Richard Haviland
@rfhaviland.bsky.social
Former civil servant, enjoying the freedom to speak my mind. Published in Times, Byline Times, Bylines Scotland, West Country Voices. Member of European Movement in Scotland.
Pinned
Richard Haviland
@rfhaviland.bsky.social
· Sep 15
Starmer’s moral cowardice on refugees
The Labour leadership is tacitly accepting, and reflecting, Farage’s perverted notion of patriotism
bylines.scot
‘If slavery were invented today, would (Labour ministers) call it ‘impractical’?
If torture were invented today, would they call it ‘ineffective’?
If child labour were invented today, would they call it ‘poor value for money’?’
My piece for @bylines.scot
bylines.scot/politics/sta...
If torture were invented today, would they call it ‘ineffective’?
If child labour were invented today, would they call it ‘poor value for money’?’
My piece for @bylines.scot
bylines.scot/politics/sta...
The events of today are ever-present in this fascinating discussion of the interplay between politics, philosophy, psychology and history. Sheds light on why it is that to expose immorality and corruption in the rich and powerful is to risk being accused, however unjustly, of the politics of envy.
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In the second episode in our short series about how the history of ideas can help with the deepest puzzles of politics, David talks to political theorist Paul Sagar about the eighteenth-century polymath Adam Smith.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In the second episode in our short series about how the history of ideas can help with the deepest puzzles of politics, David talks to political theorist Paul Sagar about the eighteenth-century polymath Adam Smith.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:05 PM
The events of today are ever-present in this fascinating discussion of the interplay between politics, philosophy, psychology and history. Sheds light on why it is that to expose immorality and corruption in the rich and powerful is to risk being accused, however unjustly, of the politics of envy.
Reposted by Richard Haviland
Every other “reporter” in that room that doesn’t walk out immediately when Trump does this should never be seen as professional or credible again. I’d say they should be ashamed of themselves, but appropriate shame seems to be one of the casualties of the Trump era in the United States.
Trump to Kaitlan Collins after she pressed him on getting justice for Epstein survivors:
"No wonder CNN has no ratings because of people like you. You know, she‘s a young woman. I don‘t think I‘ve ever seen you smile. I‘ve known you for 10 years. I don‘t think I‘ve ever seen a smile in your face."
"No wonder CNN has no ratings because of people like you. You know, she‘s a young woman. I don‘t think I‘ve ever seen you smile. I‘ve known you for 10 years. I don‘t think I‘ve ever seen a smile in your face."
February 3, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Every other “reporter” in that room that doesn’t walk out immediately when Trump does this should never be seen as professional or credible again. I’d say they should be ashamed of themselves, but appropriate shame seems to be one of the casualties of the Trump era in the United States.
Reposted by Richard Haviland
'They spent the child benefit in the pub' was a 1970s cliche about the very worst sort of parents. Now it's Farage's policy.
NEW: Reform UK says it would re-impose the two-child benefit cap - scrapped by Labour - for most families to fund £3bn support package for pubs.
February 3, 2026 at 4:47 PM
'They spent the child benefit in the pub' was a 1970s cliche about the very worst sort of parents. Now it's Farage's policy.
The gags are obvious, but Reform can only contemplate this policy because - in a poisonous political culture created not just by them - so many have been brainwashed into seeing the benefit cap as a freebie for sponging parents rather than as a response to the problem of starving children.
Reform UK says it would re-impose two-child benefit cap for most families to fund £3bn support package for pubs - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
February 3, 2026 at 4:54 PM
The gags are obvious, but Reform can only contemplate this policy because - in a poisonous political culture created not just by them - so many have been brainwashed into seeing the benefit cap as a freebie for sponging parents rather than as a response to the problem of starving children.
Reposted by Richard Haviland
Only in the UK can we have documentary evidence of documents being leaked, no denial of the leak, but journalists still have to put "alleged" in the headline.
Libel law is broken.
Libel law is broken.
February 3, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Only in the UK can we have documentary evidence of documents being leaked, no denial of the leak, but journalists still have to put "alleged" in the headline.
Libel law is broken.
Libel law is broken.
Reposted by Richard Haviland
Gervais’s Law: celebrities should never share their political views except in a sitcom, Netflix comedy special or national arena tour where they can pretend they’re just joking even when they’re clearly not
Ricky Gervais calls out Grammy winners for making political acceptance speeches: "You're in no position to lecture the public about anything"
Ricky Gervais calls out Grammy winners for making political acceptance speeches: "You're in no position to lecture the public about anything"
Gervais cited his own 2020 Golden Globes monologue, in which he urged winners not to use their acceptance speeches "as a platform to make a political speech."
decider.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Gervais’s Law: celebrities should never share their political views except in a sitcom, Netflix comedy special or national arena tour where they can pretend they’re just joking even when they’re clearly not
This is such a rewarding and thought-provoking listen - I can’t recommend it highly enough. And thank you to @newsagents.bsky.social for introducing me to David Runciman.
