Sue Cook
@suefc.bsky.social
Retired head, who’s passionate about the need to work towards securing a better future for young people and the need to tackle child abuse and poverty. NSPCC volunteer, enthusiastic gardener and cook. Also, an avid reader with wide ranging tastes in music.
Reposted by Sue Cook
"Viscountess Rothermere, the wife of Daily Mail owner Lord Rothermere, donated £50,000 to Reform in September."
🔴 NEW - Farage rescued (for now) by mega donor
Reform is in a worse financial position than it appears...
Reform is in a worse financial position than it appears...
Farage rescued (for now) by mega donor
Reform lands £9 million from one man...
writesbright.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:21 PM
"Viscountess Rothermere, the wife of Daily Mail owner Lord Rothermere, donated £50,000 to Reform in September."
Reposted by Sue Cook
🔴 NEW - Farage rescued (for now) by mega donor
Reform is in a worse financial position than it appears...
Reform is in a worse financial position than it appears...
Farage rescued (for now) by mega donor
Reform lands £9 million from one man...
writesbright.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:18 AM
🔴 NEW - Farage rescued (for now) by mega donor
Reform is in a worse financial position than it appears...
Reform is in a worse financial position than it appears...
Reposted by Sue Cook
Elephant "encourages" a crocodile to exit the watering hole it wants to use with its calf: 🔊 #AGoodPlace
Source: www.reddit.com/r/NatureIsFu...
Source: www.reddit.com/r/NatureIsFu...
November 30, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Elephant "encourages" a crocodile to exit the watering hole it wants to use with its calf: 🔊 #AGoodPlace
Source: www.reddit.com/r/NatureIsFu...
Source: www.reddit.com/r/NatureIsFu...
Reposted by Sue Cook
From Stoppard’s Arcadia:
November 29, 2025 at 8:30 PM
From Stoppard’s Arcadia:
Reposted by Sue Cook
I'm constantly shocked (but not surprised) by how little we discuss the additional financial burden placed on young people by the Clegg-Cameron student loan regime.
@rmcunliffe.bsky.social is one of the few journalists who brings it up continuously - once again in the wake of the budget 👇
@rmcunliffe.bsky.social is one of the few journalists who brings it up continuously - once again in the wake of the budget 👇
Rachel Reeves hits young graduates with a double stealth tax
The Chancellor plans to raise as much money from freezing loan repayment thresholds as from the mansion tax
www.newstatesman.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:04 PM
I'm constantly shocked (but not surprised) by how little we discuss the additional financial burden placed on young people by the Clegg-Cameron student loan regime.
@rmcunliffe.bsky.social is one of the few journalists who brings it up continuously - once again in the wake of the budget 👇
@rmcunliffe.bsky.social is one of the few journalists who brings it up continuously - once again in the wake of the budget 👇
Reposted by Sue Cook
The "guy making a case about low taxes" was in fact Karl Williams of the Centre for Policy Studies - author of the fictional/fabricated and now withdrawn "£234 billion" cost number cited by Katie Lam and Reform.
Funnily Amol Rajan didn't ask him about that.. 😉
Funnily Amol Rajan didn't ask him about that.. 😉
And again I wonder why a super expert like Portes is not on BBC4 today instead of a guy making a case about low taxes
Fewer workers. Fewer international students. More people leaving.
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 28, 2025 at 8:24 AM
The "guy making a case about low taxes" was in fact Karl Williams of the Centre for Policy Studies - author of the fictional/fabricated and now withdrawn "£234 billion" cost number cited by Katie Lam and Reform.
Funnily Amol Rajan didn't ask him about that.. 😉
Funnily Amol Rajan didn't ask him about that.. 😉
Reposted by Sue Cook
Went to look up last year's Budget statement in Hansard and was reminded of the Deputy Speaker, Nusrat Ghani, giving the government quite the telling off about pre-announcing/pre-briefing various elements of it
November 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Went to look up last year's Budget statement in Hansard and was reminded of the Deputy Speaker, Nusrat Ghani, giving the government quite the telling off about pre-announcing/pre-briefing various elements of it
Reposted by Sue Cook
This Wednesday, all welcome.
I’ll be giving an online talk on ‘Northern Writers’ for Elizabeth Gaskell’s House on Weds Nov 26th, 7pm, £6. (Lancashire Day, but I’ll be talking about writers from across northern England.) Book here: elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk/events/north/
November 23, 2025 at 1:43 PM
This Wednesday, all welcome.
Reposted by Sue Cook
What are the legal implications of Labour’s new asylum reforms?
