Karen LeftieBigSis
@leftiebigsis.bsky.social
Film lover, reader, traveller, naturally socialist and lifelong nature lover, especially wild flowers. Disappointed by politics and politicians worldwide.
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
Pupils left shivering as PFI contract ends with school repairs unfinished.
For £1 of private investment in public assets govt repaid £6 to contractors.
After 25 yrs assets revert to public ownership in good condition. Companies enter bankruptcy, dodge responsibility.
PFI revived by Starmer/Reeves
For £1 of private investment in public assets govt repaid £6 to contractors.
After 25 yrs assets revert to public ownership in good condition. Companies enter bankruptcy, dodge responsibility.
PFI revived by Starmer/Reeves
School pool barricaded as repairs contract ends with work unfinished
A BBC investigation finds building issues across city schools after a firm contracted to carry out repairs went into liquidation.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Pupils left shivering as PFI contract ends with school repairs unfinished.
For £1 of private investment in public assets govt repaid £6 to contractors.
After 25 yrs assets revert to public ownership in good condition. Companies enter bankruptcy, dodge responsibility.
PFI revived by Starmer/Reeves
For £1 of private investment in public assets govt repaid £6 to contractors.
After 25 yrs assets revert to public ownership in good condition. Companies enter bankruptcy, dodge responsibility.
PFI revived by Starmer/Reeves
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
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 Karen LeftieBigSis
thinking about this Brautigan short again
November 22, 2024 at 9:31 PM
thinking about this Brautigan short again
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
The voice of the nation – who speaks for Britain?
The wrong people are telling the story of Britain, and the story they tell is exhausted | Gerry Mitchell
@gerrymitchell.bsky.social
The wrong people are telling the story of Britain, and the story they tell is exhausted | Gerry Mitchell
@gerrymitchell.bsky.social
The voice of the nation – who speaks for Britain?
The wrong people are telling the story of Britain, and the story they tell is exhausted
kentandsurreybylines.co.uk
December 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
The voice of the nation – who speaks for Britain?
The wrong people are telling the story of Britain, and the story they tell is exhausted | Gerry Mitchell
@gerrymitchell.bsky.social
The wrong people are telling the story of Britain, and the story they tell is exhausted | Gerry Mitchell
@gerrymitchell.bsky.social
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
My Threads feed has been blowing up all day about Christopher Anderson's Vanity Fair photographs. Is anyone following this story? Here's a gift link to get you up to speed — The Vanity Fair photographer who disrupted Trumpworld’s polished image:
wapo.st/49ixYtq
wapo.st/49ixYtq
The Vanity Fair photographer who disrupted Trumpworld’s polished image
Christopher Anderson, who photographed Trump’s team at the White House for Vanity Fair, defends his unvarnished — and extreme — close-ups.
wapo.st
December 17, 2025 at 10:33 PM
My Threads feed has been blowing up all day about Christopher Anderson's Vanity Fair photographs. Is anyone following this story? Here's a gift link to get you up to speed — The Vanity Fair photographer who disrupted Trumpworld’s polished image:
wapo.st/49ixYtq
wapo.st/49ixYtq
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
Thanks to everyone (especially @adambarnett.bsky.social) for the suggestions. There were so many pro-Putin statements by Farage, we turned them into a Griftmas Advent Calendar bylinetimes.com/2025/12/10/n...
December 10, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Thanks to everyone (especially @adambarnett.bsky.social) for the suggestions. There were so many pro-Putin statements by Farage, we turned them into a Griftmas Advent Calendar bylinetimes.com/2025/12/10/n...
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
• Reform got £9 million in donations from 1 rich donor
• The Green Party got £4 million extra revenue from 175,000 ordinary members.
A people powered revolution.
• The Green Party got £4 million extra revenue from 175,000 ordinary members.
A people powered revolution.
December 4, 2025 at 6:37 PM
• Reform got £9 million in donations from 1 rich donor
• The Green Party got £4 million extra revenue from 175,000 ordinary members.
A people powered revolution.
• The Green Party got £4 million extra revenue from 175,000 ordinary members.
A people powered revolution.
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
1. Some good news at last. This week’s column is about the amazing thing a couple of us stumbled into three years ago, which we’ve now developed into a global research programme. It doesn’t change everything, of course, but it could help change quite a lot. + 🧵 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Over a pint in Oxford, we may have stumbled upon the holy grail of agriculture | George Monbiot
I knew that a revolution in our understanding of soil could change the world. Then came a eureka moment – and the birth of the Earth Rover Program, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:55 AM
1. Some good news at last. This week’s column is about the amazing thing a couple of us stumbled into three years ago, which we’ve now developed into a global research programme. It doesn’t change everything, of course, but it could help change quite a lot. + 🧵 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
The media coverage of the Snow White remake starring Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler showed how Hollywood and the corporate media serve as extensions of wider political and ideological conflicts—including efforts to silence support for Palestine. mondoweiss.net/2025/11/on-j...
