Ben 🔶🔰
@benaskewgale.bsky.social
Politics, software engineering, and gaming.
Liberal and Georgist. Python and Rust.
All views are my own.
Liberal and Georgist. Python and Rust.
All views are my own.
Not sure how “Somebody I used to know” ended up as my most listened track. Top artists are as expected though.
December 4, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Not sure how “Somebody I used to know” ended up as my most listened track. Top artists are as expected though.
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
The Blue Labour right have become the Militant of 2025 - a tiny but hyperactive and densely networked sect working relentlessly to drag Labour towards their niche pursuits and away from the values and priorities of core Labour voters.
November 28, 2025 at 10:44 AM
The Blue Labour right have become the Militant of 2025 - a tiny but hyperactive and densely networked sect working relentlessly to drag Labour towards their niche pursuits and away from the values and priorities of core Labour voters.
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
The modal British voter thinks that pensioners are the group who gets the least good deal from the state! You can't have a serious conversation either about shrinking the state or expanding the tax base from that starting point!
November 27, 2025 at 10:19 PM
The modal British voter thinks that pensioners are the group who gets the least good deal from the state! You can't have a serious conversation either about shrinking the state or expanding the tax base from that starting point!
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
It's all so supine and pathologically risk averse. A government trying to survive day to day, too scared to take the kindness of big decisive action which would repair the country and win an election. An unbelievable wasted opportunity.
November 26, 2025 at 5:57 PM
It's all so supine and pathologically risk averse. A government trying to survive day to day, too scared to take the kindness of big decisive action which would repair the country and win an election. An unbelievable wasted opportunity.
🎶 Backbenchers to the left of me, bond markets to the right. Keir I am, stuck in the middle with you 🎶
opening moves in Gilt yields across the curve sending a clear signal to Reeves and Starmer that their latest nonsense is about as wrong as it could be:
November 14, 2025 at 8:29 AM
🎶 Backbenchers to the left of me, bond markets to the right. Keir I am, stuck in the middle with you 🎶
Pensioners have a patriotic duty to downsize
Did you all know that more than half of all households headed by an over sixty five have *at least* two spare bedrooms?
There is just a weird age thing here. More than half of all households headed by an over 65 have *at least* two spare bedrooms by the bedroom standard.
November 12, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Pensioners have a patriotic duty to downsize
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
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The official home of the Python Programming Language
www.python.org
October 27, 2025 at 2:47 PM
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
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Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
Thousands of Londoners have indefinite leave to remain.
They have legal rights and are our friends, neighbours and colleagues, contributing hugely to our city.
Threatening to deport people living and working here legally is unacceptable.
They have legal rights and are our friends, neighbours and colleagues, contributing hugely to our city.
Threatening to deport people living and working here legally is unacceptable.
Farage vows to scrap indefinite leave to remain, placing thousands at risk of deportation
Reform UK plans to force non-citizens to apply for visas with high salary thresholds and no access to NHS services
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Thousands of Londoners have indefinite leave to remain.
They have legal rights and are our friends, neighbours and colleagues, contributing hugely to our city.
Threatening to deport people living and working here legally is unacceptable.
They have legal rights and are our friends, neighbours and colleagues, contributing hugely to our city.
Threatening to deport people living and working here legally is unacceptable.
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
Our democracy is too precious to be a plaything for foreign tech barons.
Elon Musk doesn’t care about the British people or our rights. He only cares about himself and his ego.
Elon Musk doesn’t care about the British people or our rights. He only cares about himself and his ego.
September 13, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Our democracy is too precious to be a plaything for foreign tech barons.
Elon Musk doesn’t care about the British people or our rights. He only cares about himself and his ego.
Elon Musk doesn’t care about the British people or our rights. He only cares about himself and his ego.
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
We should abolish stamp duty: taxpolicy.org.uk/2024/06/09/s...
September 3, 2025 at 12:15 PM
We should abolish stamp duty: taxpolicy.org.uk/2024/06/09/s...
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
"Asylum seekers should not be allowed to work!"
"Asylum workers should not be subsidised at the public expense!"
- and loop.
"Asylum workers should not be subsidised at the public expense!"
- and loop.
August 21, 2025 at 7:03 AM
"Asylum seekers should not be allowed to work!"
"Asylum workers should not be subsidised at the public expense!"
- and loop.
