Josh Constable 🌹🐝
@joshconstable.bsky.social
Leader of Eastleigh Town Council Labour group.
Working in NHS data analytics and commissioning. Trade union rep and Lab Link Officer with Hampshire Unison.
Politics, economics, gaming, and history fan.
Working in NHS data analytics and commissioning. Trade union rep and Lab Link Officer with Hampshire Unison.
Politics, economics, gaming, and history fan.
Russia will keep attacking NATO until NATO makes it clear we wont tolerate it.
Total economic embargoe remains overdue. The costs of which are cheap compared to allowing continued aggression.
More arms to Ukraine now. Not later. Russia isnt waiting for a spending review in the 2030s...
Total economic embargoe remains overdue. The costs of which are cheap compared to allowing continued aggression.
More arms to Ukraine now. Not later. Russia isnt waiting for a spending review in the 2030s...
The important question here is - what's next? Evidence suggests the Russian secret services appear to have ordered the blowing up of a railway line in Poland over the weekend, a Polish government spokesman said.
Poland suggests Russia is behind railway blast on Ukraine delivery line
Polish officials say Russian secret services appear to have ordered the sabotage of a railway line in Poland.
apnews.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Russia will keep attacking NATO until NATO makes it clear we wont tolerate it.
Total economic embargoe remains overdue. The costs of which are cheap compared to allowing continued aggression.
More arms to Ukraine now. Not later. Russia isnt waiting for a spending review in the 2030s...
Total economic embargoe remains overdue. The costs of which are cheap compared to allowing continued aggression.
More arms to Ukraine now. Not later. Russia isnt waiting for a spending review in the 2030s...
Im not being sarcastic or rhetorical. I would really appreciate it if someone could explain to me: How does blocking paths to citizenship and permanent residency, improve integration?
November 17, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Im not being sarcastic or rhetorical. I would really appreciate it if someone could explain to me: How does blocking paths to citizenship and permanent residency, improve integration?
For all the fluffing of McSweney as a brilliant campaigner, I'm fascinated to know how they expect to fight 2028/9 without an engaged activist base.
Everything in the press suggests they're designing a budget and immigration policy with the sole purpose of driving out the entire membership.
Everything in the press suggests they're designing a budget and immigration policy with the sole purpose of driving out the entire membership.
November 16, 2025 at 7:04 PM
For all the fluffing of McSweney as a brilliant campaigner, I'm fascinated to know how they expect to fight 2028/9 without an engaged activist base.
Everything in the press suggests they're designing a budget and immigration policy with the sole purpose of driving out the entire membership.
Everything in the press suggests they're designing a budget and immigration policy with the sole purpose of driving out the entire membership.
Reposted by Josh Constable 🌹🐝
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Asylum system in UK ‘out of control’ and dividing country, home secretary says
Shabana Mahmood to unveil new proposals modelled on Denmark’s controversial system
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Either worrying or hilarious that the entire western political order has been held up by the concept of feeling shame. Either at poor behaviour or illegal acts.
Now that we have a cadre of truly shameless political leaders. The systems meant to govern us entirely fail to manage them.
Now that we have a cadre of truly shameless political leaders. The systems meant to govern us entirely fail to manage them.
There’s now broad media agreement—backed up by Supreme Court rulings more or less making the act legally impossible—that open bribery is not only permitted but also required and best done on camera. (Also, I’m sure this standard will continue to be applied to any future Democratic administration.)
November 15, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Either worrying or hilarious that the entire western political order has been held up by the concept of feeling shame. Either at poor behaviour or illegal acts.
Now that we have a cadre of truly shameless political leaders. The systems meant to govern us entirely fail to manage them.
Now that we have a cadre of truly shameless political leaders. The systems meant to govern us entirely fail to manage them.
This is endemic to a political culture that would rather put things off than try to explain its reasoning to the public.
Clearly a new parliament chamber is needed even if just for a short period.
Stop kicking the can.
Clearly a new parliament chamber is needed even if just for a short period.
Stop kicking the can.
A final decision on how to repair Britain’s crumbling parliament is likely to be postponed beyond the next general election, according to four people familiar with the matter.
Final decision on fate of crumbling UK parliament delayed to 2030s
It’s a fire-hazard that’s prone to tumbling masonry — but fear of a public backlash is again delaying repairs to the world famous building.
www.politico.eu
November 15, 2025 at 5:38 PM
This is endemic to a political culture that would rather put things off than try to explain its reasoning to the public.
