ThinkGov
@thinkgov.bsky.social
IT specialist, golfer (player and level 3 rules official) and recently retired NHS Community First Responder.
Reposted by ThinkGov
The United Kingdom really does have an unnecessarily complex tax system and adding c£20bn of fun little revenue raisers will not help. Today's newsletter:
Budget U-turn hammers UK competitiveness
Risky to raise revenue via tweaks and novel taxes, especially through rushed changes
www.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The United Kingdom really does have an unnecessarily complex tax system and adding c£20bn of fun little revenue raisers will not help. Today's newsletter:
Reposted by ThinkGov
This may be Trump's perfect social media post. A true work of art. He confirms:
✅He personally directs criminal investigations.
✅He is targeting opponents.
✅Epstein "records" exist and he knows the contents.
Bonus points for connecting it to investigation of his fondness for Putin.👀
✅He personally directs criminal investigations.
✅He is targeting opponents.
✅Epstein "records" exist and he knows the contents.
Bonus points for connecting it to investigation of his fondness for Putin.👀
November 14, 2025 at 4:25 PM
This may be Trump's perfect social media post. A true work of art. He confirms:
✅He personally directs criminal investigations.
✅He is targeting opponents.
✅Epstein "records" exist and he knows the contents.
Bonus points for connecting it to investigation of his fondness for Putin.👀
✅He personally directs criminal investigations.
✅He is targeting opponents.
✅Epstein "records" exist and he knows the contents.
Bonus points for connecting it to investigation of his fondness for Putin.👀
Reposted by ThinkGov
Ah the 1970s.
Stagflation, three day weeks, collapsing infrastructure. Civil War in Northern Ireland. In yer face racism and bigotry everywhere. Bin strikes. Strikes in general. Blackouts. Industrial decline. Wage inequality. Dog crap everywhere. And households spent 25% of their income on food.
Stagflation, three day weeks, collapsing infrastructure. Civil War in Northern Ireland. In yer face racism and bigotry everywhere. Bin strikes. Strikes in general. Blackouts. Industrial decline. Wage inequality. Dog crap everywhere. And households spent 25% of their income on food.
November 14, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Ah the 1970s.
Stagflation, three day weeks, collapsing infrastructure. Civil War in Northern Ireland. In yer face racism and bigotry everywhere. Bin strikes. Strikes in general. Blackouts. Industrial decline. Wage inequality. Dog crap everywhere. And households spent 25% of their income on food.
Stagflation, three day weeks, collapsing infrastructure. Civil War in Northern Ireland. In yer face racism and bigotry everywhere. Bin strikes. Strikes in general. Blackouts. Industrial decline. Wage inequality. Dog crap everywhere. And households spent 25% of their income on food.
Reposted by ThinkGov
I despair of Labour. Can we not just have a sensible budget, delivered on the day, that apologises for hard choices and then just gets on with giving us something that will give us some hope? All this briefing and speculation makes them look like clowns.
November 14, 2025 at 8:17 AM
I despair of Labour. Can we not just have a sensible budget, delivered on the day, that apologises for hard choices and then just gets on with giving us something that will give us some hope? All this briefing and speculation makes them look like clowns.
Reposted by ThinkGov
The cowardice is actually on the spending side, not the tax side. They are deciding not to make the case for fixing things properly and, in doing so, they can’t properly rationalise the tax changes required to do it. It’s a failure to set out the project. And it’s costing all of us.
November 13, 2025 at 11:40 PM
The cowardice is actually on the spending side, not the tax side. They are deciding not to make the case for fixing things properly and, in doing so, they can’t properly rationalise the tax changes required to do it. It’s a failure to set out the project. And it’s costing all of us.
Reposted by ThinkGov
Surely this cannot be true
This will make Truss and Kwarteng seem like economic geniuses and would finish Starmer and Reeves for good
This will make Truss and Kwarteng seem like economic geniuses and would finish Starmer and Reeves for good
“All pain, no gain,” says government source of extraordinary FT story that Reeves has abandoned income tax rise after weeks of pitch-rolling. www.ft.com/content/6cbb...
Starmer and Reeves ditch Budget plan to increase income tax rates
Chancellor explores alternative ways to raise revenue to fill fiscal hole estimated at up to £30bn
www.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Surely this cannot be true
This will make Truss and Kwarteng seem like economic geniuses and would finish Starmer and Reeves for good
This will make Truss and Kwarteng seem like economic geniuses and would finish Starmer and Reeves for good
Reposted by ThinkGov
Absolutely a good decision. Unnecessary extra bureaucracy & costly empire building. The previous system of police authorities using elected councillors & independent community members was far better & cheaper.
November 13, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Absolutely a good decision. Unnecessary extra bureaucracy & costly empire building. The previous system of police authorities using elected councillors & independent community members was far better & cheaper.
