Will Cooling
@willcooling.bsky.social
Writes & Hosts the It Could Be Said substack & podcast; https://itcouldbesaid.substack.com/
Has contributed to a variety of outlets on politics, sport or pop culture
Contact email is w.cooling[at]gmail.com
All opinions his own & not of any employer
Has contributed to a variety of outlets on politics, sport or pop culture
Contact email is w.cooling[at]gmail.com
All opinions his own & not of any employer
Reposted by Will Cooling
Men will literally use drones to spot fly tippers rather than go to therapy/get the cost of social care off local government's bottom line.
November 17, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Men will literally use drones to spot fly tippers rather than go to therapy/get the cost of social care off local government's bottom line.
Reposted by Will Cooling
I’ll wait to see if this is actually announced. But if so… please can the PLP rise up. You owe it to your consciences, your voters, and the institution that is the Labour Party.
The Sun has been told Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will on Monday propose confiscating jewellery, watches, necklaces from asylum seekers to meet asylum costs
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
November 17, 2025 at 4:49 AM
I’ll wait to see if this is actually announced. But if so… please can the PLP rise up. You owe it to your consciences, your voters, and the institution that is the Labour Party.
This is why them getting so few switchers from the right in 2024 needs to be better understood. There's a logic to Labour going rightwards if it wins over centre/centre-right voters at the expense of left-wing ones - the former mean more in FPTP and it grows the left tent. But it just doesn't work
This government's platform is 2015 Milibandism, warts and all: anti-immigration, anti-aspiration, excessively statist, drunk on industrial nostalgia, endlessly prevaricating on tax and spend
November 17, 2025 at 1:03 AM
This is why them getting so few switchers from the right in 2024 needs to be better understood. There's a logic to Labour going rightwards if it wins over centre/centre-right voters at the expense of left-wing ones - the former mean more in FPTP and it grows the left tent. But it just doesn't work
Oh FFS.
The Sun has been told Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will on Monday propose confiscating jewellery, watches, necklaces from asylum seekers to meet asylum costs
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
November 17, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Oh FFS.
Reposted by Will Cooling
The hot dog guy meme is going to get an awful lot of work over the coming months
November 16, 2025 at 11:08 PM
The hot dog guy meme is going to get an awful lot of work over the coming months
Reposted by Will Cooling
people are reading too much into this, maybe it was simply Morgan's turn on the stopping-him-having-sex-with-his-wife rota
Late to this, but if the Sunday Times is correct that Morgan McSweeney spent one and a half hours last week with Lord Glasman then he isn't fit to fill any senior position in government.
November 16, 2025 at 10:21 PM
people are reading too much into this, maybe it was simply Morgan's turn on the stopping-him-having-sex-with-his-wife rota
Reposted by Will Cooling
How have Labour watched the Tories spend 2-3 years parroting Farage then lose an election badly and conclude a similar strategy is the best course of action?
I. Really. Genuinely. Do Not. Get. It.
I. Really. Genuinely. Do Not. Get. It.
Just another of those days when I hate this government
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Asylum system in UK ‘out of control’ and dividing country, home secretary says
Shabana Mahmood to unveil new proposals modelled on Denmark’s controversial system
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:50 PM
How have Labour watched the Tories spend 2-3 years parroting Farage then lose an election badly and conclude a similar strategy is the best course of action?
I. Really. Genuinely. Do Not. Get. It.
I. Really. Genuinely. Do Not. Get. It.
Reposted by Will Cooling
For about ten minutes after Keir Starmer’s conference speech it seemed like the PM understood what his voters wanted to hear – an actual challenge to the racism of Reform. But instead of seeing it as the start of new messaging, it feels like his team just regarded it as job done.
November 16, 2025 at 7:36 PM
For about ten minutes after Keir Starmer’s conference speech it seemed like the PM understood what his voters wanted to hear – an actual challenge to the racism of Reform. But instead of seeing it as the start of new messaging, it feels like his team just regarded it as job done.