"Asylum workers should not be subsidised at the public expense!"
- and loop.
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
As we've seen across history, the populist playbook used by Farage is ugly, powerful and incredibly destructive.
We know where it will lead if we don't stop it.
We know where it will lead if we don't stop it.
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtu.be
August 26, 2025 at 3:58 PM
As we've seen across history, the populist playbook used by Farage is ugly, powerful and incredibly destructive.
We know where it will lead if we don't stop it.
We know where it will lead if we don't stop it.
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
Members of my family were tortured and killed in the Holocaust because countries like Britain said it wasn't their problem. Everyone said never again. And here we are. It's sickening beyond belief.
August 22, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Members of my family were tortured and killed in the Holocaust because countries like Britain said it wasn't their problem. Everyone said never again. And here we are. It's sickening beyond belief.
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
We need land value taxation www.theguardian.com/money/2025/a...
Reeves considers replacing stamp duty with new property tax
Exclusive: Treasury examines options including tax on homes sold for more than £500,000 as well as overhaul of council tax
www.theguardian.com
August 18, 2025 at 9:28 PM
We need land value taxation www.theguardian.com/money/2025/a...
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
🌊 Coastal communities are facing rising tides, crumbling cliffs & shrinking services.
They're on the frontline of the climate crisis - but too often overlooked in Westminster.
We need a dedicated Coastal Minister.
Here's why 👇
#ProtectOurCoast
They're on the frontline of the climate crisis - but too often overlooked in Westminster.
We need a dedicated Coastal Minister.
Here's why 👇
#ProtectOurCoast
July 10, 2025 at 8:42 AM
🌊 Coastal communities are facing rising tides, crumbling cliffs & shrinking services.
They're on the frontline of the climate crisis - but too often overlooked in Westminster.
We need a dedicated Coastal Minister.
Here's why 👇
#ProtectOurCoast
They're on the frontline of the climate crisis - but too often overlooked in Westminster.
We need a dedicated Coastal Minister.
Here's why 👇
#ProtectOurCoast
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
Benfieldside (Durham) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 28.3% (+17.3)
🌹 LAB: 27.4% (+0.8)
➡️ RFM: 25.6% (-6.6)
🙋 Ind: 15.7% (-8.0)
🌳 CON: 1.6% (-5.0)
🌍 GRN: 1.4% (New)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Reform.
Changes w/ 2025.
🔶 LDM: 28.3% (+17.3)
🌹 LAB: 27.4% (+0.8)
➡️ RFM: 25.6% (-6.6)
🙋 Ind: 15.7% (-8.0)
🌳 CON: 1.6% (-5.0)
🌍 GRN: 1.4% (New)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Reform.
Changes w/ 2025.
July 3, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Benfieldside (Durham) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 28.3% (+17.3)
🌹 LAB: 27.4% (+0.8)
➡️ RFM: 25.6% (-6.6)
🙋 Ind: 15.7% (-8.0)
🌳 CON: 1.6% (-5.0)
🌍 GRN: 1.4% (New)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Reform.
Changes w/ 2025.
🔶 LDM: 28.3% (+17.3)
🌹 LAB: 27.4% (+0.8)
➡️ RFM: 25.6% (-6.6)
🙋 Ind: 15.7% (-8.0)
🌳 CON: 1.6% (-5.0)
🌍 GRN: 1.4% (New)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Reform.
Changes w/ 2025.
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
6. Why did long gilts hate PMQs?
Possible answers:
a) Reeves seen as a fiscal hawk within Labour; PMQs raises chance of a new deficit-loving ChX;
b) Govt seen as likely to collapse, and have you seen Reform UK's plans?
c) UK revealed as fundamentally unserious country
Possible answers:
a) Reeves seen as a fiscal hawk within Labour; PMQs raises chance of a new deficit-loving ChX;
b) Govt seen as likely to collapse, and have you seen Reform UK's plans?
c) UK revealed as fundamentally unserious country
July 2, 2025 at 2:25 PM
6. Why did long gilts hate PMQs?
Possible answers:
a) Reeves seen as a fiscal hawk within Labour; PMQs raises chance of a new deficit-loving ChX;
b) Govt seen as likely to collapse, and have you seen Reform UK's plans?
c) UK revealed as fundamentally unserious country
Possible answers:
a) Reeves seen as a fiscal hawk within Labour; PMQs raises chance of a new deficit-loving ChX;
b) Govt seen as likely to collapse, and have you seen Reform UK's plans?
c) UK revealed as fundamentally unserious country
I think the British public should be held responsible
61% of Britons say that Brexit has been a failure - who do they hold responsible?
