Leo Gibbons
@layog.bsky.social
Failed politician. YIMBY. Occasional blogger.
I mostly post on the darker place.
I mostly post on the darker place.
Pinned
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
(He's right: this is why a strong welfare state is vital - its the only thing that scales)
Guys I know you’re all going to yell at me here but mutual aid is not meaningfully distinct from the kind of privatized community charity system where poor people go to the church and hope someone has donated a hot meal. It’s not progressive, it’s not effective, it’s not good service provision.
"poor enough to need mutual aid"
Everyone needs mutual aid.
Everyone needs mutual aid.
December 27, 2025 at 1:14 PM
(He's right: this is why a strong welfare state is vital - its the only thing that scales)
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
December 25, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
Incidentally, “wealth tax” and “tax the wealthy” in practice looks an awful lot like changing IHT rules on farmland, and the left did absolutely nothing to cheer it on. I suspect there’s a pattern there: tax the rich, but not like THIS.
December 23, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Incidentally, “wealth tax” and “tax the wealthy” in practice looks an awful lot like changing IHT rules on farmland, and the left did absolutely nothing to cheer it on. I suspect there’s a pattern there: tax the rich, but not like THIS.
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
But if you’re gonna u-turn on something at least do it when the people you’re appeasing might notice.
December 23, 2025 at 12:12 PM
But if you’re gonna u-turn on something at least do it when the people you’re appeasing might notice.
Yeah the Right are already kinda there with their push to prevent recent Boriswave arrivals from claiming Indefinite Leave to Remain in the next few years.
Agree with all of this, other than "the right will go 'pro-natalist" - I think what will happen is that much of the right will shift from 'blaming our ills on immigration' to 'blaming our ills on ethnic diversity', which is already happening to an extent.
The UK will celebrate net emigration and depopulation come 2027.
And by 2028 it will start to realise, with an ageing society and low growth, what a really silly thing it has done.
The right will go "pro-natalist", the centre-left will be completely stuck.
And by 2028 it will start to realise, with an ageing society and low growth, what a really silly thing it has done.
The right will go "pro-natalist", the centre-left will be completely stuck.
December 22, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Yeah the Right are already kinda there with their push to prevent recent Boriswave arrivals from claiming Indefinite Leave to Remain in the next few years.
I met with a old school mate recently, first time in years, and they mentioned Starmer potentially cancelling the 2029 election and my reaction was basically, "da fuq that come from?"
The idea that Starmer wants to cancel the 2029 election was said to me when I went to the Reform rally in March. It’s been brewing!
December 22, 2025 at 1:53 PM
I met with a old school mate recently, first time in years, and they mentioned Starmer potentially cancelling the 2029 election and my reaction was basically, "da fuq that come from?"
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
(Trying to bring the two sides together)
I think his faith is the key thing to getting him - hes one of the more religious MPs - and his background - big focus on poverty. He's been personally consistently liberal on immigration, suprisingly statist in economics and quite socially conservative
I think his faith is the key thing to getting him - hes one of the more religious MPs - and his background - big focus on poverty. He's been personally consistently liberal on immigration, suprisingly statist in economics and quite socially conservative
December 21, 2025 at 9:03 AM
(Trying to bring the two sides together)
I think his faith is the key thing to getting him - hes one of the more religious MPs - and his background - big focus on poverty. He's been personally consistently liberal on immigration, suprisingly statist in economics and quite socially conservative
I think his faith is the key thing to getting him - hes one of the more religious MPs - and his background - big focus on poverty. He's been personally consistently liberal on immigration, suprisingly statist in economics and quite socially conservative
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
I think Wes is a lot more ideological than people thing and thats why hes repeatedly taken positions outside of the mainstream of Labour politics (and why he exiled himself under Corbyn)
Not that I want someone with his ideology in charge, but I think its there
Not that I want someone with his ideology in charge, but I think its there
December 21, 2025 at 8:54 AM
I think Wes is a lot more ideological than people thing and thats why hes repeatedly taken positions outside of the mainstream of Labour politics (and why he exiled himself under Corbyn)
Not that I want someone with his ideology in charge, but I think its there
Not that I want someone with his ideology in charge, but I think its there
Can anyone recommend any good oven mitts? Preferably a pair that you could touch the surface of the sun with
a man wearing oven mitts is kneeling down with the words say a prayer above him
ALT: a man wearing oven mitts is kneeling down with the words say a prayer above him
media.tenor.com
December 21, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Can anyone recommend any good oven mitts? Preferably a pair that you could touch the surface of the sun with
So I had never watched Band of Brothers until now. I think it might be my second favourite show of all time, after another HBO mini-series, Show Me a Hero.
