Pauline
highpeakhiker.bsky.social
Pauline
@highpeakhiker.bsky.social
Labour Councillor, retired teacher. Keen hiker, skier, gardener.
So pleased that the EU is standing up to the USA. Bullies and tyrants can’t be appeased, the EU and the UK have to take a firm line.
BREAKING: Statement by the European Commission on the U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions on certain EU individuals
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
December 25, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Reposted by Pauline
UK social media campaigners among five denied US visas.

Trump happily admits fascists and racists to the US.

Visas used as a tool for dominance, intimidation; extract trade and tax concessions; silence critics.

Compliant Govts risk domestic ridicule.
UK social media campaigners among five denied US visas
The Trump administration bans five people who have called for tech regulation from entering the country.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Reposted by Pauline
The lesson of history is that tyrants cannot be appeased.

Appeasement only feeds their insatiable hunger for power.

Tyrants prey on people who feel unsafe and vulnerable.

But without mass submission, a tyrant is powerless.

Remember this.
December 25, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Reposted by Pauline
"When we ask people whether #Brexit has been a success or a failure, 62% to 11% say failure. And that really rockets up - when you ask people who did vote Labour last year and people who are still intending to vote Labour - that figure goes north of 85%." ~AA @pimlicat.bsky.social
December 22, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Reposted by Pauline
More than 75% of Labour, Lib Dem and Green voters think PM should open talks on joining EU customs union

YouGov poll for the Times suggests even 40% of Conservative voters support such a move

www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
More than 75% of Labour, Lib Dem and Green voters think PM should open talks on joining EU customs union – as it happened
YouGov poll for the Times suggests even 40% of Conservative voters support such a move
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Reposted by Pauline
In case you were wondering how that ceasefire was going…

Israel bombed a wedding in Gaza today

We will never forget.
December 20, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Reposted by Pauline
Christ alive
Ladies and gentleman: The President of the United States
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/u...
December 18, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Reposted by Pauline
It’s exactly this kind of dismal, prejudiced bollox from the Daily Mail that’s got us into the ruinous Brexit mess we’re in. What a moronic response to us rejoining Erasmus and all the benefits that brings. If they’re really worried about cost, they should push to cancel Brexit altogether.
December 18, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Reposted by Pauline
Experiences, favorite food or toiletries that will be used up for Christmas rather than accumulating unwanted junk. Good idea @georgemonbiot.bsky.social
December 18, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Reposted by Pauline
The BBC is correct to stand firm on this.

For it is only by being resolute in be face of this illiberal and misconceived claim that there will be any chance of a satisfactory outcome.

BBC gets many things wrong, but this they are getting right.

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d...
BBC to fight Trump’s $10bn lawsuit, saying it should be dismissed
Corporation will argue it did not have rights to air film in US and it did not cause serious reputational harm
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Reposted by Pauline
Do it please if you can
This is my cyclical reminder that there's really only one consistently reliable source of info in the public record that isn't owned by right wing billionaires, who really want to put an end to it.

Please give at least the $2.75 minimum they request if you can.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org
December 17, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Reposted by Pauline
A satisfactory outcome for the BBC in this case would come about in one of two ways.

Either BBC prepares for trial, and wins.

Or BBC prepares for trial, and Trump caves or settles because of prospect of losing at court.

Either way: full steam ahead.
December 17, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Reposted by Pauline
New @therestpolitics.bsky.social - deep dive on Russia, not just the war in Ukraine but the hybrid was against the rest of Europe. Why the senior spies and military are speaking out and a welcome inquiry into Russia corrupting our politics

alastaircampbell.org/2025/12/479-...
479. Russian Influence in Britain: How Exposed Are We? - Alastair Campbell
Why are Britain’s top military and intelligence chiefs sounding the alarm about Putin’s influence and future plans? How deeply has Russia already penetrated British politics, media, and public debate ...
alastaircampbell.org
December 17, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Reposted by Pauline
The Employment Rights Bill has passed. This is about good work for the many not the few:
- Exploitative zero hours contracts banned
- Sick pay extended to low earners
- Notice of shifts
- Family leave strengthened
Change promised.
Change delivered.
December 16, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Pauline
Just pointing out that the UK has the highest pension and minimum wage we ever had. Also the highest level of regulatory protection.

Because it is rarely mentioned when everyone talks about how terrible everything is.
December 16, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Reposted by Pauline
Would be very reassuring to know how the majority of Brits are reacting to the news of Trump suing the BBC for $Bns.

A: “Oh just fuck off”
Or
B: “Good for him”

My money is on A.
I can almost hear us all shouting it at the news this morning.
December 16, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Reposted by Pauline
So, Trump sues the BBC for $5Bn and puts the technology deal with the UK on hold until the US gets more concessions.
Anyone still deluding themselves about that “special relationship”? No. Just the tedious parade of simpering MAGA dickheads - led, of course, by the traitorous Farage.
December 16, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Reposted by Pauline
Like any bully, Trump is fundamentally a coward. When he feels humiliated, he lashes out. Every authoritarian action he is taking must be understood against the backdrop of his declining popularity. He feigns strength, but he's operating from a place of weakness.
December 15, 2025 at 11:00 PM
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The USA can’t be trusted. That State Visit was an embarrassment which inflated Trump’s ego even more.
There is no special relationship. You can’t negotiate with a bully, we should stop trying to.
US puts £31bn tech ‘prosperity deal’ with Britain on ice
Pledge to invest billions in UK paused, with Washington citing lack of progress on trade barriers across pond
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:15 AM
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump is sick egotistical bully. The BBC and the Govt. must stand up to him.
We as a country have to stop pandering to him and his corrupt regime.
Donald Trump sues BBC for up to $10bn over edit of January 6 speech
President accuses corporation of ‘intentionally, maliciously and deceptively’ editing speech in Panorama broadcast
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Reposted by Pauline
I am a TV journalist so by definition, I watch A LOT OF TV.
I cannot think of a single drama in which this - or anything like this - has happened.
This geezer is just making shit up. And the increasingly laughably self-styled Newspaper of Record is publishing it.
December 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by Pauline
I saw this and had to check it wasn't faked or a spoof. Sadly, it is real.

Every time I think Trump has reached the nadir of decency and propriety, some hellish trapdoor opens, revealing a hitherto undiscovered sub-basement of obscenity and barbarity. ~AA
December 15, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Reposted by Pauline
If you’re using what happened on Bondi Beach to either argue for less gun control or to justify the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza then you’re worse than pond scum.
December 15, 2025 at 10:24 AM
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Disgusting and unnecessary comments by Netanyahu. The world can recognise Palestine and differentiate his murderous Govt. from the majority of Jews.
If political points are to be scored, the blame lies with Netanyahu.
Benjamin Netanyahu blames Anthony Albanese for Bondi beach terror attack, as world leaders express horror
Israeli prime minister claims the Australian government ‘let the disease’ of antisemitism spread ‘and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today’
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Reposted by Pauline
The fact is no presenter has ever had to leave the BBC for expressing conservative views, or even explicitly endorsing a right-wing party.

Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Robin Ince reveals to last night’s audience at a recording of Infinite Monkey Cage that the BBC has forced him to resign over his support of trans people
December 13, 2025 at 4:36 PM