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
Today we begin a new series asking why contemporary political philosophy struggles to make sense of the deepest problems of politics and exploring how the history of ideas might help. Political theorist Paul Sagar suggests we start with Aristotle.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Today we begin a new series asking why contemporary political philosophy struggles to make sense of the deepest problems of politics and exploring how the history of ideas might help. Political theorist Paul Sagar suggests we start with Aristotle.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:42 PM
This is such a rewarding and thought-provoking listen - I can’t recommend it highly enough. And thank you to @newsagents.bsky.social for introducing me to David Runciman.
Reposted by Richard Haviland
Our important work at Kent Council to spend £600k on a car park to provide free parking for Reform councillors while staff have to pay, is all part of our 'We don't give a shit about anyone but ourselves' policy.
February 1, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Our important work at Kent Council to spend £600k on a car park to provide free parking for Reform councillors while staff have to pay, is all part of our 'We don't give a shit about anyone but ourselves' policy.
Reposted by Richard Haviland
She’s quite simply arguing for the destruction of the social safety net. We pay collectively for a better fairer society. If we only pay for what we get, we all end up with nothing. That a Labour chancellor should be so intellectually lacking on this issue shows the depth to which the party has sunk
2026: Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, "It is not right that people who don't go to university bear the cost for others to"
2020: That time Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would scrap university tuition fees
2020: That time Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would scrap university tuition fees
January 30, 2026 at 3:42 PM
She’s quite simply arguing for the destruction of the social safety net. We pay collectively for a better fairer society. If we only pay for what we get, we all end up with nothing. That a Labour chancellor should be so intellectually lacking on this issue shows the depth to which the party has sunk
It’s so depressing to see a Labour chancellor use arguments which do the right’s bidding by helping to chip away at the very principle of taxation.
2026: Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, "It is not right that people who don't go to university bear the cost for others to"
2020: That time Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would scrap university tuition fees
2020: That time Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would scrap university tuition fees
January 30, 2026 at 12:12 PM
It’s so depressing to see a Labour chancellor use arguments which do the right’s bidding by helping to chip away at the very principle of taxation.
Reposted by Richard Haviland
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
January 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
Reposted by Richard Haviland
When this bit of the party tries to imply that higher education is an elitist luxury rather than a public good, it's projection IMO.
Because their ideology – which is basically Fabianism on steroids – is incredibly elitist!
Because their ideology – which is basically Fabianism on steroids – is incredibly elitist!
2026: Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, "It is not right that people who don't go to university bear the cost for others to"
2020: That time Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would scrap university tuition fees
2020: That time Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would scrap university tuition fees
January 29, 2026 at 10:09 AM
When this bit of the party tries to imply that higher education is an elitist luxury rather than a public good, it's projection IMO.
Because their ideology – which is basically Fabianism on steroids – is incredibly elitist!
Because their ideology – which is basically Fabianism on steroids – is incredibly elitist!
‘When I grow up I want to be a computer’.
January 29, 2026 at 10:56 AM
‘When I grow up I want to be a computer’.
Badenoch’s problem is she should be defecting to Reform but that’s a bit tricky when you’re party leader.
Badenoch's strategic genius on full display here, telling centrist voters to fuck off, including in the 60+ seats the party lost to the Lib Dems, so she can focus on competing with an extreme right party ahead of her in the polls.
January 28, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Badenoch’s problem is she should be defecting to Reform but that’s a bit tricky when you’re party leader.
Reposted by Richard Haviland
It’s super awkward when some of your best friends are Nazis and you don’t want to make them feel bad
Legitimately a feat of carefully calculated writing to issue a Holocaust Remembrance Day statement of this length without mentioning either (1) the people who perpetrated the Holocaust or (2) the people against whom they perpetrated it
January 28, 2026 at 8:09 AM
It’s super awkward when some of your best friends are Nazis and you don’t want to make them feel bad
Reposted by Richard Haviland
The "Miller ordered me to do it" defense will be used a lot at the war crimes trials.
Genuinely interesting. Kristi Noem is snitching that Stephen Miller is the one who made up the bullshit about Alex Pretti.
It would be genuinely useful if Congress can get her to admit that he has been dictating ALL OF THIS just like he dictated the murderboats.
www.axios.com/2026/01/27/t...
