Richard at UKverified
@ukverified.bsky.social
I don't claim the past was better but progress isn't what it used to be with inequality, poverty and political disillusionment on the rise.
Interests: Politics, news and current affairs.
Interests: Politics, news and current affairs.
2024 - "what we got was a complacent general election campaign focusing entirely on the faults of the incumbents and a series of hostages to fortune on tax that have left the new government hobbled ever since."
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/14/l...
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/14/l...
Labour's Biggest Problem Is Not a Lack of Leadership but a Lack of Ideas
Until Keir Starmer's party decides what it really stands for, the question of who leads them will remain a hollow one, argues Adam Bienkov
bylinetimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:36 PM
2024 - "what we got was a complacent general election campaign focusing entirely on the faults of the incumbents and a series of hostages to fortune on tax that have left the new government hobbled ever since."
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/14/l...
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/14/l...
When healthcare becomes Financialised: When a doctor is not solely concerned as to what's best for his patient but also as to what's the most rewarding treatment option for him financially.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Hospitals knew a heart device led to more patients' deaths - but they kept using it
Almost half of patients given a heart pump, after the NHS had raised concerns about it, died soon after.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM
When healthcare becomes Financialised: When a doctor is not solely concerned as to what's best for his patient but also as to what's the most rewarding treatment option for him financially.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Looking after themselves, private care providers. As for those they're meant to care for or their employees then it's a different story.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Private care providers in three English regions make £250m in three years
More than third of profits analysed went to firms owned by private equity or based in tax havens, research finds
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Looking after themselves, private care providers. As for those they're meant to care for or their employees then it's a different story.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
The crisis at the BBC: Who was the leaker and who were those behind the leaking and what were their motives? Was it a purely political, was it for business reasons or even a nexus of the two? Whatever, it will not be to the benefit of public service broadcasting.
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
'BBC Bias' Memo Was Authored by Lobbyist Tied to Pro-Trump Tech Giants
The leaked memo that fuelled Trump’s attack on the BBC was written by a lobbyist at a firm paid by US tech giants tied to the President
bylinetimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The crisis at the BBC: Who was the leaker and who were those behind the leaking and what were their motives? Was it a purely political, was it for business reasons or even a nexus of the two? Whatever, it will not be to the benefit of public service broadcasting.
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
"When Deborah Turness, the now departed BBC News chief, was first invited to a meeting with the corporation’s board a few weeks ago, there was little to suggest it would be a particularly significant encounter."
#ukpolitics
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
#ukpolitics
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
‘Make no mistake – this was a coup’: the extraordinary downfall of the BBC’s top bosses
The whirlwind that started when Deborah Turness came under attack at a board meeting is part of a wider political story, some say
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:00 PM
"When Deborah Turness, the now departed BBC News chief, was first invited to a meeting with the corporation’s board a few weeks ago, there was little to suggest it would be a particularly significant encounter."
#ukpolitics
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
#ukpolitics
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
The Pity of War: Remembrance, how it has changed but how will it be remembered in future?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The challenge of commemorating WW1 without any living veterans
What do displays of national pride mean when they are no longer accompanied by the mass shared grief that gave rise to them?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 11:10 AM
The Pity of War: Remembrance, how it has changed but how will it be remembered in future?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"The BBC only has itself to blame for its handling of a serious error in a documentary on Trump. But its demise—as the US media landscape shows—would leave us all far worse off"
#ukpolitics
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
#ukpolitics
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
The BBC is in a fight for its survival
The BBC only has itself to blame for its handling of a serious error in a documentary on Trump. But its demise—as the US media landscape shows—would l...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:22 PM
"The BBC only has itself to blame for its handling of a serious error in a documentary on Trump. But its demise—as the US media landscape shows—would leave us all far worse off"
#ukpolitics
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
#ukpolitics
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
Despite the much publicised view of Donald Trump and others, London has been crowned the Best City In the World for the 11th year in a row.
A spokesperson for the White House reportedly claimed it was fake news.
#ukpolitics
secretldn.com/london-best-...
A spokesperson for the White House reportedly claimed it was fake news.
#ukpolitics
secretldn.com/london-best-...
London Has Been Crowned The Best City In The World For The 11th Year In A Row – Triumphing Over The Likes Of New York, Paris, And Tokyo
For the eleventh year on the trot, our captivating capital city has topped the global charts as the best city in the world.
secretldn.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Despite the much publicised view of Donald Trump and others, London has been crowned the Best City In the World for the 11th year in a row.
