Neil Schofield-Hughes
@neilschofield.bsky.social
Retired Civil Servant, choral singer, opera lover. Left, green, liberal.
The moment this choir practice ends the revolution begins.
European, Cymro o ddewis, annibyniaeth 🏴🇪🇺
The moment this choir practice ends the revolution begins.
European, Cymro o ddewis, annibyniaeth 🏴🇪🇺
Absolutely this.
February 16, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Absolutely this.
Labour bad-mouth Reform while appeasing them and adopting their framing. That, and the fact that Labour are just useless at Government, is what is empowering Reform just now.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social gets this.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social gets this.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social : "Whenever Farage says jump, [Labour] say how high. You will never appease the right by doing that. They will just get more and more extreme"
Spot on. This is what people mean when they say Labour is ushering in the far right.
Spot on. This is what people mean when they say Labour is ushering in the far right.
February 16, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Labour bad-mouth Reform while appeasing them and adopting their framing. That, and the fact that Labour are just useless at Government, is what is empowering Reform just now.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social gets this.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social gets this.
One should never underestimate the role of the onanistic nostalgic fantasy of ex-public schoolboys in post-Brexit English nationalist discourse.
Dan wasn't even born before decimalisation (nor was he anywhere near the UK when he was born) but still he yearns for Britain's pre-decimal times 55 years later.
February 16, 2026 at 7:28 PM
One should never underestimate the role of the onanistic nostalgic fantasy of ex-public schoolboys in post-Brexit English nationalist discourse.
As an ex-Civil Servant, I’m assuming the advice from officials was that postponing the elections was legally risky, and that advice was disregarded on political grounds. And now they’re panicking.
Yet more evidence that Starmer’s Labour are just utterly clueless at the basics of government.
Yet more evidence that Starmer’s Labour are just utterly clueless at the basics of government.
I am pleased the Government has done another u turn.
Attempting to cancel elections, on top of scrapping jury trials, mandatory ID cards, criminalising peaceful protest and harassment of journalists is part of a disturbing authoritarian trend of this caretaker Prime Minister.
Attempting to cancel elections, on top of scrapping jury trials, mandatory ID cards, criminalising peaceful protest and harassment of journalists is part of a disturbing authoritarian trend of this caretaker Prime Minister.
Breaking: UK government is confirming it’s dropped plans to delay local elections at 30 English councils
February 16, 2026 at 4:05 PM
As an ex-Civil Servant, I’m assuming the advice from officials was that postponing the elections was legally risky, and that advice was disregarded on political grounds. And now they’re panicking.
Yet more evidence that Starmer’s Labour are just utterly clueless at the basics of government.
Yet more evidence that Starmer’s Labour are just utterly clueless at the basics of government.
Steve Tandy and Keir Starmer: both calling for national unity in the light of similar performances from their teams?
Steve Tandy called for national unity after Wales suffered another demoralising defeat to France in front of their lowest Guinness Six Nations home crowd
Steve Tandy calls for unity after Wales' Six Nations thrashing by France
Steve Tandy called for national unity after Wales suffered another demoralising defeat to France in front of their lowest Guinness Six Nations home crowd. There has been turmoil in the Welsh game on a...
wp.me
February 16, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Steve Tandy and Keir Starmer: both calling for national unity in the light of similar performances from their teams?
This is important. MAGA politics is undermining the status of the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency. This has huge ramifications, both in the US (because demand for the dollar is how they fund their deficit) but for the world economy as a whole.
February 16, 2026 at 11:21 AM
This is important. MAGA politics is undermining the status of the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency. This has huge ramifications, both in the US (because demand for the dollar is how they fund their deficit) but for the world economy as a whole.
It wouldn’t have anything to do with working from home, would it?
UK productivity just did something wild: it grew more in the last year than in the previous seven combined. No, your eyes aren’t lying. Here's how that's happened ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @resolutionfoundation.org
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @resolutionfoundation.org
Surprising growth in UK productivity
UK productivity per hour grew more in the past year than in the previous seven years combined. What's going on, and what should the Bank of England do?
eastangliabylines.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 8:28 PM
It wouldn’t have anything to do with working from home, would it?
The reasons why I support independence for Cymru are rational - about democracy, economics and better outcomes for all. I guess many people in 🏴 are the same.
At least in 🏴 we don’t have to put up with being patronised by this idiot.
At least in 🏴 we don’t have to put up with being patronised by this idiot.
www.thenational.scot/news/2585616...
