OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
@olebiscuitbarrel.bsky.social
It's pronounced 'Olé'
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
'the UK creative industries — which contributed £125 billion to the economy in 2024 and supported 2.4 million jobs — are being destroyed by an AI sector that... contributed just £11 billion in the same year and supported only 85,000 jobs." www.thetimes.com/culture/film...
All 2.4m of Britain’s creative workers are at risk — and we know why
A new report into the impact of AI on the creative sector makes for apocalyptic reading. The government must act now
www.thetimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:34 AM
'the UK creative industries — which contributed £125 billion to the economy in 2024 and supported 2.4 million jobs — are being destroyed by an AI sector that... contributed just £11 billion in the same year and supported only 85,000 jobs." www.thetimes.com/culture/film...
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
If Britain had a Department of Culture, it would be able to engage with this issue.
'the UK creative industries — which contributed £125 billion to the economy in 2024 and supported 2.4 million jobs — are being destroyed by an AI sector that... contributed just £11 billion in the same year and supported only 85,000 jobs." www.thetimes.com/culture/film...
All 2.4m of Britain’s creative workers are at risk — and we know why
A new report into the impact of AI on the creative sector makes for apocalyptic reading. The government must act now
www.thetimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:45 AM
If Britain had a Department of Culture, it would be able to engage with this issue.
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
I remember growing up in a period when America took itself seriously, and now it's just going to let the president loot $10 billion from the treasury?
President Trump has filed a lawsuit against the IRS, in which he demands that the IRS, which he as president controls, pay him $10 billion.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 30, 2026 at 1:09 AM
I remember growing up in a period when America took itself seriously, and now it's just going to let the president loot $10 billion from the treasury?
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
"I'm coming to Boston and I'm bringing hell with me."
--Homan in February
"Do I expect violence to escalate? Absolutely."
-- Tom Homan in March
"I actually thought about getting up and throwing that man a beating right there in the middle of the room"
-- Homan in July, referring to a D congressman
--Homan in February
"Do I expect violence to escalate? Absolutely."
-- Tom Homan in March
"I actually thought about getting up and throwing that man a beating right there in the middle of the room"
-- Homan in July, referring to a D congressman
Homan: "I begged for the last two months on TV for the rhetoric to stop. I said in March -- if the rhetoric doesn't stop, there is gonna be bloodshed. And there has been. I wish I wasn't right. I don't want to see anybody die."
January 29, 2026 at 3:32 PM
"I'm coming to Boston and I'm bringing hell with me."
--Homan in February
"Do I expect violence to escalate? Absolutely."
-- Tom Homan in March
"I actually thought about getting up and throwing that man a beating right there in the middle of the room"
-- Homan in July, referring to a D congressman
--Homan in February
"Do I expect violence to escalate? Absolutely."
-- Tom Homan in March
"I actually thought about getting up and throwing that man a beating right there in the middle of the room"
-- Homan in July, referring to a D congressman
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
Finally got around to a bit of research I'd been meaning to explore, and: There is no documented instance of an ICE officer being identified and assaulted while off duty because he wasn't masked. www.pbump.net/o/ices-excus...
ICE’s excuse for wearing masks has never actually manifested
There have been incidents of harassment and threats. But there are no apparent incidents in which identified ICE officers have been assaulted off-duty.
www.pbump.net
January 29, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Finally got around to a bit of research I'd been meaning to explore, and: There is no documented instance of an ICE officer being identified and assaulted while off duty because he wasn't masked. www.pbump.net/o/ices-excus...
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
ICE is upset that ICE isn't welcome in restaurants after ICE ordered food at a restaurant, ate it, then arrested restaurant employees, and ICE believes this is someone else's fault, do I have that right?
January 29, 2026 at 4:45 PM
ICE is upset that ICE isn't welcome in restaurants after ICE ordered food at a restaurant, ate it, then arrested restaurant employees, and ICE believes this is someone else's fault, do I have that right?
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
🚨 NEW: Reform UK has threatened to sue Kemi Badenoch unless she publicly apologises to Suella Braverman by 4pm tomorrow over the Tories’ now-retracted mental health reference
January 29, 2026 at 4:31 PM
🚨 NEW: Reform UK has threatened to sue Kemi Badenoch unless she publicly apologises to Suella Braverman by 4pm tomorrow over the Tories’ now-retracted mental health reference
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
Instead of asking "who should pay for someone's degree?", we should ask: Does it make sense for someone earning £55k to have a marginal tax rate of 51%? What will that do to savings, to productivity, to life prospects, to their chances of buying a home or having children or starting a business?
January 29, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Instead of asking "who should pay for someone's degree?", we should ask: Does it make sense for someone earning £55k to have a marginal tax rate of 51%? What will that do to savings, to productivity, to life prospects, to their chances of buying a home or having children or starting a business?
