Hugh Stokes
@hughstokes.bsky.social
Environment, law, cricket, politics, Scotland, geography.
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
Have written for @financialtimes.com on the dangers of been see to pitch house building against nature. Britain desperately needs more homes, but if you force a nature/building binary, it is the latter that will lose in the court of public opinion. www.ft.com/content/f456...
December 20, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Have written for @financialtimes.com on the dangers of been see to pitch house building against nature. Britain desperately needs more homes, but if you force a nature/building binary, it is the latter that will lose in the court of public opinion. www.ft.com/content/f456...
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
I know I should just brush this aside as the having of opinions by a professional opinion-haver, but it is as offensive as it is ignorant to suggest that people in Poland, of all places, are in the grip of a delusion for fearing the very real possibility of Russian invasion.
What are you even talking about! I am saying it is a delusional fantasy to suggest Russia is going to invade European countries like Poland, Germany or indeed the UK, which is the insane drivel currently being promoted in support of a disastrous arms race.
December 16, 2025 at 10:02 PM
I know I should just brush this aside as the having of opinions by a professional opinion-haver, but it is as offensive as it is ignorant to suggest that people in Poland, of all places, are in the grip of a delusion for fearing the very real possibility of Russian invasion.
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
Bloody hell that’s the way to do it
December 13, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Bloody hell that’s the way to do it
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
The problem isn't simply: how do MPs communicate with voters in a post-newspaper age? It's also: how do they learn about what's happening in the country, given that the media no longer reliably tells them?
It's unarguable that being a modern politician contains many new elements that weren't there even 10 years ago, and it's both interesting and positive to see some Labour backbenchers start to engage with social media. Unsurprisingly I have some thoughts www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Labour MP’s video explaining UK debt with biscuits racks up 3.3m views
Glasgow South MP Gordon McKee leading trend as politicians find traditional ways to reach voters no longer work
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:27 AM
The problem isn't simply: how do MPs communicate with voters in a post-newspaper age? It's also: how do they learn about what's happening in the country, given that the media no longer reliably tells them?
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
Now imagine Stephen Pollard and the Jewish Chronicle's reaction if the revelations about historic antisemitism had concerned Jeremy Corbyn or Keir Starmer or indeed anyone on the centre/left.
It's a level of grotesque, cynical hypocrisy that I genuinely find quite hard to process.
It's a level of grotesque, cynical hypocrisy that I genuinely find quite hard to process.
December 1, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Now imagine Stephen Pollard and the Jewish Chronicle's reaction if the revelations about historic antisemitism had concerned Jeremy Corbyn or Keir Starmer or indeed anyone on the centre/left.
It's a level of grotesque, cynical hypocrisy that I genuinely find quite hard to process.
It's a level of grotesque, cynical hypocrisy that I genuinely find quite hard to process.
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
Headline on The World at One just now:
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
November 27, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Headline on The World at One just now:
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour
"The era of permanent protection is over"
Is this Labour government really saying it was wrong in principle to let these refugees of the last 75 years to stay, settle and become British - and they believe that should NEVER happen again in principle or practice?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuR...
Is this Labour government really saying it was wrong in principle to let these refugees of the last 75 years to stay, settle and become British - and they believe that should NEVER happen again in principle or practice?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuR...
Refugees from 7 decades gather to commemorate 70 years of refugee in protection in the UK
YouTube video by Refugee Council
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
Watching Labour MPs take a wrecking ball to nature makes me so angry & so sad. Their action tonight voting down amendments to the #PlanningBill intended to protect wildlife & habitats from destruction is so reckless & so counterproductive. People didn’t vote Labour for this 👇
Housing secretary tells Labour MPs to vote down planning bill amendment
Amendment restricts protection for animals to allow faster house building
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Watching Labour MPs take a wrecking ball to nature makes me so angry & so sad. Their action tonight voting down amendments to the #PlanningBill intended to protect wildlife & habitats from destruction is so reckless & so counterproductive. People didn’t vote Labour for this 👇
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
Back in 1997, there were just 11 booming male Bitterns left in the UK – almost extinct. Thanks to conservation by @rspb.bsky.social and @naturalengland.bsky.social 283 booming males were recorded in 2024.
Les Cater shares his story and stunning photos of these rare birds ⤵️
Les Cater shares his story and stunning photos of these rare birds ⤵️
Hidden wonders: my fascinating encounters with the Bittern
Elusive and majestic, the Bittern’s booming call echoes across Minsmere’s reeds – a symbol of hope and conservation success
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Back in 1997, there were just 11 booming male Bitterns left in the UK – almost extinct. Thanks to conservation by @rspb.bsky.social and @naturalengland.bsky.social 283 booming males were recorded in 2024.