FFS 🤡
ALEX Cole-Hamilton has claimed that views on independence are “a bit like whether you’ve got a belief in God or not” and that they do not motivate voters' actions at the ballot box.
FFS 🤡
ALEX Cole-Hamilton has claimed that views on independence are “a bit like whether you’ve got a belief in God or not” and that they do not motivate voters' actions at the ballot box.
Scottish independence views 'like belief in God', says Alex Cole-Hamilton
ALEX Cole-Hamilton has claimed that views on independence are “a bit like whether you’ve got a belief in God or not” and that they do not…
www.thenational.scot
February 15, 2026 at 12:20 PM
The reasons why I support independence for Cymru are rational - about democracy, economics and better outcomes for all. I guess many people in 🏴 are the same.
At least in 🏴 we don’t have to put up with being patronised by this idiot.
At least in 🏴 we don’t have to put up with being patronised by this idiot.
Exactly so. And Cymru too 🏴
For a good few years now, I have felt embarrassment and shame about the way that the UK treats people from another country. Now I find myself experiencing the same feelings for UK citizens who had the temerity to live elsewhere and take out dual citizenship. Scotland can do better on its own.
Dual nationals to be denied entry to UK from 25 February unless they have British passport
New border controls require ‘certificate of entitlement’ to attach to second nationality passport that costs £589
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Exactly so. And Cymru too 🏴
The institutional corruption of Progress/Better Together Labour laid bare.
NHS deal with AI firm Palantir called into question after officials’ concerns revealed.
Govt officials warned that the contract would not offer value for money, but Starmer and Streeting still went ahead.
Mandelson took Starmer to meet Palantir’s chief executive.
Govt officials warned that the contract would not offer value for money, but Starmer and Streeting still went ahead.
Mandelson took Starmer to meet Palantir’s chief executive.
NHS deal with AI firm Palantir called into question after officials’ concerns revealed
Exclusive: in 2025 briefing to Wes Streeting, officials warned reputation of tech firm behind US ICE operations would hinder rollout of data system in UK
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:12 AM
The institutional corruption of Progress/Better Together Labour laid bare.
Once again, if you have read Paul Holden’s The Fraud, this isn’t really news.
Cardiff West Labour MP Alex Barros-Curtis worked closely with the disgraced former Cabinet Minister and Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson in seeking to remove left-wing activists from the party, it has been alleged✍️Martin Shipton
Cardiff West MP 'worked with Mandelson to purge Labour of left-wing activists'
Martin Shipton Cardiff West Labour MP Alex Barros-Curtis worked closely with the disgraced former Cabinet Minister and Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson in seeking to remove left-wing activists fro...
wp.me
February 12, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Once again, if you have read Paul Holden’s The Fraud, this isn’t really news.
Exactly so. A party that is abolishing jury trials, steadily criminalising protest, doubling-down on austerity in the name of fiscal rules, and talks of “an island of strangers” or “hard-working families”
is not left, or even centre.
Labour and Reform’s relationship looks increasingly symbiotic.
is not left, or even centre.
Labour and Reform’s relationship looks increasingly symbiotic.
Robert Peston, "Wouldn't you regret Reform UK coming through in Gorton and Denton if The Greens split the left vote?"
Zack Polanski, "We cannot say that Keir Starmer's Labour would be a left wing vote"
Zack Polanski, "We cannot say that Keir Starmer's Labour would be a left wing vote"
February 12, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Exactly so. A party that is abolishing jury trials, steadily criminalising protest, doubling-down on austerity in the name of fiscal rules, and talks of “an island of strangers” or “hard-working families”
is not left, or even centre.
Labour and Reform’s relationship looks increasingly symbiotic.
is not left, or even centre.
Labour and Reform’s relationship looks increasingly symbiotic.
Me in @nation.cymru on Reform, Bangor University and the performative politics of right-wing populism
The affair of Reform and the Bangor University students is a reminder that, in an age of populism, normal democratic political practice no longer applies ✍️ Neil Schofield-Hughes
Reform, Bangor University and the populist politics of performance
Neil Schofield-Hughes What was the strange affair of the Reform request for a platform at Bangor University’s Debating and Political Society – and the fall-out from that society’s refusal to provide o...
nation.cymru
February 12, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Me in @nation.cymru on Reform, Bangor University and the performative politics of right-wing populism
Reposted by Neil Schofield-Hughes
Why 'island of strangers' and the 'incalculable damage' of immigration (as stated by Starmer) was so catastrophically wrong.... in one tweet.
