Andy Smart
@andysmart1948.bsky.social
Ex (not very good) youth worker and (slightly more useful) manager of youth workers.
Edinburgh & SW France. Opinionated.
Edinburgh & SW France. Opinionated.
Making Germany Great Again?
luxurylaunches.com/transport/lu...
luxurylaunches.com/transport/lu...
American billionaires are buying so many superyachts that Lürssen, one of the world’s largest yacht builders, has not only opened a swanky new office in Fort Lauderdale but is also offering tax-free f...
luxurylaunches.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Making Germany Great Again?
luxurylaunches.com/transport/lu...
luxurylaunches.com/transport/lu...
"But but this is the only way to build new schools"
Can we fight our way out of Thatcher's handbag and rethink "National Debt" and "Deficit" from the beginning again?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Can we fight our way out of Thatcher's handbag and rethink "National Debt" and "Deficit" from the beginning again?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Repairs left unfinished as firm behind huge schools PFI contract goes into liquidation
The news heightens concerns that 88 schools in Stoke-on-Trent could be left with unfinished work.
www.bbc.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:37 PM
"But but this is the only way to build new schools"
Can we fight our way out of Thatcher's handbag and rethink "National Debt" and "Deficit" from the beginning again?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Can we fight our way out of Thatcher's handbag and rethink "National Debt" and "Deficit" from the beginning again?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Trump is unable to offer any further help. He has been told that assisting in fraud by people outside his family would be illegal Diversity Equity and Inclusion.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/n...
A Fraudster Pardoned by Trump Gets 37 Years for Running Ponzi Scheme
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Trump is unable to offer any further help. He has been told that assisting in fraud by people outside his family would be illegal Diversity Equity and Inclusion.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/n...
Reposted by Andy Smart
The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford
Reposted by Andy Smart
“They went for pensioners, they went for the disabled, and now they’re going for people fleeing war and conflict. I am furious — this government should hang their heads in shame.”
Zack Polanski on Labour’s new immigration reforms on Newsnight.
Zack Polanski on Labour’s new immigration reforms on Newsnight.
November 18, 2025 at 10:01 AM
“They went for pensioners, they went for the disabled, and now they’re going for people fleeing war and conflict. I am furious — this government should hang their heads in shame.”
Zack Polanski on Labour’s new immigration reforms on Newsnight.
Zack Polanski on Labour’s new immigration reforms on Newsnight.
Why is nobody celebrating the Home Secretary's smooth integration into a party that that spent decades kicking down ladders it has just climbed? Council housing and State funded Higher Education are just two outstanding examples.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Anglican bishop shaken ‘to the core’ by home secretary’s asylum seeker comments
Bishop of Edmonton says people coming to UK are being ‘scapegoated’ for years of policy failures
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Why is nobody celebrating the Home Secretary's smooth integration into a party that that spent decades kicking down ladders it has just climbed? Council housing and State funded Higher Education are just two outstanding examples.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Andy Smart
I just want a government that is morally *better* than this.
People arriving here by small boat are desperate, often traumatised. Latest figures are 68% of boat arrivals granted asylum (see link)
The idea of the govt stripping people of their valuables & then hawking it off literally makes me sick to my stomach
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...
The idea of the govt stripping people of their valuables & then hawking it off literally makes me sick to my stomach
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...
Confiscating jewellery from survivors of a war zone makes you look like a fucking Nazi. And the obscene thing is, that is the intention. It's there to look appropriately harsh. Indecent. Filthy. A moral stain. And no-one of good character would have ever proposed such a thing in the first place.
November 17, 2025 at 11:53 AM
I just want a government that is morally *better* than this.
Social media is sometimes not good at subtly or nuance, so
Arieh Kovler is referencing some of the blood chilling details of the Holocaust and the Nazi concentration camps.
Arieh Kovler is referencing some of the blood chilling details of the Holocaust and the Nazi concentration camps.
Next up: gold teeth. Long hair sold for wigs. Maybe they can be forced to donate blood...