Les Cater shares his story and stunning photos of these rare birds ⤵️
Les Cater shares his story and stunning photos of these rare birds ⤵️
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
What an absolute hero Samir Zitouni is - doubtless he saved lives that day
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Train hero who saved passengers during attack named
The rail worker credited with saving multiple lives is named as Samir Zitouni.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 11:36 AM
What an absolute hero Samir Zitouni is - doubtless he saved lives that day
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
Why the BBC handing Reform hours upon hours of unfiltered coverage of their press conferences every single week is so irresponsible
What exactly has been "squandered" about Brexit here and by whom?
What exactly has been "squandered" about Brexit here and by whom?
November 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Why the BBC handing Reform hours upon hours of unfiltered coverage of their press conferences every single week is so irresponsible
What exactly has been "squandered" about Brexit here and by whom?
What exactly has been "squandered" about Brexit here and by whom?
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
Nothing but positivity for this idea
"Rachel Reeves plans Budget tax raid on expensive homes" on.ft.com/4hGi275
Progressive.
Better than a transactions tax, doesn't gum up the market.
Encourages downsizing.
Raises useful cash.
Even Osborne likes it.
Looking forward to paying it...
"Rachel Reeves plans Budget tax raid on expensive homes" on.ft.com/4hGi275
Progressive.
Better than a transactions tax, doesn't gum up the market.
Encourages downsizing.
Raises useful cash.
Even Osborne likes it.
Looking forward to paying it...
Rachel Reeves plans Budget tax raid on expensive homes
UK chancellor predicted to plump for ‘least worst option’ of creating higher council tax bands in England
on.ft.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Nothing but positivity for this idea
"Rachel Reeves plans Budget tax raid on expensive homes" on.ft.com/4hGi275
Progressive.
Better than a transactions tax, doesn't gum up the market.
Encourages downsizing.
Raises useful cash.
Even Osborne likes it.
Looking forward to paying it...
"Rachel Reeves plans Budget tax raid on expensive homes" on.ft.com/4hGi275
Progressive.
Better than a transactions tax, doesn't gum up the market.
Encourages downsizing.
Raises useful cash.
Even Osborne likes it.
Looking forward to paying it...
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
We in the UK will work out far too late that this is a bad thing.
NEW from me:
Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.
That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀
Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.
That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀
November 1, 2025 at 6:32 AM
We in the UK will work out far too late that this is a bad thing.
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
Great read from @iandunt.bsky.social on whether Starmer should stay or go, including the mystery of how, if you’re launching a popular climate, energy, and growth strategy, why wouldn’t you stage a press conference on it?
iandunt.substack.com/p/a-world-wi...
iandunt.substack.com/p/a-world-wi...
October 31, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Great read from @iandunt.bsky.social on whether Starmer should stay or go, including the mystery of how, if you’re launching a popular climate, energy, and growth strategy, why wouldn’t you stage a press conference on it?
iandunt.substack.com/p/a-world-wi...
iandunt.substack.com/p/a-world-wi...
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
"To say 'Zelenskyy is no friend of the working class' is an insulting, facile distraction from the fact that Sultana refuses to support the Ukrainian people’s fight for existence."
Proper cold fury and moral clarity from @paulmason.bsky.social on Sultana.
open.substack.com/pub/htsf/p/c...
Proper cold fury and moral clarity from @paulmason.bsky.social on Sultana.
open.substack.com/pub/htsf/p/c...
Coventry South needs a by-election soon
Zarah Sultana has no mandate for disarming the people of Britain and betraying Ukraine
open.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:06 PM
"To say 'Zelenskyy is no friend of the working class' is an insulting, facile distraction from the fact that Sultana refuses to support the Ukrainian people’s fight for existence."
Proper cold fury and moral clarity from @paulmason.bsky.social on Sultana.
open.substack.com/pub/htsf/p/c...
Proper cold fury and moral clarity from @paulmason.bsky.social on Sultana.
open.substack.com/pub/htsf/p/c...
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
It's increasingly obvious that Labour's strategy - call it Starmerism, Blue Labour, whatever - has got it badly wrong. It has alienated the party's core vote while failing to win over those leaning to Reform. There was no shortage of people warning them they were getting it wrong either.
October 28, 2025 at 12:02 PM
It's increasingly obvious that Labour's strategy - call it Starmerism, Blue Labour, whatever - has got it badly wrong. It has alienated the party's core vote while failing to win over those leaning to Reform. There was no shortage of people warning them they were getting it wrong either.
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
“Science is never settled” sounds reasonable—but it’s often a rhetorical trick to undermine consensus on issues like vaccines or climate change.
Science evolves, but some things are overwhelmingly supported by evidence.
My latest for Live Science
www.livescience.com/...
1/10
Science evolves, but some things are overwhelmingly supported by evidence.
