Stephen Baker
@stephenbaker.bsky.social
Socialist. Trade unionist. Strummer of strings. Co.Down. Researches, writes & teaches. Radical whore of sociology. "...clean living under difficult circumstances." Proudly Paddystinian.
I saw Mackenzie on the BBC being interviewed about the resignations of Davie and Turness, and I just thought is there any one at the BBC with any sense? Imagine, inviting Kelvin fucking Mackenzie to talk about journalistic standards!
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Liverpool FC complain to BBC about Kelvin Mackenzie coverage
Reds bosses said to be furious with inclusion of former S*n editor in piece discussing journalistic standards
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 10:50 AM
I saw Mackenzie on the BBC being interviewed about the resignations of Davie and Turness, and I just thought is there any one at the BBC with any sense? Imagine, inviting Kelvin fucking Mackenzie to talk about journalistic standards!
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
BBC news once edited footage of Orgreave during the miners' strike in 1984-85 to give the erroneous impression that violence had been initiated by picketing miners, when in fact it was mounted police that had charged pickets. No one at the BBC resigned or lost their job because of this.
November 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
BBC news once edited footage of Orgreave during the miners' strike in 1984-85 to give the erroneous impression that violence had been initiated by picketing miners, when in fact it was mounted police that had charged pickets. No one at the BBC resigned or lost their job because of this.
Reposted by Stephen Baker
#OtD 10 Nov 1995 Ken Saro-Wiwa, Ogoni indigenous author and activist, was hanged by the Nigerian state for resisting Royal Dutch Shell, alongside eight other Ogoni people. They had organised nonviolent resistance to destruction of Indigenous lands stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8237...
November 10, 2025 at 11:15 AM
#OtD 10 Nov 1995 Ken Saro-Wiwa, Ogoni indigenous author and activist, was hanged by the Nigerian state for resisting Royal Dutch Shell, alongside eight other Ogoni people. They had organised nonviolent resistance to destruction of Indigenous lands stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8237...
As threats to the “United Kingdom” go, the failure of its political class to defend public institutions like the NHS, BBC (to name but two), rivals that of nationalist and independence movements.
November 10, 2025 at 7:08 AM
As threats to the “United Kingdom” go, the failure of its political class to defend public institutions like the NHS, BBC (to name but two), rivals that of nationalist and independence movements.
Iain Dale has edited a collection called The Taoiseach: A Century of Political Leadership. He was talking about it on the Irish Times podcast, were he offered his thoughts on current UK politics. It's tired. So, so fucking tired. His sneering and innuendo. No capacity for analysis.
November 6, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Iain Dale has edited a collection called The Taoiseach: A Century of Political Leadership. He was talking about it on the Irish Times podcast, were he offered his thoughts on current UK politics. It's tired. So, so fucking tired. His sneering and innuendo. No capacity for analysis.
The @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social podcast is always a pleasure but this week's tribute to the Scottish curator, the late Elspeth King, is fascinating. I'd never heard of her, but her work at the People's Palace Museum in Glasgow sounds joyful and inspirational.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
Jack Glass Is A Pastor
Podcast Episode · The Lesley Riddoch Podcast · 04/11/2025 · 1h 8m
podcasts.apple.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:13 PM
The @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social podcast is always a pleasure but this week's tribute to the Scottish curator, the late Elspeth King, is fascinating. I'd never heard of her, but her work at the People's Palace Museum in Glasgow sounds joyful and inspirational.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...
Reposted by Stephen Baker
After presidential fiasco, Fine Gael and Harris choose hate over hope - why the Irish right pivoting to overt racism is as predictable as it is wrong, and what the left (and in particular Sinn Féin) has to do to avoid making the same mistake.
#SpeirGorm #Aras25
philipoconnor.com/after-presid...
#SpeirGorm #Aras25
philipoconnor.com/after-presid...
October 30, 2025 at 6:49 PM
After presidential fiasco, Fine Gael and Harris choose hate over hope - why the Irish right pivoting to overt racism is as predictable as it is wrong, and what the left (and in particular Sinn Féin) has to do to avoid making the same mistake.
#SpeirGorm #Aras25
philipoconnor.com/after-presid...
#SpeirGorm #Aras25
philipoconnor.com/after-presid...
Ards Historical Society’s Bully’s Acre exhibition in the Newtownards Tourist Information centre. The @heartsofdown.bsky.social Forgotten Famine film is the centrepiece.
October 29, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Ards Historical Society’s Bully’s Acre exhibition in the Newtownards Tourist Information centre. The @heartsofdown.bsky.social Forgotten Famine film is the centrepiece.
Reposted by Stephen Baker
Just voted in the @ucu.org.uk pay and conditions ballot. Voted YES.
