Jan O’Brien
@irishnan.bsky.social
Anglo Irish European. Pro EU, NHS, democracy, peace, compassion, kindness
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Breaking news: The European Commission has proposed a loan that would leverage up to €210bn of Russian assets immobilised by EU sanctions to fund Kyiv, which would not have to repay the loan until Russia pays reparations on.ft.com/4iFKUNi
December 3, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Breaking news: The European Commission has proposed a loan that would leverage up to €210bn of Russian assets immobilised by EU sanctions to fund Kyiv, which would not have to repay the loan until Russia pays reparations on.ft.com/4iFKUNi
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
… one able to inspire their own supporters and win back the disillusioned. Unless the continent’s centrist governments change course, the far right can make Europe its own. After that, all bets are off.‘
(2/2)
Vergleichende Analyse: Großbritannien, Frankreich, Deutschland, Spanien
Lesenswert!
(2/2)
Vergleichende Analyse: Großbritannien, Frankreich, Deutschland, Spanien
Lesenswert!
December 3, 2025 at 5:36 PM
… one able to inspire their own supporters and win back the disillusioned. Unless the continent’s centrist governments change course, the far right can make Europe its own. After that, all bets are off.‘
(2/2)
Vergleichende Analyse: Großbritannien, Frankreich, Deutschland, Spanien
Lesenswert!
(2/2)
Vergleichende Analyse: Großbritannien, Frankreich, Deutschland, Spanien
Lesenswert!
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
‚The far right appeals to the alienated; it prospers when its natural opponents lose hope and stop turning out. To defeat it, governments must build consensus around a stronger, greener, more secure democracy,
(1/2)
👉 🎁 www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/o...
(1/2)
👉 🎁 www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/o...
Opinion | They Were Supposed to Save Europe. Instead, They’re Condemning It to Horrors.
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:36 PM
‚The far right appeals to the alienated; it prospers when its natural opponents lose hope and stop turning out. To defeat it, governments must build consensus around a stronger, greener, more secure democracy,
(1/2)
👉 🎁 www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/o...
(1/2)
👉 🎁 www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/o...
Inspiring.
In case you missed it ...
This message from Tom Watson on what Labour SHOULD be saying about Europe is as relevant today as it was in when he made it in 2019. All you have to do is replace the threat of a Boris Johnson premiership with the threat of a Nigel Farage one.
#RejoinEU 🇬🇧🇪🇺
This message from Tom Watson on what Labour SHOULD be saying about Europe is as relevant today as it was in when he made it in 2019. All you have to do is replace the threat of a Boris Johnson premiership with the threat of a Nigel Farage one.
#RejoinEU 🇬🇧🇪🇺
December 3, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Inspiring.
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Farage can now be easily boxed in to a corner where his only ‘defence’ becomes: “Yes I spouted Kremlin propaganda & Putin worship but, unlike Nathan Gill, I didn’t need bribes to do it.”
It is, once again, a question of whether interviewers have the temerity to shut down his whining obfuscations.
It is, once again, a question of whether interviewers have the temerity to shut down his whining obfuscations.
November 22, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Farage can now be easily boxed in to a corner where his only ‘defence’ becomes: “Yes I spouted Kremlin propaganda & Putin worship but, unlike Nathan Gill, I didn’t need bribes to do it.”
It is, once again, a question of whether interviewers have the temerity to shut down his whining obfuscations.
It is, once again, a question of whether interviewers have the temerity to shut down his whining obfuscations.
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
The thread on one page: skywriter.blue/pages/did:pl...
Page by George Monbiot | @georgemonbiot.bsky.social
1. The European Parliament’s attempt to ban plant-based foods from being sold as “sausages”, “burgers” etc is a direct response to livestock industry lobbying. This is a short thread on how utterly bl...
skywriter.blue
December 3, 2025 at 10:32 AM
The thread on one page: skywriter.blue/pages/did:pl...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
“Put bluntly, net migration fell because 400,000 fewer foreigners arrived, and 200,000 more foreigners left the UK. This is precisely what Reform, the Mail, and the new, nastier Tory Party have claimed – again and again – they wanted to happen. And now that it has, they have ignored it entirely.”
The crazy right will never be satisfied about migration
Keir Starmer slashed net migration as the Mail and Farage demanded - and still got hammered for it
www.thenewworld.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 10:54 AM
“Put bluntly, net migration fell because 400,000 fewer foreigners arrived, and 200,000 more foreigners left the UK. This is precisely what Reform, the Mail, and the new, nastier Tory Party have claimed – again and again – they wanted to happen. And now that it has, they have ignored it entirely.”
