James Maxwell
@jamescmaxwell.bsky.social
Scouser by heart, Londoner by day. All things health policy and social democratic politics.
Reposted by James Maxwell
Moldova voters choose pro-EU government over Moscow-leaning alliance – Europe live
Moldova voters choose pro-EU government over Moscow-leaning alliance – Europe live
President Maia Sandu had accused Russia of using underhand tactics in attempt to sway voters
Speaking at the same event, French Europe minister Benjamin Haddad says that Moldovans “gave us a great lesson in democracy” despite attempted interference with the democratic process.
Asked on whether the French public would support EU enlargement, he says that “for a long time, there was a form of scepticism about enlargement in France,” but “there’s been a shift in the last few years,” as people realise that extending the bloc’s influence further to Ukraine, Moldova and western Balkans “is a geopolitical necessity.”
“We all need good news, and I’m very, very happy that my people delivered the good news and demonstrated resilience in the face of very aggressive hybrid attacks.
We [faced] massive disinformation campaigns, … corruption of voters, … very organised interference in the diaspora, … cyber-attacks so the entire host MD domain yesterday was closed because of that, and [yet] we have a clear result.”
“Of course, the fight is not over. Of course, we are very determined to carry out the reforms with all the challenges and capacity constraints and so on. But today we celebrate.” Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Moldova voters choose pro-EU government over Moscow-leaning alliance – Europe live
Farage folds the moment he’s challenged. A charlatan through and through. Credit to @bethrigby.bsky.social for doing what so much of the media won’t – actually holding him to account
Farage promise to "stop the boats within two weeks of winning gov't" unravelling.
Apparently, it means "after passing laws", "as quickly as possible", he "believes", the boats will still cross, but all will be deported "if necessary" and "sensible", "unless we have a duty of care".
Bravo, Beth! 👏🏽
Apparently, it means "after passing laws", "as quickly as possible", he "believes", the boats will still cross, but all will be deported "if necessary" and "sensible", "unless we have a duty of care".
Bravo, Beth! 👏🏽
September 8, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Farage folds the moment he’s challenged. A charlatan through and through. Credit to @bethrigby.bsky.social for doing what so much of the media won’t – actually holding him to account
Reposted by James Maxwell
So Hitler shooting himself in a bunker was a myth?
JD Vance: "This is how wars ultimately get settled. If you go back to World War 2, if you go back to every major conflict in human history, they all end with some kind of negotiation."
August 24, 2025 at 7:34 PM
So Hitler shooting himself in a bunker was a myth?
Reposted by James Maxwell
Keir Starmer condemns Israel's plan to take over Gaza City
Keir Starmer condemns Israel's plan to take over Gaza City
The PM urges Israel to reconsider immediately its decision to "escalate" the offensive in Gaza.
www.bbc.com
August 8, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Keir Starmer condemns Israel's plan to take over Gaza City
Reposted by James Maxwell
‘It’s a strength’: female business leaders back Reeves’ tearful moment https://on.ft.com/40hfnJn
‘It’s a strength’: female business leaders back Reeves’ tearful moment
Displaying emotion is part of ‘our humanity’ says CBI chief
on.ft.com
July 12, 2025 at 5:34 AM
‘It’s a strength’: female business leaders back Reeves’ tearful moment https://on.ft.com/40hfnJn
Reposted by James Maxwell
I’m still digesting the detail.
But let one thing remain clear:
The removal of jury trial from thousands of accused people is being proposed not from principle. Nor necessity.
But because successive governments - of all parties - chose to take a chainsaw to the justice system.
But let one thing remain clear:
The removal of jury trial from thousands of accused people is being proposed not from principle. Nor necessity.
But because successive governments - of all parties - chose to take a chainsaw to the justice system.
“Jury-free trials proposed to save criminal justice system from collapse” is the judicial policy equivalent of destroying a village so as to save it.
July 9, 2025 at 7:09 AM
I’m still digesting the detail.
But let one thing remain clear:
The removal of jury trial from thousands of accused people is being proposed not from principle. Nor necessity.
But because successive governments - of all parties - chose to take a chainsaw to the justice system.
But let one thing remain clear:
The removal of jury trial from thousands of accused people is being proposed not from principle. Nor necessity.
