Alan Scowcroft
@alanscowcroft.bsky.social
Climber, ski mountaineer and caver who splits his time between Chamonix and the Dales. Eighteen years in mountain rescue 😀
Half way through this - an absolute must read !
Oborne's clinical disection of Sunak/Starmer/etc. the UK media, his genuine outrage at the lies makes this hard to put down.
Oborne's clinical disection of Sunak/Starmer/etc. the UK media, his genuine outrage at the lies makes this hard to put down.
November 12, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Half way through this - an absolute must read !
Oborne's clinical disection of Sunak/Starmer/etc. the UK media, his genuine outrage at the lies makes this hard to put down.
Oborne's clinical disection of Sunak/Starmer/etc. the UK media, his genuine outrage at the lies makes this hard to put down.
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
...in which I pull together all the most noteworthy aspects of Sir Robbie Gibb's tangled life at the intersection of politics and journalism.
November 12, 2025 at 5:08 PM
...in which I pull together all the most noteworthy aspects of Sir Robbie Gibb's tangled life at the intersection of politics and journalism.
Beetlejuice principle 😂
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 1:35 PM
Beetlejuice principle 😂
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
Interesting comparison. Brexit was the raising of non tariff barriers, leaving the EU's Single Market and Customs Union, and, to a first approximation, unchanged terms with the rest of the world. It was done in a relatively orderly, legalised fashion.
I wonder if the United States can learn anything from the last time a major industrialized country decided to isolate itself from the rest of the world?
Almost a decade after the Brexit vote, GDP in the UK is around 6-8% lower relative to peer countries. (Source: www.nber.org/papers/w34459)
Almost a decade after the Brexit vote, GDP in the UK is around 6-8% lower relative to peer countries. (Source: www.nber.org/papers/w34459)
November 12, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Interesting comparison. Brexit was the raising of non tariff barriers, leaving the EU's Single Market and Customs Union, and, to a first approximation, unchanged terms with the rest of the world. It was done in a relatively orderly, legalised fashion.
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
November 10, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
Great trespass along the River Dart today to kick off @righttoroam.bsky.social's 9 river trespasses in November - protesting the inadequacy & unworkability of the Govt's 9 river walks pledge
We trespassed in an estate owned in the Cayman Islands & later met up with kayakers from Friends of the Dart
We trespassed in an estate owned in the Cayman Islands & later met up with kayakers from Friends of the Dart
November 2, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Great trespass along the River Dart today to kick off @righttoroam.bsky.social's 9 river trespasses in November - protesting the inadequacy & unworkability of the Govt's 9 river walks pledge
We trespassed in an estate owned in the Cayman Islands & later met up with kayakers from Friends of the Dart
We trespassed in an estate owned in the Cayman Islands & later met up with kayakers from Friends of the Dart
Amazing team work. Over 117 volunteers from multiple teams work together to get three overdue cavers out of Dowber Gill passage.
October 8, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Amazing team work. Over 117 volunteers from multiple teams work together to get three overdue cavers out of Dowber Gill passage.
Always follow the money .....
REVEALED: Donald Trump has picked Tony Blair for central role in Gaza ‘peace plan’…
…but in our inaugural investigation for @thenerve_news, we reveal extensive previously unreported links to Israeli defence, media & tech. 🧵
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/tony-blair...
…but in our inaugural investigation for @thenerve_news, we reveal extensive previously unreported links to Israeli defence, media & tech. 🧵
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/tony-blair...
'WHAT WILL JESUS SAY?' TONY BLAIR, BIG TECH AND THE ISRAEL CONNECTION
As Trump announces the former British PM as his choice to help govern Gaza, Carole Cadwalladr investigates the opaque workings of Blair's institute, its funding from friends of Israel – including bill...
www.thenerve.news
October 1, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Always follow the money .....
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
The salary example is fairly good.
Nobody's saying that your income can never go up. But it will always be worse than it would otherwise have been.
That's not such a tricky concept, though it still seems beyond the wit of some.
Nobody's saying that your income can never go up. But it will always be worse than it would otherwise have been.
That's not such a tricky concept, though it still seems beyond the wit of some.
October 1, 2025 at 8:57 AM
The salary example is fairly good.
Nobody's saying that your income can never go up. But it will always be worse than it would otherwise have been.
That's not such a tricky concept, though it still seems beyond the wit of some.
Nobody's saying that your income can never go up. But it will always be worse than it would otherwise have been.
That's not such a tricky concept, though it still seems beyond the wit of some.
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
Why do people keep saying that Brexit has left us poorer by £40 billion?
It's not a one-time thing. The loss is every year.
It's like if your salary is permanently £500 lower than it otherwise would have been.
