Joel Clark
@mrjoelclark.bsky.social
However strait the gate. Celer et Audax.
Pinned
Instead of saying ‘Trump is planning to steal the midterms’, would it not be more accurate to say that the Republican Party is planning to steal the midterms?
Reposted by Joel Clark
The UK public finances have recorded a massive £30.4bn surplus for January—the largest since records began in 1993—handing Rachel Reeves a major boost ahead of next month's Spring Statement
UK public finances shows record £30.4bn surplus after tax rises
www.thetimes.com
February 20, 2026 at 8:04 AM
The UK public finances have recorded a massive £30.4bn surplus for January—the largest since records began in 1993—handing Rachel Reeves a major boost ahead of next month's Spring Statement
Reposted by Joel Clark
This will disappoint so many people
UK reports record-breaking budget surplus of £30.4bn in surprise boost for Rachel Reeves
UK reports record-breaking budget surplus of £30.4bn in surprise boost for Rachel Reeves
Largest January total since records began in 1993 is sharp reversal from December’s £11.6bn deficit
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Business live – latest updates
The UK government has posted the biggest ever budget surplus, official figures show, after a large boost in self-assessment and capital gains tax receipts.
In a boost for the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, in the run-up to her spring statement next month, public sector finances recorded a surplus of £30.4bn at the start of the year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This was £15.9bn higher than the surplus recorded in January 2025. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 20, 2026 at 7:49 AM
This will disappoint so many people
Reposted by Joel Clark
Jenrick is such a hilariously inept buffoon.
February 20, 2026 at 7:27 AM
Jenrick is such a hilariously inept buffoon.
Reposted by Joel Clark
Reposted by Joel Clark
This will make the Hard Right twitch with suspicion.
February 20, 2026 at 6:37 AM
This will make the Hard Right twitch with suspicion.
Reposted by Joel Clark
Trump states that he has been ‘exhonerated’ in relation to the Epstein files.
Justin Webb fails in his most basic journalistic duty to provide context to that claim. Dreadful.
Justin Webb fails in his most basic journalistic duty to provide context to that claim. Dreadful.
February 20, 2026 at 7:37 AM
Trump states that he has been ‘exhonerated’ in relation to the Epstein files.
Justin Webb fails in his most basic journalistic duty to provide context to that claim. Dreadful.
Justin Webb fails in his most basic journalistic duty to provide context to that claim. Dreadful.
Reposted by Joel Clark
What is misconduct in public office?
New explainer, by me at New Statesman
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
New explainer, by me at New Statesman
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
What is misconduct in public office?
An ancient offence under English common law, its modern incarnation dates back to a 2004 case
www.newstatesman.com
February 19, 2026 at 1:51 PM
What is misconduct in public office?
New explainer, by me at New Statesman
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
New explainer, by me at New Statesman
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by Joel Clark
Grovelling sympathy for the royals' trials and tribulations is not what is required at this moment in time
✏️@editormattkelly.bsky.social
✏️@editormattkelly.bsky.social
No, Jonathan Dimbleby, this does not make the monarchy stronger, you absurd toady
Grovelling sympathy for the royals' trials and tribulations is not what is required at this moment in time
www.thenewworld.co.uk
February 19, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Grovelling sympathy for the royals' trials and tribulations is not what is required at this moment in time
✏️@editormattkelly.bsky.social
✏️@editormattkelly.bsky.social
Reposted by Joel Clark
FT exclusive:
Global Counsel, the advisory firm founded by Lord Peter Mandelson, is set to go into administration as soon as Friday in the wake of revelations about the former peer and Jeffrey Epstein, its staff have been told.
www.ft.com/content/ad5d...
Global Counsel, the advisory firm founded by Lord Peter Mandelson, is set to go into administration as soon as Friday in the wake of revelations about the former peer and Jeffrey Epstein, its staff have been told.
www.ft.com/content/ad5d...
February 19, 2026 at 2:11 PM
FT exclusive:
Global Counsel, the advisory firm founded by Lord Peter Mandelson, is set to go into administration as soon as Friday in the wake of revelations about the former peer and Jeffrey Epstein, its staff have been told.
www.ft.com/content/ad5d...
Global Counsel, the advisory firm founded by Lord Peter Mandelson, is set to go into administration as soon as Friday in the wake of revelations about the former peer and Jeffrey Epstein, its staff have been told.
www.ft.com/content/ad5d...
Reposted by Joel Clark
Mandelson-related scoop coming up on FT website soon
February 19, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Mandelson-related scoop coming up on FT website soon
Reposted by Joel Clark
UK: Prince Andrew arrested.
South Korea: Former President Yoon sentenced for life.
Brazil: Former President Bolsonaro serving a 27-year sentence.
USA: President Trump demands $10 billion payout from taxpayers.
South Korea: Former President Yoon sentenced for life.
Brazil: Former President Bolsonaro serving a 27-year sentence.
USA: President Trump demands $10 billion payout from taxpayers.
February 19, 2026 at 1:08 PM
UK: Prince Andrew arrested.
South Korea: Former President Yoon sentenced for life.
Brazil: Former President Bolsonaro serving a 27-year sentence.
