@polus.bsky.social
Reposted
Internal reports prepared by APCO’s London office for Labour Together name Times' Gabriel Pogrund and Harry Yorke, @direthoughts.com, @declassifieduk.org 's John McAvoy and journalists from other outlets as “significant persons of interest”.
Also discuss potential “leverage” over other reporters.
Also discuss potential “leverage” over other reporters.
February 5, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Internal reports prepared by APCO’s London office for Labour Together name Times' Gabriel Pogrund and Harry Yorke, @direthoughts.com, @declassifieduk.org 's John McAvoy and journalists from other outlets as “significant persons of interest”.
Also discuss potential “leverage” over other reporters.
Also discuss potential “leverage” over other reporters.
Reposted
In a Wetherspoons. Never fail to be impressed how busy it is and how it has the greatest social mix of any pub, restaurant or cafe in London. Kids, pensioners, students. Black, white and brown.
February 2, 2026 at 7:05 PM
In a Wetherspoons. Never fail to be impressed how busy it is and how it has the greatest social mix of any pub, restaurant or cafe in London. Kids, pensioners, students. Black, white and brown.
Reposted
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.
If you’re lumping in Japan & Korea with “team Europe” you must also lump China and its vassals in with team Russia.
gdp has little to do with war making capabilities without an industrial base & raw materials, sky high energy costs, massive welfare and a heterogeneous pop. As we have seen already
gdp has little to do with war making capabilities without an industrial base & raw materials, sky high energy costs, massive welfare and a heterogeneous pop. As we have seen already
I'm struggling to see why it's a consensus that the increase has to be that large.
1. We're not going to have a hot war with the USA. Even with an invasion of Greenland...
2. Non USA democracy GDP is about $28trn (EU+UK+SK+Japan) vs Russia of $2.5trn.
Outspending Russia is really quite easy.
1. We're not going to have a hot war with the USA. Even with an invasion of Greenland...
2. Non USA democracy GDP is about $28trn (EU+UK+SK+Japan) vs Russia of $2.5trn.
Outspending Russia is really quite easy.
January 19, 2026 at 6:10 PM
If you’re lumping in Japan & Korea with “team Europe” you must also lump China and its vassals in with team Russia.
gdp has little to do with war making capabilities without an industrial base & raw materials, sky high energy costs, massive welfare and a heterogeneous pop. As we have seen already
gdp has little to do with war making capabilities without an industrial base & raw materials, sky high energy costs, massive welfare and a heterogeneous pop. As we have seen already
The government absolutely was not open about trade offs during Covid.
They called anyone who mentioned the long term devastation of lockdowns a “denier” and had them cancelled.
Then they borrowed insane amounts of money to insulate everyone from the economic reality.
They called anyone who mentioned the long term devastation of lockdowns a “denier” and had them cancelled.
Then they borrowed insane amounts of money to insulate everyone from the economic reality.
Think it would be easier than people think to get the public to accept real lower consumption if politicians were more forthright about the case for it. People did so for COVID. "Russia is invading eastern Europe and America is run by a mad king, we need an army" doesn't seem that hard a sell.
January 19, 2026 at 6:05 PM
The government absolutely was not open about trade offs during Covid.
They called anyone who mentioned the long term devastation of lockdowns a “denier” and had them cancelled.
Then they borrowed insane amounts of money to insulate everyone from the economic reality.
They called anyone who mentioned the long term devastation of lockdowns a “denier” and had them cancelled.
Then they borrowed insane amounts of money to insulate everyone from the economic reality.
It’s amazing how many self-styled anti-establishment, anti-imperialist characters on here can be instantly mobilised to support any Western interventionist war
And all it takes is a few Times op-eds from “sensible centrists”, to make them feel both righteous AND clever.
And all it takes is a few Times op-eds from “sensible centrists”, to make them feel both righteous AND clever.
January 16, 2026 at 1:56 PM
It’s amazing how many self-styled anti-establishment, anti-imperialist characters on here can be instantly mobilised to support any Western interventionist war
And all it takes is a few Times op-eds from “sensible centrists”, to make them feel both righteous AND clever.
And all it takes is a few Times op-eds from “sensible centrists”, to make them feel both righteous AND clever.
At least 50% of Bluesky posts are just people trying to get X cancelled
In the spirit of brotherly love, could I gently enquire why the almighty **** are government departments, government ministers and Labour MPs *STILL* using X?
