Tony Smith
@smithtonyd.bsky.social
#Networks with #government, #thinktanks etc for #Birmingham, one of the UK's great but dis-empowered #cities. I own my views but they are socially constructed.
Reposted by Tony Smith
Trump and his minions seem unable to NOT constantly and brazenly lie at any opportunity, like it’s habitual. Completely surreal to live through a US administration that appears to be in the throes of self inflicted madness.
#Newsnight
#Newsnight
January 23, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Trump and his minions seem unable to NOT constantly and brazenly lie at any opportunity, like it’s habitual. Completely surreal to live through a US administration that appears to be in the throes of self inflicted madness.
#Newsnight
#Newsnight
Even before the insult to troops and allies over Afghanistan in Davos Trump made racist remarks about Somalis and insulted the host nation in misogynistic terms. He announced that Washington was so safe you could “take a walk with your wife”. So only men with wives were listening then? 🙄😡 #newsnight
January 23, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Even before the insult to troops and allies over Afghanistan in Davos Trump made racist remarks about Somalis and insulted the host nation in misogynistic terms. He announced that Washington was so safe you could “take a walk with your wife”. So only men with wives were listening then? 🙄😡 #newsnight
The old chestnut again about focusing on brown field development. We are doing that and have done for years, but it’s not enough. The reality is we can plan what we like but the market decides what gets built - our house building industry is totally inadequate and councils can’t build #bbcqt
January 22, 2026 at 11:36 PM
The old chestnut again about focusing on brown field development. We are doing that and have done for years, but it’s not enough. The reality is we can plan what we like but the market decides what gets built - our house building industry is totally inadequate and councils can’t build #bbcqt
Says it all about the lack of political awareness and local democracy in this country. People are angry about things they don’t understand because no one bothers to talk to them. That way lies populism and worse… #bbcqt
Confused woman in bright yellow jacket doesn't know the difference between General Elections and local council elections.
She's only ever voted once in her life, having been eligible for 42 years.
🙄
#bbcqt
She's only ever voted once in her life, having been eligible for 42 years.
🙄
#bbcqt
January 22, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Says it all about the lack of political awareness and local democracy in this country. People are angry about things they don’t understand because no one bothers to talk to them. That way lies populism and worse… #bbcqt
Is this Trump supporting US senator a badly programmed robot? It’s rare to see such stupidity voiced with such arrogant authority. #newsnight
January 20, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Is this Trump supporting US senator a badly programmed robot? It’s rare to see such stupidity voiced with such arrogant authority. #newsnight
The PM was asked about any confusion over the military staff sent to Greenland at his press conference yesterday and confirmed that its purpose was clear to Trump. Do keep up! #r4today
January 20, 2026 at 8:25 AM
The PM was asked about any confusion over the military staff sent to Greenland at his press conference yesterday and confirmed that its purpose was clear to Trump. Do keep up! #r4today
I would love to hear what these “values and principles” are that politicians like Tice keep spouting on about… #newsnight
January 16, 2026 at 10:53 PM
I would love to hear what these “values and principles” are that politicians like Tice keep spouting on about… #newsnight
Reposted by Tony Smith
any chance of listing the tangible benefits that the UK has accrued from Mr Farage's Brexit?
A short period of silence should suffice.
#bbcpm
A short period of silence should suffice.
#bbcpm
January 16, 2026 at 5:37 PM
any chance of listing the tangible benefits that the UK has accrued from Mr Farage's Brexit?
A short period of silence should suffice.
#bbcpm
A short period of silence should suffice.
