Lewis Baston
@lewisbaston.bsky.social
Author of ‘Borderlines’ (Hodder, 2024). Psephologist, cat ‘owner’, traveller, flâneur. https://www.hodder.co.uk/titles/lewis-baston/borderlines/9781399723763/
Pinned
Lewis Baston
@lewisbaston.bsky.social
· Sep 22
Delighted to announce that Borderlines is one of @waterstones.bsky.social paperbacks of the year!
It may be face-blindness but I find it hard to tell Goodwin and Jenrick apart.
EXC: Robert Jenrick has been mocked for using Ozempic and told “you can't take an injection for personality”…by his Reform colleague Matt Goodwin. In previous interviews, Mr Goodwin also said Jenrick had “no charisma”, and Reform risked becoming a Tory tribute act”
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reform candidate made fat jab jibe at Jenrick and warned over 'Tory tribute act'
Matt Goodwin, who is running in Gorton and Denton, has made repeated attacks on his new colleagues, and also warned Nigel Farage that Reform risks becoming a 'Tory tribute act'
www.mirror.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 7:10 PM
It may be face-blindness but I find it hard to tell Goodwin and Jenrick apart.
Josh asked a fair question about what I thought about the reaction to local election postponement. And I feel less guarded and judicious than usual.
I’ll be blunt. It’s been another surrender of the respectable right to abject conspiracism and they should be ashamed. The anger is largely confected and hypocritical, people looking for something to be angry about. Not that I think two years’ postponement is ideal, even with all the context.
February 16, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Josh asked a fair question about what I thought about the reaction to local election postponement. And I feel less guarded and judicious than usual.
Not overjoyed by this. A very late shift that must be chaotic for the affected areas (and from what I’ve seen it looks like some of the areas with the most overdue elections won’t get them, but that may be wrong). But if there was a chance of losing in court even later, maybe the least-worst option.
Breaking: UK government is confirming it’s dropped plans to delay local elections at 30 English councils
February 16, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Not overjoyed by this. A very late shift that must be chaotic for the affected areas (and from what I’ve seen it looks like some of the areas with the most overdue elections won’t get them, but that may be wrong). But if there was a chance of losing in court even later, maybe the least-worst option.
Reposted by Lewis Baston
Cannot recommend this book enough - Borderlines by @lewisbaston.bsky.social. A history of Europe and its peoples told via travels through borderlands. Illuminates the present like only good history can. In a word: brilliant. In two words: bloody brilliant.
February 15, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Cannot recommend this book enough - Borderlines by @lewisbaston.bsky.social. A history of Europe and its peoples told via travels through borderlands. Illuminates the present like only good history can. In a word: brilliant. In two words: bloody brilliant.
The wonderful thing about Tyggers
Is Tyggers are burning bright
Their tops are made out of rubber
In the forest of the night
What bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy,
Immortal hand or eye
Did frame the most wonderful thing about Tyggers,
Their fearful symmetry!
Is Tyggers are burning bright
Their tops are made out of rubber
In the forest of the night
What bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy,
Immortal hand or eye
Did frame the most wonderful thing about Tyggers,
Their fearful symmetry!
February 15, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Reposted by Lewis Baston
Borders! This is a fantastic piece. A pity that we don't get to see the winning entry. @lewisbaston.bsky.social @jonnelledge.bsky.social
The FT contest that challenged readers to redraw Europe’s borders
The extraordinary story of when, two months into the bloody Great War, the newspaper launched an unusual competition
www.ft.com
February 15, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Borders! This is a fantastic piece. A pity that we don't get to see the winning entry. @lewisbaston.bsky.social @jonnelledge.bsky.social
Reposted by Lewis Baston
Classic sci-fi movie Saturn 3 celebrates its joyful 46th anniversary today. Obviously, you’re familiar with it – directed by Stanley ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ Donen, it starred Kirk Douglas, Farrah Fawcett and Harvey Keitel, and had a script by Martin Amis. It couldn’t fail. Ah, and yet, and yet... 🧵
February 15, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Classic sci-fi movie Saturn 3 celebrates its joyful 46th anniversary today. Obviously, you’re familiar with it – directed by Stanley ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ Donen, it starred Kirk Douglas, Farrah Fawcett and Harvey Keitel, and had a script by Martin Amis. It couldn’t fail. Ah, and yet, and yet... 🧵
Unzoomed #759 1/6 🟢⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️
unzoomed.com
unzoomed.com
Unzoomed
Identify cities using satellite images in this daily puzzle game, where each guess zooms out for enhanced clues.
unzoomed.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Unzoomed #759 1/6 🟢⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️
unzoomed.com
unzoomed.com
I think Sir Riser Cupboard was a Tory MP from 1950 until his seat was abolished in the 1983 boundary changes. Deputy chairman of the 1922 for a bit.
February 14, 2026 at 4:37 PM
I think Sir Riser Cupboard was a Tory MP from 1950 until his seat was abolished in the 1983 boundary changes. Deputy chairman of the 1922 for a bit.
Social anxiety is bad at the time of course but it also leaves one with regrets at missing out that extend the feelings sometimes for weeks afterwards.
February 14, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Social anxiety is bad at the time of course but it also leaves one with regrets at missing out that extend the feelings sometimes for weeks afterwards.
This is an intriguing border-related story.
That time when, two months into World War 1, the FT asked its readers to predict the impact the conflict would have on the map of Europe. As a game. With cash prizes: great @ftweekend.com piece by @theboysmithy.ft.com www.ft.com/content/79a4...
