iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Replies

Torsten Bell @torstenbell.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Yes thousands turned out - which is far more than I’d like - but that is dwarfed by the millions that understand real patriotism means loving your country as it actually is, not hating its diversity or trying to exploit its challenges. That’s what our flags actually represent

The i Paper @theipaper.com

Police have called for calm after officers were attacked as around 110,000 people joined Tommy Robinson‘s “Unite the Kingdom” rally in central London trib.al/I5OI7Ln

94833168

Puglia Princess @follies.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Torsten, your statement was bang on and necessary but where is a formal government pronouncement calling this out and pushing back on the blatant racism. The Labour Party I knew was proudly anti racist and we need to see and hear this again now, more than ever

040

Steve Griffiths 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @cymry.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

You need to sort out Twitter and Musk or we'll end up like the US.

091

Rouleur @rouler.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

It is past time your party and its leader stood up and defended our democracy. Instead we get weasel words and Starmer fellating Fascists. Shame the lot of you.

030

Pooh Sticks @sticketypooh.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

More of this please.

000

Julie @jjaglo.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

@torstenbell.bsky.social please persuade Starmer & other Cabinet ministers to remove themselves from X and move to Bluesky. Musk & his anti democratic, racist bile is not your friend.

092

pondlife @pondlife.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Please get all Government departments to post on Bluesky rather than X.

020

Roy Bennett @roybennett.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

You mean Thatcherite patriots like you, the 30- 40% who stripped the public of everything they owned, smashed thier unions, gave them foodbanks, poverty, crime, homelessness, lower wages, despair and hopelessness in exchange, those patriots you mean ? The ones who screwed over the other 60%?

040

BertieScarlet @bertiescarlet.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

So trying to appeal to them on a daily basis didn't work but it never would, you will never out Reform Reform and this crowd. Now get HMG off X.

030

Alex Proudfoot @alex.ihe.ac.uk · 14/09/2025

This is absolutely true but those millions want to see the significant and growing threat to the country posed by anti-democratic, intolerant and racist movements (+ their cynical leaders) explicitly recognised, resisted and condemned. Need Government + Parliament as a united front against this now.

001

Caroline 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 🏳️‍🌈 @carolinehering.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

All I am saying nobody attacked officers at the anti Brexit marches. They were very family friendly affairs this march doesn't appear to be that.

1101

Yorkshire Paddy @yorkshirepaddy.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Why is the government still on X? Why were the violent thugs that marched yesterday treated much more leniently than people marching for Israel to stop bombing women and children? I am now politically homeless as I can't support a government that panders to the hard right. Grow a spine, please.

020

Kate Anne @kate-anne77.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

You think your boss’s island of strangers speech helped?

020

There Underneath 🎋 @thereunderneath.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

No one seems to be calling out where Yaxley-Lennon gets his main funding from. Funding that helped put up flags all over the country. Or why a march for Uniting the Kingdom had Israel’s flag associated with it? Funny that isn’t it? 🤔 Not a single big reporter is saying anything about that.

000

Anna @annawatt.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

You are too slow and too weak in calling this out. And what are you doing about Elon Musk who is inciting violence and spreading disinformation?

030

LeftPeggers 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇵🇸 @leftpeggers.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Maybe try telling your boss that? Rather than fuelling the anti-immigrant message and thereby legitimising these morons. They’re never going to vote for you anyway…

010

Gail and Jasper @miladylilburn.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

The fact is that those racists who also joined the March still committed violent acts against the police and others as they always do. I'd like to know how many, if any, are now regretting joining such a march. I'm told Christians were supposedly there, if so, it was a very unchristian act.

020

ses67.bsky.social @ses67.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Are you even a patriot if you don't attack the police tho!

030

Josh @jpm1a.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Like to tell the Prime Minister this? The silence speaks volumes.

170

Simon Harrington @simonharrington.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Might want to say this to the actual Prime Minister who’s said nothing about this for months now.

050

(CMDR) Alan Crowe @alancrowe.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Your colleague Peter Kyle decided to go with "free speech is alive and well." In response to this: bsky.app/profile/blad...

BladeoftheSun@bladeofthes.bsky.social

"Keir Starmer needs to be assassinated, someone needs to shoot Keir Starmer." I think this might be incitement to violence rather than Free Speech.

040

Ada Loves Lace @adaloveslace.eurosky.social · 16/09/2025

100,000 isn't even that many in population of this size. And just look at them, most are fat and old blokes. The march was probably the most exercise they've had in ages. Heart disease will get most of them.

