Patch Thompson
@patchthompson.bsky.social
🌹✊ 📸 | researcher | bang average photographer | All views my own etc.
Reposted by Patch Thompson
Reposted by Patch Thompson
It's four days away, that's not much of a prediction.
Starmer will ‘absolutely’ still be prime minister by next Christmas, says Labour chair – UK politics live
Starmer will ‘absolutely’ still be prime minister by next Christmas, says Labour chair – UK politics live
Anna Turley says people will start to ‘see and feel’ change in public services and cost of living from next year
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:35 AM
It's four days away, that's not much of a prediction.
Reposted by Patch Thompson
Do not cite an academic paper unless you’ve read it
AI Is Inventing Academic Papers That Don't Exist -- And They're Being Cited in Real Journals
Academic articles from authors using large language model are creating an ecosystem of fake research that threatens human knowledge itself.
www.rollingstone.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Do not cite an academic paper unless you’ve read it
Reposted by Patch Thompson
Grim. ("CSAM" is Child Sexual Abuse Material).
December 19, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Grim. ("CSAM" is Child Sexual Abuse Material).
Reposted by Patch Thompson
One thing I didn't manage to squeeze into my recent video about Christian Nationalism is that Reform UK advisor James Orr has (naturally) launched a podcast.
And no-one is listening to it.
Regularly struggling to break 1,000 views.
And no-one is listening to it.
Regularly struggling to break 1,000 views.
December 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
One thing I didn't manage to squeeze into my recent video about Christian Nationalism is that Reform UK advisor James Orr has (naturally) launched a podcast.
And no-one is listening to it.
Regularly struggling to break 1,000 views.
And no-one is listening to it.
Regularly struggling to break 1,000 views.
Reposted by Patch Thompson
Nearly 30 years of working in that intersection between the benefits agencies and the people who claim benefits (as well as personal experience) confirms to me that when people trot out that stat about more benefits being never claimed than claimed fraudulently, it is undeniably true
December 19, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Nearly 30 years of working in that intersection between the benefits agencies and the people who claim benefits (as well as personal experience) confirms to me that when people trot out that stat about more benefits being never claimed than claimed fraudulently, it is undeniably true
Reposted by Patch Thompson
I enjoyed speaking to @fieryparticle.bsky.social and @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social about MULTICULTURAL BRITAIN, and its relevance for the politics of today
open.spotify.com/episode/59aX...
open.spotify.com/episode/59aX...
Multicultural Britain with Kieran Connell
open.spotify.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:55 AM
I enjoyed speaking to @fieryparticle.bsky.social and @polprofsteve2024.bsky.social about MULTICULTURAL BRITAIN, and its relevance for the politics of today
open.spotify.com/episode/59aX...
open.spotify.com/episode/59aX...
Reposted by Patch Thompson
Not an expert, but this doesn't scream 'Russian naval supremacy' to me.
It looks like Russia has sunk some vessels/barges by the pier of Novorossiysk so that Ukrainian naval drones would not be able to enter the port.
The catch is that the remains of the Russian Black Sea Fleet have now barricaded themselves inside the port and cannot get out.
The catch is that the remains of the Russian Black Sea Fleet have now barricaded themselves inside the port and cannot get out.
December 18, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Not an expert, but this doesn't scream 'Russian naval supremacy' to me.
Reposted by Patch Thompson
Nigel Farage said that the 'Raise the Colours' campaign was a "grassroots movement driven by ordinary people”.
Kemi Badenoch said they should be "welcomed" as a symbol of "unity"
Now the campaign has pivoted to racially abusing migrants and intimidating charity workers on the beaches of France
Kemi Badenoch said they should be "welcomed" as a symbol of "unity"
Now the campaign has pivoted to racially abusing migrants and intimidating charity workers on the beaches of France
Nigel Farage-Backed 'Raise the Colours' Campaign Pivots to Racially Abusing Migrants and Harassing Aid Workers on French Beaches
Far-right activists were seen stabbing dinghies and releasing dogs to intimidate migrants and aid workers
bylinetimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Nigel Farage said that the 'Raise the Colours' campaign was a "grassroots movement driven by ordinary people”.
Kemi Badenoch said they should be "welcomed" as a symbol of "unity"
Now the campaign has pivoted to racially abusing migrants and intimidating charity workers on the beaches of France
Kemi Badenoch said they should be "welcomed" as a symbol of "unity"
Now the campaign has pivoted to racially abusing migrants and intimidating charity workers on the beaches of France
Again with the completely rigid obsession with set pieces. Not surprising from an Arsenal fan, I guess.
NEW - Keir Starmer is planning a King’s speech in the week after the May local elections.
Will be reset moment at a time when his leadership may be under threat.
Bills could include AI, immigration, planning and electoral reform.
@jessicaelgot.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Will be reset moment at a time when his leadership may be under threat.
Bills could include AI, immigration, planning and electoral reform.
@jessicaelgot.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Keir Starmer planning new king’s speech after May elections
Timing seen as reset moment after potential loss of hundreds of council seats in England and defeat in Wales and Scotland
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Again with the completely rigid obsession with set pieces. Not surprising from an Arsenal fan, I guess.
Reposted by Patch Thompson
Reposted by Patch Thompson
Very welcome news today that the UK will join the Erasmus+ programme in 2027. This will enable greater opportunities for study abroad and contributions in UK universities, and is something we called for in our most recent Manifesto.
