Bill Hall
@artboy.bsky.social
Artist, art teacher (semi-retired!) and, printmaker.
Interests: Art, design, architecture, music, gardening, Latin & ballroom dancing, and politics.
Interests: Art, design, architecture, music, gardening, Latin & ballroom dancing, and politics.
Reposted by Bill Hall
It's Thanksgiving in the US today.
The world feels so bleak right now. Like we lifted up old lino to reveal a swarm of giant woodlice. Giant fascist woodlice. And you think: "Jeez, have we been living here, day after day, completely unaware of all these giant bugs right under our feet?" 1/4
The world feels so bleak right now. Like we lifted up old lino to reveal a swarm of giant woodlice. Giant fascist woodlice. And you think: "Jeez, have we been living here, day after day, completely unaware of all these giant bugs right under our feet?" 1/4
November 27, 2025 at 2:37 PM
It's Thanksgiving in the US today.
The world feels so bleak right now. Like we lifted up old lino to reveal a swarm of giant woodlice. Giant fascist woodlice. And you think: "Jeez, have we been living here, day after day, completely unaware of all these giant bugs right under our feet?" 1/4
The world feels so bleak right now. Like we lifted up old lino to reveal a swarm of giant woodlice. Giant fascist woodlice. And you think: "Jeez, have we been living here, day after day, completely unaware of all these giant bugs right under our feet?" 1/4
Reposted by Bill Hall
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
November 27, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
Reposted by Bill Hall
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
November 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
Reposted by Bill Hall
Mayor celebrates 100 million free school meals
That’s worth getting into politics to do. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
That’s worth getting into politics to do. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
London free school meals scheme achieves 100 million lunches
A scheme to provide free lunches to all state primary school pupils in London reaches a milestone.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Mayor celebrates 100 million free school meals
That’s worth getting into politics to do. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
That’s worth getting into politics to do. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Bill Hall
Montage of 19 clips of Trump insulting, berating, demeaning and attacking female reporters over the past few months. Part 1.
November 19, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Montage of 19 clips of Trump insulting, berating, demeaning and attacking female reporters over the past few months. Part 1.
Reposted by Bill Hall
Today is 92nd anniversary of Holodomor. Soviet Russia inflicted a man made famine on Ukraine that killed millions. Today we are trying to wipe the country off the map.
The only difference is the USA is on our side now.
The only difference is the USA is on our side now.
November 22, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Today is 92nd anniversary of Holodomor. Soviet Russia inflicted a man made famine on Ukraine that killed millions. Today we are trying to wipe the country off the map.
The only difference is the USA is on our side now.
The only difference is the USA is on our side now.
Reposted by Bill Hall
Reposted by Bill Hall
Sen. Mark Kelly: “I’ve had a missile blow up next to my airplane. I’ve been nearly shot down multiple times. I’ve flown a rocket ship into space four times, built by the lowest bidder. I’m not going to be silenced by Donald Trump.”
November 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Sen. Mark Kelly: “I’ve had a missile blow up next to my airplane. I’ve been nearly shot down multiple times. I’ve flown a rocket ship into space four times, built by the lowest bidder. I’m not going to be silenced by Donald Trump.”
Reposted by Bill Hall
In Profits of Doom, @rbrooks45.bsky.social says the £252m PPE contract the UK gov't awarded to Tim Horlick’s Ayanda Capital in Apr 2020 triggered “perhaps the most egregious taxpayer-funded windfalls for the men at the centre of it” @privateeyenews.bsky.social
www.private-eye.co.uk/pictures/spe...
www.private-eye.co.uk/pictures/spe...
November 27, 2025 at 10:37 AM
In Profits of Doom, @rbrooks45.bsky.social says the £252m PPE contract the UK gov't awarded to Tim Horlick’s Ayanda Capital in Apr 2020 triggered “perhaps the most egregious taxpayer-funded windfalls for the men at the centre of it” @privateeyenews.bsky.social
www.private-eye.co.uk/pictures/spe...
www.private-eye.co.uk/pictures/spe...
Reposted by Bill Hall
No less than €180 billion in frozen Russian assets are dispersed across the European Union.
The EU plan would be to deploy €140 billion (£122bn) of these assets as a zero-interest “reparations loan” to Ukraine, providing Ukraine with urgently needed resources.
The EU plan would be to deploy €140 billion (£122bn) of these assets as a zero-interest “reparations loan” to Ukraine, providing Ukraine with urgently needed resources.
Making Russia pay: the EU’s plan to rebuild Ukraine
A proposal to loan Ukraine billions in frozen Russian assets has split members of the EU on the right course of action
kentandsurreybylines.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 7:08 AM
No less than €180 billion in frozen Russian assets are dispersed across the European Union.
