Ben Watters
@korrbard.bsky.social
Chance would be a fine thing - a fine thing indeed. Pragmatic lefty.
Views my own.
Views my own.
Reposted by Ben Watters
The Online Safety Act may cost Labour the next election
How the Online Safety Act overreaches and risks playing into the far right’s hands
westenglandbylines.co.uk/business/tec...
How the Online Safety Act overreaches and risks playing into the far right’s hands
westenglandbylines.co.uk/business/tec...
The Online Safety Act may cost Labour the next election
How the Online Safety Act overreaches and risks playing into the far right’s hands
westenglandbylines.co.uk
August 21, 2025 at 8:24 AM
The Online Safety Act may cost Labour the next election
How the Online Safety Act overreaches and risks playing into the far right’s hands
westenglandbylines.co.uk/business/tec...
How the Online Safety Act overreaches and risks playing into the far right’s hands
westenglandbylines.co.uk/business/tec...
Fucking hell they're HANDING Reform the polls and the next election.
This is a completely fucking outrageous line from Peter Kyle - it's disgraceful that the technology secretary doesn't have the political acumen to know that opposition to the OSA is completely bipartisan, and everyone is furious.
This is a completely fucking outrageous line from Peter Kyle - it's disgraceful that the technology secretary doesn't have the political acumen to know that opposition to the OSA is completely bipartisan, and everyone is furious.
Extraordinary moment on Sky News as Peter Kyle hits out at criticism of the Online Safety Act:
“If people like Jimmy Savile were alive today he’d be perpetrating his crimes online, and Nigel Farage is saying that he’s on their side"
Told that Zia Yusuf will be responding shortly on the programme
“If people like Jimmy Savile were alive today he’d be perpetrating his crimes online, and Nigel Farage is saying that he’s on their side"
Told that Zia Yusuf will be responding shortly on the programme
July 29, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Fucking hell they're HANDING Reform the polls and the next election.
This is a completely fucking outrageous line from Peter Kyle - it's disgraceful that the technology secretary doesn't have the political acumen to know that opposition to the OSA is completely bipartisan, and everyone is furious.
This is a completely fucking outrageous line from Peter Kyle - it's disgraceful that the technology secretary doesn't have the political acumen to know that opposition to the OSA is completely bipartisan, and everyone is furious.
Labour have lost the next election with the Online Safety Act. It was already in doubt, but if they don't reverse course this act will cost them.
It'll go down in history as a genuinely dunderheaded move to give young people better suffrage, then immediately alienate them as a voter base.
It'll go down in history as a genuinely dunderheaded move to give young people better suffrage, then immediately alienate them as a voter base.
July 29, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Labour have lost the next election with the Online Safety Act. It was already in doubt, but if they don't reverse course this act will cost them.
It'll go down in history as a genuinely dunderheaded move to give young people better suffrage, then immediately alienate them as a voter base.
It'll go down in history as a genuinely dunderheaded move to give young people better suffrage, then immediately alienate them as a voter base.
I don't think I've ever seen a major politician - certainly not the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES - lose his shit like this.
Lack of decorum aside - Trump never had any - this is him throwing his toys out of the pram and realising he's completely out of his depth. No control whatsoever. Weak.
Lack of decorum aside - Trump never had any - this is him throwing his toys out of the pram and realising he's completely out of his depth. No control whatsoever. Weak.
June 24, 2025 at 12:19 PM
I don't think I've ever seen a major politician - certainly not the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES - lose his shit like this.
Lack of decorum aside - Trump never had any - this is him throwing his toys out of the pram and realising he's completely out of his depth. No control whatsoever. Weak.
Lack of decorum aside - Trump never had any - this is him throwing his toys out of the pram and realising he's completely out of his depth. No control whatsoever. Weak.
Reposted by Ben Watters
It turns out creating a situation where 25% of global petroleum liquids might go offline at any minute has an impact on oil prices, who would have guessed.
June 23, 2025 at 1:36 PM
It turns out creating a situation where 25% of global petroleum liquids might go offline at any minute has an impact on oil prices, who would have guessed.