Former permanent secretary of the Government Legal Department @sirjjkc.bsky.social examines some of the main legal implications of the proposals www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/lega...
Former permanent secretary of the Government Legal Department @sirjjkc.bsky.social examines some of the main legal implications of the proposals www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/lega...
What are the legal implications of Labour’s new asylum reforms? | Institute for Government
Some of the government’s proposals are thin on details, others are likely to be tested in the courts.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 4:43 PM
What are the legal implications of Labour’s new asylum reforms?
Former permanent secretary of the Government Legal Department @sirjjkc.bsky.social examines some of the main legal implications of the proposals www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/lega...
Former permanent secretary of the Government Legal Department @sirjjkc.bsky.social examines some of the main legal implications of the proposals www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/lega...
Reposted by Sue Cook
This afternoon my colleagues at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk will be discussing the second covid inquiry report. Join us online at lunchtime & bring your questions - see you there!
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/covid-...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/covid-...
The Covid Inquiry: What does Module II say about government decision making and political governance? | Institute for Government
Join our IfG experts webinar to unpack the Covid Inquiry's findings and explore their implications for future governance.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 8:58 AM
This afternoon my colleagues at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk will be discussing the second covid inquiry report. Join us online at lunchtime & bring your questions - see you there!
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/covid-...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/covid-...
Reposted by Sue Cook
As part of my Parliamentary Fellowship, I've co-authored with David Torrance a short research briefing on parliamentary sovereignty. I'm working on a (much) longer piece, which will be out in 2026!
@policyleeds.bsky.social @lawatleeds.bsky.social
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
@policyleeds.bsky.social @lawatleeds.bsky.social
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Parliamentary sovereignty
A short research briefing on the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, its origins and contemporary application.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:38 PM
As part of my Parliamentary Fellowship, I've co-authored with David Torrance a short research briefing on parliamentary sovereignty. I'm working on a (much) longer piece, which will be out in 2026!
@policyleeds.bsky.social @lawatleeds.bsky.social
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
@policyleeds.bsky.social @lawatleeds.bsky.social
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Sue Cook
Why the BBC should not counter-claim against Trump, whatever he calls them, unless as a last resort.
A counter-claim here would be a last resort. The objective should be to extract BBC from litigation, not tie it in more messily and expensively.
A counterclaim would give Trump all the rights of a defendant as well as a plaintiff.
Would be a nightmare, given his litigation game playing.
A counterclaim would give Trump all the rights of a defendant as well as a plaintiff.
Would be a nightmare, given his litigation game playing.
November 15, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Why the BBC should not counter-claim against Trump, whatever he calls them, unless as a last resort.
Reposted by Sue Cook
Please take a look at Gail’s fantastic merchandise. If you’re into brutal but beautiful architecture, vinyl records, gorgeous seasonal cards and wrapping paper, slipmats, t-shirts, cushions, and much, MUCH more, you’re in for a treat.
It’s critical that we support independent businesses. Please. ♥️
It’s critical that we support independent businesses. Please. ♥️
Tough time for freelance artists and the amazingly talented @gailmyerscough.co.uk is having a tough week sales wise. Have a look at her wonderful site! I’d be very grateful (as would she!). Please share! Thank you!
www.gailmyerscough.co.uk
www.gailmyerscough.co.uk
Gail Myerscough | Surface Pattern Designer & Illustrator | Manchester
Discover a world of bold and colourful prints, homewares and stationery by Gail Myerscough, a surface pattern designer and illustrator. Designed in Manchester, made in the UK.
www.gailmyerscough.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Please take a look at Gail’s fantastic merchandise. If you’re into brutal but beautiful architecture, vinyl records, gorgeous seasonal cards and wrapping paper, slipmats, t-shirts, cushions, and much, MUCH more, you’re in for a treat.
It’s critical that we support independent businesses. Please. ♥️
It’s critical that we support independent businesses. Please. ♥️
Reposted by Sue Cook
“Thank you for your attention to this matter”
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
emptycity.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:08 PM
“Thank you for your attention to this matter”
Reposted by Sue Cook
Why can't the BBC just be more impartial towards President Trump, like GB News, says Nigel Farage.
GB News:
GB News:
November 10, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Why can't the BBC just be more impartial towards President Trump, like GB News, says Nigel Farage.
GB News:
GB News:
Reposted by Sue Cook
The utter preposterousness of this interview. A media figure talking about BBC bias while describing the president as his "friend". A child could see trough it.
