Zach Elsbury
@zachelsbury.bsky.social
🏳️🌈 🇦🇺 - transport - politics - flying
Continuing to avoid politics and St Valentine‘s Day in Salzburg.
February 14, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Continuing to avoid politics and St Valentine‘s Day in Salzburg.
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
Good news that @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu insists that Article 42(7) is now central to her mission for the EU. #MSC2026 www.friendsofeurope.org/insights/cri...
Europe's critical test: an emergency landing for Ukraine and the moment for common defence - Friends of Europe
www.friendsofeurope.org
February 14, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Good news that @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu insists that Article 42(7) is now central to her mission for the EU. #MSC2026 www.friendsofeurope.org/insights/cri...
Is this the same Starmer that allowed SAFE association negotiations to collapse over money?
Is this the same Starmer that‘s delayed the Defence Investment Plan over „affordability concerns“?
Starmer should practice what he preaches instead of relying almost entirely on vacuous rhetoric.
Is this the same Starmer that‘s delayed the Defence Investment Plan over „affordability concerns“?
Starmer should practice what he preaches instead of relying almost entirely on vacuous rhetoric.
Keir Starmer to call on UK and Europe to step up commitments to Nato
British PM to tell Munich Security Conference that Europe together is ‘sleeping giant’ and will say UK won’t turn away from its allies
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Is this the same Starmer that allowed SAFE association negotiations to collapse over money?
Is this the same Starmer that‘s delayed the Defence Investment Plan over „affordability concerns“?
Starmer should practice what he preaches instead of relying almost entirely on vacuous rhetoric.
Is this the same Starmer that‘s delayed the Defence Investment Plan over „affordability concerns“?
Starmer should practice what he preaches instead of relying almost entirely on vacuous rhetoric.
Today also meant defeating the final boss of queueing: Figlmüller on a Friday night the day before St Valentine‘s Day without a booking for Schnitzel and Kaiserschmarren.
February 13, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Today also meant defeating the final boss of queueing: Figlmüller on a Friday night the day before St Valentine‘s Day without a booking for Schnitzel and Kaiserschmarren.
The holiday continues apace.
February 13, 2026 at 4:50 PM
The holiday continues apace.
Today‘s rather imperial constitutional
February 12, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Today‘s rather imperial constitutional
It’s all well and good to say Labour *could* win the political argument for closer EU ties. However rhetoric is cheap unless it’s followed by concrete policy with clear goals in mind … which is where Starmer and Reeves come up sort.
Signs of more positive language & movement towards the EU are all welcome, if long overdue. But without the removal of Labour's red lines, they don't go nearly far enough.
Brexit is an open wound that will need more than a few sticking plasters to heal.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Brexit is an open wound that will need more than a few sticking plasters to heal.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Labour can win political argument for closer EU ties, says Rachel Reeves
Chancellor says stronger alignment with Europe is ‘biggest prize’ for trade and economic growth
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:56 AM
It’s all well and good to say Labour *could* win the political argument for closer EU ties. However rhetoric is cheap unless it’s followed by concrete policy with clear goals in mind … which is where Starmer and Reeves come up sort.
But it was Starmer - the former DPP and human rights lawyer - who was misled, and it’s definitely not his political judgement.
People Keir Starmer has hired, then fired for stuff he knew about when he hired them, a thread and a list:
1. Tulip Siddiq, given the economic crime brief, despite her aunt being PM of Bangladesh and mired in corruption allegations. Siddiq herself had faced questions over London properties.
1. Tulip Siddiq, given the economic crime brief, despite her aunt being PM of Bangladesh and mired in corruption allegations. Siddiq herself had faced questions over London properties.
February 11, 2026 at 11:25 PM
But it was Starmer - the former DPP and human rights lawyer - who was misled, and it’s definitely not his political judgement.
So sayeth the tax-avoiding immigrant…
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Britain has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of the country's richest and most influential men, has told Sky News.
news.sky.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:55 PM
So sayeth the tax-avoiding immigrant…
Why should Britain pray that Starmer - a leader who has lost all political authority, wasted his political capital, is squandering his Commons position, and expresses no discernible political philosophy independent of his CoS, and whose approval ratings pave the way for a Reform majority - survive?