December 17, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Very welcome news today that the UK will join the Erasmus+ programme in 2027. This will enable greater opportunities for study abroad and contributions in UK universities, and is something we called for in our most recent Manifesto.
We basically got this instead...
December 17, 2025 at 10:02 AM
We basically got this instead...
Reposted by Patch Thompson
These captchas are getting really advanced.
December 17, 2025 at 9:48 AM
These captchas are getting really advanced.
George Osborne 2: Destructive Boogaloo
December 16, 2025 at 10:29 PM
George Osborne 2: Destructive Boogaloo
I know we all love a bit of armchair IR posting here on Bluesky, but this is just sad.
December 16, 2025 at 10:05 PM
I know we all love a bit of armchair IR posting here on Bluesky, but this is just sad.
Not holding my breath on these insights tbh
December 16, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Not holding my breath on these insights tbh
Reposted by Patch Thompson
On the latter, when asked if he supported the comment about Lammy by Chris Parry, Reform's candidate for Hampshire and the Solent mayor, Tice said he was not familiar with the comments, adding: David Lammy is a cabinet minister.... We challenge him."
December 16, 2025 at 11:43 AM
On the latter, when asked if he supported the comment about Lammy by Chris Parry, Reform's candidate for Hampshire and the Solent mayor, Tice said he was not familiar with the comments, adding: David Lammy is a cabinet minister.... We challenge him."
Reposted by Patch Thompson
I'm been at a Richard Tice press conference at which he:
• Refused to say whether he still believes Nigel Farage's school accusers made up their claims, calling the row "old news".
• Refused twice to condemn a Reform candidate who said David Lammy should "go home" to the Caribbean.
• Refused to say whether he still believes Nigel Farage's school accusers made up their claims, calling the row "old news".
• Refused twice to condemn a Reform candidate who said David Lammy should "go home" to the Caribbean.
December 16, 2025 at 11:40 AM
I'm been at a Richard Tice press conference at which he:
• Refused to say whether he still believes Nigel Farage's school accusers made up their claims, calling the row "old news".
• Refused twice to condemn a Reform candidate who said David Lammy should "go home" to the Caribbean.
• Refused to say whether he still believes Nigel Farage's school accusers made up their claims, calling the row "old news".
• Refused twice to condemn a Reform candidate who said David Lammy should "go home" to the Caribbean.
Reposted by Patch Thompson
A completely unhinged post from the head of Norway's oil fund: to hunt down the "leaders" of groups resisting AI implementation in companies and "remove" them
archive.ph/r0u2r
archive.ph/r0u2r
December 16, 2025 at 11:06 AM
A completely unhinged post from the head of Norway's oil fund: to hunt down the "leaders" of groups resisting AI implementation in companies and "remove" them
archive.ph/r0u2r
archive.ph/r0u2r
Reposted by Patch Thompson
Maybe the bigger question is how someone I've not heard anyone say anything positive about in 15 years has become so well connected.
🚨 SCOOP: “I’m a Labour donor”
Ben Howlett is an ex-Tory MP, owner of influential PoliticsUK account, and the fixer we exposed selling access to Westminster
Turns out he's also involved in Labour fundraising, and discussing donations with Labour MPs
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/im-a-labou...
Ben Howlett is an ex-Tory MP, owner of influential PoliticsUK account, and the fixer we exposed selling access to Westminster
Turns out he's also involved in Labour fundraising, and discussing donations with Labour MPs
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/im-a-labou...
“I’m a Labour donor”: ex-Tory MP exposed in cash-for-access sting
Exclusive: Details of Ben Howlett’s fundraising for Labour prompts Green leader Zack Polanski to call on Starmer's party to “come clean” about its relationship with him.
democracyforsale.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Maybe the bigger question is how someone I've not heard anyone say anything positive about in 15 years has become so well connected.
Well, this isn't at all concerning... 🤡
December 16, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Well, this isn't at all concerning... 🤡
A 'whole of society' effort would, of course, have to include a significant effort from the state to improve material conditions for the majority of the population...
www.irishnews.com/news/uk/defe...
www.irishnews.com/news/uk/defe...
Defence chief sets out ‘sacrifices’ required as UK faces more dangerous world
Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton said ‘more people’ needed to be ready to fight to protect the UK.
www.irishnews.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:50 AM
A 'whole of society' effort would, of course, have to include a significant effort from the state to improve material conditions for the majority of the population...
www.irishnews.com/news/uk/defe...
www.irishnews.com/news/uk/defe...
Reposted by Patch Thompson
It's good they include a generic politician in here so we can gauge how much is sincere comment and how much is just anti-politics sentiment.
It's still sad that nearly 30% of people fall for it though and pretend they have an opinion on "Mel Stride."
It's still sad that nearly 30% of people fall for it though and pretend they have an opinion on "Mel Stride."
Latest party leader net favourability ratings, December 2025
Kemi Badenoch: -26
Nigel Farage: -35
Keir Starmer: -54
Zack Polanski: -6 (49% DK)
Ed Davey: -10 (38% DK)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Kemi Badenoch: -26
Nigel Farage: -35
Keir Starmer: -54
Zack Polanski: -6 (49% DK)
Ed Davey: -10 (38% DK)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
December 16, 2025 at 10:31 AM
It's good they include a generic politician in here so we can gauge how much is sincere comment and how much is just anti-politics sentiment.
It's still sad that nearly 30% of people fall for it though and pretend they have an opinion on "Mel Stride."
It's still sad that nearly 30% of people fall for it though and pretend they have an opinion on "Mel Stride."