John54 (FBPE)
@john54.bsky.social
Christian. Politics, Books, History, travel, art, the EU, drinking beer in pubs just about covers it.
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
Ken Clarke, "Politically you can't rejoin the European Union at the moment it would cause its own nightmare, divisions and crisis"
"Brexit is doing damage to our economy"
"The time has come to rejoin the Customs Union and the EU Single Market would be a huge, huge advantage to us"
"Brexit is doing damage to our economy"
"The time has come to rejoin the Customs Union and the EU Single Market would be a huge, huge advantage to us"
November 13, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Ken Clarke, "Politically you can't rejoin the European Union at the moment it would cause its own nightmare, divisions and crisis"
"Brexit is doing damage to our economy"
"The time has come to rejoin the Customs Union and the EU Single Market would be a huge, huge advantage to us"
"Brexit is doing damage to our economy"
"The time has come to rejoin the Customs Union and the EU Single Market would be a huge, huge advantage to us"
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
If this period of extreme right wing populism ends we must urgently look at our education systems. It has never been more important that young people are encouraged to think critically. We must challenge lauding of ignorance, the rejection of expertise and knowledge. We must invest in learning
November 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
If this period of extreme right wing populism ends we must urgently look at our education systems. It has never been more important that young people are encouraged to think critically. We must challenge lauding of ignorance, the rejection of expertise and knowledge. We must invest in learning
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
It’s just depressing. But as much as I had hoped for them to succeed, Starmer seems stuck in the analogue world and simply not up for the job in the digital age. Apart from not having a clear vision of what he wants on a broader level.
He prob will and should go.
He prob will and should go.
Ever since the parliamentary wars of Brexit, the UK media and Westminster bubble craving for drama seems to have increased exponentially.
What is technically still a relatively 'new' Labour government with a huge absolute majority is already (portrayed?) as fighting with its lasts gasps.
What is technically still a relatively 'new' Labour government with a huge absolute majority is already (portrayed?) as fighting with its lasts gasps.
🚨Labour chaos latest:
🔥 Starmer allies accuse Streeting of plotting
🔥 Streeting says "categorically untrue"
🔥 Splits in No10 over high-stakes gamble
🔥 Labour MPs furious
🔥 Government source: "Number ten has gone into full bunker mode"
Story 👇
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/cabine...
🔥 Starmer allies accuse Streeting of plotting
🔥 Streeting says "categorically untrue"
🔥 Splits in No10 over high-stakes gamble
🔥 Labour MPs furious
🔥 Government source: "Number ten has gone into full bunker mode"
Story 👇
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/cabine...
November 12, 2025 at 7:19 AM
It’s just depressing. But as much as I had hoped for them to succeed, Starmer seems stuck in the analogue world and simply not up for the job in the digital age. Apart from not having a clear vision of what he wants on a broader level.
He prob will and should go.
He prob will and should go.
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
1945 the British made sure that Germanys public broadcasting system would never be taken over by an authoritarian leader again by creating a complicated federal system.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
Well, this is quite a serious allegation. I do hope the BBC shows true impartiality and investigate whether or not some of its Board members are systemically biased. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC board member with Tory links ‘led charge’ in systemic bias claims, say insiders
Sources say Robbie Gibb amplified criticisms of Trump, Gaza and trans rights coverage, and had ‘a lot of oxygen in the room’
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:40 AM
1945 the British made sure that Germanys public broadcasting system would never be taken over by an authoritarian leader again by creating a complicated federal system.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
Indeed. They lost a whole year.
Extraordinary to hear Reeves cite tariffs and increased defence spending in her speech, as she sets up the blame for tax rises. This message could have been really effective if she'd issued it when Trump introduced tariffs. Now, much less so.
November 4, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Indeed. They lost a whole year.
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
After how many years are we now daring to say the word..?
I mean, I am glad we're finally there. But why on earth did that have to take that long...
I mean, I am glad we're finally there. But why on earth did that have to take that long...
🚨🚨Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledges she is looking at potential tax rises and spending cuts to fill a black hole in her Budget which she said was partly due to the lingering impact of #Brexit. 🧵
www.independent.co.uk/money/rachel...
www.independent.co.uk/money/rachel...
Reeves eyes tax hikes as economy suffers ‘severe and long-lasting’ Brexit impact
Rachel Reeves said ‘austerity, Brexit, and the ongoing impact of Liz Truss’s mini-budget’ had weighed heavily on the UK economy.
www.independent.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
After how many years are we now daring to say the word..?
I mean, I am glad we're finally there. But why on earth did that have to take that long...
I mean, I am glad we're finally there. But why on earth did that have to take that long...
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
Nigel Farage has finally admitted to it.
But now there's lots more questions especially considering Rupert Lowes intervention....
leftfootforward.org/2025/10/nige...
But now there's lots more questions especially considering Rupert Lowes intervention....
leftfootforward.org/2025/10/nige...
