@davidordave.bsky.social
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Got this fantastically clever Christmas gift. It's a dedicated algorithm free music player that you can carry around without the distractions of your phone, and it can hold thousands of songs without needing an internet connection. The UI is so simple anyone can manage it. Fantastic
December 28, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Got this fantastically clever Christmas gift. It's a dedicated algorithm free music player that you can carry around without the distractions of your phone, and it can hold thousands of songs without needing an internet connection. The UI is so simple anyone can manage it. Fantastic
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From Harry Sidebottom’s Those Who Are About To Die on Greece and Rome, reminding me of Macmillan’s comparison of the UK and US
December 22, 2025 at 9:20 PM
From Harry Sidebottom’s Those Who Are About To Die on Greece and Rome, reminding me of Macmillan’s comparison of the UK and US
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New post: Understanding the rise of the populist far right
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/12/unde...
Growing right wing populism stems from declining humanitarian social norms, leading to the significant section of the population that holds pretty socially conservative views voting accordingly.
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/12/unde...
Growing right wing populism stems from declining humanitarian social norms, leading to the significant section of the population that holds pretty socially conservative views voting accordingly.
Understanding the rise of the populist far right
This is a follow-up to last week’s post. Occasionally I receive comments on social media that point me to academic analysis that I wasn’t ...
mainlymacro.blogspot.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:04 AM
New post: Understanding the rise of the populist far right
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/12/unde...
Growing right wing populism stems from declining humanitarian social norms, leading to the significant section of the population that holds pretty socially conservative views voting accordingly.
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/12/unde...
Growing right wing populism stems from declining humanitarian social norms, leading to the significant section of the population that holds pretty socially conservative views voting accordingly.
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Brilliant. How Starmer might respond to the constant whining that the government has done nothing "progressive".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOXF...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOXF...
Tony Blair responds to an angry activist at a Labour Party Conference
YouTube video by New Labour
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Brilliant. How Starmer might respond to the constant whining that the government has done nothing "progressive".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOXF...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOXF...
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You are ABSOLUTELY NOT going to regret listening to this bird:
A male rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) in winter plumage.
Ptarmigan is from Gaelic 'tarmachan' meaning "croaker". The p- was added when people mistakenly assumed it was a Greek word.
A bird forever warning people: "A werewolf!" (just in case of werewolves).
Ptarmigan is from Gaelic 'tarmachan' meaning "croaker". The p- was added when people mistakenly assumed it was a Greek word.
A bird forever warning people: "A werewolf!" (just in case of werewolves).
December 6, 2025 at 5:10 PM
You are ABSOLUTELY NOT going to regret listening to this bird:
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This is wonderful and also true.
The analogies you draw, the thoughts you suddely have, the roads you pursue, the structures you comprehend, simply because a piece of art or theatre shakes you up and makes you think differently.
The analogies you draw, the thoughts you suddely have, the roads you pursue, the structures you comprehend, simply because a piece of art or theatre shakes you up and makes you think differently.
December 2, 2025 at 7:09 PM
This is wonderful and also true.
The analogies you draw, the thoughts you suddely have, the roads you pursue, the structures you comprehend, simply because a piece of art or theatre shakes you up and makes you think differently.
The analogies you draw, the thoughts you suddely have, the roads you pursue, the structures you comprehend, simply because a piece of art or theatre shakes you up and makes you think differently.
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I wonder if it's time to retire the role of "political editor" altogether
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Watched BBC 6 o clock news. Just a completely unserious broadcast. Chris Mason, acting like a children's entertainer, giving a prolonged impenetrable editorial. Not a whiff of informative content about the Budget or what it means for the country. Just playschool blah blah bollocks.
December 1, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I wonder if it's time to retire the role of "political editor" altogether
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
Return most of the coverage to the Economics Editor, the Health Editor, the Home Affairs team & so on.
Leave the "who-said-what-to-whom" & "what-does-it-mean-for-the-polls" to others. The BBC doesn't need to foreground this.
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Russia still considers the UK one of its prime enemies.
And what’s the best way to bring ‘Britain to its knees’ again as the former Russian Ambassador to London once boasted?
Repeat the talking points of Farage and Far right activists - key collaborators in Putin’s mission
And what’s the best way to bring ‘Britain to its knees’ again as the former Russian Ambassador to London once boasted?
Repeat the talking points of Farage and Far right activists - key collaborators in Putin’s mission
October 28, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Russia still considers the UK one of its prime enemies.
And what’s the best way to bring ‘Britain to its knees’ again as the former Russian Ambassador to London once boasted?
Repeat the talking points of Farage and Far right activists - key collaborators in Putin’s mission
And what’s the best way to bring ‘Britain to its knees’ again as the former Russian Ambassador to London once boasted?
Repeat the talking points of Farage and Far right activists - key collaborators in Putin’s mission
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About time...
