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Alison M

@alisonm.bsky.social
717 followers 198 following 4.2K posts

Editor and lexicographer by day, yarn ninja by night. So, y'know, books and yarn, gardens and language.

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Reposted by Alison M
Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Neoliberals want to end the triple-lock on state pension They inflict low wages, consign millions to poverty. Govt spending on state pension as % of GDP in G7 countries. Italy 12.8 France 12 Germany 9.8 Japan 8.9 USA 6.6 Canada 4.7 UK 4.7 UK has one of the least generous pensions in the G7.
adviserservices.fidelity.co.uk
How does the UK State Pension measure up globally?
A global comparison of State Pension provision highlights the onus on individuals in the UK to build pension savings for their retirement, rather than leaving
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I think I'm late to the party, but Things You Should Have Done on the iPlayer is marvellous.
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HappyToast @happytoast.co.uk · 07/09/2026
"So a works van pulls up after a long journey, the door opens to reveal it is illegally packed with people all in face coverings, they scatter onto the streets, hiding from authorities, but here's the punchline..."
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James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Have @cam.ac.uk or its Faculty of Divinity made any statement about their employee Dr James Orr yet?
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Lynn Nothegger @lynnnothegger.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Why not just say ‘non-white’? That’s what they mean by ‘foreign born’. They aren’t talking about people like my kids, who happen to have been born in Germany.
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Cloud cover in Glasgow approx 100%, naturally. Glad I didn't dash out for eclipse specs.
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Anise K. Strong @anisekstrong.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
As an ancient historian in Hot Odyssey Summer, it's hard not to be thinking about Trump sneaking _out_ of the land of Troy in a catering truck, denying hospitality and his guest-friendship protection to the staff and media on Air Force One.
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Bob Hawkins @bobhawkins.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Trump spouting lies about vaccines shouldn’t be broadcast on #r4today without counter arguments from recognised UK experts.. & we wonder why vaccination rates are falling.
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Private Eye Magazine @privateeyenews.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Water companies panic as drought worsens in UK From the new Private Eye, out now.
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Lovely pictures and interesting article but despite lots of discussion of where red hair comes from, it completely fails to point out that the red hair gene must come from *both* parents for it to appear in a child. It doesn't come from either side, but both. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Gingers of America - The Scot documenting the redheads of the US
For Kieran Dodds, photographing people with red hair has become something of an obsession over the past decade or more.
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
I see the BBC is measuring UK wildfires in numbers of football pitches, but EU wildfires in American cities. I venture to suggest that "a fire the size of Detroit" means next to nothing to most people outside the US.
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Well, this is a delight from start to finish. Something to warm your cockles on a Friday morning. They're all absolutely brilliant. cdn.royalacademy.org.uk/files/mqs9ub...
cdn.royalacademy.org.uk
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Clive Lewis MP @labourlewis.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Democracy only works when people have access to the facts. That's why I'm supporting @ChrisGPackham's petition calling for a UK-wide public briefing on climate and nature risks. Help us reach 100,000 signatures: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...
petition.parliament.uk
Petition: Hold a UK-wide briefing on climate and nature risks
The UK faces growing risks from climate and nature breakdown - from extreme weather to economic disruption and national security threats. Yet the public has never been given a clear national briefing ...
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
64 years of hurt it is then
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Along with "hydration breaks" and stupid countdowns at the World Cup, I'd now like to add that annoying double clap thing at Wimbledon to my list of things to which we have been introduced and have promptly banished into the nearest bin.
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Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
The danger of using voxpops in place of real analysis. Cameras are a magnet for motivated activists. These two made it into four different reels + a dozen print pieces. The illusion is that we're getting an insight into "Clacton voters". In truth, we just know what Farage Megastans Jim & June think.
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Viewers in England might like to know that up here in Glasgow, we already get a bank holiday in July. Every year. (we don't get one in August, but who wants one at the fag end of August anyway?)
