John Pope
@jacktudo7405.bsky.social
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Reposted by John Pope
The British sure can hit the nail on its head!
===============================
===============================
January 1, 2026 at 4:30 PM
The British sure can hit the nail on its head!
===============================
===============================
Reposted by John Pope
"An aide to Farage when he was an MEP, tells Crick that his boss hated policy meetings. “He was totally out of his bloody depth. Intelligent people – he was scared of them. He has an inferiority complex about education and highly qualified people.”
www.theguardian.com/books/2022/f....
www.theguardian.com/books/2022/f....
One Party After Another: The Disruptive Life of Nigel Farage review – the man who broke Britain
Michael Crick’s gripping and vivid study of Mr Brexit is full of revelatory stories, but pulls its punches at the end
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:47 PM
"An aide to Farage when he was an MEP, tells Crick that his boss hated policy meetings. “He was totally out of his bloody depth. Intelligent people – he was scared of them. He has an inferiority complex about education and highly qualified people.”
www.theguardian.com/books/2022/f....
www.theguardian.com/books/2022/f....
Reposted by John Pope
This is disgraceful! Which idiot encouraged people to vote for the Brexit that made this inevitable?
December 30, 2025 at 9:48 AM
This is disgraceful! Which idiot encouraged people to vote for the Brexit that made this inevitable?
Reposted by John Pope
Reform UK campaigned during the local elections on a platform of them being the solution. Now reality has hit its becoming clear they had no idea…
Never trust Reform UK.
Council faces 'real crisis' over £23m budget gap
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Never trust Reform UK.
Council faces 'real crisis' over £23m budget gap
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Leicestershire County Council faces 'real crisis' over £23m budget gap
The Reform UK-led authority says it is unlikely to be able to balance it books without using reserves.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 13, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Reform UK campaigned during the local elections on a platform of them being the solution. Now reality has hit its becoming clear they had no idea…
Never trust Reform UK.
Council faces 'real crisis' over £23m budget gap
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Never trust Reform UK.
Council faces 'real crisis' over £23m budget gap
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by John Pope
Reposted by John Pope
Low earners to pay council tax in Durham as Reform UK’s changes approved.
Reform UK Durham Leader, Andrew Husband and Deputy, Darren Grimes both defended the plan to “squeeze money out of somebody who doesn't have any."
Reform UK Durham Leader, Andrew Husband and Deputy, Darren Grimes both defended the plan to “squeeze money out of somebody who doesn't have any."
Durham County Council approves council tax discount scheme changes - BBC News
It means most County Durham residents will have to pay at least 10% of their council tax bills.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 13, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Low earners to pay council tax in Durham as Reform UK’s changes approved.
Reform UK Durham Leader, Andrew Husband and Deputy, Darren Grimes both defended the plan to “squeeze money out of somebody who doesn't have any."
Reform UK Durham Leader, Andrew Husband and Deputy, Darren Grimes both defended the plan to “squeeze money out of somebody who doesn't have any."
Reposted by John Pope
"..the Lord said I was hungry and you told me I could make a meal for 30p, I was a stranger and you said 'fuck off back where you came from', I was sick and you said we should replace the NHS with private health insurance..."
December 13, 2025 at 8:43 AM
"..the Lord said I was hungry and you told me I could make a meal for 30p, I was a stranger and you said 'fuck off back where you came from', I was sick and you said we should replace the NHS with private health insurance..."
Reposted by John Pope
Reform UK in Leicestershire were elected on a platform of promises they could not keep…
Uncertainty reigns as Leicestershire Reform sets out first budget amid financial ‘crisis’
Uncertainty reigns as Leicestershire Reform sets out first budget amid financial ‘crisis’
www.harboroughmail.co.uk
December 13, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Reform UK in Leicestershire were elected on a platform of promises they could not keep…
Uncertainty reigns as Leicestershire Reform sets out first budget amid financial ‘crisis’
Uncertainty reigns as Leicestershire Reform sets out first budget amid financial ‘crisis’
Reposted by John Pope
Reposted by John Pope
Jonathan Gullis defects to Reform saying his former party has "lost touch with the people it was meant to serve".