Incredibly telling that when Zia Yusuf of Reform was challenged by @lewisgoodall.com on what is essentially a complete lie on 'DEI' (EDI) spending in the public sector, he immediately appealed to conspiracism.
Reform will do this for the next 4 years. Lie > get called out > conspiracism.
Reform will do this for the next 4 years. Lie > get called out > conspiracism.
June 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Incredibly telling that when Zia Yusuf of Reform was challenged by @lewisgoodall.com on what is essentially a complete lie on 'DEI' (EDI) spending in the public sector, he immediately appealed to conspiracism.
Reform will do this for the next 4 years. Lie > get called out > conspiracism.
Reform will do this for the next 4 years. Lie > get called out > conspiracism.
The inability of Labour to tackle far-right populism was the number one concern pre-election -it's essentially coming to fruition.
They need to make peoples' feel like things are getting better right now. Nebulous faith in UK 'growth', which isn't happening, will ruin them at the next election.
They need to make peoples' feel like things are getting better right now. Nebulous faith in UK 'growth', which isn't happening, will ruin them at the next election.
May 2, 2025 at 7:14 PM
The inability of Labour to tackle far-right populism was the number one concern pre-election -it's essentially coming to fruition.
They need to make peoples' feel like things are getting better right now. Nebulous faith in UK 'growth', which isn't happening, will ruin them at the next election.
They need to make peoples' feel like things are getting better right now. Nebulous faith in UK 'growth', which isn't happening, will ruin them at the next election.
Highly likely US Citizens will also get no due process as well. The Trump admin have seen how 'easy' it's been to unconstitutionally and illegally send residents to foreign concentration camps with no trial; they'll look to replicate that.
America, you are past DEFCON 1. This is fascism.
America, you are past DEFCON 1. This is fascism.
Trump is being completely open about his desire to send Americans to a foreign prison that no one is released from.
Trump to Fox on deporting Americans to a gulag in El Salvador: "We want to do it. I would love to do that."
April 16, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Highly likely US Citizens will also get no due process as well. The Trump admin have seen how 'easy' it's been to unconstitutionally and illegally send residents to foreign concentration camps with no trial; they'll look to replicate that.
America, you are past DEFCON 1. This is fascism.
America, you are past DEFCON 1. This is fascism.
This is why you don't vote for dumbfuck Conservative populists, people. We obviously had a taste of this domestically with Truss but this is of course next level.
One party led by one idiotic, lying figurehead can cause so much suffering. Honestly, this is the fault of right-wing naivity.
One party led by one idiotic, lying figurehead can cause so much suffering. Honestly, this is the fault of right-wing naivity.
Orange Monday: The global stock market is collapsing.
🇭🇰 Hong Kong -13.6%
🇹🇼 Taiwan -9.6%
🇯🇵 Japan -9.5%
🇮🇹 Italy -8.4%
🇸🇬 Singapore -8%
🇸🇪 Sweden -7%
🇨🇳 China -7%
🇨🇭 Switzerland -7%
🇩🇪 Germany -6.8%
🇪🇸 Spain -6.4%
🇳🇱 Netherlands -6.2%
🇦🇺 Australia -6.2%
🇫🇷 France -6.1%
🇬🇧 UK -5.2%
#OrangeMonday #TrumpTariffs
🇭🇰 Hong Kong -13.6%
🇹🇼 Taiwan -9.6%
🇯🇵 Japan -9.5%
🇮🇹 Italy -8.4%
🇸🇬 Singapore -8%
🇸🇪 Sweden -7%
🇨🇳 China -7%
🇨🇭 Switzerland -7%
🇩🇪 Germany -6.8%
🇪🇸 Spain -6.4%
🇳🇱 Netherlands -6.2%
🇦🇺 Australia -6.2%
🇫🇷 France -6.1%
🇬🇧 UK -5.2%
#OrangeMonday #TrumpTariffs
April 7, 2025 at 11:26 AM
This is why you don't vote for dumbfuck Conservative populists, people. We obviously had a taste of this domestically with Truss but this is of course next level.
One party led by one idiotic, lying figurehead can cause so much suffering. Honestly, this is the fault of right-wing naivity.