Clearly a new parliament chamber is needed even if just for a short period.
Stop kicking the can.
Clearly a new parliament chamber is needed even if just for a short period.
Stop kicking the can.
Reposted by Josh Constable 🌹🐝
Interesting to see so many great British patriots right now begging an American president to bankrupt one of Britain’s last remaining truly national institutions.
November 15, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Interesting to see so many great British patriots right now begging an American president to bankrupt one of Britain’s last remaining truly national institutions.
If that Guardian peice is correct, then Labour is about to blow its last chance to fund services securely and provide the headroom we need.
Beyond depressing. Because the brilliant things this government is doing will not feature against the backdrop of cuts, uncertainty and missed opportunity.
Beyond depressing. Because the brilliant things this government is doing will not feature against the backdrop of cuts, uncertainty and missed opportunity.
November 14, 2025 at 5:34 PM
If that Guardian peice is correct, then Labour is about to blow its last chance to fund services securely and provide the headroom we need.
Beyond depressing. Because the brilliant things this government is doing will not feature against the backdrop of cuts, uncertainty and missed opportunity.
Beyond depressing. Because the brilliant things this government is doing will not feature against the backdrop of cuts, uncertainty and missed opportunity.
Oh amazing, this means any tax reform in the budget is so comprehensive we can afford to do this alongside fixing social care, health, defence, energy, education and child poverty....
Right...?
Right...?
McFadden says decision not to pay compensation to Waspi women being reconsidered after new evidence emerged - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
November 11, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Oh amazing, this means any tax reform in the budget is so comprehensive we can afford to do this alongside fixing social care, health, defence, energy, education and child poverty....
Right...?
Right...?
Wonder which UK political party will be the first to moot the idea of defaulting.
November 10, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Wonder which UK political party will be the first to moot the idea of defaulting.
Congratulations to Peter Mandleson on his appointment as director General!
November 9, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Congratulations to Peter Mandleson on his appointment as director General!
Reposted by Josh Constable 🌹🐝
JUST RAISE TAXES. MAKE AN ARGUMENT FOR SOLIDARITY AND SHARED SACRIFICE FOR ONCE
I’m with Vince.
And 2p on income tax plus 2p off NICS to raise £6bn feels like being hung for half a lamb.
www.ft.com/content/9e56...
And 2p on income tax plus 2p off NICS to raise £6bn feels like being hung for half a lamb.
www.ft.com/content/9e56...
November 8, 2025 at 1:41 PM
JUST RAISE TAXES. MAKE AN ARGUMENT FOR SOLIDARITY AND SHARED SACRIFICE FOR ONCE
Reposted by Josh Constable 🌹🐝
How ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
The 'Great Noticing' Era
Ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 12:23 PM
How ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
I worry that rises won't be anywhere near the comprehensive changes the state needs. Instead small tax changes, unpopular at a glance, wont yield higher spending capacity gov needs to fix things.
If we're going to break a pledge, let's do it in a way that secures the finances for the foreseeable.
If we're going to break a pledge, let's do it in a way that secures the finances for the foreseeable.
“Nobody thought a Labour government would have to raise taxes by more than £70bn,” claims one insider in this excellent piece. Shows the problem of the climate of fear in meetings created by some of Starmer’s aides, in that plenty of Labour insiders, did, in fact, think this!
The politics of breaking manifesto promises
The history of politicians who go back on their words has lessons for Rachel Reeves as she mulls raising taxes
www.ft.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:24 PM
I worry that rises won't be anywhere near the comprehensive changes the state needs. Instead small tax changes, unpopular at a glance, wont yield higher spending capacity gov needs to fix things.
If we're going to break a pledge, let's do it in a way that secures the finances for the foreseeable.
If we're going to break a pledge, let's do it in a way that secures the finances for the foreseeable.
Reposted by Josh Constable 🌹🐝
Refusing to X won’t stop its owner from being both the loudest cheerleader for global fascism and a mass murderer but it’s the very least one can do and it shocks me how many people can’t manage it
November 7, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Refusing to X won’t stop its owner from being both the loudest cheerleader for global fascism and a mass murderer but it’s the very least one can do and it shocks me how many people can’t manage it
100% this. It would make for a more interesting and engaging secondary silibus as well as give grounding to students.
Imperial history is fascinating and enjoyable to learn about, with loads of opportunities for comparative, source and depth study on every facit of history.
