Matt Erskine
@matt72423.bsky.social
Socialist, anti-Zionist, anti-NATO, ex-Labour, now Green. MMT. Unsure about EU...too many pros and cons. Indy for Wales & Scotland. Abolish royalty and House of Lords. Sunderland, England. Sunderland FC.
Yep, and free further education, NHS dentists...and my wife and I could afford to buy our first house.
Otto is a total plank.
November 14, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Yep, and free further education, NHS dentists...and my wife and I could afford to buy our first house.
Disband NATO, which has long been a tool of US military and political imperialism and an arm of the military/industrial complex. Establish a defensive and peacekeeping coalition with friendly nations (thus ruling out the US).
Never forget that the only country in NATO history which triggered NATO article 5 is USA after a bunch of Arab terrorists took down some buildings in New York.
Now when Europe is in existential threat by former Soviets, the USA is throwing us bones and expecting gratitude.
EU need to step up.
Now when Europe is in existential threat by former Soviets, the USA is throwing us bones and expecting gratitude.
EU need to step up.
November 11, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Disband NATO, which has long been a tool of US military and political imperialism and an arm of the military/industrial complex. Establish a defensive and peacekeeping coalition with friendly nations (thus ruling out the US).
You're right to identify taxation needs to address inequality, but taxes don't 'raise' money in a sovereign fiat currency regime such as ours. It's not how the government spends.
Taxing the rich could raise billions in the next budget – but that's far from the only reason to do it. Taxing the richest is popular, fair, and necessary to start making society more equal and our economy work better for everyone. Here's why:
November 11, 2025 at 10:18 AM
You're right to identify taxation needs to address inequality, but taxes don't 'raise' money in a sovereign fiat currency regime such as ours. It's not how the government spends.
Taxes don't 'raise' anything.
Word is Rachel Reeves is considering a 20% "settling-up charge" on the business assets of the ultra rich who decide to flee the UK for tax havens.
The "exit tax", to reduce revenue dodging, is already used by most other G7 nations, so it can't be claimed as "anti-business".
It could raise £20bn.
The "exit tax", to reduce revenue dodging, is already used by most other G7 nations, so it can't be claimed as "anti-business".
It could raise £20bn.
November 2, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Taxes don't 'raise' anything.
Allan, I've messaged you...I think, cos I'm not sure how to do it on here either! Can you let me know if you got the message.
@matt72423.bsky.social this might be private. I have two Fulham season tickets. Other ticket is yours if you want or for the home match. Let me know.
October 26, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Allan, I've messaged you...I think, cos I'm not sure how to do it on here either! Can you let me know if you got the message.
People of Caerffili, please vote Plaid Cymru today.
October 23, 2025 at 7:27 AM
People of Caerffili, please vote Plaid Cymru today.
Question for my Plaid and SNP/Alba friends: If the Green Parties (of England and Wales and of Scotland) were to agree to commit in their manifestos to independence referenda for the people of Wales and Scotland, what would be the chances of single Green/Plaid/SNP ticket candidates in the next GE?
October 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Question for my Plaid and SNP/Alba friends: If the Green Parties (of England and Wales and of Scotland) were to agree to commit in their manifestos to independence referenda for the people of Wales and Scotland, what would be the chances of single Green/Plaid/SNP ticket candidates in the next GE?
I think it's wrong that Andrew Windsor should be stripped of all his titles; he should keep one: Nonce Andrew would be suitable.
October 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
I think it's wrong that Andrew Windsor should be stripped of all his titles; he should keep one: Nonce Andrew would be suitable.
Government: We're fining you for dumping sewage.
WCs: That'll raise our costs. To protect our profits we'll have to raise our charges.
Government: Okay, no problem.
Is that how it goes?
WCs: That'll raise our costs. To protect our profits we'll have to raise our charges.
Government: Okay, no problem.
Is that how it goes?
PR Hype.
Water firms in England could face harsher sewage fines.
Firms still pay dividends, mega exec pay
Fines have been virtually abolished. Amounts handed back to firms for environmental improvements. They displace investment, improve balance sheet.
Must remove the profit motive. Nationalise.
Water firms in England could face harsher sewage fines.
Firms still pay dividends, mega exec pay
Fines have been virtually abolished. Amounts handed back to firms for environmental improvements. They displace investment, improve balance sheet.
Must remove the profit motive. Nationalise.
Water firms in England could face harsher sewage fines under new Environment Agency powers
Government consults on allowing regulator to use lower civil standard of proof and introducing automatic penalties
www.theguardian.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Government: We're fining you for dumping sewage.
WCs: That'll raise our costs. To protect our profits we'll have to raise our charges.
Government: Okay, no problem.
