Matt Wardman
@mattwardman.bsky.social
Active travel, sometimes walking / cycling, politics & a miscellany.
So what's the latest at Kent County Council?
(It's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, but I'm not yet sure where the erotic novelist suing for defamation fits in.)
www.youtube.com/watch?t=12&v...
(It's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, but I'm not yet sure where the erotic novelist suing for defamation fits in.)
www.youtube.com/watch?t=12&v...
Double Whoopee (1929) -- Eye Poking Frenzy
YouTube video by RobertIsraelMusic
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:53 AM
So what's the latest at Kent County Council?
(It's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, but I'm not yet sure where the erotic novelist suing for defamation fits in.)
www.youtube.com/watch?t=12&v...
(It's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, but I'm not yet sure where the erotic novelist suing for defamation fits in.)
www.youtube.com/watch?t=12&v...
It's not worth more than a quibble, but why is James Buchan not number 37 in the Reform Defenestrato List?
I only need a couple more for my Eastern Orthodox Defenestrato Advent Calendar to run through to 7 January.
( @markpackuk.bsky.social )
I only need a couple more for my Eastern Orthodox Defenestrato Advent Calendar to run through to 7 January.
( @markpackuk.bsky.social )
November 2, 2025 at 9:01 AM
It's not worth more than a quibble, but why is James Buchan not number 37 in the Reform Defenestrato List?
I only need a couple more for my Eastern Orthodox Defenestrato Advent Calendar to run through to 7 January.
( @markpackuk.bsky.social )
I only need a couple more for my Eastern Orthodox Defenestrato Advent Calendar to run through to 7 January.
( @markpackuk.bsky.social )
An aspect of the Great Collapsing RefUK Disaster to watch - the Kent County Council majority has gone from 33 (57 vs 24) to 9 (45 vs 36) since May.
One hell of a drop & potentially existential for control of the Council, especially with the budget process about to happen.
@markpackuk.bsky.social
One hell of a drop & potentially existential for control of the Council, especially with the budget process about to happen.
@markpackuk.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 3:34 PM
An aspect of the Great Collapsing RefUK Disaster to watch - the Kent County Council majority has gone from 33 (57 vs 24) to 9 (45 vs 36) since May.
One hell of a drop & potentially existential for control of the Council, especially with the budget process about to happen.
@markpackuk.bsky.social
One hell of a drop & potentially existential for control of the Council, especially with the budget process about to happen.
@markpackuk.bsky.social
@markpackuk.bsky.social
I see we are up to 32 Reform UK Defenestratos.
If we reach 38 by the end of November I can make an Advent Calendar that will reach Orthodox Christmas in early January.
I see we are up to 32 Reform UK Defenestratos.
If we reach 38 by the end of November I can make an Advent Calendar that will reach Orthodox Christmas in early January.
October 26, 2025 at 1:08 PM
@markpackuk.bsky.social
I see we are up to 32 Reform UK Defenestratos.
If we reach 38 by the end of November I can make an Advent Calendar that will reach Orthodox Christmas in early January.
I see we are up to 32 Reform UK Defenestratos.
If we reach 38 by the end of November I can make an Advent Calendar that will reach Orthodox Christmas in early January.
Reposted by Matt Wardman
The German company that makes the mechanical ladder used in the Louvre heist has used the image to advertise, with the text 'When you need to move fast'
10/10 response, no notes
10/10 response, no notes
October 24, 2025 at 8:27 AM
The German company that makes the mechanical ladder used in the Louvre heist has used the image to advertise, with the text 'When you need to move fast'
10/10 response, no notes
10/10 response, no notes
Reese Witherspoon clearly did not know very much about James Bond when young !
Solving crime ... what?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Solving crime ... what?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reese Witherspoon on Gone Before Goodbye: 'What do girls in bikinis have to do with solving crime?'
The actress talks about co-writing her debut thriller, about a female surgeon, with Harlan Coben.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Reese Witherspoon clearly did not know very much about James Bond when young !
Solving crime ... what?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Solving crime ... what?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
On Trump's invasions:
The places with terrorist uprisings tend to have relatively low crime rates. Sorry to pop the bubble:
San Fran: 7 per 100,000 (murder rate)
St Louis: 88
New Orleans: 52
Memphis: 48
Chicago: 20
Portland: 13
Sadiq Khan's London: 1
(Trump, a career criminal, does not see it.)
The places with terrorist uprisings tend to have relatively low crime rates. Sorry to pop the bubble:
San Fran: 7 per 100,000 (murder rate)
St Louis: 88
New Orleans: 52
Memphis: 48
Chicago: 20
Portland: 13
Sadiq Khan's London: 1
(Trump, a career criminal, does not see it.)
October 11, 2025 at 2:41 PM
On Trump's invasions:
The places with terrorist uprisings tend to have relatively low crime rates. Sorry to pop the bubble:
San Fran: 7 per 100,000 (murder rate)
St Louis: 88
New Orleans: 52
Memphis: 48
Chicago: 20
Portland: 13
Sadiq Khan's London: 1
(Trump, a career criminal, does not see it.)
