Thomas Bacon
@tomabacon.bsky.social
Head of Screen Rant's Star Wars coverage. A lifelong fan of superhero comics and films, with a love of in-depth analysis!
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
That this was 2022 policy of last government is not necessarily a reason not to do it.
But ignoring that avoids question of why it failed
Much tougher policy on "pull factors" (refuse all claims) failed
So analysis of asylum system rules as pull factor is exaggerated/wrong & changes won't impact
But ignoring that avoids question of why it failed
Much tougher policy on "pull factors" (refuse all claims) failed
So analysis of asylum system rules as pull factor is exaggerated/wrong & changes won't impact
November 17, 2025 at 8:08 AM
That this was 2022 policy of last government is not necessarily a reason not to do it.
But ignoring that avoids question of why it failed
Much tougher policy on "pull factors" (refuse all claims) failed
So analysis of asylum system rules as pull factor is exaggerated/wrong & changes won't impact
But ignoring that avoids question of why it failed
Much tougher policy on "pull factors" (refuse all claims) failed
So analysis of asylum system rules as pull factor is exaggerated/wrong & changes won't impact
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
A strong immigration system doesn't need to be a cruel one.
It shouldn't need saying - but refugees & asylum seekers are real people, fleeing war and persecution.
This daughter of an immigrant is proud of our British and Labour values of respect and not turning our backs on people in real need.
It shouldn't need saying - but refugees & asylum seekers are real people, fleeing war and persecution.
This daughter of an immigrant is proud of our British and Labour values of respect and not turning our backs on people in real need.
November 17, 2025 at 11:02 AM
A strong immigration system doesn't need to be a cruel one.
It shouldn't need saying - but refugees & asylum seekers are real people, fleeing war and persecution.
This daughter of an immigrant is proud of our British and Labour values of respect and not turning our backs on people in real need.
It shouldn't need saying - but refugees & asylum seekers are real people, fleeing war and persecution.
This daughter of an immigrant is proud of our British and Labour values of respect and not turning our backs on people in real need.
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
This has to be a moment of reckoning for how they've organised themselves, the ideas they're promoting and the manner in which they are pursuing them. It can't go on like this.
This is the kind of mess you expect from a Major-style government that's lost its majority and is dying on its arse.
It's not about the theatre of it. It's just a terrible, indefensible way to go about making policy. And it has terrified thousands of disabled people in the process.
It's not about the theatre of it. It's just a terrible, indefensible way to go about making policy. And it has terrified thousands of disabled people in the process.
July 1, 2025 at 4:58 PM
This has to be a moment of reckoning for how they've organised themselves, the ideas they're promoting and the manner in which they are pursuing them. It can't go on like this.
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
once again I must tap my own sign
June 5, 2025 at 9:13 PM
once again I must tap my own sign
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
President Trump, "As Pope?"
"I'd like to be Pope"
"That would be my number one choice"
"I'd like to be Pope"
"That would be my number one choice"
April 29, 2025 at 9:00 PM
President Trump, "As Pope?"
"I'd like to be Pope"
"That would be my number one choice"
"I'd like to be Pope"
"That would be my number one choice"
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
1/4. On the White House’s theory, if they abduct you, get you on a helicopter, get to international waters, shoot you in the head, and drop your corpse into the ocean, that is legal, because it is the conduct of foreign affairs.
April 15, 2025 at 1:13 AM
1/4. On the White House’s theory, if they abduct you, get you on a helicopter, get to international waters, shoot you in the head, and drop your corpse into the ocean, that is legal, because it is the conduct of foreign affairs.
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
1/ The Trump Administration is seeking to force foreign companies worldwide to ban diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes within their firms if they want to do business with the US government. It's an aggressive expansion of its anti-DEI crusade. ⬇️
March 29, 2025 at 12:20 PM
1/ The Trump Administration is seeking to force foreign companies worldwide to ban diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes within their firms if they want to do business with the US government. It's an aggressive expansion of its anti-DEI crusade. ⬇️
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
This is pretty damning.
March 28, 2025 at 10:09 PM
This is pretty damning.
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
It is moments like this that really bring home how unutterably awful it was to allow events* to create a national mood in which Boris Johnson & Liz Truss could become Prime Minister. Imagine they were in the post right now…
*Brexit
*Brexit
March 2, 2025 at 10:01 AM
It is moments like this that really bring home how unutterably awful it was to allow events* to create a national mood in which Boris Johnson & Liz Truss could become Prime Minister. Imagine they were in the post right now…
*Brexit
*Brexit
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
Typically interesting from @benshimshon.bsky.social (& @stevevr.bsky.social)
Do voters care about manifesto promises? Yes...
