Phil Lowthian
@phillowthian.bsky.social
OBE. Retired Civil Servant. Love Politics, Sport and Music. St Helens RLFC; MCFC; Golf; Cricket and Guitar hero!
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
One reason I've been so bearish on the Tories over the past few years is I don't see a route out for them. They can't beat Reform on the right and they've lost their liberal vote.
So - I think Kemi Badenoch is *right* that the conditions for a centre-right party are worse now than they were in, say, 2019. The territory that Reform and she are scrapping over is electorally fertile. I just don't think it is territory the Conservative party, specifically, can win on:
January 29, 2026 at 10:30 AM
One reason I've been so bearish on the Tories over the past few years is I don't see a route out for them. They can't beat Reform on the right and they've lost their liberal vote.
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
It's telling how Green people keep trying to twist what Polanski did with Thypnoboobs stuff because it is entirely indefensible and speaks hugely to his character.
It's a puff piece. He is directly quoted saying his hypnosis can have a physical effect. He's lying to vulnerable women for publicity.
It's a puff piece. He is directly quoted saying his hypnosis can have a physical effect. He's lying to vulnerable women for publicity.
He never claimed...
weird because here he is directly quoted *literally doing that*. And he's never said he was misquoted - he's said he disowned the comments immediately but never did so on his website etc (he just noted how much attention they've got
weird because here he is directly quoted *literally doing that*. And he's never said he was misquoted - he's said he disowned the comments immediately but never did so on his website etc (he just noted how much attention they've got
January 29, 2026 at 11:11 AM
It's telling how Green people keep trying to twist what Polanski did with Thypnoboobs stuff because it is entirely indefensible and speaks hugely to his character.
It's a puff piece. He is directly quoted saying his hypnosis can have a physical effect. He's lying to vulnerable women for publicity.
It's a puff piece. He is directly quoted saying his hypnosis can have a physical effect. He's lying to vulnerable women for publicity.
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
This means that Reform being ahead of Labour is presumably the product of 1 respondent's response.
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 10:59 AM
This means that Reform being ahead of Labour is presumably the product of 1 respondent's response.
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
“Labour this week is capping ground rents, cutting the cost of living and rebuilding our public services. That’s the difference a Labour government makes and there’s much more to come”
Deputy PM David Lammy
Deputy PM David Lammy
January 28, 2026 at 5:03 PM
“Labour this week is capping ground rents, cutting the cost of living and rebuilding our public services. That’s the difference a Labour government makes and there’s much more to come”
Deputy PM David Lammy
Deputy PM David Lammy
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
This administration is now 40 days past the deadline to release the full Epstein files. The lawlessness in our streets goes all the way to the top.
January 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM
This administration is now 40 days past the deadline to release the full Epstein files. The lawlessness in our streets goes all the way to the top.
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
This is how the BBC is reporting Matt Goodwin's selection as Reform's candidate in Gorton and Denton.
He's not an academic. He holds no academic position and hasn't done for quite some time.
He's not an academic. He holds no academic position and hasn't done for quite some time.
January 27, 2026 at 2:44 PM
This is how the BBC is reporting Matt Goodwin's selection as Reform's candidate in Gorton and Denton.
He's not an academic. He holds no academic position and hasn't done for quite some time.
He's not an academic. He holds no academic position and hasn't done for quite some time.
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
We have come up with a brilliant plan to turn Reform UK into an unstoppable election-winning machine! The first thing we do is scrape all the fetid dregs from the bottom of the barrel of the last 14 years of Tory misery and failure…
January 26, 2026 at 9:30 PM
We have come up with a brilliant plan to turn Reform UK into an unstoppable election-winning machine! The first thing we do is scrape all the fetid dregs from the bottom of the barrel of the last 14 years of Tory misery and failure…
I don’t get the fascination nor hype with Andrew Burnham. I see him as a big of a blowhard. Lots of talk, not a great deal in the achievement stakes to back it up.