Britain should pray that Starmer survives ft.trib.al/5esmO4p
Britain should pray that Starmer survives
The country did not and would not vote for the Labour left
ft.trib.al
February 11, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Why should Britain pray that Starmer - a leader who has lost all political authority, wasted his political capital, is squandering his Commons position, and expresses no discernible political philosophy independent of his CoS, and whose approval ratings pave the way for a Reform majority - survive?
Breakfast in Bucharest to distract from things
February 11, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Breakfast in Bucharest to distract from things
Politics is depressing … so I’ve fled to Bucharest.
February 11, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Politics is depressing … so I’ve fled to Bucharest.
Ah but that requires thinking politically and making decisions - two things Starmer hasn’t demonstrated much competence with.
Keir Starmer's best hope of survival is a reshuffle that elevates the soft left. www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...
How Keir Starmer survives
The Prime Minister’s best hope is to cut a deal with the soft left
www.newstatesman.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Ah but that requires thinking politically and making decisions - two things Starmer hasn’t demonstrated much competence with.
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
“delivering the change voters asked for”
Don’t remember the voters asking for immigrants to be targeted, disabled people to lose their benefits, and trans people having their human rights stripped away.
Don’t remember the voters asking for immigrants to be targeted, disabled people to lose their benefits, and trans people having their human rights stripped away.
February 9, 2026 at 11:15 PM
“delivering the change voters asked for”
Don’t remember the voters asking for immigrants to be targeted, disabled people to lose their benefits, and trans people having their human rights stripped away.
Don’t remember the voters asking for immigrants to be targeted, disabled people to lose their benefits, and trans people having their human rights stripped away.
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
“Remind the media” that the govt has “elevated the fight against violence against women and girls”? Hi, from the media. How is this whole saga not the quintessential example of not doing that?
February 9, 2026 at 10:03 PM
“Remind the media” that the govt has “elevated the fight against violence against women and girls”? Hi, from the media. How is this whole saga not the quintessential example of not doing that?
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
Getting really tired of "this is all a media concoction"...
Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.
I mean come on...
Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.
I mean come on...
February 9, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Getting really tired of "this is all a media concoction"...
Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.
I mean come on...
Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.
I mean come on...
„Changing leaders doesn’t solve the problem“ assumes that the leader, their strategy, and political judgement is not problematic or a contributing factor in Labour‘s electoral position.
It doesn’t take a genius to realise that line is bullshit.
It doesn’t take a genius to realise that line is bullshit.
“There is not a vacancy, but I think Shabana Mahmood’s doing a bloody good job”.
Great interview with veteran of the Blair-Brown melodrama Jacqui Smith by Harry Clarke-Ezzidio:
Great interview with veteran of the Blair-Brown melodrama Jacqui Smith by Harry Clarke-Ezzidio:
Jacqui Smith: Changing leaders doesn’t solve the problem
The New Labour big beast speaks out on Andy Burnham and Starmer's future
www.newstatesman.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:13 PM
„Changing leaders doesn’t solve the problem“ assumes that the leader, their strategy, and political judgement is not problematic or a contributing factor in Labour‘s electoral position.
It doesn’t take a genius to realise that line is bullshit.
It doesn’t take a genius to realise that line is bullshit.
„But he won last time“ will be cold comfort to the MS‘, MSPs, and councillors that lose their jobs in May.
As ever, Bo 10 are fighting the last war instead of looking at the cliff Starmer is driving them towards.
As ever, Bo 10 are fighting the last war instead of looking at the cliff Starmer is driving them towards.
NEW: No10 bat away Anas Sarwar’s calls for Starmer to go.
“Keir Starmer is one of only four Labour leaders ever to have won a general election.
“He has a clear five-year mandate from the British people to deliver change, and that is what he will do.”
“Keir Starmer is one of only four Labour leaders ever to have won a general election.
“He has a clear five-year mandate from the British people to deliver change, and that is what he will do.”
February 9, 2026 at 4:25 PM
„But he won last time“ will be cold comfort to the MS‘, MSPs, and councillors that lose their jobs in May.
As ever, Bo 10 are fighting the last war instead of looking at the cliff Starmer is driving them towards.
As ever, Bo 10 are fighting the last war instead of looking at the cliff Starmer is driving them towards.
