Les Walczowski
@walczowski.bsky.social
Retired academic. Taught software engineering and internet technology. Film (eg Wong kar-wai, Kieslowski) and music (eg And Also the Trees, DCD, Lanterns on the Lake) obsessive. Avid reader. Humanist. Anti Tory, Anti Brexit. #FBPE.
Reposted by Les Walczowski
Labour ministers are apparently ruling out scrapping the two-child benefit cap - in other words, choosing to keep 600,000 children in poverty. Meanwhile govt refuses to consider a wealth tax which could £24bn. Hard to find the words for this level of unnecessary cruelty.
April 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Labour ministers are apparently ruling out scrapping the two-child benefit cap - in other words, choosing to keep 600,000 children in poverty. Meanwhile govt refuses to consider a wealth tax which could £24bn. Hard to find the words for this level of unnecessary cruelty.
Reposted by Les Walczowski
NatWest proposing 43% pay hike for CEO to £7.7m. Barclays 45% hike to £14.3m. HSBC 43% hike to £15m.
Banks bailed out by the people, gamble with other people's money.
Govts tell workers pay rises are inflationary, but rise in exec pay, dividends, share buybacks OK.
Let customers vote on exec pay
Banks bailed out by the people, gamble with other people's money.
Govts tell workers pay rises are inflationary, but rise in exec pay, dividends, share buybacks OK.
Let customers vote on exec pay
UK banks expected to win shareholder approval for big pay rises for bosses
Proxy advisory firms back plans for hikes in maximum payouts 18 months after removal of banker bonus cap
www.theguardian.com
April 19, 2025 at 1:37 PM
NatWest proposing 43% pay hike for CEO to £7.7m. Barclays 45% hike to £14.3m. HSBC 43% hike to £15m.
Banks bailed out by the people, gamble with other people's money.
Govts tell workers pay rises are inflationary, but rise in exec pay, dividends, share buybacks OK.
Let customers vote on exec pay
Banks bailed out by the people, gamble with other people's money.
Govts tell workers pay rises are inflationary, but rise in exec pay, dividends, share buybacks OK.
Let customers vote on exec pay
Reposted by Les Walczowski
Reeves will argue the UK has to "move quickly in a changing world"… by cutting benefits rather than taxing the wealthy or stopping Brexit from stifling prosperity.
Making the vulnerable pay for grim govt choices.
More austerity to fund ‘sovereignty’.
What an ugly farce.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Making the vulnerable pay for grim govt choices.
More austerity to fund ‘sovereignty’.
What an ugly farce.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Spring Statement: Reeves to make further welfare cuts but boost defence
The chancellor will warn of a
www.bbc.co.uk
March 26, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Reeves will argue the UK has to "move quickly in a changing world"… by cutting benefits rather than taxing the wealthy or stopping Brexit from stifling prosperity.
Making the vulnerable pay for grim govt choices.
More austerity to fund ‘sovereignty’.
What an ugly farce.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Making the vulnerable pay for grim govt choices.
More austerity to fund ‘sovereignty’.
What an ugly farce.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Les Walczowski
“Now’s the moment to speak honestly about Brexit’s colossal harm. Most know it already. Even 54% of Britons who voted leave …say they would accept free movement for UK & EU citizens in exchange for single market access” Spot on @pollytoynbee Labour urgently needs to start making the case 👇
Rachel Reeves is all about growth. So why won’t she admit that Brexit is its worst enemy? | Polly Toynbee
Our exit from the EU won’t be a focus of the spring statement, but it should be. Most now accept the need for closer ties, writes Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
www.theguardian.com
March 25, 2025 at 12:29 PM
“Now’s the moment to speak honestly about Brexit’s colossal harm. Most know it already. Even 54% of Britons who voted leave …say they would accept free movement for UK & EU citizens in exchange for single market access” Spot on @pollytoynbee Labour urgently needs to start making the case 👇
Reposted by Les Walczowski
Northumbrian Water dumped
945,000 tonnes of sewage into sea in 2024.
