Michael Carlson
@micarlson.bsky.social
Nora's dad. Rufus' guy 14+ years. Yank, Montréaler, Brit (adopted pre-Brexit).Writer, broadcaster & speaker on Culture (arts, books, film, Americana), Politics & (as Mike or Iron Mike) Sports. Some poems. Accept no substitutes. His not Him before gerunds
Pinned
Sixty Years Ago: John Lindsay was our Mamdani: Vietnam was our Trump . The limits of joy, the depths of despair. I was 14 and already I was being located.
Reposted by Michael Carlson
This is how Chris Mason, like a child filled with wonder, described "the choreography and theatre that surrounds a Budget" in Feb 2024, when a male Tory Chancellor was in post.
"Plans, or even just options, can be floated... Reaction to them can be tested. Opponents can be teased or wrongfooted." 👀
"Plans, or even just options, can be floated... Reaction to them can be tested. Opponents can be teased or wrongfooted." 👀
December 2, 2025 at 9:29 PM
This is how Chris Mason, like a child filled with wonder, described "the choreography and theatre that surrounds a Budget" in Feb 2024, when a male Tory Chancellor was in post.
"Plans, or even just options, can be floated... Reaction to them can be tested. Opponents can be teased or wrongfooted." 👀
"Plans, or even just options, can be floated... Reaction to them can be tested. Opponents can be teased or wrongfooted." 👀
Reposted by Michael Carlson
If you would like to know the actual problems with the budget I set it all out in detail here.
As Stephen says the problem is the headroom isn't really there. Not that Reeves had loads of spare cash...
samf.substack.com/p/survival-f...
As Stephen says the problem is the headroom isn't really there. Not that Reeves had loads of spare cash...
samf.substack.com/p/survival-f...
December 1, 2025 at 11:26 AM
If you would like to know the actual problems with the budget I set it all out in detail here.
As Stephen says the problem is the headroom isn't really there. Not that Reeves had loads of spare cash...
samf.substack.com/p/survival-f...
As Stephen says the problem is the headroom isn't really there. Not that Reeves had loads of spare cash...
samf.substack.com/p/survival-f...
Reposted by Michael Carlson
I don’t recall as much fuss when the Tories were caught actually lying about their final Budget and keeping the truth from the OBR. What became of this investigation? www.theguardian.com/business/202....
Treasury may have broken law by failing to reveal £9.5bn spend in Tory budget, MPs told
Head of OBR says spending commitment would have ‘materially changed’ its forecast on Jeremy Hunt’s pre-election budget
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I don’t recall as much fuss when the Tories were caught actually lying about their final Budget and keeping the truth from the OBR. What became of this investigation? www.theguardian.com/business/202....
Ingenuinely
Not watched the news for years and have been quite surprised by the BBC questioning of Labour ministers that goes along the lines of "You lying piece of shite you should be ashamed of yourself" combined with scanning their social media accounts to catch them out . Is this the norm? Genuinely ?
December 2, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Ingenuinely
Reposted by Michael Carlson
Trump's MRI raises new questions about Biden's health.
December 1, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Trump's MRI raises new questions about Biden's health.
First play I ever saw in London was Jumpers, in 1972. I can still do Michael Hordern's opening lines ("to begin with, is God."). Saw it a second time...
Been listening back to this: Stoppard on how he wrote Travesties (1974) and his feelings about Brexit and the refugee crisis. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Front Row - Tom Stoppard, The Girl on the Train, Suzanne Lacy, Feminist art, Neville Marriner remembered - BBC Sounds
Tom Stoppard discusses his play Travesties and Brexit plus The Girl on the Train reviewed.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 3:27 PM
First play I ever saw in London was Jumpers, in 1972. I can still do Michael Hordern's opening lines ("to begin with, is God."). Saw it a second time...
Because birds of a feather shit together
Why, when sales of old fashioned print media like the Telegraph, the Times & the Mail are tumbling even faster than Tory poll ratings, does the BBC still use their headlines as their starting point on every news program?
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
Rachel Reeves and the Daily Mailification of the BBC
For all the focus on its supposed "left wing bias", the BBC's heavy coverage of Conservative allegations of dishonesty against Rachel Reeves shows how its political coverage is still largely led by th...
bylinetimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Because birds of a feather shit together
Reposted by Michael Carlson
As Jonathan Gullis joins Reform UK, it's only fair to remind people of this.
All forgotten, is it, Dickie? ~AA
All forgotten, is it, Dickie? ~AA
December 1, 2025 at 1:03 PM
As Jonathan Gullis joins Reform UK, it's only fair to remind people of this.