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
I came home via Gateshead High Street this afternoon.
Does this look good? Is it popular with voters? No
Do I, a middle aged man who grew up in the 1980s, remember when the high street was a bustling commercial hub for the borough? Also no.
Does this look good? Is it popular with voters? No
Do I, a middle aged man who grew up in the 1980s, remember when the high street was a bustling commercial hub for the borough? Also no.
January 29, 2026 at 4:15 PM
I came home via Gateshead High Street this afternoon.
Does this look good? Is it popular with voters? No
Do I, a middle aged man who grew up in the 1980s, remember when the high street was a bustling commercial hub for the borough? Also no.
Does this look good? Is it popular with voters? No
Do I, a middle aged man who grew up in the 1980s, remember when the high street was a bustling commercial hub for the borough? Also no.
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
For easy reference. On the left, "agitators" and "domestic terrorists". Or the right, presidentially pardonned "freedom fighters".
January 29, 2026 at 4:38 PM
For easy reference. On the left, "agitators" and "domestic terrorists". Or the right, presidentially pardonned "freedom fighters".
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
The long-overdue debate on student loans reminds me of a moment in November 2010 when I had gone straight from a London protest against the £3k to £9k increase (escaping a kettle and running from a police baton charge) to be in the audience of this Question Time episode
www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/...
www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/...
www.bbc.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 4:21 PM
The long-overdue debate on student loans reminds me of a moment in November 2010 when I had gone straight from a London protest against the £3k to £9k increase (escaping a kettle and running from a police baton charge) to be in the audience of this Question Time episode
www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/...
www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/...
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
I cannot fully explain what it's been like having to watch all of Trump's press conferences for work, in full, for the last year, but I just shouted, actually shouted:
"WHEN WILL YOU TAAAAAKE HIM, DEATH? OR JUST TAKE MEEEE! I DON'T EVEN CARE WHICH ANYMOOOORE."
"WHEN WILL YOU TAAAAAKE HIM, DEATH? OR JUST TAKE MEEEE! I DON'T EVEN CARE WHICH ANYMOOOORE."
January 29, 2026 at 4:49 PM
I cannot fully explain what it's been like having to watch all of Trump's press conferences for work, in full, for the last year, but I just shouted, actually shouted:
"WHEN WILL YOU TAAAAAKE HIM, DEATH? OR JUST TAKE MEEEE! I DON'T EVEN CARE WHICH ANYMOOOORE."
"WHEN WILL YOU TAAAAAKE HIM, DEATH? OR JUST TAKE MEEEE! I DON'T EVEN CARE WHICH ANYMOOOORE."
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
ICE's decision to just leave cars abandoned in the roads is one of those dystopian things that makes you recoil in shock when you encounter it.
A legal asylum-seeker who works at Chipotle and plays music at a church in Maine went missing. His pastor searched and searched, eventually finding his abandoned car with the keys on the floor.
ICE grabbed him. No criminal record. No explanation.
ICE grabbed him. No criminal record. No explanation.
January 29, 2026 at 4:58 PM
ICE's decision to just leave cars abandoned in the roads is one of those dystopian things that makes you recoil in shock when you encounter it.
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
New Swingometer post now out - my look at the Gorton and Denton by-election, taking place down the road from me swingometer.substack.com/p/the-gorton...
The Gorton and Denton by-election: a tale of two Manchesters?
Unpopular incumbent + fragmented opposition + unusual seat = unpredictable contest
swingometer.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:50 AM
New Swingometer post now out - my look at the Gorton and Denton by-election, taking place down the road from me swingometer.substack.com/p/the-gorton...
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
Well this by election is over I might hold a Nuremberg style trial for crimes against data
January 28, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Well this by election is over I might hold a Nuremberg style trial for crimes against data
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
Find Out Now is a member of the British Polling Council. There is no excuse at all for publishing meaningless drivel like this. findoutnow.co.uk/blog/gorton-...
January 29, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Find Out Now is a member of the British Polling Council. There is no excuse at all for publishing meaningless drivel like this. findoutnow.co.uk/blog/gorton-...
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
Tables are up now. The number of respondents for the headline voting intention, once don't knows and won't votes are removed, is 51.
<Meaningful stare>
<Meaningful stare>
January 29, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Tables are up now. The number of respondents for the headline voting intention, once don't knows and won't votes are removed, is 51.