But because successive governments - of all parties - chose to take a chainsaw to the justice system.
More people on the left need to make the moral case for these reforms. It’s not socially right that we starve working class communities of potential, leaving opportunity only for the privileged few. These concessions are welcome for a fairer system.
BREAKING: Full details of those welfare bill concessions:
1) Only cut benefits for new claimants
2) Spend billions more on employment support
3) Consultation on PIP cuts, with changes to be made at committee stage
Full story here: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
1) Only cut benefits for new claimants
2) Spend billions more on employment support
3) Consultation on PIP cuts, with changes to be made at committee stage
Full story here: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Starmer offers ‘massive concessions’ on welfare bill to Labour rebels
Exclusive: Leading rebels say they have been promised significant changes to planned cuts which could help bill avoid defeat
www.theguardian.com
June 26, 2025 at 8:28 PM
More people on the left need to make the moral case for these reforms. It’s not socially right that we starve working class communities of potential, leaving opportunity only for the privileged few. These concessions are welcome for a fairer system.
Comms around the Industrial Strategy have been a bit odd to say the least, almost like it's deliberately been hidden.
No central press release, weak Sunday briefing, and PM's op-ed remains unpublished on Gov website. Labour digital channels are still promoting last week's news.
No central press release, weak Sunday briefing, and PM's op-ed remains unpublished on Gov website. Labour digital channels are still promoting last week's news.
June 23, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Comms around the Industrial Strategy have been a bit odd to say the least, almost like it's deliberately been hidden.
No central press release, weak Sunday briefing, and PM's op-ed remains unpublished on Gov website. Labour digital channels are still promoting last week's news.
No central press release, weak Sunday briefing, and PM's op-ed remains unpublished on Gov website. Labour digital channels are still promoting last week's news.
Reposted by James Maxwell
Experts say there is no evidence Iran has decided to build a nuclear bomb. Its recent advances mean though that it has become a 'threshold state' — a nation with technical expertise and capacity to weaponise its nuclear programme if it chooses. https://on.ft.com/4ni8W2K
June 16, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Experts say there is no evidence Iran has decided to build a nuclear bomb. Its recent advances mean though that it has become a 'threshold state' — a nation with technical expertise and capacity to weaponise its nuclear programme if it chooses. https://on.ft.com/4ni8W2K
Reposted by James Maxwell
Rachel Reeves to unveils £39bn housing boost in spending review shake-up
Rachel Reeves to unveils £39bn housing boost in spending review shake-up
Chancellor promises biggest investment in social and affordable homes in a generation to hit 1.5m target
Rachel Reeves will raise government spending on affordable housing by nearly double on Wednesday, providing a major boost to the housebuilding sector and bringing the government’s housing targets a step closer.
The chancellor will announce nearly £40bn worth of grants to be spent over 10 years for local authorities, private developers and housing associations – a major increase on the previous programme. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
June 10, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Rachel Reeves to unveils £39bn housing boost in spending review shake-up
Reposted by James Maxwell
Pensioners are being unfairly prioritised over those in far greater need.
✍️ James Hanson
buff.ly/0wnZ1c9
✍️ James Hanson
buff.ly/0wnZ1c9
Reeves’s winter fuel U-turn is a mistake
Having already angered older voters with their winter fuel cuts, Labour has now achieved a generational symmetry by angering younger voters.
buff.ly
June 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Pensioners are being unfairly prioritised over those in far greater need.
✍️ James Hanson
buff.ly/0wnZ1c9
✍️ James Hanson
buff.ly/0wnZ1c9
Reposted by James Maxwell
Genuinely welcome - it'll make a tangible difference to half a million kids, which is obv the most important bit, but suspect will also be a relief to a lot of Labour voters worried about where this govt was heading
🚨 NEW: Labour is lifting 100,000 children out of poverty by expanding access to free school meals.
Alongside free breakfast clubs, cheaper uniform costs and government-funded childcare, Labour is putting money in parents’ pockets and giving children the best start in life.
Alongside free breakfast clubs, cheaper uniform costs and government-funded childcare, Labour is putting money in parents’ pockets and giving children the best start in life.
June 4, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Genuinely welcome - it'll make a tangible difference to half a million kids, which is obv the most important bit, but suspect will also be a relief to a lot of Labour voters worried about where this govt was heading
The approach of McSweeney compared to Blair in a nut shell. Only one is proven to work.