010

shandyman.bsky.social @shandyman.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Most of the public are fair and reasonable - call out Robinson and reform directly. You’ll never get the right wing press on side. You need to speak directly to the public.Kudos for being on this platform but why are ukgov on X (who’s owner appears to be calling for a revolution) and not on here too

010

shandyman.bsky.social @shandyman.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

obviously you are right but why are the govt you are part of not on the front foot challenging these racists. You can’t reason with these people by talking about‘strangers’. Immigration is a concern but where is the honesty public about the negative impact of mass deportations championed by reform

etc.as

000

Kirsty Harris @muttley76.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

The sentiment is nice but it’s unacceptable the government is hiding away and refusing to address the undisguised attempts at incitement to violence this afternoon

110

Judith Knott @judithmknott.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Well done. Wish your leader would speak up.

000

Mark @harkym.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

This is something that nearly all Labour, Green, Lib Dem and Conservative voters agree on, but the consensus isn't cutting through and the media makes it sound like racism is becoming more popular. We need to make the anti-racist message heard a lot louder.

010

RawrTigerlily @rawrtigerlily.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Tax your m/billionaires properly and then they won’t have all the money to pour into their campaigns of social division meant to keep the working class from identifying the actual source of the country’s problems… disinvestment from society by the people who hold all the money & assets.

010

Mervyn Winger @mewing.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

It should not be hard to criticise a rally who called to overthrow our country

010

Catio Miles @catiomiles.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

I don’t agree with your analysis here. Britain voted for #Brexit 52%, then voted Tories to deliver it twice, now Farage is on 35%, Tories on 20% and Labour very silent “understanding the concerns”.

120

MrsVB @mrsivb.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Thousands also turned out to #StanduptoRacism. Who's reporting on that?

1302

Ed Wilson @eddwilson.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

A public government statement to that effect would be useful.

1904

Steve Godby @stevegodby.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Why does anyone love their country. It's a bit weird frankly.

000

Rob Weaver @robweaver.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Nothing on Musk? Insurrection... proscribe X. Wtf is the Govt doing on a platform whose algorithms are plotting it's downfall and radicalising UK citizens against it. It's like Reform pushing its comms mostly through Guardian comments.

041

Jenn 🎶 🌿 🪻 🧶 🧵 ☮️ @swanljenn.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Great to see a government person on Bluesky rather than just the right-wing site X. Can I ask. Do you approve or disapprove of Tommy's right-wing, fascist march? It's not clear from your post. Thanks. (Thanks for the heads up Ed @eddwilson.bsky.social ) #wato

030

Tony M #FBPE #HopeNotHate #Resist 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @turkthrust.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

They represented approximately 0.16% of the total UK population.

000

Ian Boucher @desolationrow5.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

The radicalisation of ‘normal people’ continues on x. You only need to support a northern or midlands based football club to see people you’ve known for years to be completely moderate individuals start to express extremist views. And get the government are watching this happen. Please do something!

020

stargirl1620.bsky.social @stargirl1620.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

PM needs to get a grip stop validating fascists looking to beat anybody up they don't like who doesn't agree with them that's not who we are!The Yaxley movement is funded by Kremlin fgs!!!Musk Trump all Russian assets take back control of our country from FOREIGNER'S DANGEROUS BILLIONAIRES

120

Chris Garvey @chrisgarvey.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

As an irishman, I don't know what to make of the person with the tricolour. I guess it's a case of not even attempting to conceal naked racism. It isn't about people of other nationalities in the uk - it's people who look different to us!

121

dwaind.bsky.social @dwaind.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

The governments account on X is insane considering Elon Musks calls for violence against the government. And no word from the PM on that or the actual far right march. Leadership is missing.

040

Faux Brummell @shodanalexm.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Will the Govt be making an official statement to that effect? It really needs to. The silence is being interpreted by many as tacit endorsement of the rise of the far-right. If that interpretation is erroneous then perhaps the PM should (formally) amplify the case that you are making.

150

tdafydd85.bsky.social @tdafydd85.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Torsten - Labour and especially the PM need to get these messages out all day, every day. Be relentless with the truth, facts, statistics... Starmer seriously needs to step up. I don't think it's too late, but it soon will be, and the stakes for all of us are too high right now.

071

Tristan Grayford @tristangrayford.scot · 13/09/2025

Having a word with your party Leader towards having him echo this message, instead of the past months of his spending it demonising diversity and agreeing with the far-right that it should be stamped down upon?

1452

bialystok.bsky.social @bialystok.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

About time, Torston! The silence from the government is deafening.

010

amckinlay48.bsky.social @amckinlay48.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

😥😥😥😥😥

000

esmeraldastrongarm.bsky.social @esmeraldastrongarm.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Is Starmer capable of doing a proper head teacher talk about Britain’s history of resistance to the evils of fascism? And to set out why ethnic nationalism and promising a return to false historic golden age are fascist ideas as used by the Nazis and Mussolini?