Nigel Farage finally admits to knowing Nathan Gill after senior Reform figure repeatedly claimed he didn’t
Farage has admitted he knew Gill for 'a very long time' but claims he didn't know anything about his pro-Russia activities...
leftfootforward.org
October 13, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Nigel Farage has finally admitted to it.
But now there's lots more questions especially considering Rupert Lowes intervention....
leftfootforward.org/2025/10/nige...
But now there's lots more questions especially considering Rupert Lowes intervention....
leftfootforward.org/2025/10/nige...
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
Labour have presided over a "doom loop of higher taxes, weaker borders and month after month of chaos" says Kemi Badenoch who was part of a government that raised taxes and immigration levels by record amounts, whilst changing leader no fewer than four times
October 8, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Labour have presided over a "doom loop of higher taxes, weaker borders and month after month of chaos" says Kemi Badenoch who was part of a government that raised taxes and immigration levels by record amounts, whilst changing leader no fewer than four times
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
"15 years ago, Polish workers came here to find opportunity. Now Poland is growing twice as fast as we are," says Kemi Badenoch.
Any ideas what may have happened in the interim?
Any ideas what may have happened in the interim?
October 8, 2025 at 10:33 AM
"15 years ago, Polish workers came here to find opportunity. Now Poland is growing twice as fast as we are," says Kemi Badenoch.
Any ideas what may have happened in the interim?
Any ideas what may have happened in the interim?
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
Jenrick has gone from forgettable nobody to frothing-BNP-styled dickhead. Why does this corrupt little man get to strut around the media blowing his racist dog-whistle?
He should be shamed and shunned out of political existence. We all despise the Tory party for a reason. He’s one of those reasons.
He should be shamed and shunned out of political existence. We all despise the Tory party for a reason. He’s one of those reasons.
October 7, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Jenrick has gone from forgettable nobody to frothing-BNP-styled dickhead. Why does this corrupt little man get to strut around the media blowing his racist dog-whistle?
He should be shamed and shunned out of political existence. We all despise the Tory party for a reason. He’s one of those reasons.
He should be shamed and shunned out of political existence. We all despise the Tory party for a reason. He’s one of those reasons.
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
When I was a teenager there was a bus direct from my hometown in Germany to London - we had a British army base, and this direct bus connection was one of the benefits of that. One summer I went on that bus to go volunteer in an old people's home in Southend-on-Sea. I had just turned 18 and was... 🧵
September 29, 2025 at 12:32 PM
When I was a teenager there was a bus direct from my hometown in Germany to London - we had a British army base, and this direct bus connection was one of the benefits of that. One summer I went on that bus to go volunteer in an old people's home in Southend-on-Sea. I had just turned 18 and was... 🧵
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
LBC currently discussing whether it's OK to suggest that some Reform voters are bigots and racists.
Coming up at 8pm: "Is the pope an adherent to Roman Catholic beliefs, is Luxembourg a micronation and do bears shit in the woods?"
Coming up at 8pm: "Is the pope an adherent to Roman Catholic beliefs, is Luxembourg a micronation and do bears shit in the woods?"
September 28, 2025 at 6:15 PM
LBC currently discussing whether it's OK to suggest that some Reform voters are bigots and racists.
Coming up at 8pm: "Is the pope an adherent to Roman Catholic beliefs, is Luxembourg a micronation and do bears shit in the woods?"
Coming up at 8pm: "Is the pope an adherent to Roman Catholic beliefs, is Luxembourg a micronation and do bears shit in the woods?"
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
British media pumps out daily propaganda pieces for Farage, fails to offer *any scrutiny* and basically legitimises rampant racism, then puts on its ‘innocent face’ and clutches its pearls at the rise of the far right…
What a grim betrayal of our democracy.
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/how...
What a grim betrayal of our democracy.
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/how...
Reform, with 0.7% of all MPs, featured in 25% of BBC's recent 10pm news bulletins
Astonishingly, a party with 18 times as many MPs as Reform has received one-third less coverage on BBC News at 10.
www.thelondoneconomic.com
September 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM
British media pumps out daily propaganda pieces for Farage, fails to offer *any scrutiny* and basically legitimises rampant racism, then puts on its ‘innocent face’ and clutches its pearls at the rise of the far right…
What a grim betrayal of our democracy.
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/how...
What a grim betrayal of our democracy.
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/how...
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
Written by a doctor at St Thomas' Hospital, London after the Tommy Robinson march on 13/9.
September 15, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Written by a doctor at St Thomas' Hospital, London after the Tommy Robinson march on 13/9.
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
Maybe someone shd finally scrap his PM allowance of something like 100k per year ?
This feels like the biggest story from the Guardian's Boris leaks... he took £240k from a Venezuelan hedge fund after meeting Maduro. And having denied he was paid.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Boris Johnson was paid £240,000 after Maduro meeting, invoice shows
Johnson’s office sent invoice to hedge fund manager, which was paid, weeks after meeting Venezuelan leader last year
www.theguardian.com
September 9, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Maybe someone shd finally scrap his PM allowance of something like 100k per year ?