The places with terrorist uprisings tend to have relatively low crime rates. Sorry to pop the bubble:
San Fran: 7 per 100,000 (murder rate)
St Louis: 88
New Orleans: 52
Memphis: 48
Chicago: 20
Portland: 13
Sadiq Khan's London: 1
(Trump, a career criminal, does not see it.)
Droll ...
Reform UK Kent Council are being criticised for spending on wasteful road projects.
It’s all the u-turns they’re making.
It’s all the u-turns they’re making.
October 10, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Droll ...
Nobel Peace Prize announcement due in 26 minutes.
USA to declare war on Sweden in 27 minutes, if Mr Trump does not get one.
USA to declare war on Sweden in 27 minutes, if Mr Trump does not get one.
October 10, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Nobel Peace Prize announcement due in 26 minutes.
USA to declare war on Sweden in 27 minutes, if Mr Trump does not get one.
USA to declare war on Sweden in 27 minutes, if Mr Trump does not get one.
President Chump is setting himself up to be handed his arse on a plate again:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Letitia James: New York attorney general criminally indicted
James, who led a civil fraud case against US President Donald Trump, was indicted in Alexandria, Virginia.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 10, 2025 at 7:12 AM
President Chump is setting himself up to be handed his arse on a plate again:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform Councillor James Petter of West Northamptonshire needs to be on Only Fans not Tik Tok.
The good Councillor was trying to be Churchillian, and doing politics whilst in the bath.
Unfortunately, unlike Churchill, he had a video feed from his tub ... oops.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_NG...
The good Councillor was trying to be Churchillian, and doing politics whilst in the bath.
Unfortunately, unlike Churchill, he had a video feed from his tub ... oops.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_NG...
October 9, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Reform Councillor James Petter of West Northamptonshire needs to be on Only Fans not Tik Tok.
The good Councillor was trying to be Churchillian, and doing politics whilst in the bath.
Unfortunately, unlike Churchill, he had a video feed from his tub ... oops.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_NG...
The good Councillor was trying to be Churchillian, and doing politics whilst in the bath.
Unfortunately, unlike Churchill, he had a video feed from his tub ... oops.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_NG...
And another one ...
(The Reform Exit Portal should be running the Royal Mail.)
www.cornish-times.co.uk/news/cornwal...
@markpackuk.bsky.social
(The Reform Exit Portal should be running the Royal Mail.)
www.cornish-times.co.uk/news/cornwal...
@markpackuk.bsky.social
Deputy chair of Reform UK in Cornwall defects to become Independent
He says his views and priorities for how best to serve local residents have “diverged” from those of the party
www.cornish-times.co.uk
October 9, 2025 at 10:14 AM
And another one ...
(The Reform Exit Portal should be running the Royal Mail.)
www.cornish-times.co.uk/news/cornwal...
@markpackuk.bsky.social
(The Reform Exit Portal should be running the Royal Mail.)
www.cornish-times.co.uk/news/cornwal...
@markpackuk.bsky.social
From Paul Keeley) on Twitter .. very good.
“GOTTLE OF GEER! GOTTLE OF GEER!”
Credit: x.com/drcrouchback
“GOTTLE OF GEER! GOTTLE OF GEER!”
Credit: x.com/drcrouchback
October 7, 2025 at 6:02 PM
From Paul Keeley) on Twitter .. very good.
“GOTTLE OF GEER! GOTTLE OF GEER!”
Credit: x.com/drcrouchback
“GOTTLE OF GEER! GOTTLE OF GEER!”
Credit: x.com/drcrouchback
@markpackuk.bsky.social
Bomp.. bomp ... bomp ...
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politic...
(Beat you this time !)
Bomp.. bomp ... bomp ...
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politic...
(Beat you this time !)
Councillor leaves Reform UK for "personal reasons", will continue as an independent
A City of Doncaster councillor has chosen to leave Reform UK and sit as an independent, the party has revealed.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 3:55 PM
@markpackuk.bsky.social
Bomp.. bomp ... bomp ...
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politic...
(Beat you this time !)
Bomp.. bomp ... bomp ...
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politic...
(Beat you this time !)
@markpackuk.bsky.social
A really interesting analysis of the YouGov MRP poll data on PB this morning, looking at the solidity of seats by stratified projected majority and party.
Vert much worth a look, and perhaps a mention in you week in polls.
www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/ar...
eg
A really interesting analysis of the YouGov MRP poll data on PB this morning, looking at the solidity of seats by stratified projected majority and party.
Vert much worth a look, and perhaps a mention in you week in polls.
www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/ar...
eg
October 3, 2025 at 2:45 PM
@markpackuk.bsky.social
A really interesting analysis of the YouGov MRP poll data on PB this morning, looking at the solidity of seats by stratified projected majority and party.
Vert much worth a look, and perhaps a mention in you week in polls.
www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/ar...
eg
A really interesting analysis of the YouGov MRP poll data on PB this morning, looking at the solidity of seats by stratified projected majority and party.
