Matthew Bassett
@hewbass.bsky.social
You can't prove I was there.
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
If Reform wins, Putin’s point about democracy being the West’s weakness will be proven. He’s already used it to take the U.S. Taking the UK will be the icing on the cake.
December 17, 2025 at 8:38 AM
If Reform wins, Putin’s point about democracy being the West’s weakness will be proven. He’s already used it to take the U.S. Taking the UK will be the icing on the cake.
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
NEW 3rd petition
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Apply to Rejoin the EU as soon as possible to increase growth in the UK
We believe Brexit's not working. The OBR judges that the UK economy is smaller and trade is weaker because of Brexit, and it will just get worse. 10 years after the Brexit vote, let's apply to rejoin ...
petition.parliament.uk
December 10, 2025 at 8:24 AM
NEW 3rd petition
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
“The UK will not diverge much from the European model. That means Brexit really is the worst of all possible worlds, like a divorce where you neither move out nor download a dating app, but instead remain confined to one room in the marital home.”
@stephenkb.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/007f...
@stephenkb.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/007f...
December 10, 2025 at 10:40 AM
“The UK will not diverge much from the European model. That means Brexit really is the worst of all possible worlds, like a divorce where you neither move out nor download a dating app, but instead remain confined to one room in the marital home.”
@stephenkb.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/007f...
@stephenkb.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/007f...
"but Nigel [Jones], hardly any of us apart from you wanted to be on the same side as Hitler. The rest of us thought he was a despicable villain..."
So we've gone from "he never said anything Nazi" to "well he might have said something Nazi but not in a hurtful way" to "well okay he probably did say something Nazi in a hurtful way, but didn't we all?"
December 10, 2025 at 10:54 AM
"but Nigel [Jones], hardly any of us apart from you wanted to be on the same side as Hitler. The rest of us thought he was a despicable villain..."
Tldr; Farage admits he racially abused people and claims it's their fault they didn't enjoyed it as playground banter
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/no-ans...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/no-ans...
'No Answers Nigel': Farage Says He Never Racially Abused Anyone 'In A Hurtful Or Insulting Way'
The Reform leader has been accused of anti-semitism when he was at school.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Tldr; Farage admits he racially abused people and claims it's their fault they didn't enjoyed it as playground banter
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/no-ans...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/no-ans...
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
As I’ve seen this confused a few times, please note that Robin Gibb was a much-beloved member of the Bee Gees, whilst Robbie Gibb is the BBC board member who also, totally coincidentally, was editorial adviser in the set-up of GB News.
I know, Bee Gees, GBeebies, a bit confusing…
I know, Bee Gees, GBeebies, a bit confusing…
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
As I’ve seen this confused a few times, please note that Robin Gibb was a much-beloved member of the Bee Gees, whilst Robbie Gibb is the BBC board member who also, totally coincidentally, was editorial adviser in the set-up of GB News.
I know, Bee Gees, GBeebies, a bit confusing…
I know, Bee Gees, GBeebies, a bit confusing…
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
Britain is actually less attractive than many other European countries which is why we have way fewer asylum seekers in comparison. There are still a lot of them, because it is still more attractive than a lot of other countries (and will hopefully remain like that).
October 30, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Britain is actually less attractive than many other European countries which is why we have way fewer asylum seekers in comparison. There are still a lot of them, because it is still more attractive than a lot of other countries (and will hopefully remain like that).
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
So why does the BBC label the academic and economist Faiza Shaheen an "activist" but refuse to do the same for the former academic, turned anti-migrant activist Matt Goodwin?
October 30, 2025 at 11:06 AM
So why does the BBC label the academic and economist Faiza Shaheen an "activist" but refuse to do the same for the former academic, turned anti-migrant activist Matt Goodwin?
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
For some reason I had laboured under the misapprehension that Moseley disappeared from politics after the 1930s. But he was still at it in the 60s. I did not realise that there was a direct unbroken line of continuity from him to Farage via the National Front. Anyway, Bertie shows us how it’s done.
