Marion Turner @potholes48
@potholes48.bsky.social
Antediluvian Jill of all trades. Retired, but not from life. Unrepentant remainer. Lover of baroque opera, all things archaeological and historical. Definitely woke.
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
That Trump plan to end the war is for Ukraine to surrender, right?
November 22, 2025 at 7:54 AM
That Trump plan to end the war is for Ukraine to surrender, right?
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
It’s World Philosophy Day today so here’s a poem in celebration of that.
November 20, 2025 at 11:02 AM
It’s World Philosophy Day today so here’s a poem in celebration of that.
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
Feeling physically sick to hear on the news Shabana Mahmood saying that “illegal migration is tearing the country apart” which she must know is not true. What’s “tearing the country apart” is the cynical entrepreneurs of fear and hate who have gleefully pushed this non-issue.
November 16, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Feeling physically sick to hear on the news Shabana Mahmood saying that “illegal migration is tearing the country apart” which she must know is not true. What’s “tearing the country apart” is the cynical entrepreneurs of fear and hate who have gleefully pushed this non-issue.
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
Most of the UK’s economic problems since Brexit would have been avoided if it had stayed in the European Single Market and Customs Union and it’s time to move closer to the EU, writes former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
In this new Age of Empires, why UK must choose Europe over isolation
Most of the UK’s economic problems since Brexit would have been avoided if it had stayed in the European Single Market and Customs Union and it’s time to move closer to the EU, writes former Belgian P...
www.scotsman.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Most of the UK’s economic problems since Brexit would have been avoided if it had stayed in the European Single Market and Customs Union and it’s time to move closer to the EU, writes former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
emptycity.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
I've always felt that Johnson and Farage put self-interest over the national interest - hence their dallying with Putin and his oligarchs. But directly colluding with a foreign government to take down the BBC feels like an act of supreme treachery
November 10, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I've always felt that Johnson and Farage put self-interest over the national interest - hence their dallying with Putin and his oligarchs. But directly colluding with a foreign government to take down the BBC feels like an act of supreme treachery
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
Absolutely this.
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
November 10, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Absolutely this.
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
Dominic Grieve’s response to Nigel Farage’s ‘let’s leave the ECHR’ stunt in parliament is spot on.
November 1, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Dominic Grieve’s response to Nigel Farage’s ‘let’s leave the ECHR’ stunt in parliament is spot on.
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
I’m gonna change this duvet cover solo if it kills me
November 1, 2025 at 11:13 AM
I’m gonna change this duvet cover solo if it kills me
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
Totally untrue garbage from @thetimes.com & @dailymail.co.uk today - smear dressed up as journalism. Some facts:
- There is no “£900 desk”
- my constituency office has Ikea desks/chairs
- we significantly underspent the new MPs allowance to set up an office
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
- There is no “£900 desk”
- my constituency office has Ikea desks/chairs
- we significantly underspent the new MPs allowance to set up an office
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Treasury minister leading budget plans spent £900 on desk
Torsten Bell, who is working with Rachel Reeves to fill a £30 billion hole in finances, also used his parliamentary expenses to claim £600 for three chairs
www.thetimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Totally untrue garbage from @thetimes.com & @dailymail.co.uk today - smear dressed up as journalism. Some facts:
- There is no “£900 desk”
- my constituency office has Ikea desks/chairs
- we significantly underspent the new MPs allowance to set up an office
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
- There is no “£900 desk”
- my constituency office has Ikea desks/chairs
- we significantly underspent the new MPs allowance to set up an office
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
I had a sneaking suspicion that poison was being dripped into the ear of the vulnerable and understandably cynical.
Oh look. Grooming gang victim who resigned from inquiry is doing a joint press conference with Farage.
October 27, 2025 at 2:28 PM
I had a sneaking suspicion that poison was being dripped into the ear of the vulnerable and understandably cynical.
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
This is good and we need more of this, loud and clear, from the Labour. Reform are not fit to govern.
Well said, Wes! 👏 👏 👏
Not a peep from the Putin Puppet Farage today over his MP’s divisive and racist rhetoric. Not fit to govern.
Not a peep from the Putin Puppet Farage today over his MP’s divisive and racist rhetoric. Not fit to govern.
October 26, 2025 at 4:48 PM
This is good and we need more of this, loud and clear, from the Labour. Reform are not fit to govern.
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
"The idea of deporting people with settled status is disgusting, and anyone proposing it should be immediately drummed out of polite society. Breaking promises made in good faith to our friends and neighbours is racist, extremist and immoral."
I'm basically shouting at the sky here, but still.
I'm basically shouting at the sky here, but still.
It’s racist, it’s extremist and it’s immoral
The right is still calling for deportations, and the government is still being cowardly about it. Also: London’s first green belt; some notes on a shark; and some news, on my next book.
jonn.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:22 PM
"The idea of deporting people with settled status is disgusting, and anyone proposing it should be immediately drummed out of polite society. Breaking promises made in good faith to our friends and neighbours is racist, extremist and immoral."
