Stoatwobbler
@stoatwobbler.bsky.social
Supporter of Rejoining the EU. Christian, Whiggish, Wednesdayite, metalhead, partial to real ale and slightly geeky.
Pinned
Reposted by Stoatwobbler
The most effective disinformation aimed at remainers isn’t pro-Brexit.
It’s the idea that demanding rights is embarrassing, hope is childish, and anger should be redirected sideways.
A quiet way to neutralise a movement.
It’s the idea that demanding rights is embarrassing, hope is childish, and anger should be redirected sideways.
A quiet way to neutralise a movement.
December 30, 2025 at 2:53 AM
The most effective disinformation aimed at remainers isn’t pro-Brexit.
It’s the idea that demanding rights is embarrassing, hope is childish, and anger should be redirected sideways.
A quiet way to neutralise a movement.
It’s the idea that demanding rights is embarrassing, hope is childish, and anger should be redirected sideways.
A quiet way to neutralise a movement.
Very interesting video. But I kept wanting to shout out while watching it that the biggest benefits to being married are not economically measurable!
youtube.com/watch?v=fhEr...
youtube.com/watch?v=fhEr...
You're Alone on Valentine's Day Because of Economics
YouTube video by Economics Explained
youtube.com
February 15, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Very interesting video. But I kept wanting to shout out while watching it that the biggest benefits to being married are not economically measurable!
youtube.com/watch?v=fhEr...
youtube.com/watch?v=fhEr...
Unusually for the Church I attend, we had order of service booklets today instead of the usual words on the overhead projector.
The thing this makes you realise about PowerPoint services is how they allow you to do things by the book without even realising that you're doing things by the book!
The thing this makes you realise about PowerPoint services is how they allow you to do things by the book without even realising that you're doing things by the book!
February 15, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Unusually for the Church I attend, we had order of service booklets today instead of the usual words on the overhead projector.
The thing this makes you realise about PowerPoint services is how they allow you to do things by the book without even realising that you're doing things by the book!
The thing this makes you realise about PowerPoint services is how they allow you to do things by the book without even realising that you're doing things by the book!
Doesn't this already fall squarely under the remit of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport?
And I fail to see how the government can't address the problems faced by hospitality under current structures.
And I fail to see how the government can't address the problems faced by hospitality under current structures.
Angela Rayner calls for the Government to create a Minister for Nightlife
"We need to do better. We need to recognise the value of this industry economically, culturally, socially"
"We need to do better. We need to recognise the value of this industry economically, culturally, socially"
February 13, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Doesn't this already fall squarely under the remit of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport?
And I fail to see how the government can't address the problems faced by hospitality under current structures.
And I fail to see how the government can't address the problems faced by hospitality under current structures.
Good news. The ban on Palestine Action was authoritarian overreach from the Home Office.
UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule
Protest group’s co-founder wins legal challenge against decision to proscribe it under anti-terrorism laws
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Good news. The ban on Palestine Action was authoritarian overreach from the Home Office.
This is what happens when you have politics that prioritises big symbols over big ideas and better policies.
Rotherham council accused of ignoring ‘flag terror’ with £500 grants for St George’s and union flags
Labour council says flags must not be ‘surrendered’ to far right but there are concerns in town hit by racial tension
Labour council says flags must not be ‘surrendered’ to far right but there are concerns in town hit by racial tension
Rotherham council accused of ignoring ‘flag terror’ with £500 grants for St George’s and union flags
Labour council says flags must not be ‘surrendered’ to far right but there are concerns in town hit by racial tension
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:13 PM
This is what happens when you have politics that prioritises big symbols over big ideas and better policies.
Reposted by Stoatwobbler
Full EU membership should be put to the public at the next election. It's time to return home.
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
Rejoining the EU is the only way to stop Trump
It is time to return home
inews.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Full EU membership should be put to the public at the next election. It's time to return home.
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
This is a bad idea.
Hosting the Olympics is a sure fire way to waste vast sums of government money for very little long term gain.
Hosting the Olympics is a sure fire way to waste vast sums of government money for very little long term gain.
North of England 2040? Andy Burnham backs plan for multi-city Olympics bid
North of England 2040? Andy Burnham backs plan for multi-city Olympics bid
Northern leaders urge government to support proposal as Manchester mayor says a London bid ‘wouldn’t be right’
The north of England is seeking to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games to boost a region “left out of the national story”.
Northern leaders have written to the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, urging the government to back a multi-city games spanning an area with a population of 15 million people. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:03 PM
This is a bad idea.
Hosting the Olympics is a sure fire way to waste vast sums of government money for very little long term gain.