Its funny watching your children become a serious gamer because you get to see what must have freaked out your own parents when you were young; That 1000 yard serial-killer esque stare at the screen interrupted only by occassional grunts of pain or delight, body perfectly still except for the thumbs
November 16, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Its funny watching your children become a serious gamer because you get to see what must have freaked out your own parents when you were young; That 1000 yard serial-killer esque stare at the screen interrupted only by occassional grunts of pain or delight, body perfectly still except for the thumbs
If your fiscal policies mean that inflation never falls below 2.5% have you in fact not already abolished the Triple Lock?
November 16, 2025 at 1:54 PM
If your fiscal policies mean that inflation never falls below 2.5% have you in fact not already abolished the Triple Lock?
KEN CLARKE: WHY REEVES MUST BREAK ‘STUPID’ MANIFESTO PROMISES AND HIKE TAXES
YouTube video by Peston
youtu.be
November 16, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Reposted by Will Cooling
If you need me, tap me on the shoulder. I’ll be happily working all day listening to this on a loop.
November 13, 2025 at 1:49 PM
If you need me, tap me on the shoulder. I’ll be happily working all day listening to this on a loop.
Reposted by Will Cooling
Not the first to make this point. But there is a tyrant in charge of another country who is accused of being heavily linked to a paedophile sex ring - and supposed ‘patriots’ in this country are passionately willing him to take down our national broadcaster. Madness.
November 15, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Not the first to make this point. But there is a tyrant in charge of another country who is accused of being heavily linked to a paedophile sex ring - and supposed ‘patriots’ in this country are passionately willing him to take down our national broadcaster. Madness.
Reposted by Will Cooling
Listening to the Unclear and Present Danger podcast with @jamellebouie.net , and he made a striking analogy: the Trump administration sorta resembles the Confederacy trying to win everything in the first 24 months...
November 15, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Listening to the Unclear and Present Danger podcast with @jamellebouie.net , and he made a striking analogy: the Trump administration sorta resembles the Confederacy trying to win everything in the first 24 months...
Maybe we all misheard them and they were actually saying "Am De Racist Party"
Since Labour decided they were an anti-racist party they have announced that
refugees will be housed in derelict army camps, at great expense
refugees will not get indefinite leave to remain or citizenship
increasing the qualifying time for leave to remain for immigrants to ten years
refugees will be housed in derelict army camps, at great expense
refugees will not get indefinite leave to remain or citizenship
increasing the qualifying time for leave to remain for immigrants to ten years
I see Labour are claiming to be an anti-racist party again.
This can only mean they're about to announce yet another policy to make life more difficult for immigrants or refugees.
Don't trust her, Charlie Brown! She's gonna swipe the ball away!
This can only mean they're about to announce yet another policy to make life more difficult for immigrants or refugees.
Don't trust her, Charlie Brown! She's gonna swipe the ball away!
November 15, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Maybe we all misheard them and they were actually saying "Am De Racist Party"
Reposted by Will Cooling
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour
"The era of permanent protection is over"
Is this Labour government really saying it was wrong in principle to let these refugees of the last 75 years to stay, settle and become British - and they believe that should NEVER happen again in principle or practice?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuR...
Is this Labour government really saying it was wrong in principle to let these refugees of the last 75 years to stay, settle and become British - and they believe that should NEVER happen again in principle or practice?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiuR...
Refugees from 7 decades gather to commemorate 70 years of refugee in protection in the UK
YouTube video by Refugee Council
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour
Reposted by Will Cooling
One thing I will say is that this immigration-bashing "strategy" is now indelibly Starmer's. It is Starmerism. Cooper was inertia personified but Mahmood is Starmer's key departmental promotion, brought in to do just this
And given that Starmer looks doomed, what future does this strategy have?
And given that Starmer looks doomed, what future does this strategy have?
The government just keeps doubling down on the strategy that’s taken it to genuinely historical unpopularity ever harder.
The horse will be flogged until it sprints.