January 25, 2026 at 6:31 PM
I don’t get the fascination nor hype with Andrew Burnham. I see him as a big of a blowhard. Lots of talk, not a great deal in the achievement stakes to back it up.
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
I’m really quite surprised at the BBC website today. ‘Here is a video, some people say it does not show what it very obviously shows’ is not how you report this.
January 25, 2026 at 9:52 AM
I’m really quite surprised at the BBC website today. ‘Here is a video, some people say it does not show what it very obviously shows’ is not how you report this.
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
I think what the "blocking Burham looks petty" arg misses is that Labour NEC have a strong reason for blocking - Burnham would have to walk out on a Combined Authority Mayoral job he was elected to less than two years, triggering by far the largest by-election in British history
A few people have said to me/others in articles I’ve seen that it would be insane for Labour to block a Burnham return given how weak and petty it would make the leadership look.
Sure, but never underestimate the level of personal animosity towards AB at the top. Visceral to the point of obsession
Sure, but never underestimate the level of personal animosity towards AB at the top. Visceral to the point of obsession
January 23, 2026 at 10:17 AM
I think what the "blocking Burham looks petty" arg misses is that Labour NEC have a strong reason for blocking - Burnham would have to walk out on a Combined Authority Mayoral job he was elected to less than two years, triggering by far the largest by-election in British history
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
Reminder: All it would take to end the murder of American citizens by an untrained government goon squad is 16 Republicans in Congress voting with Dems to defund ICE (or 23 to impeach and remove Trump — 3 in House & 20 in Senate). That’s it. 23 Americans can vote for the public and end all of this.
January 24, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Reminder: All it would take to end the murder of American citizens by an untrained government goon squad is 16 Republicans in Congress voting with Dems to defund ICE (or 23 to impeach and remove Trump — 3 in House & 20 in Senate). That’s it. 23 Americans can vote for the public and end all of this.
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
Murphy on Bovino: "That was a bone-chilling interview. I was shaking while I was listening to it, in large part bc it takes just an unbelievable amount of gall to lie to the American public. Everybody saw that video ... it should freak the public out that the Trump administration lies this easily"
January 25, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Murphy on Bovino: "That was a bone-chilling interview. I was shaking while I was listening to it, in large part bc it takes just an unbelievable amount of gall to lie to the American public. Everybody saw that video ... it should freak the public out that the Trump administration lies this easily"
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
“.. He cared about people deeply ..,” said Michael Pretti, Alex’s father. “He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong ..”
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
January 24, 2026 at 10:22 PM
“.. He cared about people deeply ..,” said Michael Pretti, Alex’s father. “He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong ..”
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
Gov. Tim Walz: "Thank God we have video, because according to DHS, these seven heroic guys took an onslaught of a battalion against them or something. It's nonsense, people. It's nonsense and it is lies."
January 24, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Gov. Tim Walz: "Thank God we have video, because according to DHS, these seven heroic guys took an onslaught of a battalion against them or something. It's nonsense, people. It's nonsense and it is lies."
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
News organizations can gain or lose trust by either acknowledging what people have seen with their own eyes — or calling it a jump ball. From 2 weeks ago: presswatchers.org/2026/01/why-...
Why would anyone trust a news organization that treats obvious truths as debatable? | Press Watch
The ICE agent who killed Renee Nicole Good was the aggressor, not the victim. That’s not a hard one.
presswatchers.org
January 24, 2026 at 8:45 PM
News organizations can gain or lose trust by either acknowledging what people have seen with their own eyes — or calling it a jump ball. From 2 weeks ago: presswatchers.org/2026/01/why-...
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
It was the same silence that was heard in the town of Wootton Bassett each time the hearses took the fallen from RAF Lyneham on their final journey home. That silence is more eloquent than any words of disrespect for the sacrifice made by men and women from many Allied nations.