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
Much the same as with Karen Pierce and the US ambo appointment, Starmer actually had someone who could have been director of comms, Steph Driver, who gave years of hard work and professionalism in opposition but then got a succession of people promoted over her for no apparent reason
February 9, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Much the same as with Karen Pierce and the US ambo appointment, Starmer actually had someone who could have been director of comms, Steph Driver, who gave years of hard work and professionalism in opposition but then got a succession of people promoted over her for no apparent reason
Accepting the resignation of your chief of staff for advocating on behalf of Mandelson‘s appointment isn’t taking responsibility.
If Starmer were taking responsibility for his appointment, he would be resigning, not letting others take the fall for what was ultimately his decision.
If Starmer were taking responsibility for his appointment, he would be resigning, not letting others take the fall for what was ultimately his decision.
BREAKING: ‘The Prime Minister has taken responsibility for having made the wrong decision in appointing him'
Government minister Baroness Jacqui Smith speaks to #BBCBreakfast after Morgan McSweeney resigned as Keir Starmer's chief of staff for advising him to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador
Government minister Baroness Jacqui Smith speaks to #BBCBreakfast after Morgan McSweeney resigned as Keir Starmer's chief of staff for advising him to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador
February 9, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Accepting the resignation of your chief of staff for advocating on behalf of Mandelson‘s appointment isn’t taking responsibility.
If Starmer were taking responsibility for his appointment, he would be resigning, not letting others take the fall for what was ultimately his decision.
If Starmer were taking responsibility for his appointment, he would be resigning, not letting others take the fall for what was ultimately his decision.
Reposted by Zach Elsbury
Missed this yesterday. Massive boost for Ukraine’s arms industry, who have been pushing for export controls to be lifted. Creates even more opportunity to develop new equipment, innovate and fund the defensive effort. Great news.
February 9, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Missed this yesterday. Massive boost for Ukraine’s arms industry, who have been pushing for export controls to be lifted. Creates even more opportunity to develop new equipment, innovate and fund the defensive effort. Great news.
So glad to see Starmer‘s visit to Beijing and his fierce advocacy for a British citizen imprisoned on political charges paid off …
"The 78-year-old self-made billionaire was among the highest-profile government critics charged since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on the semi-autonomous southern city in 2020."
@cnn.com
edition.cnn.com/2026/02/08/c...
@cnn.com
edition.cnn.com/2026/02/08/c...
Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison after landmark national security trial | CNN
Former Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, ending a years-long legal battle that has come to define Beijing’s transformational crackdown on the once-freewheeling...
edition.cnn.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:09 AM
So glad to see Starmer‘s visit to Beijing and his fierce advocacy for a British citizen imprisoned on political charges paid off …
Did McSweeney win the election, or did 14 years of Tory failure lose the election?
Having a look at polling, dare I say it’s the latter?
Having a look at polling, dare I say it’s the latter?
Not *all* Labour MPs wanted McSweeney out.
“Gutted about Morgan”, one texts.
“So many of us know he’s brilliant to work with, so exceptional at the bigger picture strategic thinking, relentlessly focused on the moving pieces… and credit him with winning the majority”.
“Gutted about Morgan”, one texts.
“So many of us know he’s brilliant to work with, so exceptional at the bigger picture strategic thinking, relentlessly focused on the moving pieces… and credit him with winning the majority”.
February 8, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Did McSweeney win the election, or did 14 years of Tory failure lose the election?
Having a look at polling, dare I say it’s the latter?
Having a look at polling, dare I say it’s the latter?
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Now for the other idiot in No 10 to make his walk of shame.
Now for the other idiot in No 10 to make his walk of shame.
BREAKING: Morgan McSweeney quits as Keir Starmer's chief of staff amid fall-out from the Mandelson scandal
February 8, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Now for the other idiot in No 10 to make his walk of shame.
Now for the other idiot in No 10 to make his walk of shame.
Thors opposing a change in leadership, by asking that question, are guilty of the same la k of political judgement as the useless leader they try to protect.
"But what do you want a new Labour leader to do differently from Are Kier???"
Just for starters, stop doing this immediately
Just for starters, stop doing this immediately
The Home Office now describes asylum seekers as "illegal immigrants [living in hotels]" with no reference to the reason that these people are in government-funded accommodation is that this government has taken & will process the asylum claim from them in 98-99% of cases of unauthorised entry.
February 8, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Thors opposing a change in leadership, by asking that question, are guilty of the same la k of political judgement as the useless leader they try to protect.