@mickrab.bsky.social
Europhile boomer who appreciates how lucky I am. London accent with Yorkshire twinges, but heart in Galway.
Savage cynic, a bit sweary, no prisoners. Tax is the price you pay for a civilised society.
Savage cynic, a bit sweary, no prisoners. Tax is the price you pay for a civilised society.
Pinned
mickrab.bsky.social
@mickrab.bsky.social
· Jan 13
The absence of a clear answer from a politician normally means the politically inconvenient answer is the truth.
Save this,it is a maxim for the ages.
Save this,it is a maxim for the ages.
Reposted
I hate to disrespect the Slow Horses but Reform UK is basically becoming Slough House for failed Tories.
February 16, 2026 at 11:55 AM
I hate to disrespect the Slow Horses but Reform UK is basically becoming Slough House for failed Tories.
And people are seriously going to vote for this prick?
Nigel Farage lashes out at a FT journalist and refuses to answer the question.
Is this how Reform UK would ignore media questions if they got into government?
Is this how Reform UK would ignore media questions if they got into government?
February 17, 2026 at 3:01 PM
And people are seriously going to vote for this prick?
Reposted
Every town and city has multiple empty properties. Some property is just unowned or abandoned some is banked hoped to make someone rich richer.Town centers could be reinvigorated economically and visually with refubs of empty properties into low cost homes and low cost local businesses.
February 17, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Every town and city has multiple empty properties. Some property is just unowned or abandoned some is banked hoped to make someone rich richer.Town centers could be reinvigorated economically and visually with refubs of empty properties into low cost homes and low cost local businesses.
As I prepare to get out of the wrong side of the bed, today's pet peeve:
Menus that describe food as "pan fried".
FFS! I don't expect you to fry it on an old dustbin lid!
BTW, don't serve my meal on a poncey piece of wood or slate. I WANT A PLATE!
Did Josiah Wedgwood die in vain?
I'll get up now.
Menus that describe food as "pan fried".
FFS! I don't expect you to fry it on an old dustbin lid!
BTW, don't serve my meal on a poncey piece of wood or slate. I WANT A PLATE!
Did Josiah Wedgwood die in vain?
I'll get up now.
February 17, 2026 at 7:06 AM
Reposted
NOTE
I am not suicidal; I don't drink or do drugs; my blood pressure and cholesterol are normal; I don't engage in high-risk activities; my vehicles are well kept and newly serviced.
If anything happens to me, please assume foul play and only let state agents—not federal—access my data and drafts.
I am not suicidal; I don't drink or do drugs; my blood pressure and cholesterol are normal; I don't engage in high-risk activities; my vehicles are well kept and newly serviced.
If anything happens to me, please assume foul play and only let state agents—not federal—access my data and drafts.
February 16, 2026 at 8:35 AM
NOTE
I am not suicidal; I don't drink or do drugs; my blood pressure and cholesterol are normal; I don't engage in high-risk activities; my vehicles are well kept and newly serviced.
If anything happens to me, please assume foul play and only let state agents—not federal—access my data and drafts.
I am not suicidal; I don't drink or do drugs; my blood pressure and cholesterol are normal; I don't engage in high-risk activities; my vehicles are well kept and newly serviced.
If anything happens to me, please assume foul play and only let state agents—not federal—access my data and drafts.
With airport food he probably did you a favour. Or was it a she?
We are at an airport restaurant. A robot just drove up to us with our food, said, "Hi! Here I am!" and then drove away with our food.
February 16, 2026 at 9:07 AM
With airport food he probably did you a favour. Or was it a she?
Hat tip Nesrine Malik. 18 months of Starmer summed up in a paragraph.
February 16, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Hat tip Nesrine Malik. 18 months of Starmer summed up in a paragraph.
"Too Little, Too Late" will be Starmer's epitaph.
Govt shelves law to stop rich people stifling criticism by journalists and commentators. Why? To help pass law to halve the number of criminal cases that go to a jury trial bit.ly/4rZjZ2p
Fears for free speech as crackdown on Slapps is shelved
The editors of The Times and The Sunday Times have urged No 10 to end the use of strategic litigation against public participation
bit.ly
February 16, 2026 at 8:18 AM
"Too Little, Too Late" will be Starmer's epitaph.