On ‘Junk Food News’ and Genocide: What the controversy surrounding the Snow White stars revealed about corporate media
The media coverage of the Snow White remake starring Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler showed how Hollywood and the corporate media serve as extensions of wider political and ideological…
mondoweiss.net
December 1, 2025 at 10:00 PM
The media coverage of the Snow White remake starring Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler showed how Hollywood and the corporate media serve as extensions of wider political and ideological conflicts—including efforts to silence support for Palestine. mondoweiss.net/2025/11/on-j...
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
'We have historically high welfare spending.' No we don't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
November 29, 2025 at 5:08 PM
'We have historically high welfare spending.' No we don't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
Naturally, @zdroberts.bsky.social took time out of his holiday to write a story about this for @ecvanalog.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Naturally, @zdroberts.bsky.social took time out of his holiday to write a story about this for @ecvanalog.bsky.social
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
At least 342 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the truce on October 10.
November 27, 2025 at 12:23 AM
At least 342 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the truce on October 10.
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
The judge urged the jury to do away with personal feelings about the war on Gaza or the legality of the proscription.
Palestine Action activists on trial in UK over attack on Israeli arms maker
The judge urged the jury to do away with personal feelings about the war on Gaza or the legality of the proscription.
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 12:30 AM
The judge urged the jury to do away with personal feelings about the war on Gaza or the legality of the proscription.
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
To suggest that having lived a life so grim that even an English tribunal will grant you asylum, and to have somehow managed to get here at great risk to life, is a "golden ticket" is absolutely fucking contemptible. Shame on this so-called Labour Party.
No, I'd say it's racists and those pandering to them.
November 15, 2025 at 11:47 PM
To suggest that having lived a life so grim that even an English tribunal will grant you asylum, and to have somehow managed to get here at great risk to life, is a "golden ticket" is absolutely fucking contemptible. Shame on this so-called Labour Party.
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
Opposing genocide is the moral duty of our time.
Yet Palestine Action activists have been held in prison for over a year without trial. Six are now on hunger strike.
Detaining peaceful protesters under counter-terror powers is indefensible. This is political imprisonment in all but name.
Yet Palestine Action activists have been held in prison for over a year without trial. Six are now on hunger strike.
Detaining peaceful protesters under counter-terror powers is indefensible. This is political imprisonment in all but name.
November 11, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Opposing genocide is the moral duty of our time.
Yet Palestine Action activists have been held in prison for over a year without trial. Six are now on hunger strike.
Detaining peaceful protesters under counter-terror powers is indefensible. This is political imprisonment in all but name.
Yet Palestine Action activists have been held in prison for over a year without trial. Six are now on hunger strike.
Detaining peaceful protesters under counter-terror powers is indefensible. This is political imprisonment in all but name.
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
Abandoned by the systems that were meant to guide him, Will Pendray picked up a pen and a pulse returned to his life | Mick Channon
From prisoner to poet: The shadows that shape
Abandoned by the systems that were meant to guide him, Will Pendray picked up a pen and a pulse returned to his life
sussexbylines.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Abandoned by the systems that were meant to guide him, Will Pendray picked up a pen and a pulse returned to his life | Mick Channon
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
England facing drastic measures due to extreme drought next year.
Country surrounded by water has water shortages.
2024: 1trn litre of lost to leaks.
Sewage dumped in rivers for 4m hours.
No new reservoirs.
Investment neglected, £85bn paid in dividend.
Record high water bills.
People fleeced.
Country surrounded by water has water shortages.
2024: 1trn litre of lost to leaks.
Sewage dumped in rivers for 4m hours.
No new reservoirs.
Investment neglected, £85bn paid in dividend.
Record high water bills.
People fleeced.
England facing drastic measures due to extreme drought next year
Government and water companies are devising emergency plans for worst water shortage in decades
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:06 AM
England facing drastic measures due to extreme drought next year.
Country surrounded by water has water shortages.
2024: 1trn litre of lost to leaks.
Sewage dumped in rivers for 4m hours.
No new reservoirs.
Investment neglected, £85bn paid in dividend.
Record high water bills.
People fleeced.
Country surrounded by water has water shortages.
2024: 1trn litre of lost to leaks.
Sewage dumped in rivers for 4m hours.
No new reservoirs.
Investment neglected, £85bn paid in dividend.
Record high water bills.
People fleeced.
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
"Home Office data suggests that recent immigrants are more likely to be working than British nationals and make higher wages than them."
