Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 29/09/2026What is the point of fining monopoly water companies? They will simply raise prices to cover it. Fine individuals, fire them, put them in jail if necessary, but do something effective rather that what demonstrably has never worked, nor prevented further failings. 021
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 28/09/2026It would appear that, not satisfied with excluding ourselves from our biggest export market and reducing our GDP by leaving the EU, the UK has now successfully made matters worse by clamping down on immigration to the point that tax receipts are plummeting. Economic idiocy. 010
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 25/09/2026I cannot believe the NHS is choosing to harm people on purpose. www.theguardian.com/society/2026... 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 25/09/2026This is the news we need. Be more Batman. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...theguardian.comPow! Man in Batman costume chases down suspected Norwich handbag thiefSuperhero, who was joined by others dressed as comic book characters, retrieved stolen bag after scaling wall 111
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Can you take 2 mins to respond to Ofwat's consultation to demand they BLOCK the water bill hike. If water companies can't survive without hiking our bills, let them go bust and bring them into public ownership. Deadline: midnight Thurs 24th Sept weownit.org.uk/NoBillHikeweownit.org.ukOfwat: No to water bills hike, let them go bust - Respond by midnight on Thursday 24th SeptemberDemand that Ofwat says no to bill hikes. Let water companies go bust and bring them into public ownership for nothing. 001
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 21/09/2026I'm struggling to keep up now. So these immigrants are taking our jobs whilst claiming all the benefits, but are also so wealthy that they don't need to work or claim benefits. Is that what Reform expect us to believe today? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comSmall boat arrivals are ‘wealthy men’ who do not deserve help, says Reform’s Danny KrugerThe fact that some migrants pay people smugglers thousands of pounds makes them well off, MP claims 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 20/09/2026So, the free and independent press in the USA have accepted some of their colleagues being banned from the White House? I had hoped after showing some spirit with Hegseth & the Pentagon, they would have wal;ked out & reported why. But no. A(nother) sad day for democracy & free speech. 011
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Frankly, who cares about the delusions of a minor party leader who the main parties have refused to work with & who's mired in personal and professional scandals over corruption and illegal money? If only similar coverage was given to the Lib Dems & Greens, both of whom are much bigger & mainstream. 022
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Companies should not be able to donate to politics as they are not voters. Individuals should be capped* at what they can donate & it should never be to an individual, only a party. *At a % of UK taxable income. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comUK politics increasingly funded by billionaires as mega-donations surgeExclusive: A total £179m has been donated by wealthy individuals since 2019, research reveals 010
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Wouldn't it be awful if non-RefUK-minded people took on these jobs, then took Nigel's attitude to work in Clacton, when it came to work for Reform, and did chuff all? I suppose they'd be weeded out by the world-class vetting programme though. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comReform UK activists squabble over Farage’s plan for £72m donationsCrypto billionaires’ £72m will be used to hire campaign managers and professional staff in target constituencies 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Reform discovering how university students feel: www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cr...bbc.co.ukTice says government trying to 'retrospectively change rules' as Reform receives £72m in donationsReform UK announced two £36m donations this weekend, as a bill that could change the rules passes through Parliament. It's being debated again in the Lords later. 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 14/09/2026This is simply kidnapping. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comUK ministers urged to act after US flies out diplomat accused of possessing indecent images of childrenUS officials reportedly raided envoy’s London home and took him to American airbase without warning Met police 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Was anyone else surprised that this story wasn't balanced by the return to the UK of the much wealthier Harborne and Delo, either of whom will be paying loads* more tax than Rokos did? *assuming HMRC is actually awake. www.theguardian.com/news/2026/se...theguardian.comBillionaire Chris Rokos, who paid £330m in tax last year, to quit UKHedge fund tycoon is latest financier to exit amid fears among super-rich over tax rises 032
Reposted by Peter Bowden 🇬🇧Emathion 📯 @emathion.bsky.social · 12/09/2026The French made a short film about what could happen after all immigrants would follow the ‘white, angry old man’s’ advice to go back where they came from. 933551906
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Given the importance of knowing what they are doing, can we have a new offence for any elected official, plus any public servant in the UK, using official electronic devices, to auto OR manually delete any text, WhatsApp, Signal, email etc. before a copy is archived? 6 months + £5,000 fine for each. 021
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Who but a fool would vote for an anti-immigrant party funded entirely by people who don't live in the UK? When seeking a motive for almost any action, a useful start is a) look at who benefits most and b) if money is involved, follow it - where did it come from (& why)? = how is it spent (& why)? 121
