Leigh Sparks
@sparksstirling.bsky.social
Professor of Retail Studies, University of Stirling, Chair Scotland's Towns Partnership, Fellow Royal Society of Edinburgh, Extremely long-suffering Welsh rugby fan, occasional gardener.
Stirlingretail.com
Stirlingretail.com
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
This young man has it exactly right.
November 21, 2025 at 11:30 PM
This young man has it exactly right.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
elon installs a new feature that publicly displays the country where your app was installed and operates from
people find out the most racist pro-US accounts are based in israel, india, bangladesh, etc
US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TWITTER BASED IN ISRAEL
elon pauses location feature
people find out the most racist pro-US accounts are based in israel, india, bangladesh, etc
US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TWITTER BASED IN ISRAEL
elon pauses location feature
November 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
elon installs a new feature that publicly displays the country where your app was installed and operates from
people find out the most racist pro-US accounts are based in israel, india, bangladesh, etc
US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TWITTER BASED IN ISRAEL
elon pauses location feature
people find out the most racist pro-US accounts are based in israel, india, bangladesh, etc
US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TWITTER BASED IN ISRAEL
elon pauses location feature
"Official activity logs appear to undermine evidence that Johnson gave under oath"
If this is true then Johnson should be charged and if found guilty lose all ex-PM privileges and be jailed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
If this is true then Johnson should be charged and if found guilty lose all ex-PM privileges and be jailed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Boris Johnson took four days off as NHS warned Covid could ‘overwhelm’ system
Files show then PM was walking dog, riding motorbike and hosting guests as pandemic planning stalled in ‘lost month’
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:53 PM
"Official activity logs appear to undermine evidence that Johnson gave under oath"
If this is true then Johnson should be charged and if found guilty lose all ex-PM privileges and be jailed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
If this is true then Johnson should be charged and if found guilty lose all ex-PM privileges and be jailed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
November 22, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
the truth will come out eventually .
does our government have the guts to release it ?????
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
the truth will come out eventually .
does our government have the guts to release it ?????
The right wing elite are ruthless in protecting their own and getting what they want.
They wanted Johnson. (And what a disaster that was for us).
Now they want Farage. (Would be an off the scale catastrophe for the country).
Time we woke up to the betrayal.
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-confid...
They wanted Johnson. (And what a disaster that was for us).
Now they want Farage. (Would be an off the scale catastrophe for the country).
Time we woke up to the betrayal.
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-confid...
The Confidence Trick That Put Boris Johnson Into Power Is Now Being Used on Nigel Farage
The same people who convinced the British public to back a catastrophic Boris Johnson premiership are now pulling the same trick again with Nigel Farage
www.adambienkov.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 2:52 PM
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
the truth will come out eventually .
does our government have the guts to release it ?????
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
RELEASE THE RUSSIAN REPORT
the truth will come out eventually .
does our government have the guts to release it ?????
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
And this is spot on. No other political figure or party gets so little scrutiny. And it’s not like there isn’t a track record…
Corruption, Russia-links, Trump-christofascist-links, Brexit, racism, total incompetence in Reform-run councils…
A dangerous clowncar revving up to drive us into the wall.
Corruption, Russia-links, Trump-christofascist-links, Brexit, racism, total incompetence in Reform-run councils…
A dangerous clowncar revving up to drive us into the wall.
November 22, 2025 at 2:42 PM
And this is spot on. No other political figure or party gets so little scrutiny. And it’s not like there isn’t a track record…
Corruption, Russia-links, Trump-christofascist-links, Brexit, racism, total incompetence in Reform-run councils…
A dangerous clowncar revving up to drive us into the wall.
Corruption, Russia-links, Trump-christofascist-links, Brexit, racism, total incompetence in Reform-run councils…
A dangerous clowncar revving up to drive us into the wall.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
The right wing elite are ruthless in protecting their own and getting what they want.
They wanted Johnson. (And what a disaster that was for us).
Now they want Farage. (Would be an off the scale catastrophe for the country).
Time we woke up to the betrayal.
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-confid...
They wanted Johnson. (And what a disaster that was for us).
Now they want Farage. (Would be an off the scale catastrophe for the country).
Time we woke up to the betrayal.
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-confid...
The Confidence Trick That Put Boris Johnson Into Power Is Now Being Used on Nigel Farage
The same people who convinced the British public to back a catastrophic Boris Johnson premiership are now pulling the same trick again with Nigel Farage
www.adambienkov.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM
The right wing elite are ruthless in protecting their own and getting what they want.
They wanted Johnson. (And what a disaster that was for us).
Now they want Farage. (Would be an off the scale catastrophe for the country).
Time we woke up to the betrayal.
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-confid...
They wanted Johnson. (And what a disaster that was for us).
Now they want Farage. (Would be an off the scale catastrophe for the country).
Time we woke up to the betrayal.
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-confid...
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Newmarket MP Matt Hancock gave a £37bn Covid testing contract to Jockey Club director Dido Harding, who subcontracted it to Grand National sponsor Randox, employer of Tory MP Owen Paterson, whose late wife chaired Aintree racecourse. That's how the Tories handled the pandemic.