It’s already started - the BBC allows Newsmax boss to opine about bias, suggest some of the Jan 6 mob were merely innocent tourists visiting Congress, without pushback
November 11, 2025 at 8:39 AM
The utter preposterousness of this interview. A media figure talking about BBC bias while describing the president as his "friend". A child could see trough it.
Reposted by Sue Cook
Joshua refers to the BBC having a “choice between saying sorry and paying $1 billion”. There is also the option of doing neither and defending any claim, wherever it’s brought
Will President Trump sue the BBC for $1 billion? As the US president no doubt intended, it’s a figure that appears in almost every front-page newspaper headline today.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/will-trump...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/will-trump...
Will Trump sue?
Not if the BBC makes sufficient amends this week
rozenberg.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Joshua refers to the BBC having a “choice between saying sorry and paying $1 billion”. There is also the option of doing neither and defending any claim, wherever it’s brought
Reposted by Sue Cook
Reposted by Sue Cook
this is my favourite comment of the day on an FT story
November 9, 2025 at 7:45 PM
this is my favourite comment of the day on an FT story
Reposted by Sue Cook
After a fourth successive heavy annual defeat for Restore Trust, we should (but won't) have Telegraph reporters descending on the scone-eaters at historic properties to ask why they weren't in touch
This is an assymetry between the liberal left and the culture warriors of the metropolitan right
This is an assymetry between the liberal left and the culture warriors of the metropolitan right
November 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
After a fourth successive heavy annual defeat for Restore Trust, we should (but won't) have Telegraph reporters descending on the scone-eaters at historic properties to ask why they weren't in touch
This is an assymetry between the liberal left and the culture warriors of the metropolitan right
This is an assymetry between the liberal left and the culture warriors of the metropolitan right
Reposted by Sue Cook
Since we’re in the mood for strict accuracy in broadcast news, worth noting that a rival channel had a pundit - unchallenged - say asylum seekers in hotels committed 44% of sexual offences in one county, seemingly because she cannot understand basic maths.
A national newspaper journalist went on a British TV channel to claim police stats showed asylum-seekers committed 44% of sex crimes in Dorset.
This shocking claim was treated as fact by the channel which promoted the clip on social media where it was amplified by AI.
Except... it's bollocks.
This shocking claim was treated as fact by the channel which promoted the clip on social media where it was amplified by AI.
Except... it's bollocks.
November 9, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Since we’re in the mood for strict accuracy in broadcast news, worth noting that a rival channel had a pundit - unchallenged - say asylum seekers in hotels committed 44% of sexual offences in one county, seemingly because she cannot understand basic maths.
Reposted by Sue Cook
7. To close, here's some music for remembrance that deserves to be better known.
It's a setting of "In Flanders Field", by my friend, the composer David Allen. Sung here by the Oxford choir, the Arcadians. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN6n...
It's a setting of "In Flanders Field", by my friend, the composer David Allen. Sung here by the Oxford choir, the Arcadians. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN6n...
In Flanders Fields - David Allen
YouTube video by David Allen
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2024 at 6:10 PM
7. To close, here's some music for remembrance that deserves to be better known.
It's a setting of "In Flanders Field", by my friend, the composer David Allen. Sung here by the Oxford choir, the Arcadians. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN6n...
It's a setting of "In Flanders Field", by my friend, the composer David Allen. Sung here by the Oxford choir, the Arcadians. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN6n...
Reposted by Sue Cook
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Sue Cook
Mone firm owes £39 million in back taxes www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mone-linked firm PPE Medpro owes £39m in tax
Administrator's report shows firm owes £39m to HMRC on top of £148m owed to Department of Health
www.bbc.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Mone firm owes £39 million in back taxes www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Sue Cook
If parties want credit for telling hard truths, they need to tell them when they're genuinely hard.
If Labour had told the truth about taxes & the costs of Brexit before the election, its majority would be smaller.
But it would have more real power & the public would put more faith in its judgment
If Labour had told the truth about taxes & the costs of Brexit before the election, its majority would be smaller.
But it would have more real power & the public would put more faith in its judgment
She is telling an accurate story of recent history - the triple punch of austerity, Brexit and covid. It's spot on. But it is terribly strange to say it now in government when you were not prepared to say it in opposition.
November 4, 2025 at 9:49 AM
If parties want credit for telling hard truths, they need to tell them when they're genuinely hard.
If Labour had told the truth about taxes & the costs of Brexit before the election, its majority would be smaller.
But it would have more real power & the public would put more faith in its judgment
If Labour had told the truth about taxes & the costs of Brexit before the election, its majority would be smaller.
But it would have more real power & the public would put more faith in its judgment