Is that how it goes?
WCs: That'll raise our costs. To protect our profits we'll have to raise our charges.
Government: Okay, no problem.
Is that how it goes?
I don't believe for one moment that Starmer, Nandy, Phillipson et al actually believe that banning racist, violent 'football fans' from a game in Birmingham is antisemitic. They are saying it because the Zionist lobby makes them say it, maybe through bribery or blackmail or both.
October 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM
I don't believe for one moment that Starmer, Nandy, Phillipson et al actually believe that banning racist, violent 'football fans' from a game in Birmingham is antisemitic. They are saying it because the Zionist lobby makes them say it, maybe through bribery or blackmail or both.
Reposted by Matt Erskine
Judge the next UK budget by how much it improves the purchasing power of the bottom 50%.
Can't revive economy without that.
16m live in poverty. 34% of universal credit claimants are in work. Millions rely on food banks.
Bottom 50% of population has 5% of wealth; the bottom fifth has only 0.5%.
Can't revive economy without that.
16m live in poverty. 34% of universal credit claimants are in work. Millions rely on food banks.
Bottom 50% of population has 5% of wealth; the bottom fifth has only 0.5%.
Rachel Reeves’ budget must reduce inequalities and increase spending capacity of the masses
This is how to secure sustained economic growth
leftfootforward.org
October 19, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Judge the next UK budget by how much it improves the purchasing power of the bottom 50%.
Can't revive economy without that.
16m live in poverty. 34% of universal credit claimants are in work. Millions rely on food banks.
Bottom 50% of population has 5% of wealth; the bottom fifth has only 0.5%.
Can't revive economy without that.
16m live in poverty. 34% of universal credit claimants are in work. Millions rely on food banks.
Bottom 50% of population has 5% of wealth; the bottom fifth has only 0.5%.
Define your musical taste in eight artists:
Bruce Hornsby and the Range
Talk Talk
Queen
Lightning Seeds
The Rolling Stones
Elvis Presley
Howard Jones
The Cure
Bruce Hornsby and the Range
Talk Talk
Queen
Lightning Seeds
The Rolling Stones
Elvis Presley
Howard Jones
The Cure
Define your musical taste in eight artists:
1) Glenn Gould
2) Max Roach
3) The Wu-Tang Clan
4) Edith Piaf
5) @davebidini.bsky.social and the Rheostatics
6) Crystal Gayle
7) New Order
8) Meshell Ndegeocello
1) Glenn Gould
2) Max Roach
3) The Wu-Tang Clan
4) Edith Piaf
5) @davebidini.bsky.social and the Rheostatics
6) Crystal Gayle
7) New Order
8) Meshell Ndegeocello
Define your music taste in eight artists:
1. Tupac
2. Bambu
3. The Coup
4. Rise Against
5. Huey Lewis and the News
6. Micheal McDonald
7. Tribe Called Quest
8. Almost anything Lo-Fi
1. Tupac
2. Bambu
3. The Coup
4. Rise Against
5. Huey Lewis and the News
6. Micheal McDonald
7. Tribe Called Quest
8. Almost anything Lo-Fi
October 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Define your musical taste in eight artists:
Bruce Hornsby and the Range
Talk Talk
Queen
Lightning Seeds
The Rolling Stones
Elvis Presley
Howard Jones
The Cure
Bruce Hornsby and the Range
Talk Talk
Queen
Lightning Seeds
The Rolling Stones
Elvis Presley
Howard Jones
The Cure
Some folks have all the luck... ♥️🏴
Just been reminded of my favourite newspaper photo caption.
October 17, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Some folks have all the luck... ♥️🏴
I'm genuinely puzzled. Can the US government 'spend' $40 billion while Congress is shut down? Surely, Congress is the only body that can authorise the Fed to issue the money. Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong.
October 16, 2025 at 2:18 PM
I'm genuinely puzzled. Can the US government 'spend' $40 billion while Congress is shut down? Surely, Congress is the only body that can authorise the Fed to issue the money. Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong.
Reposted by Matt Erskine
If you are watching the Reform Party controlled Councils with their endless mishaps, resignations, fallouts, scandals, mismanagement and sheer comedic idiocy, but still thinking of making these clowns a national government, representing the UK on the global stage, you are literally insane.
October 15, 2025 at 10:31 AM
If you are watching the Reform Party controlled Councils with their endless mishaps, resignations, fallouts, scandals, mismanagement and sheer comedic idiocy, but still thinking of making these clowns a national government, representing the UK on the global stage, you are literally insane.
