Paul Welters
@paulwelters.bsky.social
REJOINER. Semi- retired Bookbinder, Bores on. Loads of degrees, polymath, curious, cynic, likes irony, modest, mildly arrogant, interest in craft skills, trades, textiles.
Reposted by Paul Welters
My family came here 50 years ago. They've worked, paid taxes, raised families, been good citizens.
My many colleagues and friends who were either born elsewhere, or their parents were, the same.
It's so offensive to be told you're here on sufferance.
My many colleagues and friends who were either born elsewhere, or their parents were, the same.
It's so offensive to be told you're here on sufferance.
Just fuck off with this. How about start the conversation by highlighting how much immigrants contribute to the UK - not least by propping up the NHS and social care system!
Also - forced volunteering is not volunteering, it's unpaid labour.
Also - forced volunteering is not volunteering, it's unpaid labour.
September 29, 2025 at 9:20 AM
My family came here 50 years ago. They've worked, paid taxes, raised families, been good citizens.
My many colleagues and friends who were either born elsewhere, or their parents were, the same.
It's so offensive to be told you're here on sufferance.
My many colleagues and friends who were either born elsewhere, or their parents were, the same.
It's so offensive to be told you're here on sufferance.
Reposted by Paul Welters
Mathematician Marjorie Lee Browne, whose work focused on linear algebra, topology, and the properties of classical groups, was born #OTD in 1914.
She was one of the first Black women to earn a PhD in mathematics from a US university – the University of Michigan.👩🔬 🧪 🧮
She was one of the first Black women to earn a PhD in mathematics from a US university – the University of Michigan.👩🔬 🧪 🧮
September 9, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Mathematician Marjorie Lee Browne, whose work focused on linear algebra, topology, and the properties of classical groups, was born #OTD in 1914.
She was one of the first Black women to earn a PhD in mathematics from a US university – the University of Michigan.👩🔬 🧪 🧮
She was one of the first Black women to earn a PhD in mathematics from a US university – the University of Michigan.👩🔬 🧪 🧮
Reposted by Paul Welters
The BBC are constantly fawning over Farage's every move despite Reform only having four MPs. Our national broadcaster should reflect the whole country, not just one man’s ego.
September 9, 2025 at 2:23 PM
The BBC are constantly fawning over Farage's every move despite Reform only having four MPs. Our national broadcaster should reflect the whole country, not just one man’s ego.
Reposted by Paul Welters
Right wing media has had it in for Angela Rayner from the start - they couldn’t bear a working class woman being so powerful & dynamic. She made a mistake and has paid heavily for it. Very much hope she’ll return at some point in the future - our politics desperately needs more voices like hers
September 5, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Right wing media has had it in for Angela Rayner from the start - they couldn’t bear a working class woman being so powerful & dynamic. She made a mistake and has paid heavily for it. Very much hope she’ll return at some point in the future - our politics desperately needs more voices like hers
Reposted by Paul Welters
Daily Telegraph today refers to A Rayner’s property “empire”. Whatever you think of her housing arrangements, I don’t think constituency house (bought for 375k in 2016), house in Hove, plus use of ministerial flat in London is an “empire”. Duke of Westminster wont fear a rival!
August 24, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Daily Telegraph today refers to A Rayner’s property “empire”. Whatever you think of her housing arrangements, I don’t think constituency house (bought for 375k in 2016), house in Hove, plus use of ministerial flat in London is an “empire”. Duke of Westminster wont fear a rival!
Reposted by Paul Welters
Today’s poem is called ‘How Much I Dislike the Daily Mail’.
August 20, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Today’s poem is called ‘How Much I Dislike the Daily Mail’.
