Mike Phelps
@mike1phelps.bsky.social
Retired ex-academic economist and civil servant
Reposted by Mike Phelps
People have memory-holed Heath's period as PM which included several policy U Turns (including abolishing and reinstating incomes policies), the 3 day week and the Barber Boom. The later, in combination with the later OPEC price shock, gave a substantial boost to inflation.
November 13, 2025 at 5:57 PM
People have memory-holed Heath's period as PM which included several policy U Turns (including abolishing and reinstating incomes policies), the 3 day week and the Barber Boom. The later, in combination with the later OPEC price shock, gave a substantial boost to inflation.
Reposted by Mike Phelps
For all the excitement over Epstein's emails it is quite remarkable how no one has quite managed to establish how a fired private high school teacher managed to amass so much money in financial markets so quickly
November 13, 2025 at 6:17 PM
For all the excitement over Epstein's emails it is quite remarkable how no one has quite managed to establish how a fired private high school teacher managed to amass so much money in financial markets so quickly
Reposted by Mike Phelps
Reposted by Mike Phelps
today in We Live In The Future And The Future Is Stupid: went to a pub to inquire about a potential room booking but the staff aren't allowed to process those in person so I am now sitting in the pub, writing them an email to inquire about a potential room booking
November 11, 2025 at 5:35 PM
today in We Live In The Future And The Future Is Stupid: went to a pub to inquire about a potential room booking but the staff aren't allowed to process those in person so I am now sitting in the pub, writing them an email to inquire about a potential room booking
Reposted by Mike Phelps
Court of Appeal finds Northamptonshire chief constable in contempt of court for years of false claims that police footage of a woman’s arrest was deleted. The footage was finally disclosed days before the appeal, vindicating the woman's repeated requests for it.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/chief-c...
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/chief-c...
Chief constable in contempt over 'wholly ignored' order
'Orders made against public bodies - and for the avoidance of doubt I include police forces within that - are expected to be obeyed.'
www.lawgazette.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Court of Appeal finds Northamptonshire chief constable in contempt of court for years of false claims that police footage of a woman’s arrest was deleted. The footage was finally disclosed days before the appeal, vindicating the woman's repeated requests for it.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/chief-c...
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/chief-c...
Reposted by Mike Phelps
NEW: @propublica.org investigated the Chicago apartment raid where kids were zip-tied and citizens detained for hours. They find:
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
November 13, 2025 at 2:08 PM
NEW: @propublica.org investigated the Chicago apartment raid where kids were zip-tied and citizens detained for hours. They find:
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
Reposted by Mike Phelps
#ÆþelrædUnræd ordered the massacre of Danes in England outside the #Danelaw #OnThisDay in 1002; the St. Brice's Day Massacre has been described by some as the first documented #genocide in Anglo-Saxon #England & is a stain on the reign of Æþelræd the Unready:
www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Hi...
www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Hi...
November 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
#ÆþelrædUnræd ordered the massacre of Danes in England outside the #Danelaw #OnThisDay in 1002; the St. Brice's Day Massacre has been described by some as the first documented #genocide in Anglo-Saxon #England & is a stain on the reign of Æþelræd the Unready:
www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Hi...
www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Hi...
Reposted by Mike Phelps
This plot is from a different, evil world.
Oh, wait a minute: this is reality. Publishers making like 38% profit margins.
Oh, wait a minute: this is reality. Publishers making like 38% profit margins.
What is the most profitable industry in the world, this side of the law? Not oil, not IT, not pharma.
It's *scientific publishing*.
We call this the Drain of Scientific Publishing.
Paper: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Background: doi.org/10.1162/qss_...
Thread @markhanson.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy 👇
It's *scientific publishing*.
We call this the Drain of Scientific Publishing.
Paper: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Background: doi.org/10.1162/qss_...
Thread @markhanson.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy 👇
November 13, 2025 at 2:37 PM
This plot is from a different, evil world.
Oh, wait a minute: this is reality. Publishers making like 38% profit margins.
Oh, wait a minute: this is reality. Publishers making like 38% profit margins.
Reposted by Mike Phelps
Bosses will resign, right?
NEW: 2020 footage said to be in 2025. A neighbor who keeps reappearing in the same clip, said to be on different days & months. A broadcast from elsewhere suggested as Portland.
How Fox News misled its viewership -- which may have included the president.
www.propublica.org/article/port...
How Fox News misled its viewership -- which may have included the president.
www.propublica.org/article/port...