January 12, 2026 at 10:55 AM
At least 50% of Bluesky posts are just people trying to get X cancelled
Fascinating watching the Bluesky community struggle to comprehend why the worst PM and Chancellor in history are so reviled, and concluding it’s probably something to do with the “information space.”
The centrist dad Principle Skinners have decided that no, it’s the children who are wrong.
The centrist dad Principle Skinners have decided that no, it’s the children who are wrong.
Glad the FT is asking the question. Even if I’m not convinced they found a compelling answer.
I get that Starmer & Reeves are unpopular, I really don’t understand the extent of the dislike.
www.ft.com/content/1995... ‘There’s a real dislike, even loathing’: why voters hate Starmer and Reeves
I get that Starmer & Reeves are unpopular, I really don’t understand the extent of the dislike.
www.ft.com/content/1995... ‘There’s a real dislike, even loathing’: why voters hate Starmer and Reeves
‘There’s a real dislike, even loathing’: why voters hate Starmer and Reeves
Allies concede the prime minister and chancellor have made mistakes yet the level of disdain towards them is still striking
www.ft.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Fascinating watching the Bluesky community struggle to comprehend why the worst PM and Chancellor in history are so reviled, and concluding it’s probably something to do with the “information space.”
The centrist dad Principle Skinners have decided that no, it’s the children who are wrong.
The centrist dad Principle Skinners have decided that no, it’s the children who are wrong.
Reposted
Our @yougov.co.uk data journalism extraordinaire Matt Smith has compiled all news tracker results from 2025 into this stunning graphic
This tells us so much about what 'cuts through', how news cycles evolve, and what grabs attention re: flash moments vs ongoing stories
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
This tells us so much about what 'cuts through', how news cycles evolve, and what grabs attention re: flash moments vs ongoing stories
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
December 31, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Our @yougov.co.uk data journalism extraordinaire Matt Smith has compiled all news tracker results from 2025 into this stunning graphic
This tells us so much about what 'cuts through', how news cycles evolve, and what grabs attention re: flash moments vs ongoing stories
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
This tells us so much about what 'cuts through', how news cycles evolve, and what grabs attention re: flash moments vs ongoing stories
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
So civil servants ignored all of this and gave him citizenship anyway. And now the British public are supposed to suck it up on the basis that “he’s as British as you and me.”
Haha. Nope. Everyone involved in this decision should be fired.
Haha. Nope. Everyone involved in this decision should be fired.
December 30, 2025 at 9:45 AM
So civil servants ignored all of this and gave him citizenship anyway. And now the British public are supposed to suck it up on the basis that “he’s as British as you and me.”
Haha. Nope. Everyone involved in this decision should be fired.
Haha. Nope. Everyone involved in this decision should be fired.
Hey Sharon, did I say it did? You used the emotive term “home”, suggesting this was some poor soul people want to expel from his homeland.
In fact, this is a simple legal issue. He has been given citizenship for geopolitical reasons. Many in the U.K. wish that he had not.
In fact, this is a simple legal issue. He has been given citizenship for geopolitical reasons. Many in the U.K. wish that he had not.
hey Alexa, does home play any role in questions of positive law regarding legal rights to come to the UK, or does citizenship?
I didn’t mention citizenship, I said this is not his home, because it isn’t.
Dipshit
Dipshit
December 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Hey Sharon, did I say it did? You used the emotive term “home”, suggesting this was some poor soul people want to expel from his homeland.
In fact, this is a simple legal issue. He has been given citizenship for geopolitical reasons. Many in the U.K. wish that he had not.
In fact, this is a simple legal issue. He has been given citizenship for geopolitical reasons. Many in the U.K. wish that he had not.
I didn’t mention citizenship, I said this is not his home, because it isn’t.
Dipshit
Dipshit
that's not how citizenship works, dumbass
He wasn’t returning home. This isn’t his home. Egypt is. He clearly hates this country and has almost zero connection with it.
December 29, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I didn’t mention citizenship, I said this is not his home, because it isn’t.
Dipshit
Dipshit
Some Americans are even more ignorant of British politics than they are of their own
Wow the Brit’s are even more insane than the Americans
He wasn’t returning home. This isn’t his home. Egypt is. He clearly hates this country and has almost zero connection with it.
