UK
Tommy Robinson is claiming credit for the language/policy being used by the Labour government (about deporting people found to be refugees once their home country is deemed safe)
November 16, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Dear Mahmood/Labour,
Once the strutting fascist, Yaxley Lennon, is taking credit for your policies, you must know you’ve completely lost your way. You need to get your head out of your arse and your account off X.
Yours
The real silent (fair-minded and ignored) majority of the UK
Once the strutting fascist, Yaxley Lennon, is taking credit for your policies, you must know you’ve completely lost your way. You need to get your head out of your arse and your account off X.
Yours
The real silent (fair-minded and ignored) majority of the UK
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Labour concocts more ugly measures to punish asylum seekers and the right immediately demands worse… howling to leave the ECHR.
This scapegoating of migrants must stop. It is failure - morally and practically.
“Either we all have human rights or none of us do.”
app.independent.co.uk/edition/uk.c...
This scapegoating of migrants must stop. It is failure - morally and practically.
“Either we all have human rights or none of us do.”
app.independent.co.uk/edition/uk.c...
November 17, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Labour concocts more ugly measures to punish asylum seekers and the right immediately demands worse… howling to leave the ECHR.
This scapegoating of migrants must stop. It is failure - morally and practically.
“Either we all have human rights or none of us do.”
app.independent.co.uk/edition/uk.c...
This scapegoating of migrants must stop. It is failure - morally and practically.
“Either we all have human rights or none of us do.”
app.independent.co.uk/edition/uk.c...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Just wilful performative cruelty that is entirely out of step with the majority of British people.
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Just wilful performative cruelty that is entirely out of step with the majority of British people.
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
London is also diverse. It's hugely multicultural, and it's a largely tolerant and welcoming place.
Sure it has it's problems and the housing crisis is a big one.
But the haters don't hate this city because of that.
They hate it because it stands as living proof that multiculturalism works.
Sure it has it's problems and the housing crisis is a big one.
But the haters don't hate this city because of that.
They hate it because it stands as living proof that multiculturalism works.
November 16, 2025 at 5:31 PM
London is also diverse. It's hugely multicultural, and it's a largely tolerant and welcoming place.
Sure it has it's problems and the housing crisis is a big one.
But the haters don't hate this city because of that.
They hate it because it stands as living proof that multiculturalism works.
Sure it has it's problems and the housing crisis is a big one.
But the haters don't hate this city because of that.
They hate it because it stands as living proof that multiculturalism works.
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
People are constantly asking me — what can I do?
Between now and the 2026 midterm elections, here are five practical steps you can take to make a difference. https://youtu.be/8W-lVRQQGtI?si=cPTuY2zOryMd4pQ5
Between now and the 2026 midterm elections, here are five practical steps you can take to make a difference. https://youtu.be/8W-lVRQQGtI?si=cPTuY2zOryMd4pQ5
Five Ways to Fight Trump's Fascism
Robert Reich
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 12:17 AM
People are constantly asking me — what can I do?
Between now and the 2026 midterm elections, here are five practical steps you can take to make a difference. https://youtu.be/8W-lVRQQGtI?si=cPTuY2zOryMd4pQ5
Between now and the 2026 midterm elections, here are five practical steps you can take to make a difference. https://youtu.be/8W-lVRQQGtI?si=cPTuY2zOryMd4pQ5
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Amazon announced 14,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $40M last year.
UPS announced 48,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $24M last year.
Intel announced 20,000 layoffs. Its new CEO's pay package is valued at nearly $69M.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
UPS announced 48,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $24M last year.
Intel announced 20,000 layoffs. Its new CEO's pay package is valued at nearly $69M.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
November 15, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Amazon announced 14,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $40M last year.
UPS announced 48,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $24M last year.
Intel announced 20,000 layoffs. Its new CEO's pay package is valued at nearly $69M.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
UPS announced 48,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $24M last year.
Intel announced 20,000 layoffs. Its new CEO's pay package is valued at nearly $69M.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Brexit was an op. It's all coming out now.