It would be genuinely useful if Congress can get her to admit that he has been dictating ALL OF THIS just like he dictated the murderboats.
www.axios.com/2026/01/27/t...
January 27, 2026 at 9:51 PM
The "Miller ordered me to do it" defense will be used a lot at the war crimes trials.
Reposted by Richard Haviland
Would be quite the move for such a fragile govt to try to take away the rights of some of the most put-upon, stonewalled (and very driven & tenacious) people in the country liveapp.inews.co.uk/category/419...
Parents of SEND children face being blocked from EHCP appeals
Ministers are seeking to curb the sharp rise in tribunal challenges – where parents win 99 per cent of cases
liveapp.inews.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Would be quite the move for such a fragile govt to try to take away the rights of some of the most put-upon, stonewalled (and very driven & tenacious) people in the country liveapp.inews.co.uk/category/419...
Reposted by Richard Haviland
Last week:
Trump threatened to invade a NATO ally, grossly insulted British soldiers, and watched his paramilitaries murder a civilian in the street.
This week:
Malcolm Offord says we should roll out the red carpet for him.
But it’s OK.
Malcolm is a respectable businessman.
Trump threatened to invade a NATO ally, grossly insulted British soldiers, and watched his paramilitaries murder a civilian in the street.
This week:
Malcolm Offord says we should roll out the red carpet for him.
But it’s OK.
Malcolm is a respectable businessman.
January 27, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Last week:
Trump threatened to invade a NATO ally, grossly insulted British soldiers, and watched his paramilitaries murder a civilian in the street.
This week:
Malcolm Offord says we should roll out the red carpet for him.
But it’s OK.
Malcolm is a respectable businessman.
Trump threatened to invade a NATO ally, grossly insulted British soldiers, and watched his paramilitaries murder a civilian in the street.
This week:
Malcolm Offord says we should roll out the red carpet for him.
But it’s OK.
Malcolm is a respectable businessman.
Reposted by Richard Haviland
It must really confuse MAGA and Reform types to witness all these leftist, woke, rootless globalists finding strength in community and love for their neighbours.
Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
January 27, 2026 at 2:37 PM
It must really confuse MAGA and Reform types to witness all these leftist, woke, rootless globalists finding strength in community and love for their neighbours.
One of the greatest and most offensive Brexiteer myths, and one of the most damaging things Theresa May ever implied, was that there was a certain type of person who didn’t believe in community.
A thought: what's happening in the US shows that the somewheres/anywheres thing is bollocks. Most of the people mobilising, Goodhart would call Anywheres. And they're mobilising specifically to protect their neighbours and their neighbourhoods.
January 27, 2026 at 6:12 PM
One of the greatest and most offensive Brexiteer myths, and one of the most damaging things Theresa May ever implied, was that there was a certain type of person who didn’t believe in community.
Reposted by Richard Haviland
Incredible choice for a multicultural constituency. Enoch Powell energy
January 27, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Incredible choice for a multicultural constituency. Enoch Powell energy
Reposted by Richard Haviland
“The brave men and women of ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol are doing their best to carry out these executions in a safe and professional manner,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem
Kristi Noem Calls On Minneapolis Residents To Stop Obstructing Murders
WASHINGTON—Urging locals to “fully cooperate” with federal agents, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called on Minneapolis residents Monday to stop obstructing murders. “The brave ...
theonion.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:30 AM
“The brave men and women of ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol are doing their best to carry out these executions in a safe and professional manner,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem
Last week:
Trump threatened to invade a NATO ally, grossly insulted British soldiers, and watched his paramilitaries murder a civilian in the street.
This week:
Malcolm Offord says we should roll out the red carpet for him.
But it’s OK.
Malcolm is a respectable businessman.
Trump threatened to invade a NATO ally, grossly insulted British soldiers, and watched his paramilitaries murder a civilian in the street.
This week:
Malcolm Offord says we should roll out the red carpet for him.
But it’s OK.
Malcolm is a respectable businessman.
January 27, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Last week:
Trump threatened to invade a NATO ally, grossly insulted British soldiers, and watched his paramilitaries murder a civilian in the street.
This week:
Malcolm Offord says we should roll out the red carpet for him.
But it’s OK.
Malcolm is a respectable businessman.
Trump threatened to invade a NATO ally, grossly insulted British soldiers, and watched his paramilitaries murder a civilian in the street.
This week:
Malcolm Offord says we should roll out the red carpet for him.
But it’s OK.
Malcolm is a respectable businessman.
Reposted by Richard Haviland
Reminder: Reform UK wants ICE-style murders on British streets.
January 27, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Reminder: Reform UK wants ICE-style murders on British streets.