He should know. When he was in Government he took a five-figure donation from JCB, then stayed silent when it axed hundreds of his constituents' jobs just two weeks later
He should know. When he was in Government he took a five-figure donation from JCB, then stayed silent when it axed hundreds of his constituents' jobs just two weeks later
Conservatives Promote JCB's 'Revolutionary' Pothole Machine While Taking Millions of Pounds in Donations from the Company
Senior Conservatives have repeatedly promoted a pothole repair machine made by a company which has donated huge sums to the party and its MPs
bylinetimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Jonathan Gullis defects to Reform saying his former party has "lost touch with the people it was meant to serve".
He should know. When he was in Government he took a five-figure donation from JCB, then stayed silent when it axed hundreds of his constituents' jobs just two weeks later
He should know. When he was in Government he took a five-figure donation from JCB, then stayed silent when it axed hundreds of his constituents' jobs just two weeks later
Reposted by John Pope
Gillian Tett: Trump went to war with Brazil's Lula, and in the end, Lula got everything he wanted, while Trump gained nothing whatsoever. This is not a unique case. Trump's trade wars are going spectacularly badly for the United States.
Brazil offers lesson in winning the ‘Taco’ trade
Global politicians need to understand that White House policy is driven by melodrama and instinct
www.ft.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Gillian Tett: Trump went to war with Brazil's Lula, and in the end, Lula got everything he wanted, while Trump gained nothing whatsoever. This is not a unique case. Trump's trade wars are going spectacularly badly for the United States.
Reposted by John Pope
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
November 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
Reposted by John Pope
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Reposted by John Pope
There will come a day when I tire of reading about the Your Party uncivil war.
Today is not that day.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Today is not that day.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
November 25, 2025 at 10:40 AM
There will come a day when I tire of reading about the Your Party uncivil war.
Today is not that day.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Today is not that day.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by John Pope
This is exactly what the recent Trump-BBC 'scandal' was designed to achieve. The BBC is now self-censoring criticisms of Trump in the name of "impartiality"
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 AM
This is exactly what the recent Trump-BBC 'scandal' was designed to achieve. The BBC is now self-censoring criticisms of Trump in the name of "impartiality"
Reposted by John Pope
A friend who teaches theology shared with me a post about CS Lewis's Mere Christianity, which discusses foundational Christian logic across denominations. It reminded me of Dale's tweet below, and I wanted to share some thoughts here regarding modesty and respectability, which are often hot topics.
November 23, 2025 at 7:35 PM
A friend who teaches theology shared with me a post about CS Lewis's Mere Christianity, which discusses foundational Christian logic across denominations. It reminded me of Dale's tweet below, and I wanted to share some thoughts here regarding modesty and respectability, which are often hot topics.
Reposted by John Pope
Trade folk (including myself) are unconvinced there is much of a growth dividend for Rachel Reeves from agreements with India, EU, and US. Just as there's no evidence of positive impact from independent UK trade policy since 2021. www.politico.eu/article/rach...
Rachel Reeves hopes trade deals can save Britain’s budget. Economists aren’t convinced.
With a difficult budget looming, the chancellor has increasingly turned her gaze overseas.
www.politico.eu
November 24, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Trade folk (including myself) are unconvinced there is much of a growth dividend for Rachel Reeves from agreements with India, EU, and US. Just as there's no evidence of positive impact from independent UK trade policy since 2021. www.politico.eu/article/rach...
Reposted by John Pope
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Brexit Hit to UK Economy Double Official Estimate, Study Finds
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist.
bloom.bg
November 21, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Reposted by John Pope
Russia's ambassador to the UK, Yakovenko, boasted about Brexit to another diplomat:
“We have crushed the British to the ground. They are on their knees and will not rise for a very long time”
Today, Farage’s close ally, leader of Reform in Wales, was sentenced to 10yrs for taking bribes from Russia.
“We have crushed the British to the ground. They are on their knees and will not rise for a very long time”
Today, Farage’s close ally, leader of Reform in Wales, was sentenced to 10yrs for taking bribes from Russia.