February 14, 2026 at 9:10 AM
This is an intriguing border-related story.
I remember thinking at the anniversary in Feb 1989 that The Day The Music Died was such ancient history. I do not enjoy the present-day logical implications of this.
anyway, being 62 is watching these old #totp episodes and wondering how the fuck can be 40 years old when clearly the 80s were only a decade ago.
February 13, 2026 at 8:51 PM
I remember thinking at the anniversary in Feb 1989 that The Day The Music Died was such ancient history. I do not enjoy the present-day logical implications of this.
Reposted by Lewis Baston
Elect Farage, get Putin.
Farage claims democracy in Ukraine 'destroyed' by Maidan revolution and those wanting closer links with Europe - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
February 13, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Elect Farage, get Putin.
I often traipse around London looking tired. I’m really sorry, everyone.
Nadhim Zahawi thinks London is now unsafe, because the other day a tired-looking man walked past him during the morning rush hour.
February 13, 2026 at 1:32 PM
I often traipse around London looking tired. I’m really sorry, everyone.
That’s quite a miss by Reform - I would have guessed Worth Valley would be receptive territory but perhaps on current boundaries it’s too posh? And also the sort of waste of public money that right-populists love getting aerated about.
Well that's interesting..#Reformfail to win the Worth Valley bye election they forced by legal technicality days after well regarded councillor died . With a full all out election weeks off as well....
#tactical
#Bradford @lewisbaston.bsky.social @davidbeech.bsky.social
#tactical
#Bradford @lewisbaston.bsky.social @davidbeech.bsky.social
February 13, 2026 at 12:35 PM
That’s quite a miss by Reform - I would have guessed Worth Valley would be receptive territory but perhaps on current boundaries it’s too posh? And also the sort of waste of public money that right-populists love getting aerated about.
Reposted by Lewis Baston
FT: "Sir Tony Blair’s think-tank has called on the UK government to reverse its ban on new North Sea exploration licences and scrap the windfall tax on the oil and gas sector".
Since his institute is now effectively owned by Trump cheerleader and donor Larry Ellison, this is unsurprising.
Since his institute is now effectively owned by Trump cheerleader and donor Larry Ellison, this is unsurprising.
February 13, 2026 at 11:31 AM
FT: "Sir Tony Blair’s think-tank has called on the UK government to reverse its ban on new North Sea exploration licences and scrap the windfall tax on the oil and gas sector".
Since his institute is now effectively owned by Trump cheerleader and donor Larry Ellison, this is unsurprising.
Since his institute is now effectively owned by Trump cheerleader and donor Larry Ellison, this is unsurprising.
Motorman is a word, particularly on that side of the Atlantic. When I read that Richard Nixon’s father was a ‘streetcar motorman’ I thought it was the most
American job title there could ever be.
American job title there could ever be.
February 12, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Motorman is a word, particularly on that side of the Atlantic. When I read that Richard Nixon’s father was a ‘streetcar motorman’ I thought it was the most
American job title there could ever be.
American job title there could ever be.
Canada is perhaps over-liberal in some respects. For instance, it has not imprisoned these people as traitors.
Canadian separatists say they discussed moving to the US dollar and creating a new military in White House meeting
Canadian separatists discussed moving to US dollar and new military in DC meeting
Could a right-wing group close to the Trump administration lead Alberta to become an independent oil-rich nation?
trib.al
February 12, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Canada is perhaps over-liberal in some respects. For instance, it has not imprisoned these people as traitors.
In functioning democracies this is called corruption.
February 12, 2026 at 7:33 PM
In functioning democracies this is called corruption.
Reposted by Lewis Baston
Something that feels important about the Ratcliffe comments is they aren’t simply innumeracy. Everyone has problems with this sort of thing at times, because we have no intuitive feel for the difference between very large numbers. But this seems distinct
February 12, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Something that feels important about the Ratcliffe comments is they aren’t simply innumeracy. Everyone has problems with this sort of thing at times, because we have no intuitive feel for the difference between very large numbers. But this seems distinct
As well as all the other reasons for liking Bob Monkhouse, he was an artist who anticipated the work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude.
Just to be clear: I was not. Rumour has it that Bob was expelled for wrapping bog roll round the clock tower, which has always been a point in his favour as far as I’m concerned
I hope you aren’t referring to Bob Monkhouse
February 12, 2026 at 8:48 AM
As well as all the other reasons for liking Bob Monkhouse, he was an artist who anticipated the work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude.
The justification given sounds like utter word salad. Is there, polling friends who know more than me, any reason for this compatible with Gallup’s professional integrity?
Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years thehill.com/homenews/med...
February 11, 2026 at 7:39 PM
The justification given sounds like utter word salad. Is there, polling friends who know more than me, any reason for this compatible with Gallup’s professional integrity?
I’ve been radicalised into the view that the very rich are as a rule not just obnoxious, but also stupid and ignorant.
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Britain has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of the country's richest and most influential men, has told Sky News.
news.sky.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:21 PM
I’ve been radicalised into the view that the very rich are as a rule not just obnoxious, but also stupid and ignorant.
There is no such thing as Macra.
February 11, 2026 at 3:41 PM
There is no such thing as Macra.
‘A New Dawn’ simultaneously: a) is more than a bit fashy; and b) makes one want to ask what an Awn is and why I would want to see a nude one.
Answer via Emily @nation.cymru 👇
February 11, 2026 at 10:49 AM
‘A New Dawn’ simultaneously: a) is more than a bit fashy; and b) makes one want to ask what an Awn is and why I would want to see a nude one.