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cynic65.bsky.social

@cynic65.bsky.social
181 followers 320 following 77 posts

Professional cynic & europhile into good food & even better wine, Socialism, Humanism, MMT & Liverpool FC. Alter ego of Mike Cawood

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Reposted by @cynic65.bsky.social
Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 02/10/2026
Oli Dugmore brilliantly outlines the struggles young people face today. Brexit robbed them of countless opportunities. Restoring our EU membership is the easiest way to help our young people.
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David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Since I'm not going to Liverpool this year to discuss, a short state of play on UK EU relations and the Labour Party. The very short version - they're terrified. And trying to find ways to avoid the question none of which will work.
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AdyBee 🐝 @adybee.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
"We cannot afford to be outflanked by Canada on Europe" - Alastair Campbell Canada does not need Britain to have a relationship on Europe. Canada and Europe set our own path. Perhaps try being positive about Europe? 1
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6JQ6LT79X8etFIXzFQ5tYJ
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Prospect Magazine @prospectmagazine.co.uk · 23/09/2026
If you think of GB News as the media wing of Nigel Farage’s political project, the total subsidy funnelled his way by its owners and his crypto donors (just four men) tops £200m, writes Alan Rusbridger
prospectmagazine.co.uk
Farage and the £130m even his detractors have missed
GB news has provided relentless positive PR for Nigel Farage while racking up tens of millions in financial losses. And now there is a new channel in ...
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Emma Yeomans @yeomans.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Worrying scenes in the Channel today, for all interested in asylum policy and maritime tactics. A small boat from Normandy spent more than 30 hours at sea. Those on board now on their 2nd rescue vessel as Border Force forced to play cat and mouse with far-right activists who have their own boat.
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Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Started watching Sky’s War Game last night where Michael Gove is the PM during the Russian attack and I’m afraid it is just very difficult to watch it without thinking of this, one of the great cartoons ever published
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Hassinator @hassinator.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
a great letter in the times today. perhaps worth sharing in these troubled times. #RNLI #heroes
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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 12/09/2026
Not so sure Ireland is the biggest fan of Donald Trump (REUTERS/Natalia Campos)
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Daniel Moser @dmoser.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Pollution levels in London after 10 years of advancing sustainable transport.
Map showing Lower Pollution levels in London after 10 years of advancing sustainable transport.
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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
This is the best summary of where Labour is at with Europe that you're going to read. It's from @chrisgrey.bsky.social . It's also, for those who want a pro-European UK, utterly emptying. Let's look at the four paragraphs A 🧵 chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2026/08/brex...
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
That sobbing you can hear outside is Lord Hannan of CANZUK beating his tiny little fists against an invisible Brexit unicorn
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
A year ago I wrote one of my most popular posts: "the financial crisis theory of everything". It looks at how the 2008 crash led to Trump, the rise of the radical right, Brexit, the war in Ukraine etc... I've taken off the paywall so it's now free to read. samf.substack.com/p/the-financ...
samf.substack.com
The financial crisis theory of everything
Last month there was a fascinating poll from More in Common asking people to pick the main reason Britain is “on the wrong track”.
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UK Parliament @ukparliament.parliament.uk · 23/08/2026
Tonight the Palace of Westminster is illuminated in the colours of the Ukrainian flag to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day and show Parliament’s support for the people of Ukraine.
Houses of Parliament illuminated in blue and yellow at night, reflected on the River Thames
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Deb Chachra @debcha.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