The Sun has been told Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will on Monday propose confiscating jewellery, watches, necklaces from asylum seekers to meet asylum costs
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
November 17, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Social media is sometimes not good at subtly or nuance, so
Arieh Kovler is referencing some of the blood chilling details of the Holocaust and the Nazi concentration camps.
Arieh Kovler is referencing some of the blood chilling details of the Holocaust and the Nazi concentration camps.
Reposted by Andy Smart
Next up: gold teeth. Long hair sold for wigs. Maybe they can be forced to donate blood...
The Sun has been told Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will on Monday propose confiscating jewellery, watches, necklaces from asylum seekers to meet asylum costs
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
November 17, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Next up: gold teeth. Long hair sold for wigs. Maybe they can be forced to donate blood...
Reposted by Andy Smart
Human rights are universal - if we start stripping away basic human rights from any section of society then none of us has rights – just privileges that can be taken away by people in power whenever they want
November 16, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Human rights are universal - if we start stripping away basic human rights from any section of society then none of us has rights – just privileges that can be taken away by people in power whenever they want
No Pasaran
"November 20th will mark the 50th anniversary of Franco's death, who ruled Spain with an iron fist for nearly four decades. The democratic transition has not healed the wounds of a reviled, mythologized, and still burdensome past". Sud Ouest
"November 20th will mark the 50th anniversary of Franco's death, who ruled Spain with an iron fist for nearly four decades. The democratic transition has not healed the wounds of a reviled, mythologized, and still burdensome past". Sud Ouest
November 16, 2025 at 10:18 AM
No Pasaran
"November 20th will mark the 50th anniversary of Franco's death, who ruled Spain with an iron fist for nearly four decades. The democratic transition has not healed the wounds of a reviled, mythologized, and still burdensome past". Sud Ouest
"November 20th will mark the 50th anniversary of Franco's death, who ruled Spain with an iron fist for nearly four decades. The democratic transition has not healed the wounds of a reviled, mythologized, and still burdensome past". Sud Ouest
"The changes are perceived as a pitch to Labour voters who are considering backing Reform at the next general election"
If the performative cruelty is to be convincing, should it not be announced by a skinhead Home Secretary with swastika neck tattoos?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
If the performative cruelty is to be convincing, should it not be announced by a skinhead Home Secretary with swastika neck tattoos?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK government set to make support for asylum seekers ‘discretionary’
Home secretary expected to change system to deny help to those who can work or who have assets
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:01 AM
"The changes are perceived as a pitch to Labour voters who are considering backing Reform at the next general election"
If the performative cruelty is to be convincing, should it not be announced by a skinhead Home Secretary with swastika neck tattoos?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
If the performative cruelty is to be convincing, should it not be announced by a skinhead Home Secretary with swastika neck tattoos?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Andy Smart
as a rule of thumb, people who centre their politics around “family values” and “traditional culture” have bloody weird values and keep creepy company
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Jeffrey Epstein advised Steve Bannon during 2018 pro-Trump media campaign
Text messages released by US House show convicted sex offender coaching Maga influencer on political messaging
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:25 PM
as a rule of thumb, people who centre their politics around “family values” and “traditional culture” have bloody weird values and keep creepy company
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
If you were born yesterday, please repeat after me, "What a relief, at least she's not going to raise Income Tax, probably I will vote for them again after all"
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Rachel Reeves to abandon plans to raise income tax rates in budget
Labour had laid the ground to break a manifesto pledge on taxes for working people but has now made a U-turn
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:01 AM
If you were born yesterday, please repeat after me, "What a relief, at least she's not going to raise Income Tax, probably I will vote for them again after all"
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Andy Smart
Health Secretary Wes Streeting says that the British Medical Association, which represents Britain's doctors, is a threat to the NHS. Streeting took a record £225k from private healthcare-related donors in just two years.
British Medical Association ‘threat to future of NHS’, says Streeting ahead of doctors’ strike
Health secretary accuses doctors’ union of ‘cartel-like behaviour’ and tells it to ‘get real’ over pay demands
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Health Secretary Wes Streeting says that the British Medical Association, which represents Britain's doctors, is a threat to the NHS. Streeting took a record £225k from private healthcare-related donors in just two years.