Conservatives: 88%
Boris Johnson: 84%
Nigel Farage: 67%
Theresa May: 66%
Rishi Sunak: 64%
Labour: 39%
EU: 37%
Civil service: 30%
Keir Starmer: 28%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Conservatives: 88%
Boris Johnson: 84%
Nigel Farage: 67%
Theresa May: 66%
Rishi Sunak: 64%
Labour: 39%
EU: 37%
Civil service: 30%
Keir Starmer: 28%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
June 20, 2025 at 7:15 AM
I think the British public should be held responsible
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
More from me about why the wealth tax is DOA, and how we could and should tax wealth more effectively, on the Making Money podcast: buff.ly/BE3Ujsw
June 17, 2025 at 8:34 AM
More from me about why the wealth tax is DOA, and how we could and should tax wealth more effectively, on the Making Money podcast: buff.ly/BE3Ujsw
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
Tuesday's @thetimes.com cartoon times.newsprints.co.uk/morten-morla...
May 19, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Tuesday's @thetimes.com cartoon times.newsprints.co.uk/morten-morla...
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
But populists can't be the only ones telling compelling stories.
There has to be a progressive narrative too, but you can't build credibility overnight.
Years of cravenness and timidity take their toll. A plague on all their houses. ENDS
There has to be a progressive narrative too, but you can't build credibility overnight.
Years of cravenness and timidity take their toll. A plague on all their houses. ENDS
May 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
But populists can't be the only ones telling compelling stories.
There has to be a progressive narrative too, but you can't build credibility overnight.
Years of cravenness and timidity take their toll. A plague on all their houses. ENDS
There has to be a progressive narrative too, but you can't build credibility overnight.
Years of cravenness and timidity take their toll. A plague on all their houses. ENDS
Wondering if these changes to immigration are our equivalent of tariffs. Voters need to “touch the stove” to understand why the Tories kept immigration so high.
Rejoining the single market would be the better solution but that’s never going to happen 🙃
Rejoining the single market would be the better solution but that’s never going to happen 🙃
May 12, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Wondering if these changes to immigration are our equivalent of tariffs. Voters need to “touch the stove” to understand why the Tories kept immigration so high.
Rejoining the single market would be the better solution but that’s never going to happen 🙃
Rejoining the single market would be the better solution but that’s never going to happen 🙃
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
@vicderbyshire.bsky.social @chadbourn.bsky.social
Winning reform candidates in emotional meltdown post count in #rugby #warwickshire
Winning reform candidates in emotional meltdown post count in #rugby #warwickshire
May 3, 2025 at 1:30 PM
@vicderbyshire.bsky.social @chadbourn.bsky.social
Winning reform candidates in emotional meltdown post count in #rugby #warwickshire
Winning reform candidates in emotional meltdown post count in #rugby #warwickshire
Reposted by Ben 🔶🔰
Holt (North Norfolk) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 41.8% (+2.9)
🌳 CON: 29.0% (-2.3)
➡️ RFM: 23.8% (New)
🌍 GRN: 3.9% (-8.8)
🌹 LAB: 1.5% (-4.5)
No Ind (-11.3) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
Changes w/ 2023.
🔶 LDM: 41.8% (+2.9)
🌳 CON: 29.0% (-2.3)
➡️ RFM: 23.8% (New)
🌍 GRN: 3.9% (-8.8)
🌹 LAB: 1.5% (-4.5)
No Ind (-11.3) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
Changes w/ 2023.
May 2, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Holt (North Norfolk) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 41.8% (+2.9)
🌳 CON: 29.0% (-2.3)
➡️ RFM: 23.8% (New)
🌍 GRN: 3.9% (-8.8)
🌹 LAB: 1.5% (-4.5)
No Ind (-11.3) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
Changes w/ 2023.
🔶 LDM: 41.8% (+2.9)
🌳 CON: 29.0% (-2.3)
➡️ RFM: 23.8% (New)
🌍 GRN: 3.9% (-8.8)
🌹 LAB: 1.5% (-4.5)
No Ind (-11.3) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
Changes w/ 2023.