The EU plan would be to deploy €140 billion (£122bn) of these assets as a zero-interest “reparations loan” to Ukraine, providing Ukraine with urgently needed resources.
The EU plan would be to deploy €140 billion (£122bn) of these assets as a zero-interest “reparations loan” to Ukraine, providing Ukraine with urgently needed resources.
Reposted by Bill Hall
The black hole in Durham County Council’s budget has grown by £11.1mn in the past two months under the control of Reform UK.
Its cabinet has been forced to approve a £10mn list of cuts.
Its cabinet has been forced to approve a £10mn list of cuts.
Reform cabinet backs £10mn cuts to start filling Durham’s growing black hole
Reform is now learning that running a big council is not as easy as it probably thought
northeastbylines.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 7:16 AM
The black hole in Durham County Council’s budget has grown by £11.1mn in the past two months under the control of Reform UK.
Its cabinet has been forced to approve a £10mn list of cuts.
Its cabinet has been forced to approve a £10mn list of cuts.
Reposted by Bill Hall
"Over the centuries, the Conservative Party knew how to survive, shifting its ground to win, ruthlessly disposing of leaders who’d run out of road, including the sainted Margaret Thatcher."
#Thatcher
#Brexit
#Europhobia
#Thatcher
#Brexit
#Europhobia
How Europhobia crushed Tories, and why Labour must beware
From Thatcher to Brexit, the Tories’ war on Europe turned a political colossus into a crippled party. Labour risks repeating the same mistake
bylines.scot
November 27, 2025 at 9:28 AM
"Over the centuries, the Conservative Party knew how to survive, shifting its ground to win, ruthlessly disposing of leaders who’d run out of road, including the sainted Margaret Thatcher."
#Thatcher
#Brexit
#Europhobia
#Thatcher
#Brexit
#Europhobia
Reposted by Bill Hall
My reflections on 17 years as a female doctor in sexual health performing vasectomies in Glasgow | Dr Julie Cumming
Will it hurt?
My reflections on 17 years as a female doctor in sexual health performing vasectomies in Glasgow
bylines.scot
November 26, 2025 at 6:43 PM
My reflections on 17 years as a female doctor in sexual health performing vasectomies in Glasgow | Dr Julie Cumming
Reposted by Bill Hall
Once again, an illustration that the political debate on migration in the UK is completely detached from reality
November 27, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Once again, an illustration that the political debate on migration in the UK is completely detached from reality
Reposted by Bill Hall
Ex Dresdner Kleinwort investment banker Tim Horlick, who was previously married to City Superwoman Nicola Horlick (née Gayford), bought an £8.5m Pimlico flat after supplying 50 million faulty PPE masks. He has now had a criminal restraint order imposed on the property. Ben Ellery in @thetimes.com
Financier’s £8.5m flat frozen amid tax investigation over PPE deal
Tim Horlick bought the Pimlico property shortly after his company was awarded the now-contentious £255m contract by the government
www.thetimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Ex Dresdner Kleinwort investment banker Tim Horlick, who was previously married to City Superwoman Nicola Horlick (née Gayford), bought an £8.5m Pimlico flat after supplying 50 million faulty PPE masks. He has now had a criminal restraint order imposed on the property. Ben Ellery in @thetimes.com
Reposted by Bill Hall
Private Eye's Richard Brooks has revealed how financiers behind Ayanda Capital (which is owned by a Mauritius-based holding company)—Tim Horlick, Nathan Engelbrecht, and Liz Truss adviser Andrew Mills—amassed £64m from UK taxpayers despite supplying faulty PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic.
November 27, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Private Eye's Richard Brooks has revealed how financiers behind Ayanda Capital (which is owned by a Mauritius-based holding company)—Tim Horlick, Nathan Engelbrecht, and Liz Truss adviser Andrew Mills—amassed £64m from UK taxpayers despite supplying faulty PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Reposted by Bill Hall
Reposted by Bill Hall
Regular reminder that behind all the guff about immigration statistics we are talking about actual people's lives.
We are pretty much guaranteed to see today's figures used to defend anti-immigration policies, and ignore the harm they cause. These are people's lives.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/uk-m...
We are pretty much guaranteed to see today's figures used to defend anti-immigration policies, and ignore the harm they cause. These are people's lives.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/uk-m...
UK migration is at a record high – but immigration should be celebrated, not weaponised
Experience tells us that there will be those who try and “weaponise” immigration no matter what, says Stand for All's Daniel Sohege.
www.bigissue.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Regular reminder that behind all the guff about immigration statistics we are talking about actual people's lives.
