Tomato Soup
@souptomatosoup.uk
Anything posted here are my personal views.
Anonymised UK policy generalist with far too much experience, especially economic, tax, and international.
Preferred pronouns: They/Them/Their.
@souptomatosoup on twitter
Banner credit @pickardje.bsky.social
Anonymised UK policy generalist with far too much experience, especially economic, tax, and international.
Preferred pronouns: They/Them/Their.
@souptomatosoup on twitter
Banner credit @pickardje.bsky.social
Pinned
Tomato Soup
@souptomatosoup.uk
· Jul 23
irst Past the Post (FPTP) distorts the inputs and outcomes of elections.
Not only do most votes get ignored, but most voters are forced to "vote tactically" rather than for who they actually want.
We need #ElectoralReform.
Not only do most votes get ignored, but most voters are forced to "vote tactically" rather than for who they actually want.
We need #ElectoralReform.
Did not expect to make it to 2026, I hope you all have a lovely new year
December 31, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Did not expect to make it to 2026, I hope you all have a lovely new year
Definitive proof that the earth is not flat: If it had edges, cats would have pushed everything off them by now.
December 19, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Definitive proof that the earth is not flat: If it had edges, cats would have pushed everything off them by now.
Reposted by Tomato Soup
I think the best way to explain the X vs Bluesky preference is whether a person thinks the left is more annoying than the right is dangerous.
The reason so many Noah Smiths end up on the X side of that equation is that while the left annoys them personally, the right mostly endangers other people.
The reason so many Noah Smiths end up on the X side of that equation is that while the left annoys them personally, the right mostly endangers other people.
December 15, 2025 at 12:42 PM
I think the best way to explain the X vs Bluesky preference is whether a person thinks the left is more annoying than the right is dangerous.
The reason so many Noah Smiths end up on the X side of that equation is that while the left annoys them personally, the right mostly endangers other people.
The reason so many Noah Smiths end up on the X side of that equation is that while the left annoys them personally, the right mostly endangers other people.
There are huge carveouts in IHT for things like the primary home. So it’s already generous, but such taxes are important to redistribute generational wealth.
If you oppose hereditary members of the House of Lords, you should support inheritance tax for the same reason.
If you oppose hereditary members of the House of Lords, you should support inheritance tax for the same reason.
As part of a Dink myself, I can honestly say I have not once worried about the inheritance tax that may need to be paid when my partner and I one day topple off this mortal coil.
Whoever ends up being the beneficiary of our estate is getting money they did not work for, and they should be taxed.
Whoever ends up being the beneficiary of our estate is getting money they did not work for, and they should be taxed.
December 15, 2025 at 1:42 PM
There are huge carveouts in IHT for things like the primary home. So it’s already generous, but such taxes are important to redistribute generational wealth.
If you oppose hereditary members of the House of Lords, you should support inheritance tax for the same reason.
If you oppose hereditary members of the House of Lords, you should support inheritance tax for the same reason.
Dear @patmcfaddenmp.bsky.social , I make this post with zero political inference, if as a career civil servant, I cannot adequately get your staff to understand that without additional support, I am going to end up unable to work, or dead, within the next year, then the process involved is failing.
According to DWP the disabilities destroying my life, hugely increasing my cost of living to a point of barely surviving, mean I score a total of ZERO on their PIP eligibility.
Apparently, a department that wants to get disabled people into work, won't support me until I have worked myself to death
Apparently, a department that wants to get disabled people into work, won't support me until I have worked myself to death
December 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Dear @patmcfaddenmp.bsky.social , I make this post with zero political inference, if as a career civil servant, I cannot adequately get your staff to understand that without additional support, I am going to end up unable to work, or dead, within the next year, then the process involved is failing.
According to DWP the disabilities destroying my life, hugely increasing my cost of living to a point of barely surviving, mean I score a total of ZERO on their PIP eligibility.
Apparently, a department that wants to get disabled people into work, won't support me until I have worked myself to death
Apparently, a department that wants to get disabled people into work, won't support me until I have worked myself to death
December 12, 2025 at 2:41 PM
According to DWP the disabilities destroying my life, hugely increasing my cost of living to a point of barely surviving, mean I score a total of ZERO on their PIP eligibility.