#bbcpm
Con/Reform defections: We’re talking about a lot of politicians who are utterly and nauseatingly self interested. I’ll take Starmer any day over them… #newsnight
January 15, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Con/Reform defections: We’re talking about a lot of politicians who are utterly and nauseatingly self interested. I’ll take Starmer any day over them… #newsnight
The ridiculous pretext of this discussion about the next election is that Reform has serious policies and people who can deliver change where the other parties can’t. Absurd. #newsnight 🤷♂️🙄
January 15, 2026 at 10:51 PM
The ridiculous pretext of this discussion about the next election is that Reform has serious policies and people who can deliver change where the other parties can’t. Absurd. #newsnight 🤷♂️🙄
Absolutely dreadful discussion on digital ID etc ruined by an opposition spokesperson who doesn’t know what he’s talking about and a presenter who didn’t let the minister present the facts. The WMs mayor does not have control over policing and business rates are complex so let him explain! #wato
January 14, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Absolutely dreadful discussion on digital ID etc ruined by an opposition spokesperson who doesn’t know what he’s talking about and a presenter who didn’t let the minister present the facts. The WMs mayor does not have control over policing and business rates are complex so let him explain! #wato
Reposted by Tony Smith
If "the Arctic needs securing", as Mandelson said yesterday, why has the US withdrawn from almost all its bases in Greenland? Why isn't Canada's and Norway's work mentioned? Why doesn't the Denmark, Faroes and Greenland Joint Arctic Command get a look in? NATO is supposed to work together
#R4Today
#R4Today
January 12, 2026 at 8:47 AM
If "the Arctic needs securing", as Mandelson said yesterday, why has the US withdrawn from almost all its bases in Greenland? Why isn't Canada's and Norway's work mentioned? Why doesn't the Denmark, Faroes and Greenland Joint Arctic Command get a look in? NATO is supposed to work together
#R4Today
#R4Today
Reposted by Tony Smith
Holy cow: TRUMP LEAKED THIS MORNING'S PAYROLL NUMBERS.
At 8:20pm last night he posted a photo of a briefing he received from his CEA. It reveals market-moving numbers that were officially released at 8:30am this morning.
(Note: CEA receives the data—confidentially—on Thursday evening.)
At 8:20pm last night he posted a photo of a briefing he received from his CEA. It reveals market-moving numbers that were officially released at 8:30am this morning.
(Note: CEA receives the data—confidentially—on Thursday evening.)
January 9, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Reposted by Tony Smith
Views of Twitter/X in Britain
Favourable 14% (3% very favourable)
Unfavourable 65% (37% very unfavourable)
By gender
Men 16-65 (-49)
Women 10-64 (-54)
By 2024 vote
Reform 23-46 (-23)
Cons 17-57 (-40)
Labour 10-76 (-66)
LibDem 6-79 (-73)
Green 5-89 (-84)
YouGov: V similar Jan 2025/Jan 2026
Favourable 14% (3% very favourable)
Unfavourable 65% (37% very unfavourable)
By gender
Men 16-65 (-49)
Women 10-64 (-54)
By 2024 vote
Reform 23-46 (-23)
Cons 17-57 (-40)
Labour 10-76 (-66)
LibDem 6-79 (-73)
Green 5-89 (-84)
YouGov: V similar Jan 2025/Jan 2026
January 9, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Absolutely spot on. The man was talking nonsense. In the absence of anyone more informed, why didn’t Anita challenge him? #bbcpm
Sorry, how is “Ed Miliband’s rush to NetZero ruining business”?
We can’t keep burning fossil fuels, yet UK isn’t reducing our consumption or restricting use of fossil fuels - so how is it ruining British industry? #bbcpm
We can’t keep burning fossil fuels, yet UK isn’t reducing our consumption or restricting use of fossil fuels - so how is it ruining British industry? #bbcpm
January 9, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Absolutely spot on. The man was talking nonsense. In the absence of anyone more informed, why didn’t Anita challenge him? #bbcpm
Yes Evan, we all suffer from bias, but it’s a real struggle no matter how hard you try to see how those videos can be interpreted as an acceptable policing response! #bbcpm
January 8, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Yes Evan, we all suffer from bias, but it’s a real struggle no matter how hard you try to see how those videos can be interpreted as an acceptable policing response! #bbcpm