Matt Cavanagh
@mattcav.bsky.social
Former UK government adviser. Posts on politics and policy, including defence and immigration.
Reposted by Matt Cavanagh
Nothing on the BBC Radio news this morning. Nothing I could find on their website. This is an MP from the party whose lead in the opinion polls normally ensures them wall-to-wall coverage. She spouts racist nonsense for which even she feels obliged to apologise. What on earth are they playing at?
Reform’s Sarah Pochin forced to apologise after claiming adverts 'full of black people' drive her 'mad’ | LBC
The Runcorn and Helsby MP was responding to a viewer live on air who complained about the demographics of advertising.
www.lbc.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Nothing on the BBC Radio news this morning. Nothing I could find on their website. This is an MP from the party whose lead in the opinion polls normally ensures them wall-to-wall coverage. She spouts racist nonsense for which even she feels obliged to apologise. What on earth are they playing at?
Reposted by Matt Cavanagh
“We must win the war on child poverty” Gordon Brown via Ash Cowburn & @daveburke12.bsky.social @mirror.co.uk. Gambling tax reform could raise enough to scrap the two-child limit and benefit cap, lifting 500,000 children out of poverty: www.ippr.org/media-office...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Gordon Brown blasts return of 'poverty of 60 years ago' as he makes demands
Former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned the Government must act now on the two-child benefit limit and said he's seen a return to the poverty of 60 years ago
www.mirror.co.uk
August 7, 2025 at 1:42 PM
“We must win the war on child poverty” Gordon Brown via Ash Cowburn & @daveburke12.bsky.social @mirror.co.uk. Gambling tax reform could raise enough to scrap the two-child limit and benefit cap, lifting 500,000 children out of poverty: www.ippr.org/media-office...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Matt Cavanagh
I mean, this is bad enough on its own terms. But when you remember very senior civil servants apparently still think X is an appropriate channel for government communications it becomes grimly hilarious
The audio can be heard as "flashes"
Elon Musk's Grok AI is amplifying the conspiracy theory.
The X site continues to present a clear and present danger to the national security of our country, in both its acts and omissions, being a site which amplifies conspiracies & defends unlawful hatred
Elon Musk's Grok AI is amplifying the conspiracy theory.
The X site continues to present a clear and present danger to the national security of our country, in both its acts and omissions, being a site which amplifies conspiracies & defends unlawful hatred
August 6, 2025 at 8:35 AM
I mean, this is bad enough on its own terms. But when you remember very senior civil servants apparently still think X is an appropriate channel for government communications it becomes grimly hilarious
Reposted by Matt Cavanagh
Support this, both for 'why do we have a civil service internship scheme if NOT to broaden the talent pipeline for it' reasons and for 'this is going to produce some truly amazing takes' reasons.
Civil service interns must all be working class, government says
Civil service interns must all be working class, government says
Internships will only go to students from poorer families in a push to make Whitehall more working class.
www.bbc.com
July 31, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Support this, both for 'why do we have a civil service internship scheme if NOT to broaden the talent pipeline for it' reasons and for 'this is going to produce some truly amazing takes' reasons.
Reposted by Matt Cavanagh
I think European leaders - both national and in the EU - are underestimating what it will do to their publics to be humilated by Trump.
Like the NATO summit and Rutte's 'Daddy' strategy, mabye the outcome could have been worse. But losing pride and being humilated is also a price that is paid.
Like the NATO summit and Rutte's 'Daddy' strategy, mabye the outcome could have been worse. But losing pride and being humilated is also a price that is paid.
My latest on the spectacularly one-sided EU-US trade deal.
Europe's Surrender
Thoughts on a spectacularly one-sided trade deal between the EU and US
open.substack.com
July 28, 2025 at 8:55 AM
I think European leaders - both national and in the EU - are underestimating what it will do to their publics to be humilated by Trump.
Like the NATO summit and Rutte's 'Daddy' strategy, mabye the outcome could have been worse. But losing pride and being humilated is also a price that is paid.
Like the NATO summit and Rutte's 'Daddy' strategy, mabye the outcome could have been worse. But losing pride and being humilated is also a price that is paid.