A spokesperson for the White House reportedly claimed it was fake news.
#ukpolitics
secretldn.com/london-best-...
A spokesperson for the White House reportedly claimed it was fake news.
#ukpolitics
secretldn.com/london-best-...
The Covid Contracts: "Massive government spending without basic checks for quality." but a nice little earner for politically connected VIPs.
#ukpolitics
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
#ukpolitics
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Revealed: the billion-pound PPE contractor with a Tory MP on site
Special report: Uniserve was paid £1.4bn for Covid contracts that included supply of £178.5m in never-used equipment
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The Covid Contracts: "Massive government spending without basic checks for quality." but a nice little earner for politically connected VIPs.
#ukpolitics
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
#ukpolitics
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The BBC: A "Director General with no substantive journalistic record and a Board with negligible experience of what it is to be a journalist in the 21st century."
The environment in which BBC staffers work and with a hostile media environment.
#ukpolitics
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
The environment in which BBC staffers work and with a hostile media environment.
#ukpolitics
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
The BBC has bigger impartiality problems than its coverage of Trump
It is the BBC’s entire governance structure–rather than individual stories–that should cause most concern
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The BBC: A "Director General with no substantive journalistic record and a Board with negligible experience of what it is to be a journalist in the 21st century."
The environment in which BBC staffers work and with a hostile media environment.
#ukpolitics
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
The environment in which BBC staffers work and with a hostile media environment.
#ukpolitics
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
Trouble ahead: We tend to think England's water problems are manifest but by next summer we could find the current situation could become even worse.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
England facing drastic measures due to extreme drought next year
Government and water companies are devising emergency plans for worst water shortage in decades
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Trouble ahead: We tend to think England's water problems are manifest but by next summer we could find the current situation could become even worse.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"The notorious VIP Lane was a discreet, fast-track channel that led to billions of pounds worth of public contracts being awarded to politically connected suppliers, primarily without any formal competitive tendering procedures and shielded from public view"
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/we-need-to...
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/we-need-to...
We Need to Talk About Michael Gove and Crony Covid Contracts
Gove claims he had no “active role” in the procurement of Covid PPE during the pandemic, yet evidence suggests he was involved in multiple VIP deals worth over £1billion, reports Russell Scott
www.bylinesupplement.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:55 PM
"The notorious VIP Lane was a discreet, fast-track channel that led to billions of pounds worth of public contracts being awarded to politically connected suppliers, primarily without any formal competitive tendering procedures and shielded from public view"
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/we-need-to...
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/we-need-to...
Reform UK make headway in Robert Jenrick's 'backyard' gaining their first seats on his local council. Are they coming for you Robert?
#ukpolitics
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#ukpolitics
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform UK win first Newark and Sherwood council seats
Kay Smith and Michelle Home won two seats after a by-election in Newark and Sherwood.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Reform UK make headway in Robert Jenrick's 'backyard' gaining their first seats on his local council. Are they coming for you Robert?
#ukpolitics
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#ukpolitics
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Shelter Cluster: "Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinian families in Gaza face winter rains and cold without adequate protection, as Israeli restrictions continue to block the entry of lifesaving shelter materials."
www.nrc.no/news/2025/oc...
www.nrc.no/news/2025/oc...
Three weeks into ceasefire, Gaza shelter aid still blocked as winter nears
www.nrc.no
November 7, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Shelter Cluster: "Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinian families in Gaza face winter rains and cold without adequate protection, as Israeli restrictions continue to block the entry of lifesaving shelter materials."
www.nrc.no/news/2025/oc...
www.nrc.no/news/2025/oc...
If the very wealthy consider it is worthwhile donating large sums of money to a political party then what is the benefit for me in giving my vote to that party?
#ukpolitics
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
#ukpolitics
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Kemi Badenoch to relaunch exclusive ‘advisory board’ for high-value donors
Exclusive: Tory leader has plans to reinstate group that provided top donors with direct access to senior ministers
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:49 AM
If the very wealthy consider it is worthwhile donating large sums of money to a political party then what is the benefit for me in giving my vote to that party?
#ukpolitics
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
#ukpolitics
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The few aka billionaires who bank rolled the opposition to Zohran Mamdani becoming the Mayor of New York.
www.forbes.com/sites/kylemu...
www.forbes.com/sites/kylemu...
