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
Interesting that @zarahsultana.bsky.social posted this on the Nazi site but not here. This, alongside Hugh Kerr and Craig Murray, really does paint a clear picture of what Your Party is, and it ain't pretty. More and more baffling that those Green folk in Glasgow defected. Nothing credible here.
October 28, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Interesting that @zarahsultana.bsky.social posted this on the Nazi site but not here. This, alongside Hugh Kerr and Craig Murray, really does paint a clear picture of what Your Party is, and it ain't pretty. More and more baffling that those Green folk in Glasgow defected. Nothing credible here.
Remembrance Sunday is a time when the country comes together to remember the sacrifices made to defeat fascism in Europe. The rightful place for a cheerleader of fascism like Nigel Farage is nowhere fucking near it.
October 6, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Remembrance Sunday is a time when the country comes together to remember the sacrifices made to defeat fascism in Europe. The rightful place for a cheerleader of fascism like Nigel Farage is nowhere fucking near it.
![Breaking news consumer's handbook from onthemedia.org
1. In the immediate aftermath, news outlets will get it wrong.
2. Don't trust anonymous sources.
3. Don't trust stories that cite another news outlet as the source of the information.
4. There's almost never a second shooter.
5. Pay attention to the language the media uses:
- "We are getting reports" - could mean anything.
- "We are seeking confirmation" - means they don't have it.
- "[News outlet] has learned" - means it has a scoop or is going out on a limb.
6. Look for news outlets close to the incident.
7. Compare multiple sources.
8. Big news brings out the fakers. And photoshoppers.
9. Beware reflexive retweeting. Some of this is on you.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7akb7ebihkcttbrqpuautso7/bafkreiccvweq3xsn4cgdlfwm3jvo3rffzxiutjhhfvi7rfay2qwgrs6pi4@jpeg)
What about the Chardonnay set in Virginia?
September 29, 2025 at 1:53 PM
What about the Chardonnay set in Virginia?
The ICE facility "under siege from Antifa" referred to in this deranged screed from the President of the United States is in fact facing a handful of unarmed protesters holding fishing rods with doughnuts on their hooks at the foot of one of its driveways.
September 27, 2025 at 7:13 PM
The ICE facility "under siege from Antifa" referred to in this deranged screed from the President of the United States is in fact facing a handful of unarmed protesters holding fishing rods with doughnuts on their hooks at the foot of one of its driveways.
I'm attaching the full email here for reference. This was just five years ago. >
![Screenshot of an email sent to me by LGBT+ Labour in June 2020.
Subject: Help us save GRA reform from the Tories
From: LGBT+ Labour mail@lgbtlabour.com via nationsend18.com
Date: Jun 14, 2020, 7:17 PM
To: me
[extremely large LGBT+ Labour logo]
We’re writing to you because we need your help.
This morning the Times published a front page piece saying that the Tories were going back on their word and would no longer be reforming the Gender Recognition Act. The leaks say that the Government intend to implement a number of measures that we see as a direct attack on trans rights.
This is not just about fighting to extend our rights, but to defend the rights we have already won.
In this leak, the Tories are also set to ban conversion therapy, and while this is a win for our community, the combination of this with a regression of trans rights is a tactic to divide us. Let us be clear, an attack on one of us, is an attack on all of us.
[email continues in second image]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7akb7ebihkcttbrqpuautso7/bafkreicgd523nskuglyvq5vlzzs2utmxuwrnwehtmf5hlflxtik26572vq@jpeg)
![Screenshot of the second half of the email from LGBT+ Labour in 2020. The text continues:
This leak comes during pride month, in a year when we are unable to meet as a community and within days of the anniversary of the Pulse nightclub attack.
Help us change the Government’s mind before it’s too late. Sign our petition here:
Sign the petition [button]
Today we held an emergency committee meeting to discuss and plan ways in which we can counter the Tories' plan to scrap GRA Reform. We will also be working with Labour MPs, briefing Labour MPs and putting forward the case for progressive GRA reform in the media over the coming days.
