The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
@thepragmaticleftist.com
A British lefty hoping to spread progressive ideas, combat reactionary ones and give a bit of self-help along the way.
https://blog.thepragmaticleftist.com
https://blog.thepragmaticleftist.com
Pinned
“Just be yourself” is a glib, often-given piece of advice that just feels terrible and uninformative. What is the deal?
I'm taking a brief departure from UK politics to focus on progressive self-help, particularly *male loneliness*.
Today we’re going unpack the meaning of “being yourself” 🧵
I'm taking a brief departure from UK politics to focus on progressive self-help, particularly *male loneliness*.
Today we’re going unpack the meaning of “being yourself” 🧵
It’s pretty damned dishonest of the media to call the WFP threshold adjustment a U-turn, but they’re determined to present it as that:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It is wrong to do this, because it deliberately misleads the public on what is actually happening.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It is wrong to do this, because it deliberately misleads the public on what is actually happening.
Starmer's winter fuel U-turn seeks to calm Labour nerves
Grumblings from MPs were exacerbated by local election results, as campaigners reported unhappiness from voters.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 21, 2025 at 8:37 PM
It’s pretty damned dishonest of the media to call the WFP threshold adjustment a U-turn, but they’re determined to present it as that:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It is wrong to do this, because it deliberately misleads the public on what is actually happening.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It is wrong to do this, because it deliberately misleads the public on what is actually happening.
James O’Brien to a caller who can’t explain his opinions on Brexit: “Does that not embarrass you on any level?”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyok...
In it, O'Brien challenges a Brexit supporter who can't articulate his own reasons for supporting it... 🤦
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyok...
In it, O'Brien challenges a Brexit supporter who can't articulate his own reasons for supporting it... 🤦
Brexiteer calls James O’Brien ‘to see how many times he’d be interrupted’ | LBC
YouTube video by LBC
www.youtube.com
May 19, 2025 at 6:35 PM
James O’Brien to a caller who can’t explain his opinions on Brexit: “Does that not embarrass you on any level?”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyok...
In it, O'Brien challenges a Brexit supporter who can't articulate his own reasons for supporting it... 🤦
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyok...
In it, O'Brien challenges a Brexit supporter who can't articulate his own reasons for supporting it... 🤦
“Just be yourself” is a glib, often-given piece of advice that just feels terrible and uninformative. What is the deal?
I'm taking a brief departure from UK politics to focus on progressive self-help, particularly *male loneliness*.
Today we’re going unpack the meaning of “being yourself” 🧵
I'm taking a brief departure from UK politics to focus on progressive self-help, particularly *male loneliness*.
Today we’re going unpack the meaning of “being yourself” 🧵
May 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
“Just be yourself” is a glib, often-given piece of advice that just feels terrible and uninformative. What is the deal?
I'm taking a brief departure from UK politics to focus on progressive self-help, particularly *male loneliness*.
Today we’re going unpack the meaning of “being yourself” 🧵
I'm taking a brief departure from UK politics to focus on progressive self-help, particularly *male loneliness*.
Today we’re going unpack the meaning of “being yourself” 🧵
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
Relax everyone, it's all going to be okay
April 7, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Relax everyone, it's all going to be okay
This conversation with a castle-owning non-dom is just as hilariously out of touch as you’d expect:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqbV...
Paying taxes into the country you (pretend not to) live in = “a bad business decision”
Glad that nom-dom status was abolished.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqbV...
Paying taxes into the country you (pretend not to) live in = “a bad business decision”
Glad that nom-dom status was abolished.
Castle-owning nom-dom defends leaving the UK to pay less tax | LBC
YouTube video by LBC
www.youtube.com
April 5, 2025 at 1:12 PM
This conversation with a castle-owning non-dom is just as hilariously out of touch as you’d expect:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqbV...
Paying taxes into the country you (pretend not to) live in = “a bad business decision”
Glad that nom-dom status was abolished.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqbV...