Read this and ask yourself if it really makes sense for the UK to double down on the F-35 - even before we get to the questions about the reliability of UK-US defence cooperation.
www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
The UK’s F-35 capability - NAO report
This report examines the performance of the Ministry of Defence in delivering the F-35 programme compared to its aims.
www.nao.org.uk
July 11, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Read this and ask yourself if it really makes sense for the UK to double down on the F-35 - even before we get to the questions about the reliability of UK-US defence cooperation.
www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
Reposted by Matt Cavanagh
Another bit of the British state that was cut for no reason and now only works if you're a fraudster
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How fake-will fraudsters steal millions from the dead
A trail of suspicious wills led to an organised gang committing fraud and stealing millions from dead people's estates.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 5, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Another bit of the British state that was cut for no reason and now only works if you're a fraudster
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Matt Cavanagh
Reposted by Matt Cavanagh
When someone of Louise Casey’s stature recommends one as the conclusion of a report the government commissioned, then you can’t say just say, no thanks
The UK Conservatives and Reform got what they wanted. Starmer has just announced a full national inquiry into “grooming gangs”.
June 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
When someone of Louise Casey’s stature recommends one as the conclusion of a report the government commissioned, then you can’t say just say, no thanks
Go on, someone do a list…
Also true in the UK
Remember how Canada's stupidest columnists argued for years about how Trump was no big deal and passed it all off as culture war hysteria?
Those dopes aren't still writing, are they?
Those dopes aren't still writing, are they?
June 8, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Go on, someone do a list…
Reposted by Matt Cavanagh
Carlos Alcaraz wins 4-6, 6⁴-7⁷, 6-4, 7⁷-6³, 7¹⁰-6² against Jannik Sinner
The best win of his entire career, the first 2 set comeback of his entire career. MORE Grand Slam Finals between them please and thank you
📸 Thibault Camus/AP Photo
The best win of his entire career, the first 2 set comeback of his entire career. MORE Grand Slam Finals between them please and thank you
📸 Thibault Camus/AP Photo
June 8, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Carlos Alcaraz wins 4-6, 6⁴-7⁷, 6-4, 7⁷-6³, 7¹⁰-6² against Jannik Sinner
The best win of his entire career, the first 2 set comeback of his entire career. MORE Grand Slam Finals between them please and thank you
📸 Thibault Camus/AP Photo
The best win of his entire career, the first 2 set comeback of his entire career. MORE Grand Slam Finals between them please and thank you
📸 Thibault Camus/AP Photo
Stupendous win by Alcaraz - especially since it looked like he’d stopped believing in his backhand half an hour in
June 8, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Stupendous win by Alcaraz - especially since it looked like he’d stopped believing in his backhand half an hour in
RIP Alasdair Macintyre. Good thoughtful piece. (Though I would contest the comment that by the 90s he wasn’t on undergrad reading lists. He was certainly on mine, though I guess I have @severson.bsky.social to thank for that.
“Ignored by the left, the MacIntyrean Aristotelian paradigm ended up getting picked up by a new American right that was critical of both capitalism and liberalism. It is impossible to understand the new postliberal right without discussing Alasdair MacIntyre.”
Postliberalism’s Reluctant Godfather
Alasdair MacIntyre (1929-2025) had all the signs of a restless mind. Few philosophers changed their views as much as he did.
www.compactmag.com
May 25, 2025 at 6:08 PM
RIP Alasdair Macintyre. Good thoughtful piece. (Though I would contest the comment that by the 90s he wasn’t on undergrad reading lists. He was certainly on mine, though I guess I have @severson.bsky.social to thank for that.
All those who were citing the need for care workers while laying into Starmer / the White Paper yesterday should read this thread:
The debate around care visas in the political space boils down to people saying stuff like this - we desperately need people.
It's a good soundbite but...
A significant surge in care visas were issued since 2020 in response to sector demand and yet the problem of shortage has persisted.
Why?
It's a good soundbite but...
A significant surge in care visas were issued since 2020 in response to sector demand and yet the problem of shortage has persisted.
Why?
BREAKING: “We will be closing the care worker visa for overseas recruitment” - Home Secretary Yvette Cooper
Don’t we have a desperate shortage of care workers?
Don’t we have a desperate shortage of care workers?
May 13, 2025 at 7:35 AM
All those who were citing the need for care workers while laying into Starmer / the White Paper yesterday should read this thread:
Wading through the reaction on here to Starmer’s speech and the White Paper, I’m reminded again that a large part of the disconnect is not people’s views on immigration - though it is true they are more liberal than the average - but how important they think it is.