I'm basically shouting at the sky here, but still.
I'm basically shouting at the sky here, but still.
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
Humanist Bertrand Russell's perfect, utterly uncompromising 1962 letter declining Oswald Mosley's invitation to lunch. An perennial joy to see this circulating online from time to time.
October 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Humanist Bertrand Russell's perfect, utterly uncompromising 1962 letter declining Oswald Mosley's invitation to lunch. An perennial joy to see this circulating online from time to time.
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
The ECHR was Britain’s response to WW2 fascist regimes. With authoritarianism on the rise again, we’d be mad to give up the protections it provides. Tell your MP we won’t let that happen! actionstorm.org/petitions/pr...
actionstorm.org
October 15, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The ECHR was Britain’s response to WW2 fascist regimes. With authoritarianism on the rise again, we’d be mad to give up the protections it provides. Tell your MP we won’t let that happen! actionstorm.org/petitions/pr...
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
As so often, @laylamoran.bsky.social finds gracious, unifying words.
"I choose to believe that peace is possible. Everyone who went on a protest, wrote to their MP, cares about it, shouted at their TV - from whatever point of view - what were those deaths for, if not for a sustainable peace?" ~AA
"I choose to believe that peace is possible. Everyone who went on a protest, wrote to their MP, cares about it, shouted at their TV - from whatever point of view - what were those deaths for, if not for a sustainable peace?" ~AA
October 13, 2025 at 8:42 PM
As so often, @laylamoran.bsky.social finds gracious, unifying words.
"I choose to believe that peace is possible. Everyone who went on a protest, wrote to their MP, cares about it, shouted at their TV - from whatever point of view - what were those deaths for, if not for a sustainable peace?" ~AA
"I choose to believe that peace is possible. Everyone who went on a protest, wrote to their MP, cares about it, shouted at their TV - from whatever point of view - what were those deaths for, if not for a sustainable peace?" ~AA
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
Elon Musk is paying Tommy Robinson's legal bills.
The British media and political establishment is still on X and maybe this is the wake up call they need.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The British media and political establishment is still on X and maybe this is the wake up call they need.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Tommy Robinson says Elon Musk is paying his legal costs as trial begins
Far-right activist is accused of refusing to comply with counter-terrorism police request at Channel tunnel
www.theguardian.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Elon Musk is paying Tommy Robinson's legal bills.
The British media and political establishment is still on X and maybe this is the wake up call they need.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The British media and political establishment is still on X and maybe this is the wake up call they need.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
Watching the Bibi & Don Show treat this like some grand victory, while people returning to northern Gaza dig the rubble for loved ones' remains, is pretty revolting.
October 13, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Watching the Bibi & Don Show treat this like some grand victory, while people returning to northern Gaza dig the rubble for loved ones' remains, is pretty revolting.
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
WE'RE ALL DESCENDED FROM PEOPLE IN BOATS!
October 11, 2025 at 5:47 PM
WE'RE ALL DESCENDED FROM PEOPLE IN BOATS!
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
We have built a society in which people of different skin tones, religious backgrounds & cultures get along, share power, work alongside each other, procreate with each other, recognise the each other’s humanity and democratic rights. It is a STUNNING ACHIEVEMENT OF WORLD HISTORIC PROPORTIONS.
I know statistics are poorly understood and are misused. But facts matter
Between the 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 Census *every* ethnic group in the UK has become *less* geographically segregated and *all* groups, majority and minorities, are more likely to interact with people not like them
Between the 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 Census *every* ethnic group in the UK has become *less* geographically segregated and *all* groups, majority and minorities, are more likely to interact with people not like them
October 8, 2025 at 10:08 AM
We have built a society in which people of different skin tones, religious backgrounds & cultures get along, share power, work alongside each other, procreate with each other, recognise the each other’s humanity and democratic rights. It is a STUNNING ACHIEVEMENT OF WORLD HISTORIC PROPORTIONS.
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.
October 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.
Reposted by Marion Turner @potholes48
Lords Heseltine & Kinnock seem more alive to these self-evident truths than most members of the Commons. Similarly, I find thinkers with direct lived experience of far right dictatorship, Greeks of a certain age for example, crystal clear about what’s happening now.
“You described Reform and other parties across Europe today as among the 'right wing equivalents of the fascists in the 1930s'. Why?”
“Because that’s what they are”
@vicderbyshire.bsky.social asks Lord Heseltine about remarks he made at Conservative Party Conference.
#Newsnight
“Because that’s what they are”
@vicderbyshire.bsky.social asks Lord Heseltine about remarks he made at Conservative Party Conference.
#Newsnight
October 8, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Lords Heseltine & Kinnock seem more alive to these self-evident truths than most members of the Commons. Similarly, I find thinkers with direct lived experience of far right dictatorship, Greeks of a certain age for example, crystal clear about what’s happening now.