Sign in

The Bear

@bearlypolitics.co.uk
34K followers 6.3K following 3K posts

Editor of Bearly Politics. Commentator. Former NHS strategist. Supposed Tax Devourer. bearlypolitics.co.uk

PostsRepliesMedia
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 9h
As a side note to this: The best thing that Andy Burnham’s Labour Party can do right now is reach out to both Ed Davey and Zack Polanski. Whether he needs them for a coalition after the next GE or not, now is the time to get both the Lib Dems and Greens on board - especially around care.
1220538
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 10h
I just listened to the Andy Burnham speech. It was, not to put this lightly, brilliant. Has it convinced me that everything is sorted? No. Does it feel like there’s a plan? Yes. Is all of it achievable? I do hope so. Does it mean I’ll vote Labour again at the next election? TBC.
1416929
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 10h
Isab El-Oakeshott seems to have decided that digging is the correct way to go about it.
3512530
Reposted by The Bear
András Forgács W @andraswf.bsky.social · 12h
Big fucking shock that revealing the ethnicity of suspects don't seem to have a dampening effect on the racism industry
0284
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 12h
It is the end of September and somehow, SOMEHOW, it still feels like I’m being cradled inside Satan’s sweaty crotch. HOW IS IT STILL SO HOT AND HUMID?!
13577
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 15h
If this is the only legacy I one day leave behind, I will be a very happy Bear indeed.
41205
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 16h
And of course with thanks to @terryleopard.bsky.social for finally explaining the six different type of British to me in the best way possible. 🐻
3389
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 16h
Bearly Politics is 100% independent and reader-supported. If you value long-form political writing that isn’t dictated by editors, advertisers or whatever fresh hell the algorithm wants today, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Sarcasm and weird turns of phrase included.
bearlypolitics.co.uk
Bearly Politics | The Bear | Substack
Welcome to Bearly Politics! I'm The Bear, your slightly exasperated guide to the strange world of modern politics. Here, I attempt to tackle the absurdities of power, with claws sharpened by satire an...
22611
Reposted by The Bear
Tranquillity Base 🏳️‍⚧️ @tranquillitybase.bsky.social · 16h
Great piece by Bear, as you'd expect.
0159
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 17h
Keeping in mind that the American Government has a somewhat unfortunate tendency to lie, deceive and distort, I’m not sure this is the win that Jenrick thinks it is. Also, Fairford. Imaging having an immigrant have to correct you on your spelling.
512134
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 17h
The Fairford incident is dominating the news cycle - and the right-wing. Over the past 48 hours we’ve seen speculation, insinuation and implication attempt turn a serious story about security into one about immigration. This is a long one. Make some tea.
bearlypolitics.co.uk
A Dissection: The Fairford Fannywobble
How the right-wing commentariat turned an ongoing investigation into a migrant story before the facts were known.
1412359
Reposted by The Bear
Mr RobertBob @mrrobertbob.bsky.social · 22h
I agree fully with @bearlypolitics.co.uk I closed my 50,000 follower account on Twitter shortly after Musk took over and it turned into a cesspit joining @bsky.app shortly after it started. It was a hard decision because of the community I left behind but it was the right one.
67413
Reposted by The Bear
Josh Dunlo 🏳️‍🌈🌹☘️ ᜃᜎᜒᜄ᜔ᜆᜐᜈ᜔ ᜎᜒᜄᜈ᜔ @sloeginpudding.bsky.social · 22h
I’ve always pronounced it as “voetsek”, but yeah, “voertsek” is a bit old-fashioned. It’s not as drastic as the difference between a “laslappie” (a type of quilt) and a “loslappie” (which I daren’t explain) You forgot two words on your list I love: “dronkverdriet” and “babelaas”, lol.
163
Reposted by The Bear
Terry(spooky owl sound) @terryleopard.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The six types of British nationality. Cyclists. Lanyard class. Mage (and all other magic users) The hoard. Cunts. Arseholes.