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Fabio Santana @fabiosantana79.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
- Open Instagram - Go to your profile - Tap the three lines in the top-right corner - Scroll down to the Sharing and reuse section - Toggle off "Allow people to use your content on Instagram and with AI features on Meta" for Posts and Reels
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Past Glasgow @pastglasgow.co.uk · 08/07/2026
A wee follow up to the drone footage. Some details that help illustrate why Egyptian Halls is worth celebrating and saving. Cleared of traffic and scaffolding, you can see the potential of Union St. Even after the fire in March, it's such an architecturally rich and diverse thoroughfare. #Glasgow
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David J @damjef.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
How strong is that fan?!?
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Has any other politician ever called a by-election on an explicitly anti-transparency, pro-sleaze ticket before?
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Mood
Extremely sleeping cat.
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
The replies here are top notch.
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
This referee is...not very good, is he? He doesn't seem to be anywhere near the play. Hindered by his enormous shoulder pads, perhaps? #ENGGHA
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Helen Czerski @helenczerski.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Londoners, there is a webpage for you to see where your nearest "cool spaces" are when the extreme heat hits - places with water, air-conditioning & shade. Have a look and spread the word, especially to those who may need this but might not think to look for it: apps.london.gov.uk/cool-spaces/
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Meidas Scotland 🏴EU @sovereign.scot · 23/06/2026
Almost 5,000 people have joined the call for a halt to new hyperscale data centres in Scotland. The 24 applications in so far would require 1.5 times as much energy as all of Scotland uses at peak demand. We can't let this free-for-all continue. Please sign and share widely greens.scot/datacentres
greens.scot
Stop hyper-scale data centres in Scotland
Stop hyper-scale data centres in Scotland -
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
I see Burnham's walked off with the pen after being sworn in. The Daily Mail will probably be up in arms.
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Travelling into the Mediterranean heat dome this weekend and ngl, feel like the guys from Chernobyl. My Scottish bones are not ready for 41C
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
A screen grab from an old black and white Pathe newsreel. A man in a tartan tuxedo and a woman in a tartan dress are talking outside a house. A caption says "Yes, America has definitely gone all Scotch."
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Robert Hutton @roberthutton.co.uk · 18/06/2026
A reminder that the reason Richard Tice gave for Nigel Farage hiding in a cupboard for the last couple of months is that he wanted to show the breadth of talent among Reform MPs.
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Aw I do love a bit of Mr Rashford and his lovely straight back. ❤️
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Kory Stamper @korystamper.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
<steps to lectern> <organizes notes> <clears throat> "AFFORDABILITY" PREDATES THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BY 250 YEARS, YOU ACCURSED APPLEHEAD DOLL IN AN ILL-FITTING SUIT <straightens tie> <leaves lectern>
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kim @kimmymonte.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
basketball’s all like gimme that pumpkin i need it and tennis is all like fuck this lemon you take it.
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Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
I've watched coverage of the Space X stock market launch on several TV channels, including BBC News, and all are tonally pitched as inspiring puff pieces, without a single mention of Musk's overtly racist fascist politics. Not even an inane footnote about being "controversial". NOTHING. NADA. ZILCH.
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Matt Holland Author Dot Com @gallaethamatt.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Counter protest against the far-right in Liverpool. Please share it. Even if you're not in Liverpool, you might have followers who are and help is gonna be needed
I can't alt text the entire poster from my phone but the key takeaway is that the counter protest is gonna be assembling at 11:30 am on Saturday 13th of June at the corner of County Road and Barlow Lane L4 3QU
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Farage is happy to be given money by American anti-abortion groups and christofascists. And it won’t be for nothing in return. It never is. Reform is making deals with authoritarian misogynists behind our backs. Farage’s greed will trump our rights every time. liveapp.inews.co.uk/category/444...