May 12, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Wading through the reaction on here to Starmer’s speech and the White Paper, I’m reminded again that a large part of the disconnect is not people’s views on immigration - though it is true they are more liberal than the average - but how important they think it is.
Reposted by Matt Cavanagh
IMO, both Starmer's recognition that migration is part of Britain's national story, and the warning that without more control "we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together" does a pretty good job of capturing where most Brits are on immigration.
May 12, 2025 at 8:58 AM
IMO, both Starmer's recognition that migration is part of Britain's national story, and the warning that without more control "we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together" does a pretty good job of capturing where most Brits are on immigration.
I was a late convert to the art of Nicolas Cage. But I think he has mastered the portrayal of mid-life masculinity in meltdown - in the way Michael Douglas did in the 90s, in Falling Down, The Game, and others. First ‘Dream Scenario’, then ‘The Surfer’, in cinemas now. It’s a great film. Go see it.
May 7, 2025 at 6:57 AM
I was a late convert to the art of Nicolas Cage. But I think he has mastered the portrayal of mid-life masculinity in meltdown - in the way Michael Douglas did in the 90s, in Falling Down, The Game, and others. First ‘Dream Scenario’, then ‘The Surfer’, in cinemas now. It’s a great film. Go see it.
Mixed feelings at thirty years of blank reactions to my answer to “Where did you grow up?” being replaced by “Ah, the theme park place”…
Universal chooses Bedford to be location of its first theme park in Europe
Universal chooses Bedford to be location of its first theme park in Europe
Keir Starmer hails visitor attraction – set to open in 2031 – as a way to bring jobs and growth to region
First Beijing, and now Bedford: a “transformative” new British tourist magnet is coming to the home counties – just off the A421.
A former brickworks will be the site of a new multibillion-pound theme park from the entertainment behemoth Universal, the government confirmed on Wednesday. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
April 9, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Mixed feelings at thirty years of blank reactions to my answer to “Where did you grow up?” being replaced by “Ah, the theme park place”…
Reposted by Matt Cavanagh
Flashback to three months ago: Wall Street was excited because Trump would let say them say the word 'retard' www.ft.com/content/cf87...
April 7, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Flashback to three months ago: Wall Street was excited because Trump would let say them say the word 'retard' www.ft.com/content/cf87...
@stevewebb1.bsky.social Steve, I saw you quoted in a press report on a 2023 Tax Admin & Maintenance Day announcement that HMRC would look at allowing retrospective claims for NI credits for those entitled to child benefit but not claiming. I can’t see anything more recent. Are you aware of anything?
March 27, 2025 at 7:17 PM
@stevewebb1.bsky.social Steve, I saw you quoted in a press report on a 2023 Tax Admin & Maintenance Day announcement that HMRC would look at allowing retrospective claims for NI credits for those entitled to child benefit but not claiming. I can’t see anything more recent. Are you aware of anything?
Never mind Project 2025, the blueprint for DOGE Republicanism was set out very clearly in an episode of Parks & Recreation 15 years ago
March 9, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Never mind Project 2025, the blueprint for DOGE Republicanism was set out very clearly in an episode of Parks & Recreation 15 years ago
Would have been more impressed if he had actually *done it* when he was in post
‘Sir Ben Wallace, former UK defence secretary, said that, if he were still in post, his first response would have been to commission “an appraisal of our dependencies and vulnerabilities across international partners — including the US”…’ www.ft.com/content/1503...
Can the US switch off Europe’s weapons?
Long hooked on American defence exports, allies feel buyers’ remorse over hardware dependent on Washington support
www.ft.com
March 9, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Would have been more impressed if he had actually *done it* when he was in post
Enough of these woke generals like Stan McChrystal.
The US will no longer worry about civilians getting in the way of their bombs:
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03...
March 4, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Enough of these woke generals like Stan McChrystal.
Reposted by Matt Cavanagh
Case was always more of a self servant than a civil one.
February 3, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Case was always more of a self servant than a civil one.
Reposted by Matt Cavanagh
A 🧵on this article (£) and its connection to the University of Oxford Modern History: World History 1941-73 module’s finals exam paper in the year 1996.
Bear with me 1/
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01...
Bear with me 1/
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01...
January 31, 2025 at 9:18 AM
A 🧵on this article (£) and its connection to the University of Oxford Modern History: World History 1941-73 module’s finals exam paper in the year 1996.
Bear with me 1/
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01...
Bear with me 1/
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01...