James Matthews
@jcmatthews.bsky.social
Researcher in environmental physics and meteorology.
We should know batter.
February 17, 2026 at 6:28 PM
We should know batter.
Get your money's worth by binging Ghosts with the family, and Film Club, Detectorists and Small Prophets as well. Decent comedy / drama made by people that love tv that isn't made to ensure a Netflix renewal.
February 12, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Get your money's worth by binging Ghosts with the family, and Film Club, Detectorists and Small Prophets as well. Decent comedy / drama made by people that love tv that isn't made to ensure a Netflix renewal.
Yes, that was a mistype.
February 10, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Yes, that was a mistype.
The net zero "when you show them DRC emissions" bit reminds me of the Yes Minister polling sketch about National Service. Not "this is what the public think" but "this is how you can get the public to say what you think".
February 10, 2026 at 3:28 PM
The net zero "when you show them DRC emissions" bit reminds me of the Yes Minister polling sketch about National Service. Not "this is what the public think" but "this is how you can get the public to say what you think".
"Ambassador to the US, or Chief of Staff?"
"Both".
"Both".
February 8, 2026 at 3:18 PM
"Ambassador to the US, or Chief of Staff?"
"Both".
"Both".
As someone who went to Cardiff then worked at Bristol universities, this really bothered me. There were still surprisingly few Bristol accents.
February 7, 2026 at 7:11 PM
As someone who went to Cardiff then worked at Bristol universities, this really bothered me. There were still surprisingly few Bristol accents.
It's the top 10%, so (I think) starting a little over £70k - part of the problem at the moment is that households earning over £70k don't think they are wealthy, or feel it, but compared to most people, they are.
February 4, 2026 at 5:41 PM
It's the top 10%, so (I think) starting a little over £70k - part of the problem at the moment is that households earning over £70k don't think they are wealthy, or feel it, but compared to most people, they are.
Yep, you can point to examples here and there of cuts and tax rises they should and shouldn't do, and argue about which should be used as evidence. In my view it is better to take a step back and look at the wider picture - tax and spend are increasing.
February 4, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Yep, you can point to examples here and there of cuts and tax rises they should and shouldn't do, and argue about which should be used as evidence. In my view it is better to take a step back and look at the wider picture - tax and spend are increasing.
Low tax, low state spending, yes. That's what Osborne was trying to achieve after the financial crash, it's what Thatcher's big project was, and siginifantly reducing welfare spending is the key pillar in what Badenoch is offering as distinct to Labour.
February 4, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Low tax, low state spending, yes. That's what Osborne was trying to achieve after the financial crash, it's what Thatcher's big project was, and siginifantly reducing welfare spending is the key pillar in what Badenoch is offering as distinct to Labour.
"The measures in it add up to £26bn in tax rises in 2029-30, which will bring the UK's tax take to an all-time high of 38% of national income in 2030-31, according to the OBR."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Millions to pay more in tax as Reeves says Budget is tackling cost of living
The chancellor says she is
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 3:37 PM
"The measures in it add up to £26bn in tax rises in 2029-30, which will bring the UK's tax take to an all-time high of 38% of national income in 2030-31, according to the OBR."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Again, they are increasing spending and increasing taxes, including on business. They are not a good government, especially not on socially liberal matters, but they're not (by any definition I understand) economically right wing.
February 4, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Again, they are increasing spending and increasing taxes, including on business. They are not a good government, especially not on socially liberal matters, but they're not (by any definition I understand) economically right wing.
Rupert Grint could regularly appear pulling faces and pints in the local pub where the teachers hang out.
February 3, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Rupert Grint could regularly appear pulling faces and pints in the local pub where the teachers hang out.
Exactly, and you can throw in an original cast cameo every now and again to draw people in.
February 2, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Exactly, and you can throw in an original cast cameo every now and again to draw people in.
Do you know why they didn't do what every other franchise has done, and make a tied in sequel series based in Hogwarts with new characters?
February 2, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Do you know why they didn't do what every other franchise has done, and make a tied in sequel series based in Hogwarts with new characters?
They're not a difficult concept (the answer is somewhere between these two points), if people used them, they'd understand them.
January 29, 2026 at 12:26 PM
They're not a difficult concept (the answer is somewhere between these two points), if people used them, they'd understand them.
Polling companies should add error bars as a default.
People will be looking at these polls to choose their tactical votes, it has consequences.
People will be looking at these polls to choose their tactical votes, it has consequences.
January 29, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Polling companies should add error bars as a default.
People will be looking at these polls to choose their tactical votes, it has consequences.
People will be looking at these polls to choose their tactical votes, it has consequences.
I've only watched it once, but the scene in the cafe when they say she should have the cake is seared into my brain.
January 29, 2026 at 10:31 AM
I've only watched it once, but the scene in the cafe when they say she should have the cake is seared into my brain.
I'd love it if you could add margins of error to these numbers, I'm guessing with so many parties on such a similar share, the uncertainties would be huge.
January 27, 2026 at 11:12 AM
I'd love it if you could add margins of error to these numbers, I'm guessing with so many parties on such a similar share, the uncertainties would be huge.
Intersting, it seems like the opposite of when I was working on a medical physics project with volunteers in a hospital, and was told to wear a white coat, even though it wasn't necessary.
January 23, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Intersting, it seems like the opposite of when I was working on a medical physics project with volunteers in a hospital, and was told to wear a white coat, even though it wasn't necessary.
Access, probably, but maybe not training, which is hopefully someone saying "check these 'facts', it's not reliable" over and over until the message beds in.
January 19, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Access, probably, but maybe not training, which is hopefully someone saying "check these 'facts', it's not reliable" over and over until the message beds in.
Small parties do that anyway, even in general elections.
January 17, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Small parties do that anyway, even in general elections.
Maybe, as they exist, joining another party could at least allow for a recall petition. That way the constituency would need to actively make a new election happen, but removes the need for a costly election in many cases.
January 17, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Maybe, as they exist, joining another party could at least allow for a recall petition. That way the constituency would need to actively make a new election happen, but removes the need for a costly election in many cases.
The whole point of a constituency mp is to represent the most popular party and views in the area, so I can see why it might not be good for small parties,or desirable, but it is right.
The option to sit as an independent should always remain, in case the party changes (as happens a lot).
The option to sit as an independent should always remain, in case the party changes (as happens a lot).
January 17, 2026 at 1:02 PM
The whole point of a constituency mp is to represent the most popular party and views in the area, so I can see why it might not be good for small parties,or desirable, but it is right.
The option to sit as an independent should always remain, in case the party changes (as happens a lot).
The option to sit as an independent should always remain, in case the party changes (as happens a lot).