One party led by one idiotic, lying figurehead can cause so much suffering. Honestly, this is the fault of right-wing naivity.
Reposted by Ben Watters
For Americans who didn’t get the joy of living through the Truss/Kwarteng budget, this is the point where the government starts to call the stock market left-wing and/or woke.
April 3, 2025 at 2:49 PM
For Americans who didn’t get the joy of living through the Truss/Kwarteng budget, this is the point where the government starts to call the stock market left-wing and/or woke.
Very funny stuff. I don't think Musk will do this though - he's political poison and seemingly *hated* by the majority, but he's also an erratic egomaniac who won't want his ego dented by being told to be quiet.
Of course, he'll still need to 'brag' about DOGE as well; so will get headlines.
Of course, he'll still need to 'brag' about DOGE as well; so will get headlines.
Politico reports Trump told staff Musk will be stepping back, as evidence mounts the Tesla chief is a major political liability: "Both men have decided in recent days that it will soon be time for Musk to return to his businesses and take on a supporting role."
Trump Tells Inner Circle That Musk Will Leave Soon
The president is pleased with Musk but the decision comes as the tech mogul increasingly looks like a political liability.
www.politico.com
April 3, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Very funny stuff. I don't think Musk will do this though - he's political poison and seemingly *hated* by the majority, but he's also an erratic egomaniac who won't want his ego dented by being told to be quiet.
Of course, he'll still need to 'brag' about DOGE as well; so will get headlines.
Of course, he'll still need to 'brag' about DOGE as well; so will get headlines.
Reposted by Ben Watters
Your tariff rate is your star sign divided by the number of boys you've kissed, multiplied by one
April 3, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Your tariff rate is your star sign divided by the number of boys you've kissed, multiplied by one
The media need to drill this into everyone's heads at every opportunity.
MAGA will frame the tariffs as like-for-like when they're not. They're based on batshit trade deficit calculations; the US - a (former) global lead - is obviously going to have this deficit.
news.sky.com/story/do-tru...
MAGA will frame the tariffs as like-for-like when they're not. They're based on batshit trade deficit calculations; the US - a (former) global lead - is obviously going to have this deficit.
news.sky.com/story/do-tru...
Do Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariff numbers add up?
On what US President Donald Trump branded "Liberation Day", he unleashed a barrage of tariffs on trade allies and enemies alike. Standing in the White House Rose Garden, he held up a board, proudly sh...
news.sky.com
April 3, 2025 at 8:19 AM
The media need to drill this into everyone's heads at every opportunity.
MAGA will frame the tariffs as like-for-like when they're not. They're based on batshit trade deficit calculations; the US - a (former) global lead - is obviously going to have this deficit.
news.sky.com/story/do-tru...
MAGA will frame the tariffs as like-for-like when they're not. They're based on batshit trade deficit calculations; the US - a (former) global lead - is obviously going to have this deficit.
news.sky.com/story/do-tru...
Reposted by Ben Watters
BREAKING NEWS: Susan Crawford WINS the Wisconsin Supreme Court election DEFEATING Elon Musk puppet Brad Schimel!
Congratulations Judge Crawford!
Congratulations Judge Crawford!
April 2, 2025 at 1:45 AM
BREAKING NEWS: Susan Crawford WINS the Wisconsin Supreme Court election DEFEATING Elon Musk puppet Brad Schimel!
Congratulations Judge Crawford!
Congratulations Judge Crawford!
It would be extremely insulting and, honestly, pathetic; appeasement of Trump and exactly what the US big tech oligarchy want. They need to be taxed FAR more than they currently are; not less to appease MAGA.
We should be united across Europe to blanket retaliatory tariffs. Follow Canada's lead.
We should be united across Europe to blanket retaliatory tariffs. Follow Canada's lead.
Starmer offered big US tech firms tax cuts in return for lower Trump tariffs
Starmer offered big US tech firms tax cuts in return for lower Trump tariffs
Exclusive: UK willing to placate Trump with lower digital services tax rate also encompassing non-US companies
Big US technology companies have been offered a significant tax cut by Keir Starmer in return for lower tariffs from Donald Trump’s administration as the UK braces itself for a global trade war.