Every day story of England's water companies with 1,135 criminal convictions.
Permitted by OFWAT to fleece customers, operate illegally, create health hazards.
Govt refuses to end abuses.
945,000 tonnes of sewage into sea in 2024.
Every day story of England's water companies with 1,135 criminal convictions.
Permitted by OFWAT to fleece customers, operate illegally, create health hazards.
Govt refuses to end abuses.
Northumbria Water 'released one million tonnes of sewage' to sea
The water firm says its own estimate of discharge to the North Sea at Whitburn cannot be relied on.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 24, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Northumbrian Water dumped
945,000 tonnes of sewage into sea in 2024.
Every day story of England's water companies with 1,135 criminal convictions.
Permitted by OFWAT to fleece customers, operate illegally, create health hazards.
Govt refuses to end abuses.
945,000 tonnes of sewage into sea in 2024.
Every day story of England's water companies with 1,135 criminal convictions.
Permitted by OFWAT to fleece customers, operate illegally, create health hazards.
Govt refuses to end abuses.
Reposted by Les Walczowski
Everything is falling apart in the UK because it has all been privatised and they won't use the profits for building new stuff or even maintaining old stuff.
No, they will just steal it all and then you can fix it as if it is nationalised.
No, they will just steal it all and then you can fix it as if it is nationalised.
March 21, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Everything is falling apart in the UK because it has all been privatised and they won't use the profits for building new stuff or even maintaining old stuff.
No, they will just steal it all and then you can fix it as if it is nationalised.
No, they will just steal it all and then you can fix it as if it is nationalised.
Reposted by Les Walczowski
Squinting at the charts on disability benefits this week it was hard to believe the scale of the numbers. Polly Toynbee dives into the circumstances of one family to make them real
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
March 22, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Squinting at the charts on disability benefits this week it was hard to believe the scale of the numbers. Polly Toynbee dives into the circumstances of one family to make them real
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Les Walczowski
Thames Water data reveals raw sewage dumped in rivers rose 50% in 2024.
TW knowingly acts illegally. Dumping sewage in rivers since 1989.
Govt promised prosecutions. Still waiting.
TW wants to hike household bills by 59%.
Must remove profit motive. Nationalise.
TW knowingly acts illegally. Dumping sewage in rivers since 1989.
Govt promised prosecutions. Still waiting.
TW wants to hike household bills by 59%.
Must remove profit motive. Nationalise.
Thames Water data reveals raw sewage discharges in rivers rose 50% in 2024
Exclusive: Almost 300,000 hours of raw effluent poured into waterways, figures show, up from 196,000 in 2023
www.theguardian.com
March 18, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Thames Water data reveals raw sewage dumped in rivers rose 50% in 2024.
TW knowingly acts illegally. Dumping sewage in rivers since 1989.
Govt promised prosecutions. Still waiting.
TW wants to hike household bills by 59%.
Must remove profit motive. Nationalise.
TW knowingly acts illegally. Dumping sewage in rivers since 1989.
Govt promised prosecutions. Still waiting.
TW wants to hike household bills by 59%.
Must remove profit motive. Nationalise.
Reposted by Les Walczowski
If you oppose NHS privatisation, please could you repost this? I’m fed up of being told that we’re ‘radical’ - most people oppose NHS privatisation! Let’s send a message to those destroying the NHS! 🚨💙
March 18, 2025 at 7:42 AM
If you oppose NHS privatisation, please could you repost this? I’m fed up of being told that we’re ‘radical’ - most people oppose NHS privatisation! Let’s send a message to those destroying the NHS! 🚨💙
Reposted by Les Walczowski
Please @bbcradio4.bsky.social don’t parrot Tory rhetoric about their plan to set the country on “a new path” to tackle #climate change. That’s not what they’re doing. Badenoch is trashing the science & setting the country on a course to be poorer and more prone to climate disaster
March 18, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Please @bbcradio4.bsky.social don’t parrot Tory rhetoric about their plan to set the country on “a new path” to tackle #climate change. That’s not what they’re doing. Badenoch is trashing the science & setting the country on a course to be poorer and more prone to climate disaster
Reposted by Les Walczowski
I doubt Kemi Badenoch came against net zero because of donor money. I suspect she did it because she's an irresponsible ignorant reactionary fool.