USA: President Trump demands $10 billion payout from taxpayers.
South Korea: Former President Yoon sentenced for life.
Brazil: Former President Bolsonaro serving a 27-year sentence.
USA: President Trump demands $10 billion payout from taxpayers.
Reposted by Joel Clark
Reform has argued that:
UK’s falling birth rate is economically & socially damaging.
The country should encourage higher birth rates among Brits
Policy should support families to make having children more affordable.
So I know, let’s make it possible to sack a pregnant woman
UK’s falling birth rate is economically & socially damaging.
The country should encourage higher birth rates among Brits
Policy should support families to make having children more affordable.
So I know, let’s make it possible to sack a pregnant woman
February 19, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Reform has argued that:
UK’s falling birth rate is economically & socially damaging.
The country should encourage higher birth rates among Brits
Policy should support families to make having children more affordable.
So I know, let’s make it possible to sack a pregnant woman
UK’s falling birth rate is economically & socially damaging.
The country should encourage higher birth rates among Brits
Policy should support families to make having children more affordable.
So I know, let’s make it possible to sack a pregnant woman
Reposted by Joel Clark
I’d say he’s sweating now
February 19, 2026 at 11:28 AM
I’d say he’s sweating now
Reposted by Joel Clark
Okay, this is quite outstanding from Bedford Council.
February 19, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Okay, this is quite outstanding from Bedford Council.
Reposted by Joel Clark
Peter Mandelson is being investigated for potential “misconduct in public office” over emails he sent as a minister to Jeffrey Epstein.
Our explainer sets out what this means in UK law and why few politicians have been prosecuted over it.
Read more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mi...
Our explainer sets out what this means in UK law and why few politicians have been prosecuted over it.
Read more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mi...
Misconduct in public office | Institute for Government
What happens if someone holding public office is alleged to have abused their power?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 6, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Peter Mandelson is being investigated for potential “misconduct in public office” over emails he sent as a minister to Jeffrey Epstein.
Our explainer sets out what this means in UK law and why few politicians have been prosecuted over it.
Read more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mi...
Our explainer sets out what this means in UK law and why few politicians have been prosecuted over it.
Read more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mi...
Reposted by Joel Clark
The former Prince Andrew, now officially known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor-who-has-repeatedly-denied-any-wrongdoing
February 19, 2026 at 11:03 AM
The former Prince Andrew, now officially known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor-who-has-repeatedly-denied-any-wrongdoing
Reposted by Joel Clark
It is notable that Andrew has been arrested for "misconduct in public office", which is precisely what the US Supreme Court decided no American president can ever be charged with.
So SCOTUS, with its fabricated-out-of-thin-air immunity doctrine, has actually made American presidents less accountable than LITERAL royalty.
Breaking News: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested in Britain on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, the BBC said.
February 19, 2026 at 12:22 PM
It is notable that Andrew has been arrested for "misconduct in public office", which is precisely what the US Supreme Court decided no American president can ever be charged with.
Reposted by Joel Clark
Just been commissioned to do a quick libel-safe and contempt-safe explainer of Misconduct in Public Office. Should be up shortly.
Don't try this at home...
Don't try this at home...
February 19, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Just been commissioned to do a quick libel-safe and contempt-safe explainer of Misconduct in Public Office. Should be up shortly.
Don't try this at home...
Don't try this at home...
Reposted by Joel Clark
Andrew's completely broke which raises the possibility that a Norfolk duty solicitor is currently having the strangest day of his / her life.
February 19, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Andrew's completely broke which raises the possibility that a Norfolk duty solicitor is currently having the strangest day of his / her life.
Reposted by Joel Clark
"Our broken hearts have been lifted," her siblings said.
Virginia Giuffre family reacts to ex-Prince Andrew arrest
www.newsweek.com
February 19, 2026 at 12:20 PM
"Our broken hearts have been lifted," her siblings said.
Reposted by Joel Clark
On the plus side, as it's his 66th birthday today, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will have qualified for his state pension...
February 19, 2026 at 11:10 AM
On the plus side, as it's his 66th birthday today, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will have qualified for his state pension...
Reposted by Joel Clark
This is a good thing. Even better would be for the UK government and all others that oppose racism, Nazism, sexual assault and paedophilia to come off platforms that enable them.
BREAKING: Keir Starmer tells #BBCBreakfast tech platforms will have to remove intimate images which have been shared without consent within 48 hours or face fines of up to 10% of their global sales or have their services blocked in the UK
February 19, 2026 at 7:56 AM
This is a good thing. Even better would be for the UK government and all others that oppose racism, Nazism, sexual assault and paedophilia to come off platforms that enable them.
Reposted by Joel Clark
Many Europeans see the second Trump administration as a wake-up call to permanently reduce Europe's reliance on the US – militarily, economically and technologically – no matter who wins the next election.
What should a more European NATO look like? The US and Europe disagree
Europe’s push to reduce its reliance on the US is likely to be permanent. US policymakers should wake up to this new reality.
www.chathamhouse.org
February 19, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Many Europeans see the second Trump administration as a wake-up call to permanently reduce Europe's reliance on the US – militarily, economically and technologically – no matter who wins the next election.