Reposted by ThinkGov
An update to this story that might interest you, Lewis. Turns out Prescott was also selectively quoting Trump to make the BBC look worse...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
November 13, 2025 at 12:46 PM
An update to this story that might interest you, Lewis. Turns out Prescott was also selectively quoting Trump to make the BBC look worse...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
Reposted by ThinkGov
The remarkable story we discussed this morning. (No paywall but do consider subscribing.) www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
EXCLUSIVE: Michael Prescott himself doctored Trump quote in his anti-BBC report
A report alleging Panorama broadcast misleading Trump quotes contains misleading quotes itself
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The remarkable story we discussed this morning. (No paywall but do consider subscribing.) www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
Reposted by ThinkGov
"The populist thrives in an environment where people act on their intuitions; so does the scammer. This doesn’t mean every populist is a con artist, but it does mean that they are likely to package their message in a similar way" on.ft.com/49j3ND2
By @timharford.ft.com
Vindicates a 2015 tweet! 1/
By @timharford.ft.com
Vindicates a 2015 tweet! 1/
How populism became popular
It appeals more to a way of thinking than to a set of ideas — but is it just wrong?
on.ft.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:45 AM
"The populist thrives in an environment where people act on their intuitions; so does the scammer. This doesn’t mean every populist is a con artist, but it does mean that they are likely to package their message in a similar way" on.ft.com/49j3ND2
By @timharford.ft.com
Vindicates a 2015 tweet! 1/
By @timharford.ft.com
Vindicates a 2015 tweet! 1/
Reposted by ThinkGov
Subsidizing seasonal work does not solve the fundamental problem. The key to long-term economic health lies in creating sustainable, skills-enhancing career paths
November 12, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Subsidizing seasonal work does not solve the fundamental problem. The key to long-term economic health lies in creating sustainable, skills-enhancing career paths
Reposted by ThinkGov
"You state in your letter three times that your client has suffered “overwhelming financial and reputational harm”. This is presumably on the Beetlejuice principle that if you repeat something three times it somehow appears."
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
emptycity.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:15 PM
"You state in your letter three times that your client has suffered “overwhelming financial and reputational harm”. This is presumably on the Beetlejuice principle that if you repeat something three times it somehow appears."
Reposted by ThinkGov
Part two of our history of the Labour Party, in which a progressive political party tears itself apart over and over again in a series if events which in no way resemble the present day.
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Welcome back to Origin Story season eight: The Story of Socialism. This week, @iandunt.bsky.social & @dorianlynskey.bsky.social continue the tale of the UK Labour Party. Listen to The Labour Party – Part Two – War and Peace now 👉 linktr.ee/originstoryp...
#LabourParty #politics
#LabourParty #politics
November 12, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Part two of our history of the Labour Party, in which a progressive political party tears itself apart over and over again in a series if events which in no way resemble the present day.
Reposted by ThinkGov
There’s real irony in this: lawmakers can’t get back to DC to vote to reopen the government because flights are canceled, thanks to the same shutdown they caused.
November 11, 2025 at 1:23 PM
There’s real irony in this: lawmakers can’t get back to DC to vote to reopen the government because flights are canceled, thanks to the same shutdown they caused.
Reposted by ThinkGov
Naomi Wolf "No! No!!!" tweet but it's every time I see people talking about the Prime Minister's "mandate" or about a mid-term replacement being "unelected"
This is Yank Patter! Decolonise your brain! Resist Yank Ideas! We are a Parliamentary not Presidential Democracy! We do not elect PMs!
This is Yank Patter! Decolonise your brain! Resist Yank Ideas! We are a Parliamentary not Presidential Democracy! We do not elect PMs!
November 12, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Naomi Wolf "No! No!!!" tweet but it's every time I see people talking about the Prime Minister's "mandate" or about a mid-term replacement being "unelected"
This is Yank Patter! Decolonise your brain! Resist Yank Ideas! We are a Parliamentary not Presidential Democracy! We do not elect PMs!
This is Yank Patter! Decolonise your brain! Resist Yank Ideas! We are a Parliamentary not Presidential Democracy! We do not elect PMs!
Quite beautiful, the perfect response.
The only thing I would add is a generous offer to broadcast all the events from that fateful day. And offer to pay for a US partner to broadcast them in the US.
The only thing I would add is a generous offer to broadcast all the events from that fateful day. And offer to pay for a US partner to broadcast them in the US.
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
emptycity.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Quite beautiful, the perfect response.
The only thing I would add is a generous offer to broadcast all the events from that fateful day. And offer to pay for a US partner to broadcast them in the US.
The only thing I would add is a generous offer to broadcast all the events from that fateful day. And offer to pay for a US partner to broadcast them in the US.
Reposted by ThinkGov
What on earth is this nonsense from a Blue Labour MP?
What, you want a policy targeting zero illness, no full time caring responsibilities, no skills mismatches or career breaks and you think we should heavily crack down on migration until we get there?