March 18, 2025 at 9:29 AM
I doubt Kemi Badenoch came against net zero because of donor money. I suspect she did it because she's an irresponsible ignorant reactionary fool.
Reposted by Les Walczowski
So, with devastating climate disasters, a world made more unsafe and cruel by Trump and our own country wrecked from 14yrs of Tory failure, Badenoch thinks scrapping Net Zero targets and leaving the ECHR is the answer.
She’s nothing more than an idiotic Twitter troll, churning out posts for Musk.
She’s nothing more than an idiotic Twitter troll, churning out posts for Musk.
March 18, 2025 at 7:57 AM
So, with devastating climate disasters, a world made more unsafe and cruel by Trump and our own country wrecked from 14yrs of Tory failure, Badenoch thinks scrapping Net Zero targets and leaving the ECHR is the answer.
She’s nothing more than an idiotic Twitter troll, churning out posts for Musk.
She’s nothing more than an idiotic Twitter troll, churning out posts for Musk.
Reposted by Les Walczowski
“Scandalous” doesn’t even come close. Bring them into public ownership *now* @weownit.org.uk
Thames Water data reveals raw sewage discharges in rivers rose 50% in 2024
Thames Water data reveals raw sewage discharges in rivers rose 50% in 2024
Exclusive: Almost 300,000 hours of raw effluent poured into waterways, figures show, up from 196,000 in 2023
A record 50% more raw sewage was discharged into rivers in England by Thames Water last year compared with the previous 12 months, data seen by…
www.theguardian.com
March 18, 2025 at 9:47 AM
“Scandalous” doesn’t even come close. Bring them into public ownership *now* @weownit.org.uk
Reposted by Les Walczowski
So rude. So undiplomatic. So ignorant. So unprofessional.
God America… How quickly you’re pissing away your reputation and your relationships. You may be loving this. But it makes you look really cheap and nasty. And very stupid.
God America… How quickly you’re pissing away your reputation and your relationships. You may be loving this. But it makes you look really cheap and nasty. And very stupid.
Leavitt: "It's only because of the United States of America that the French aren't speaking German right now."
March 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
So rude. So undiplomatic. So ignorant. So unprofessional.
God America… How quickly you’re pissing away your reputation and your relationships. You may be loving this. But it makes you look really cheap and nasty. And very stupid.
God America… How quickly you’re pissing away your reputation and your relationships. You may be loving this. But it makes you look really cheap and nasty. And very stupid.
Reposted by Les Walczowski
This article reveals precisely why Labour should not be relying on the private sector to bring down waiting lists. The private sector is unwilling to take on this risk - their goal is to create a profit for their shareholders! 🚨🚨🚨
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
Labour’s plan to use private sector to cut NHS waiting lists at risk of collapse
NHS England plans to cap the amount each private provider can be paid in 2025-2026 in an attempt to control costs
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 3, 2025 at 2:48 PM
This article reveals precisely why Labour should not be relying on the private sector to bring down waiting lists. The private sector is unwilling to take on this risk - their goal is to create a profit for their shareholders! 🚨🚨🚨
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
Reposted by Les Walczowski
Thames Water creditors ask England watchdog to pause fines for sewage dumping, unplugged leaks.
They don't want to end profiteering, cash extraction, undeserved exec pay.
The industry is financially, morally and environmentally bankrupt.
Only public ownership can end the abuses.
archive.ph/hxUhA
They don't want to end profiteering, cash extraction, undeserved exec pay.
