Lorraine Smart
@l-aine57.bsky.social
Retired Child & Family Worker. Worked within a front-line child protection team.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
So much this. I hope that in 2026 people start taking an online nationalist right general election victory in 2029 seriously. The consequences if it happens will be across the board disastrous; far, far worse than anything that has ever gone before. By a country mile and then some worse.
This is both entirely correct and misses the point completely, which is that the 'online weirdos" are effectively writing Conservative and Reform policy & have significantly influenced the government's own worst and most xenophobic policies.
Trump should have taught us not to laugh this stuff off.
Trump should have taught us not to laugh this stuff off.
Real talk: there's this circle of extremely online weirdos who firmly believe they're on the verge of victory and are going to expel millions of people from Britain.
Play acting Napoleons planning their March through Moscow from a Daventry bedsit
Play acting Napoleons planning their March through Moscow from a Daventry bedsit
January 1, 2026 at 11:35 AM
So much this. I hope that in 2026 people start taking an online nationalist right general election victory in 2029 seriously. The consequences if it happens will be across the board disastrous; far, far worse than anything that has ever gone before. By a country mile and then some worse.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
✨️ Happy New Year!!
❓️ Need a New Year's resolution?
💚 We've got you covered.
✅️ Here are 10 reasons why should join the Green Party in 2026 ⬇️
❓️ Need a New Year's resolution?
💚 We've got you covered.
✅️ Here are 10 reasons why should join the Green Party in 2026 ⬇️
January 1, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Kemi Badenoch is under pressure to act on the revelations that her shadow attorney general is representing the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, despite UK sanctions against him
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Badenoch under fire as Tory shadow attorney general acts for Roman Abramovich
Labour urges Conservative leader to reveal whether she knew David Wolfson was to represent Russian oligarch in legal case
www.theguardian.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Kemi Badenoch is under pressure to act on the revelations that her shadow attorney general is representing the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, despite UK sanctions against him
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
I’m guessing why so many towns and cities are getting notices about reducing water consumption. We have to feed the machines.
How much of your drinkable water does AI need?💦
An AI data centre boom is coming to #Canada & cooling the tech’s infrastructure requires massive amounts of clean water, CBC’s Jonathan Montpetit tried to dig up the numbers he found a murky business with little oversight.🤬
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
An AI data centre boom is coming to #Canada & cooling the tech’s infrastructure requires massive amounts of clean water, CBC’s Jonathan Montpetit tried to dig up the numbers he found a murky business with little oversight.🤬
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
How much of your drinkable water does AI need?💦
An AI data centre boom is coming to Canada and cooling the tech’s infrastructure requires massive amounts of clean water, but when CBC’s Jonathan Montpetit tried to dig up the numbers he found a murky...
www.cbc.ca
December 30, 2025 at 10:35 AM
I’m guessing why so many towns and cities are getting notices about reducing water consumption. We have to feed the machines.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
This is a key point. Dual citizenship isn't 'half British, half something else'. It's *full* British citizenship, and *full* the other citizenship.
As a dual citizen, you're every bit as much of a British citizen as someone who only has British citizenship.
As a dual citizen, you're every bit as much of a British citizen as someone who only has British citizenship.
Ask this question and its follow-up. Like Begum before him, Alaa el-Fattah is being used as a crowbar to shift reasonable people - even some progressives - into a space of thinking that full citizenship, if granted recently or dual, is retroactively conditional or attracts a lower class of rights.
December 30, 2025 at 11:50 AM
This is a key point. Dual citizenship isn't 'half British, half something else'. It's *full* British citizenship, and *full* the other citizenship.
As a dual citizen, you're every bit as much of a British citizen as someone who only has British citizenship.
As a dual citizen, you're every bit as much of a British citizen as someone who only has British citizenship.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Thanks so much my friend--means a lot!
Finished this excellent book from @michaelemann.bsky.social and @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social.