Just not serious policy/politics.
What, you want a policy targeting zero illness, no full time caring responsibilities, no skills mismatches or career breaks and you think we should heavily crack down on migration until we get there?
Just not serious policy/politics.
November 12, 2025 at 2:43 PM
What on earth is this nonsense from a Blue Labour MP?
What, you want a policy targeting zero illness, no full time caring responsibilities, no skills mismatches or career breaks and you think we should heavily crack down on migration until we get there?
Just not serious policy/politics.
What, you want a policy targeting zero illness, no full time caring responsibilities, no skills mismatches or career breaks and you think we should heavily crack down on migration until we get there?
Just not serious policy/politics.
Reposted by ThinkGov
Nigel Farage will probably use his 39th appearance on Question Time to complain about the BBC's leftwing bias
November 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Nigel Farage will probably use his 39th appearance on Question Time to complain about the BBC's leftwing bias
Reposted by ThinkGov
In these times of rancour & division, it’s comforting to find things on which we can all agree: Kent County Council, for example, really does provide a perfect illustration of how well Reform would run the country. I agree with Nigel!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Kent fire authority 'in disarray' amid Reform UK video leak row
A firefighters union claims Reform UK suspending councillors is impacting the local fire authority.
www.bbc.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:55 PM
In these times of rancour & division, it’s comforting to find things on which we can all agree: Kent County Council, for example, really does provide a perfect illustration of how well Reform would run the country. I agree with Nigel!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Generally, hospitality businesses hire in the spring and fire in the autumn.
I hear on the news that it’s worrying that the number of vacancies is rising this autumn.
The answer - subsidise the hospitality business???
No, no, no - let’s focus on sustainable jobs that develop skills for life.
I hear on the news that it’s worrying that the number of vacancies is rising this autumn.
The answer - subsidise the hospitality business???
No, no, no - let’s focus on sustainable jobs that develop skills for life.
November 12, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Generally, hospitality businesses hire in the spring and fire in the autumn.
I hear on the news that it’s worrying that the number of vacancies is rising this autumn.
The answer - subsidise the hospitality business???
No, no, no - let’s focus on sustainable jobs that develop skills for life.
I hear on the news that it’s worrying that the number of vacancies is rising this autumn.
The answer - subsidise the hospitality business???
No, no, no - let’s focus on sustainable jobs that develop skills for life.
Reposted by ThinkGov
I’m at a loss to understand why anyone would think briefing this sort of thing will help KeirStarmer, the government or even themselves. Some people can’t resist, I guess, but it all a bit nuts.
November 11, 2025 at 9:50 PM
I’m at a loss to understand why anyone would think briefing this sort of thing will help KeirStarmer, the government or even themselves. Some people can’t resist, I guess, but it all a bit nuts.
Reposted by ThinkGov
The BBC is in crisis in the same way that GB News would be if you put Owen Jones on the board armed with a veto and plenty of coffee.
November 11, 2025 at 7:48 AM
The BBC is in crisis in the same way that GB News would be if you put Owen Jones on the board armed with a veto and plenty of coffee.
Reposted by ThinkGov
Robbie Gibb was appointed to the BBC Board by Boris Johnson, was an editorial advisor for GB News, and worked as Theresa May's Director of Comms.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Robbie Gibb was appointed to the BBC Board by Boris Johnson, was an editorial advisor for GB News, and worked as Theresa May's Director of Comms.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
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The post of a man who has *frequently* complained about not being invited on the BBC, as though it’s his fucking birthright
For a guy who loves to paint people as far right for sharing views that the far right have, here’s Joly*n agreeing with the far right that we should get rid of the BBC.
November 11, 2025 at 1:03 PM
The post of a man who has *frequently* complained about not being invited on the BBC, as though it’s his fucking birthright
There are always going to be people who have a strange world view. Often a view that works in their interests.
In setting up governance of the BBC, during the Johnson years, I believe the wrong people were chosen.
Now is the time for the Government to put in place a BBC board we can trust.
In setting up governance of the BBC, during the Johnson years, I believe the wrong people were chosen.
Now is the time for the Government to put in place a BBC board we can trust.
I've never believed in the conspiracy view of the Right i.e. conspiring together in dark smoke-filled rooms, pushing chess pieces around a political board identifying the next 'front' to attack.
Nor do I believe they only believe this stuff because someone's paying them. No, they really believe it.
Nor do I believe they only believe this stuff because someone's paying them. No, they really believe it.
November 11, 2025 at 9:04 AM
There are always going to be people who have a strange world view. Often a view that works in their interests.
In setting up governance of the BBC, during the Johnson years, I believe the wrong people were chosen.
Now is the time for the Government to put in place a BBC board we can trust.
In setting up governance of the BBC, during the Johnson years, I believe the wrong people were chosen.
Now is the time for the Government to put in place a BBC board we can trust.