The horse will be flogged until it sprints.
the video goes on and on about illegal immigration and yet the new proposal will target legal migration by confirmed refugees
November 15, 2025 at 11:03 AM
One thing I will say is that this immigration-bashing "strategy" is now indelibly Starmer's. It is Starmerism. Cooper was inertia personified but Mahmood is Starmer's key departmental promotion, brought in to do just this
And given that Starmer looks doomed, what future does this strategy have?
And given that Starmer looks doomed, what future does this strategy have?
Reposted by Will Cooling
This is sort of where I am. There’s a relentless sense of things getting worse and a government that seems to have no plan to fix things and no objective beyond getting through the day with the minimum of fuss. Real “better things aren’t possible” vibes
November 15, 2025 at 10:11 AM
This is sort of where I am. There’s a relentless sense of things getting worse and a government that seems to have no plan to fix things and no objective beyond getting through the day with the minimum of fuss. Real “better things aren’t possible” vibes
Reposted by Will Cooling
You can't affect outrage about "Send them back/Go home" politics if your policies enshrine exactly that idea
November 15, 2025 at 9:40 AM
You can't affect outrage about "Send them back/Go home" politics if your policies enshrine exactly that idea
Reposted by Will Cooling
The main thrust of the proposal is about what should happen those who the UK government agrees have a valid claim for protection under UK and international law once they have been here 2-3 years (and 4-6 years and 6-9 years).
The effects on integration are as/more important as on arrivals
The effects on integration are as/more important as on arrivals
the video goes on and on about illegal immigration and yet the new proposal will target legal migration by confirmed refugees
November 15, 2025 at 9:40 AM
The main thrust of the proposal is about what should happen those who the UK government agrees have a valid claim for protection under UK and international law once they have been here 2-3 years (and 4-6 years and 6-9 years).
The effects on integration are as/more important as on arrivals
The effects on integration are as/more important as on arrivals
Think this is unfair on the Baldwin Government. Locarno, Chamberlain's domestic legislation, and Baldwin's firm but fair handling of the general strike were all major achievements. As was going back onto gold, although of course that was a mistake.
I find myself looking back to the Tory government of 1924-29 as a comparison. And possibly the Liberals in 1880-85 although they did manage a substantial amount of legislation. As will this one, to be sure, although at this rate much will be washed away post-2029.
November 15, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Think this is unfair on the Baldwin Government. Locarno, Chamberlain's domestic legislation, and Baldwin's firm but fair handling of the general strike were all major achievements. As was going back onto gold, although of course that was a mistake.
Reposted by Will Cooling
Has a government with a large majority ever *tried* less to impose itself and change the terms of debate?
November 15, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Has a government with a large majority ever *tried* less to impose itself and change the terms of debate?
I really don't think is new. It's been implicit in how Reeves has been operating all year.
I think the gilt market reaction to this week's shenanigans is easy to understand.
The specific OBR leniency isn't new news. What *is* new is the revealed preference of the government to extra leeway - which is to use it to avoid doing something difficult, rather than bank it in a lower deficit. 1/
The specific OBR leniency isn't new news. What *is* new is the revealed preference of the government to extra leeway - which is to use it to avoid doing something difficult, rather than bank it in a lower deficit. 1/
November 15, 2025 at 9:25 AM
I really don't think is new. It's been implicit in how Reeves has been operating all year.
Reposted by Will Cooling
This is not as bad a what Reform have planned - but thats beside the point.
It is still awful and inhumane - and any Labour person who believes in human rights should be pushing back strongly against it.
Dire.
It is still awful and inhumane - and any Labour person who believes in human rights should be pushing back strongly against it.
Dire.
This is as bad as anything proposed by Reform.
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 7:28 AM
This is not as bad a what Reform have planned - but thats beside the point.
It is still awful and inhumane - and any Labour person who believes in human rights should be pushing back strongly against it.
Dire.
It is still awful and inhumane - and any Labour person who believes in human rights should be pushing back strongly against it.
Dire.