Paying taxes into the country you (pretend not to) live in = “a bad business decision”
Glad that nom-dom status was abolished.
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
April 3, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
Enjoying the sunshine? 🌞
Community solar, backed by GB Energy and the Local Power Plan, puts energy power directly in YOUR community's hands.
Read more from our Policy Officer Daniel Monaghan.
Community solar, backed by GB Energy and the Local Power Plan, puts energy power directly in YOUR community's hands.
Read more from our Policy Officer Daniel Monaghan.
GB Energy First Projects Announcement
GB Energy will be pivotal in the delivery of the Local Power Plan (LPP) – a key part of Labour’s climate mission. The LPP represents the largest Government commitment to community energy expansion in…
party.coop
April 4, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Enjoying the sunshine? 🌞
Community solar, backed by GB Energy and the Local Power Plan, puts energy power directly in YOUR community's hands.
Read more from our Policy Officer Daniel Monaghan.
Community solar, backed by GB Energy and the Local Power Plan, puts energy power directly in YOUR community's hands.
Read more from our Policy Officer Daniel Monaghan.
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
We should stop using, "he has a point" when we actually mean, "somewhere in that incoherent ramble full of insane demands and wild allegations was something that could be a legitimate grievance if expressed completely differently by a mature and emotionally stable adult."
April 3, 2025 at 10:57 PM
We should stop using, "he has a point" when we actually mean, "somewhere in that incoherent ramble full of insane demands and wild allegations was something that could be a legitimate grievance if expressed completely differently by a mature and emotionally stable adult."
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
Matt Hancock used his personal email account to help a 'VIP' supplier win a £25 million PPE Covid contract
The company, which supplied the NHS with tens of millions of pounds worth of completely unusable PPE, later went bust, owing taxpayers millions
bylinetimes.com/2025/04/03/m...
The company, which supplied the NHS with tens of millions of pounds worth of completely unusable PPE, later went bust, owing taxpayers millions
bylinetimes.com/2025/04/03/m...
Matt Hancock Used His Personal Email Account to Help ‘VIP’ Supplier Win £25 Million COVID PPE Contract
Excalibur Healthcare, which supplied the UK Government with tens of millions of pounds worth of unusable PPE, ultimately folded owing taxpayers £22 million
bylinetimes.com
April 3, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Matt Hancock used his personal email account to help a 'VIP' supplier win a £25 million PPE Covid contract
The company, which supplied the NHS with tens of millions of pounds worth of completely unusable PPE, later went bust, owing taxpayers millions
bylinetimes.com/2025/04/03/m...
The company, which supplied the NHS with tens of millions of pounds worth of completely unusable PPE, later went bust, owing taxpayers millions
bylinetimes.com/2025/04/03/m...
My new favourite brand of lazy journalism is the “Reeves may have to [insert ominous rumour here]” headline.
It’s evergreen; you can use it to anger either the left OR the right, and best of all: none of it has to actually happen.
What’s not to like?
It’s evergreen; you can use it to anger either the left OR the right, and best of all: none of it has to actually happen.
What’s not to like?
March 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
My new favourite brand of lazy journalism is the “Reeves may have to [insert ominous rumour here]” headline.
It’s evergreen; you can use it to anger either the left OR the right, and best of all: none of it has to actually happen.
What’s not to like?
It’s evergreen; you can use it to anger either the left OR the right, and best of all: none of it has to actually happen.
What’s not to like?
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
🔴Keir Starmer’s Government Has Quietly Beefed Up Its Workers’ Rights Bill to Make It More Pro-Worker
A series of significant changes on workplace rights and the right to strike have been slipped out by ministers
bylinetimes.com/2025/03/25/k...
A series of significant changes on workplace rights and the right to strike have been slipped out by ministers
bylinetimes.com/2025/03/25/k...