Reposted by Peter Bowden 🇬🇧Gabby HC @scriblit.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband; son of a man who had to flee the Nazis: I'm Jewish BBC News: 😠 are you, though? You're doing it wrong Fascist Daniel Thomas, in between attacking teenage cricketers and rnli volunteers: I'm Christian BBC News: 😊 10773244
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Please repost, everyone needs to see this to demonstrate the stupidity of Reform, Restore & (god help us) the Tories as well as THE GOVERNMENT! We cannot survive without immigrants, who make our lives so much better. 164
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Can we remember that: A balaclava is a knitted burka. A headscarf is a hijab. Wearing one whilst criticising people wearing the other is both racist & stupid. 010
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Is anyone else completely fed up with this bollocks that there is a legitimate debate to be had over immigration? The UK has prospered, because of immigration, for centuries. Without continued immigration, the UK population will become smaller, older, and more highly taxed. Not opinion, fact. 120
Reposted by Peter Bowden 🇬🇧Russ Jones @russincheshire.bsky.social · 09/09/2026I did a thing about legitimate concerns, and - you'll thank me later - defined the collective noun for patriots. No paywall. russincheshire.substack.com/p/legitimate...russincheshire.substack.comLegitimate ConcernsHow politicians turned migration into a permanent panic — and why the facts tell a different story 1618974
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 09/09/2026What an odd way to spell Racists. www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/s...theguardian.comProtesters outside Portsmouth hotel confuse Pakistan U-19 cricket team for asylum-seekersAnti-immigration protesters gathered outside a Portsmouth hotel were forced to cancel their demonstration after discovering the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team rather than a group of asylum seekers wer... 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Yet another regulator appears to be on the side of the industry, rather than the consumer. The FCA joins OFWAT & IPSO in wanting to minimise the cost of lawbreaking by companies over compensation for customers. Is this to enable 'jobs for the boys'in the future? www.theguardian.com/business/202...theguardian.comBoss of City regulator accused of threatening consumer group over £9.1bn car loan schemeFCA chief, Nikhil Rathi, warned of ‘adverse consequences’ if challenge made to settlement, court filings allege 021
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 23/08/2026Currently reading The Wolf Who Chews Rocks by @russincheshire.bsky.social. What A Book. I'm not a dog person (we have cats) but Baxter & (his) history is fascinating! Most audiobooks are the reading of the printed one, Russ reads like the printed version of his speech! So glad I got an advance copy. 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 22/08/2026What on earth is the point of this? The robot gets as much out of it as my car would (and is slower!). www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/a...theguardian.comChinese robot runs 100m sprint quicker than Usain Bolt’s world recordChinese smartphone maker Honor’s self-developed humanoid robot Lightning ran the 100m in 9.32 seconds, beating the human world record, China’s state broadcaster reported 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 20/08/2026Palestine Action has been designated as a Terrorist organisation by HMG. Apart from the geriatrics brandishing signs, arrested in droves, has anyone yet belonging to Palestine Action actually been convicted of a terrorist offence (not convicted of a non-terrorist offence but charged as one)? 100
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 19/08/2026When the left hand appears not to even care what the right hand is doing: www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comCalls for urgent law change as UK’s largest water reuse system cannot be switched onRecycling system in Cambridgeshire development ready since 2021 is deemed not in line with drinking water rules 010
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 16/08/2026Fascinating take on a minority benefit. So many people just don't have weekends. NHS, Police & Fire, Staff in shops, hospitality, care.... www.theguardian.com/money/2026/a...theguardian.comThe weekend is 100 years old – but have ‘skiveday Fridays’ and hybrid working ruined it for everyone?In 1926, Henry Ford gave his employees both Saturdays and Sundays off – and the two-day chunk of time to party, pray or simply do nothing was born. Now it’s changed beyond recognition 000
Reposted by Peter Bowden 🇬🇧Alex Bellars 🇪🇺🇵🇸🇨🇦🇬🇱 @alexbellars.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Great to see Farage starting his new MPship of Clacton the way he had ended his previous one: by not actually going to Clacton... 175
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 13/08/2026In the West Midlands, we were fortunate to have the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) (now disbanded). I have thought for ages that a national specialist Roads Policing Unit/Division/Service would be a good idea, given the nature of roads to cross boundaries. www.theguardian.com/law/2026/aug...theguardian.comVictims of road crime feel ‘forgotten by system’, official review findsMany of those affected in England and Wales think offences are not treated with the seriousness they deserve, says commissioner 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 10/08/2026Is it me, or is this story all about journalists being upset over being subjected to the intrusion into their lives that they are paid to do to other people? I'm no fan of either Banks or Reform, but can't understand what they are supposed to have done wrong. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...theguardian.comReform donor Arron Banks urged to set out extent of surveillance of journalistsIndustry body says use of private investigators against reporters is ‘attack on our democracy’ after Banks apparently admitted doing so 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 10/08/2026As an ex senior manager for a local authority & ex Civil Servant, both managers mentioned in this story should face hearings for gross misconduct. Their brutal approach to this member of staff beggars belief & implies lack of training in the disciplinary process. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comTreasury ‘materially contributed’ to suicide of personal assistant, coroner findsChloe Moffat, 26, killed herself after disciplinary proceedings which coroner found be to be flawed 121