“Riots Raging”: The Misleading Story Fox News Told About Portland Before Trump Sent Troops
After reviewing coverage from the network and hours of social media videos that preceded Trump’s decision, ProPublica found that Fox’s portrayal of “Portland rioters” routinely instigating violence wa...
www.propublica.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Bosses will resign, right?
Reposted by Mike Phelps
Interesting. I can't recall an organisation's staff calling for the resignation of what is in effect a Non Executive Director
Tells me that they have experienced his reported interference with day to day
Feels like some staff really have had enough
Good 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Tells me that they have experienced his reported interference with day to day
Feels like some staff really have had enough
Good 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
MPs and BBC staff call for Robbie Gibb to leave broadcaster’s board
Boris Johnson’s appointee is accused of pushing claims of institutional bias at the corporation after shock resignations
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Interesting. I can't recall an organisation's staff calling for the resignation of what is in effect a Non Executive Director
Tells me that they have experienced his reported interference with day to day
Feels like some staff really have had enough
Good 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Tells me that they have experienced his reported interference with day to day
Feels like some staff really have had enough
Good 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Reposted by Mike Phelps
Amazing. It’s been 30 years since the first easyJet flight! Hopefully the baggage will turn up soon.
November 12, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Amazing. It’s been 30 years since the first easyJet flight! Hopefully the baggage will turn up soon.
Reposted by Mike Phelps
Great cover from @privateeyenews.bsky.social
BBC Under Attack: Pot and Kettle Special
The new Private Eye is out now.
The new Private Eye is out now.
November 12, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Great cover from @privateeyenews.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike Phelps
This really is worth reading.
How the author of the leaked memo, Michael Prescott, working for Hanover that earns $$$ lobbying for American tech, was ushered into oversight of OfCom selection by Johnson and into a key position of power on the BBC by Robbie Gibbs.
How the author of the leaked memo, Michael Prescott, working for Hanover that earns $$$ lobbying for American tech, was ushered into oversight of OfCom selection by Johnson and into a key position of power on the BBC by Robbie Gibbs.
🧵On our revelations today about the BBC Coup and the Prescott Dossier.
The leaked ‘BBC Bias’ memo Trump used to attack the BBC was authored by Michael Prescott — a Hanover lobbyist paid by US tech/media giants tied to Trump. Full story: bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b... 1/12
The leaked ‘BBC Bias’ memo Trump used to attack the BBC was authored by Michael Prescott — a Hanover lobbyist paid by US tech/media giants tied to Trump. Full story: bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b... 1/12
'BBC Bias' Memo Was Authored by Lobbyist Tied to Pro-Trump Tech Giants
The leaked memo that fuelled Trump’s attack on the BBC was written by a lobbyist at a firm paid by US tech giants tied to the President
bylinetimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:41 AM
This really is worth reading.
How the author of the leaked memo, Michael Prescott, working for Hanover that earns $$$ lobbying for American tech, was ushered into oversight of OfCom selection by Johnson and into a key position of power on the BBC by Robbie Gibbs.
How the author of the leaked memo, Michael Prescott, working for Hanover that earns $$$ lobbying for American tech, was ushered into oversight of OfCom selection by Johnson and into a key position of power on the BBC by Robbie Gibbs.
Reposted by Mike Phelps
An absolute kicker at the end of this excellent @theifs.bsky.social summary - the increase in the Income Tax Personal Allowance (a tax cut) led to poverty increasing!
ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
Why has in-work poverty risen? | Institute for Fiscal Studies
We study the reasons for rising in-work poverty in the 25 years up to the pandemic.
ifs.org.uk
November 12, 2025 at 5:55 PM
An absolute kicker at the end of this excellent @theifs.bsky.social summary - the increase in the Income Tax Personal Allowance (a tax cut) led to poverty increasing!
ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
Reposted by Mike Phelps
Yikes! 🤮
The McDonald’s at 148-150 Dalton Road, Barrow-in Furness, has been given a one-star food hygiene rating…
…and has been told that ‘major improvement is necessary’ to appease health inspectors.
The McDonald’s at 148-150 Dalton Road, Barrow-in Furness, has been given a one-star food hygiene rating…
…and has been told that ‘major improvement is necessary’ to appease health inspectors.
McDonald’s in Dalton Rd, Barrow: 1* food hygiene rating
Dalton Rd, Barrow McDonalds rated as ‘major improvement necessary’ in 1* from a health inspector
northwestbylines.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Yikes! 🤮
The McDonald’s at 148-150 Dalton Road, Barrow-in Furness, has been given a one-star food hygiene rating…
…and has been told that ‘major improvement is necessary’ to appease health inspectors.