I’m sick of worsening pay and conditions. I’m sick of working in a constant state of crisis. I’m sick of the exploitative, careless leadership in this sector.
I’m looking forward to fighting back with @ucu-ulster.bsky.social
I’m sick of worsening pay and conditions. I’m sick of working in a constant state of crisis. I’m sick of the exploitative, careless leadership in this sector.
I’m looking forward to fighting back with @ucu-ulster.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Reposted by Stephen Baker
Is saying racist things really racist though?
Join us on every fucking talking heads talk show for the rest of eternity to discuss this ridiculous question over and over and over and over again.
Join us on every fucking talking heads talk show for the rest of eternity to discuss this ridiculous question over and over and over and over again.
October 28, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Is saying racist things really racist though?
Join us on every fucking talking heads talk show for the rest of eternity to discuss this ridiculous question over and over and over and over again.
Join us on every fucking talking heads talk show for the rest of eternity to discuss this ridiculous question over and over and over and over again.
Just voted in the @ucu.org.uk pay and conditions ballot. Voted YES.
I’m sick of worsening pay and conditions. I’m sick of working in a constant state of crisis. I’m sick of the exploitative, careless leadership in this sector.
I’m looking forward to fighting back with @ucu-ulster.bsky.social
I’m sick of worsening pay and conditions. I’m sick of working in a constant state of crisis. I’m sick of the exploitative, careless leadership in this sector.
I’m looking forward to fighting back with @ucu-ulster.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Just voted in the @ucu.org.uk pay and conditions ballot. Voted YES.
I’m sick of worsening pay and conditions. I’m sick of working in a constant state of crisis. I’m sick of the exploitative, careless leadership in this sector.
I’m looking forward to fighting back with @ucu-ulster.bsky.social
I’m sick of worsening pay and conditions. I’m sick of working in a constant state of crisis. I’m sick of the exploitative, careless leadership in this sector.
I’m looking forward to fighting back with @ucu-ulster.bsky.social
In the 90s Caroline Aherne ripped the piss out of this sort of nonsense.
How this shit moved from Kilroy to news and current affairs is mind blowing.
How this shit moved from Kilroy to news and current affairs is mind blowing.
October 27, 2025 at 10:52 PM
In the 90s Caroline Aherne ripped the piss out of this sort of nonsense.
How this shit moved from Kilroy to news and current affairs is mind blowing.
How this shit moved from Kilroy to news and current affairs is mind blowing.
Reposted by Stephen Baker
Because even this giant spider isn't as horrifying as working conditions, job insecurity and pay erosion in Higher Education
Vote and vote "Yes"
#wearetheUniversity
Vote and vote "Yes"
#wearetheUniversity
October 27, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Because even this giant spider isn't as horrifying as working conditions, job insecurity and pay erosion in Higher Education
Vote and vote "Yes"
#wearetheUniversity
Vote and vote "Yes"
#wearetheUniversity
At a time when global politics is dominated by ignorant, bigoted, careless dickheads, Ireland elected a humane, intelligent and articulate president. That's really the story here, isn't it.
October 27, 2025 at 10:27 AM
At a time when global politics is dominated by ignorant, bigoted, careless dickheads, Ireland elected a humane, intelligent and articulate president. That's really the story here, isn't it.
Reposted by Stephen Baker
The British press in all its ignorant, blinkered, navel-gazing, entitled glory here
Note to Metro fact-checkers: she’s Ireland’s third woman president, lads
Note to Metro fact-checkers: she’s Ireland’s third woman president, lads
October 27, 2025 at 10:17 AM
The British press in all its ignorant, blinkered, navel-gazing, entitled glory here
Note to Metro fact-checkers: she’s Ireland’s third woman president, lads
Note to Metro fact-checkers: she’s Ireland’s third woman president, lads
Reposted by Stephen Baker
ICYMI: Much of the analysis you are being fed of Catherine Connolly's landslide victory is both wrong and offensive.
Connolly’s landslide buries political myths about Ireland’s presidential process - how the establishment's attempts to explain #Aras25 are fatally flawed from the outset, and who really matters in the aftermath.
philipoconnor.com/connollys-la...
philipoconnor.com/connollys-la...
October 27, 2025 at 7:55 AM
ICYMI: Much of the analysis you are being fed of Catherine Connolly's landslide victory is both wrong and offensive.
Blisteringly good analysis of the the election of a new Irish President, excoriating the ridiculous media coverage of Connolly’s victory.
Connolly’s landslide buries political myths about Ireland’s presidential process - how the establishment's attempts to explain #Aras25 are fatally flawed from the outset, and who really matters in the aftermath.
philipoconnor.com/connollys-la...
philipoconnor.com/connollys-la...
October 26, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Blisteringly good analysis of the the election of a new Irish President, excoriating the ridiculous media coverage of Connolly’s victory.