The industry is financially, morally and environmentally bankrupt.
Only public ownership can end the abuses.
archive.ph/hxUhA
Thames Water creditors ask watchdog to defer sewage spill fines
Financial institutions want Ofwat to pause penalties for failings on water leaks and spillages for several years while the utility tackles its problems
www.thetimes.com
March 2, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Thames Water creditors ask England watchdog to pause fines for sewage dumping, unplugged leaks.
They don't want to end profiteering, cash extraction, undeserved exec pay.
The industry is financially, morally and environmentally bankrupt.
Only public ownership can end the abuses.
archive.ph/hxUhA
They don't want to end profiteering, cash extraction, undeserved exec pay.
The industry is financially, morally and environmentally bankrupt.
Only public ownership can end the abuses.
archive.ph/hxUhA
Reposted by Les Walczowski
You stupid, opportunistic, traitorous bastards.
You’ve all done such unforgivable harm to our country, risking our safety, prosperity and wellbeing in your nasty, populist cravings for power.
You stink of him.
Shame on you all forever.
You’ve all done such unforgivable harm to our country, risking our safety, prosperity and wellbeing in your nasty, populist cravings for power.
You stink of him.
Shame on you all forever.
March 1, 2025 at 7:26 AM
You stupid, opportunistic, traitorous bastards.
You’ve all done such unforgivable harm to our country, risking our safety, prosperity and wellbeing in your nasty, populist cravings for power.
You stink of him.
Shame on you all forever.
You’ve all done such unforgivable harm to our country, risking our safety, prosperity and wellbeing in your nasty, populist cravings for power.
You stink of him.
Shame on you all forever.
Reposted by Les Walczowski
King Charles who loves killing foxes, birds, and badgers has been made Patron of the RSPCA.
King Charles used his power to block a ban on Fox Hunting and to make sure it is the joke ban we currently have.
RT if the RSPCA should remove him.
King Charles used his power to block a ban on Fox Hunting and to make sure it is the joke ban we currently have.
RT if the RSPCA should remove him.
February 27, 2025 at 12:51 PM
King Charles who loves killing foxes, birds, and badgers has been made Patron of the RSPCA.
King Charles used his power to block a ban on Fox Hunting and to make sure it is the joke ban we currently have.
RT if the RSPCA should remove him.
King Charles used his power to block a ban on Fox Hunting and to make sure it is the joke ban we currently have.
RT if the RSPCA should remove him.
Reposted by Les Walczowski
Life expectancy growth stalls across Europe as England sees sharpest decline.
Inequalities; poverty; poor access to good food, housing, healthcare, dentists; junk food take toll.
Austerity kills. Govts obsessed with it. Redistribution is off the political agenda.
Inequalities; poverty; poor access to good food, housing, healthcare, dentists; junk food take toll.
Austerity kills. Govts obsessed with it. Redistribution is off the political agenda.
Life expectancy growth stalls across Europe as England sees sharpest decline, say researchers
Poor diet, obesity and inactivity blamed on decline with Norway the only country seeing a rise
www.theguardian.com
February 19, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Life expectancy growth stalls across Europe as England sees sharpest decline.
Inequalities; poverty; poor access to good food, housing, healthcare, dentists; junk food take toll.
Austerity kills. Govts obsessed with it. Redistribution is off the political agenda.
Inequalities; poverty; poor access to good food, housing, healthcare, dentists; junk food take toll.
Austerity kills. Govts obsessed with it. Redistribution is off the political agenda.
Reposted by Les Walczowski
Thames water shouldn't be getting bailouts and it shouldn't be hiking bills.
It should be nationalised.
Repost if you agree 👍
www.bigissue.com/news/environ...
It should be nationalised.
Repost if you agree 👍
www.bigissue.com/news/environ...