Reposted by Paul Welters
I've just spent a year in Italy, which gets a fair number of small boats from a much larger stretch of sea than the Channel on a daily basis and NO WAY there is such hysterical, daily political coverage of this worldwide phenomenon like here in the UK.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on asylum myths: when truth loses, scapegoating takes over Britain’s migrant debate | Editorial
Editorial: Labour’s cautious fixes for immigration and asylum policy face a toxic public mood shaped by fear, falsehoods and far-right provocation
www.theguardian.com
August 6, 2025 at 4:10 AM
I've just spent a year in Italy, which gets a fair number of small boats from a much larger stretch of sea than the Channel on a daily basis and NO WAY there is such hysterical, daily political coverage of this worldwide phenomenon like here in the UK.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Good. Farmers are not bearing the true environmental cost of slurry pollution, or overuse of fertilisers that run off into water courses.
Will we finally see action taken to address the hidden scandal of rampant farm waste dumping - aka slurry spreading. www.farminguk.com/news/defra-t...
Defra tightens rules to tackle farm pollution after legal pressure
Defra has issued tougher new guidance to clamp down on agricultural pollution following a landmark legal win by environmental campaigners.
www.farminguk.com
August 6, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Good. Farmers are not bearing the true environmental cost of slurry pollution, or overuse of fertilisers that run off into water courses.
Absolutely. We need compulsory voting in the UK. Then nobody can deny that they can participate in elective democracy. Don't want to vote for any candidate? You can express this by writing in a name or spoiling your ballot.
In Australia, voting is compulsory for all eligible citizens aged 18 and over. If you don’t vote without a valid excuse, you can be fined.
We need this in the UK!
We need this in the UK!
July 22, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Absolutely. We need compulsory voting in the UK. Then nobody can deny that they can participate in elective democracy. Don't want to vote for any candidate? You can express this by writing in a name or spoiling your ballot.
Reposted by Paul Welters
Which means no major party is holding Brexit to account — even though it’s the root cause of our food crisis, constitutional decline, authoritarian drift, and trade collapse.
July 4, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Which means no major party is holding Brexit to account — even though it’s the root cause of our food crisis, constitutional decline, authoritarian drift, and trade collapse.
Reposted by Paul Welters
2 years later: "Nigel Farage's near monthly appearances on state-owned Russia Today have come under scrutiny after his expression of admiration for Vladimir Putin this week"
"has appeared so frequently that he is cited in RT literature as one of their special and "endlessly quotable" British guests"
"has appeared so frequently that he is cited in RT literature as one of their special and "endlessly quotable" British guests"
Nigel Farage's relationship with Russian media comes under scrutiny
The Ukip leader's Euroscepticism makes him a shoo-in at the Russian state broadcaster that is often called Putin's mouthpiece
www.theguardian.com
July 3, 2025 at 7:48 PM
2 years later: "Nigel Farage's near monthly appearances on state-owned Russia Today have come under scrutiny after his expression of admiration for Vladimir Putin this week"
"has appeared so frequently that he is cited in RT literature as one of their special and "endlessly quotable" British guests"
"has appeared so frequently that he is cited in RT literature as one of their special and "endlessly quotable" British guests"
Sort of a "Arbeit macht frei." situation.
So an armed force of unidentified people with a near limitless budget are going to round randomly-selected people up outside of due process, force them into camps, and (potentially) rent out their labour for profit. There are words for this.
July 3, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Sort of a "Arbeit macht frei." situation.
Reposted by Paul Welters
This is a really bad time to be a person who understands history well…
Everything may not look exactly the same, but it rhymes.
Everything may not look exactly the same, but it rhymes.
July 2, 2025 at 2:09 PM
This is a really bad time to be a person who understands history well…
Everything may not look exactly the same, but it rhymes.
Everything may not look exactly the same, but it rhymes.
Reposted by Paul Welters
Jaw-dropping reporting by Haaretz www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
June 27, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Jaw-dropping reporting by Haaretz www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Reposted by Paul Welters
Have you ever seen a turkey stuff itself for Christmas?
That's essentially what Starmer has done with his superhuman intransigence on the Welfare Bill.
Now, there are no good ways forward for him and Labour, only a series of grim choices.