Temerko, a Soviet-born oligarch and a major Conservative donor, told Belton that he and Johnson spent time… plotting the overthrow May. According to Temerko, Johnson had finally been persuaded to back Brexit in 2016 by a group of “eastern European businessmen”.
bylinetimes.com/2023/01/19/l...
bylinetimes.com/2023/01/19/l...
Landmark Ruling in Strasbourg as MPs Challenge UK Government over Failure to Investigate Russian Interference in Brexit
'Nothing less than the future of democracy is at stake' says Caroline Lucas as a cross-party coalition and The Citizens win an unprecedented hearing over electoral safety and national security
bylinetimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Brexit was an op. It's all coming out now.
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Important time. This was a few weeks after the Skripal attack when May called out Putin, and Johnson went scuttling off without his security detail to meet Putin confidante* Alexander Lebedev in Umbria and plotted with Temerko to topple May
* by then he was aiding Putin’s puppet regime in Crimea
* by then he was aiding Putin’s puppet regime in Crimea
Just as he was advising Epstein, Bannon was advising Johnson on how to topple May “Today we are going to see if Boris Johnson tries to overthrow the British government. He’s going to give a speech in the Commons.” www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019...
Video reveals Steve Bannon links to Boris Johnson
Far-right activist claimed he helped with Boris Johnson’s resignation speech as foreign secretary
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Important time. This was a few weeks after the Skripal attack when May called out Putin, and Johnson went scuttling off without his security detail to meet Putin confidante* Alexander Lebedev in Umbria and plotted with Temerko to topple May
* by then he was aiding Putin’s puppet regime in Crimea
* by then he was aiding Putin’s puppet regime in Crimea
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Two things seem to be true this morning -
1/ That the politics of breaking the manifesto pledge was too difficult
2/ Reeves has received much more optimistic forecasts, likely to he wage growth and inflation related
The combination means they can reverse their plans
1/ That the politics of breaking the manifesto pledge was too difficult
2/ Reeves has received much more optimistic forecasts, likely to he wage growth and inflation related
The combination means they can reverse their plans
November 14, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Two things seem to be true this morning -
1/ That the politics of breaking the manifesto pledge was too difficult
2/ Reeves has received much more optimistic forecasts, likely to he wage growth and inflation related
The combination means they can reverse their plans
1/ That the politics of breaking the manifesto pledge was too difficult
2/ Reeves has received much more optimistic forecasts, likely to he wage growth and inflation related
The combination means they can reverse their plans
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
New reflections from me about the challenge of countering disinformation when the state itself is distributing it
christinapagel.substack.com/p/the-erosio...
christinapagel.substack.com/p/the-erosio...
November 15, 2025 at 2:23 PM
New reflections from me about the challenge of countering disinformation when the state itself is distributing it
christinapagel.substack.com/p/the-erosio...
christinapagel.substack.com/p/the-erosio...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
I hate this policy so much. It's simply morally wrong.
I wrote this a few months ago about how emotional it was seeing a refugee I once hosted get his citizenship and, finally, be safe and welcomed.
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
I wrote this a few months ago about how emotional it was seeing a refugee I once hosted get his citizenship and, finally, be safe and welcomed.
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
November 15, 2025 at 3:28 PM
I hate this policy so much. It's simply morally wrong.
I wrote this a few months ago about how emotional it was seeing a refugee I once hosted get his citizenship and, finally, be safe and welcomed.
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
I wrote this a few months ago about how emotional it was seeing a refugee I once hosted get his citizenship and, finally, be safe and welcomed.
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Paediatricians are seeing high rates of flu among children this winter.
Flu can cause serious illness and lead to hospitalisation, even in otherwise healthy children.
We are urging parents to get their child vaccinated – share our new factsheet to support families 👇 www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/fl...
Flu can cause serious illness and lead to hospitalisation, even in otherwise healthy children.
We are urging parents to get their child vaccinated – share our new factsheet to support families 👇 www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/fl...
November 12, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Paediatricians are seeing high rates of flu among children this winter.
Flu can cause serious illness and lead to hospitalisation, even in otherwise healthy children.
We are urging parents to get their child vaccinated – share our new factsheet to support families 👇 www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/fl...