November 22, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Newmarket MP Matt Hancock gave a £37bn Covid testing contract to Jockey Club director Dido Harding, who subcontracted it to Grand National sponsor Randox, employer of Tory MP Owen Paterson, whose late wife chaired Aintree racecourse. That's how the Tories handled the pandemic.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Anyone else with links to Russia?
It appears the only time Farage wasn't on Question Time was because he was on Russia Today
It appears the only time Farage wasn't on Question Time was because he was on Russia Today
November 22, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Anyone else with links to Russia?
It appears the only time Farage wasn't on Question Time was because he was on Russia Today
It appears the only time Farage wasn't on Question Time was because he was on Russia Today
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Brexit Hit to UK Economy Double Official Estimate, Study Finds
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist.
bloom.bg
November 21, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales sentenced to 10.5 years in prison for taking bribes for pro-Russia interviews and speeches.
Who else was involved,?
Party can now add treason to racism, misogyny, islamaphobia, economic illiteracy as its electoral credentials.
Who else was involved,?
Party can now add treason to racism, misogyny, islamaphobia, economic illiteracy as its electoral credentials.
Former Reform in Wales leader Nathan Gill jailed for pro-Russian bribery
Nathan Gill, 52, is sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison after admitting taking bribes while an MEP.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales sentenced to 10.5 years in prison for taking bribes for pro-Russia interviews and speeches.
Who else was involved,?
Party can now add treason to racism, misogyny, islamaphobia, economic illiteracy as its electoral credentials.
Who else was involved,?
Party can now add treason to racism, misogyny, islamaphobia, economic illiteracy as its electoral credentials.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
This story is all Nigel Farage should be asked about by journalists for months
Ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales sentenced to 10-and-a-half years for taking pro-Russian bribes
The judge tells Nathan Gill his actions were a
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 2:34 PM
This story is all Nigel Farage should be asked about by journalists for months
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Thanks to his new Tesla pay package, Elon Musk could stand to make $3 billion more per year than all 1.4 million elementary school teachers in the U.S. combined. Still wondering if inequality is out of control?
November 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Thanks to his new Tesla pay package, Elon Musk could stand to make $3 billion more per year than all 1.4 million elementary school teachers in the U.S. combined. Still wondering if inequality is out of control?
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Richard Tice, March 2025:
"I have never met Nathan Gill, and he has never had anything to do with Reform,"
"I have never met Nathan Gill, and he has never had anything to do with Reform,"
November 21, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Richard Tice, March 2025:
"I have never met Nathan Gill, and he has never had anything to do with Reform,"
"I have never met Nathan Gill, and he has never had anything to do with Reform,"
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Oh look - it's a league determining its own commercial destiny.
No sign of FFR anywhere near this.
Contrast with Wales, where the WRU negotiates bad deals on our behalf whilst holding a knife to our throat.
No sign of FFR anywhere near this.
Contrast with Wales, where the WRU negotiates bad deals on our behalf whilst holding a knife to our throat.
The Top 14 has launched a global streaming platform and announced 11 international broadcast partnerships – here's everything you need to know 👇
www.rugbybroadcast.com/p/top-14-rug...
www.rugbybroadcast.com/p/top-14-rug...
Top 14 rugby launches global streaming service and announces 11 new broadcast partnerships
At a glance
www.rugbybroadcast.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Oh look - it's a league determining its own commercial destiny.
No sign of FFR anywhere near this.
Contrast with Wales, where the WRU negotiates bad deals on our behalf whilst holding a knife to our throat.
No sign of FFR anywhere near this.
Contrast with Wales, where the WRU negotiates bad deals on our behalf whilst holding a knife to our throat.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
It never stops.
The grubby donations. The profiteering. The lobbying. The lies.
“In 2019-20, as the UK was leaving the EU, Harborne gave £10m to Nigel Farage’s Brexit party, since renamed Reform UK.”
They make damn sure they get what they want.
We get screwed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The grubby donations. The profiteering. The lobbying. The lies.
“In 2019-20, as the UK was leaving the EU, Harborne gave £10m to Nigel Farage’s Brexit party, since renamed Reform UK.”
They make damn sure they get what they want.
We get screwed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Cryptocurrency backed by Farage donor is used for Russian war effort, investigators say
Tether tokens found to facilitate scheme that enables sanctions evasion and launders money for the Kremlin
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:43 AM
It never stops.
The grubby donations. The profiteering. The lobbying. The lies.
“In 2019-20, as the UK was leaving the EU, Harborne gave £10m to Nigel Farage’s Brexit party, since renamed Reform UK.”
They make damn sure they get what they want.
We get screwed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The grubby donations. The profiteering. The lobbying. The lies.
“In 2019-20, as the UK was leaving the EU, Harborne gave £10m to Nigel Farage’s Brexit party, since renamed Reform UK.”
They make damn sure they get what they want.
We get screwed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
"Teams cannot simply be seen as toys of the governing body."
...
"The term “licence” itself implies impermanence. Something that can simply be taken away at the whim of the WRU. "
These are fundamental points about the WRU and their demand for control. They should not be anywhere near this.
...