6485
Reposted by The Bear
Bylines Network @bylinesnetwork.co.uk · 28/09/2026
A year after walking away from Twitter, @bearlypolitics.co.uk reflects on what he lost: reach, readers and income. What he gained was worth rather more. @eastangliabylines.co.uk
eastangliabylines.co.uk
A year without Twitter: what I lost when I walked away
A year after quitting Twitter, The Bear reflects on readers, income and sanity involved in walking away
16724
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 28/09/2026
The suspects in the RAF Fairford case have now been bailed - and it’s been confirmed that there were no viable bomb making substances in their vans. This is, undoubtedly, a very odd case here - and it has by and large shown the dangers of speculation, especially as per the below.
2020851
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 28/09/2026
Oakeshott has joined the chat. I’m assuming that there will now be requests for the Domesday book to be brought out for a search. I can’t imagine what she’s going to do when she realises they’re out on bail.
5929658
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 28/09/2026
And if it turns out the suspects were, in fact, born in the UK, where to next? Only second generation? Were they lefties? Vaccinated? The farce is becoming a bit much now.
71452104
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 28/09/2026
John Healey will, according to reports, head into the Budget with a £4bn to £6.5bn chunk of his fiscal headroom having mysteriously gone walkabouts. The cause? A sharp drop in immigration to the UK. Almost as though migrants aren’t all just wandering around devouring taxes for shits and giggles.
bearlypolitics.co.uk
Net Migration if Falling - now the Treasury needs to Pay the Bill for it.
After years of promising that fewer migrants would relieve pressure on Britain, Labour is discovering that cutting migration also means cutting workers, taxpayers and economic headroom.
818571
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 28/09/2026
Well, well, well - if it isn’t the consequences of our own actions. It would appear that migrants are not, in fact, the fiscal drain we’ve been told they are by years if we go by the £4bn to £6.5bn shortfall that’s been caused by the precipitous drop in numbers under this government. Funny that.
391001412
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 28/09/2026
A few people have pointed out that the same would be true about Rocky Horror Picture Show, David Bowie and Queen. The levels of vitriol would be off the charts - as a more recent example, just look at how Sam Smith gets treated by the commentariat on the right.
46014
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 28/09/2026
Still by far the best decision I’ve made. 🐻
922536
Reposted by The Bear
East Anglia Bylines @eastangliabylines.co.uk · 28/09/2026
A year ago, The Bear walked away from Twitter. It cost him readers and income, but gave him something he values rather more. Now he looks back at why he left – and why he has no regrets.
eastangliabylines.co.uk
A year without Twitter: what I lost when I walked away
A year after quitting Twitter, The Bear reflects on readers, income and sanity involved in walking away
09119
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 27/09/2026
If there is any doubt that LGBTQ rights have backslid, all you have to do is compare the reactions to Conchita Wurst winning Eurovision in 2014 to the absolute fucking hysteria that would greet the exact same performance today.
711915
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 27/09/2026
God, they really are out in full force aren’t they. It’s almost as though there’s £72m worth of bots flooding all parts of the internet suddenly. How very queer.
712525
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 27/09/2026
Still think this is a good idea, tbh - I’m still shocked by the number of empty flats in the new builds around Vauxhall that were purchased as investments. Those flats would be perfect for young people starting out - and would do far more for the country than a nice big return on investment.
63559112
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 27/09/2026
On a serious note - Liz has made an accusation that I am, somehow grifting by monetising my Substack. I do not take accusations like this lightly. For the sake of clarity - yes, my Substack has been monetised since last year June. It costs £3.99 a month or £40 a year.
9599
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 27/09/2026
Liz is on a roll. I honestly did not realise that “bigot” and “fascist” are both swear words. You learn something new every day!
46929
Reposted by The Bear
LittleGravitas, →EU immigrant, UK→ emigrant, anti-Brexit @catanonim.me · 27/09/2026
@bearlypolitics.co.uk  —  ~ The Right-Wing is Eating Itself - and I’ve Brought Snacks ~ www.bearlypolitics.co.uk/p/the-righ…
bearlypolitics.co.uk
The Right-Wing is Eating Itself - and I’ve Brought Snacks
A week on the British right featuring Channel theatrics, arguments over Englishness and an increasingly crowded political firing squad.
0144
Reposted by The Bear
Vicki the cats' mother @catsmother.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Great article, Bear. Thank you! Something I noticed was that D Thomas gave "no fixed abode" when he was arrested and charged. I wonder if this is technically true? I think there might be implications if he's being dishonest.
2114
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 27/09/2026
Okay. Bye.