Keir Starmer’s Government Has Quietly Beefed Up Its Workers’ Rights Bill to Make It More Pro-Worker
A series of significant changes on workplace rights and the right to strike have been slipped out by ministers
bylinetimes.com
March 25, 2025 at 1:59 PM
🔴Keir Starmer’s Government Has Quietly Beefed Up Its Workers’ Rights Bill to Make It More Pro-Worker
A series of significant changes on workplace rights and the right to strike have been slipped out by ministers
bylinetimes.com/2025/03/25/k...
A series of significant changes on workplace rights and the right to strike have been slipped out by ministers
bylinetimes.com/2025/03/25/k...
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
The Planning & Infrastructure Bill, which reforms the planning processes, removes unnecessary blockers & helps deliver the 1.5m new homes & important national infrastructure projects, passed its Second Reading in the Commons last night.
The Tories abstained, while the Lib Dems and Reform opposed.
The Tories abstained, while the Lib Dems and Reform opposed.
March 25, 2025 at 6:30 AM
The Planning & Infrastructure Bill, which reforms the planning processes, removes unnecessary blockers & helps deliver the 1.5m new homes & important national infrastructure projects, passed its Second Reading in the Commons last night.
The Tories abstained, while the Lib Dems and Reform opposed.
The Tories abstained, while the Lib Dems and Reform opposed.
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
In any other administration of the past 80 years, the defense secretary and the national security advisor would, following an equivalent scandal, now resign.
March 25, 2025 at 2:29 PM
In any other administration of the past 80 years, the defense secretary and the national security advisor would, following an equivalent scandal, now resign.
According to @taxjusticeuk.bsky.social , a 2% levy on assets over £10 million would raise up to *£24 billion* per year.
Optically, if the government would consider where to raise taxes without scaring the horses...*cough cough* 👀
taxjustice.uk/blog/ten-tax...
Optically, if the government would consider where to raise taxes without scaring the horses...*cough cough* 👀
taxjustice.uk/blog/ten-tax...
Ten tax reforms to raise £60 billion for public services and a fairer economy
These ten reforms - from taxes on wealth to the closure of tax loopholes - are sensible, credible policies, with widespread support from economists, think-tanks, millionaires and the public.
taxjustice.uk
March 17, 2025 at 6:50 PM
According to @taxjusticeuk.bsky.social , a 2% levy on assets over £10 million would raise up to *£24 billion* per year.
Optically, if the government would consider where to raise taxes without scaring the horses...*cough cough* 👀
taxjustice.uk/blog/ten-tax...
Optically, if the government would consider where to raise taxes without scaring the horses...*cough cough* 👀
taxjustice.uk/blog/ten-tax...
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
The Employment Rights Bill is the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation.
March 14, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The Employment Rights Bill is the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation.
Are government budgets like household budgets? 🏠
On one hand, you can map government “tax and spend” to household “income and spend”. But the similarities end sharply when you question how money gets into the system in the first place… 🧵
On one hand, you can map government “tax and spend” to household “income and spend”. But the similarities end sharply when you question how money gets into the system in the first place… 🧵
March 13, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Are government budgets like household budgets? 🏠
On one hand, you can map government “tax and spend” to household “income and spend”. But the similarities end sharply when you question how money gets into the system in the first place… 🧵
On one hand, you can map government “tax and spend” to household “income and spend”. But the similarities end sharply when you question how money gets into the system in the first place… 🧵
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
Spain’s success should strengthen Labour’s resolve on the Employment Rights Bill.
“Boosting workers’ rights and living standards has been +ve for growth and productivity… and is key to combating the threat from the far right”
“We must give hope to working people”
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
“Boosting workers’ rights and living standards has been +ve for growth and productivity… and is key to combating the threat from the far right”
“We must give hope to working people”
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
‘If you fall into the dialogue of the far right, the far right wins’: Spain’s deputy PM on the need for workers’ rights
Yolanda Díaz Pérez’s leftwing government has championed employment reform similar to Labour’s proposals – and she tells British business there is nothing to fear
www.theguardian.com
March 10, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Spain’s success should strengthen Labour’s resolve on the Employment Rights Bill.