010

esmeraldastrongarm.bsky.social @esmeraldastrongarm.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Thank you, but this is time for national leadership, not decent MPs managing up. Musk’s fascist recruits are a danger to all of us including themselves.

020

Carolina Alves @cacrisalves.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

❣️

010

Ruth @ruthr1.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

And many of those were people flown in from US, NZ , and RW European groups .. would be worth trying to get factual data on this and who funded them ! Urgently!

193

Bernard Hughes @bernardhughes.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Well said. Now let's hear the government say it too

050

port-meadow.bsky.social @port-meadow.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Being kettled in Whitehalll by Tommy Robinson's supporters is an alarming experience

020

La Reine des Metaphores @metaphorqu.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Far fewer that were hyped up though. And agree that racism is not a British value.

0161

Charles Laverty @lcharles.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Not the Million that Robinson was hoping for. That said, shameful to have it confirmed that there are at least 110,000 confirmed overt racists in.our country.

2261

It’s that guy, Steve @heyheyitssteve.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

I’m a big fan of the Carl Schurz quote on this: “My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right." Nationalists seem to skip the second part; and have a deeply specific view of what ‘my country’ is. A view that harks back to a fictitious past they’ve been sold.

000

Nick Langley @nicklangley.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Quite right. Now go and bang Kyle's head against a table while repeating it very slowly.

000

Paul N @paulnuk.eurosky.social · 15/09/2025

It was a fascist rally and needs to be condemned as such.

000

Rhys Davies @rcdavies.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

For all our sakes, please just bring the net immigration figure down for a few years in a row, so people know that that lever can still be democratically operated. Otherwise you're shepherding Farage into government.

120

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Brian McG.⭐⭐🇺🇦🇵🇸 🇬🇱 @br1mcg.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

I'm puzzled as to why the govt stands by as the publicly owned broadcaster acts as if Reform are in government. It's news channel is unwatchable. High time the DG was sacked and or the license fee cancelled.

0232

John Dalton - brain marinated in woke sauce. They/them @johndaledalton.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

I do wish Labour would offer a positive narrative on immigration, proclaiming its economic and cultural benefits.

040

Ali-John Mirsepassi @ajmirsepassi.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Coup your leader or leave the stage. Words are wind Torsten, especially from a Labour MP

020

Brendythefrenzymackenzie @brendythefrenzy.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

We out number them massively and shouldnt allow ourselves to be cowed, or to sit quietly by while they shout and screech. It's time our government came out and made a stand and make the case, to make it clear to the tolerant majority where their support lies.

000

suerubenstein.bsky.social @suerubenstein.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

So where is the Prime Minister? Why is he not leading the ‘decent millions’ with unequivocal repudiation of the politics of the mob and their violent, racist bullying and vigilantism that has been escalating for months? This is no time for the mealy mouthed - it’s time to pick a damn side!

1251

Ben Fulford @benmfulford.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Thank you for saying this esp as a minister.

010

David Overton @doverton.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Asking Tommy 10 names to calm the violence against the police is like asking Hitler to stop his attack on Poland in 1939.

010

R Phelps @greygosling.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Thanks, now get the government off X. It's owner is calling for the violent overthrow of your government, as well as breaking UK law on moderation, it shouldn't be difficult.

000

londonsunshine.bsky.social @londonsunshine.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Then Labour needs to be telling people that rather than bowing down to Farage, do your job!

000

Protect Our NHS BANES @protectournhsbanes.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Musk fomenting dissent in the sovereign nation of the UK. Robinson's supporters attacking UK police. Will the Govt sanction Musk/quit X? 'Making a surprise appearance via videolink, Musk called for a "change of government" in the UK.' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

More than 100,000 join Tommy Robinson rally, as counter-protesters demonstrate

Nine people are arrested as the Met say extra officers have been deployed to deal with

010

Oswyn @timeforheroes.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Maybe your Govt should start standing up to these fascists instead of constantly appeasing them then? Foreign billionaires calling for violent insurrection and you can't even condemn it, utterly pathetic.

070

triathlete48.bsky.social @triathlete48.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Where is Starmer? It's surely an easy win to call out the violence! I despair.

020

Dom Simmons @loop16.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

How about Labour coming out to fully counter their toxic ideology rather than banging on about "legimate concerns"? Or are you happy with your current handmaiden to fascism status?

030

HighburyDan @danielmarlowe.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Say it again please Torsten. Louder and more publicly for the hard of hearing. There’s a big void right now of voices representing decent compassionate people who are also proud of this country and our values

020

Jasper Barry @jasperbarry.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

110,000 would have been peanuts for an anti-Brexit march. Two were over 1 million.

292

Meher Oliaji - @mehero.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

By the metrics of anti-brexit marches, how many was that, really?