After a year you're down £500, after 2 years £1,000, etc., on where you should be.
It's not a one-time thing. The loss is every year.
It's like if your salary is permanently £500 lower than it otherwise would have been.
After a year you're down £500, after 2 years £1,000, etc., on where you should be.
October 1, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Why do people keep saying that Brexit has left us poorer by £40 billion?
It's not a one-time thing. The loss is every year.
It's like if your salary is permanently £500 lower than it otherwise would have been.
After a year you're down £500, after 2 years £1,000, etc., on where you should be.
It's not a one-time thing. The loss is every year.
It's like if your salary is permanently £500 lower than it otherwise would have been.
After a year you're down £500, after 2 years £1,000, etc., on where you should be.
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
Indefensible policy and Reeves is incapable of defending it.
Krishnan Guru Murthy, "Isn't it a bit insulting to say to an Indian doctor who is working 60-70 hours a week that in order to get settled status he's got to volunteer?"
Rachel Reeves, "We want people to contribute if they come to our country"
Labour have gone utterly bonkers
Rachel Reeves, "We want people to contribute if they come to our country"
Labour have gone utterly bonkers
September 30, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Indefensible policy and Reeves is incapable of defending it.
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
After the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, Nathan Gill pleaded guilty to making favourable statements about Russia in exchange for money, worth reupping the FIVE QUESTIONS Nigel Farage is never asked about his fondness for Putin @bylinetimes.bsky.social
The Five Questions Nigel Farage is Never Asked About Brexit, Trump and Russia – Byline Times bylinetimes.com/2024/06/19/t...
The Five Questions Nigel Farage is Never Asked About Brexit, Trump and Russia
As the media provides the Reform Leader with a prominent platform, Peter Jukes considers all the concerning lines of enquiry that journalists never confront him with
bylinetimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:34 PM
After the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, Nathan Gill pleaded guilty to making favourable statements about Russia in exchange for money, worth reupping the FIVE QUESTIONS Nigel Farage is never asked about his fondness for Putin @bylinetimes.bsky.social
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
Agree. I hope he confronts his own populist lies about migration, Brexit and Trump's US. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Politicians must confront lies used by populists, Starmer tells London summit
In speech to Global Progress Action summit, PM criticises rhetoric describing London as ‘decaying and lawless’
www.theguardian.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Agree. I hope he confronts his own populist lies about migration, Brexit and Trump's US. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
I hope there will come a day soon where it dawns on someone in Starmer’s team that their strategy of communicating “Nigel Farage is right about everything but please vote for us instead” is fuelling these disastrous figures rather than mitigating them, but today is not that day
Brutal new MRP poll out today showing Reform at 311 and Labour support collapsing.
Worth reading steaming @financialtimes.com column on Starmer by @robertshrimsley.bsky.social
“Starmer can’t afford to wait for reckless Reform to implode”
on.ft.com/3VxxCaR
Worth reading steaming @financialtimes.com column on Starmer by @robertshrimsley.bsky.social
“Starmer can’t afford to wait for reckless Reform to implode”
on.ft.com/3VxxCaR
September 26, 2025 at 7:21 AM
I hope there will come a day soon where it dawns on someone in Starmer’s team that their strategy of communicating “Nigel Farage is right about everything but please vote for us instead” is fuelling these disastrous figures rather than mitigating them, but today is not that day
Great thread 👇
In the late 19th century, millions of migrants left Germany as a result of religious persecution, economic hardship, and political uncertainty.
Among them was Nikolaus Schrod, a cabinet maker from Frankfurt who - along with his wife Bina - moved to London to start a new life in the 1850s. 1/3
Among them was Nikolaus Schrod, a cabinet maker from Frankfurt who - along with his wife Bina - moved to London to start a new life in the 1850s. 1/3
a black and white photo of a crowd of people with a sign that says walter
ALT: a black and white photo of a crowd of people with a sign that says walter
media.tenor.com
September 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Great thread 👇
Spot on - nail - head - boom !!
Zack Polanski has a way of hitting the nail on the head, very succinctly...
I of course welcome the recognition of the state of Palestine.
And there won't be a Palestinian state left if government's continue enabling Israel's unfolding genocide.
Labour can't credibly support Palestinian statehood whilst also continuing to arm Israel.
And there won't be a Palestinian state left if government's continue enabling Israel's unfolding genocide.
Labour can't credibly support Palestinian statehood whilst also continuing to arm Israel.
September 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Spot on - nail - head - boom !!
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
"Democracies risk falling into a doom loop, in which restrictions on immigration mean ever greater demands on the purse of the native-born population and ever worse services, which in turn deepens opposition towards immigration"
@stephenkb.bsky.social calls for honesty.
www.ft.com/content/43da...