“Boosting workers’ rights and living standards has been +ve for growth and productivity… and is key to combating the threat from the far right”
“We must give hope to working people”
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
“Boosting workers’ rights and living standards has been +ve for growth and productivity… and is key to combating the threat from the far right”
“We must give hope to working people”
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
Almost every assertion of fact and law in Honest Bob Jenrick’s latest far-right-tickling rant is false.
But because I’m me, I feel it most important to point out that the statue of Lady Justice above the Old Bailey is famously *not* blindfolded.
As any real lawyer knows.
But because I’m me, I feel it most important to point out that the statue of Lady Justice above the Old Bailey is famously *not* blindfolded.
As any real lawyer knows.
March 8, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Almost every assertion of fact and law in Honest Bob Jenrick’s latest far-right-tickling rant is false.
But because I’m me, I feel it most important to point out that the statue of Lady Justice above the Old Bailey is famously *not* blindfolded.
As any real lawyer knows.
But because I’m me, I feel it most important to point out that the statue of Lady Justice above the Old Bailey is famously *not* blindfolded.
As any real lawyer knows.
@moreincommonuk.bsky.social's data tables for these latest results are interesting re: undecideds again.
On the raw, unadjusted results, 17% don't know who they'd vote for. In that same column, 18% pick Labour, 17% Reform, 16% Tories. So it's a sizeable portion... 🧵
bsky.app/profile/luke...
On the raw, unadjusted results, 17% don't know who they'd vote for. In that same column, 18% pick Labour, 17% Reform, 16% Tories. So it's a sizeable portion... 🧵
bsky.app/profile/luke...
3 point bump gives Labour a lead in our latest @moreincommonuk.bsky.social voting intention, though top 3 remain virtually tied. Lib Dems slip back
🌹 LAB 26% (+3)
🌳 CON 24% (-1)
➡️ REF UK 24% (nc)
🔶 LIB DEM 13% (-3)
🌍 GREEN 7% (-1)
🟡 SNP 2% (-1)
N = 2,010 | Dates: 28/2 - 2/3 | Change w 21-24/2
🌹 LAB 26% (+3)
🌳 CON 24% (-1)
➡️ REF UK 24% (nc)
🔶 LIB DEM 13% (-3)
🌍 GREEN 7% (-1)
🟡 SNP 2% (-1)
N = 2,010 | Dates: 28/2 - 2/3 | Change w 21-24/2
March 8, 2025 at 10:11 AM
@moreincommonuk.bsky.social's data tables for these latest results are interesting re: undecideds again.
On the raw, unadjusted results, 17% don't know who they'd vote for. In that same column, 18% pick Labour, 17% Reform, 16% Tories. So it's a sizeable portion... 🧵
bsky.app/profile/luke...
On the raw, unadjusted results, 17% don't know who they'd vote for. In that same column, 18% pick Labour, 17% Reform, 16% Tories. So it's a sizeable portion... 🧵
bsky.app/profile/luke...
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
CPS/ @rcolvile.bsky.social claimed "Our paper uses OBR statistics to compute the likely cost, and comes out with a central estimate of £234 bn"
In fact, today's OBR release showsif they'd done the sums properly, they would have found a net *benefit* of approximately *£60 billion*.
archive.ph/az8g6
In fact, today's OBR release showsif they'd done the sums properly, they would have found a net *benefit* of approximately *£60 billion*.
archive.ph/az8g6
March 6, 2025 at 7:34 PM
CPS/ @rcolvile.bsky.social claimed "Our paper uses OBR statistics to compute the likely cost, and comes out with a central estimate of £234 bn"
In fact, today's OBR release showsif they'd done the sums properly, they would have found a net *benefit* of approximately *£60 billion*.
archive.ph/az8g6
In fact, today's OBR release showsif they'd done the sums properly, they would have found a net *benefit* of approximately *£60 billion*.
archive.ph/az8g6
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
In their wildest dreams, Keir Starmer's Government couldn't have hoped for a less sympathetic campaign than that currently being waged against imposing VAT on private school fees
March 7, 2025 at 10:32 AM
In their wildest dreams, Keir Starmer's Government couldn't have hoped for a less sympathetic campaign than that currently being waged against imposing VAT on private school fees
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
Look at the approach the government is taking with this.