This explainer out of Australia is genuinely useful background and analysis of what happened with the Canada-US trade deal last night. Note that it is extremely and delightfully sweary. Also there’s an appended glossary of Australian slang. ifloz.substack.com/p/king-carne...
ifloz.substack.com
KING CARNEY ACTIVATES KONG MODE WITH ZERO FUCKS
Carney Reads the Clock Like a Pro Wrestler
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Count Binface @countbinface.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
A brief note for Nadhim Zahawi.
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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
@aphclarkson.bsky.social hits it out of the park with this thread. Brilliant. There is a cultural Europhobia in UK society which accepted and even supported. How much policy is based on "getting one over the French/Germans" or "putting the Spanish/Irish in their place". 1
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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Good piece. Andy Burnham seems to like politics and he's good at it @rafaelbehr.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Suddenly the British right feels a political chill. It’s getting cold in Andy Burnham’s shadow | Rafael Behr
The Tories and Reform had it easy when Keir Starmer was self-destructing – but a new PM with ideas exposes how vacant the opposition has become, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
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Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Starmer and Reeves' legacy is stabilisation without a strategy. My unsolicited advice to Andy Burnham and the new Chancellor. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Burnham must learn from Starmer’s mistakes: Labour was elected to transform the economy, not just stabilise it | Jonathan Portes
Devolution, tax, the EU and immigration: these are all opportunities for growth if Burnham abandons the excessive caution of the past few years, says economist Jonathan Portes
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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Overall, what we're getting from Roland, and which is sadly missing from too many UK-based commentators, is the IQ to be intellectually flexible about what can be done, and the EQ to understand what Europe is feeling on matters and how that is central Do read 12 rolandmcs.substack.com/p/on-rejoin
rolandmcs.substack.com
On Rejoin
How should the UK approach rejoining the EU?
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
This is the single greatest opportunity for constitutional reform in our lifetime. One of ours is about to get into Downing Street. That never happens. iandunt.substack.com/p/finally-so...
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Led By Donkeys @ledbydonkeys.org · 23/06/2026
Exactly 10 years since the Brexit vote, the verdict is in.
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
No joy to be found today. No satisfaction. Just frustration and a profound sense of squandered opportunity iandunt.substack.com/p/the-traged...
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John Springford @johnspringford.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Gove claims Brexit has improved public services, has given British politicians the power to govern (if badly, he says), acknowledges it has been costly but the uptick is coming 🤷 new-app.spectator.co.uk/article/6703...
new-app.spectator.co.uk
The Brexit decade: was it worth it?
It may not feel or sound like it but Keir Starmer is a born-again Brexiteer. His achievements in office may be nugatory, his search for a legacy tragicomic, but there are countless actions this govern...
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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
@chrisgrey.bsky.social is excoriating this week. Well worth your time, albeit perhaps with a stiff drink. 🫡
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
“It’s a tragic tale- a once-confident nation making such a fearful, self-harming decision. Our economy…politics… daily lives in 2026 – all of it bears the imprint of that calamitous error” Brexit 10yrs on. Nothing to celebrate. Except the likelihood we’ll rejoin. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Britain is a swamp of lies and disinformation – and we got here on the Brexit bus | Jonathan Freedland
Ten years after the vote, our economy is battered – and our national conversation darkens by the day. Still, there is reason for hope, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
A Reform voter tells me: "[Farage] cares about working people. He will make this country great again.” Such devotion, such faith in one so unworthy. It does my head in.” You and so many of us @yasminalibhaibrown.bsky.social Disgusted by the man and the abject failure to hold him to account iPaper
iPaper