The Guardian understands the UK government is willing to reduce the headline rate of its digital services tax (DST) in an attempt to placate the US president, while at the same time applying the levy to companies from other countries. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
April 2, 2025 at 8:51 AM
It would be extremely insulting and, honestly, pathetic; appeasement of Trump and exactly what the US big tech oligarchy want. They need to be taxed FAR more than they currently are; not less to appease MAGA.
We should be united across Europe to blanket retaliatory tariffs. Follow Canada's lead.
We should be united across Europe to blanket retaliatory tariffs. Follow Canada's lead.
Obviously it's great and all to ruthlessly mock the INSANE incompetency of the Trump administration (in the sensible before times everyone involved here would resign), but the subnote to all of this is confirmation that they really do hate Europe. If they're saying all of this behind closed doors.
March 25, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Obviously it's great and all to ruthlessly mock the INSANE incompetency of the Trump administration (in the sensible before times everyone involved here would resign), but the subnote to all of this is confirmation that they really do hate Europe. If they're saying all of this behind closed doors.
Reposted by Ben Watters
Patriotic Millionaires UK campaigned last week across the country to advocate for a Wealth Tax, against the backdrop of significant possible welfare cuts in the spring budget | Ben Watters
@korrbard.bsky.social @westenglandbylines.co.uk
3/ 🧵
@korrbard.bsky.social @westenglandbylines.co.uk
3/ 🧵
Patriotic Millionaires UK ‘Tax our Wealth’ campaign visits Bristol
Patriotic Millionaires UK campaigned last week across the country to advocate for a Wealth Tax, against the backdrop of significant possible welfare cuts in the spring budget
westenglandbylines.co.uk
March 23, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Patriotic Millionaires UK campaigned last week across the country to advocate for a Wealth Tax, against the backdrop of significant possible welfare cuts in the spring budget | Ben Watters
@korrbard.bsky.social @westenglandbylines.co.uk
3/ 🧵
@korrbard.bsky.social @westenglandbylines.co.uk
3/ 🧵
Reposted by Ben Watters
We met the Patriotic Millionaires in Bristol last Friday. #wealthtax
#https://westenglandbylines.co.uk/politics/patriotic-millionaires-uk-tax-our-wealth-campaign-visits-bristol/
#https://westenglandbylines.co.uk/politics/patriotic-millionaires-uk-tax-our-wealth-campaign-visits-bristol/
Patriotic Millionaires UK ‘Tax our Wealth’ campaign visits Bristol
Patriotic Millionaires UK campaigned last week across the country to advocate for a Wealth Tax, against the backdrop of significant possible welfare cuts in the spring budget
westenglandbylines.co.uk
March 20, 2025 at 1:05 PM
We met the Patriotic Millionaires in Bristol last Friday. #wealthtax
#https://westenglandbylines.co.uk/politics/patriotic-millionaires-uk-tax-our-wealth-campaign-visits-bristol/
#https://westenglandbylines.co.uk/politics/patriotic-millionaires-uk-tax-our-wealth-campaign-visits-bristol/
It won't be, but this should be a lesson to EVERYONE to not believe the right snake-oil salesmen on 'free speech'. How often have we heard the Trump admin and fanboys cry about free speech - yet here we have the White House themselves disappearing people for peaceful protest.
Just horrifying.
Just horrifying.
March 14, 2025 at 4:01 PM
It won't be, but this should be a lesson to EVERYONE to not believe the right snake-oil salesmen on 'free speech'. How often have we heard the Trump admin and fanboys cry about free speech - yet here we have the White House themselves disappearing people for peaceful protest.
Just horrifying.
Just horrifying.
Yet another example of post-Brexit damage that it's not even possible to hide amongst Covid impact anymore - other EU countries have recovered their exports, we haven't.
With the US being an 'unreliable' partner (i.e. insane far right oligarchy), we need closer EU alignment immediately.
With the US being an 'unreliable' partner (i.e. insane far right oligarchy), we need closer EU alignment immediately.