May 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The approach of McSweeney compared to Blair in a nut shell. Only one is proven to work.
Reposted by James Maxwell
It is remarkable how little effort Starmer has put into making the case for his renegotiation. No “Bloomberg” speech, no policy papers. An interview three days before deal day is the first outing of substance. If his pro-EU coalition gives him no credit for it, it’s because hes asked for none.
Keir Starmer: Why I love Eurovision — and my EU trade deal
The Prime Minister has proposed a deal which will bring the UK closer to the EU than it has been since Brexit — and thinks the British public will back him up. Read the interview ⬇️
The Prime Minister has proposed a deal which will bring the UK closer to the EU than it has been since Brexit — and thinks the British public will back him up. Read the interview ⬇️
Keir Starmer: Why I love Eurovision — and my EU trade deal
The prime minister has proposed a deal which will bring the UK closer to the EU than it has been since Brexit — and thinks the British public will back him up
www.thetimes.com
May 17, 2025 at 8:36 AM
It is remarkable how little effort Starmer has put into making the case for his renegotiation. No “Bloomberg” speech, no policy papers. An interview three days before deal day is the first outing of substance. If his pro-EU coalition gives him no credit for it, it’s because hes asked for none.
Reposted by James Maxwell
Evidence shows that rolling back our climate ambitions would do nothing to win back voters from Reform, but instead risk losing crucial votes to the Liberal Democrats and Greens.
Net zero is popular and essential. Labour must take the fight to Badenoch and Farage, writes @lukemurphy.bsky.social
Net zero is popular and essential. Labour must take the fight to Badenoch and Farage, writes @lukemurphy.bsky.social
Net zero is popular and essential. Labour must take the fight to Badenoch and Farage
Evidence shows that rolling back our climate ambitions would do nothing to win back voters from Reform, but instead risk losing crucial votes to th...
www.politicshome.com
May 13, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Evidence shows that rolling back our climate ambitions would do nothing to win back voters from Reform, but instead risk losing crucial votes to the Liberal Democrats and Greens.
Net zero is popular and essential. Labour must take the fight to Badenoch and Farage, writes @lukemurphy.bsky.social
Net zero is popular and essential. Labour must take the fight to Badenoch and Farage, writes @lukemurphy.bsky.social
Reposted by James Maxwell
The leaders of the U.K., Germany, France and Poland are to visit Ukraine today in an attempt to pile pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree a 30-day ceasefire and open meaningful peace talks after three years of war.
Western leaders head to Kyiv to demand Putin agrees ceasefire
Starmer, Macron, Tusk and Merz join Donald Trump’s call for a 30-day Ukraine war truce.
www.politico.eu
May 10, 2025 at 9:07 AM
The leaders of the U.K., Germany, France and Poland are to visit Ukraine today in an attempt to pile pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree a 30-day ceasefire and open meaningful peace talks after three years of war.
Good. Would be a step backwards. There are far more progressive things you can do with £1.5bn a year - with pensioner earnings already being protected - like scrapping the two child benefit cap or reinstating Sure Start.
BREAKING: Downing Street has told Good Morning Britain it has no plans to reverse cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment for millions of pensioners, after reports this morning that ministers are rethinking the controversial policy
May 6, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Good. Would be a step backwards. There are far more progressive things you can do with £1.5bn a year - with pensioner earnings already being protected - like scrapping the two child benefit cap or reinstating Sure Start.
Reposted by James Maxwell
"Making the country better on the terms it set out less than a year ago is what Labour needs to concentrate on."
Morgan Jones on how why Labour should keep calm and keep to its agenda:
labourlist.org/2025/05/jone...
Morgan Jones on how why Labour should keep calm and keep to its agenda:
labourlist.org/2025/05/jone...
'We know people want change. Labour needs to make it' - LabourList
Labour is in power nationally, and unlike other parties can deliver change nationally, writes Morgan Jones.
labourlist.org
May 4, 2025 at 2:49 PM
"Making the country better on the terms it set out less than a year ago is what Labour needs to concentrate on."
Morgan Jones on how why Labour should keep calm and keep to its agenda:
labourlist.org/2025/05/jone...