Imperial history is fascinating and enjoyable to learn about, with loads of opportunities for comparative, source and depth study on every facit of history.
November 7, 2025 at 2:25 PM
100% this. It would make for a more interesting and engaging secondary silibus as well as give grounding to students.
Imperial history is fascinating and enjoyable to learn about, with loads of opportunities for comparative, source and depth study on every facit of history.
Imperial history is fascinating and enjoyable to learn about, with loads of opportunities for comparative, source and depth study on every facit of history.
These stories always make me feel so dejected, because ultimately its a story about western apathy and ineffectiveness.
There's billions of dollars being spent trying to hold back decarbonisation and promote science denialism. Whole political movements now make this a central offering.
There's billions of dollars being spent trying to hold back decarbonisation and promote science denialism. Whole political movements now make this a central offering.
"China can produce almost a terawatt of renewable-energy capacity in a year. That is enough to supply as much energy as more than 300 big nuclear-power plants."
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
I love The Economist's bullishness here
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
I love The Economist's bullishness here
China’s clean-energy revolution will reshape markets and politics
The world’s biggest manufacturer now has an interest in the world decarbonising
www.economist.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:16 AM
These stories always make me feel so dejected, because ultimately its a story about western apathy and ineffectiveness.
There's billions of dollars being spent trying to hold back decarbonisation and promote science denialism. Whole political movements now make this a central offering.
There's billions of dollars being spent trying to hold back decarbonisation and promote science denialism. Whole political movements now make this a central offering.
This is what's killing us in getting our preferred programs into government imo.
There's a tiny group of us on the left arguing for broad tax reform to fund big spending increases.
The majority either say "tax wealth" or borrow/MMT. Neither of which are viable long term funding solutions.
There's a tiny group of us on the left arguing for broad tax reform to fund big spending increases.
The majority either say "tax wealth" or borrow/MMT. Neither of which are viable long term funding solutions.
Tax policy on the British left is pure "anti-bedtime left". Bizarre idea that you can have a big social democratic welfare state without everyone contributing properly www.economist.com/britain/2025...
November 6, 2025 at 12:26 PM
This is what's killing us in getting our preferred programs into government imo.
There's a tiny group of us on the left arguing for broad tax reform to fund big spending increases.
The majority either say "tax wealth" or borrow/MMT. Neither of which are viable long term funding solutions.
There's a tiny group of us on the left arguing for broad tax reform to fund big spending increases.
The majority either say "tax wealth" or borrow/MMT. Neither of which are viable long term funding solutions.
Anyone paying attention; which seems to be a group shrinking smaller by the week, knows that the UK is responding to the Russian Naval program far too slowly.
Quality counts for much but the reality, when you have to cover thousands of square miles of ocean, is that quantity counts for more.
Quality counts for much but the reality, when you have to cover thousands of square miles of ocean, is that quantity counts for more.
Undersea cables, gas pipelines and military comms are all a potential target for sabotage
As the Russian threat to UK security grows, I sat down with the First Sea Lord, who told me that assertions that the sea is “about to become transparent” are “overstated”
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
As the Russian threat to UK security grows, I sat down with the First Sea Lord, who told me that assertions that the sea is “about to become transparent” are “overstated”
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
First Sea Lord: The UK Is Not Afraid Of Calling Out Russian Sabotage
As the Russian threat to UK security grows, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins – the first Royal Marine to be appointed First Sea Lord – talks to Matilda Mar...
www.politicshome.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Anyone paying attention; which seems to be a group shrinking smaller by the week, knows that the UK is responding to the Russian Naval program far too slowly.
Quality counts for much but the reality, when you have to cover thousands of square miles of ocean, is that quantity counts for more.
Quality counts for much but the reality, when you have to cover thousands of square miles of ocean, is that quantity counts for more.
Brilliant to see, alongside JSF theres so much potential here.
NATO and Japan have held their first formal dialogue on defence industrial cooperation and capability development, marking a new step in their growing security partnership, the alliance announced.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=63576
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=63576
NATO and Japan deepen ties with defence industry talks
NATO and Japan have held their first formal dialogue on defence industrial cooperation and capability development, marking a new step in their growing security partnership, the alliance announced.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
November 1, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Brilliant to see, alongside JSF theres so much potential here.
Im sure I'm not alone in thinking this was a dog whistle for calling for the dissolution of Isreal.
There is not a single political party or mass movement in Palestine that advocates for this idea. Or in Israel for that matter.
