Val
@valmel.bsky.social
Pro EU. Hate Brexit. An oldie who seems to buck the voting trend. Truth matters.
Love theatre and art - these matter in life and should be valued.
Love theatre and art - these matter in life and should be valued.
Reposted by Val
Cracking Chris Grey article, showing that the UK is really at a crossroads regarding populism and Europe
It has to get its act together. There are clear lessons to be taken from Mr Grey's piece, for govenment, and for campaigners as UKG approaches Reset 2
A 🧵
bylinetimes.com/2026...
It has to get its act together. There are clear lessons to be taken from Mr Grey's piece, for govenment, and for campaigners as UKG approaches Reset 2
A 🧵
bylinetimes.com/2026...
January 16, 2026 at 8:29 AM
Cracking Chris Grey article, showing that the UK is really at a crossroads regarding populism and Europe
It has to get its act together. There are clear lessons to be taken from Mr Grey's piece, for govenment, and for campaigners as UKG approaches Reset 2
A 🧵
bylinetimes.com/2026...
It has to get its act together. There are clear lessons to be taken from Mr Grey's piece, for govenment, and for campaigners as UKG approaches Reset 2
A 🧵
bylinetimes.com/2026...
Reposted by Val
Venezuela’s opposition leader gives her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump ft.trib.al/3mlRrIg
Venezuela’s opposition leader gives her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump
María Corina Machado leaves White House meeting without the US president’s backing to be her country’s next leader
ft.trib.al
January 15, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Venezuela’s opposition leader gives her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump ft.trib.al/3mlRrIg
Reposted by Val
Every defector Farage unveils, swears up-and-down that they made no deal.
Farage cocked up today and pulled back that curtain. A huge unforced error.
Incredibly, when - rightly - pressed about it, he pretended, to journalists' faces, that he had never said what he said TO THEM an hour earlier.
Farage cocked up today and pulled back that curtain. A huge unforced error.
Incredibly, when - rightly - pressed about it, he pretended, to journalists' faces, that he had never said what he said TO THEM an hour earlier.
January 15, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Every defector Farage unveils, swears up-and-down that they made no deal.
Farage cocked up today and pulled back that curtain. A huge unforced error.
Incredibly, when - rightly - pressed about it, he pretended, to journalists' faces, that he had never said what he said TO THEM an hour earlier.
Farage cocked up today and pulled back that curtain. A huge unforced error.
Incredibly, when - rightly - pressed about it, he pretended, to journalists' faces, that he had never said what he said TO THEM an hour earlier.
Reposted by Val
The party of 'free speech' seeks to restrict what journalists are allowed to ask. #bbcpm #r4today #Newsnight
January 15, 2026 at 5:41 PM
The party of 'free speech' seeks to restrict what journalists are allowed to ask. #bbcpm #r4today #Newsnight
Reposted by Val
Staffer: "Can you move on?"
Smith: "I'll ask the questions I would like to ask, thank you."
Offord: "But that's not what we want to talk about."
Staffer: "I'm asking you nicely now."
Smith: "I'll ask the questions I would like to ask, thank you."
Offord: "But that's not what we want to talk about."
Staffer: "I'm asking you nicely now."
'Please, you don't have to have your hand on me'
Watch the moment ITV News' Peter A Smith was grabbed by a Reform UK staffer after being told to move on from his line of questioning while interviewing the party's new Scottish leader, Malcolm Offord
Watch the moment ITV News' Peter A Smith was grabbed by a Reform UK staffer after being told to move on from his line of questioning while interviewing the party's new Scottish leader, Malcolm Offord
January 15, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Staffer: "Can you move on?"
Smith: "I'll ask the questions I would like to ask, thank you."
Offord: "But that's not what we want to talk about."
Staffer: "I'm asking you nicely now."
Smith: "I'll ask the questions I would like to ask, thank you."
Offord: "But that's not what we want to talk about."
Staffer: "I'm asking you nicely now."
Reposted by Val
'Please, you don't have to have your hand on me'
Watch the moment ITV News' Peter A Smith was grabbed by a Reform UK staffer after being told to move on from his line of questioning while interviewing the party's new Scottish leader, Malcolm Offord
Watch the moment ITV News' Peter A Smith was grabbed by a Reform UK staffer after being told to move on from his line of questioning while interviewing the party's new Scottish leader, Malcolm Offord
January 15, 2026 at 4:26 PM
'Please, you don't have to have your hand on me'
Watch the moment ITV News' Peter A Smith was grabbed by a Reform UK staffer after being told to move on from his line of questioning while interviewing the party's new Scottish leader, Malcolm Offord
Watch the moment ITV News' Peter A Smith was grabbed by a Reform UK staffer after being told to move on from his line of questioning while interviewing the party's new Scottish leader, Malcolm Offord
Reposted by Val
A Reform UK Party Ltd employee grabs ITV journalist Peter Smith for asking questions their new (ex-Tory) leader for Scotland, Malcolm Offord, didn’t like.