Outrage as Thames Water secures £3bn bailout after 'disgraceful' court ruling
Thames Water has won court approval to secure an emergency £3bn bailout – a decision slammed as a mere “stay of execution” for the company.
www.bigissue.com
February 19, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Thames water shouldn't be getting bailouts and it shouldn't be hiking bills.
It should be nationalised.
Repost if you agree 👍
www.bigissue.com/news/environ...
It should be nationalised.
Repost if you agree 👍
www.bigissue.com/news/environ...
Reposted by Les Walczowski
Every. Single. Bloody. Thing. They. Promised. About. Brexit. Was. A. Lie.
And on they go demanding it be protected as if it’s something precious rather than the stupidest thing a country could have done to itself.
Here’s what prejudice delivers…
A barrelling shitshow of failure. 👇
And on they go demanding it be protected as if it’s something precious rather than the stupidest thing a country could have done to itself.
Here’s what prejudice delivers…
A barrelling shitshow of failure. 👇
💥Peter Kellner: "I quite like using numbers to make sense of the what is going on. Yet sometimes they are not enough. If they were, the fact that Brexit has cost Britain’s economy 4-5% of GDP would be a major national scandal."
A 🧵 with some of the most exposing stats from Peter's latest blog👇 1/
A 🧵 with some of the most exposing stats from Peter's latest blog👇 1/
February 18, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Every. Single. Bloody. Thing. They. Promised. About. Brexit. Was. A. Lie.
And on they go demanding it be protected as if it’s something precious rather than the stupidest thing a country could have done to itself.
Here’s what prejudice delivers…
A barrelling shitshow of failure. 👇
And on they go demanding it be protected as if it’s something precious rather than the stupidest thing a country could have done to itself.
Here’s what prejudice delivers…
A barrelling shitshow of failure. 👇
Reposted by Les Walczowski
We didn't vote for Reform lite. We don't want Reform lite.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK to refuse citizenship to refugees who have ‘made a dangerous journey’
Home Office accused of shutting out refugees, as new guidance says those applicants will ‘normally be refused’
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2025 at 7:20 AM
We didn't vote for Reform lite. We don't want Reform lite.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Les Walczowski
I had insomnia the night Russia invaded Ukraine and watched it unfold in real time. And tonight watching, here in London, that's what it feels like again. A dark, implacable malevolent takeover. That's accompanied by almost total silence amid so much noise.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
February 12, 2025 at 3:25 AM
I had insomnia the night Russia invaded Ukraine and watched it unfold in real time. And tonight watching, here in London, that's what it feels like again. A dark, implacable malevolent takeover. That's accompanied by almost total silence amid so much noise.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Reposted by Les Walczowski
Posting footage of deportations impresses no one. Reform voters don’t think it’s enough hatred and the rest of us turn away from yet more performative cruelty. The Labour vote disintegrates.
If Labour can’t decide who it should be talking and listening to, then it ends up without an audience.
If Labour can’t decide who it should be talking and listening to, then it ends up without an audience.
February 11, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Posting footage of deportations impresses no one. Reform voters don’t think it’s enough hatred and the rest of us turn away from yet more performative cruelty. The Labour vote disintegrates.
If Labour can’t decide who it should be talking and listening to, then it ends up without an audience.
If Labour can’t decide who it should be talking and listening to, then it ends up without an audience.
Reposted by Les Walczowski
Witnessing Labour trying to mimic Reform with migrant raid videos is sickening & will simply reinforce Reform’s messages. Just months after race riots, it also risks encouraging further animosity. We need safe & legal routes for asylum seekers, not boasts about which party can be cruellest
Labour accused of trying to mimic Reform with migrant raid videos
The government is publishing videos of raids of venues employing illegal workers as it prepares for the second reading of its Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill
www.independent.co.uk
February 10, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Witnessing Labour trying to mimic Reform with migrant raid videos is sickening & will simply reinforce Reform’s messages. Just months after race riots, it also risks encouraging further animosity. We need safe & legal routes for asylum seekers, not boasts about which party can be cruellest