040

Jago2012 @jago2012.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Then make that the government message and get it on every front page, website and TV station! Silence from the government is encouraging the racists! They don't have 'legitimate concerns'. Get out there and say it, every day, loudly. "They are an embarrassment to Britain and to the flag".

130

Kristapedia @coolkrista.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Right on right violence is not a reason for any more violence. It’s a magnifying glass on the movement which should be likened more to bowels than social norms.

000

Kevin Thurston @del-boy.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Why is “attacked” in speech marks? Officers were attacked.

040

da1sy-alexander.bsky.social @da1sy-alexander.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Unfortunately lots of decent people are frightened and appalled that this government is following the Reform agenda. I voted three times for Labour in an attempt to stop the Tories. I didn’t vote for Maurice Glasman, I didn’t vote for this anti refugee movement.

010

da1sy-alexander.bsky.social @da1sy-alexander.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Need Starmer and other MPs saying that loud and clear.

1111

dee073.bsky.social @dee073.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Great! Now how about sorting out Ofcom? The BBC? GB News? Not using X for official government business??

030

Pauline Moran Preston she/her @pauline1944.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Exactly, there were many more millions who are the majority, who disagree profoundly with them.

000

Hotblack @invalid-handle.com · 13/09/2025

Well said Torsten. Hope to hear much more like this from the government And to see action on the racism prevalent on social media, particularly X, as documented so well by @sundersays.bsky.social Free speech shouldn’t mean freedom from responsibility or accountability

091

Ian Marriott @ianm-hull.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Flags embodies nothing of a country's values. People's actions and those of Offices of State do, at present those cleaving to the flag like the PM and others do so either to intimidate or to appease intimidation. Democracy is toast if you try to appease and don't call out fascism.

020

David Wolfe Corne @dwcorne.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Some of those patriots turned out in 'People's Vote' marches in 2019, essentially protesting against Brexit,now that the real options were known. Crowd estimation experts put each at WAY over yesterday's numbers, with 1M at the second. Nothing was done to appease them.

020

Magic Money Tree @magicmoneytree.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

It would be helpful if influential think tanks weren't full of racists too: bsky.app/profile/geor...

George Monbiot@georgemonbiot.bsky.social

A very disturbing thing I missed in researching this week's column. Three of the four junktank ultras hired by Labour to groom civil servants are named in this investigation of a Westminster network involving the disgraced eugenicist Andrew Sabisky. investigations.hopenothate.org.uk/andrew-sabis...

investigations.hopenothate.org.uk

Unravelling Westminster’s secret influence network | HOPE not hate

An ex-Tory aide linked to race science has created a group of political allies to craft policy in the shadows

000

jollyold.bsky.social @jollyold.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

When will Govt / PM condemn Musk comments ?

020

HumeFan @aselectfew.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Patriotism is more than waving flags. Flags (from the world) at the Proms last night and at sporting events (especially football) are fine. More patriotism shown by those who went out to help repair damage caused by the Southport rioters than those with the St George's Cross at TR's event yesterday.

040

Iain Fletcher @shmmeee.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Any chance of government action on *gestures wildly*

000

Dr Susan B. @susan2024.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Our main stream media and many parliamentarians ignored the many thousands who marched peacefully on two occasions to ensure Brexit did not happen. So much harm has been caused by our disassociation with Europe. And now politicians and pundits pay attention to a march of fear.

0154

Nik Love-Gittins @niklg.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Twice as many turned up for the anti Brexit march in 2019, and that was ignored…

010

Vernon Baseley @vernonbaseley.eurosky.social · 13/09/2025

Yes. "Uniting the Kingdom" is the last thing they're seeking.

020

Atul Haria (immigrant) @atulharia.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Fuck off with your "real patriotism" bollocks. That word, and the flags, are just another way of supporting the far-right agenda. Call out the racism and violence and say immigrants are a positive for the nation - don't vilify them. Better still, get invisible Starmer to do it. Is he still leader?

281

Jonathan Haggart @jonathanhaggart.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Seriously mate, some leadership is required from the top, here. Where is he? What the f was that Peter Kyle response?

050

Catriona @catrio.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

FFS🤬 bsky.app/profile/theg...

The Guardian@theguardian.com

Scale of ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march shows free speech ‘alive and well’ in UK, says minister – UK politics live

theguardian.com

Scale of ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march shows free speech ‘alive and well’ in UK, says minister – UK politics live

Peter Kyle said he was not ‘disturbed’ by huge Tommy Robinson-organised far-right protest but condemns violence against the police

010

NotMyCircus @davidpickernell.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Don't tell us, tell your colleague, Peter Kyle...

020

Paul Park @pauljunhyuk.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

If this won’t make the government and Labour Party get off X, what will? X is a toxic cesspool and nobody sane or reputable should be on it. And yes, 100k is much less than the Iraq or Remain demonstrations (over 1 million each) but it’s not a good sign.

000