Strong insights describing how we got into this mess — primarily via plutocrats, petrostates, and propaganda.
And outlining the work required to get us out of this dark place and move forward.
Strong insights describing how we got into this mess — primarily via plutocrats, petrostates, and propaganda.
And outlining the work required to get us out of this dark place and move forward.
December 29, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Thanks so much my friend--means a lot!
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
It was actually quite a wide ranging & valuable conversation on LBC just now, we discussed -
-REALISTIC solutions to the small boats
-How do refugees PAY smugglers?
-Are govt plans for SAFE ROUTES credible?
Check it out: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-y-...
-REALISTIC solutions to the small boats
-How do refugees PAY smugglers?
-Are govt plans for SAFE ROUTES credible?
Check it out: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-y-...
French police REFUSE to intercept small boats - WHY?
YouTube video by Zoe Gardner
www.youtube.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:51 PM
It was actually quite a wide ranging & valuable conversation on LBC just now, we discussed -
-REALISTIC solutions to the small boats
-How do refugees PAY smugglers?
-Are govt plans for SAFE ROUTES credible?
Check it out: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-y-...
-REALISTIC solutions to the small boats
-How do refugees PAY smugglers?
-Are govt plans for SAFE ROUTES credible?
Check it out: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-y-...
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
I remember Australian newsreaders actually laughing when they explained the terms of Liz Truss' dreadful deal, that completely shafted UK farmers.
December 27, 2025 at 9:46 AM
I remember Australian newsreaders actually laughing when they explained the terms of Liz Truss' dreadful deal, that completely shafted UK farmers.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
"But it was so funny when Boris Johnson waved those Tim Tams" so nobody ever
December 27, 2025 at 10:07 AM
"But it was so funny when Boris Johnson waved those Tim Tams" so nobody ever
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
And here's Boris in 2016 quoted by the BBC
December 27, 2025 at 9:48 AM
And here's Boris in 2016 quoted by the BBC
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
This is literally what the Telegraph campaigned for.
December 27, 2025 at 9:42 AM
This is literally what the Telegraph campaigned for.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
📝 The one from Substack I’m most pleased with from 2025.
Primarily because people rarely make the comparison between Farage and Johnson, despite the fact they share the same brand of elitist, chaotic, egomaniac politics 👇🏻
Primarily because people rarely make the comparison between Farage and Johnson, despite the fact they share the same brand of elitist, chaotic, egomaniac politics 👇🏻
Farage will fall into the same trap as Boris Johnson
Farage’s populist insurgency will unravel, and it will bear the hallmarks of Johnson’s demise.
open.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 11:03 AM
📝 The one from Substack I’m most pleased with from 2025.
Primarily because people rarely make the comparison between Farage and Johnson, despite the fact they share the same brand of elitist, chaotic, egomaniac politics 👇🏻
Primarily because people rarely make the comparison between Farage and Johnson, despite the fact they share the same brand of elitist, chaotic, egomaniac politics 👇🏻
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Today's column is on the relentless march of blithering idiocy, which includes denying climate science while your house is - literally in this case - burning down.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A conversation between Joe Rogan and Mel Gibson summed up 2025 for me – and not in a good way | George Monbiot
From merrily dismissing climate science, to promoting irresponsible health claims, the podcast was an unintentional warning for our times, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Today's column is on the relentless march of blithering idiocy, which includes denying climate science while your house is - literally in this case - burning down.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Foreign doctors/nurses shunning the NHS because anti-migrant rhetoric, rising racism have created “a hostile environment”.
Successive UK govts have failed to provide local supply, raided other countries.
Without immigration UK economy/services will decline. Still no honest debate.
Successive UK govts have failed to provide local supply, raided other countries.
Without immigration UK economy/services will decline. Still no honest debate.