But Labour's opponents care more than its supporters
For the latter, feeling positive change is more important than campaign pledges
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Do voters care about manifesto promises? Yes...
But Labour's opponents care more than its supporters
For the latter, feeling positive change is more important than campaign pledges
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
February 20, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Typically interesting from @benshimshon.bsky.social (& @stevevr.bsky.social)
Do voters care about manifesto promises? Yes...
But Labour's opponents care more than its supporters
For the latter, feeling positive change is more important than campaign pledges
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Do voters care about manifesto promises? Yes...
But Labour's opponents care more than its supporters
For the latter, feeling positive change is more important than campaign pledges
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
Jasmine Crockett: "The problem is that Americans thought it was okay to take a full fledged criminal and make him the President of the US and then they want to act aghast when he does criminal things. Let me tell you, we have a thug in charge of the US and if we don't wake up we may not have a US"
February 2, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Jasmine Crockett: "The problem is that Americans thought it was okay to take a full fledged criminal and make him the President of the US and then they want to act aghast when he does criminal things. Let me tell you, we have a thug in charge of the US and if we don't wake up we may not have a US"
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
We really should do something to recognise 'Daniel Hannan Day' e.g. Self-flagellation and Morris Dancing.
Barely more than 6 months now until we all get to celebrate Daniel Hannan day!
January 11, 2025 at 11:10 AM
We really should do something to recognise 'Daniel Hannan Day' e.g. Self-flagellation and Morris Dancing.
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
The Theelin Pirate (Paloma Garcia-Lee) interacting with KB and Fern at Port Borgo gave off BIG ‘Mission of Disaster’ Energy where the Nihil kidnap children to increase their numbers.👀
Not saying THIS is the case here, but I’m not ruling it out either. Great performance!
#SkeletonCrew
Not saying THIS is the case here, but I’m not ruling it out either. Great performance!
#SkeletonCrew
December 7, 2024 at 1:36 AM
The Theelin Pirate (Paloma Garcia-Lee) interacting with KB and Fern at Port Borgo gave off BIG ‘Mission of Disaster’ Energy where the Nihil kidnap children to increase their numbers.👀
Not saying THIS is the case here, but I’m not ruling it out either. Great performance!
#SkeletonCrew
Not saying THIS is the case here, but I’m not ruling it out either. Great performance!
#SkeletonCrew
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
This is regulatory failure. But if you determine to run a complex regulatory state without acknowledgment, adopting any principles, or sharing any of the load, there's bound to be problems.
Regulation is a huge modern political challenge largely unrecognised.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Regulation is a huge modern political challenge largely unrecognised.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
‘Brexit problem’: UK tap water safety at risk after testing labs shut down
Exclusive: EU countries will share laboratory capacity but UK rules mean products cannot be tested abroad
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2024 at 10:51 AM
This is regulatory failure. But if you determine to run a complex regulatory state without acknowledgment, adopting any principles, or sharing any of the load, there's bound to be problems.
Regulation is a huge modern political challenge largely unrecognised.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Regulation is a huge modern political challenge largely unrecognised.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
So, taking a look through Keir Starmer's "six missions." Initial impression: there are some very specific targets here, unusual to see in British politics. And they're challenging. Rishi Sunak's weird five missions, they are not. 🧵
December 5, 2024 at 9:58 PM
So, taking a look through Keir Starmer's "six missions." Initial impression: there are some very specific targets here, unusual to see in British politics. And they're challenging. Rishi Sunak's weird five missions, they are not. 🧵
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
Happy happy pub day @cavan.bsky.social!!
It’s STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC - TEMPEST BREAKER day! Available wherever you get your audiobooks!
Mayhem! Betrayal! Heartache! Dancing!
Thanks as always to @darthinternous.bsky.social and the entire Random House Worlds & Penguin Random House Audio teams!
Mayhem! Betrayal! Heartache! Dancing!
Thanks as always to @darthinternous.bsky.social and the entire Random House Worlds & Penguin Random House Audio teams!
December 3, 2024 at 9:56 AM
Happy happy pub day @cavan.bsky.social!!
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
The arbitration process in this EU/UK dispute is now underway. Some details 1/
EU triggers Brexit deal dispute settlement process over UK prohibition on fishing of sandeel ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
My earlier analysis of how the Brexit deal dispute settlement process works here
eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/01/anal...
My earlier analysis of how the Brexit deal dispute settlement process works here
eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/01/anal...
November 28, 2024 at 8:24 PM
The arbitration process in this EU/UK dispute is now underway. Some details 1/
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
There is an overlooked chance that US tariff policy simply descends into a chaos of corruption and vested interests political and business. Still got to plan for it being well-executed and hurting all other countries, but that's not the central case.