Apparently, a department that wants to get disabled people into work, won't support me until I have worked myself to death
Apparently, a department that wants to get disabled people into work, won't support me until I have worked myself to death
Reposted by Tomato Soup
Not just tourism. It ends US global business.
NEW: Five years of social media history is only a fraction of what the US Government will shortly demand of overseas visitors.
The full requirements will end tourism in the United States.
Below is the full, mind-blowing list.
🚨THEY. WANT. YOUR. DNA.🚨
1/
The full requirements will end tourism in the United States.
Below is the full, mind-blowing list.
🚨THEY. WANT. YOUR. DNA.🚨
1/
December 11, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Not just tourism. It ends US global business.
Reposted by Tomato Soup
Zelenskyy: “The United States does not want Ukraine to be in NATO.
“What separate agreements the US has with Russia — we do not know.
“Over time all secrets come to light.”
“What separate agreements the US has with Russia — we do not know.
“Over time all secrets come to light.”
December 11, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Zelenskyy: “The United States does not want Ukraine to be in NATO.
“What separate agreements the US has with Russia — we do not know.
“Over time all secrets come to light.”
“What separate agreements the US has with Russia — we do not know.
“Over time all secrets come to light.”
All those stories of illness spreading? Believe them…
Graphed data on coughing levels from all users of the sleep app I use
(Blanked out central London to hide my personal location, sorry!)
Graphed data on coughing levels from all users of the sleep app I use
(Blanked out central London to hide my personal location, sorry!)
December 11, 2025 at 12:36 PM
All those stories of illness spreading? Believe them…
Graphed data on coughing levels from all users of the sleep app I use
(Blanked out central London to hide my personal location, sorry!)
Graphed data on coughing levels from all users of the sleep app I use
(Blanked out central London to hide my personal location, sorry!)
Reposted by Tomato Soup
"womens rights activist" is the pretence for loud misogynists, transphobes, and homophobes, in the current society where such bigotry is government policy.
December 10, 2025 at 11:11 PM
"womens rights activist" is the pretence for loud misogynists, transphobes, and homophobes, in the current society where such bigotry is government policy.
When elected Pope, they become the head of a country "holy see", do they automatically gain dual nationality? Or does Italy give the equivalent of indefinite leave to remain to all popes by default?
Anyone know?
Anyone know?
December 10, 2025 at 3:13 PM
When elected Pope, they become the head of a country "holy see", do they automatically gain dual nationality? Or does Italy give the equivalent of indefinite leave to remain to all popes by default?
Anyone know?
Anyone know?
Does anyone know of a site akin to Spareroom for finding people for flatshares in London?
In urgent need to avoid being evicted for xmas.
In urgent need to avoid being evicted for xmas.
December 9, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Does anyone know of a site akin to Spareroom for finding people for flatshares in London?
In urgent need to avoid being evicted for xmas.
In urgent need to avoid being evicted for xmas.
Reposted by Tomato Soup
Frustratingly, remainers said this again and again during the Brexit referendum: European states are small and in global terms weak on their own. And Europe’s enemies want it that way. But of course that was talking Britain down and other such delusional rubbish.
Elon Musk and his Russian friends call for the abolishment of the EU
December 6, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Frustratingly, remainers said this again and again during the Brexit referendum: European states are small and in global terms weak on their own. And Europe’s enemies want it that way. But of course that was talking Britain down and other such delusional rubbish.
It’s weird how much of an influencer Jesus turned out to be; he only had 12 followers!
(No offence meant, heard the joke, thought it was funny)
(No offence meant, heard the joke, thought it was funny)
December 5, 2025 at 11:03 AM
It’s weird how much of an influencer Jesus turned out to be; he only had 12 followers!
(No offence meant, heard the joke, thought it was funny)
(No offence meant, heard the joke, thought it was funny)
Reposted by Tomato Soup
Holy shit.
Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
December 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Holy shit.
Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Looking to find someone to share a flat rental in London asap, please let me know if you know someone.
December 4, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Looking to find someone to share a flat rental in London asap, please let me know if you know someone.
Reposted by Tomato Soup
🧵 Ten years after Brexit, data catches up with lived reality.
UK 🇬🇧 GDP 8% smaller. Investment ⬇️ 18%. Productivity ⬇️ 4%. GDP/capita 10% lower than comparable nations.
Not bc of a single shock, but bc Brexit drained confidence, investment, capacity for a decade.
www.euronews.com/business/202...