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Brexit Hit to UK Economy Double Official Estimate, Study Finds
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist.
bloom.bg
November 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Russia's ambassador to the UK, Yakovenko, boasted about Brexit to another diplomat:
“We have crushed the British to the ground. They are on their knees and will not rise for a very long time”
Today, Farage’s close ally, leader of Reform in Wales, was sentenced to 10yrs for taking bribes from Russia.
“We have crushed the British to the ground. They are on their knees and will not rise for a very long time”
Today, Farage’s close ally, leader of Reform in Wales, was sentenced to 10yrs for taking bribes from Russia.
Reposted by John Pope
Last week Trump said: "We'll sue [BBC] for anywhere between $1bn and $5bn, probably sometime next week."
That renewed threat was led a good deal of news media.
No news report yet that any suit has been filed.
That renewed threat was led a good deal of news media.
No news report yet that any suit has been filed.
November 21, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Last week Trump said: "We'll sue [BBC] for anywhere between $1bn and $5bn, probably sometime next week."
That renewed threat was led a good deal of news media.
No news report yet that any suit has been filed.
That renewed threat was led a good deal of news media.
No news report yet that any suit has been filed.
Reposted by John Pope
X has changed their policy and now you can see where the accounts are based.
Here’s an “influencer from Texas”
Here’s an “influencer from Texas”
November 21, 2025 at 6:36 PM
X has changed their policy and now you can see where the accounts are based.
Here’s an “influencer from Texas”
Here’s an “influencer from Texas”
Reposted by John Pope
Reminder of UK's (specifically GB's) choice to be poorer, more isolated & most like Russia in Europe,
behind its (still descending) Gammon Curtain ..
Schematic courtesy of John Constable
behind its (still descending) Gammon Curtain ..
Schematic courtesy of John Constable
November 15, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Reminder of UK's (specifically GB's) choice to be poorer, more isolated & most like Russia in Europe,
behind its (still descending) Gammon Curtain ..
Schematic courtesy of John Constable
behind its (still descending) Gammon Curtain ..
Schematic courtesy of John Constable
Reposted by John Pope
There are theses to be written.
Not comprehensive, but here are some thoughts on Ireland and Brexit.
It pays to take a wide-angle lens for this type of thing.
The story is nevertheless informative
A 🧵
Not comprehensive, but here are some thoughts on Ireland and Brexit.
It pays to take a wide-angle lens for this type of thing.
The story is nevertheless informative
A 🧵
There's a good thread to be written about ireland responded brexit.
November 21, 2025 at 12:48 PM
There are theses to be written.
Not comprehensive, but here are some thoughts on Ireland and Brexit.
It pays to take a wide-angle lens for this type of thing.
The story is nevertheless informative
A 🧵
Not comprehensive, but here are some thoughts on Ireland and Brexit.
It pays to take a wide-angle lens for this type of thing.
The story is nevertheless informative
A 🧵
Reposted by John Pope
The FT writes: ‘In Trump’s interview with GB News, its correspondent, Bev Turner, gave North Korea’s broadcasters a run for their money. “It feels much safer here,” Turner said, contrasting Washington to London, though the chances of being murdered in DC are around 26 times higher than in London.
Home - Financial Times
News, analysis and opinion from the Financial Times on the latest in markets, economics and politics
FT.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:12 PM
The FT writes: ‘In Trump’s interview with GB News, its correspondent, Bev Turner, gave North Korea’s broadcasters a run for their money. “It feels much safer here,” Turner said, contrasting Washington to London, though the chances of being murdered in DC are around 26 times higher than in London.
Reposted by John Pope
“I’m sorry to find that the Reform Party is living rent-free in so many people’s heads,” Shabana Mahmood told the Commons. “I can assure you, it’s living nowhere near mine.” Much of what the new Home Secretary said on Monday evening was questionable…this line was total rubbish.
November 17, 2025 at 10:36 PM
“I’m sorry to find that the Reform Party is living rent-free in so many people’s heads,” Shabana Mahmood told the Commons. “I can assure you, it’s living nowhere near mine.” Much of what the new Home Secretary said on Monday evening was questionable…this line was total rubbish.