"The term “licence” itself implies impermanence. Something that can simply be taken away at the whim of the WRU. "
These are fundamental points about the WRU and their demand for control. They should not be anywhere near this.
cf10rugbytrust.org/2025/11/20/c...
CF10 board’s thoughts on WRU proposals for club control and ownership - a thoughtful and thorough appraisal
CF10 board’s thoughts on WRU proposals for club control and ownership - a thoughtful and thorough appraisal
CF10 board’s thoughts on WRU proposals for club control and ownership
Since Helford Capital’s abject failure to fulfil its financial commitments as owners, and Cardiff Rugby’s subsequent slip into administration and temporary WRU ownership, as a Supporters’ Trust we …
cf10rugbytrust.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:32 AM
"Teams cannot simply be seen as toys of the governing body."
...
"The term “licence” itself implies impermanence. Something that can simply be taken away at the whim of the WRU. "
These are fundamental points about the WRU and their demand for control. They should not be anywhere near this.
...
"The term “licence” itself implies impermanence. Something that can simply be taken away at the whim of the WRU. "
These are fundamental points about the WRU and their demand for control. They should not be anywhere near this.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
And if you haven't already read it, here is the Sky News investigation which shows how X is disproportionately boosting right-wing content, extreme content, and politicians personally favoured by Elon Musk
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
The X Effect: How Elon Musk is boosting the British right
For nine months, Sky News' Data and Forensics team has been investigating whether X's algorithm amplifies right-wing and extreme content. It does.
news.sky.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:18 PM
And if you haven't already read it, here is the Sky News investigation which shows how X is disproportionately boosting right-wing content, extreme content, and politicians personally favoured by Elon Musk
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
🚨 Labour MPs are calling for a minister-led review of the government’s use of X, warning it poses growing risks to democracy and public safety
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
Labour MPs Call For A More Serious Review Of The Government's Use Of X
Labour MPs are calling for ministers to take control of decisions over the government’s continued use of X, as concerns grow about the platform’s s...
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:05 PM
🚨 Labour MPs are calling for a minister-led review of the government’s use of X, warning it poses growing risks to democracy and public safety
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
So Elon Musk's AI engages in Holocaust denial now, and there are still democratic governments with active X accounts.
Calling on the Irish government and state agencies to immediately close their X accounts. Continued use of a fascist agitator's social media site is both incompatible with democratic values and immoral.
November 20, 2025 at 4:11 PM
So Elon Musk's AI engages in Holocaust denial now, and there are still democratic governments with active X accounts.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
"Independents are rooted in the town, they build relationships with customers and offer delight you can't get on your smartphone."
Some comment from me here in this BBC News article about my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops for the Tees Valley Combined Authority!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Some comment from me here in this BBC News article about my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops for the Tees Valley Combined Authority!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Teesside shop owners say it is 'not too late to save High Street'
Retailers on Teesside are being invited to a series of workshops aiming to boost town centre trade.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 8:18 AM
"Independents are rooted in the town, they build relationships with customers and offer delight you can't get on your smartphone."
Some comment from me here in this BBC News article about my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops for the Tees Valley Combined Authority!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Some comment from me here in this BBC News article about my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops for the Tees Valley Combined Authority!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
50 slides!
10 minutes!
10 minutes!
November 19, 2025 at 4:10 PM
50 slides!
10 minutes!
10 minutes!
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Nigel Farage wants to ban dual citizenship.
A quick reminder that the hypocrite-in-chief tried to add German citizenship to his own by lying about the place & length of his residence in Germany, & then had to withdraw his application when found out.
A quick reminder that the hypocrite-in-chief tried to add German citizenship to his own by lying about the place & length of his residence in Germany, & then had to withdraw his application when found out.
November 19, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Nigel Farage wants to ban dual citizenship.
A quick reminder that the hypocrite-in-chief tried to add German citizenship to his own by lying about the place & length of his residence in Germany, & then had to withdraw his application when found out.
A quick reminder that the hypocrite-in-chief tried to add German citizenship to his own by lying about the place & length of his residence in Germany, & then had to withdraw his application when found out.
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Shops on Battlefield Rd, where it forms a gushet with Battlefield Gardens. The corner is occupied by the Kinning Park Cooperative Society, which was formed in 1871 at the same time as the police burgh of Kinning Park itself.
📷 Glasgow City Archives
#glasgow
📷 Glasgow City Archives
#glasgow
November 15, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Shops on Battlefield Rd, where it forms a gushet with Battlefield Gardens. The corner is occupied by the Kinning Park Cooperative Society, which was formed in 1871 at the same time as the police burgh of Kinning Park itself.
📷 Glasgow City Archives
#glasgow
📷 Glasgow City Archives
#glasgow
Reposted by Leigh Sparks
Is it a threat to free speech when the President of the United States threatens to yank the broadcast license of a channel whose reporters are asking him challenging questions?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
Trump in response to an Epstein question: "ABC, your company, your crappy company is one of the perpetrators. I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and so wrong. And we have a great commissioner, a chairman, who should take a look at that."
November 18, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Is it a threat to free speech when the President of the United States threatens to yank the broadcast license of a channel whose reporters are asking him challenging questions?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?