Read why progressive reform of the GRA is so important here:
Why we need GRA reform [button]
Our party and our community must do everything in our power to get progressive reform of the GRA and the introduction of self-declaration back on the table.
We will fight this attack on trans rights at every turn.
In solidarity,
Melantha, Heather and the whole LGBT+ Labour team
P.S don't forget to add your name to the petition here [dead link].
LGBT+ Labour
http://lgbtlabour.nationbuilder.com/](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7akb7ebihkcttbrqpuautso7/bafkreiaavrnwwtijfb6hak5wodb4evtyjvwiycuworj22rl3pzllgaf2za@jpeg)
September 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I'm attaching the full email here for reference. This was just five years ago. >
Just seen an ad for EE "safer sims" which are apparently intended to protect children from bad things on the web. But lo and behold, if you want to block nudity or gambling you have to also block sex education. Sex education is vital to give children the tools to help avoid and combat abuse.
September 23, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Just seen an ad for EE "safer sims" which are apparently intended to protect children from bad things on the web. But lo and behold, if you want to block nudity or gambling you have to also block sex education. Sex education is vital to give children the tools to help avoid and combat abuse.
Disappointed to note that my union, @communityunion.bsky.social, has nominated Bridget Phillipson in the Labour deputy leadership race. I've written to them to explain why I think this undermines their stated position on trans rights and inclusion.
![Screenshot of an email.
Subject: Nomination of Bridget Phillipson
From: Duncan Hothersall 4:02 PM (4 minutes ago)
To: Community Union [email address obscured]
I note with disappointment that the NEC has chosen to nominate Bridget Phillipson for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party.
I am proud that my union, Community, has made consistently strong and clear statements on trans rights and inclusion, and I know Community reps voted in favour of the recent motion at the TUC after supporting it at the TUC LGBT+ conference. The nomination of Bridget Phillipson goes against those positions and undermines their clarity and impact.
In her woeful response to the Supreme Court ruling, in her appointment of the overtly anti-trans Mary-Ann Stephenson as chair of the EHRC, and in her regular meetings with hate groups like Sex Matters, she has proved herself unworthy of this nomination.
I appreciate that, especially in a field of two, nomination does not imply a full endorsement of that candidate's positions on all issues, but I feel that many LGBT+ members of Community like myself will be deeply disappointed that to all intents and purposes our union has indicated its approval of transphobic policies. I hope this will be addressed both in public and in private to Ms Phillipson.
Kind regards,
Duncan Hothersall](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7akb7ebihkcttbrqpuautso7/bafkreigc6gj25zcnwclfa4zyvgdkdbzvg5mur667j4brr4zmegor4edlke@jpeg)
September 22, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Disappointed to note that my union, @communityunion.bsky.social, has nominated Bridget Phillipson in the Labour deputy leadership race. I've written to them to explain why I think this undermines their stated position on trans rights and inclusion.
Been rewatching Adolescence, and I was trying to remember where I'd seen the actress who plays DS Frank (it was the film Pride). Finding it slightly surreal that a Google search for the cast of Adolescence shows pretty much everyone other than ... Owen Cooper!
September 19, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Been rewatching Adolescence, and I was trying to remember where I'd seen the actress who plays DS Frank (it was the film Pride). Finding it slightly surreal that a Google search for the cast of Adolescence shows pretty much everyone other than ... Owen Cooper!
The really telling line in Sultana's statement is "I do not believe members will accept Karie Murphy and her associates having sole financial control of members' money and sole constitutional control over our conference."
Hard to imagine anyone who has ever met Karie Murphy could disagree.
Hard to imagine anyone who has ever met Karie Murphy could disagree.
September 18, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The really telling line in Sultana's statement is "I do not believe members will accept Karie Murphy and her associates having sole financial control of members' money and sole constitutional control over our conference."
Hard to imagine anyone who has ever met Karie Murphy could disagree.