Hosting the Olympics is a sure fire way to waste vast sums of government money for very little long term gain.
Whilst "trad" architecture advocates can occasionally be quite cringeworthy, defenders of Brutalism definitely outdo them in the cringey stakes.
And I don't think there's a single brutalist building in Britain that's worthy of Grade II listed status.
And I don't think there's a single brutalist building in Britain that's worthy of Grade II listed status.
Campaigners welcome ‘long overdue’ listing of brutalist Southbank Centre
Campaigners welcome ‘long overdue’ listing of brutalist Southbank Centre
Decision to grant Grade II status marks turnaround for what was once voted ‘Britain’s ugliest building’
The Southbank Centre, once voted Britain’s ugliest building, has been granted listed status, in a decision hailed by campaigners as the coming of age of brutalism.
Successive governments have resisted six separate proposals to list the centre – a set of concrete buildings made up of the Hayward Gallery, the Purcell Rooms and the Queen Elizabeth Hall, plus a makeshift skatepark in its basement. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Whilst "trad" architecture advocates can occasionally be quite cringeworthy, defenders of Brutalism definitely outdo them in the cringey stakes.
And I don't think there's a single brutalist building in Britain that's worthy of Grade II listed status.
And I don't think there's a single brutalist building in Britain that's worthy of Grade II listed status.
This is what all the Labour leadership drama comes back to for me.
Starmer is flawed, but who else in the cabinet could possibly give #Labour a new lease of life and turn things around? The contenders to succeed Starmer are not inspiring.
Starmer is flawed, but who else in the cabinet could possibly give #Labour a new lease of life and turn things around? The contenders to succeed Starmer are not inspiring.
I don't see who replaces Starmer. And that's one big reason why I suspect he'll survive for the moment. No obvious candidate.
February 9, 2026 at 7:30 PM
This is what all the Labour leadership drama comes back to for me.
Starmer is flawed, but who else in the cabinet could possibly give #Labour a new lease of life and turn things around? The contenders to succeed Starmer are not inspiring.
Starmer is flawed, but who else in the cabinet could possibly give #Labour a new lease of life and turn things around? The contenders to succeed Starmer are not inspiring.
Political commentary in the British media is absolutely dire.
Yet our media still insists on making opinion the main focus of their output over actual news. Even though you wouldn't let a newspaper columnist run a bath, let alone run the country!
Yet our media still insists on making opinion the main focus of their output over actual news. Even though you wouldn't let a newspaper columnist run a bath, let alone run the country!
When Starmer appointed Mandelson as the UK ambassador to the US, you couldn't move on social media for all the commentators exclaiming what a genius move it was, & how Starmer had played 5D chess and won.
Apparently, none of those people are on here anymore.
#C4News
Apparently, none of those people are on here anymore.
#C4News
February 9, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Political commentary in the British media is absolutely dire.
Yet our media still insists on making opinion the main focus of their output over actual news. Even though you wouldn't let a newspaper columnist run a bath, let alone run the country!
Yet our media still insists on making opinion the main focus of their output over actual news. Even though you wouldn't let a newspaper columnist run a bath, let alone run the country!
Reposted by Stoatwobbler
A little bit of Cicero for the weekend.
March 15, 2025 at 4:55 PM
A little bit of Cicero for the weekend.
Whoever follows on from Morgan McSweeney will need to explain to the top tier of the #Labour party that they need to have principles and belief if they want to succeed in stopping the rot.
BREAKING: Morgan McSweeney quits as Keir Starmer's chief of staff amid fall-out from the Mandelson scandal
February 8, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Whoever follows on from Morgan McSweeney will need to explain to the top tier of the #Labour party that they need to have principles and belief if they want to succeed in stopping the rot.
February 8, 2026 at 1:17 PM
One the money from @derparrot.bsky.social
Freedom of Religion may not be fashionable, but it's the foundation of every single freedom we enjoy.
Freedom of Religion may not be fashionable, but it's the foundation of every single freedom we enjoy.
February 8, 2026 at 1:14 PM
One the money from @derparrot.bsky.social
Freedom of Religion may not be fashionable, but it's the foundation of every single freedom we enjoy.
Freedom of Religion may not be fashionable, but it's the foundation of every single freedom we enjoy.
The expectation that if you're a Christian you're supposed to support President Fart no matter what evil acts he commits is quite the assumption!
Trump at the National Prayer Breakfast: "I don't know how a person of faith can vote for a Democrat. I really don't. *crowd groans* I know we have some here today. I don't know why they're here, because they certainly don't give us their vote ... they cheat."