December 29, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Some Americans are even more ignorant of British politics than they are of their own
He wasn’t returning home. This isn’t his home. Egypt is. He clearly hates this country and has almost zero connection with it.
were those good views? no. do you prevent a UK citizen from returning home because of said views? no
December 29, 2025 at 1:57 PM
He wasn’t returning home. This isn’t his home. Egypt is. He clearly hates this country and has almost zero connection with it.
London is the greatest city in the world and continues to be, in spite of a terrible mayor, who has made everything he touches worse.
Good interview in the paper, this. I think Sadiq is right: London 'needs' to be less successful than it is for a bunch of political arguments here in the UK to work, hence the fictions being invented about it:
Populists attack London because it is ‘progressive and successful’, says Sadiq Khan
Rightwing attacks on one of the world’s most visited cities at odds with reality, says mayor
www.ft.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:14 PM
London is the greatest city in the world and continues to be, in spite of a terrible mayor, who has made everything he touches worse.
Reposted
Can't really argue with this. Stupid situation, entirely self-inflicted
The High Court is currently preparing its ruling on whether the ban of Palestine Action is lawful
In a statement, Ms Thunberg's lawyers called the laws used to arrest her "farcical", adding: "The UK's global reputation for human rights is in tatters whilst these laws remain in place."
In a statement, Ms Thunberg's lawyers called the laws used to arrest her "farcical", adding: "The UK's global reputation for human rights is in tatters whilst these laws remain in place."
December 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Can't really argue with this. Stupid situation, entirely self-inflicted
Reposted
According to ridiculous NHS rules Psychiatrists with 13 years of training can’t diagnose ADHD.
But anyone who does a 4 week (120 hour) course and reads through a tick sheet can.
They charge £500 an hour, instead of the £35 it would cost the NHS.
It’s a scam.
But anyone who does a 4 week (120 hour) course and reads through a tick sheet can.
They charge £500 an hour, instead of the £35 it would cost the NHS.
It’s a scam.
December 18, 2025 at 6:26 PM
According to ridiculous NHS rules Psychiatrists with 13 years of training can’t diagnose ADHD.
But anyone who does a 4 week (120 hour) course and reads through a tick sheet can.
They charge £500 an hour, instead of the £35 it would cost the NHS.
It’s a scam.
But anyone who does a 4 week (120 hour) course and reads through a tick sheet can.
They charge £500 an hour, instead of the £35 it would cost the NHS.
It’s a scam.
This is how the government creates “green jobs”. State gives out contracts to grifters who know how to work the system.
December 8, 2025 at 6:54 AM
This is how the government creates “green jobs”. State gives out contracts to grifters who know how to work the system.
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It can't be terminal - they're already dead.
November 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM
It can't be terminal - they're already dead.
Asserted without evidence that the bbc is the difference between the USA and the UK.
This is an implausible claim
This is an implausible claim
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Asserted without evidence that the bbc is the difference between the USA and the UK.
This is an implausible claim
This is an implausible claim
“The BBC should not worry about broadcasting fake news and being institutionally biased in a way that corrupts its news values, because Celebrity Traitors is popular.”
Just absolutely classic BBC. You've just broadcast the most successful programme of the year, uniting Gen Z kids online and Boomers on broadcast in a return to appointment television. And instead of celebrating, your DG reigns due to a made-up right-wing scandal.
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
“The BBC should not worry about broadcasting fake news and being institutionally biased in a way that corrupts its news values, because Celebrity Traitors is popular.”
No, it’s because there is systemic bias to the point that it consistently fails to meet basic standards of journalism.
This is the most abysmal, pathetic thing. The BBC head resigning because the corporation is not supine *enough* to the far-right.
🔴 Breaking I Davie faced mounting criticism that a Panorama documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by Donald Trump
➡️ Read more: trib.al/I0iw7aP
➡️ Read more: trib.al/I0iw7aP
November 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
No, it’s because there is systemic bias to the point that it consistently fails to meet basic standards of journalism.
An asylum seeker caseworker describes the huge scale of fraud by illegal migrants trying to game the system
November 6, 2025 at 7:05 AM
An asylum seeker caseworker describes the huge scale of fraud by illegal migrants trying to game the system
Reposted
FYI, I've fleshed out some recent comments on Tesco bashing into a blog... 🤔✍️
julianhjessop.substack.com/p/its-time-t...
julianhjessop.substack.com/p/its-time-t...
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 AM
FYI, I've fleshed out some recent comments on Tesco bashing into a blog... 🤔✍️
julianhjessop.substack.com/p/its-time-t...
julianhjessop.substack.com/p/its-time-t...