@stephenmcnair.bsky.social
Retired academic and policy person living in north Norfolk. Senior Editor at East Anglia Bylines (citizen journalism).
Starmer said "Britain stands at a fork in the road. We can choose decency or division... A country proud of its values.. or one that succumbs.. to the politics of grievance."
It was ironic that Nigel Farage's response was to express grievance at the way he had been characterised.
It was ironic that Nigel Farage's response was to express grievance at the way he had been characterised.
October 1, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Starmer said "Britain stands at a fork in the road. We can choose decency or division... A country proud of its values.. or one that succumbs.. to the politics of grievance."
It was ironic that Nigel Farage's response was to express grievance at the way he had been characterised.
It was ironic that Nigel Farage's response was to express grievance at the way he had been characterised.
From Focaldata. How first past the post works in a five party world. Government elected by 30% of voters (perhaps less than 20% of electorate) is not democracy, and is a recipe for division.
September 22, 2025 at 12:01 PM
From Focaldata. How first past the post works in a five party world. Government elected by 30% of voters (perhaps less than 20% of electorate) is not democracy, and is a recipe for division.
We have an increaslingly bizarre politics dominated by two strange parties, each with only a single, unachievable, policy. For 'Our Party' its Gaza. For Reform UK Ltd its irregular migration. Neither policy will make any difference to most people's lives. Yet voters seem willing to support them.
September 22, 2025 at 6:57 AM
We have an increaslingly bizarre politics dominated by two strange parties, each with only a single, unachievable, policy. For 'Our Party' its Gaza. For Reform UK Ltd its irregular migration. Neither policy will make any difference to most people's lives. Yet voters seem willing to support them.
Last year 1,300 violent or sexual offences were reported to the police in Epping. Perhaps three were allegedly carried out by an asylum seeker. The protests are not about protecting 'our women and children' .
eastangliabylines.co.uk/politics/loc...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/politics/loc...
The Bell Hotel: what do people really think about asylum hotels?
Today the Court of Appeal ruled that the Bell Hotel in Epping may continue to house asylum seekers. What do local people think about the issue?
eastangliabylines.co.uk
August 31, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Last year 1,300 violent or sexual offences were reported to the police in Epping. Perhaps three were allegedly carried out by an asylum seeker. The protests are not about protecting 'our women and children' .
eastangliabylines.co.uk/politics/loc...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/politics/loc...
Last year’s Winter Fuel Payment cuts were unfair and unworkable. Labour is rowing back, and there is a fair fix: tax wealthier pensioners to protect poorer ones.
Read the simple but ingenious solution.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/welfare...
Read the simple but ingenious solution.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/welfare...
Here’s how to give more pensioners the Winter Fuel Payment
The announcement that more pensioners are to get the winter fuel allowance is welcome. But there are practical problems. Here is a solution.
eastangliabylines.co.uk
May 21, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Last year’s Winter Fuel Payment cuts were unfair and unworkable. Labour is rowing back, and there is a fair fix: tax wealthier pensioners to protect poorer ones.
Read the simple but ingenious solution.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/welfare...
Read the simple but ingenious solution.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/welfare...
The College of Psychiatrists oppose the End of Life Bill because some people might be suicidal.
So I have 6 months to live, I am in pain, my quality of life is poor, and my family are watching me decline. Of course I am suicidal, but a psychiatrist can 'convince me not to end my life. Why?
So I have 6 months to live, I am in pain, my quality of life is poor, and my family are watching me decline. Of course I am suicidal, but a psychiatrist can 'convince me not to end my life. Why?
May 14, 2025 at 9:00 AM
The College of Psychiatrists oppose the End of Life Bill because some people might be suicidal.
So I have 6 months to live, I am in pain, my quality of life is poor, and my family are watching me decline. Of course I am suicidal, but a psychiatrist can 'convince me not to end my life. Why?
So I have 6 months to live, I am in pain, my quality of life is poor, and my family are watching me decline. Of course I am suicidal, but a psychiatrist can 'convince me not to end my life. Why?