UK 🇬🇧 GDP 8% smaller. Investment ⬇️ 18%. Productivity ⬇️ 4%. GDP/capita 10% lower than comparable nations.
Not bc of a single shock, but bc Brexit drained confidence, investment, capacity for a decade.
www.euronews.com/business/202...
December 3, 2025 at 5:31 PM
🧵 Ten years after Brexit, data catches up with lived reality.
UK 🇬🇧 GDP 8% smaller. Investment ⬇️ 18%. Productivity ⬇️ 4%. GDP/capita 10% lower than comparable nations.
Not bc of a single shock, but bc Brexit drained confidence, investment, capacity for a decade.
www.euronews.com/business/202...
UK 🇬🇧 GDP 8% smaller. Investment ⬇️ 18%. Productivity ⬇️ 4%. GDP/capita 10% lower than comparable nations.
Not bc of a single shock, but bc Brexit drained confidence, investment, capacity for a decade.
www.euronews.com/business/202...
Reposted by Tomato Soup
BREAKING: “The idea that leaving the EU was the answer to all our cares and concerns has clearly been proved wrong."
Keir Starmer says that "wild promises were made" about Brexit.
He adds: "The same argument is now being made about the European Convention on Human Rights"
Keir Starmer says that "wild promises were made" about Brexit.
He adds: "The same argument is now being made about the European Convention on Human Rights"
December 1, 2025 at 9:58 PM
BREAKING: “The idea that leaving the EU was the answer to all our cares and concerns has clearly been proved wrong."
Keir Starmer says that "wild promises were made" about Brexit.
He adds: "The same argument is now being made about the European Convention on Human Rights"
Keir Starmer says that "wild promises were made" about Brexit.
He adds: "The same argument is now being made about the European Convention on Human Rights"
Reposted by Tomato Soup
Turning Point at OU posted this girl's essay in full and man is it rough
November 29, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Turning Point at OU posted this girl's essay in full and man is it rough
Oh, hello Thursday.
a man in a suit is sitting in a chair and says it 's a terrible day emma
ALT: a man in a suit is sitting in a chair and says it 's a terrible day emma
media.tenor.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Oh, hello Thursday.
🤞
🚨 Graham linehan has DIED of shitting himself
November 25, 2025 at 1:41 PM
🤞
I am very uncomfortable with this idea, its bringing an even greater populist approach to justice - and reduced legitimacy too.
🔺BREAKING: Jury trials to be scrapped except for alleged rapists and killers
David Lammy is proposing that judges hear cases alone for crimes that could result in a sentence of up to five years to tackle court backlog
David Lammy is proposing that judges hear cases alone for crimes that could result in a sentence of up to five years to tackle court backlog
Jury trials to be scrapped except for alleged rapists and killers
Jury trials to be scrapped except for alleged rapists and killers
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I am very uncomfortable with this idea, its bringing an even greater populist approach to justice - and reduced legitimacy too.
Reposted by Tomato Soup
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
I have failed to sleep for so long I am now too hungry to sleep…AAARRRGHGGGGHHH
a cartoon character with an angry look on his face and the words freetopsticker below him
ALT: a cartoon character with an angry look on his face and the words freetopsticker below him
media.tenor.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:30 AM
I have failed to sleep for so long I am now too hungry to sleep…AAARRRGHGGGGHHH
Reposted by Tomato Soup
Apparently there isn't good evidence that Google uses Gmail to train LLMs — I'm still glad to no longer rely on gmail for email, because I am a skeptic (paranoid?) and just don't trust that what they say is what they do
The malwarebytes Google opting-your-emails-into-ai-training thing is not true. The post is based on one bad tweet.
I know anti-tech lamenting is a Bluesky core principle, but please use the same judgement you would for any other clickbait.
www.theverge.com/news/826902/...
I know anti-tech lamenting is a Bluesky core principle, but please use the same judgement you would for any other clickbait.
www.theverge.com/news/826902/...
Google denies ‘misleading’ reports of Gmail using your emails to train AI
Google says “we do not use your Gmail content for training our Gemini AI model.”
www.theverge.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Apparently there isn't good evidence that Google uses Gmail to train LLMs — I'm still glad to no longer rely on gmail for email, because I am a skeptic (paranoid?) and just don't trust that what they say is what they do