Politico: "MPs should consider deleting X, according to a committee led by Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle...
"On social media, the report said MPs should feel “empowered to step away from platforms that pose more harm than benefit.”
Absolutely. Please get on with it.
"On social media, the report said MPs should feel “empowered to step away from platforms that pose more harm than benefit.”
Absolutely. Please get on with it.
October 27, 2025 at 8:18 PM
About time...
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Farage: epic grifter
October 27, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Farage: epic grifter
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I said months ago that Badenoch was trashing a key convention regarding opposition in matters of security.
Today was sadly a continuation of it. Imagine declaring that it's UK criticism that has "strained relations with Israel", rather than Netanyahu's war crimes.
Desperate, immoral, and so cheap.
Today was sadly a continuation of it. Imagine declaring that it's UK criticism that has "strained relations with Israel", rather than Netanyahu's war crimes.
Desperate, immoral, and so cheap.
Badenoch is treading an unasavoury line at #PMQs. She supports the PM, but not really. She supports Ukraine, but not really. She supports our troops, but not really.
I know it's difficult for LoTO to get noticed in a crisis, but her unpopularity and lack of grip does not override national security.
I know it's difficult for LoTO to get noticed in a crisis, but her unpopularity and lack of grip does not override national security.
October 14, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I said months ago that Badenoch was trashing a key convention regarding opposition in matters of security.
Today was sadly a continuation of it. Imagine declaring that it's UK criticism that has "strained relations with Israel", rather than Netanyahu's war crimes.
Desperate, immoral, and so cheap.
Today was sadly a continuation of it. Imagine declaring that it's UK criticism that has "strained relations with Israel", rather than Netanyahu's war crimes.
Desperate, immoral, and so cheap.
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good to see the government getting to grips with Premier League managers using translators
Migrants will need A-level standard English to work in UK
Migrants will need A-level standard English to work in UK
www.independent.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 4:05 PM
good to see the government getting to grips with Premier League managers using translators
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My school orchestra percussion section once sabotaged Songs Of Praise’s continuity by swapping clothes and instruments between takes of hymns. The teachers were quite angry when it was broadcasted but stopped short of accusing us of being part of the “leftwing cultural elite”.
Interesting comment: “Orchestras destroy conductors they dislike, and do it in such a subtle way there is no way to prove it.” on.ft.com/3KFgtd3
Discord at the Venice opera house
[FREE TO READ] La Fenice’s orchestra has objected loudly to the appointment of a conductor aligned with Giorgia Meloni’s party
on.ft.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:12 AM
My school orchestra percussion section once sabotaged Songs Of Praise’s continuity by swapping clothes and instruments between takes of hymns. The teachers were quite angry when it was broadcasted but stopped short of accusing us of being part of the “leftwing cultural elite”.
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Nigel Farage accuses Keir Starmer of "emboldening" anti-semites.
This Nigel Farage
This Nigel Farage
October 3, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Nigel Farage accuses Keir Starmer of "emboldening" anti-semites.
This Nigel Farage
This Nigel Farage
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Oh wonderful …another treatise suggesting that polls taken nearly 4 years before a general election should be taken as a guide to the future …surely there is something more interesting to say/write about ?
As Labour conference wraps up, I've done a piece for the Swingometer looking at their record in the polls so far.
Visual summary below...
swingometer.substack.com/p/labour-how...
Visual summary below...
swingometer.substack.com/p/labour-how...
October 3, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Oh wonderful …another treatise suggesting that polls taken nearly 4 years before a general election should be taken as a guide to the future …surely there is something more interesting to say/write about ?
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BREAKING
A federal judge that the Trump admin's policy targeting pro-Palestinian students for deportation violated the First Amendment.
His blistering, 161-page ruling starts with a threat he received in chambers and his response.
A federal judge that the Trump admin's policy targeting pro-Palestinian students for deportation violated the First Amendment.
His blistering, 161-page ruling starts with a threat he received in chambers and his response.
September 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM
BREAKING
A federal judge that the Trump admin's policy targeting pro-Palestinian students for deportation violated the First Amendment.
His blistering, 161-page ruling starts with a threat he received in chambers and his response.
A federal judge that the Trump admin's policy targeting pro-Palestinian students for deportation violated the First Amendment.
His blistering, 161-page ruling starts with a threat he received in chambers and his response.
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Nigel Farage accuses Starmer of "inciting violence" by calling Reform's racist policies "racist"
a soccer player wearing a jersey that says verry card technology
Alt: A football player is tapped gently on the head with one finger by a player on the opposite team, flinches massively before throwing himself to the ground and rolling around clutching his head in feigned agony.
media.tenor.com
September 30, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Nigel Farage accuses Starmer of "inciting violence" by calling Reform's racist policies "racist"
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No, no, no. It is not the BBC’s job to ask these questions www.bbc.com/news/article...