October 14, 2025 at 12:55 PM
For some reason I had laboured under the misapprehension that Moseley disappeared from politics after the 1930s. But he was still at it in the 60s. I did not realise that there was a direct unbroken line of continuity from him to Farage via the National Front. Anyway, Bertie shows us how it’s done.
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
Javier Milei had to beg a bail-out and already needs another. Argentina's economy is in a tailspin. Gov't bonds and peso in freefall. People starving, throwing rocks at him.
Farage last year: "He's amazing. It's Thatcherism on steroids. Cutting and slashing expenditure. That's leadership."
SHARE!
Farage last year: "He's amazing. It's Thatcherism on steroids. Cutting and slashing expenditure. That's leadership."
SHARE!
October 1, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Javier Milei had to beg a bail-out and already needs another. Argentina's economy is in a tailspin. Gov't bonds and peso in freefall. People starving, throwing rocks at him.
Farage last year: "He's amazing. It's Thatcherism on steroids. Cutting and slashing expenditure. That's leadership."
SHARE!
Farage last year: "He's amazing. It's Thatcherism on steroids. Cutting and slashing expenditure. That's leadership."
SHARE!
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
Having pondered it all morning, I'm still incredulous that all that Today programme coverage of migrant hotels at no point (unless I missed it) mentioned why people were here, what they might be fleeing from etc.
September 23, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Having pondered it all morning, I'm still incredulous that all that Today programme coverage of migrant hotels at no point (unless I missed it) mentioned why people were here, what they might be fleeing from etc.
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
'The speech this week will be the first time Starmer will publicly take on the arguments of Farage since Reform ramped up its policy announcements and visibility over the summer' www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Keir Starmer to launch progressive fightback against ‘decline and division’ fuelled by far right
Prime minister expected to warn UK is ‘at a crossroads’ as he sets out plan to counter Nigel Farage and Reform
www.theguardian.com
September 23, 2025 at 6:55 AM
'The speech this week will be the first time Starmer will publicly take on the arguments of Farage since Reform ramped up its policy announcements and visibility over the summer' www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
On the one hand, better late than never.
On the other hand: why so late?
The case for doing this was just as obvious in May as it is in September.
On the other hand: why so late?
The case for doing this was just as obvious in May as it is in September.
'The speech this week will be the first time Starmer will publicly take on the arguments of Farage since Reform ramped up its policy announcements and visibility over the summer' www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Keir Starmer to launch progressive fightback against ‘decline and division’ fuelled by far right
Prime minister expected to warn UK is ‘at a crossroads’ as he sets out plan to counter Nigel Farage and Reform
www.theguardian.com
September 23, 2025 at 7:03 AM
On the one hand, better late than never.
On the other hand: why so late?
The case for doing this was just as obvious in May as it is in September.
On the other hand: why so late?
The case for doing this was just as obvious in May as it is in September.
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
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.
Apparently Farage wants to Make Britain Shit Again.
September 23, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Apparently Farage wants to Make Britain Shit Again.
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
When speaking to Tommy Robinson at the far right demonstration in London today, Elon Musk wore a t-shirt saying "What would Orwell think?"
So let's dive in - what would George Orwell think about Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk? 🧵
So let's dive in - what would George Orwell think about Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk? 🧵
September 13, 2025 at 10:37 PM
When speaking to Tommy Robinson at the far right demonstration in London today, Elon Musk wore a t-shirt saying "What would Orwell think?"
So let's dive in - what would George Orwell think about Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk? 🧵
So let's dive in - what would George Orwell think about Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk? 🧵
He got kicked out of a Public House. No-one has any specific right to be there -- the publican's opinion is the only one that matters there.
August 15, 2025 at 1:01 PM
He got kicked out of a Public House. No-one has any specific right to be there -- the publican's opinion is the only one that matters there.
People might want to consider who it is that lost us these opt-outs when considering who to trust in the future.