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Just sent out this free post on two pieces of the puzzle in understanding the Trump administration's fake pivot to look like they might help Ukraine. Trump was keen to make sure that seized Russian assets were not given to Ukraine--as always follow the money. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Two Pieces of the Puzzle
Understanding the Trump Con on Ukraine and Europe
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Just sent out this free post on two pieces of the puzzle in understanding the Trump administration's fake pivot to look like they might help Ukraine. Trump was keen to make sure that seized Russian assets were not given to Ukraine--as always follow the money. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
I volunteer with a London youth club that does amazing things on a budget with low overheads.
This week we're running a matched funding campaign. For every £1 donated the club gets £2.
And if you donate any amount, I'll give you a free month of London Centric.
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
This week we're running a matched funding campaign. For every £1 donated the club gets £2.
And if you donate any amount, I'll give you a free month of London Centric.
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
Westminster House Youth Club Christmas Appeal – Big Give
We're a busy youth club providing after-school opportunities, support, and education to young people in south east London. We've got …
donate.biggive.org
December 3, 2025 at 11:33 AM
I volunteer with a London youth club that does amazing things on a budget with low overheads.
This week we're running a matched funding campaign. For every £1 donated the club gets £2.
And if you donate any amount, I'll give you a free month of London Centric.
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
This week we're running a matched funding campaign. For every £1 donated the club gets £2.
And if you donate any amount, I'll give you a free month of London Centric.
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
This is still available on Ch4 app if anyone is interested…
November 30, 2025 at 8:50 PM
This is still available on Ch4 app if anyone is interested…
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Still getting to grips with #Russian influence on #Brexit and beyond? Don't miss this...
A beginner's guide to how #Putin launched hybrid war on the UK with @peterjukes.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social @goldbergradio.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
A beginner's guide to how #Putin launched hybrid war on the UK with @peterjukes.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social @goldbergradio.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
A Beginners Guide to Russian Influence: Brexit and Beyond
Podcast Episode · Byline Podcast · 29/11/2025 · 31m
podcasts.apple.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Still getting to grips with #Russian influence on #Brexit and beyond? Don't miss this...
A beginner's guide to how #Putin launched hybrid war on the UK with @peterjukes.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social @goldbergradio.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
A beginner's guide to how #Putin launched hybrid war on the UK with @peterjukes.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social @goldbergradio.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
The BBC’s coverage of Conservative allegations of dishonesty against Rachel Reeves shows how its political coverage is still led by the right-wing press, argues @adambienkov.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
Rachel Reeves and the Daily Mailification of the BBC
For all the focus on its supposed "left wing bias", the BBC's heavy coverage of Conservative allegations of dishonesty against Rachel Reeves shows how its political coverage is still largely led by th...
bylinetimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:57 AM
The BBC’s coverage of Conservative allegations of dishonesty against Rachel Reeves shows how its political coverage is still led by the right-wing press, argues @adambienkov.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Nigel Farage’s Legacy — Brexit: the trillion pound ‘mistake’
The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)… confirms the Treasury’s 2016 analysis, claiming a relative fall in GDP of between 6% and 8%.
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/opinion/brex...
The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)… confirms the Treasury’s 2016 analysis, claiming a relative fall in GDP of between 6% and 8%.
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/opinion/brex...
Brexit: the trillion pound ‘mistake’
The recent NBER report suggests the Treasury’s 2016 analysis – slammed by Brexiters as a ‘hoax’– actually understated the impact of Brexit
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Nigel Farage’s Legacy — Brexit: the trillion pound ‘mistake’
The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)… confirms the Treasury’s 2016 analysis, claiming a relative fall in GDP of between 6% and 8%.
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/opinion/brex...
The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)… confirms the Treasury’s 2016 analysis, claiming a relative fall in GDP of between 6% and 8%.
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/opinion/brex...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Will everyone in my timeline stop saying ‘Release the Russia Report’. Boris Johnson tried to hold it back, but it was released in 2020 with (necessarily) redacted elements and the confirmation British Intelligence never investigated Russian interference
December 2, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Will everyone in my timeline stop saying ‘Release the Russia Report’. Boris Johnson tried to hold it back, but it was released in 2020 with (necessarily) redacted elements and the confirmation British Intelligence never investigated Russian interference
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
100,000.
I've signed. Have you?
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 29, 2025 at 4:12 PM
100,000.
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
‘If you were to hop around various phone-in shows in the days after the budget, you would find a worrying number of remarkably angry people, utterly infuriated at the prospect of people being able to feed their kids.’
Excellent points made in this article. The penultimate paragraph says it all.
Excellent points made in this article. The penultimate paragraph says it all.
November 30, 2025 at 3:47 PM
‘If you were to hop around various phone-in shows in the days after the budget, you would find a worrying number of remarkably angry people, utterly infuriated at the prospect of people being able to feed their kids.’
Excellent points made in this article. The penultimate paragraph says it all.
Excellent points made in this article. The penultimate paragraph says it all.
