Duncan Hothersall
@dhothersall.bsky.social
Gay husband. Small businessman. Scottish Labour. #LGBWithTheT and women's rights. Pro-EU & pro-UK. Labourhame.com editor. Our Scottish Future board member.
"A detestable combination of deeply disingenuous and incredibly shirty"
- Stephen Bush
"A detestable combination of deeply disingenuous and incredibly shirty"
- Stephen Bush
Pinned
Supporting trans rights does not mean opposing women's rights.
Supporting women's rights does not mean opposing trans rights.
Please think about whose interests it serves to turn those who should be allies against misogyny and transphobia into each others' enemies instead.
#LGBWithTheT #always
Supporting women's rights does not mean opposing trans rights.
Please think about whose interests it serves to turn those who should be allies against misogyny and transphobia into each others' enemies instead.
#LGBWithTheT #always
The membership of a political party is not a fandom. That goes double when that party is in power, and doubles again for the Labour Party in particular which has always been an uneasy coalition held together by principle rather than policy in which there is essentially a constant state of war.
November 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
The membership of a political party is not a fandom. That goes double when that party is in power, and doubles again for the Labour Party in particular which has always been an uneasy coalition held together by principle rather than policy in which there is essentially a constant state of war.
This is a really good thread on how people rank issues of importance when being polled, and why some of the numbers aren't necessarily saying what they seem to say.
Yesterday, we put out a report on the most important issues to voters.
We know that immigration now tops the traditional most important issues question (see below from @yougov.co.uk).
But that doesn't tell the full story.
Here is a rundown of the experiments we did to test this out (A THREAD):
We know that immigration now tops the traditional most important issues question (see below from @yougov.co.uk).
But that doesn't tell the full story.
Here is a rundown of the experiments we did to test this out (A THREAD):
November 17, 2025 at 11:51 AM
This is a really good thread on how people rank issues of importance when being polled, and why some of the numbers aren't necessarily saying what they seem to say.
Reposted by Duncan Hothersall
The incoherence of the comms isn't because of social media or 24 hrs news cycle, but from the incoherence of the policy and poor leadership. If there were coherent, Labour, policies rather than ideas dreamt up by a narrow backroom clique, then they would have more chance of surviving light of day
November 17, 2025 at 11:29 AM
The incoherence of the comms isn't because of social media or 24 hrs news cycle, but from the incoherence of the policy and poor leadership. If there were coherent, Labour, policies rather than ideas dreamt up by a narrow backroom clique, then they would have more chance of surviving light of day
You've really got to read the wording of the question here to understand what these numbers actually mean. This isn't normal electoral choice opinion polling. I'll lay odds that it's about to be presented as if it is though.
🧵 / With less than six months until the Scottish Parliament election, the SNP are the party Scots are most likely to consider voting for
SNP: 37% would consider
Greens: 27%
Lib Dems: 26%
Labour: 23%
Reform UK: 21%
Conservatives: 15%
'Your Party': 15%
Alba: 8%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
SNP: 37% would consider
Greens: 27%
Lib Dems: 26%
Labour: 23%
Reform UK: 21%
Conservatives: 15%
'Your Party': 15%
Alba: 8%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
November 17, 2025 at 11:15 AM
You've really got to read the wording of the question here to understand what these numbers actually mean. This isn't normal electoral choice opinion polling. I'll lay odds that it's about to be presented as if it is though.
The baffling thing at the heart of UK government comms is that the key figures are extremely active on (highly problematic) social media sites and yet departments continue to do policy briefings as if we lived in a world where people got their opinions from their newspapers of choice. Incoherent.
November 17, 2025 at 10:55 AM
The baffling thing at the heart of UK government comms is that the key figures are extremely active on (highly problematic) social media sites and yet departments continue to do policy briefings as if we lived in a world where people got their opinions from their newspapers of choice. Incoherent.
Reposted by Duncan Hothersall
And once again, I ask whether Ministers and No10 realise that the readership of one paper can in fact read the contents of another.
Dark forces are stirring up anger in the UK. My asylum reforms are our chance to stop them | Shabana Mahmood
I know some of these measures will face opposition. But a country without secure borders is less safe for those who look like me, says Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:12 AM
And once again, I ask whether Ministers and No10 realise that the readership of one paper can in fact read the contents of another.
Steven getting it in the neck here for explaining what Labour's comms strategy might be here, despite him not actually endorsing that strategy. Social media often struggles to differentiate the messenger from the message.
Labour is going to introduce safe routes for those claiming refugee status while everybody here is talking about ‘jewellery theft’ proposals. I strongly suspect the latter was meant to divert Sun readers’ attention from clocking the former while you are meant to be welcoming the former. 🫤
November 17, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Steven getting it in the neck here for explaining what Labour's comms strategy might be here, despite him not actually endorsing that strategy. Social media often struggles to differentiate the messenger from the message.