Morgan Jones on how why Labour should keep calm and keep to its agenda:
labourlist.org/2025/05/jone...
Reposted by James Maxwell
I’ve got the Saturday read in today’s Guardian.
What can Labour do now?
Expect a massive push for a change of economic strategy in the coming days.
“Why are we not picking the fights we can pick on our own turf?” one minister asks.
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
What can Labour do now?
Expect a massive push for a change of economic strategy in the coming days.
“Why are we not picking the fights we can pick on our own turf?” one minister asks.
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
‘We can’t just talk to the right’: what will Labour do now?
Focus on Reform or reassure the left – Keir Starmer’s next move could define his premiership
www.theguardian.com
May 3, 2025 at 8:08 AM
I’ve got the Saturday read in today’s Guardian.
What can Labour do now?
Expect a massive push for a change of economic strategy in the coming days.
“Why are we not picking the fights we can pick on our own turf?” one minister asks.
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
What can Labour do now?
Expect a massive push for a change of economic strategy in the coming days.
“Why are we not picking the fights we can pick on our own turf?” one minister asks.
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
Okay. So I've finally realised why ChatGPT is so crap. Because it's designed to be used for chatting (I have friends thanks) and content generation (who cares).
Perplexity is game changing for research and factual answers, and Claude is great for everything else.
Perplexity is game changing for research and factual answers, and Claude is great for everything else.
May 2, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Okay. So I've finally realised why ChatGPT is so crap. Because it's designed to be used for chatting (I have friends thanks) and content generation (who cares).
Perplexity is game changing for research and factual answers, and Claude is great for everything else.
Perplexity is game changing for research and factual answers, and Claude is great for everything else.
Reposted by James Maxwell
Football too expensive for working class fans, says Merseyside MP
Football too expensive for working class fans, says Merseyside MP
Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne claims young and working class fans are priced out of big matches.
www.bbc.com
April 30, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Football too expensive for working class fans, says Merseyside MP
Reposted by James Maxwell
Even smoking crack on the Victoria Line barely raises an eyebrow. Against this backdrop, is it any wonder that people don’t feel the need to keep their musical tastes and personal phone conversations to themselves?
✍️ James Hanson www.spectator.co.uk/article/we-n...
✍️ James Hanson www.spectator.co.uk/article/we-n...
We need to crack down on music on public transport
Hold the front page, sound the alarm, remember where you were – the Lib Dems have come up with a good idea for once. Reinforcing the old adage that even a stopped clock is right twice a day, Ed…
buff.ly
April 24, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Even smoking crack on the Victoria Line barely raises an eyebrow. Against this backdrop, is it any wonder that people don’t feel the need to keep their musical tastes and personal phone conversations to themselves?
✍️ James Hanson www.spectator.co.uk/article/we-n...
✍️ James Hanson www.spectator.co.uk/article/we-n...
Reposted by James Maxwell
🆕 Our latest analysis from Bea Taylor looks at the trends in drinking and alcohol-related harm, and explores whether the last unified national alcohol strategy needs to be updated.
Part of our #QualityWatch programme with @healthfoundation.bsky.social 📊
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/de...
Part of our #QualityWatch programme with @healthfoundation.bsky.social 📊
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/de...
Deaths from drinking are at a record high: does England need a new alcohol strategy?
Bea Taylor looks at the latest trends in drinking and alcohol-related harm, and explores whether the last unified national alcohol strategy needs to be updated.
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
April 4, 2025 at 9:18 AM
🆕 Our latest analysis from Bea Taylor looks at the trends in drinking and alcohol-related harm, and explores whether the last unified national alcohol strategy needs to be updated.
Part of our #QualityWatch programme with @healthfoundation.bsky.social 📊
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/de...
Part of our #QualityWatch programme with @healthfoundation.bsky.social 📊
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/de...
Government looking to give @london.gov.uk the power to overrule NIMBY councils who force bars and pubs to close early in the capital uk.news.yahoo.com/london-night...
London nightlife to open later as Khan gets new powers to help pubs and clubs
The scheme could be expanded to other parts of the country if it proves a success.
uk.news.yahoo.com
April 4, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Government looking to give @london.gov.uk the power to overrule NIMBY councils who force bars and pubs to close early in the capital uk.news.yahoo.com/london-night...