Tesla, Trump and the China tariff clash
Elon Musk needs good relations with China to keep pumping cash into Tesla, while Donald Trump wants to hit Beijing with tariffs.
Via @jordyndahl.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/tesl...
Elon Musk needs good relations with China to keep pumping cash into Tesla, while Donald Trump wants to hit Beijing with tariffs.
Via @jordyndahl.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/tesl...
Tesla, Trump and the China tariff clash
Elon Musk needs good relations with China to keep pumping cash into Tesla, while Donald Trump wants to hit Beijing with tariffs.
www.politico.eu
November 22, 2024 at 11:37 AM
There is an overlooked chance that US tariff policy simply descends into a chaos of corruption and vested interests political and business. Still got to plan for it being well-executed and hurting all other countries, but that's not the central case.
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
🚨 NEW: The Government is considering exempting farmers over 80 from inheritance tax changes
www.theguardian.com/money/2024/n...
www.theguardian.com/money/2024/n...
Farmers aged 80 could get exemption from inheritance tax rule
Exclusive: Government looks at changing rules so older farmers do not have to live for seven years after making a gift to avoid the tax
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2024 at 7:04 PM
🚨 NEW: The Government is considering exempting farmers over 80 from inheritance tax changes
www.theguardian.com/money/2024/n...
www.theguardian.com/money/2024/n...
Copied from the other place... So, I've just spent a bit of time looking into the debate on IHT and farming. I... got a shock. First, a note: I have a friend who runs a family farm. In his view, the whole thing is a something and nothing. 🧵
November 21, 2024 at 4:03 PM
Copied from the other place... So, I've just spent a bit of time looking into the debate on IHT and farming. I... got a shock. First, a note: I have a friend who runs a family farm. In his view, the whole thing is a something and nothing. 🧵
@littlewhogirl.bsky.social YAY so good to see you here!
November 17, 2024 at 2:53 PM
@littlewhogirl.bsky.social YAY so good to see you here!
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
We’ve put a lot of work into making Bluesky a healthier social network. This app is designed to give you a choice — in what you want to see, what you don’t want to see, and how you want to interact.
Some tips on how to customize your experience:
Some tips on how to customize your experience:
November 14, 2024 at 11:01 PM
We’ve put a lot of work into making Bluesky a healthier social network. This app is designed to give you a choice — in what you want to see, what you don’t want to see, and how you want to interact.
Some tips on how to customize your experience:
Some tips on how to customize your experience:
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
"no matter how hard you crack down, people will always move and smugglers will always adapt, and the politicians to your right will always say that you haven’t gone far enough"
I wrote on Starmer’s “smash the gangs” slogan & the danger for Labour of learning the wrong lessons from Trump’s victory.
“voters reached the obvious conclusion. If the border had to be sealed, & more spent on smashing smuggling gangs – Trump would do it better.”
national.thelead.uk/p/people-smu...
“voters reached the obvious conclusion. If the border had to be sealed, & more spent on smashing smuggling gangs – Trump would do it better.”
national.thelead.uk/p/people-smu...
People smugglers aren’t terrorists, and “smashing the gangs” won’t work
On immigration, Labour seems poised to learn the wrong lessons from Trump’s victory - and make the far right more likely to win in the UK, too. But there's a different path.
national.thelead.uk
November 15, 2024 at 8:04 AM
"no matter how hard you crack down, people will always move and smugglers will always adapt, and the politicians to your right will always say that you haven’t gone far enough"
Reposted by Thomas Bacon
Hmm. Estimates suggest that a Trump presidency will damage the UK economy about a fifth as badly as Brexit has.
Just goes to show how incredibly damaging Brexit has been. Nothing else comes close for economic destructive power.
Just goes to show how incredibly damaging Brexit has been. Nothing else comes close for economic destructive power.
NEW
Trade experts calculate £22bn or 2.6% annual hit to UK exports, 0.8% to GDP if Trump goes through with 20% blanket tariff…
fishing, petroleum, mining sectors could see exports down a fifth according to @centre4ITP … clothing up a bit tho
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trade experts calculate £22bn or 2.6% annual hit to UK exports, 0.8% to GDP if Trump goes through with 20% blanket tariff…
fishing, petroleum, mining sectors could see exports down a fifth according to @centre4ITP … clothing up a bit tho
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trump tariffs could cost UK £22bn of exports
The UK could face a £22bn hit to its exports if Donald Trump carries out his tariff threats, researchers say.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2024 at 9:11 PM
Hmm. Estimates suggest that a Trump presidency will damage the UK economy about a fifth as badly as Brexit has.
Just goes to show how incredibly damaging Brexit has been. Nothing else comes close for economic destructive power.
Just goes to show how incredibly damaging Brexit has been. Nothing else comes close for economic destructive power.