Flu can cause serious illness and lead to hospitalisation, even in otherwise healthy children.
We are urging parents to get their child vaccinated – share our new factsheet to support families 👇 www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/fl...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Yesterday in Parliament I said that the government should leave X.
🔉What dangers does X pose to our democracy? And should the government stop using it?
Good to hear yesterday from @sundersays.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the immense risk of X as it ignores legal obligations and its owner tries to influence UK politics.
@commonswec.parliament.uk
Good to hear yesterday from @sundersays.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the immense risk of X as it ignores legal obligations and its owner tries to influence UK politics.
@commonswec.parliament.uk
November 13, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Yesterday in Parliament I said that the government should leave X.
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Very good from Neal Lawson www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Starmer was never meant to be Labour’s prime minister – his leadership was doomed from the start | Neal Lawson
His alliance with the party’s anti-Corbyn faction was a shotgun marriage that totally lacked vision. Now Labour is paying the price, says Neal Lawson of the cross-party campaign organisation Compass
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Very good from Neal Lawson www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
The BBC and Starmer’s Labour govt share much in common. They’re easily bullied and often afraid, as institutionalised too often are, of exercising their own power. They then appear weak and ineffectual. They’re judged against standards to which their critics would themselves would never adhere...
November 13, 2025 at 3:39 PM
The BBC and Starmer’s Labour govt share much in common. They’re easily bullied and often afraid, as institutionalised too often are, of exercising their own power. They then appear weak and ineffectual. They’re judged against standards to which their critics would themselves would never adhere...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
They think they can appease their enemies and they cannot. This is an era in which fights must be picked. This one has been foisted on the BBC. They should contest it with the all the might they can, all the same.
November 13, 2025 at 3:39 PM
They think they can appease their enemies and they cannot. This is an era in which fights must be picked. This one has been foisted on the BBC. They should contest it with the all the might they can, all the same.
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
"The hard truth about underfunding palliative care is that people who are at their most vulnerable – the dying – suffer more pain, more indignity, less choice & less autonomy than they might have."
Incredibly, only 30% of hospice care is NHS funded.
Pls read my piece in today’s @theguardian.com.
Incredibly, only 30% of hospice care is NHS funded.
Pls read my piece in today’s @theguardian.com.
November 11, 2025 at 1:05 PM
"The hard truth about underfunding palliative care is that people who are at their most vulnerable – the dying – suffer more pain, more indignity, less choice & less autonomy than they might have."
Incredibly, only 30% of hospice care is NHS funded.
Pls read my piece in today’s @theguardian.com.
Incredibly, only 30% of hospice care is NHS funded.
Pls read my piece in today’s @theguardian.com.
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
November 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Farage is a GB news shareholder and is paid through a private company for his appearances on the channel.
So, here he is shit-stirring with Trump over the BBC and grifting his nasty little arse off…
There is really nothing of ours he won’t ruin to grab for power and wealth for himself.
(iPaper+LFF)
So, here he is shit-stirring with Trump over the BBC and grifting his nasty little arse off…
There is really nothing of ours he won’t ruin to grab for power and wealth for himself.
(iPaper+LFF)
November 12, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Farage is a GB news shareholder and is paid through a private company for his appearances on the channel.
So, here he is shit-stirring with Trump over the BBC and grifting his nasty little arse off…
There is really nothing of ours he won’t ruin to grab for power and wealth for himself.
(iPaper+LFF)
So, here he is shit-stirring with Trump over the BBC and grifting his nasty little arse off…
There is really nothing of ours he won’t ruin to grab for power and wealth for himself.
(iPaper+LFF)
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
The Telegraph sides with Trump against the BBC and, so, the country.
Private Eye sums up its feeble-minded, fawning betrayal beautifully.
Private Eye sums up its feeble-minded, fawning betrayal beautifully.
November 13, 2025 at 7:30 AM
The Telegraph sides with Trump against the BBC and, so, the country.
Private Eye sums up its feeble-minded, fawning betrayal beautifully.
Private Eye sums up its feeble-minded, fawning betrayal beautifully.