Hard to imagine anyone who has ever met Karie Murphy could disagree.
Quite specifically not live, in fact.
September 16, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Quite specifically not live, in fact.
The carefree face of a man who's just been told he no longer has to be friends with JD Vance.
September 5, 2025 at 3:56 PM
The carefree face of a man who's just been told he no longer has to be friends with JD Vance.
No-one understands the markets quite like Allister.
August 28, 2025 at 12:38 PM
No-one understands the markets quite like Allister.
Bold stuff from @thetimes.com this morning.
August 27, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Bold stuff from @thetimes.com this morning.
A great example of how you can get very different headlines from the same numbers. In this case this is the same newspaper on consecutive days. And to be clear, I don't think either story is inaccurate or misleading. But people will choose to buy into the version that suits their prejudices.
August 25, 2025 at 2:06 PM
A great example of how you can get very different headlines from the same numbers. In this case this is the same newspaper on consecutive days. And to be clear, I don't think either story is inaccurate or misleading. But people will choose to buy into the version that suits their prejudices.
Quite apart from the headline, the reporting in this piece is unforgivably misleading from the BBC. In her tweet, between "mass deportation now" and "if that makes me racist, so be it" she wrote "set fire to all the fucking hotels full of the bastards for all I care". THAT's why she was guilty!
August 23, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Quite apart from the headline, the reporting in this piece is unforgivably misleading from the BBC. In her tweet, between "mass deportation now" and "if that makes me racist, so be it" she wrote "set fire to all the fucking hotels full of the bastards for all I care". THAT's why she was guilty!
Saw this posted by @kirstywrites.bsky.social on LinkedIn. What an absolutely brilliant ad campaign from @womensaid.bsky.social.
chat.womensaid.org.uk
chat.womensaid.org.uk
August 22, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Saw this posted by @kirstywrites.bsky.social on LinkedIn. What an absolutely brilliant ad campaign from @womensaid.bsky.social.
chat.womensaid.org.uk
chat.womensaid.org.uk
"Throw trans people under the bus for indy" says insufferable prick.
August 20, 2025 at 9:40 PM
"Throw trans people under the bus for indy" says insufferable prick.
Turning righteous anger at the actions of Israel in Gaza into the sort of hate of British Jews that leads to the defacing of advertising boards at the Edinburgh Fringe is both stupid and incredibly dangerous. It also lets your opponents dismiss you as antisemitic.
August 13, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Turning righteous anger at the actions of Israel in Gaza into the sort of hate of British Jews that leads to the defacing of advertising boards at the Edinburgh Fringe is both stupid and incredibly dangerous. It also lets your opponents dismiss you as antisemitic.
Remembering the beautiful Michael Sundin today, the former Blue Peter presenter who was hounded by the tabloid press, and sacked by Biddy Baxter, because he was gay. He died aged 28 in 1989 as a result of HIV/AIDS. We shake our heads and mutter about it being a different time, but history repeats.
August 11, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Remembering the beautiful Michael Sundin today, the former Blue Peter presenter who was hounded by the tabloid press, and sacked by Biddy Baxter, because he was gay. He died aged 28 in 1989 as a result of HIV/AIDS. We shake our heads and mutter about it being a different time, but history repeats.
More than a whiff of Italian double standards here!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
August 7, 2025 at 9:46 PM
More than a whiff of Italian double standards here!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
SNP political strategy owes a lot to PT Barnum when you think about it.
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but the important thing is that you can fool enough of the people enough of the time to get them to vote for you. And then fuck 'em."
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but the important thing is that you can fool enough of the people enough of the time to get them to vote for you. And then fuck 'em."
August 7, 2025 at 2:31 PM
SNP political strategy owes a lot to PT Barnum when you think about it.
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but the important thing is that you can fool enough of the people enough of the time to get them to vote for you. And then fuck 'em."
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but the important thing is that you can fool enough of the people enough of the time to get them to vote for you. And then fuck 'em."