liveapp.inews.co.uk
Farage paid £83k from events linked to US anti-abortion supporters
Reform says it has no plans to change abortion laws but payments raise concerns about American anti-abortion groups’ access to a party with rising influence over British politics
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
None of these tax dodging, foreign-based crypto billionaires and moneymen give a single shit about our country or democracy. They’re buying Farage power so he’ll remove our rights and protections to maximise their profits. It really is that simple and that corrupt. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Reform UK handed another £3million from crypto billionaire as donations soar
Figures from the Electoral Commission show Nigel Farage's party is raising millions more than their political rivals through private donations, including £3million from Christopher Harborne
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Some of the extremely large number of cats I met in Greece. 1. Extremely persistent cat who appears every time you open the doors or the curtains, waiting to be petted. Like most Greek cats, doesn't try to come inside or jump up on tables. Except this table.
Cat loafing on an outdoor table.
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Athens is a city so covered in graffiti that I swear if you stood still long enough someone would come along and graffiti you. Much of it is excellent, and the artists do at least spare the ancient monuments.
Mostly black and white image of a person with lots of tumbling hair.Multicoloured, impressionistic graffiti on a pale peach wall. A red Bougainvillea plant is growing against it and there are some grey-green shutters over the window.A graffiti painting of a man twirling the end of his very long moustache. He is wearing a trilby. Black and white figure on a yellow background.
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
I want to go out for a walk but my washing machine is in one of those "no, not *that* sort of one minute to go, the sort that is actually about 15 minutes, lol" moods.
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Comfortably Numb @numb.comfortab.ly · 31/05/2026
I bet this guy is surprised
@realDonaldTrump

The Fake News Media is CRAZY, or just plain CORRUPT! The United States has completely destroyed Iran’s Military, including their entire Navy and Air Force, and everything else. Their Leadership is DEAD! The Strait of Hormuz will soon be open, and the empty ships are rushing to the United States to “load up.” But, if you listen to the Fake News, we’re losing! President DONALD J. TRUMP
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Greek cats have the correct approach to heatwaves
Two cats snoozing on top of each other on a chair
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The News Agents @thenewsagents.co.uk · 27/05/2026
"Plenty of working class people do not use language like Reform's Robert Kenyon, and would absolutely abhor his views." "It's really ugly to use the idea of the working-man as being an excuse for what they're saying" www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/the-...
thenewsagents.co.uk
The ‘horror’ of Reform UK candidate’s anti-women, anti-abortion comments | The News Agents
Reform UK has offered its full support to Makerfield by-election candidate Robert Kenyon, after offensive, misogynistic comments were uncovered online. Is the UK’s right-wing in a race to the bottom…
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Sorry to be missing the heatwave chaos
Greek beach, azure sky, Aegean turquoise sea.
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Our incompetence in managing to leave an entire night out of our travel bookings has led to the extremely happy result of ending up here. Drinking tea and reading Patrick Leigh Fermor on the balcony. I've had worse Saturdays.
A view of the terracotta roofs of the old town of Monemvasia in Greece.
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Daryl Feehely @darylfeehely.com · 22/05/2026
The legend @cmatbaby.bsky.social said a lot more in her acceptance speech than what RTÉ are reporting. (Video posted by Lisa McLoughlin on Instagram - www.instagram.com/reel/DYnTKR3...) #Speirgorm
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Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
I have put together a little video guide to Nigel Farage's umm... evolving views on hecklers. They seem to be quite dependent on whether the heckler disagrees with him (bad, boring, frightening, dangerous), or shouts abuse at a woman in the street (buy him a pint/give him a peerage).
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
If AI is so clever, how come after years and years of predictive text, it still can't work out the appropriate use of its and it's?
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Parody Nigel Farage @parodypm.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
..says man who wouldn't hold a by-election when he changed parties.
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Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Got up early, caught a ferry, climbed a hill, home in time for tea. A fiver each way on good old CalMac (I know, I know). The best of days.
CalMac ferry Caledonian Isles at dockLovely Isle of Arran from the ferryView of Arran from Goatfell. The ferry can be seen coming back into Brodick
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