a soldier says someone 's gonna die in the snow
ALT: a soldier says someone 's gonna die in the snow
media.tenor.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:07 AM
So I had never watched Band of Brothers until now. I think it might be my second favourite show of all time, after another HBO mini-series, Show Me a Hero.
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
This is potentially one of the most transformational policies this government has done if it holds its nerve.
NEW: Labour just announced the biggest change in planning policy in 80 years.
My breakdown of the key measures and whether they will succeed.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/labour-are...
My breakdown of the key measures and whether they will succeed.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/labour-are...
Labour are finally taking the housing shortage seriously
Is the new National Planning Policy Framework Labour’s biggest pro-growth move?
www.samdumitriu.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:11 PM
This is potentially one of the most transformational policies this government has done if it holds its nerve.
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
I'm not sure I feel better if people are dunking on me for in-group status rather than cash, tbh. And switching to the Following tab in X is pretty easy if you don't just want to see snuff films and racism. (My big issue with X is that I don't want to work for free for Elon Musk.)
December 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I'm not sure I feel better if people are dunking on me for in-group status rather than cash, tbh. And switching to the Following tab in X is pretty easy if you don't just want to see snuff films and racism. (My big issue with X is that I don't want to work for free for Elon Musk.)
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
What advice would you have for someone like me, who finds Elon Musk and MAGA repellent and dangerous, but is the target of endless posts trying to (their words) bully me off Bluesky?
December 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
What advice would you have for someone like me, who finds Elon Musk and MAGA repellent and dangerous, but is the target of endless posts trying to (their words) bully me off Bluesky?
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
Latest post looking at growth on Southeastern Metro lines.
Decent numbers along the Hayes line via Catford Bridge.
www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk/2025/12/14/h...
Decent numbers along the Hayes line via Catford Bridge.
www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk/2025/12/14/h...
Hayes Southeastern line via Catford Bridge sees strong annual growth - Murky Depths
Latest figures for rail usage show strong growth at another Southeastern line with increases along the Hayes line via Catford Bridge
www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Latest post looking at growth on Southeastern Metro lines.
Decent numbers along the Hayes line via Catford Bridge.
www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk/2025/12/14/h...
Decent numbers along the Hayes line via Catford Bridge.
www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk/2025/12/14/h...
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
Mindblowing courage. He might have turned around, he might had a belt, he might have actually known how to shake someone off rather than falling over like the tragic idiot he is. But there's no knowing that in advance.
Video, I believe recorded off of local TV, of a bystander disarming one of the two killers.
December 14, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Mindblowing courage. He might have turned around, he might had a belt, he might have actually known how to shake someone off rather than falling over like the tragic idiot he is. But there's no knowing that in advance.
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
It does make you wonder whether the soppy liberal left who have been forgiving/celebratory of Lineker’s repeated idiocy on this subject will wake up to the contagion it illustrates or - alternatively - will start adjusting and making room for Tucker in the community of the good
Gary Lineker sharing an absurd Israel rant by Tucker Carlson on his 1.4m-follower Instagram, is it?
Definitely not weird about Jews though. Conscience too fine to stay at the BBC, obvs. Hero.
Definitely not weird about Jews though. Conscience too fine to stay at the BBC, obvs. Hero.
December 12, 2025 at 8:35 AM
It does make you wonder whether the soppy liberal left who have been forgiving/celebratory of Lineker’s repeated idiocy on this subject will wake up to the contagion it illustrates or - alternatively - will start adjusting and making room for Tucker in the community of the good
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
It's wild. We have so many real problems as a country, and instead a large chunk of our political class would rather hallucinate that one of the safest big global cities in the world is actually dangerous.