Releasing data to show how people don't trust the DWP.
Calling the system broken.
Looking beyond the data with comments like "Behind each of these statistics is a person with hopes and ambitions".
1/3
Releasing data to show how people don't trust the DWP.
Calling the system broken.
Looking beyond the data with comments like "Behind each of these statistics is a person with hopes and ambitions".
1/3
Government bolsters employment support to unlock work for sick and disabled people
Work will be unlocked for thousands of sick and disabled people through new measures that will bolster the support offered in Jobcentres and make the welfare system more sustainable, the Department fo...
www.gov.uk
March 6, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Look at the approach the government is taking with this.
Releasing data to show how people don't trust the DWP.
Calling the system broken.
Looking beyond the data with comments like "Behind each of these statistics is a person with hopes and ambitions".
1/3
Releasing data to show how people don't trust the DWP.
Calling the system broken.
Looking beyond the data with comments like "Behind each of these statistics is a person with hopes and ambitions".
1/3
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
You probably read this weekend the government was watering down the workers rights bill.
Having looked at the amendments, there’s no weakening of anything, in most cases it’s been toughened up.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Having looked at the amendments, there’s no weakening of anything, in most cases it’s been toughened up.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK unions welcome ministers’ decision to bolster workers’ rights bill
Unions delighted that there has been no watering down of plans, which will apply to England, Scotland and Wales
www.theguardian.com
March 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
You probably read this weekend the government was watering down the workers rights bill.
Having looked at the amendments, there’s no weakening of anything, in most cases it’s been toughened up.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Having looked at the amendments, there’s no weakening of anything, in most cases it’s been toughened up.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
There’s a Russian asset sitting in the Oval Office. Trump picked Putin’s side. He didn’t pick Ukraine, he didn’t pick NATO, and he sure as hell didn’t pick freedom.
This weekend, he spent $4M in taxpayer dollars to fly from DC to Mar-a-Lago to golf while people died in Ukraine.
He doesn’t care.
This weekend, he spent $4M in taxpayer dollars to fly from DC to Mar-a-Lago to golf while people died in Ukraine.
He doesn’t care.
March 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM
There’s a Russian asset sitting in the Oval Office. Trump picked Putin’s side. He didn’t pick Ukraine, he didn’t pick NATO, and he sure as hell didn’t pick freedom.
This weekend, he spent $4M in taxpayer dollars to fly from DC to Mar-a-Lago to golf while people died in Ukraine.
He doesn’t care.
This weekend, he spent $4M in taxpayer dollars to fly from DC to Mar-a-Lago to golf while people died in Ukraine.
He doesn’t care.
Reposted by The Pragmatic Leftist 🌹
67% of Britons say Donald Trump was most to blame for the argument between him and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last Friday
Trump to blame: 67%
Zelenskyy to blame: 7%
Both to blame: 12%
Neither to blame: 1%
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
Trump to blame: 67%
Zelenskyy to blame: 7%
Both to blame: 12%
Neither to blame: 1%
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
March 3, 2025 at 4:45 PM
67% of Britons say Donald Trump was most to blame for the argument between him and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last Friday
Trump to blame: 67%
Zelenskyy to blame: 7%
Both to blame: 12%
Neither to blame: 1%
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
Trump to blame: 67%
Zelenskyy to blame: 7%
Both to blame: 12%
Neither to blame: 1%
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...