Ray Brown
@malusdomesticus.bsky.social
Alphabetical interests... AFCBmth, apples, maps, 'music', politics, stats, trees
Reposted by Ray Brown
But even that is the comparison between 2023 and 2024 - a period for 80% of which period Tories were in charge. And, since teachers cannot be magicked out of thin air, I would suggest that a stonking 11% rise in people training as teachers this year is a more salient measure.
December 11, 2025 at 1:29 PM
But even that is the comparison between 2023 and 2024 - a period for 80% of which period Tories were in charge. And, since teachers cannot be magicked out of thin air, I would suggest that a stonking 11% rise in people training as teachers this year is a more salient measure.
Reposted by Ray Brown
The Heartland Institute, a MAGA climate denial group, has been trying to influence UK and European politics with the help of Nigel Farage.
We’ve mapped their key allies as they attempt to impose Trump’s agenda across the pond 👇🏻
We’ve mapped their key allies as they attempt to impose Trump’s agenda across the pond 👇🏻
Mapped: Pro-Trump Heartland Institute’s European Network
A year ago, as the world convulsed from Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, his allies were already identifying their next frontier. In December, the Heartland Institute hosted a...
www.desmog.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:12 PM
The Heartland Institute, a MAGA climate denial group, has been trying to influence UK and European politics with the help of Nigel Farage.
We’ve mapped their key allies as they attempt to impose Trump’s agenda across the pond 👇🏻
We’ve mapped their key allies as they attempt to impose Trump’s agenda across the pond 👇🏻
Can highly recommend this week's edition of Classic Tractor. You may need to have a Kleenex ready... as you'll laugh so much! (Parental Guidance: scenes of an electoral nature)
It's by-election Thursday!
- 9 polls today, defences C 4 Lab 2 Ind 1 PC 1 SNP 1
All Previewed as usual by Andrew's Previews for @britainelects.com:
- 9 polls today, defences C 4 Lab 2 Ind 1 PC 1 SNP 1
All Previewed as usual by Andrew's Previews for @britainelects.com:
Previewing the nine council by-elections of 11th December 2025
"All the right votes, but not necessarily in the right order"
open.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Can highly recommend this week's edition of Classic Tractor. You may need to have a Kleenex ready... as you'll laugh so much! (Parental Guidance: scenes of an electoral nature)
Christmas is coming - nearly time for a sunset Cluse perhaps.
December 10, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Christmas is coming - nearly time for a sunset Cluse perhaps.
Reposted by Ray Brown
"London had around 104 homicides last year. Let’s put that number into context – New Orleans had 124 homicides last year. That might make London look just a little bit safer than New Orleans, but here’s the thing – more than nine million people live in London, but only 360,000 live in New Orleans."
A letter to Donald Trump, from London
You don’t seem to like London very much, or our mayor. But people around here live longer than Americans, and we’re much less likely to get murdered. As for your Sharia law claims - have you ever actu...
www.thenewworld.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 10:55 PM
"London had around 104 homicides last year. Let’s put that number into context – New Orleans had 124 homicides last year. That might make London look just a little bit safer than New Orleans, but here’s the thing – more than nine million people live in London, but only 360,000 live in New Orleans."
Reposted by Ray Brown
Sickening.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Former Dulwich pupil says Farage told him: ‘That’s the way back to Africa’
Exclusive: Yinka Bankole says he was compelled to speak out after Reform leader’s attempts to dismiss hurt of alleged targets
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Sickening.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Coming up soo... Who will Egland and Scotlad draw?
December 5, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Coming up soo... Who will Egland and Scotlad draw?
Reposted by Ray Brown
This is 100% wrong
Limiting pension salary sacrifice for high earners in the private sector will hit men far more than women
Critics may not like the reform, but it equalises the tax benefits of pension saving for men/women, rich/poor
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Limiting pension salary sacrifice for high earners in the private sector will hit men far more than women
Critics may not like the reform, but it equalises the tax benefits of pension saving for men/women, rich/poor
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
December 5, 2025 at 4:05 PM
This is 100% wrong
Limiting pension salary sacrifice for high earners in the private sector will hit men far more than women
Critics may not like the reform, but it equalises the tax benefits of pension saving for men/women, rich/poor
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Limiting pension salary sacrifice for high earners in the private sector will hit men far more than women
Critics may not like the reform, but it equalises the tax benefits of pension saving for men/women, rich/poor
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
My Spotify Wrapped for this year...