Not the Tories. Not the media. Entirely self-inflicted.
That's essentially what Starmer has done with his superhuman intransigence on the Welfare Bill.
Now, there are no good ways forward for him and Labour, only a series of grim choices.
Not the Tories. Not the media. Entirely self-inflicted.
“Reports of such a ruthless whipping operation reflect the government’s weakness: a wild overcompensation after Starmer instigated a political argument in his party, and failed to win it.”
www.politics.co.uk/news-feature...
www.politics.co.uk/news-feature...
Welfare rebellion leaves Keir Starmer stranded - Politics.co.uk
Labour’s welfare rebels have broken cover today in a remarkable challenge to the government’s legislative programme and the prime minister’s political authority. Last night, 108 Labour MPs — led by 13...
www.politics.co.uk
June 24, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Have you ever seen a turkey stuff itself for Christmas?
That's essentially what Starmer has done with his superhuman intransigence on the Welfare Bill.
Now, there are no good ways forward for him and Labour, only a series of grim choices.
Not the Tories. Not the media. Entirely self-inflicted.
That's essentially what Starmer has done with his superhuman intransigence on the Welfare Bill.
Now, there are no good ways forward for him and Labour, only a series of grim choices.
Not the Tories. Not the media. Entirely self-inflicted.
Reposted by Paul Welters
Badger culling is ineffective at tackling TB in cattle, yet the Labour government reneged on its promise to #EndTheCull and issued new licenses! 🤦♀️
Inspiring to meet Brian May and the Save Me Trust to hear about a successful trial of alternatives at Gatcombe Farm. Let's do it! 🦡
Inspiring to meet Brian May and the Save Me Trust to hear about a successful trial of alternatives at Gatcombe Farm. Let's do it! 🦡
June 20, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Badger culling is ineffective at tackling TB in cattle, yet the Labour government reneged on its promise to #EndTheCull and issued new licenses! 🤦♀️
Inspiring to meet Brian May and the Save Me Trust to hear about a successful trial of alternatives at Gatcombe Farm. Let's do it! 🦡
Inspiring to meet Brian May and the Save Me Trust to hear about a successful trial of alternatives at Gatcombe Farm. Let's do it! 🦡
Reposted by Paul Welters
Tom Bradshaw, NFU President 🚜:
🇪🇺 "The EU is by far and away our largest market place"
🍲 "About 70% of our export volume for food goes to the EU"
7️⃣ The EU is "7x greater than any other export market"
🇪🇺 "The EU is by far and away our largest market place"
🍲 "About 70% of our export volume for food goes to the EU"
7️⃣ The EU is "7x greater than any other export market"
June 17, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Tom Bradshaw, NFU President 🚜:
🇪🇺 "The EU is by far and away our largest market place"
🍲 "About 70% of our export volume for food goes to the EU"
7️⃣ The EU is "7x greater than any other export market"
🇪🇺 "The EU is by far and away our largest market place"
🍲 "About 70% of our export volume for food goes to the EU"
7️⃣ The EU is "7x greater than any other export market"
Reposted by Paul Welters
Remembering the Yorkshire Labour MP Jo Cox today, and the last Remain bid that she wrote: "Brexit is not the answer to UK immigration concerns"
published in Politics Home, 13 June 2016, 3 days before she was murdered by a radicalised far-right nationalist.
www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...
published in Politics Home, 13 June 2016, 3 days before she was murdered by a radicalised far-right nationalist.
www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...
June 16, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Reposted by Paul Welters
Former Tory MP Nicholas Soames on Rees-Mogg:
"He is an absolute fraud, he is a living example of what a moderately cut double-breasted suit & a decent tie can do with an ultra-posh voice and a bit of ginger stuck up his arse."
"He is an absolute fraud, he is a living example of what a moderately cut double-breasted suit & a decent tie can do with an ultra-posh voice and a bit of ginger stuck up his arse."