Foreign medics shunning NHS because of anti-migrant rhetoric, says top doctor
Exclusive: UK now an ‘unwelcoming, racist’ country for overseas health workers, according to medical colleges leader
www.theguardian.com
December 27, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Foreign doctors/nurses shunning the NHS because anti-migrant rhetoric, rising racism have created “a hostile environment”.
Successive UK govts have failed to provide local supply, raided other countries.
Without immigration UK economy/services will decline. Still no honest debate.
Successive UK govts have failed to provide local supply, raided other countries.
Without immigration UK economy/services will decline. Still no honest debate.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Hunting is completely impractical, causes immense damage to farming, benefits nobody and is very cruel indeed.
No wonder Britain's leading Brexiter backs it.
No wonder Britain's leading Brexiter backs it.
It’s the Boxing Day Hunt, Nigel Farage thinks packs of hounds should chase a fox and tear it to shreds.
December 27, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Hunting is completely impractical, causes immense damage to farming, benefits nobody and is very cruel indeed.
No wonder Britain's leading Brexiter backs it.
No wonder Britain's leading Brexiter backs it.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Most likely the most important thread all year, yes 2025.
“All (LLM authored books) promoting propaganda reflecting talking points of the UAE, Israel and right wing European movements”
If they are using AI and LLM to create propaganda elsewhere, you know they’re using it everywhere.
“All (LLM authored books) promoting propaganda reflecting talking points of the UAE, Israel and right wing European movements”
If they are using AI and LLM to create propaganda elsewhere, you know they’re using it everywhere.
🧵Have you ever heard of LLM-authored books being used as part of an disinformation operation?
Well now you have!
#AI #Disinformation
open.substack.com/pub/marcowen...
Well now you have!
#AI #Disinformation
open.substack.com/pub/marcowen...
December 26, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Most likely the most important thread all year, yes 2025.
“All (LLM authored books) promoting propaganda reflecting talking points of the UAE, Israel and right wing European movements”
If they are using AI and LLM to create propaganda elsewhere, you know they’re using it everywhere.
“All (LLM authored books) promoting propaganda reflecting talking points of the UAE, Israel and right wing European movements”
If they are using AI and LLM to create propaganda elsewhere, you know they’re using it everywhere.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
In February, Elon Musk posted on his site that another lawyer and I are “undermining civilization.” He asked if we suffered childhood trauma and concluded by suggesting we are suffering from “generational trauma.” This was my response.
www.democracydocket.com/opinion/my-o...
www.democracydocket.com/opinion/my-o...
My Open Letter to Elon Musk
From Marc | Elon Musk recently posted on his site that another lawyer and I are “undermining civilization.” This is my response.
www.democracydocket.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:29 PM
In February, Elon Musk posted on his site that another lawyer and I are “undermining civilization.” He asked if we suffered childhood trauma and concluded by suggesting we are suffering from “generational trauma.” This was my response.
www.democracydocket.com/opinion/my-o...
www.democracydocket.com/opinion/my-o...
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
"The question is whether political leaders are brave enough to speak the truth?
Immigration is good for this country and that we have a clear, moral responsibility to protect those failed by global injustice and political neglect."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Immigration is good for this country and that we have a clear, moral responsibility to protect those failed by global injustice and political neglect."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Calais exposes our moral failure on migration. We can and...
A visit to the French town’s makeshift migrant encampments made it clear that we need a new vision for the new year
observer.co.uk
December 26, 2025 at 11:15 AM
"The question is whether political leaders are brave enough to speak the truth?
Immigration is good for this country and that we have a clear, moral responsibility to protect those failed by global injustice and political neglect."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Immigration is good for this country and that we have a clear, moral responsibility to protect those failed by global injustice and political neglect."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Labour want to feel better about their polling by going after the greens rather than governing well.
While they don't have the guts to go after Reform.
The dumbest of politicking.
While they don't have the guts to go after Reform.
The dumbest of politicking.
A Christmas Day tale in 3 parts.
1) Steve Reed - Housing Minister - launches a Xmas Day attack.