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
BREAKING: New police cover up details surrounding Hillsborough disaster revealed in major new investigation
Landmark report confirms appalling actions of police officers from two forces before, during and after 1989 tragedy led to the unlawful killing of 97 Liverpool fans
Full story:
Landmark report confirms appalling actions of police officers from two forces before, during and after 1989 tragedy led to the unlawful killing of 97 Liverpool fans
Full story:
New police cover up details over Hillsborough disaster exposed
Landmark new report confirms appalling actions of police officers from two forces before, during and after 1989 tragedy led to the unlawful killing of 97 Liverpool fans and subsequent attempts to blam...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
BREAKING: New police cover up details surrounding Hillsborough disaster revealed in major new investigation
Landmark report confirms appalling actions of police officers from two forces before, during and after 1989 tragedy led to the unlawful killing of 97 Liverpool fans
Full story:
Landmark report confirms appalling actions of police officers from two forces before, during and after 1989 tragedy led to the unlawful killing of 97 Liverpool fans
Full story:
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
No that's not *your* on *our behalf*. Your job is to report the story, presenting all sides fairly and then *we* call it. What Mason is saying here is fundamentally not what the bbc is for!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
December 1, 2025 at 11:29 AM
No that's not *your* on *our behalf*. Your job is to report the story, presenting all sides fairly and then *we* call it. What Mason is saying here is fundamentally not what the bbc is for!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
One of my abiding impressions of Brexit is the way it slammed doors of opportunity in the faces of young people several rungs below Boris Johnson’s countless children on the ladders of privilege & advantage.
"Negotiators are aiming to finalise a deal by January that would allow the UK to participate in Erasmus from 2027 onwards, according to two UK and EU officials."
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
UK aims to secure agreement to rejoin Erasmus student exchange scheme
Britain quit EU programme after Brexit, when Boris Johnson claimed it did not offer good value for money
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:46 AM
One of my abiding impressions of Brexit is the way it slammed doors of opportunity in the faces of young people several rungs below Boris Johnson’s countless children on the ladders of privilege & advantage.
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
TV tonight: Maxine Peake and Lola Petticrew star in a brutal, gripping drama about the Troubles
TV tonight: Maxine Peake and Lola Petticrew star in a brutal, gripping drama about the Troubles
Violence erupts in series based on Patrick Radden-Keefe’s award-winning book. Plus: poignant memories are evoked in The Marvellous Miniature Workshop. Here’s what to watch today
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:05 AM
TV tonight: Maxine Peake and Lola Petticrew star in a brutal, gripping drama about the Troubles
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
Palestinian state ‘only’ solution to Israeli conflict, says Pope Leo
www.irishtimes.com/world/middle...
www.irishtimes.com/world/middle...
Palestinian state ‘only’ solution to Israeli conflict, says Pope Leo
Head of Catholic Church visits Lebanon after leaving Turkey on first overseas trip
www.irishtimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Palestinian state ‘only’ solution to Israeli conflict, says Pope Leo
www.irishtimes.com/world/middle...
www.irishtimes.com/world/middle...
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
This story is starting to make me feel I’m going slightly mad - maybe RR overdid the gloom, but the tax rises are paying for a) the welfare U-turns b) the £10bn-plus increase in headroom c) scrapping the two child limit d) bits of other spending eg higher local gov costs 🤷🏻♀️
December 1, 2025 at 8:15 AM
This story is starting to make me feel I’m going slightly mad - maybe RR overdid the gloom, but the tax rises are paying for a) the welfare U-turns b) the £10bn-plus increase in headroom c) scrapping the two child limit d) bits of other spending eg higher local gov costs 🤷🏻♀️
Reposted by Jan O’Brien
🔴Rachel Reeves and the Daily Mailification of the BBC
For all the focus on its supposed “left wing bias”, the BBC’s heavy coverage of allegations of dishonesty against Rachel Reeves shows how its political coverage is still largely led by the right-wing press
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
For all the focus on its supposed “left wing bias”, the BBC’s heavy coverage of allegations of dishonesty against Rachel Reeves shows how its political coverage is still largely led by the right-wing press
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
Rachel Reeves and the Daily Mailification of the BBC
For all the focus on its supposed "left wing bias", the BBC's heavy coverage of Conservative allegations of dishonesty against Rachel Reeves shows how its political coverage is still largely led by th...
bylinetimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:18 AM
🔴Rachel Reeves and the Daily Mailification of the BBC
For all the focus on its supposed “left wing bias”, the BBC’s heavy coverage of allegations of dishonesty against Rachel Reeves shows how its political coverage is still largely led by the right-wing press
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
For all the focus on its supposed “left wing bias”, the BBC’s heavy coverage of allegations of dishonesty against Rachel Reeves shows how its political coverage is still largely led by the right-wing press
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...