December 4, 2025 at 10:45 AM
My Spotify Wrapped for this year...
BBC seems to have forgotten to put this on their main News page...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform UK investigates social media activity of council leader
Staffordshire County Council leader Ian Cooper is alleged to have made racist comments online.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 10:30 PM
BBC seems to have forgotten to put this on their main News page...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Robin Smith RIP. He was one place ahead of me in the bookies in Soton when we were (separately) collecting our winnings for the 1987 National winner Maori Venture. I think he'd been playing in NZ over the winter. Great player.
December 2, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Robin Smith RIP. He was one place ahead of me in the bookies in Soton when we were (separately) collecting our winnings for the 1987 National winner Maori Venture. I think he'd been playing in NZ over the winter. Great player.
Reposted by Ray Brown
‘The data shows that just one dose cuts the chances of measles by about 95%, and two doses do even better.’
Timely review of the data on measles vaccines from @ourworldindata.org
ourworldindata.org/measles-vacc...
Timely review of the data on measles vaccines from @ourworldindata.org
ourworldindata.org/measles-vacc...
How effective and safe are measles vaccines?
Data from large meta-analyses show that measles vaccination is highly effective and safe, giving a 95% reduction in the risk of measles.
ourworldindata.org
April 21, 2025 at 6:09 PM
‘The data shows that just one dose cuts the chances of measles by about 95%, and two doses do even better.’
Timely review of the data on measles vaccines from @ourworldindata.org
ourworldindata.org/measles-vacc...
Timely review of the data on measles vaccines from @ourworldindata.org
ourworldindata.org/measles-vacc...
Reposted by Ray Brown
We have the next story which people will misunderstand and complain about!
What is really happening here?
The UK and US have struck a deal on pharmaceutical trade.
In means:
1) the UK gets 0% tarrifs on medicines, medicial equipment exported to the US, helping UK pharmaceutical businesses.
1/4
What is really happening here?
The UK and US have struck a deal on pharmaceutical trade.
In means:
1) the UK gets 0% tarrifs on medicines, medicial equipment exported to the US, helping UK pharmaceutical businesses.
1/4
NHS to pay 25% more for innovative drugs after UK–US zero-tariff deal
Agreement could cost NHS £3bn more in drugs over next three years, industry sources estimate
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:13 PM
We have the next story which people will misunderstand and complain about!
What is really happening here?
The UK and US have struck a deal on pharmaceutical trade.
In means:
1) the UK gets 0% tarrifs on medicines, medicial equipment exported to the US, helping UK pharmaceutical businesses.
1/4
What is really happening here?
The UK and US have struck a deal on pharmaceutical trade.
In means:
1) the UK gets 0% tarrifs on medicines, medicial equipment exported to the US, helping UK pharmaceutical businesses.
1/4
Looks brilliant, where do I apply? Oh, "open to citizens of European Union member states" . I'll just have to emigrate for a few weeks while I get a Masters in PoliSci and try and get a bit smarter...
PhD opportunity at the University of Oxford. The Morelli scholarship funds a doctoral student to work with me on on democratic backsliding, strategies of democratic defense and regeneration, or the rise of illiberalism. Deadline Jan 9. More information at users.ox.ac.uk/~ssfc0073/
December 1, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Looks brilliant, where do I apply? Oh, "open to citizens of European Union member states" . I'll just have to emigrate for a few weeks while I get a Masters in PoliSci and try and get a bit smarter...
Reposted by Ray Brown
Rightly lots of debates about growth this weekend - rightly because it was low productivity growth that saw wages entirely flatline during the 2010s.
November 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Rightly lots of debates about growth this weekend - rightly because it was low productivity growth that saw wages entirely flatline during the 2010s.