2) It's the Labour Governments usual shit.
3) join.greenparty.org.uk
Merry Xmas!
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclus...
1) Steve Reed - Housing Minister - launches a Xmas Day attack.
2) It's the Labour Governments usual shit.
3) join.greenparty.org.uk
Merry Xmas!
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclus...
Exclusive: Cabinet Minister Brands Zack Polanski A 'Con Artist' In Outspoken Attack
Steve Reed also suggested the Green Party leader is immoral.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
December 25, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Labour want to feel better about their polling by going after the greens rather than governing well.
While they don't have the guts to go after Reform.
The dumbest of politicking.
While they don't have the guts to go after Reform.
The dumbest of politicking.
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
The asylum system is incredibly wasteful and expensive. If you just help people in, let them work, let them be, its costs very little at all. Its all these court cases and processing and detaining - the biggest bill is paid out to the industrial incarceration complex. Guess who profits?
I think The Express needs to find their Xmas spirit.
We're paying £476m for a regime that tear gasses babies & destroys shelters in freezing conditions.
We should divert that money to a functioning and fair migration system.
Tune in to @boldpolitics.bsky.social at 3pm tomorrow.
We're paying £476m for a regime that tear gasses babies & destroys shelters in freezing conditions.
We should divert that money to a functioning and fair migration system.
Tune in to @boldpolitics.bsky.social at 3pm tomorrow.
December 24, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The asylum system is incredibly wasteful and expensive. If you just help people in, let them work, let them be, its costs very little at all. Its all these court cases and processing and detaining - the biggest bill is paid out to the industrial incarceration complex. Guess who profits?
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
’Tis the season for presents and goodwill. In Westminster, especially over the Christmas period, the giving of gifts, freebies and swanky receptions for MPs, their advisors and colleagues go into overdrive.
Read my article for @eastangliabylines.co.uk eastangliabylines.co.uk/politics/gif...
Read my article for @eastangliabylines.co.uk eastangliabylines.co.uk/politics/gif...
Gifts, temptation and the colossal corrosion of politics
At Westminster, gifts and freebies aren’t simple goodwill, but rather part of the slow pull of money that turns heads, normalises privilege and corrodes public service
eastangliabylines.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 4:45 PM
’Tis the season for presents and goodwill. In Westminster, especially over the Christmas period, the giving of gifts, freebies and swanky receptions for MPs, their advisors and colleagues go into overdrive.
Read my article for @eastangliabylines.co.uk eastangliabylines.co.uk/politics/gif...
Read my article for @eastangliabylines.co.uk eastangliabylines.co.uk/politics/gif...
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Not like the Telegraph to mis-inform?
(Apart from they do it all the time)
(Apart from they do it all the time)
The Telegraph highlighting - yet missing - two vital points here.
1) We're not calling for £476m to be spent. It already is - this is about diverting it to actually helping.
2) Why "cruelty" in question? The £476m we're spending is part of an operation tear gassing babies.
1) We're not calling for £476m to be spent. It already is - this is about diverting it to actually helping.
2) Why "cruelty" in question? The £476m we're spending is part of an operation tear gassing babies.
December 24, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Not like the Telegraph to mis-inform?
(Apart from they do it all the time)
(Apart from they do it all the time)
Reposted by Lorraine Smart
Incredible. This morning on the BBC site story was titled "Puppy farm ban promised in plans to improve animal welfare" with puppy pic up top. Later changed to "Hen cages and pig crates face ban" and gives top focus to policy's opponents. The puppy/RSPCA angle is 20 paragraphs in, as "meanwhile". ~AA
December 22, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Incredible. This morning on the BBC site story was titled "Puppy farm ban promised in plans to improve animal welfare" with puppy pic up top. Later changed to "Hen cages and pig crates face ban" and gives top focus to policy's opponents. The puppy/RSPCA angle is 20 paragraphs in, as "meanwhile". ~AA