All forgotten, is it, Dickie? ~AA
All forgotten, is it, Dickie? ~AA
Reposted by Michael Carlson
A reminder of how the BBC covered Boris Johnson's long record of lying, as being a "complicated relationship with the truth".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli...
December 1, 2025 at 3:08 PM
A reminder of how the BBC covered Boris Johnson's long record of lying, as being a "complicated relationship with the truth".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli...
Reposted by Michael Carlson
For all the focus on its supposed “left wing bias”, the BBC’s heavy coverage of Rachel Reeves Budget "lies" shows how its political coverage is still largely led by the right-wing press
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
Rachel Reeves and the Daily Mailification of the BBC
For all the focus on its supposed "left wing bias", the BBC's heavy coverage of Conservative allegations of dishonesty against Rachel Reeves shows how its political coverage is still largely led by th...
bylinetimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:20 AM
For all the focus on its supposed “left wing bias”, the BBC’s heavy coverage of Rachel Reeves Budget "lies" shows how its political coverage is still largely led by the right-wing press
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
The media, ran nearly a month of "analysis" mostly by Tories, including failed chancellors, on a budget that literally didn't exist & now whine liar because Reeves did something else
“Did the Chancellor mislead the public in the run up to the budget?” - Sally Nugent
“No, of course she didn’t” - Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the PM
#bbcbreakfast
“No, of course she didn’t” - Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the PM
#bbcbreakfast
December 1, 2025 at 8:45 AM
The media, ran nearly a month of "analysis" mostly by Tories, including failed chancellors, on a budget that literally didn't exist & now whine liar because Reeves did something else
Reposted by Michael Carlson
Under Kemi Badenoch the Conservatives have ceded both the answer to 'what's the lever I pull to get the left out of power' to Reform and are rapidly on their way to ceding 'what's the least nutty option available to me on the right?' to Reform too.
No response from the Conservative party to my questions about this and the post still remains on her account.
So apparently openly spreading anti-Muslim hate is absolutely fine now
So apparently openly spreading anti-Muslim hate is absolutely fine now
The Conservative Party's leader in London, Susan Hall, just shared this Islamophobic disinformation about Sadiq Khan, after it was posted on X by a racist troll
November 29, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Under Kemi Badenoch the Conservatives have ceded both the answer to 'what's the lever I pull to get the left out of power' to Reform and are rapidly on their way to ceding 'what's the least nutty option available to me on the right?' to Reform too.
Reposted by Michael Carlson
Oh dear. Open goal missed.
It's not "the Brexit deal" that's the problem. That's the Labour line. That framing leaves the door open to the notion that a different Brexit deal might have worked.
No. Brexit itself is the problem. Inherently unworkable.
Depressing that you can't tell the difference.
It's not "the Brexit deal" that's the problem. That's the Labour line. That framing leaves the door open to the notion that a different Brexit deal might have worked.
No. Brexit itself is the problem. Inherently unworkable.
Depressing that you can't tell the difference.
The tide is turning. Even the Telegraph is now admitting the damage the Brexit deal has done to the economy.
November 30, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Oh dear. Open goal missed.
It's not "the Brexit deal" that's the problem. That's the Labour line. That framing leaves the door open to the notion that a different Brexit deal might have worked.
No. Brexit itself is the problem. Inherently unworkable.
Depressing that you can't tell the difference.
It's not "the Brexit deal" that's the problem. That's the Labour line. That framing leaves the door open to the notion that a different Brexit deal might have worked.
No. Brexit itself is the problem. Inherently unworkable.
Depressing that you can't tell the difference.
Reposted by Michael Carlson
Reposted by Michael Carlson
Budget hits the young in England
From 2027, repayment threshold for student loans frozen at salary of £29,385. Due to fiscal drag repayments will be sooner.
Graduates face 37% marginal tax rate
By 2030 minimum wage likely to be £29k. Graduates on min wage will be forced to repay loans. Why?
From 2027, repayment threshold for student loans frozen at salary of £29,385. Due to fiscal drag repayments will be sooner.
Graduates face 37% marginal tax rate
By 2030 minimum wage likely to be £29k. Graduates on min wage will be forced to repay loans. Why?
The government’s budget is simply managing decline
The budget does little to improve living standards or facilitate sustained economic growth
leftfootforward.org
November 30, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Budget hits the young in England
From 2027, repayment threshold for student loans frozen at salary of £29,385. Due to fiscal drag repayments will be sooner.
Graduates face 37% marginal tax rate
By 2030 minimum wage likely to be £29k. Graduates on min wage will be forced to repay loans. Why?