Let's explode a couple of myths about nationalising water companies. It is not 'too expensive' for the government to do so, for these reasons: Firstly these are failed enterprises. They have failed to invest in infrastructure, they regularly break environmental laws and have taken on... 1/3
October 14, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Let's explode a couple of myths about nationalising water companies. It is not 'too expensive' for the government to do so, for these reasons: Firstly these are failed enterprises. They have failed to invest in infrastructure, they regularly break environmental laws and have taken on... 1/3
Economic gibberish from the FT. In a fiat currency regime such as ours, there can't be a 'hole' in public finances. Taxes do not have to be raised. You'd really expect that a publication that purports to report on financial matters would understand how public finances work.
Today's newsletter, on the implicit and explicit promises that Labour made and now must choose between breaking:
Which promise should Labour break?
To fix spending problems the UK needs to raise taxes on median earners
www.ft.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Economic gibberish from the FT. In a fiat currency regime such as ours, there can't be a 'hole' in public finances. Taxes do not have to be raised. You'd really expect that a publication that purports to report on financial matters would understand how public finances work.
Dear Nobel Peace Prize Committee, thank you for ignoring Trump, the least worthy person on this planet. But did you really have to award it to, arguably, the second least worthy person?
October 12, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Dear Nobel Peace Prize Committee, thank you for ignoring Trump, the least worthy person on this planet. But did you really have to award it to, arguably, the second least worthy person?
I ask myself the same thing...
If that's truly the case, then why start yet another party rather than join the greens?
October 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
I ask myself the same thing...
There are as many ideological differences within the Green Party and within the nascent Your Party than there are between the two parties. If we are serious about electoral success and saving the World, we have to swallow those differences and join forces. I'm growing increasingly convinced of it.
October 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
There are as many ideological differences within the Green Party and within the nascent Your Party than there are between the two parties. If we are serious about electoral success and saving the World, we have to swallow those differences and join forces. I'm growing increasingly convinced of it.
To be fair, it kinda lost some credibility when Kissinger got it.
The irony is that both Trump and MAGA are too dumb to realize that, were Trump to be awarded the Nobel, it would immediately lose its value and no longer be an honor to receive.
#EverythingTrumpTouchesTurnsToShit
#EverythingTrumpTouchesTurnsToShit
The fact that one in four Americans thinks this heap of shit deserves the Nobel Peace Prize is staggering.
October 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
To be fair, it kinda lost some credibility when Kissinger got it.
The fact that one in four Americans thinks this heap of shit deserves the Nobel Peace Prize is staggering.
I agree with the 76% of Americans with common sense who believe trump does NOT deserve the Nobel Peace Prize.
How about YOU? 🤚
How about YOU? 🤚
October 10, 2025 at 8:50 AM
The fact that one in four Americans thinks this heap of shit deserves the Nobel Peace Prize is staggering.
What's the betting that Trump will threaten to invade Norway when he doesn't get the Nobel Peace Prize?
October 10, 2025 at 8:22 AM
What's the betting that Trump will threaten to invade Norway when he doesn't get the Nobel Peace Prize?
The question is not whether the gov't can 'afford' to supply free school meals. The key questions are: Is enough food available? Can it be supplied to schools? Are there people and facilities to cook and serve it? Ideally fresh, local food. And imagine the boost to farmers, suppliers, caterers etc.
October 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
The question is not whether the gov't can 'afford' to supply free school meals. The key questions are: Is enough food available? Can it be supplied to schools? Are there people and facilities to cook and serve it? Ideally fresh, local food. And imagine the boost to farmers, suppliers, caterers etc.
This is the sort of nonsense we have to endure when we misunderstand and misrepresent the purposes of taxation. We need to tax the rich to help curb their disproportionate power and tackle damaging inequality. It is *not* to raise money and, in that respect, it harms no-one if a rich person leaves.
Starmer faces cabinet revolt over tax rises that could drive wealthy away. Ridiculous.
Capital gains, dividends taxed at lower rates than wages.
Poorest 20% pay higher proportion of income in tax than the richest 20%.
16m live in poverty. Millions rely on food banks.
End tax perks of the rich.
Capital gains, dividends taxed at lower rates than wages.
Poorest 20% pay higher proportion of income in tax than the richest 20%.
16m live in poverty. Millions rely on food banks.
End tax perks of the rich.
Starmer faces cabinet revolt over Budget tax rises driving wealthy away
‘The trouble is we have crossed a line in trying to encourage aspiration. The non-dom change and the VAT on school fees have sent the opposite message,’ minister tells The Independent
www.independent.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 3:05 PM
This is the sort of nonsense we have to endure when we misunderstand and misrepresent the purposes of taxation. We need to tax the rich to help curb their disproportionate power and tackle damaging inequality. It is *not* to raise money and, in that respect, it harms no-one if a rich person leaves.