February 11, 2026 at 10:20 PM
Why 'island of strangers' and the 'incalculable damage' of immigration (as stated by Starmer) was so catastrophically wrong.... in one tweet.
It needs to be said again: my generation (which includes Starmer and Farage) is the most fortunate in history. So why do we fall for the “young people have never had it so good” myth? It’s far harder for them than it was for us. Our failures have screwed them over so badly.
Nigel Farage’s rant against working from home highlights a big problem for Reform: it knows how to pander to retirees but hasn’t the faintest idea how to speak to workers.
I discuss Farage’s faux pas over at @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
I discuss Farage’s faux pas over at @thespectator1828.bsky.social.
What Farage fails to understand about working from home
Being chained to the office desk, going to the pub and only getting home once the kids were asleep might have been acceptable in the Eighties
spectator.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:17 PM
It needs to be said again: my generation (which includes Starmer and Farage) is the most fortunate in history. So why do we fall for the “young people have never had it so good” myth? It’s far harder for them than it was for us. Our failures have screwed them over so badly.
That line - Welsh Labour’s unwillingness to bite the hand that starves them - is pure chef’s kiss. Perffaith!
👏👏👏👏
👏👏👏👏
If ever there was a day for her to seize the narrative and truly lead Welsh Labour it was today but it seems she’s opted for the worst of both worlds by neither criticising Keir Starmer or supporting him.
The unwillingness to bite the hand that starves them, seemingly knows no bounds.
2/2
The unwillingness to bite the hand that starves them, seemingly knows no bounds.
2/2
February 10, 2026 at 11:46 AM
That line - Welsh Labour’s unwillingness to bite the hand that starves them - is pure chef’s kiss. Perffaith!
👏👏👏👏
👏👏👏👏
Having spent most of my working life in transport policy, this is the essential truth that so many people - including politicians with responsibility for transport decisions - don’t or won’t get.
To reduce congestion, you reduce capacity and reduce speed. The empirical evidence is overwhelming.
To reduce congestion, you reduce capacity and reduce speed. The empirical evidence is overwhelming.
If you widen that highway
you won’t reduce emissions
or congestion.
What you WILL do
is spend a lot of public money
to induce even more cars
emitting even more GHGs and pollution
in the same or worse congestion
with people still demanding that you widen the highway.
Period.
you won’t reduce emissions
or congestion.
What you WILL do
is spend a lot of public money
to induce even more cars
emitting even more GHGs and pollution
in the same or worse congestion
with people still demanding that you widen the highway.
Period.
February 10, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Having spent most of my working life in transport policy, this is the essential truth that so many people - including politicians with responsibility for transport decisions - don’t or won’t get.
To reduce congestion, you reduce capacity and reduce speed. The empirical evidence is overwhelming.
To reduce congestion, you reduce capacity and reduce speed. The empirical evidence is overwhelming.
Many people in the private sector are working from home, or doing some sort of hybrid working, at the behest of their employer. It works for both employers and staff.
Who is Farage to tell them how to run their businesses?
Who is Farage to tell them how to run their businesses?
BREAKING: Nigel Farage calls for an end to working from home and the focus on work-life balance
"People aren't more productive working from home - it's a load of nonsense”
Whatever you do JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM!
"People aren't more productive working from home - it's a load of nonsense”
Whatever you do JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM!
February 9, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Many people in the private sector are working from home, or doing some sort of hybrid working, at the behest of their employer. It works for both employers and staff.
Who is Farage to tell them how to run their businesses?
Who is Farage to tell them how to run their businesses?
Streeting comes close here to putting his finger on one of Labour’s key moral failings: that it is too pleased with itself. All that wittering about “the Labour family” and “Labour values” is how Progress/Labour Together licensed their double standards; how they hid their agenda behind fine words.
Ignore the smears: I was never a close friend of Peter Mandelson. And I fully understand the lessons we must learn | Wes Streeting
Ignore the smears: I was never a close friend of Peter Mandelson. And I fully understand the lessons we must learn | Wes Streeting
I knew him but not well, and worry now that he thrived in our political culture. There was a failure of moral seriousness, says health secretary Wes Streeting
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Streeting comes close here to putting his finger on one of Labour’s key moral failings: that it is too pleased with itself. All that wittering about “the Labour family” and “Labour values” is how Progress/Labour Together licensed their double standards; how they hid their agenda behind fine words.
“Young disciple, the day will come when you will have power and become the master of the Palantir”
But neither wanted to confront the truth that the Palantir was not their servant, but their master.
