Hugh Spanner
@thebiglebluesky.bsky.social
Accountant in Manchester, interested in things that don’t add up.
Reposted by Hugh Spanner
Solidarity with Persians. I hope they win their freedom, with our support and as peacefully as possible.
January 10, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Solidarity with Persians. I hope they win their freedom, with our support and as peacefully as possible.
After years of cancel culture, during which people were ostracised and blacklisted for the slightest missteps and deviations from stupid orthodoxies, these writers finally rally to defend someone who celebrated the mass murder and rape of young people at a music festival.
January 10, 2026 at 1:51 AM
After years of cancel culture, during which people were ostracised and blacklisted for the slightest missteps and deviations from stupid orthodoxies, these writers finally rally to defend someone who celebrated the mass murder and rape of young people at a music festival.
Corbyn’s long term mate continues his descent to rock bottom.
January 9, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Corbyn’s long term mate continues his descent to rock bottom.
The question is of what capability we have after decades of cuts to Armed Forces. We should support Ukraine, but we also have a duty to those who serve to be honest about what we have given them to work with.
This week, I challenged the Government on whether the current ‘coalition of the willing’ will evolve into a ‘coalition of the capable’ to defend Ukraine, particularly in light of recent US military action in Venezuela.
January 9, 2026 at 2:47 PM
The question is of what capability we have after decades of cuts to Armed Forces. We should support Ukraine, but we also have a duty to those who serve to be honest about what we have given them to work with.
It’s very funny how obsesses MSM have become with local councils now Reform have started to win things. Where were you in Manchester these past years?!
Reform UK accused of ‘betraying’ election pledges after council tax rises
Reform UK accused of ‘betraying’ election pledges after council tax rises
Four out of five councils controlled by party have proposed 5% council tax rises, the maximum permitted by law
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has been accused of “betraying” election promises to cut council tax after several councils it controls said they planned to increase rates close to the maximum allowed.
They include Kent county council – the party’s flagship local authority and one viewed by it as the “shop window” for what a Reform-led government would look like – which has proposed an increase of 3.99%. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:14 PM
It’s very funny how obsesses MSM have become with local councils now Reform have started to win things. Where were you in Manchester these past years?!
A most welcome U-turn if it happens.
Rachel Reeves 'poised to u-turn on business rates' for struggling pubs within days
www.lbc.co.uk/article/rach...
www.lbc.co.uk/article/rach...
Rachel Reeves 'poised to u-turn on business rates' for struggling pubs within days | LBC
The Chancellor commissioned research on extra support for pubs before Christmas, and is expected to come forward with more support specifically for struggling boozers, as early as next week.
www.lbc.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 1:51 PM
A most welcome U-turn if it happens.
Quoting the person you sympathise with as the headline of your story is not journalism. The Select Committee had scandalous moments for the police - in particular about the duty of candour. Should have led with that to be objective.
West Midlands police insist decision to ban Maccabi fans ‘not politically influenced’
West Midlands police insist decision to ban Maccabi fans ‘not politically influenced’
Police leaders defend position after being recalled to give further evidence in second hearing to home affairs committee
Police chiefs facing scrutiny over a decision to ban fans of an Israeli football team from attending a match in Birmingham have insisted the move was not politically influenced.
West Midlands police (WMP) leaders defended their position at the home affairs committee on Tuesday after being recalled to give further evidence over the decision to ban fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending a Europa League match against Aston Villa on 6 November. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Quoting the person you sympathise with as the headline of your story is not journalism. The Select Committee had scandalous moments for the police - in particular about the duty of candour. Should have led with that to be objective.
Reposted by Hugh Spanner
This is something Dominic Cummings grasped. Despite how much the liberal establishment loves to sneer at him, he was at least a No10 chief of who seemed to "get it".
I think you need this nowadays to do a job like that. Does McSweeney? Does anyone within the labour ecology?
I think you need this nowadays to do a job like that. Does McSweeney? Does anyone within the labour ecology?
January 9, 2026 at 7:08 AM
This is something Dominic Cummings grasped. Despite how much the liberal establishment loves to sneer at him, he was at least a No10 chief of who seemed to "get it".
I think you need this nowadays to do a job like that. Does McSweeney? Does anyone within the labour ecology?
I think you need this nowadays to do a job like that. Does McSweeney? Does anyone within the labour ecology?
Reposted by Hugh Spanner
Reposted by Hugh Spanner
Antonov AN -124 vs Swan ✈️🦢
October 26, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Antonov AN -124 vs Swan ✈️🦢