“Free speech is under assault and I am urging the USA to be vigilant.”
— Farage, 3rd Sept. ‘25.
“Free speech is under assault and I am urging the USA to be vigilant.”
— Farage, 3rd Sept. ‘25.
www.itv.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:20 PM
A Reform UK Party Ltd employee grabs ITV journalist Peter Smith for asking questions their new (ex-Tory) leader for Scotland, Malcolm Offord, didn’t like.
“Free speech is under assault and I am urging the USA to be vigilant.”
— Farage, 3rd Sept. ‘25.
“Free speech is under assault and I am urging the USA to be vigilant.”
— Farage, 3rd Sept. ‘25.
Reposted by Val
Reposted by Val
Jenrick has just used his opening words for Reform to claim Britain is broken, whilst simultaneously refusing to acknowledge he had a part in causing the damage, and now, causing further division in stoking the Far Right ambitions of Farage and Tice.
January 15, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Jenrick has just used his opening words for Reform to claim Britain is broken, whilst simultaneously refusing to acknowledge he had a part in causing the damage, and now, causing further division in stoking the Far Right ambitions of Farage and Tice.
Reposted by Val
Reposted by Val
As Robert Jenrick jumps ship, Reform’s “new politics” looks more like a spin cycle for the same people behind 14 years of decline.
January 15, 2026 at 5:32 PM
As Robert Jenrick jumps ship, Reform’s “new politics” looks more like a spin cycle for the same people behind 14 years of decline.
The Government is planning to send King Charles to the US to celebrate with Trump. Giving him a royal visit right now sends a terrible message that his behaviour is acceptable. We can stop this if enough of us speak up. Will you add your name to the petition? you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ca...
Call off the King’s visit to the US for the 250th anniversary of America's independence
With the current political chaos in the US and Trump’s failure to adhere to international norms, and given his apparent obsession with the Monarchy, calling off this visit would send a powerful messag...
you.38degrees.org.uk
January 14, 2026 at 10:29 PM
The Government is planning to send King Charles to the US to celebrate with Trump. Giving him a royal visit right now sends a terrible message that his behaviour is acceptable. We can stop this if enough of us speak up. Will you add your name to the petition? you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ca...
Reposted by Val
I wonder what changed?
January 12, 2026 at 12:18 PM
I wonder what changed?
Reposted by Val
Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok is being used to make sexual abuse images of women and children by manipulating photos of them. And Elon is refusing to stop it.
The Government has to step in urgently and ban X until Musk takes real action to stop this abuse. 38d.gs/BanX_BlSk01
The Government has to step in urgently and ban X until Musk takes real action to stop this abuse. 38d.gs/BanX_BlSk01
No more sexual abuse images of women and children: ban X and Grok AI
Elon Musk thinks he can get away with letting his AI chatbot Grok make sex abuse images of women and children. I’m calling for a full ban on X here in the UK and you should too - add your name to the ...
38d.gs
January 12, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok is being used to make sexual abuse images of women and children by manipulating photos of them. And Elon is refusing to stop it.
The Government has to step in urgently and ban X until Musk takes real action to stop this abuse. 38d.gs/BanX_BlSk01
The Government has to step in urgently and ban X until Musk takes real action to stop this abuse. 38d.gs/BanX_BlSk01
Reposted by Val
Thames Water's debt is nearing £20 billion, and they've raised bills by a third, but somehow their shareholders are still profiting!
Now their customers want Ofwat to reject a bailout deal that would write off debts by raising bills, and are calling for the company to be renationalised instead.
Now their customers want Ofwat to reject a bailout deal that would write off debts by raising bills, and are calling for the company to be renationalised instead.
January 13, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Thames Water's debt is nearing £20 billion, and they've raised bills by a third, but somehow their shareholders are still profiting!
Now their customers want Ofwat to reject a bailout deal that would write off debts by raising bills, and are calling for the company to be renationalised instead.
Now their customers want Ofwat to reject a bailout deal that would write off debts by raising bills, and are calling for the company to be renationalised instead.
Reposted by Val
Sign to show the UK stands for the rule of law, not global chaos: 38d.gs/USvisit_SMC_...
Call off the King’s visit to the US for the 250th anniversary of America's independence
With the current political chaos in the US and Trump’s failure to adhere to international norms, and given his apparent obsession with the Monarchy, calling off this visit would send a powerful…
38d.gs
January 14, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Sign to show the UK stands for the rule of law, not global chaos: 38d.gs/USvisit_SMC_...
Reposted by Val
The UK Government decides where the King and Royal Family go.
Let's make clear that the British public does NOT want our monarch used as a prop for a dangerous President who rips up rules - just look at his recent attack on Venezuela and threats to Greenland.