But neither wanted to confront the truth that the Palantir was not their servant, but their master.
February 9, 2026 at 10:23 AM
“Young disciple, the day will come when you will have power and become the master of the Palantir”
But neither wanted to confront the truth that the Palantir was not their servant, but their master.
But neither wanted to confront the truth that the Palantir was not their servant, but their master.
The Labour and Reform campaigns in Gorton and Denton are increasingly looking like Sauron and Saruman fighting over … erm … a Palantir.
What really scares both Labour and Reform shitless is people - especially young people - choosing hope.
What really scares both Labour and Reform shitless is people - especially young people - choosing hope.
Hey @lucympowell.bsky.social disabling comments and quote tweets won’t stop people pointing out that if the greens don’t stand reform win because your party wrecked your chances in this seat to preserve a prime minister who is now dangerously exposed.
1.
1.
February 8, 2026 at 11:45 AM
The Labour and Reform campaigns in Gorton and Denton are increasingly looking like Sauron and Saruman fighting over … erm … a Palantir.
What really scares both Labour and Reform shitless is people - especially young people - choosing hope.
What really scares both Labour and Reform shitless is people - especially young people - choosing hope.
Former election agent here. Still gobsmacked by the absolute stupidity of what Reform appears to have done. Every agent knows - or should know - that compliance is their responsibility. The “entitled idiots trying it on” vibe here is strong.
Reform UK are seeking to fob off blame for their illegal leaflet on a printer error. That won’t stand up with the police - responsibility for making sure the law is followed lies with the party commissioning and distributing the leaflets.
February 8, 2026 at 11:17 AM
Former election agent here. Still gobsmacked by the absolute stupidity of what Reform appears to have done. Every agent knows - or should know - that compliance is their responsibility. The “entitled idiots trying it on” vibe here is strong.
Reposted by Neil Schofield-Hughes
McFadden says Mandelson should give any money from being sacked to charity
A reminder McFadden once claimed £40,000 on expenses for renting a home in his constituency despite owning the home next door (which he rented out & pocketed the cash). What did you do with that £, Pat?
A reminder McFadden once claimed £40,000 on expenses for renting a home in his constituency despite owning the home next door (which he rented out & pocketed the cash). What did you do with that £, Pat?
February 8, 2026 at 8:49 AM
McFadden says Mandelson should give any money from being sacked to charity
A reminder McFadden once claimed £40,000 on expenses for renting a home in his constituency despite owning the home next door (which he rented out & pocketed the cash). What did you do with that £, Pat?
A reminder McFadden once claimed £40,000 on expenses for renting a home in his constituency despite owning the home next door (which he rented out & pocketed the cash). What did you do with that £, Pat?
Brexit losses will never be restored. Economic growth and performance are cumulative; the UK economy will always have its Brexit scar.
“It could take years to restore Brexit losses”
Especially if Farage comes along and tears up the ‘reset’ as he threatens.
Honest to god.. it’s such a tedious, idiotic, resource-sapping mess. There’s really nothing patriotic about it. Prejudice costs such a lot.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Especially if Farage comes along and tears up the ‘reset’ as he threatens.
Honest to god.. it’s such a tedious, idiotic, resource-sapping mess. There’s really nothing patriotic about it. Prejudice costs such a lot.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Post-Brexit sales of British farm products to EU fall by 37%
NFU warn it could take years to restore Brexit losses despite efforts to smooth negotiations on farming and other elements of UK-EU reset
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Brexit losses will never be restored. Economic growth and performance are cumulative; the UK economy will always have its Brexit scar.
This, not the internal psychodramas of a dying Labour Party, is the real scandal.
Denmarks Intelligence Services have identified Palantir as a national security risk.
Starmer secretly visits Palantir, a client of Mandelsons company Global Counsel at Mandelsons behest.
Starmer claims he was 'unaware' of Mandelsons interest.
www.opendemocracy.net/en/palantir-...
Starmer secretly visits Palantir, a client of Mandelsons company Global Counsel at Mandelsons behest.
Starmer claims he was 'unaware' of Mandelsons interest.
www.opendemocracy.net/en/palantir-...
The great Ministry of Defence-to-Palantir pipeline
Palantir hired four Ministry of Defence officials last year. Then it won its biggest ever contract with the department
www.opendemocracy.net
February 8, 2026 at 10:20 AM
This, not the internal psychodramas of a dying Labour Party, is the real scandal.