January 24, 2026 at 6:14 AM
It was the same silence that was heard in the town of Wootton Bassett each time the hearses took the fallen from RAF Lyneham on their final journey home. That silence is more eloquent than any words of disrespect for the sacrifice made by men and women from many Allied nations.
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
As National Security Adviser, I was often at the UK’s HQ in Helmand, Camp Bastion. Too often, the tannoy would announce medevac helicopters inbound. The huge base w’d fall silent, out of respect for the young men or women who were fighting for their lives. No, they had not stayed a little back.
January 24, 2026 at 1:34 AM
As National Security Adviser, I was often at the UK’s HQ in Helmand, Camp Bastion. Too often, the tannoy would announce medevac helicopters inbound. The huge base w’d fall silent, out of respect for the young men or women who were fighting for their lives. No, they had not stayed a little back.
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
"1 in 5 pupils are getting a SEND diagnosis..the vast majority then trip into the benefit system because they get child disability allowance allowance.'
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
January 23, 2026 at 10:13 PM
"1 in 5 pupils are getting a SEND diagnosis..the vast majority then trip into the benefit system because they get child disability allowance allowance.'
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
Farage’s "condemnation" of Trump British troops' contribution in Afghanistan was like watching a dormouse apologetically throw a sprig of chive at a retreating gorilla in an oncoming wind.
January 23, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Farage’s "condemnation" of Trump British troops' contribution in Afghanistan was like watching a dormouse apologetically throw a sprig of chive at a retreating gorilla in an oncoming wind.
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
What ICE is discovering is that sheer terror is not enough, and any policing of a large population needs the consent or at least the forbearance/cooperation of the community.
Even the Gestapo and Stasi knew this.
Turning the local population actively against you is Keystone capers.
Even the Gestapo and Stasi knew this.
Turning the local population actively against you is Keystone capers.
January 23, 2026 at 7:44 PM
What ICE is discovering is that sheer terror is not enough, and any policing of a large population needs the consent or at least the forbearance/cooperation of the community.
Even the Gestapo and Stasi knew this.
Turning the local population actively against you is Keystone capers.
Even the Gestapo and Stasi knew this.
Turning the local population actively against you is Keystone capers.
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
Astonishing judgement from @ipso.co.uk
Says that when Trevor Phillips said that "the fact that it is likely" that
a) "likely" does not mean "likely" but means "could happen"
b) "the fact that it is" was a comment not a factual statement.
Bizarre and laughable
www.ipso.co.uk/rulings/0348...
Says that when Trevor Phillips said that "the fact that it is likely" that
a) "likely" does not mean "likely" but means "could happen"
b) "the fact that it is" was a comment not a factual statement.
Bizarre and laughable
www.ipso.co.uk/rulings/0348...
03483-25 Portes v The Times - IPSO
Jonathan Portes complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation that The Times breached Clause 1 (Accuracy) of the Editors’ Code of Practice in an article headlined “Labour’s class war plan...
www.ipso.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Astonishing judgement from @ipso.co.uk
Says that when Trevor Phillips said that "the fact that it is likely" that
a) "likely" does not mean "likely" but means "could happen"
b) "the fact that it is" was a comment not a factual statement.
Bizarre and laughable
www.ipso.co.uk/rulings/0348...
Says that when Trevor Phillips said that "the fact that it is likely" that
a) "likely" does not mean "likely" but means "could happen"
b) "the fact that it is" was a comment not a factual statement.
Bizarre and laughable
www.ipso.co.uk/rulings/0348...
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
With the US president saying Nato/British troops stayed "off the front line" in Afghanistan, Nigel Farage won't want British voters being reminded that he called Donald Trump "the bravest man I have ever met."
January 23, 2026 at 1:40 PM
With the US president saying Nato/British troops stayed "off the front line" in Afghanistan, Nigel Farage won't want British voters being reminded that he called Donald Trump "the bravest man I have ever met."
Reposted by Phil Lowthian