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 09/08/2026Why does scrubbed off paint need £150k worth of scaffolding, panelling, screening & security? Its not as if anyone is going to steal it. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukBristol artist Banksy's works cost taxpayers nearly £150kFOI requests reveal Banksy artworks have cost taxpayers almost £150,000, with costs still rising. 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 09/08/2026Does anyone else think Taylor Swift can now start a new career teaching literally 'How to make trump shut up'? Go girl! www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...theguardian.comTaylor Swift songs removed from Trump and White House’s social media postsRage-baiting efforts of Trump accounts silenced after posts such as a video linking her Red album to Republicans 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 09/08/2026Once again, the Home Office (& its alwys the home Office) fucks up and a person & family who have done nothing wrong suffer disproportionate harm. The DWP have a category called 'official error'. Why is this not the case here? #AbolishTheHomeOffice 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 08/08/2026Is Mr Inman unaware that every Civil Servant, Police Officer, firefighter, NHS/ Council worker etc. has what he terms a 'Private pension' i.e. one paid for in addition to the State Scheme? Fine economist if he isn't. Its tax free because the pension is taxed BTW. www.theguardian.com/business/202...theguardian.comPrivate pensions are a publicly subsidised gift to the wealthy | Phillip InmanJohn Healey should equalise the tax break on pension savings to stop inequalities from widening 100
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 08/08/2026I'm no fan of Banks but why is he reprehensible for hiring private detectives? Journalists are renowned for trampling over privacy, surely this is the same? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...theguardian.comArron Banks ‘hired private detective’ to look into journalist who investigated Reform UKAsked whether he targeted reporter who investigated party finances, Brexit campaigner says: ‘When you live by the sword, you die by the sword’ 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 01/08/2026There is no justification for the subsidy of Westminsters bars. It shouldnt be possible for individuals to claim for alcohol on expenses (though Depts could for events w/ external attendance). Saying it's the responsibility of MP's = guaranteeing they won't. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.com‘MPs have had their stomachs pumped’: concerns over ‘alcohol-soaked’ culture in WestminsterAlcohol is embedded in profession where long hours, loneliness and lobbying are the norm, report finds 121
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 30/07/2026Shouldn't £arage, Jenrick et al now resign from British Citizenship & demand a referendum to clear them? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comLabour asks Electoral Commission to investigate Reform UK over donationsExclusive: Reform’s Robert Jenrick says party confident it followed all rules at the time, after latest Guardian revelations 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 30/07/2026As a non football fan, I wonder what changed? www.theguardian.com/football/202...static.klipy.comFalling Money RainALT: Falling Money Rain 010
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 29/07/2026I thought: I need to do a picture quiz for my pub quiz this month, I'll try A.I.. Never again. My granddaughter is 11 & has ADHD. She understood what was wanted 15 mins before the A.I. did. I explained 4 times only to use the specific images in a file, it ignored me. + IT CAN'T PRINT IMAGES! FML 000
Reposted by Peter Bowden 🇬🇧Mitch Benn @mitchbenn.bsky.social · 28/07/2026PLEASE SHARE THIS To the young person (longish dark hair, patterned waistcoat, chinos & DM boots) who left this scroll of papers on the Piccadilly Line train at South Kensington station at about 4.25pm today, I’ve handed it to the station staff at Hammersmith. 24452570
Reposted by Peter Bowden 🇬🇧Jorge @antartica81.bsky.social · 26/07/2026Not as niche as Rob says. Please pass this on, in case you know someone who has experience of this, good or bad. 023
Reposted by Peter Bowden 🇬🇧Terence Eden @edent.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 26/07/2026Hey #UK friends. Do you get annoyed by fireworks? Do your pets find them distressing? Do you think anyone should be able to buy them? The UK Government is running a consultation and want your views […]mastodon.socialOriginal post on mastodon.social 2032
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 24/07/2026Did you know a barrister is facing jail just for reminding a jury they have the right to vote with their conscience? This historic right has kept trials fair since 1670. We can't let it be silenced now. Add your name to defend fair trials👇 you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...you.38degrees.org.ukSign to protect the right to a fair trialImagine being called for jury duty, but advised against using your own common sense. ❗A top barrister is now facing contempt of court proceedings, simply for reminding a jury of their rights. If judg... 000
Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 @b31bowden.bsky.social · 23/07/2026I really hope that, in the future, this comes back to bite the establishment on the arse - hard. Why are the government so scared of Palestine Action? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...theguardian.comPalestine Action barrister’s prosecution criticised as ‘chilling’CBA chair says contempt charge over closing speech by Rajiv Menon KC has left lawyers fearful of doing their job 010