Reposted by Ray Brown
In Goodwin Curve news, @willhaycardiff.bsky.social's latest newsletter notes how the immediate aftermath of the Welsh 20 mph speed limits saw a petition raise 400,000 signatures. Today, a second petition has just 2387 signatures
November 26, 2025 at 8:23 AM
In Goodwin Curve news, @willhaycardiff.bsky.social's latest newsletter notes how the immediate aftermath of the Welsh 20 mph speed limits saw a petition raise 400,000 signatures. Today, a second petition has just 2387 signatures
"Speaking outside his chateau in France,
former Brexit Party and UKIP MEP..."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
former Brexit Party and UKIP MEP..."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Former Brexit Party MEP denies taking payment from pro-Russian campaign
A prominent former MEP for Nigel Farage's old party denies taking bribes in a pro-Russian campaign.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 8:51 AM
"Speaking outside his chateau in France,
former Brexit Party and UKIP MEP..."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
former Brexit Party and UKIP MEP..."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Ray Brown
UNBOUND AUTHORS: Leftover copies of your books in the UK (MacMillan) warehouse will be pulped within the next week or two. DM me for a link to the warehouse stock list and contacts.
If you have no dosh, another publisher (Wilton Sq) is willing to buy the books & distribute on a 50/50 profit split
If you have no dosh, another publisher (Wilton Sq) is willing to buy the books & distribute on a 50/50 profit split
November 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
UNBOUND AUTHORS: Leftover copies of your books in the UK (MacMillan) warehouse will be pulped within the next week or two. DM me for a link to the warehouse stock list and contacts.
If you have no dosh, another publisher (Wilton Sq) is willing to buy the books & distribute on a 50/50 profit split
If you have no dosh, another publisher (Wilton Sq) is willing to buy the books & distribute on a 50/50 profit split
Reposted by Ray Brown
Reposted by Ray Brown
Resolution Foundation analysis of the Chancellor's Budget:
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
November 27, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Resolution Foundation analysis of the Chancellor's Budget:
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
Reposted by Ray Brown
Chancellor said lifting 2-child limit means "Biggest reduction in child poverty over a Parliament since records began." Estimated 400k reduction would be, but modelling is always uncertain. What is certain is that removing the 2 Child Limit is pivotal to the fall.
November 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Chancellor said lifting 2-child limit means "Biggest reduction in child poverty over a Parliament since records began." Estimated 400k reduction would be, but modelling is always uncertain. What is certain is that removing the 2 Child Limit is pivotal to the fall.
Reposted by Ray Brown
@AlexBallingerMP and I have been campaigning for changes to gambling tax for many months.
And so we’re delighted that the Budget will see an extra £1.1 billion raised from gambling duties by 2029-30 – with remote gaming duty to rise from 21 to 40 per cent in April💚
#Budget
And so we’re delighted that the Budget will see an extra £1.1 billion raised from gambling duties by 2029-30 – with remote gaming duty to rise from 21 to 40 per cent in April💚
#Budget
November 26, 2025 at 2:27 PM
@AlexBallingerMP and I have been campaigning for changes to gambling tax for many months.
And so we’re delighted that the Budget will see an extra £1.1 billion raised from gambling duties by 2029-30 – with remote gaming duty to rise from 21 to 40 per cent in April💚
#Budget
And so we’re delighted that the Budget will see an extra £1.1 billion raised from gambling duties by 2029-30 – with remote gaming duty to rise from 21 to 40 per cent in April💚
#Budget
Reposted by Ray Brown
Fantastic news! The Chancellor just announced the end of the 2 child limit. This will protect 100s of 1000s of children from growing up facing hunger & hardship, ease pressure on public services & boost our economy. #Budget2025
November 26, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Fantastic news! The Chancellor just announced the end of the 2 child limit. This will protect 100s of 1000s of children from growing up facing hunger & hardship, ease pressure on public services & boost our economy. #Budget2025
Reposted by Ray Brown
Tory front benches equally furious at a tax on mansions and hundreds of thousands of kids being pulled out of poverty. Shameful stuff.
November 26, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Tory front benches equally furious at a tax on mansions and hundreds of thousands of kids being pulled out of poverty. Shameful stuff.
Reposted by Ray Brown
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
It was years ago.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not in a hurtful way.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not with intent.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not genuine abuse.
😮🫣😬😱 ~AA
It was years ago.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not in a hurtful way.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not with intent.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not genuine abuse.
😮🫣😬😱 ~AA
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
It was years ago.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not in a hurtful way.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not with intent.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not genuine abuse.
😮🫣😬😱 ~AA
It was years ago.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not in a hurtful way.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not with intent.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not genuine abuse.
😮🫣😬😱 ~AA