Wes Streeting should take time out to read this. This is the end point of the road they are all rushing down.
pluralistic.net/2025/11/13/p...
pluralistic.net/2025/11/13/p...
Pluralistic: For-profit healthcare is the problem, not (just) private equity (13 Nov 2025) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
pluralistic.net
November 13, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Wes Streeting should take time out to read this. This is the end point of the road they are all rushing down.
pluralistic.net/2025/11/13/p...
pluralistic.net/2025/11/13/p...
Reposted by Andy Smart
"Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? "
November 12, 2025 at 5:09 PM
"Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? "
Reposted by Andy Smart
I wonder how that happened, eh Kieth?
November 11, 2025 at 12:13 PM
I wonder how that happened, eh Kieth?
Reposted by Andy Smart
Racism returning to UK politics – and people are very scared, says Starmer
Racism returning to UK politics – and people are very scared, says Starmer
PM attacks ‘toxic division of Reform’ and gives strongest signal yet that two-child benefit cap will be lifted
*
UK politics live – latest updates
Decades-old racism is returning to British politics, and “it makes people feel very scared” Keir Starmer has said, warning that divisive hard-right politics was “tearing our country apart”.
Speaking to GP and TV personality Amir Khan, the prime minister accused Nigel Farage’s Reform UK of overseeing a return of the racist and divisive politics “that frankly I thought we had dealt with decades ago”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Racism returning to UK politics – and people are very scared, says Starmer
Reposted by Andy Smart
What an inspiring weekend in Glasgow for our Political Economy & Organising Training ✊
For 2 days, we studied the system, asking who profits from our work & how we build worker power
The energy was incredible & members left with a strong community
Change starts when we educate, agitate & organise
For 2 days, we studied the system, asking who profits from our work & how we build worker power
The energy was incredible & members left with a strong community
Change starts when we educate, agitate & organise
November 12, 2025 at 11:29 AM
What an inspiring weekend in Glasgow for our Political Economy & Organising Training ✊
For 2 days, we studied the system, asking who profits from our work & how we build worker power
The energy was incredible & members left with a strong community
Change starts when we educate, agitate & organise
For 2 days, we studied the system, asking who profits from our work & how we build worker power
The energy was incredible & members left with a strong community
Change starts when we educate, agitate & organise
Reposted by Andy Smart
Dame Jenni Murray: "I left Womans Hour after 33 years due to the trans issue. I rejected the word ‘cis’, said I wanted single-sex spaces and received threats of violence in return. The BBC response was ‘never talk about this issue again’ " Another victim both of the BBC and of the rampant contagion.
November 11, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Dame Jenni Murray: "I left Womans Hour after 33 years due to the trans issue. I rejected the word ‘cis’, said I wanted single-sex spaces and received threats of violence in return. The BBC response was ‘never talk about this issue again’ " Another victim both of the BBC and of the rampant contagion.
One quick way of telling what's true!
"Johnson has rejected any such suggestion as “complete and utter bollocks”"
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
"Johnson has rejected any such suggestion as “complete and utter bollocks”"
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC board member with Tory links ‘led charge’ in systemic bias claims, say insiders
Sources say Robbie Gibb amplified criticisms of Trump, Gaza and trans rights coverage, and had ‘a lot of oxygen in the room’
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:18 AM
One quick way of telling what's true!
"Johnson has rejected any such suggestion as “complete and utter bollocks”"
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
"Johnson has rejected any such suggestion as “complete and utter bollocks”"
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Reposted by Andy Smart
The CURRENT sitting MP for Clacton earns £511,000 as a presenter for GB News and took £281,000 as a brand ambassador for Direct Bullion.
So maybe sit this one out, you rancid herring.
So maybe sit this one out, you rancid herring.
November 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
The CURRENT sitting MP for Clacton earns £511,000 as a presenter for GB News and took £281,000 as a brand ambassador for Direct Bullion.
So maybe sit this one out, you rancid herring.
So maybe sit this one out, you rancid herring.