The "London = most dangerous place on the planet" discourse is still going strong on Twitter
I've actually been surprised by how little I've felt threatened as a woman in London (having lived in Tooting and Peckham)
I loved growing up in Nottingham, but I had much, much worse experiences there tbh
I've actually been surprised by how little I've felt threatened as a woman in London (having lived in Tooting and Peckham)
I loved growing up in Nottingham, but I had much, much worse experiences there tbh
December 11, 2025 at 6:59 PM
It's wild. We have so many real problems as a country, and instead a large chunk of our political class would rather hallucinate that one of the safest big global cities in the world is actually dangerous.
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
Absolutely tremendous stuff from this week's Popbitch
December 11, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Absolutely tremendous stuff from this week's Popbitch
The ‘Rest is Fest’ Goalhanger podcast festival, is £50 PER EVENT.
What a rip off, it should be like £18 for an hour show, £25 per 110 minute show, and then like £50 for a full day pass.
What a rip off, it should be like £18 for an hour show, £25 per 110 minute show, and then like £50 for a full day pass.
December 11, 2025 at 10:49 AM
The ‘Rest is Fest’ Goalhanger podcast festival, is £50 PER EVENT.
What a rip off, it should be like £18 for an hour show, £25 per 110 minute show, and then like £50 for a full day pass.
What a rip off, it should be like £18 for an hour show, £25 per 110 minute show, and then like £50 for a full day pass.
Delivering leaflets for my mum 👍
December 10, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Delivering leaflets for my mum 👍
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
London Centric has got hold of Reform UK's internal candidate training plan for next year's local elections, where it hopes to make big gains in London.
"Don't drink and tweet", focus on bin collections, and copy the Lib Dems' tactics.
www.londoncentric.media/p/reform-uk-...
(£/free trial).
"Don't drink and tweet", focus on bin collections, and copy the Lib Dems' tactics.
www.londoncentric.media/p/reform-uk-...
(£/free trial).
"Don't drink and tweet": The leaked Reform UK plan to win in London
Plus: Is this Google Map the way to unlock London's real hidden gem restaurants, are you the driver who owes Hackney council £250,000, and is the Bakerloo finally getting new trains?
www.londoncentric.media
December 10, 2025 at 7:06 AM
London Centric has got hold of Reform UK's internal candidate training plan for next year's local elections, where it hopes to make big gains in London.
"Don't drink and tweet", focus on bin collections, and copy the Lib Dems' tactics.
www.londoncentric.media/p/reform-uk-...
(£/free trial).
"Don't drink and tweet", focus on bin collections, and copy the Lib Dems' tactics.
www.londoncentric.media/p/reform-uk-...
(£/free trial).
I started digging after this skeet from Dan and I skimmed the lyrics and they’re not that bad?
What is bad is it’s written by a 25 year old Doug Fieger who was infatuated with a 17-year-old called Sharona Alperin. That’s certified cancellable in 2025.
What is bad is it’s written by a 25 year old Doug Fieger who was infatuated with a 17-year-old called Sharona Alperin. That’s certified cancellable in 2025.
Sorry to say 6Music is playing My Sharona, which musically is an utter banger but thoroughly warrants a Roald Dahl-style butchering of the lyrics to deproblematise it for the 2020s
December 10, 2025 at 8:41 AM
I started digging after this skeet from Dan and I skimmed the lyrics and they’re not that bad?
What is bad is it’s written by a 25 year old Doug Fieger who was infatuated with a 17-year-old called Sharona Alperin. That’s certified cancellable in 2025.
What is bad is it’s written by a 25 year old Doug Fieger who was infatuated with a 17-year-old called Sharona Alperin. That’s certified cancellable in 2025.
Reposted by Leo Gibbons
Word documents should be set in styles, not typefaces. There's nothing wrong with setting up a corporate template which makes styles look like the house style guide, but individual users should never mess with formatting other than styles, bold and italics, and ideally should be locked from doing so
December 10, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Word documents should be set in styles, not typefaces. There's nothing wrong with setting up a corporate template which makes styles look like the house style guide, but individual users should never mess with formatting other than styles, bold and italics, and ideally should be locked from doing so