Reposted by Duncan Hothersall
You have to treat the posts of someone as toxic as Yaxley-Lennon with the same cynicism whether they fit into your preferred narrative or not. The reason for his most recent post is plainly not praise. It is to exploit the cracks among progressives and divide us further. Why are you boosting him?
November 16, 2025 at 7:26 PM
You have to treat the posts of someone as toxic as Yaxley-Lennon with the same cynicism whether they fit into your preferred narrative or not. The reason for his most recent post is plainly not praise. It is to exploit the cracks among progressives and divide us further. Why are you boosting him?
Reposted by Duncan Hothersall
Also, frankly, you need to stop rewarding this shrillness. I see plenty of people with whom I interact make similarly ludicrous grandiose statements, knowing they will get them the validation of "likes". That is the way to take a calm, friendly online space and make it a left mirror-image of X.
November 16, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Also, frankly, you need to stop rewarding this shrillness. I see plenty of people with whom I interact make similarly ludicrous grandiose statements, knowing they will get them the validation of "likes". That is the way to take a calm, friendly online space and make it a left mirror-image of X.
Reposted by Duncan Hothersall
You can be critical of this gov't - and there plenty to be critical about - without flattening everything into an unintelligible, ahistorical paste. Because doing so, is absolutely part of the problem. It enables "they're all the same" narratives, which never - ever - lead to progressive outcomes.
November 16, 2025 at 7:19 PM
You can be critical of this gov't - and there plenty to be critical about - without flattening everything into an unintelligible, ahistorical paste. Because doing so, is absolutely part of the problem. It enables "they're all the same" narratives, which never - ever - lead to progressive outcomes.
Reposted by Duncan Hothersall
If these changes are as advertised I can't see Labour MPs accepting them.
November 17, 2025 at 9:15 AM
If these changes are as advertised I can't see Labour MPs accepting them.
Reposted by Duncan Hothersall
You would have thought the historical precedents might have given them pause for thought
November 17, 2025 at 9:08 AM
You would have thought the historical precedents might have given them pause for thought
The cynic in me sees Mahmood floating to The Sun the idea of a "seize the jewellery" policy for refugees as a way of creating a sacrificial element in the new crackdown, which can be later withdrawn to show gov is listening to MPs. Rather unusually I find myself hoping that the cynic in me is right.
November 17, 2025 at 8:45 AM
The cynic in me sees Mahmood floating to The Sun the idea of a "seize the jewellery" policy for refugees as a way of creating a sacrificial element in the new crackdown, which can be later withdrawn to show gov is listening to MPs. Rather unusually I find myself hoping that the cynic in me is right.
This is a deeply weirdly worded letter, and it feel like Grant and Maguire are more keen to demand atonement from ScotGov for their past sins (i.e. GRA reform) than they are to secure any meaningful action against exploitation. (It goes without saying Regan's bill simply won't do what she claims.)
EXC: Senior SNP and Labour MSPs back Bill to criminalise the purchase of sex.
MSPs declare support for Ash Regan's legislation to criminalise Scots who buy sex from prostitutes - Daily Record
EXCLUSIVE: Rhoda Grant and Ruth Maguire have sent a joint letter to the Scottish Government calling on them to back Ash Regan's proposals.
www.dailyrecord.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 8:40 AM
This is a deeply weirdly worded letter, and it feel like Grant and Maguire are more keen to demand atonement from ScotGov for their past sins (i.e. GRA reform) than they are to secure any meaningful action against exploitation. (It goes without saying Regan's bill simply won't do what she claims.)
Marvellous. Another article about pensions shortfall in which the proposed answer is to simply have lots of spare money to start saving every month. That answer is given after a whole section detailing why people of our age are highly unlikely to have any spare money.
Too young to have enjoyed a generous final-salary pension and too old to have properly benefited from the automatic workplace saving scheme: the middle-aged have a pension problem
How Generation X can still rescue their retirements
www.thetimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Marvellous. Another article about pensions shortfall in which the proposed answer is to simply have lots of spare money to start saving every month. That answer is given after a whole section detailing why people of our age are highly unlikely to have any spare money.
Great thread dissecting how racist lies are given a free leg up in the UK press, and then articles are quietly amended once they've had their desired effect so that the newspapers can't be held to account. I wish I could say it was shocking.
I was tagged and asked to take a look at this claim - cos, well just look at it!🙄
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
November 16, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Great thread dissecting how racist lies are given a free leg up in the UK press, and then articles are quietly amended once they've had their desired effect so that the newspapers can't be held to account. I wish I could say it was shocking.
Those in the pro-independence camp who remember how Jeremy campaigned for Remain in 2016 might be wary of this particular gift horse.