People misread Rees-Mogg all the time. He's not an aristocracy story but a social mobility story: the grandson of a lorry driver who made it to pretending to be a lord. It's the British Dream.
The funny thing about Rees Mogg and his TV show is that he actually isn't upper class. He just acts like it.
June 13, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Former Tory MP Nicholas Soames on Rees-Mogg:
"He is an absolute fraud, he is a living example of what a moderately cut double-breasted suit & a decent tie can do with an ultra-posh voice and a bit of ginger stuck up his arse."
"He is an absolute fraud, he is a living example of what a moderately cut double-breasted suit & a decent tie can do with an ultra-posh voice and a bit of ginger stuck up his arse."
Reposted by Paul Welters
12 June 1929 | A German Jewish girl, Anne Frank, was born in Frankfurt.
In 1942 on her 13th birthday she received an empty diary. She perished in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945.
'Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character & goodness.' (A.Frank)
In 1942 on her 13th birthday she received an empty diary. She perished in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945.
'Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character & goodness.' (A.Frank)
June 12, 2025 at 11:02 AM
12 June 1929 | A German Jewish girl, Anne Frank, was born in Frankfurt.
In 1942 on her 13th birthday she received an empty diary. She perished in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945.
'Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character & goodness.' (A.Frank)
In 1942 on her 13th birthday she received an empty diary. She perished in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945.
'Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character & goodness.' (A.Frank)
Reposted by Paul Welters
As for Farage, I would take a leaf from courageous politicians around Europe and actually face down fascism, and not pander to it.
Fight Farage on Brexit. That is is weakest terrain actually, not immigration or culture, where he's happy. Hang it around him like an albatross.
Fight Farage on Brexit. That is is weakest terrain actually, not immigration or culture, where he's happy. Hang it around him like an albatross.
June 10, 2025 at 9:48 AM
As for Farage, I would take a leaf from courageous politicians around Europe and actually face down fascism, and not pander to it.
Fight Farage on Brexit. That is is weakest terrain actually, not immigration or culture, where he's happy. Hang it around him like an albatross.
Fight Farage on Brexit. That is is weakest terrain actually, not immigration or culture, where he's happy. Hang it around him like an albatross.
Reposted by Paul Welters
What this headline means is……
Occupational therapy provided by local authorities to state school pupils not available to those who opt out of the state system, under legislation brought in by the Tories.
Occupational therapy provided by local authorities to state school pupils not available to those who opt out of the state system, under legislation brought in by the Tories.
June 10, 2025 at 8:18 AM
What this headline means is……
Occupational therapy provided by local authorities to state school pupils not available to those who opt out of the state system, under legislation brought in by the Tories.
Occupational therapy provided by local authorities to state school pupils not available to those who opt out of the state system, under legislation brought in by the Tories.
Reposted by Paul Welters
It’s incredibly frustrating to see
The media obsession with Reform is off the charts
The media obsession with Reform is off the charts
When the Greens said this, nothing. When the LibDems spoke up about how bad it was Labour were dropping this, nothing. Reform back it and its even a headline in the fucking Guardian. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reform UK backs plan to put swift bricks in every new home in England
Party joins MPs across political spectrum in supporting bird conservation amendment similar to one blocked by Labour
www.theguardian.com
June 10, 2025 at 9:58 AM
It’s incredibly frustrating to see
The media obsession with Reform is off the charts
The media obsession with Reform is off the charts
Reposted by Paul Welters
When the Greens said this, nothing. When the LibDems spoke up about how bad it was Labour were dropping this, nothing. Reform back it and its even a headline in the fucking Guardian. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reform UK backs plan to put swift bricks in every new home in England
Party joins MPs across political spectrum in supporting bird conservation amendment similar to one blocked by Labour
www.theguardian.com
June 10, 2025 at 6:43 AM
When the Greens said this, nothing. When the LibDems spoke up about how bad it was Labour were dropping this, nothing. Reform back it and its even a headline in the fucking Guardian. www.theguardian.com/environment/...