We are pretty much guaranteed to see today's figures used to defend anti-immigration policies, and ignore the harm they cause. These are people's lives.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/uk-m...
We are pretty much guaranteed to see today's figures used to defend anti-immigration policies, and ignore the harm they cause. These are people's lives.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/uk-m...
Reposted by Bill Hall
So we are already back to the levels of migration of the early 2010s and declining faster... let's hope all those new restrictions, based on previous higher numbers, don't make Britain massively unattractive to those migrants the government DOES wish to attract.
Net migration fell sharply agaim to 204,000 in the year to June 2025, having been 344k in 2024 and 848k in 2023. But falling immigration has been the biggest secret - and it is time for the media and political debate to catch up with this change
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
UK net migration fell to 204,000 in year to June - live updates
Net migration, the difference between those entering and leaving the country, was 345,000 in 2024 according to revised figures.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:56 AM
So we are already back to the levels of migration of the early 2010s and declining faster... let's hope all those new restrictions, based on previous higher numbers, don't make Britain massively unattractive to those migrants the government DOES wish to attract.
Reposted by Bill Hall
"We can take it for granted that Trump and his advisors would greet a terrorist attack as an obvious chance to blame their chosen enemies, advance their project of authoritarian regime change, and distract from their own perilous follies. (1/2)
Some common sense to remember in a trying time.
Originally written in April 2025
snyder.substack.com/p/the-next-t...
Originally written in April 2025
snyder.substack.com/p/the-next-t...
The Next Terrorist Attack
And What Comes After (Updated)
snyder.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:19 AM
"We can take it for granted that Trump and his advisors would greet a terrorist attack as an obvious chance to blame their chosen enemies, advance their project of authoritarian regime change, and distract from their own perilous follies. (1/2)
Reposted by Bill Hall
Foreign interference or opportunistic grifting: why are so many pro-Trump X accounts based in Asia?
Foreign interference or opportunistic grifting: why are so many pro-Trump X accounts based in Asia?
A new feature on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter allows users to see the location of other accounts. It has resulted in a firestorm of recriminations
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Foreign interference or opportunistic grifting: why are so many pro-Trump X accounts based in Asia?
Reposted by Bill Hall
Reposted by Bill Hall
U.S. Ambassador for Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, dressing for Mar-a-Lago, instead of as you would expect to dress at a diplomatic dinner
Interesting attire for a US Ambassador at a formal occasion.
November 26, 2025 at 10:56 PM
U.S. Ambassador for Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, dressing for Mar-a-Lago, instead of as you would expect to dress at a diplomatic dinner
Reposted by Bill Hall
Sorry, everyone. I think we've gone and done a thoughtful, balanced episode on #Budget2026, that is more about the economics and the politics, rather than the gossippy nonsense that gets hacks excited. #NotSorry
🆕 SPOILER ALERT - Unpicking the Budget 📈
The good stuff
The less good stuff
The economic rationale
The political consequences
Balance, humour, @pimlicat.bsky.social , @sturdyalex.bsky.social & top economist Vicky Pryce.
🍊 open.spotify.com/episode/05mP...
🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q...
The good stuff
The less good stuff
The economic rationale
The political consequences
Balance, humour, @pimlicat.bsky.social , @sturdyalex.bsky.social & top economist Vicky Pryce.
🍊 open.spotify.com/episode/05mP...
🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q...
Unpicking the most-leaked Budget in history, with Vicky Pryce
Podcast Episode · Quiet Riot · 26/11/2025 · 1h 18m
podcasts.apple.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Sorry, everyone. I think we've gone and done a thoughtful, balanced episode on #Budget2026, that is more about the economics and the politics, rather than the gossippy nonsense that gets hacks excited. #NotSorry
Reposted by Bill Hall
What spending was announced / funded / committed to in the 2025 Budget?
It's a long list - and likely incomplete, so will add more if I hear of them!
+ recommits to £120bn public investment across the Parliament
+ doubling local roads funding - now over £2bn
1/10
It's a long list - and likely incomplete, so will add more if I hear of them!
+ recommits to £120bn public investment across the Parliament
+ doubling local roads funding - now over £2bn
1/10
November 26, 2025 at 5:38 PM
What spending was announced / funded / committed to in the 2025 Budget?
It's a long list - and likely incomplete, so will add more if I hear of them!
+ recommits to £120bn public investment across the Parliament
+ doubling local roads funding - now over £2bn
1/10
It's a long list - and likely incomplete, so will add more if I hear of them!
+ recommits to £120bn public investment across the Parliament
+ doubling local roads funding - now over £2bn
1/10