The McDonald’s at 148-150 Dalton Road, Barrow-in Furness, has been given a one-star food hygiene rating…
…and has been told that ‘major improvement is necessary’ to appease health inspectors.
Reposted by Mike Phelps
Musk is very confused - the EU Commission president is nominated by leaders of (elected) govts and approved by the (elected) European Parliament, not 'appointed by a committee'.
November 12, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Musk is very confused - the EU Commission president is nominated by leaders of (elected) govts and approved by the (elected) European Parliament, not 'appointed by a committee'.
Reposted by Mike Phelps
Some bizarre stuff going down in the Oval these days. After spraying the Syrian president with his Trump Fragrance he then asks him how many wives he has.
November 12, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Some bizarre stuff going down in the Oval these days. After spraying the Syrian president with his Trump Fragrance he then asks him how many wives he has.
Reposted by Mike Phelps
A decade ago, the Telegraph was a respectable paper.
Now it’s a low-quality treasonous tabloid.
Now it’s a low-quality treasonous tabloid.
November 12, 2025 at 6:06 PM
A decade ago, the Telegraph was a respectable paper.
Now it’s a low-quality treasonous tabloid.
Now it’s a low-quality treasonous tabloid.
Reposted by Mike Phelps
The idea that Keir Starmer, who does not appear to have a theory of economic growth or a consistent tax and spending plan, is the only imaginable Labour politician who wouldn't scare the markets... doesn't entirely convince me tbh.
November 11, 2025 at 10:49 PM
The idea that Keir Starmer, who does not appear to have a theory of economic growth or a consistent tax and spending plan, is the only imaginable Labour politician who wouldn't scare the markets... doesn't entirely convince me tbh.
Reposted by Mike Phelps
In 2015 Cameron won an overall majority, and it was thrown away by May in 2017 because of Brexit.
In 2019 Johnson won a thumping majority, and yet he was out of office less than three years later.
In 2024 Starmer won a thumping majority and seems to have no idea what to do with it.
>
In 2019 Johnson won a thumping majority, and yet he was out of office less than three years later.
In 2024 Starmer won a thumping majority and seems to have no idea what to do with it.
>
November 12, 2025 at 10:39 AM
In 2015 Cameron won an overall majority, and it was thrown away by May in 2017 because of Brexit.
In 2019 Johnson won a thumping majority, and yet he was out of office less than three years later.
In 2024 Starmer won a thumping majority and seems to have no idea what to do with it.
>
In 2019 Johnson won a thumping majority, and yet he was out of office less than three years later.
In 2024 Starmer won a thumping majority and seems to have no idea what to do with it.
>
Reposted by Mike Phelps
Interesting comparison. Brexit was the raising of non tariff barriers, leaving the EU's Single Market and Customs Union, and, to a first approximation, unchanged terms with the rest of the world. It was done in a relatively orderly, legalised fashion.
I wonder if the United States can learn anything from the last time a major industrialized country decided to isolate itself from the rest of the world?
Almost a decade after the Brexit vote, GDP in the UK is around 6-8% lower relative to peer countries. (Source: www.nber.org/papers/w34459)
Almost a decade after the Brexit vote, GDP in the UK is around 6-8% lower relative to peer countries. (Source: www.nber.org/papers/w34459)
November 12, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Interesting comparison. Brexit was the raising of non tariff barriers, leaving the EU's Single Market and Customs Union, and, to a first approximation, unchanged terms with the rest of the world. It was done in a relatively orderly, legalised fashion.
Reposted by Mike Phelps
Good grief
Evan Davis described Chris Patten as a voice from the left on BBC PM tonight.
November 11, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Good grief
Reposted by Mike Phelps
Reposted by Mike Phelps
How Israel made away entirely with its already-weak system of accountability for torture of Palestinians.
theconversation.com/arrest-of-to...
theconversation.com/arrest-of-to...
Arrest of top whistleblower shows extent of Israeli impunity over torture of Palestinian detainees
The episode highlights serious problems with accountability in Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in custody.
theconversation.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:42 AM
How Israel made away entirely with its already-weak system of accountability for torture of Palestinians.
theconversation.com/arrest-of-to...
theconversation.com/arrest-of-to...
Reposted by Mike Phelps
Scoop from @cjayanetti.bsky.social - Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madness” www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform Council To Double Tax On Second Homes Despite Nigel Farage Calling The Idea 'Madness'
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madne...
www.politicshome.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Scoop from @cjayanetti.bsky.social - Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madness” www.politicshome.com/news/article...