How much trouble is Labour in - and is the PM the right man for the job?
Ahead of Labour's annual conference, Laura Kuenssberg asks if the PM is the right man for the job.
www.bbc.com
September 27, 2025 at 12:39 PM
No, no, no. It is not the BBC’s job to ask these questions www.bbc.com/news/article...
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Y'days post: Farage and the BBC mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/09/fara...
On Monday 22nd September I watched a party political broadcast on behalf of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party. It was on the BBC, and it was entitled ‘News at Ten’.
On Monday 22nd September I watched a party political broadcast on behalf of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party. It was on the BBC, and it was entitled ‘News at Ten’.
Farage and the BBC
On Monday 22nd September I watched a party political broadcast on behalf of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party. It was on the BBC, and it was en...
mainlymacro.blogspot.com
September 25, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Y'days post: Farage and the BBC mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/09/fara...
On Monday 22nd September I watched a party political broadcast on behalf of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party. It was on the BBC, and it was entitled ‘News at Ten’.
On Monday 22nd September I watched a party political broadcast on behalf of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party. It was on the BBC, and it was entitled ‘News at Ten’.
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What on Earth is this? An "in depth" BBC article about free speech in the UK that only cites examples of right-wing/ 'anti-woke' speech being suppressed. How can you mention Lucy Connolly but completely ignore Palestine Action / Just Stop Oil? Gob-smacking. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How the simmering UK freedom of speech row reached boiling point
How did we reach a point where the UK is being compared to a 'tin pot Third World dictatorship'?
www.bbc.co.uk
September 23, 2025 at 9:11 AM
What on Earth is this? An "in depth" BBC article about free speech in the UK that only cites examples of right-wing/ 'anti-woke' speech being suppressed. How can you mention Lucy Connolly but completely ignore Palestine Action / Just Stop Oil? Gob-smacking. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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It is possible to cherish the BBC as an institution while also saying that BBC News is failing very badly, day after day, in its duty to inform and that it always fails in a right-wing direction. It desperately needs to recover its integrity
September 23, 2025 at 10:39 AM
It is possible to cherish the BBC as an institution while also saying that BBC News is failing very badly, day after day, in its duty to inform and that it always fails in a right-wing direction. It desperately needs to recover its integrity
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If you just watched every world leader having to sit there and listen to that vomit of insanity, literal hostages of a nutcase in charge of the world's largest military power, and your takeaway was "iF oNLy StArMeR hAd nOt GiVeN HiM a StAtE ViSiT" you really need intensive therapy.
Not even a week since starmwrller had this nutcase over. Labour are shameful
Congratulations to the control box at the UN's media centre. That shot of Trump's senior team, locked in different frozen expression masks, while he spews climate change denial and white replacement theory is just amazing.
September 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
If you just watched every world leader having to sit there and listen to that vomit of insanity, literal hostages of a nutcase in charge of the world's largest military power, and your takeaway was "iF oNLy StArMeR hAd nOt GiVeN HiM a StAtE ViSiT" you really need intensive therapy.
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Presumably the British representative walked out at this point.
Trump to the UN: "I have to say, I look at London where you have a terrible mayor -- terrible terrible mayor -- and it's been so changed, so changed. Now they want to go to Sharia Law ... both their immigration and their suicidal energy ideas will be the death of Western Europe."
September 23, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Presumably the British representative walked out at this point.
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For 56 minutes Sky News and BBC News interrupted everything else and carried a Reform UK feed live, uninterrupted, unchallenged. The stream spluttered, froze, pixelated - dozens of times - still they stuck with it. FOR ONE HOUR.
This is an editorial choice. No other party gets this coverage. ~AA
This is an editorial choice. No other party gets this coverage. ~AA
September 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
For 56 minutes Sky News and BBC News interrupted everything else and carried a Reform UK feed live, uninterrupted, unchallenged. The stream spluttered, froze, pixelated - dozens of times - still they stuck with it. FOR ONE HOUR.
This is an editorial choice. No other party gets this coverage. ~AA
This is an editorial choice. No other party gets this coverage. ~AA
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Imagine you're in a weird romcom where Paul Hollywood is your rival. Do you go "let's have a bread baking competition" or do you emphasise your own relative strengths?
Because that in short has been the central problem with the traditional two's approach to anti-immigration voters and Reform UK.
Because that in short has been the central problem with the traditional two's approach to anti-immigration voters and Reform UK.
September 22, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Imagine you're in a weird romcom where Paul Hollywood is your rival. Do you go "let's have a bread baking competition" or do you emphasise your own relative strengths?
Because that in short has been the central problem with the traditional two's approach to anti-immigration voters and Reform UK.
Because that in short has been the central problem with the traditional two's approach to anti-immigration voters and Reform UK.