Let's make clear that the British public does NOT want our monarch used as a prop for a dangerous President who rips up rules - just look at his recent attack on Venezuela and threats to Greenland.
January 14, 2026 at 1:08 PM
The UK Government decides where the King and Royal Family go.
Let's make clear that the British public does NOT want our monarch used as a prop for a dangerous President who rips up rules - just look at his recent attack on Venezuela and threats to Greenland.
Let's make clear that the British public does NOT want our monarch used as a prop for a dangerous President who rips up rules - just look at his recent attack on Venezuela and threats to Greenland.
Reposted by Val
Obsessed with the Royal Family, Trump will be desperate for King Charles & Prince William to visit the US for the 250th anniversary of American independence.
January 14, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Obsessed with the Royal Family, Trump will be desperate for King Charles & Prince William to visit the US for the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Reposted by Val
Reposted by Val
The remaining three hunger strikers have ended their strike. A good moment to reflect on how falsely labelling them as terrorists dehumanises the prisoners. Thought-provoking piece for the Nerve by @natashawalter.bsky.social
www.thenerve.news/p/palestine-...
www.thenerve.news/p/palestine-...
'The word terrorism is being used to remove empathy': Natasha Walter on how language dehumanises the Palestine Action hunger strikers
Hunger striker Heba Muraisi has never been charged, tried or convicted of terrorism. But she and the other strikers have been stripped of humanity by how the government has labelled them. The repercus...
www.thenerve.news
January 14, 2026 at 9:51 PM
The remaining three hunger strikers have ended their strike. A good moment to reflect on how falsely labelling them as terrorists dehumanises the prisoners. Thought-provoking piece for the Nerve by @natashawalter.bsky.social
www.thenerve.news/p/palestine-...
www.thenerve.news/p/palestine-...
Reposted by Val
X ‘acting to comply with UK law’ after outcry over sexualised images
X ‘acting to comply with UK law’ after outcry over sexualised images
New polling suggests 58% of Britons think X should be banned in the UK if the social network fails to crack down on nonconsensual images
Elon Musk’s X is understood to have told the government it is acting to comply with UK law, after nearly a fortnight of public outcry at the use of its AI tool Grok to manipulate images of women and children by removing their clothes.
Keir Starmer told the House of Commons on Wednesday that photographs generated by Grok had been “disgusting” and “shameful”, but said he had been informed “X is acting to ensure full compliance with UK law”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:12 PM
X ‘acting to comply with UK law’ after outcry over sexualised images
Reposted by Val
Maternal death rate in UK rose by 20% over 14 years despite Tory pledge
Maternal death rate in UK rose by 20% over 14 years despite Tory pledge
Experts describe increase as ‘absolute tragedy’ after data shows rate jumped despite Conservatives vowing to halve it
The rate of women dying during or soon after pregnancy in the UK has increased by 20% over the last decade, despite the Conservatives having pledged to halve it, according to figures experts have described as “an absolute tragedy”.
In 2015, the then Tory health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, vowed to reduce maternal deaths by 50% by 2030 and make the NHS “one of the safest places in the world to have a baby”. In 2017, he brought the date forward to 2025. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Maternal death rate in UK rose by 20% over 14 years despite Tory pledge
Reposted by Val
New figures confirm that last year was the third warmest on record for Earth. Weather Presenter Liam Dutton explains how climate change has led to the rising temperatures.
📩 Read our latest newsletter:
📩 Read our latest newsletter:
Why 2025 was another year of exceptional warmth for the planet
New figures confirm that last year was the third warmest on record for Earth. Weather Presenter Liam Dutton explains how climate change has led to the rising temperatures.
channel4news.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:12 PM
New figures confirm that last year was the third warmest on record for Earth. Weather Presenter Liam Dutton explains how climate change has led to the rising temperatures.
📩 Read our latest newsletter:
📩 Read our latest newsletter:
Reposted by Val
“The actions of grok & X are disgusting & shameful & the decision to turn this into a premium service is horrific & we are determined to take action ..I have been informed this morning that X is acting to ensure full compliance with UK law ..but we are not going to back down”
PM Keir Starmer
#PMQs
PM Keir Starmer
#PMQs
January 14, 2026 at 12:49 PM
“The actions of grok & X are disgusting & shameful & the decision to turn this into a premium service is horrific & we are determined to take action ..I have been informed this morning that X is acting to ensure full compliance with UK law ..but we are not going to back down”
PM Keir Starmer
#PMQs
PM Keir Starmer
#PMQs
Reposted by Val
You didn’t show the continuation of the clip where Farage is shown sniggering when a woman MP spoke about it just after this.
Disgraceful behaviour.
Disgraceful behaviour.
January 14, 2026 at 4:15 PM
You didn’t show the continuation of the clip where Farage is shown sniggering when a woman MP spoke about it just after this.
Disgraceful behaviour.
Disgraceful behaviour.