Reposted
A report on the witch hunt against Francesca Albanese based on a doctored video attributing statements to her she did not make
As Francesca says, she is being targeted because she continues calling out the hypocrisy of the world for not enforcing international law as Israel commits genocide
As Francesca says, she is being targeted because she continues calling out the hypocrisy of the world for not enforcing international law as Israel commits genocide
February 16, 2026 at 7:01 AM
A report on the witch hunt against Francesca Albanese based on a doctored video attributing statements to her she did not make
As Francesca says, she is being targeted because she continues calling out the hypocrisy of the world for not enforcing international law as Israel commits genocide
As Francesca says, she is being targeted because she continues calling out the hypocrisy of the world for not enforcing international law as Israel commits genocide
@willdalrymple.bsky.social Maybe they should listen to your podcast....
British Museum supports genocide
"The decision by the British Museum, the largest museum in Britain, to remove the word 'Palestine' from its ancient displays reflects a troubling pattern of erasing Palestinian history and identity from global narratives" after pressure from "UK Lawyers for Israel"
"The decision by the British Museum, the largest museum in Britain, to remove the word 'Palestine' from its ancient displays reflects a troubling pattern of erasing Palestinian history and identity from global narratives" after pressure from "UK Lawyers for Israel"
February 16, 2026 at 7:44 AM
@willdalrymple.bsky.social Maybe they should listen to your podcast....
No fucking exceptions!!!!
Broadly speaking: reality tv is bad for democracy, influencers are bad for democracy, streamers are bad for democracy, YouTubers are bad for democracy.
Exceptions to all categories exist, but it’s astonishing how absolutely clogged our political and media ecosystems are with low-info narcissists
Exceptions to all categories exist, but it’s astonishing how absolutely clogged our political and media ecosystems are with low-info narcissists
February 15, 2026 at 10:18 PM
No fucking exceptions!!!!
Reposted
Can't help thinking that this photo of Gorton & Denton Reform candidate Matt Goodwin with Steve Bannon - convicted fraudster, close friend & enabler of Jeffrey Epstein, promoter of violence to overturn a US election & admirer of Satan - has not had the coverage it deserves.
February 14, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Can't help thinking that this photo of Gorton & Denton Reform candidate Matt Goodwin with Steve Bannon - convicted fraudster, close friend & enabler of Jeffrey Epstein, promoter of violence to overturn a US election & admirer of Satan - has not had the coverage it deserves.
@chrisbjohns.bsky.social
Has someone told Ireland the wooden spoon is actually a trophy? They seem to be playing for it.
Has someone told Ireland the wooden spoon is actually a trophy? They seem to be playing for it.
February 14, 2026 at 3:32 PM
@chrisbjohns.bsky.social
Has someone told Ireland the wooden spoon is actually a trophy? They seem to be playing for it.
Has someone told Ireland the wooden spoon is actually a trophy? They seem to be playing for it.
Reposted
“Madman” - this Irishman articulates the opinion of the world - SDLP's Matthew O'Toole says the UK and EU have waited far too long to confront Trump.
February 13, 2026 at 12:19 PM
“Madman” - this Irishman articulates the opinion of the world - SDLP's Matthew O'Toole says the UK and EU have waited far too long to confront Trump.
Reposted
Reposted
“[The FAI] could show a real bit of balls and refuse to play Israel. They should stand up in my view for the Palestinian state, the Palestinian people and the Palestinian football organisation.” - Brian Kerr, former Republic of Ireland manager
February 14, 2026 at 12:33 AM
“[The FAI] could show a real bit of balls and refuse to play Israel. They should stand up in my view for the Palestinian state, the Palestinian people and the Palestinian football organisation.” - Brian Kerr, former Republic of Ireland manager
Reposted
Goodwin's decline from pretty mediocre academic to racist right wing incel isn't new or particularly original. It's also not the fault of women, migrants or anyone else. It is a tale as old as time, a sad, arrogant, loser trying to blame their deficiencies on everyone else. So perfect for Reform.
February 13, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Goodwin's decline from pretty mediocre academic to racist right wing incel isn't new or particularly original. It's also not the fault of women, migrants or anyone else. It is a tale as old as time, a sad, arrogant, loser trying to blame their deficiencies on everyone else. So perfect for Reform.