A British politician making such statement is doing imperialism pure and simple. Giving up on an independent Palestinian state is for Palestinians to decide on. Not you.
A British politician making such statement is doing imperialism pure and simple. Giving up on an independent Palestinian state is for Palestinians to decide on. Not you.
November 1, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Im sure I'm not alone in thinking this was a dog whistle for calling for the dissolution of Isreal.
The endless void that embodies European 'leadership' is critically undermining collective defence.
Brilliant article outlays what we need to get to.
The only consistent approach we currently have is lacklustre budget commitments.
Britain can be leading on this. We should be.
Brilliant article outlays what we need to get to.
The only consistent approach we currently have is lacklustre budget commitments.
Britain can be leading on this. We should be.
Together @rafaelloss.bsky.social, Leoni Habedank and Katrine Westgaard argued that a post-American NATO needs more than just European cash - it needs Europeans willing to lead, and take decisions for themselves.
ecfr.eu/article/look...
ecfr.eu/article/look...
Look what you made us do: How to realise a European-led NATO
America’s gradual retreat from European security under the current Trump administration is reshaping NATO’s centre of gravity. To keep the alliance credible and united, Europeans not only need to…
ecfr.eu
October 31, 2025 at 8:49 PM
The endless void that embodies European 'leadership' is critically undermining collective defence.
Brilliant article outlays what we need to get to.
The only consistent approach we currently have is lacklustre budget commitments.
Britain can be leading on this. We should be.
Brilliant article outlays what we need to get to.
The only consistent approach we currently have is lacklustre budget commitments.
Britain can be leading on this. We should be.
The right move, albeit characteristically late from the palace.
The bit I find most odious about this scandal is that this is 'meant' to close the issue.
Still gets a mansion. Still gets a life of unimaginable privalage.
Behaviour documented and alleged should result in far harder sanction.
The bit I find most odious about this scandal is that this is 'meant' to close the issue.
Still gets a mansion. Still gets a life of unimaginable privalage.
Behaviour documented and alleged should result in far harder sanction.
Prince Andrew to be stripped of titles and move out of Royal Lodge
Prince Andrew to be stripped of titles and move out of Royal Lodge
King’s brother will surrender lease and become known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, Buckingham Palace says
Prince Andrew is to leave his home at Royal Lodge in Windsor after he was served with a formal notice to surrender the lease, Buckingham Palace has said.
King Charles has initiated a “formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew”, who will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the palace said. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:53 PM
The right move, albeit characteristically late from the palace.
The bit I find most odious about this scandal is that this is 'meant' to close the issue.
Still gets a mansion. Still gets a life of unimaginable privalage.
Behaviour documented and alleged should result in far harder sanction.
The bit I find most odious about this scandal is that this is 'meant' to close the issue.
Still gets a mansion. Still gets a life of unimaginable privalage.
Behaviour documented and alleged should result in far harder sanction.
Reposted by Josh Constable 🌹🐝
It is way past time for the UK government & the BBC to get off X & for Musk to be treated as a threat to national security.
The world's richest man is using his site to promote civil war, ethnic violence & the overthrow of an elected government.
You won't win him over with another conference on AI
The world's richest man is using his site to promote civil war, ethnic violence & the overthrow of an elected government.
You won't win him over with another conference on AI
Elon Musk: "It is time for the English to ally with the hard men, like Tommy Robinson, and fight for their survival or they shall surely all die" 29th October 2025. 2 million views in its first hour.
October 29, 2025 at 10:11 AM
It is way past time for the UK government & the BBC to get off X & for Musk to be treated as a threat to national security.
The world's richest man is using his site to promote civil war, ethnic violence & the overthrow of an elected government.
You won't win him over with another conference on AI
The world's richest man is using his site to promote civil war, ethnic violence & the overthrow of an elected government.
You won't win him over with another conference on AI
Reposted by Josh Constable 🌹🐝
Sudan’s humanitarian crisis is the largest in the world.
And now more disturbing news is coming from El Fasher of civilians under attack.
Civilians must be protected and the fighting must stop.
And now more disturbing news is coming from El Fasher of civilians under attack.
Civilians must be protected and the fighting must stop.
October 28, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Sudan’s humanitarian crisis is the largest in the world.
And now more disturbing news is coming from El Fasher of civilians under attack.
Civilians must be protected and the fighting must stop.
And now more disturbing news is coming from El Fasher of civilians under attack.
Civilians must be protected and the fighting must stop.