@stephenkb.bsky.social calls for honesty.
www.ft.com/content/43da...
The truth about immigration
Ageing societies seeking to preserve living standards will continue to rely on new arrivals — but governments can be clearer about the trade-offs
www.ft.com
September 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM
"Democracies risk falling into a doom loop, in which restrictions on immigration mean ever greater demands on the purse of the native-born population and ever worse services, which in turn deepens opposition towards immigration"
@stephenkb.bsky.social calls for honesty.
www.ft.com/content/43da...
@stephenkb.bsky.social calls for honesty.
www.ft.com/content/43da...
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
NEW
Has the government overreached in using terrorism law against Palestine Action?
A disclosed MI5 document indicates that the basis for proscription may be weak
By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Has the government overreached in using terrorism law against Palestine Action?
A disclosed MI5 document indicates that the basis for proscription may be weak
By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
September 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM
NEW
Has the government overreached in using terrorism law against Palestine Action?
A disclosed MI5 document indicates that the basis for proscription may be weak
By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Has the government overreached in using terrorism law against Palestine Action?
A disclosed MI5 document indicates that the basis for proscription may be weak
By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
Breaking News!
Code Yikes!
Global 2-meter temperatures once again broke the Paris limit on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15, reaching 1.52°C above the 1850-1900 IPCC baseline both days, marking the 2nd hottest temperatures for the date on record, and possibly in the last 120,000 years.
Code Yikes!
Global 2-meter temperatures once again broke the Paris limit on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15, reaching 1.52°C above the 1850-1900 IPCC baseline both days, marking the 2nd hottest temperatures for the date on record, and possibly in the last 120,000 years.
September 17, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Breaking News!
Code Yikes!
Global 2-meter temperatures once again broke the Paris limit on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15, reaching 1.52°C above the 1850-1900 IPCC baseline both days, marking the 2nd hottest temperatures for the date on record, and possibly in the last 120,000 years.
Code Yikes!
Global 2-meter temperatures once again broke the Paris limit on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15, reaching 1.52°C above the 1850-1900 IPCC baseline both days, marking the 2nd hottest temperatures for the date on record, and possibly in the last 120,000 years.
So just how did epstein make his millions ???
Just when Keir Starmer thought he’d got Jeffrey Epstein off his plate – look who’s coming to dinner | Marina Hyde
Just when Keir Starmer thought he’d got Jeffrey Epstein off his plate – look who’s coming to dinner | Marina Hyde
After a tough week for Labour, Donald Trump is touching down for a state visit. Let’s hope the PM can stomach it, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde
www.theguardian.com
September 16, 2025 at 4:21 PM
So just how did epstein make his millions ???
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
It's shocking how much consensus there is amongst tax policy wonks and economists of Left and Right on the tax reforms the UK needs to boost growth & make the tax system fairer
More shocking: they're reforms that are never mentioned by any politicians
buff.ly/rTfNmFC
More shocking: they're reforms that are never mentioned by any politicians
buff.ly/rTfNmFC
Stop talking about wealth taxes — make these reforms instead
Any sane discussion of changes that both right and left could agree on is being crowded out by tax populism
buff.ly
September 13, 2025 at 7:35 AM
It's shocking how much consensus there is amongst tax policy wonks and economists of Left and Right on the tax reforms the UK needs to boost growth & make the tax system fairer
More shocking: they're reforms that are never mentioned by any politicians
buff.ly/rTfNmFC
More shocking: they're reforms that are never mentioned by any politicians
buff.ly/rTfNmFC
Pretty much spot on !
Did Keir Starmer momentarily confuse Peter Mandelson with the Dalai Lama or Mother Teresa? @arusbridger.bsky.social asks: was there nothing in the much-cited “due process” that made him pause for a moment?
I helped bring Mandelson down before
Peter Mandelson is brilliant, but slippery. Connected, but compromised. Why was Starmer too naive to recognise that?
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
September 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Pretty much spot on !
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
As always Banksy is spot on...
September 8, 2025 at 2:18 PM
As always Banksy is spot on...
Reposted by Alan Scowcroft
Oh, good. Starmer woke up and decided to be a bit more racist. We were due...
Another day, yet ANOTHER stupid, pointless announcement on immigration from this stupid pointless government.
Today: you are a student - we're going to write you a stern letter about how you better not be thinking of staying!
Insanity. Racist, cowardly, insanity. #r4today
Today: you are a student - we're going to write you a stern letter about how you better not be thinking of staying!
Insanity. Racist, cowardly, insanity. #r4today
September 2, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Oh, good. Starmer woke up and decided to be a bit more racist. We were due...