6438562
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 27/09/2026
It’s been yet another week of the Right-Wing doing everything in its power to eat itself. Today’s column runs through some of the highlights. Bring popcorn. And maybe some tea.
bearlypolitics.co.uk
The Right-Wing is Eating Itself - and I’ve Brought Snacks
A week on the British right featuring Channel theatrics, arguments over Englishness and an increasingly crowded political firing squad.
78428
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 27/09/2026
I honestly don’t know what’s been happening on Substack, but people are terribly grumpy! First John, now Liz. I must have hit a nerve or something.
371089
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 26/09/2026
Dave looks immense! It is a pleasure to meet him.
2463
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 26/09/2026
John’s day seems to keep getting worse, and he is firmly refusing to be lekker. Also, what in the actual fuck would a “gimp quotient” be?! (Yes, I know he’s a troll and I should ignore him, but I’m having the best time imagining him hyperventilating over his keyboard).
16825
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 26/09/2026
“John” over on Substack seems to be having a hard time.
31894
Reposted by The Bear
Mia @miak06.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Can def recommend One of the very select few I follow and read religiously Sound, factual analyses always paired with - what I find - a sense of genuine affection for the good in people and the potential of the UK & abroad; and unashamed to call out what needs to be called out
1143
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 26/09/2026
I still don’t understand how anyone thought that this was going to be a good policy. It also baffles my mind that it’s still going ahead.
2539593
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 24/09/2026
Would that be this travesty? 🐻
42887
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 24/09/2026
So, with the full knowledge I might be opening the proverbial can here - does anyone else fancy up their baked beans for baked beans on toast? Tonight’s version was a bit of chorizo, onions, peppers, chipotle paste, tomato paste, a helluva lot of black pepper topped with spring onions. 🐻
661243
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 24/09/2026
The homophobia seems to be accelerating.
309115
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 24/09/2026
Is anyone really surprised? Perfect case of FAFO.
1410714
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 22/09/2026
Question for the timeline: If Rishi Sunak, born in England, raised in England and a former British PM, cannot be “English” because he isn’t white, what is Englishness being defined by? Nationality? Culture? Or blood? Because that distinction matters rather a lot, and leads down a damned dark road.
3623644
Reposted by The Bear
Kjell (say "shell") 🏳️‍🌈🐻🇳🇴 @bear35.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The Bear revisited the bottom -of-the-barrel site so that we don't have to. Running away from it immediately is the only correct action to take if you are still there. 
1235
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 22/09/2026
Why does Euston Station filled me with such… melancholy? Sadness? I’m not quite sure which word is more appropriate, but every time I walk into the main hall, it feels like a small part of just whimpers.
4315012
The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 22/09/2026
When did you decide to leave X - and what made you do so? Alternatively, if you stayed, why did you do so?
bearlypolitics.co.uk
I Left Twitter a Year Ago. Going Back Confirmed It Was The Right Decision.
A year after quitting the platform that helped grow my audience, I went back to see what had changed. The answer was: not much, except perhaps the darkness.
838418
Reposted by The Bear
Alan Stanley @ackersstan.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Absolutely the right thing to do. It’s much nicer on here and long may that continue. X/Twitter is a cesspool and decent people should leave it!
1245
Reposted by The Bear
Karen Monroy @karenmonroy.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Good on @bearlypolitics.co.uk ! As a psychologist I can’t emphasize enough the mental health aspect of knowing the price you pay for exposing oneself to toxic poison-for any reason including money …
open.substack.com
I Left Twitter a Year Ago. Going Back Confirmed It Was The Right Decision.
A year after quitting the platform that helped grow my audience, I went back to see what had changed. The answer was: not much, except perhaps the darkness.
0183
Reposted by The Bear
Mia @miak06.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I was on Twitter / X but left it for good in the immediate aftermath of Oct 7 23 when an account commented that ‘maybe Hitler wasn’t that bad’ That comment shook me to my core There is no justification for a’one to remain on X incl businesses & govts And it baffles me that so many still are
24410
Reposted by The Bear
Michael @29xthefun.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I left after the nazi salute. People on it still has me look at them different. Anyone who thinks they are fighting back still using it are wasting their time. The whole platform is designed to block your opinion and amplify the fsr right only.
35110