From 2027, repayment threshold for student loans frozen at salary of £29,385. Due to fiscal drag repayments will be sooner.
Graduates face 37% marginal tax rate
By 2030 minimum wage likely to be £29k. Graduates on min wage will be forced to repay loans. Why?
Reposted by Michael Carlson
How the right-wing newspapers still manage to dictate BBC coverage.
Almost all of the Beeb's big post-Budget interview with the Chancellor devoted to asking whether she is a liar.
Next to nothing on any of the big measures announced this week
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-real-b...
Almost all of the Beeb's big post-Budget interview with the Chancellor devoted to asking whether she is a liar.
Next to nothing on any of the big measures announced this week
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-real-b...
The Real 'Benefits Street' Protecting Britain's Wealthiest
The sheer scale of outrage about plans to lift children out of poverty, by taxing millionaire homeowners, tells you everything you need to know about the priorities of the British press
www.adambienkov.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 9:36 AM
How the right-wing newspapers still manage to dictate BBC coverage.
Almost all of the Beeb's big post-Budget interview with the Chancellor devoted to asking whether she is a liar.
Next to nothing on any of the big measures announced this week
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-real-b...
Almost all of the Beeb's big post-Budget interview with the Chancellor devoted to asking whether she is a liar.
Next to nothing on any of the big measures announced this week
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-real-b...
Reposted by Michael Carlson
Lying in politics is wrong and should never be rewarded, says newspaper which pays Boris Johnson £1 million a year to be its star columnist
November 29, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Lying in politics is wrong and should never be rewarded, says newspaper which pays Boris Johnson £1 million a year to be its star columnist
Reposted by Michael Carlson
Trump lied to the nation yet again. He assured us, repeatedly, that this man had never been vetted.
Clearly he knew that was a lie, but he also wanted to use the death of a soldier to advance his own personal political agenda.
He is the scum of the Earth—and that is inarguable.
Clearly he knew that was a lie, but he also wanted to use the death of a soldier to advance his own personal political agenda.
He is the scum of the Earth—and that is inarguable.
November 29, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Trump lied to the nation yet again. He assured us, repeatedly, that this man had never been vetted.
Clearly he knew that was a lie, but he also wanted to use the death of a soldier to advance his own personal political agenda.
He is the scum of the Earth—and that is inarguable.
Clearly he knew that was a lie, but he also wanted to use the death of a soldier to advance his own personal political agenda.
He is the scum of the Earth—and that is inarguable.
Reposted by Michael Carlson
There is no strict constitutional prohibition against murdering survivors of boats that were blown up so it’s hard to see why liberals are mad at Pete Hegseth.
by Jonathan Turley
by Jonathan Turley
November 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
There is no strict constitutional prohibition against murdering survivors of boats that were blown up so it’s hard to see why liberals are mad at Pete Hegseth.
by Jonathan Turley
by Jonathan Turley
Reposted by Michael Carlson
9/ Reposted by Harvard Law Professor Richard M. Re
November 29, 2025 at 8:14 PM
9/ Reposted by Harvard Law Professor Richard M. Re
Reposted by Michael Carlson
This came from the 2021 infrastructure bill signed by Biden. Mace voted against it.
November 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
This came from the 2021 infrastructure bill signed by Biden. Mace voted against it.
Kirk's Works Be Done
Amazing story, state legislator and Turning Points USA leader who crusaded against bogus voter fraud claims pleads guilty to attempted election fraud. azmirror.com/briefs/turni...
Turning Point leader, former GOP Rep pleads guilty to attempted election fraud | Arizona Mirror
Austin Smith election fraud guilty plea: Former GOP Rep admits forging 100+ signatures on ballot petitions in Arizona
azmirror.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Kirk's Works Be Done
Reposted by Michael Carlson
The guy shot two random people with a gun, I don't think you can say he wasn't assimilating into our culture
Stephen Miller is now arguing that assimilation is fundamentally impossible and that certain cultures are not compatible with Western civilization
November 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The guy shot two random people with a gun, I don't think you can say he wasn't assimilating into our culture
Reposted by Michael Carlson
Can’t someone just take him to a golf sale or something, it’s Black Friday
It should go without saying, but the president has no authority to do this, and anyone reporting the story needs to say as such.
November 28, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Can’t someone just take him to a golf sale or something, it’s Black Friday
Reposted by Michael Carlson
Thread about an actual drug smuggler who’s about to be pardoned by Trump
Juan Orlando Hernandez was convicted by a jury of conspiring to traffic 400 tons of cocaine into the United States.
November 28, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Thread about an actual drug smuggler who’s about to be pardoned by Trump