Reposted by Stephen Baker
Ireland: overwhelmingly votes for an independent left wing candidate
Irish Media: We must do more to help the far right!!
Irish Media: We must do more to help the far right!!
October 26, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Ireland: overwhelmingly votes for an independent left wing candidate
Irish Media: We must do more to help the far right!!
Irish Media: We must do more to help the far right!!
Reposted by Stephen Baker
Saying that it's "too hard" to get on the Irish president ballot when an independent woman got the entire Irish left to back her, got the biggest vote ever and beat two historically dominant parties is not just wrong - it is breathtakingly offensive and outrageously dishonest.
#Aras25 #Speirgorm
#Aras25 #Speirgorm
October 26, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Saying that it's "too hard" to get on the Irish president ballot when an independent woman got the entire Irish left to back her, got the biggest vote ever and beat two historically dominant parties is not just wrong - it is breathtakingly offensive and outrageously dishonest.
#Aras25 #Speirgorm
#Aras25 #Speirgorm
My mate, Maurice has a way of putting things that just illuminates human relations and life. Here, he writes about the idea of being a newcomer to the neighbourhood. Its wonderful.
thelivingweft.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/n...
@jointhecoo.bsky.social
thelivingweft.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/n...
@jointhecoo.bsky.social
Newcoming
Some 50 years ago, as a young school child, I entered the pool area at Templemore Baths, a Victorian public baths in East Belfast, stood at the edge of the pool and plunged in. Immediately, the tea…
thelivingweft.wordpress.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:13 PM
My mate, Maurice has a way of putting things that just illuminates human relations and life. Here, he writes about the idea of being a newcomer to the neighbourhood. Its wonderful.
thelivingweft.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/n...
@jointhecoo.bsky.social
thelivingweft.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/n...
@jointhecoo.bsky.social
UK Labour's deputy leadership results are in, if anyone is, like, y'know, interested... anyone?
a man wearing glasses is standing in front of a blackboard and says `` anyone ? '' .
ALT: a man wearing glasses is standing in front of a blackboard and says `` anyone ? '' .
media.tenor.com
October 25, 2025 at 10:06 AM
UK Labour's deputy leadership results are in, if anyone is, like, y'know, interested... anyone?
Farage visited in Caerphilly three times during the by-election campaign. Maybe his droning English pub bore routine isn’t as bewitching as his allies in the media think.
October 24, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Farage visited in Caerphilly three times during the by-election campaign. Maybe his droning English pub bore routine isn’t as bewitching as his allies in the media think.
If you’re not investing in the people who deliver higher education, then you aren’t actually invested in higher education. Put up all the vanity building projects you like. Buy whatever tech you please. But education is something that happens between people. Improve the pay of the key workers in HE!
Pay is worth 2/3rds of what it was 17 years ago in 2008
Due to inflationary erosion, we now work approximately 4 months for free for @UlsterUni
BTW, this doesn't include all the free stuff you do anyway due to our unhealthy workloads....
You deserve more!
Vote Yes ✊❤️
Due to inflationary erosion, we now work approximately 4 months for free for @UlsterUni
BTW, this doesn't include all the free stuff you do anyway due to our unhealthy workloads....
You deserve more!
Vote Yes ✊❤️
a woman with blue nails is holding a pair of scissors in her hand
ALT: a woman with blue nails is holding a pair of scissors in her hand
media.tenor.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:17 PM
If you’re not investing in the people who deliver higher education, then you aren’t actually invested in higher education. Put up all the vanity building projects you like. Buy whatever tech you please. But education is something that happens between people. Improve the pay of the key workers in HE!
Reposted by Stephen Baker
Pay is worth 2/3rds of what it was 17 years ago in 2008
Due to inflationary erosion, we now work approximately 4 months for free for @UlsterUni
BTW, this doesn't include all the free stuff you do anyway due to our unhealthy workloads....
You deserve more!
Vote Yes ✊❤️
Due to inflationary erosion, we now work approximately 4 months for free for @UlsterUni
BTW, this doesn't include all the free stuff you do anyway due to our unhealthy workloads....
You deserve more!
Vote Yes ✊❤️
a woman with blue nails is holding a pair of scissors in her hand
ALT: a woman with blue nails is holding a pair of scissors in her hand
media.tenor.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Pay is worth 2/3rds of what it was 17 years ago in 2008
Due to inflationary erosion, we now work approximately 4 months for free for @UlsterUni
BTW, this doesn't include all the free stuff you do anyway due to our unhealthy workloads....
You deserve more!
Vote Yes ✊❤️
Due to inflationary erosion, we now work approximately 4 months for free for @UlsterUni
BTW, this doesn't include all the free stuff you do anyway due to our unhealthy workloads....
You deserve more!
Vote Yes ✊❤️