My latest for Live Science
www.livescience.com/...
1/10
There is such a thing as 'settled science' — anyone who says otherwise is trying to manipulate you
How bad-faith arguments sow doubt by weaponizing scientific humility.
www.livescience.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:36 AM
“Science is never settled” sounds reasonable—but it’s often a rhetorical trick to undermine consensus on issues like vaccines or climate change.
Science evolves, but some things are overwhelmingly supported by evidence.
My latest for Live Science
www.livescience.com/...
1/10
Science evolves, but some things are overwhelmingly supported by evidence.
My latest for Live Science
www.livescience.com/...
1/10
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
Nothing on the BBC Radio news this morning. Nothing I could find on their website. This is an MP from the party whose lead in the opinion polls normally ensures them wall-to-wall coverage. She spouts racist nonsense for which even she feels obliged to apologise. What on earth are they playing at?
Reform’s Sarah Pochin forced to apologise after claiming adverts 'full of black people' drive her 'mad’ | LBC
The Runcorn and Helsby MP was responding to a viewer live on air who complained about the demographics of advertising.
www.lbc.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Nothing on the BBC Radio news this morning. Nothing I could find on their website. This is an MP from the party whose lead in the opinion polls normally ensures them wall-to-wall coverage. She spouts racist nonsense for which even she feels obliged to apologise. What on earth are they playing at?
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
I'm not a politician – I don't have voters to keep happy. I'm not a journalistic commentator – I don't have a readership to keep happy.
I just make comments. That's it.
So here's another comment: on the basis of Peston's Lam interview, he should be fired and be made to clear his desk immediately.
I just make comments. That's it.
So here's another comment: on the basis of Peston's Lam interview, he should be fired and be made to clear his desk immediately.
And has @itvpeston.bsky.social plugged his f*cking brain in yet (on this subject)?
October 22, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I'm not a politician – I don't have voters to keep happy. I'm not a journalistic commentator – I don't have a readership to keep happy.
I just make comments. That's it.
So here's another comment: on the basis of Peston's Lam interview, he should be fired and be made to clear his desk immediately.
I just make comments. That's it.
So here's another comment: on the basis of Peston's Lam interview, he should be fired and be made to clear his desk immediately.
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
Pledges to cut regulation are constant unless there's just been a disaster/failure. Then everyone calls for more regulation.
The constants of British policy over my life:
- pledges to cut red tape/regulation
- talk of a ‘contributory welfare system’
- calls for more ‘on the beat’ police officers
The cyclical one: a pledge to cut backroom health/education staff & promises of more support staff to free up frontline staff
- pledges to cut red tape/regulation
- talk of a ‘contributory welfare system’
- calls for more ‘on the beat’ police officers
The cyclical one: a pledge to cut backroom health/education staff & promises of more support staff to free up frontline staff
Nostalgia time for policy geeks - the Red Tape Challenge is back!
www.gov.uk/government/c...
www.gov.uk/government/c...
October 21, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Pledges to cut regulation are constant unless there's just been a disaster/failure. Then everyone calls for more regulation.
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
Even if we ignore the racism (not that we should!) this entails a massive loss of freedom, a hit to the economy & worse public services. That's a huge price to pay for "cultural cohesion". Which suggests these people are irrational fanatics.
The Conservatives have drafted the legislation.
ANY one of the conditions being met leads to ILR being revoked.
If annual income falls below £38,700 for six months (for any reason at all)
The Secretary of State would also have the powers add whatever further conditions they want.
ANY one of the conditions being met leads to ILR being revoked.
If annual income falls below £38,700 for six months (for any reason at all)
The Secretary of State would also have the powers add whatever further conditions they want.
October 22, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Even if we ignore the racism (not that we should!) this entails a massive loss of freedom, a hit to the economy & worse public services. That's a huge price to pay for "cultural cohesion". Which suggests these people are irrational fanatics.
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
Good thread on how a big part of the problem of British politics is big media figures with no real interest in being across the details.
Peston tells Lam that she said something that he "genuinely didn't understand". "But who are these people who came legally who should leave?"
This does not look like faux naivety.
He should know the answer!
She misleads in her answer to him.
So he gives a misleading summary of her policy on air.
This does not look like faux naivety.
He should know the answer!
She misleads in her answer to him.
So he gives a misleading summary of her policy on air.
October 21, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Good thread on how a big part of the problem of British politics is big media figures with no real interest in being across the details.
Reposted by Hugh Stokes
It is so phenomenally dimwitted. Taking out frustrations at small boats on doctors, scientists, bankers, business leaders etc. Mad.
October 20, 2025 at 10:04 AM
It is so phenomenally dimwitted. Taking out frustrations at small boats on doctors, scientists, bankers, business leaders etc. Mad.