These Are The Billionaires Cutting Checks To Stop Zohran Mamdani
Mamdani says billionaires shouldn’t exist. Some of them have put their fortunes to work trying to stop him from leading America’s largest city.
www.forbes.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The few aka billionaires who bank rolled the opposition to Zohran Mamdani becoming the Mayor of New York.
www.forbes.com/sites/kylemu...
www.forbes.com/sites/kylemu...
Lafarge as for other multinationals the bottom line is profit and that means securing the company's physical assets. Even if as it seems that means paying 'protection money' to a terrorist organisation?
www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/...
www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/...
Perspective - Behind the story: French cement firm Lafarge in the dock, accused of funding terrorism
Some of the leading figures behind the trial of a huge multinational getting underway in Paris have spoken to FRANCE 24 about how the French cement company Lafarge put its own economic interests above...
www.france24.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Lafarge as for other multinationals the bottom line is profit and that means securing the company's physical assets. Even if as it seems that means paying 'protection money' to a terrorist organisation?
www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/...
www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/...
Angelika Niebler: For some Members of the European Parliament (MEP) Brussels is it seems seen as a legitimate source of funding for personal and political aims that has nothing to do with their work in Parliament.
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
German center-right chief in European Parliament investigated for fraud
Angelika Niebler of the Christian Social Union says fraud allegations by the EU’s prosecutors are “unfounded.”
www.politico.eu
November 4, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Angelika Niebler: For some Members of the European Parliament (MEP) Brussels is it seems seen as a legitimate source of funding for personal and political aims that has nothing to do with their work in Parliament.
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
Democratic Wellbeing: 72% of respondents did not feel they can influence decisions affecting the UK. While 28% think they can and presumably who know nothing of the power of vested interests and political donations in influencing political decisions.
#ukpolitics
carnegieuk.org/publication/...
#ukpolitics
carnegieuk.org/publication/...
Life in the UK 2025 - Carnegie UK
carnegieuk.org
November 4, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Democratic Wellbeing: 72% of respondents did not feel they can influence decisions affecting the UK. While 28% think they can and presumably who know nothing of the power of vested interests and political donations in influencing political decisions.
#ukpolitics
carnegieuk.org/publication/...
#ukpolitics
carnegieuk.org/publication/...
Zohran Mamdani - New York mayoral candidate: "This is how power behaves when threatened: if it cannot co-opt a movement, it will try to crush it. If it cannot silence the message, it will defame the messenger."
www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/malc...
www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/malc...
From Malcolm X to Mamdani: The quest for justice cannot be killed
The civil rights icon and New York City mayoral candidate stand on the same moral ground, while other politicians hedge and retreat to safe abstractions
www.middleeasteye.net
October 30, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Zohran Mamdani - New York mayoral candidate: "This is how power behaves when threatened: if it cannot co-opt a movement, it will try to crush it. If it cannot silence the message, it will defame the messenger."
www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/malc...
www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/malc...
FPTP: In 2024 Labour received 34% the vote yet took 63% of the seats. Would Westminster voting be much more representative were the UK to adopt a modified Additional Member System (AMS) as used in Holyrood elections?
#ukpolitics
electoral-reform.org.uk/is-the-scott...
#ukpolitics
electoral-reform.org.uk/is-the-scott...
Is the Scottish Parliament designed to stop a majority?
As we approach the next Scottish parliamentary election, there’s a familiar narrative creeping into the conversation: that the system of proportional representation used in Holyrood is
electoral-reform.org.uk
October 29, 2025 at 9:11 AM
FPTP: In 2024 Labour received 34% the vote yet took 63% of the seats. Would Westminster voting be much more representative were the UK to adopt a modified Additional Member System (AMS) as used in Holyrood elections?
#ukpolitics
electoral-reform.org.uk/is-the-scott...
#ukpolitics
electoral-reform.org.uk/is-the-scott...
Political donations, how a small 'investment' can achieve a high return. "Collectively, these companies donated £47 million to the main political parties and were in turn awarded roughly £60 billion in public contracts over the same period".
#ukpolitics
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/democracy-...
#ukpolitics
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/democracy-...
Democracy for Sale
A new report from the Autonomy Institute lays bare how Britain’s political and economic elites are entangled.
graceblakeley.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Political donations, how a small 'investment' can achieve a high return. "Collectively, these companies donated £47 million to the main political parties and were in turn awarded roughly £60 billion in public contracts over the same period".
#ukpolitics
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/democracy-...
#ukpolitics
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/democracy-...