Vert much worth a look, and perhaps a mention in you week in polls.
www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/ar...
eg
@markpackuk.bsky.social
Bomp .. bomp .. bomp .. number 20.
(I think)
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politic...
Bomp .. bomp .. bomp .. number 20.
(I think)
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politic...
Reform UK boot councillor from party over Doncaster Airport company controversy
Doncaster Reform UK have stripped a local councillor of the party whip, and another has resigned as scrutiny committee chair, after the creation of a new business intended to capture council contracts...
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM
@markpackuk.bsky.social
Bomp .. bomp .. bomp .. number 20.
(I think)
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politic...
Bomp .. bomp .. bomp .. number 20.
(I think)
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politic...
Comment from a friend ...
"I would love to comment on the Charlie Kirk and free speech debate, but I have to fly to the US next week, so I can't."
"I would love to comment on the Charlie Kirk and free speech debate, but I have to fly to the US next week, so I can't."
September 19, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Comment from a friend ...
"I would love to comment on the Charlie Kirk and free speech debate, but I have to fly to the US next week, so I can't."
"I would love to comment on the Charlie Kirk and free speech debate, but I have to fly to the US next week, so I can't."
😀 Battenburg cake !
My wife just told me about a thing where people are colouring in England flags to make them look like slices of Battenberg cake, how marvellous
September 14, 2025 at 1:46 PM
😀 Battenburg cake !
What a strange article about Hen Nights.
WHY feel a pressure to spend £1000? (This is guests not the person getting hitched.) ISTM that a real friend won't abuse guests like this.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
WHY feel a pressure to spend £1000? (This is guests not the person getting hitched.) ISTM that a real friend won't abuse guests like this.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'I spent £1,000 on a hen party. You feel like you have to do it'
What was once a night down the pub has become an entire weekend away. For some, it's all too much.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 14, 2025 at 11:09 AM
What a strange article about Hen Nights.
WHY feel a pressure to spend £1000? (This is guests not the person getting hitched.) ISTM that a real friend won't abuse guests like this.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
WHY feel a pressure to spend £1000? (This is guests not the person getting hitched.) ISTM that a real friend won't abuse guests like this.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Quote of the morning:
"A project I worked on is on display in the Science Museum. In fact, there's a photo of me and the team as an Easter Egg on the device - I've still got the original photos.
I know tech moves quickly, but I didn't expect to have something in the Science Museum..."
"A project I worked on is on display in the Science Museum. In fact, there's a photo of me and the team as an Easter Egg on the device - I've still got the original photos.
I know tech moves quickly, but I didn't expect to have something in the Science Museum..."
September 12, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Quote of the morning:
"A project I worked on is on display in the Science Museum. In fact, there's a photo of me and the team as an Easter Egg on the device - I've still got the original photos.
I know tech moves quickly, but I didn't expect to have something in the Science Museum..."
"A project I worked on is on display in the Science Museum. In fact, there's a photo of me and the team as an Easter Egg on the device - I've still got the original photos.
I know tech moves quickly, but I didn't expect to have something in the Science Museum..."
Today's politicians' dilemma.
(There's always a clip from Yes Minister)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg-U...
(There's always a clip from Yes Minister)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg-U...
September 10, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Today's politicians' dilemma.
(There's always a clip from Yes Minister)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg-U...
(There's always a clip from Yes Minister)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg-U...
Reform led Derbyshire County Council flying by the seat of his pants to the extent that they broke the law, whilst closing down Adult Education Centres.
Followed by an apology.
www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-n...
Followed by an apology.
www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-n...
Reform-run council apologises after breaking law with decision
A decision by Reform councillor Jack Bradley was made two days before it was legally allowed
www.derbytelegraph.co.uk
September 5, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Reform led Derbyshire County Council flying by the seat of his pants to the extent that they broke the law, whilst closing down Adult Education Centres.
Followed by an apology.
www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-n...
Followed by an apology.
www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-n...
There's an intriguing take on PB, about whether
@KemiBadenoch
is "the new IDS".
vf.politicalbetting.com/discussion/1...
My thoughts are that it is a tricky comparison, as IDS is a Tory defenestrato and Kemi has not been hoofed out yet (real soon now...) (1/n)
@KemiBadenoch
is "the new IDS".
vf.politicalbetting.com/discussion/1...
My thoughts are that it is a tricky comparison, as IDS is a Tory defenestrato and Kemi has not been hoofed out yet (real soon now...) (1/n)
Is Kemi the new IDS? – politicalbetting.com
Is Kemi the new IDS?
vf.politicalbetting.com
September 2, 2025 at 5:11 AM
There's an intriguing take on PB, about whether
@KemiBadenoch
is "the new IDS".
vf.politicalbetting.com/discussion/1...
My thoughts are that it is a tricky comparison, as IDS is a Tory defenestrato and Kemi has not been hoofed out yet (real soon now...) (1/n)
@KemiBadenoch
is "the new IDS".
vf.politicalbetting.com/discussion/1...
My thoughts are that it is a tricky comparison, as IDS is a Tory defenestrato and Kemi has not been hoofed out yet (real soon now...) (1/n)