Jeremy Corbyn tells @heraldscotland.bsky.social Your Party wants to contest Holyrood in 2026 — and may ultimately side with Yes in a future independence referendum. Story here 👉 www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562551...
November 16, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Those in the pro-independence camp who remember how Jeremy campaigned for Remain in 2016 might be wary of this particular gift horse.
Something to ponder. Which of these people is more morally repugnant?
• The politician who makes scapegoats of immigrants and refugees because he is a racist.
• The politician who makes scapegoats of immigrants and refugees because she thinks it's the only way to defeat the racist.
• The politician who makes scapegoats of immigrants and refugees because he is a racist.
• The politician who makes scapegoats of immigrants and refugees because she thinks it's the only way to defeat the racist.
November 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Something to ponder. Which of these people is more morally repugnant?
• The politician who makes scapegoats of immigrants and refugees because he is a racist.
• The politician who makes scapegoats of immigrants and refugees because she thinks it's the only way to defeat the racist.
• The politician who makes scapegoats of immigrants and refugees because he is a racist.
• The politician who makes scapegoats of immigrants and refugees because she thinks it's the only way to defeat the racist.
Reposted by Duncan Hothersall
The fallout from the current ‘state of discourse’ will be elected into Holyrood & the Senedd though, regardless of any hope for the Westminster pendulum.
November 16, 2025 at 12:05 PM
The fallout from the current ‘state of discourse’ will be elected into Holyrood & the Senedd though, regardless of any hope for the Westminster pendulum.
Reposted by Duncan Hothersall
Yet again we’re being warned that if we ask billionaires to pay their fair share of tax they might leave. So it’s definitely worth trying.
November 15, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Yet again we’re being warned that if we ask billionaires to pay their fair share of tax they might leave. So it’s definitely worth trying.
Reposted by Duncan Hothersall
@alastaircampbell.bsky.social speaks openly about SENIOR members of the BBC being “so far over in the JK Rowling (read: ‘gender critical’ obsessive transphobe) camp”
Let’s just stop and think about this for a moment…
Let’s just stop and think about this for a moment…
November 12, 2025 at 4:26 PM
@alastaircampbell.bsky.social speaks openly about SENIOR members of the BBC being “so far over in the JK Rowling (read: ‘gender critical’ obsessive transphobe) camp”
Let’s just stop and think about this for a moment…
Let’s just stop and think about this for a moment…
Reposted by Duncan Hothersall
This feels like an ad written, directed *and* acted by people who have
1. Never played a game
2. Never watched anyone play a game
3. Never seen anyone interact with Alexa
4. Never seen anyone interact full stop
5. Never been alone in a room?
1. Never played a game
2. Never watched anyone play a game
3. Never seen anyone interact with Alexa
4. Never seen anyone interact full stop
5. Never been alone in a room?
November 16, 2025 at 7:34 AM
This feels like an ad written, directed *and* acted by people who have
1. Never played a game
2. Never watched anyone play a game
3. Never seen anyone interact with Alexa
4. Never seen anyone interact full stop
5. Never been alone in a room?
1. Never played a game
2. Never watched anyone play a game
3. Never seen anyone interact with Alexa
4. Never seen anyone interact full stop
5. Never been alone in a room?
Reposted by Duncan Hothersall
Mo Farah, trafficked to UK aged 9 in 1992. Teacher Alan Watkinson secures citizenship after 8 years here, 2000 (aged 17) so he could travel abroad as GB athlete
Under future rules
Renew status? 1995, 98 x6
Eligible settlement after 20 years (2012)
Citizenship 2013
news.sky.com/story/sir-mo...
Under future rules
Renew status? 1995, 98 x6
Eligible settlement after 20 years (2012)
Citizenship 2013
news.sky.com/story/sir-mo...
Sir Mo Farah reveals 'the truth' about how he came to the UK
The Olympic star was warned speaking out could put his British citizenship at "real risk" - but it is understood the Home Office is taking no action against him.
news.sky.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Mo Farah, trafficked to UK aged 9 in 1992. Teacher Alan Watkinson secures citizenship after 8 years here, 2000 (aged 17) so he could travel abroad as GB athlete
Under future rules
Renew status? 1995, 98 x6
Eligible settlement after 20 years (2012)
Citizenship 2013
news.sky.com/story/sir-mo...
Under future rules
Renew status? 1995, 98 x6
Eligible settlement after 20 years (2012)
Citizenship 2013
news.sky.com/story/sir-mo...
Reposted by Duncan Hothersall
I just don’t see how we can pretend even for a moment that anything involving our federal government is remotely normal when the president is covering up his involvement in a child sex trafficking ring. Like, what are we doing here
November 15, 2025 at 1:14 AM
I just don’t see how we can pretend even for a moment that anything involving our federal government is remotely normal when the president is covering up his involvement in a child sex trafficking ring. Like, what are we doing here
Reposted by Duncan Hothersall