Reposted
The other day Manchester United’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said the UK had been "colonised by immigrants"….today there’s this billboard outside of Old Trafford 🔥….way to go Manchester 💪!
February 13, 2026 at 9:33 PM
The other day Manchester United’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said the UK had been "colonised by immigrants"….today there’s this billboard outside of Old Trafford 🔥….way to go Manchester 💪!
Reposted
Ian Dunt on Antonia Romeo:
"In her first stint in the Ministry of Justice, she was in charge of Chris Grayling's probation privatisation agenda. This led to the complete breakdown of probation services. Experts warned it would do this. Their warnings were ignored."
open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
"In her first stint in the Ministry of Justice, she was in charge of Chris Grayling's probation privatisation agenda. This led to the complete breakdown of probation services. Experts warned it would do this. Their warnings were ignored."
open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
How one hidden-away decision defines the future of the Starmer government
Cabinet secretary appointment raises questions about whether the prime minister really has turned over a new leaf.
open.substack.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Ian Dunt on Antonia Romeo:
"In her first stint in the Ministry of Justice, she was in charge of Chris Grayling's probation privatisation agenda. This led to the complete breakdown of probation services. Experts warned it would do this. Their warnings were ignored."
open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
"In her first stint in the Ministry of Justice, she was in charge of Chris Grayling's probation privatisation agenda. This led to the complete breakdown of probation services. Experts warned it would do this. Their warnings were ignored."
open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
Reposted
Antonia Romeo is the wrong choice for Cabinet secretary. A government which was serious about improving its performance would not select her.
iandunt.substack.com/p/how-one-hi...
iandunt.substack.com/p/how-one-hi...
February 13, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Antonia Romeo is the wrong choice for Cabinet secretary. A government which was serious about improving its performance would not select her.
iandunt.substack.com/p/how-one-hi...
iandunt.substack.com/p/how-one-hi...
Reposted
"I can't be bought"
Says man who sells video birthday greetings for £70 a time.
Says man who sells video birthday greetings for £70 a time.
February 12, 2026 at 11:47 PM
"I can't be bought"
Says man who sells video birthday greetings for £70 a time.
Says man who sells video birthday greetings for £70 a time.
Reposted
The Guardian's Jillian Ambrose unpicks the many tens of millions in state support that Jim Ratcliffe's businesses have accepted, after the billionaire railed against people on benefits (and claimed Britain was being "colonised" by immigrants while himself having moved to tax-free Monaco).
Ratcliffe says immigrants cost too much, while Ineos lobbies for state funding
Billionaire’s business has in recent years claimed UK and EU support for refineries and chemicals plants worth about €800m
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:39 AM
The Guardian's Jillian Ambrose unpicks the many tens of millions in state support that Jim Ratcliffe's businesses have accepted, after the billionaire railed against people on benefits (and claimed Britain was being "colonised" by immigrants while himself having moved to tax-free Monaco).
100% this.
Touche. I would love to see the House of Lords face a modern environment without a taxi ride to their club. Reckon it would save millions in attendance fees alone. No dressing up allowed saves millions on wardrobes too. Only dedicated MPs willing to do the job & no 2nd jobs = end of Reform grifters.
February 13, 2026 at 11:26 AM
100% this.
Reposted
Just ordered a book from my local Waterstones. Click and collect so I’ll get it on way home tonight. As cheap as Amazon. Also bought an instant camera earlier this week from Argos, cheaper than on Amazon. It’s proving very easy not to use the evil billionaire’s website. More of you should try it.
February 13, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Just ordered a book from my local Waterstones. Click and collect so I’ll get it on way home tonight. As cheap as Amazon. Also bought an instant camera earlier this week from Argos, cheaper than on Amazon. It’s proving very easy not to use the evil billionaire’s website. More of you should try it.
Reposted
Robust removal power is more important than confirmation scrutiny, because often what makes an office-holder unacceptable is what they do in office, which obviously can't be known in advance.
February 13, 2026 at 7:33 AM
Robust removal power is more important than confirmation scrutiny, because often what makes an office-holder unacceptable is what they do in office, which obviously can't be known in advance.