Many of the people protesting about immigration have been told that all the ills of our society will be solved if we keep immigrants out. It is nonsense, those problems will get worse if we restrict immigration as Yvette Cooper is proposing. This policy is a disaster, as The Bear points out.
‘Who voted for this?’: Why the migration debate needs more honesty, and a plan
Labour promises cuts to migration – but without a plan, care homes, hospitals and families will suffer
eastangliabylines.co.uk
May 12, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Many of the people protesting about immigration have been told that all the ills of our society will be solved if we keep immigrants out. It is nonsense, those problems will get worse if we restrict immigration as Yvette Cooper is proposing. This policy is a disaster, as The Bear points out.
Can anybody show evidence that universities are abusing the student visa scheme as Yvette Cooper is claiming?
May 11, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Can anybody show evidence that universities are abusing the student visa scheme as Yvette Cooper is claiming?
Reposted
The irony is the revolution against technocrats will end with officials running the councils because Reform councillors will have no idea what to do + many don't even want to be doing it.
@vicderbyshire.bsky.social @chadbourn.bsky.social
Winning reform candidates in emotional meltdown post count in #rugby #warwickshire
Winning reform candidates in emotional meltdown post count in #rugby #warwickshire
May 3, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The irony is the revolution against technocrats will end with officials running the councils because Reform councillors will have no idea what to do + many don't even want to be doing it.
One of the great economic voices of the left.
6 minutes on how we got into this mess.
Key message is that in the 1980s the most important effect of Reagonomics was not the immediate impact on the rich or the poor, but on the people in the middle. We now live with the consequences.
6 minutes on how we got into this mess.
Key message is that in the 1980s the most important effect of Reagonomics was not the immediate impact on the rich or the poor, but on the people in the middle. We now live with the consequences.
I’ve been in or around politics for over a half-century now.
I’ve watched as corporations and the super-rich flooded D.C. with campaign cash and ransacked our system.
It won't be easy, but here’s how we break the corporate oligarchy and return power to the people.
I’ve watched as corporations and the super-rich flooded D.C. with campaign cash and ransacked our system.
It won't be easy, but here’s how we break the corporate oligarchy and return power to the people.
The Big Picture: How We Got Into This Mess, And How We Get Out of It | Robert Reich
I’ve been in or around politics for over a half-century now. I’ve watched as corporations ransacked our system. In 1952,
youtu.be
April 28, 2025 at 6:59 AM
One of the great economic voices of the left.
6 minutes on how we got into this mess.
Key message is that in the 1980s the most important effect of Reagonomics was not the immediate impact on the rich or the poor, but on the people in the middle. We now live with the consequences.
6 minutes on how we got into this mess.
Key message is that in the 1980s the most important effect of Reagonomics was not the immediate impact on the rich or the poor, but on the people in the middle. We now live with the consequences.
Reposted
The IRS launched its own tax filing program that allowed taxpayers to file taxes for free.
Tax prep companies like Intuit lobbied for years to stop the IRS from doing this.
Intuit donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration. Now Trump is gutting the program.
Hello?
Tax prep companies like Intuit lobbied for years to stop the IRS from doing this.
Intuit donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration. Now Trump is gutting the program.
Hello?
April 19, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The IRS launched its own tax filing program that allowed taxpayers to file taxes for free.
Tax prep companies like Intuit lobbied for years to stop the IRS from doing this.
Intuit donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration. Now Trump is gutting the program.
Hello?
Tax prep companies like Intuit lobbied for years to stop the IRS from doing this.
Intuit donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration. Now Trump is gutting the program.
Hello?
@rory-stewart.bsky.social on your 19th March podcast you raised the issue of how we want to use the land. You might want to look at the current government consultation on a land strategy.
March 21, 2025 at 6:57 PM
@rory-stewart.bsky.social on your 19th March podcast you raised the issue of how we want to use the land. You might want to look at the current government consultation on a land strategy.
March 21, 2025 at 6:53 PM