March 14, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Yet another example of post-Brexit damage that it's not even possible to hide amongst Covid impact anymore - other EU countries have recovered their exports, we haven't.
With the US being an 'unreliable' partner (i.e. insane far right oligarchy), we need closer EU alignment immediately.
With the US being an 'unreliable' partner (i.e. insane far right oligarchy), we need closer EU alignment immediately.
Back after a lovely trip to Canada; it's almost impossible to summarize how gigafucked the US is following the last few weeks so guess I just have pick up the posting with current news.
The US are 100% going to use these aluminium tariffs to lift sanctions on Russia.
The US are 100% going to use these aluminium tariffs to lift sanctions on Russia.
March 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Back after a lovely trip to Canada; it's almost impossible to summarize how gigafucked the US is following the last few weeks so guess I just have pick up the posting with current news.
The US are 100% going to use these aluminium tariffs to lift sanctions on Russia.
The US are 100% going to use these aluminium tariffs to lift sanctions on Russia.
Actually a fucking mental article to post in the current climate - considering that:
A) Left-wing political rivals right now are unambiguous far righters or at least right wing moderates who in turn enable the far right; and
B) The Right DO NOT meaningfully cooperate with the left either.
A) Left-wing political rivals right now are unambiguous far righters or at least right wing moderates who in turn enable the far right; and
B) The Right DO NOT meaningfully cooperate with the left either.
Leftwing activists less likely to work with political rivals than other UK groups, study finds
Leftwing activists less likely to work with political rivals than other UK groups, study finds
Exclusive: Lack of understanding by ‘progressive activists’ of other voting blocs has led to rise of far right, authors argue
* UK politics live – latest updates
Leftwing activists in Britain are less likely to work with their political opponents…
www.theguardian.com
February 19, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Actually a fucking mental article to post in the current climate - considering that:
A) Left-wing political rivals right now are unambiguous far righters or at least right wing moderates who in turn enable the far right; and
B) The Right DO NOT meaningfully cooperate with the left either.
A) Left-wing political rivals right now are unambiguous far righters or at least right wing moderates who in turn enable the far right; and
B) The Right DO NOT meaningfully cooperate with the left either.
It's also important to note that this drivel took place at ARC - a right wing thinktank event (seems to be about 15 a year at this point) heavily associated with the US far-right & MAGA.
The Tories are DESPERATE to court the US fascists - that's what this 'we are your only hope' bollocks is.
The Tories are DESPERATE to court the US fascists - that's what this 'we are your only hope' bollocks is.
How on earth do you satirise this unadulterated mince?
February 18, 2025 at 10:20 AM
It's also important to note that this drivel took place at ARC - a right wing thinktank event (seems to be about 15 a year at this point) heavily associated with the US far-right & MAGA.
The Tories are DESPERATE to court the US fascists - that's what this 'we are your only hope' bollocks is.
The Tories are DESPERATE to court the US fascists - that's what this 'we are your only hope' bollocks is.
And of course that same unelected, far right billionaire, is launching into an insane anti-judiciary attack as their smash & grab of the federal purse is starting to falter. Musk has now also started to release personal details of judges' family members as well - encouraging stochastic violence.
February 12, 2025 at 9:56 AM
And of course that same unelected, far right billionaire, is launching into an insane anti-judiciary attack as their smash & grab of the federal purse is starting to falter. Musk has now also started to release personal details of judges' family members as well - encouraging stochastic violence.
If there was an other unelected billionaire standing over the President's shoulder and delivering a presser - especially the conspiracy nuts favourite targets like Soros etc - the far right chuds would storm the Capitol again.
Speaks to the insane hypocrisy of the right that they're cool with this
Speaks to the insane hypocrisy of the right that they're cool with this
February 12, 2025 at 9:53 AM
If there was an other unelected billionaire standing over the President's shoulder and delivering a presser - especially the conspiracy nuts favourite targets like Soros etc - the far right chuds would storm the Capitol again.
Speaks to the insane hypocrisy of the right that they're cool with this
Speaks to the insane hypocrisy of the right that they're cool with this