<Meaningful stare>
<Meaningful stare>
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
Whatever you think about Burnham he’s right to point out that Government spin doctors have a ‘duty of candour’ towards the public who pay them. I’d also add that journalists should stop repeating spin doctor’s lies for easy access and clickbait www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Burnham claims Labour figures ‘lied’ about him to media after he was blocked as byelection candidate – UK politics live
Burnham said that he accepted the party’s decision but the incident had exposed a ‘lying’ culture
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Whatever you think about Burnham he’s right to point out that Government spin doctors have a ‘duty of candour’ towards the public who pay them. I’d also add that journalists should stop repeating spin doctor’s lies for easy access and clickbait www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
This is straight out of the same playbook Imperial Japan used to justify invasion of China and Imperial Russia used to justify the invasion of Ukraine.
Trump will be claiming Albertans are ‘persecuted’ and require U.S military protection next.
Canada, take note - unity is strength.
Trump will be claiming Albertans are ‘persecuted’ and require U.S military protection next.
Canada, take note - unity is strength.
January 29, 2026 at 9:24 AM
This is straight out of the same playbook Imperial Japan used to justify invasion of China and Imperial Russia used to justify the invasion of Ukraine.
Trump will be claiming Albertans are ‘persecuted’ and require U.S military protection next.
Canada, take note - unity is strength.
Trump will be claiming Albertans are ‘persecuted’ and require U.S military protection next.
Canada, take note - unity is strength.
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
Crucially, pride in one's local area is correlated with levels of deprivation. Those in worse-off areas tend to be less proud of them. This highlights the logic of the government's Pride in Place programme being focused on the most deprived areas.
January 13, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Crucially, pride in one's local area is correlated with levels of deprivation. Those in worse-off areas tend to be less proud of them. This highlights the logic of the government's Pride in Place programme being focused on the most deprived areas.
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
Nice to see my report on place reported in @theguardian.com yesterday. There are lots of interesting findings in the report IMO, but a few stand out for me.
Firstly, there was a significant worsening of how people viewed their area between May '22 and Feb '24.
Firstly, there was a significant worsening of how people viewed their area between May '22 and Feb '24.
Interestingly, how people view their local area deteriorated significantly under the Conservatives between May 2022 and February 2024, and has since recovered slightly (on some dimensions).
January 29, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Nice to see my report on place reported in @theguardian.com yesterday. There are lots of interesting findings in the report IMO, but a few stand out for me.
Firstly, there was a significant worsening of how people viewed their area between May '22 and Feb '24.
Firstly, there was a significant worsening of how people viewed their area between May '22 and Feb '24.
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
Honestly embarrassing to put this out based on such a tiny sample.
Gorton & Denton By-Election Voting Intention:
RFM: 36% (+22)
LAB: 33% (-18)
GRN: 21% (+8)
CON: 8% (=)
LDM: 3% (-1)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 26-27 Jan.
Changes w/ 2024.
RFM: 36% (+22)
LAB: 33% (-18)
GRN: 21% (+8)
CON: 8% (=)
LDM: 3% (-1)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 26-27 Jan.
Changes w/ 2024.
January 28, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Honestly embarrassing to put this out based on such a tiny sample.
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
Sample size of this poll is 143. You’d expect most seat level polls to be 500 people plus.
BREAKING: Lucy Powell - Deputy leader of the Labour Party has posted on X commenting on Gorton and Denton by-election poll
“This is why I’ve been saying what I have - only voting Labour defeats Reform. A vote for the Greens or any other party risks a Reform MP in Manchester”
“This is why I’ve been saying what I have - only voting Labour defeats Reform. A vote for the Greens or any other party risks a Reform MP in Manchester”
January 28, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Sample size of this poll is 143. You’d expect most seat level polls to be 500 people plus.
Reposted by OleBiscuitBarrel.bsky.social
A real change in how Germany approaches the EU is happening. Berlin used to prioritise the unity of the 27 and now seems much more open towards coalitions of the willing.
Next step is initiative by Finance minister Klingenbeil to build an avant-garde with 🇫🇷🇵🇱🇮🇹🇳🇱🇪🇸:
Next step is initiative by Finance minister Klingenbeil to build an avant-garde with 🇫🇷🇵🇱🇮🇹🇳🇱🇪🇸:
Six EU countries hold call in push for 'two‑speed' Europe
Ministers from six leading European economies, including Germany and France, will discuss on Wednesday plans to push ahead with joint projects without the rest of the EU, to facilitate agile decision-...
www.reuters.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:47 PM
A real change in how Germany approaches the EU is happening. Berlin used to prioritise the unity of the 27 and now seems much more open towards coalitions of the willing.
Next step is initiative by Finance minister Klingenbeil to build an avant-garde with 🇫🇷🇵🇱🇮🇹🇳🇱🇪🇸:
Next step is initiative by Finance minister Klingenbeil to build an avant-garde with 🇫🇷🇵🇱🇮🇹🇳🇱🇪🇸: