Rik M
@spetsdad.bsky.social
He/him (for want of anything better). Business Analyst. Ex-programmer. Archer (resting). Knitter. Sometime leathercrafter. Husband and father.
Reposted by Rik M
Reposted by Rik M
Sunlit GoT decor, today
#thePhotoHour
#thePhotoHour
November 17, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Sunlit GoT decor, today
#thePhotoHour
#thePhotoHour
This is good: lays out clearly the current idiocy of "fiscal rules" and how they lead directly to austerity and how this is simply not required
The Alternative Budget 2025, Part 2: Understanding tax and ‘borrowing’ www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/11...
The Alternative Budget 2025, Part 2: Understanding tax and ‘borrowing’
Rachel Reeves will be presenting her Budget on November 26, if the Labour government of which she is a part lasts that long.
I will be commenting on that Budget on the day on BBC Radio 2, and elsewh...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
November 17, 2025 at 11:16 AM
This is good: lays out clearly the current idiocy of "fiscal rules" and how they lead directly to austerity and how this is simply not required
Reposted by Rik M
Reposted by Rik M
This is an insanely cool (actual) photo taken by photographer Andrew McCarthy of a skydiver buddy seen in silhouette against the distant sun. Full story, videos, and more here: www.instagram.com/p/DRBAaqLkvy...
November 14, 2025 at 4:30 PM
This is an insanely cool (actual) photo taken by photographer Andrew McCarthy of a skydiver buddy seen in silhouette against the distant sun. Full story, videos, and more here: www.instagram.com/p/DRBAaqLkvy...
Reposted by Rik M
"We estimate that by 2025, the Brexit process had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8%, investment by 12% to 18%, employment by 3% to 4%, and productivity by 3% to 4%.'
Stasis, sanctimony and the liberal paradox. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog with such Brexit news as there is, but mainly analysis of what 'responsible Farage' tells us about the tensions in Reform and what the BBC row tells us about Brexitism: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/stas...
November 16, 2025 at 9:47 AM
"We estimate that by 2025, the Brexit process had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8%, investment by 12% to 18%, employment by 3% to 4%, and productivity by 3% to 4%.'
Reposted by Rik M
Best literary analysis ever
November 15, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Best literary analysis ever
Reposted by Rik M
your dead AI mother loves you so much ❤️
November 15, 2025 at 12:50 AM
your dead AI mother loves you so much ❤️
Reposted by Rik M
Just signed this, and (if you're in the UK) hopefully you will too
action.goodlawproject.org/tell-the-BBC...
action.goodlawproject.org/tell-the-BBC...
Tell the BBC to stop attacking trans people
The BBC is in shock after rightwing groups have claimed the broadcaster is against Donald Trump and “pro-trans”. But the reality is very different. A recent YouGov survey found that 70% of trans peopl...
action.goodlawproject.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Just signed this, and (if you're in the UK) hopefully you will too
action.goodlawproject.org/tell-the-BBC...
action.goodlawproject.org/tell-the-BBC...
When some designer forgets how traffic lights work...
November 13, 2025 at 11:27 AM
When some designer forgets how traffic lights work...
"Reeves should abandon the fantasy that she can rebuild Britain by following the rules that broke it."
How can Rachel Reeves deliver a Budget when the government is collapsing? www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/11... You cannot deliver a credible Budget from a government that has already lost its coherence, as this one would appear to have done
How can Rachel Reeves deliver a Budget when the government is collapsing?
According to The Guardian and many other media sources, based on briefings from 10 Downing Street, senior members of the Labour Party have already been manoeuvring for position in anticipation of Keir...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
November 13, 2025 at 10:10 AM
"Reeves should abandon the fantasy that she can rebuild Britain by following the rules that broke it."
Wait, when did we get a boot scraper...?
November 12, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Wait, when did we get a boot scraper...?
Reposted by Rik M
To be clear, Streeting is a mendacious, morally vacuous creep who will say and do anything for power.
That's the verdict of all who knew him in student politics and all who had the misfortune to work with him after.
He's just as awful as Starmer, possibly even worse.
An awful choice for PM.
That's the verdict of all who knew him in student politics and all who had the misfortune to work with him after.
He's just as awful as Starmer, possibly even worse.
An awful choice for PM.
Labour MPs say Wes Streeting's stock has risen within the party after extraordinary No 10 briefings against him on Tuesday night
"They've managed to create a situation where Wes is the victim/the adult in the room"
report @siennarodgers.bsky.social and @adampayne26.bsky.social
"They've managed to create a situation where Wes is the victim/the adult in the room"
report @siennarodgers.bsky.social and @adampayne26.bsky.social
Labour MPs Say No 10 Briefing Has Increased Wes Streeting’s Chances Of Becoming PM
Labour MPs have told PoliticsHome that Wes Streeting’s stock has increased among members of the Parliamentary Labour Party, particularly its soft l...
www.politicshome.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:05 PM
To be clear, Streeting is a mendacious, morally vacuous creep who will say and do anything for power.
That's the verdict of all who knew him in student politics and all who had the misfortune to work with him after.
He's just as awful as Starmer, possibly even worse.
An awful choice for PM.
That's the verdict of all who knew him in student politics and all who had the misfortune to work with him after.
He's just as awful as Starmer, possibly even worse.
An awful choice for PM.
Reposted by Rik M
This is even funnier than it just being Streeting on manoeuvres.
November 11, 2025 at 10:50 PM
This is even funnier than it just being Streeting on manoeuvres.
Reposted by Rik M
🐀Male and female rats like to be tickled differently - males prefer rougher play.
🤣How do we know? Rats produce ultrasonic giggles that can be monitored with a bat detector.
🧪Why is this relevant? To improve lab animal welfare.
Ah, to tickle rats for a living...♥️
f1000research.com/articles/14-...
🤣How do we know? Rats produce ultrasonic giggles that can be monitored with a bat detector.
🧪Why is this relevant? To improve lab animal welfare.
Ah, to tickle rats for a living...♥️
f1000research.com/articles/14-...
November 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
🐀Male and female rats like to be tickled differently - males prefer rougher play.
🤣How do we know? Rats produce ultrasonic giggles that can be monitored with a bat detector.
🧪Why is this relevant? To improve lab animal welfare.
Ah, to tickle rats for a living...♥️
f1000research.com/articles/14-...
🤣How do we know? Rats produce ultrasonic giggles that can be monitored with a bat detector.
🧪Why is this relevant? To improve lab animal welfare.
Ah, to tickle rats for a living...♥️
f1000research.com/articles/14-...
Reposted by Rik M
Reposted by Rik M
Emily Maitlis admitting she worked at the bbc to try and get healthcare for trans people shut down
November 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Emily Maitlis admitting she worked at the bbc to try and get healthcare for trans people shut down
Reposted by Rik M
A reminder that this anti-trans panic is 100% bullshit and exactly none of our country’s problems are related to someone expressing their gender identity and everyone who isn’t a hate-filled weirdo knows it.
November 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
A reminder that this anti-trans panic is 100% bullshit and exactly none of our country’s problems are related to someone expressing their gender identity and everyone who isn’t a hate-filled weirdo knows it.
I kind of find the whole idea of "class" in society as delusional... Artificial divisions in a spectrum (speaking as someone from a probable 'working class' background who has transitioned to, and probably passes as 'middle class' 🤷)
Could someone explain to me what is meant when a British person refers to "the middle class" ? Like, in the US, as I hear it, it basically just means a person who makes a certain amount of money, not too far below and not wildly above the median. Seems like a complex concept when UK writers use it?
November 10, 2025 at 10:04 PM
I kind of find the whole idea of "class" in society as delusional... Artificial divisions in a spectrum (speaking as someone from a probable 'working class' background who has transitioned to, and probably passes as 'middle class' 🤷)
Reposted by Rik M
Here’s my open letter to the Hampstead Heath charity and its sole trustee, the City of London Corporation. In it, I reminded them that they have the legal right to petition Parliament to preserve the existing trans-inclusive access arrangements.
November 10, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Here’s my open letter to the Hampstead Heath charity and its sole trustee, the City of London Corporation. In it, I reminded them that they have the legal right to petition Parliament to preserve the existing trans-inclusive access arrangements.