February 6, 2026 at 8:03 PM
The expectation that if you're a Christian you're supposed to support President Fart no matter what evil acts he commits is quite the assumption!
2 things.
1) #6Nations should be played at the weekend, not on a Thursday night.
2) Sometimes France will just give their opponents a thorough thrashing. Tonight seems to be one of those nights.
1) #6Nations should be played at the weekend, not on a Thursday night.
2) Sometimes France will just give their opponents a thorough thrashing. Tonight seems to be one of those nights.
February 5, 2026 at 9:18 PM
2 things.
1) #6Nations should be played at the weekend, not on a Thursday night.
2) Sometimes France will just give their opponents a thorough thrashing. Tonight seems to be one of those nights.
1) #6Nations should be played at the weekend, not on a Thursday night.
2) Sometimes France will just give their opponents a thorough thrashing. Tonight seems to be one of those nights.
Interesting development. Especially as a lot of Reform folk in Derbyshire appear to be Tories who fell out with Angelique Foster!
www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-n...
www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-n...
Derbyshire's former police and crime commissioner quits Tories
Councillor Angelique Foster is now said to be bound for Reform UK
www.derbytelegraph.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 5:41 AM
Interesting development. Especially as a lot of Reform folk in Derbyshire appear to be Tories who fell out with Angelique Foster!
www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-n...
www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-n...
A 5p cut in beer duty in 2026 is not what it was in 1996.
This proposal cannot be effective in bringing back drinkers who've been priced out of pubs.
This proposal cannot be effective in bringing back drinkers who've been priced out of pubs.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has pledged to reinstate the two-child limit on benefits to pay for a 5p cut off pints of beer to boost pubs.
Nigel Farage wants to cut price of beer by reinstating two-child benefit cap
www.bigissue.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:10 AM
A 5p cut in beer duty in 2026 is not what it was in 1996.
This proposal cannot be effective in bringing back drinkers who've been priced out of pubs.
This proposal cannot be effective in bringing back drinkers who've been priced out of pubs.
Reposted by Stoatwobbler
Far too much of Labour's messaging on policy since taking office has been framed in negative terms. This just sends a signal that the party doesn't like/stand for particular groups - and alienates them. To retain/win support it needs to tell people what and who it stands *for*...
In less jest - yes, it's good if universities can help students develop skills for the labour market. However, the pointless venom of the current government about one of the few world class sectors in the British economy is tiring, enervating and just plain sad. Get a grip lads.
September 19, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Far too much of Labour's messaging on policy since taking office has been framed in negative terms. This just sends a signal that the party doesn't like/stand for particular groups - and alienates them. To retain/win support it needs to tell people what and who it stands *for*...
Reposted by Stoatwobbler
Democracies don't have some god-given right to prevail. Great nations can descend into autocracy, and more - throughout history - great civilisations have been known to crumble practically overnight.
80 years of peace and relative prosperity have lulled millions into believing it all immutable.
80 years of peace and relative prosperity have lulled millions into believing it all immutable.
September 18, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Democracies don't have some god-given right to prevail. Great nations can descend into autocracy, and more - throughout history - great civilisations have been known to crumble practically overnight.
80 years of peace and relative prosperity have lulled millions into believing it all immutable.
80 years of peace and relative prosperity have lulled millions into believing it all immutable.
Growing EU protectionism is every bit as bad as growing protectionism everywhere else. #justsaying
Yes, the UK government is concerned about EU protectionism. This is where having an under-powered operation in Brussels is distinctly unhelpful. Better hope Member States provide some internal resistance - as indeed is happening. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
UK Fears ‘Made in Europe’ Plan Will Hit Car, Tech, Green Sectors
The UK government is increasingly concerned that more protectionist policies pursued by the European Union could exclude British companies from supply chains in key sectors, derailing a reset in post-...
www.bloomberg.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Growing EU protectionism is every bit as bad as growing protectionism everywhere else. #justsaying
This is a common tactic for political partisans.
Studiously ignore bad / inconvenient news and concentrate on blathering on about the usual stuff as if nothing's happened. @jmpsimor.bsky.social
Studiously ignore bad / inconvenient news and concentrate on blathering on about the usual stuff as if nothing's happened. @jmpsimor.bsky.social
February 1, 2026 at 7:50 PM
This is a common tactic for political partisans.
Studiously ignore bad / inconvenient news and concentrate on blathering on about the usual stuff as if nothing's happened. @jmpsimor.bsky.social
Studiously ignore bad / inconvenient news and concentrate on blathering on about the usual stuff as if nothing's happened. @jmpsimor.bsky.social