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
For anyone who still doesn’t understand why the U.K. can’t return people on small boats… it’s a Brexit benefit
September 8, 2025 at 9:10 AM
For anyone who still doesn’t understand why the U.K. can’t return people on small boats… it’s a Brexit benefit
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
Is impartiality still a thing at the BBC?
Asking for a friend.
Asking for a friend.
September 6, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Is impartiality still a thing at the BBC?
Asking for a friend.
Asking for a friend.
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
Well, well, well
“Farage claimed last year to have “bought a house” in his constituency but the property is actually owned in the name of his partner, meaning he legally avoided higher-rate stamp duty on the purchase of an additional home – given he already owns other properties”
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Nigel Farage uses private company to pay less tax on GB News earnings
Exclusive: Reform leader’s use of personal services firm is a practice criticised across the political spectrum
www.theguardian.com
September 5, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Well, well, well
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
Could someone in the UK please do the exactly same thing?
Nigel Farage looks uncomfortable as Jamie Raskin uses his opening statement to absolutely demolish him
September 3, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Could someone in the UK please do the exactly same thing?
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
This by @sundersays.bsky.social now ongoing useful and necessary fact check against the total nonsense most UK papers are still spouting out. As if they still really want to make it happen.
I am so sick and tired of it.
I am so sick and tired of it.
The approach is again to list dozens of locations as "nationwide protests": 13 locations last night, 30 today/tomorrow.
Some struggle to attract 25 people (Rhoose airport, Wolverhampton).
Most get 40-100 people.
A handful (about 1 in 10) get 200-300 people, usually due to a local context
Some struggle to attract 25 people (Rhoose airport, Wolverhampton).
Most get 40-100 people.
A handful (about 1 in 10) get 200-300 people, usually due to a local context
August 30, 2025 at 8:32 PM
This by @sundersays.bsky.social now ongoing useful and necessary fact check against the total nonsense most UK papers are still spouting out. As if they still really want to make it happen.
I am so sick and tired of it.
I am so sick and tired of it.
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
So, acc to this extract of Valentine Lowes new book the Queen was a Remainer, and Cameron chose to not share that with the public.
Instead Michael Gove spread the untrue rumour she would back Brexit to the Sun and that was that.
Always thought so. She wasn't stupid.
Instead Michael Gove spread the untrue rumour she would back Brexit to the Sun and that was that.
Always thought so. She wasn't stupid.
The Queen was a Remainer: her secret views on Brexit revealed
In Power and the Palace, Valentine Low uncovers the relationship between monarch and government. He speaks to aides, politicians and civil servants
www.thetimes.com
August 30, 2025 at 6:41 AM
So, acc to this extract of Valentine Lowes new book the Queen was a Remainer, and Cameron chose to not share that with the public.
Instead Michael Gove spread the untrue rumour she would back Brexit to the Sun and that was that.
Always thought so. She wasn't stupid.
Instead Michael Gove spread the untrue rumour she would back Brexit to the Sun and that was that.
Always thought so. She wasn't stupid.
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
They really try to whip it up.
This is possible. But it is a very weak basis for a frontpage splash, learning absolutely nothing from credulous media reporting two weekends ago of a wave of protests that barely happened
August 22, 2025 at 7:01 AM
They really try to whip it up.
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
Another very good example of the Times spreading fact free propaganda.
It has been bad for a long time but feels like it’s getting worse over the last months.
It has been bad for a long time but feels like it’s getting worse over the last months.
The headline here should say:
"Number of private schools increases by 35 - showing fears of an exodus to be unfounded".
(The increase is mentioned way down the article.)
www.thetimes.com/article/19ef...
"Number of private schools increases by 35 - showing fears of an exodus to be unfounded".
(The increase is mentioned way down the article.)
www.thetimes.com/article/19ef...
More than fifty private schools shut since Labour put VAT on fees
Department for Education defends ending tax breaks for independent institutions, after parents lost a legal battle at the High Court this year — view map
www.thetimes.com
August 4, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Another very good example of the Times spreading fact free propaganda.
It has been bad for a long time but feels like it’s getting worse over the last months.
It has been bad for a long time but feels like it’s getting worse over the last months.
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
Labour seems totally incapable of cleaning up our water. Banning bonuses is least they should do (& water companies are getting round it anyway). Re-announcing old pledges & peddling myths about cost of nationalisation won’t cut it. Bring water into public hands now #bbclaurak
July 20, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Labour seems totally incapable of cleaning up our water. Banning bonuses is least they should do (& water companies are getting round it anyway). Re-announcing old pledges & peddling myths about cost of nationalisation won’t cut it. Bring water into public hands now #bbclaurak
Reposted by John54 (FBPE)
Because their ability to hate is far more developed than their ability to understand.
May 2, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Because their ability to hate is far more developed than their ability to understand.