✍️ Lauren Gilbert argues that migrants to the UK are net fiscal contributors, adding much more to the economy than they take out,
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
✍️ Lauren Gilbert argues that migrants to the UK are net fiscal contributors, adding much more to the economy than they take out,
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
Lower migration is bad news for the UK economy - UK in a changing Europe
Lauren Gilbert argues that migrants to the UK are net fiscal contributors, adding much more to the economy than they take out, and that the recent collapse in immigration will harm the UK's economic p...
ukandeu.ac.uk
November 6, 2025 at 4:52 PM
"Home Office data suggests that recent immigrants are more likely to be working than British nationals and make higher wages than them."
✍️ Lauren Gilbert argues that migrants to the UK are net fiscal contributors, adding much more to the economy than they take out,
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
✍️ Lauren Gilbert argues that migrants to the UK are net fiscal contributors, adding much more to the economy than they take out,
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
The great dividers want you to think the problems in society are caused by migrants and refugees.
They’re wrong.
The problems in society are caused by an unjust economic system that protects the interests of the super-rich.
They’re wrong.
The problems in society are caused by an unjust economic system that protects the interests of the super-rich.
October 31, 2025 at 5:29 PM
The great dividers want you to think the problems in society are caused by migrants and refugees.
They’re wrong.
The problems in society are caused by an unjust economic system that protects the interests of the super-rich.
They’re wrong.
The problems in society are caused by an unjust economic system that protects the interests of the super-rich.
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
Asylum seekers, housed in hotels in Manchester, are reaching out in their own words to address the concerns of the local community.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
October 27, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Asylum seekers, housed in hotels in Manchester, are reaching out in their own words to address the concerns of the local community.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
I was intrigued to see which two of the Vatican’s ten Raphael tapestries were chosen for today’s unprecedented service in the Sistine Chapel. The tapestries are very rarely shown - was Pope Leo XIV conveying any message in the choice?
🧵
🧵
October 23, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I was intrigued to see which two of the Vatican’s ten Raphael tapestries were chosen for today’s unprecedented service in the Sistine Chapel. The tapestries are very rarely shown - was Pope Leo XIV conveying any message in the choice?
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
Homelessness stats just out show another new record in households (132k) and children (172k) living in temporary accommodation. Up 7.5% in last year
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
October 16, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Homelessness stats just out show another new record in households (132k) and children (172k) living in temporary accommodation. Up 7.5% in last year
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
What is the point of building new homes, if they are:
a) too expensive for people to live in, and
b) don't have essential services like a GP surgery or a school nearby?
Very concerning that the Housing Secretary doesn't seem to understand that... or doesn't care.
a) too expensive for people to live in, and
b) don't have essential services like a GP surgery or a school nearby?
Very concerning that the Housing Secretary doesn't seem to understand that... or doesn't care.
A leaked memo, a Maga-style hat and a trail of broken pledges – it’s Labour’s great housing betrayal | Aditya Chakrabortty
A leaked memo, a Maga-style hat and a trail of broken pledges – it’s Labour’s great housing betrayal | Aditya Chakrabortty
Ignore the bombast: Steve ‘build, baby, build’ Reed’s boast looks likely to end in targets more pathetic than they are now, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty
www.theguardian.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:19 AM
What is the point of building new homes, if they are:
a) too expensive for people to live in, and
b) don't have essential services like a GP surgery or a school nearby?
Very concerning that the Housing Secretary doesn't seem to understand that... or doesn't care.
a) too expensive for people to live in, and
b) don't have essential services like a GP surgery or a school nearby?
Very concerning that the Housing Secretary doesn't seem to understand that... or doesn't care.
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
Indeed.
The government has chosen to prioritise reducing (skilled, legal, for work) migration over growth and hence over improving public services.
No economic rationale - but even worse, no political rationale either.
The government has chosen to prioritise reducing (skilled, legal, for work) migration over growth and hence over improving public services.
No economic rationale - but even worse, no political rationale either.
One mistake Labour made in their first year is loading quite a few new costs onto business all at once. They are risking doing something similar on immigration, I think.
October 14, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Indeed.
The government has chosen to prioritise reducing (skilled, legal, for work) migration over growth and hence over improving public services.
No economic rationale - but even worse, no political rationale either.
The government has chosen to prioritise reducing (skilled, legal, for work) migration over growth and hence over improving public services.
No economic rationale - but even worse, no political rationale either.
Reposted by Karen LeftieBigSis
It's finished!! "My Avian Neighborhood": in total almost 100 hours of work in the span of 27 days to complete. So very proud of this one, it's going to be hanging in its first show over the next few months. Thank you to everyone who cheered me on, the species are in the alt text of the image! ✨
October 13, 2025 at 9:52 PM
It's finished!! "My Avian Neighborhood": in total almost 100 hours of work in the span of 27 days to complete. So very proud of this one, it's going to be hanging in its first show over the next few months. Thank you to everyone who cheered me on, the species are in the alt text of the image! ✨