Britons don't support rejoining EU without our old opt-outs - but Europeans don't support having us back unless we give them up
UK: 36% support rejoining w/o opt-outs
France: 33% support UK rejoining with old opt-outs
Italy: 33%
Spain: 33%
Germany: 36%
Denmark: 62%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
UK: 36% support rejoining w/o opt-outs
France: 33% support UK rejoining with old opt-outs
Italy: 33%
Spain: 33%
Germany: 36%
Denmark: 62%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
July 17, 2025 at 1:36 PM
People might want to consider who it is that lost us these opt-outs when considering who to trust in the future.
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
“I like the way Reform combines nationalism and socialism”
From the new Private Eye, in shops now.
From the new Private Eye, in shops now.
June 25, 2025 at 11:34 AM
“I like the way Reform combines nationalism and socialism”
From the new Private Eye, in shops now.
From the new Private Eye, in shops now.
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
Funny point about 'island of strangers' rhetoric, it assumes level of homogeneity in UK society pre-large scale migration that is patently absurd, as though regional, religious, socio-economic etc cleavages did not exist, as though the 'national community' was not actually series of sub-communities
May 12, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Funny point about 'island of strangers' rhetoric, it assumes level of homogeneity in UK society pre-large scale migration that is patently absurd, as though regional, religious, socio-economic etc cleavages did not exist, as though the 'national community' was not actually series of sub-communities
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
If I say to you 'I want a pony in my flat, but I don't believe that I will have to clean up its shit, spend anything on feeding it or in any way change my lifestyle to accommodate it', which is essentially what the voters Downing Street obsesses over say about immigration, should you get me a pony?
May 4, 2025 at 10:03 PM
If I say to you 'I want a pony in my flat, but I don't believe that I will have to clean up its shit, spend anything on feeding it or in any way change my lifestyle to accommodate it', which is essentially what the voters Downing Street obsesses over say about immigration, should you get me a pony?
Worth it for the punchline.
(Well, and the argument leading up to it)
+100 XP Ben! (and some respect)
benansell.substack.com/p/the-nongam...
(Well, and the argument leading up to it)
+100 XP Ben! (and some respect)
benansell.substack.com/p/the-nongam...
The (Non)Gamification of Real Life
What if you can't actually hack your way to social status?
benansell.substack.com
April 29, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Worth it for the punchline.
(Well, and the argument leading up to it)
+100 XP Ben! (and some respect)
benansell.substack.com/p/the-nongam...
(Well, and the argument leading up to it)
+100 XP Ben! (and some respect)
benansell.substack.com/p/the-nongam...
Being forever more immune to diseases is a vindication of dying.
Conservative Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith says that Trump's 10% trade tariffs on the UK, which are forecast to do 0.4% less damage to our GDP than if we were part of the EU, is a "vindication" of Brexit, which is forecast to have already reduced our GDP by... 5%
April 3, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Being forever more immune to diseases is a vindication of dying.
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
Illiberals: With rights come responsibilities!
> Embezzlement of public funds means five year suspension from running for public office.<
Illiberals: No! Not like that!
> Embezzlement of public funds means five year suspension from running for public office.<
Illiberals: No! Not like that!
April 1, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Illiberals: With rights come responsibilities!
> Embezzlement of public funds means five year suspension from running for public office.<
Illiberals: No! Not like that!
> Embezzlement of public funds means five year suspension from running for public office.<
Illiberals: No! Not like that!
Reposted by Matthew Bassett
"Politicians convicted of embezzling public funds should be banned for life"
Marine Le Pen on French television network @publicsenat.fr in April 2013
Marine Le Pen on French television network @publicsenat.fr in April 2013
« Quand allons-nous mettre en place l’inéligibilité à vie pour tous ceux qui ont été condamnés pour des faits commis à l’occasion de leur mandat ? »
➡️ https://go.publicsenat.fr/N8m
➡️ https://go.publicsenat.fr/N8m
April 1, 2025 at 7:21 AM
"Politicians convicted of embezzling public funds should be banned for life"
Marine Le Pen on French television network @publicsenat.fr in April 2013
Marine Le Pen on French television network @publicsenat.fr in April 2013