My View
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown

Extract 

Farage's finances are deeply revealing
Reform UK leader has ushered in a new era of politics
In times to come, British politicians, historians and voters will try to figure out how, in the first quarter of the 21st century, Nigel Farage became one of the most
›powerful operators on these isles.
How did he lure and captivate so many? Why did they not question his fibs and postures?
This chap was born into a wealthy family, attended a private school, was a city trader, wears fine suits,
belongs to the most excuisive of London clubs, and socialises with millionaires and powerful elites.
But Martha, 65, a neighbour who worked for years as a shop assistant, and is a former Tory but now Reform voter, tells me: "He cares about working people. He will make this country great again." Such devotion, such faith in one so unworthy, It does my head in.
Farage gives off the appearance of a spiv - defined in most dictionaries as a flashy, shady dealer. He dresses ostentatiously and plays the political system. His well-practised grins and glasses of ale, his choreographed moments of patriotic fervour and emotionally-charged nationalism, and various
other manipulations have created an avatar. The real Mr Farage is a grubby, shameless distorter of truths, a dissembler who ducks accountability.
As the former Green leader, Caroline Lucas recently wrote about his part in getting the Brexit vote through: "There is a particular kind of audacity required to spend decades dismantling something then point to the rubble and declare it someone else's fault. Nigel Farage has that audacity in spades. He has built an entire political career on it."
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Led By Donkeys @ledbydonkeys.org · 17/05/2026
Immigration make Britain brilliant
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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Hi everyone, just sent out my free weekend update (a little early). This was a week of contrasts. While Russia showed it is happy to attack civilians, and the US showed how deep corruption has pervaded the system, Ukraine fought atrocities with strategic strikes… open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
open.substack.com
Weekend Update #185: The Week Of Contrasts
Ukraine Shows Not Only How It Is Superior To Putin's Russia But Also Trump's USA
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Brexit ‘no mates’ Britain still sitting in a sulk outside the room because yet another prime minister doesn’t have the courage to say how geopolitically insane and economically illiterate this is. Or admit the lies they’ve all told about immigration and freedom of movement. What failure.
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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Good to see Bremain acknowledge the electorate's responsibility for Brexit (and indeed its responsibility for setting the course for rejoin). Too often excuses have been made. In particular: "They told us we could keep our rights" (expecting only Europeans to suffer)... A 🧵
Bremain in Spain
"says it all"
with picture of a red bus saying:
"For fuck's sake, pay attention when you're voting this time"
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Daily Herald #FBPE #NAFO 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇬🇱 @dailyherald.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Nigel Farage visited a social housing estate in Wales by helicopter, but pretended he had driven.
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Claire #FBPE ☘️ 🍉 🇺🇦 🇪🇺🐝 🦮🇮🇪🇧🇪 💙💚 @fbpech.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Ten years after Brexit, this is the UK: a divided nation frozen in time | Aditya Chakrabortty
Tribalism has not faded over the past decade. Instead, new research reveals our politics has become ever-more polarised and fractious, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty
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Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Very hard not to worry that the "Swiss deal" is the next Article XXIV of GATT, bandied about without really being understood properly. Because, let me let you in on a little secret here, even the Swiss don't have the "Swiss deal". Clarification needed. A 🧵
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Adam Schwarz @adamjschwarz.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
🇫🇷 Sen. Claude Malhuret: "I compared the Trump presidency to Nero's court. I was wrong. It's a court of miracles. An anti-vax ex heroin addict as Health Sec; a climate skeptic as Econ Sec; an alcoholic TV host as Def Sec; an ex Qatari agent as Attorney Gen; a Putin groupie as Homeland Security Sec."
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Jennifer Williams @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Ok. My understanding of the electoral fraud situation is this. 1. Democracy volunteers put out a statement at one minute past poll close. They said this was at a level they’d not seen before
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Elena Adaal @elenaadaal.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
With the EU-Australia FTA now being concluded, it is clear that - compared to EU - the independent UK external trade agenda has failed: - The UK has a little bit more market access to some CPTPP countries - The EU has clinched the Mercosur FTA (with 4 Latin American Countries). ... (1/x)
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Gabriela Greilinger @gabrielagreilinger.com · 22/03/2026
I've been asked over the last few days/weeks what I think will happen on April 12th in Orbán's 🇭🇺 (and the aftermath), so here's my assessment, looking at everything as it stands now 🧵 tldr: It's complicated, and no one really knows (and those who say they do are either lying or overly confident) 1/
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Warren Wells, AICP @warrenjwells.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
How can this go on for another 3 years?
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Liz Webster 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧🇪🇺 @lizwebster.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
🚨 🔥 Remarkable exchange When Farmers Weekly asked about misogyny in farming, Nigel Farage replies: “Does it?” Then he says scrapping Equality Act 2010 is needed bc it makes white working-class men “inferior citizens”. Female farmers raise concerns about workplace protections. His response? 🧵
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Tony Yates @t0nyyates.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Yep! And a generic doom loop: 1. challenges and trade-offs in confronting them not explained. 2. politicians feel it's costlier to explain and act on them. 3. instead pretend they don't exist + that we'll be fine + offer seemingly rosier policy options. 4. outcomes poor back to 1.
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Letters in The Times and iPaper that reflect the views of British people far better than the deeply partisan, stupid and disloyal headlines of the rightwing press. Showing there is simply no issue on which they will just calm down and support a Labour govt. Not one. Not even in a war no one wants.
Sir, For the first time I totally disagree with one of your editorials, which states that the UK should join the war alongside the Americans. To keep the UK out of this conflict is the bravest, strongest act by Sir Keir Starmer in this parliament. The Iranian regime without doubt is odious but this war is doomed to fail, just like the ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is not supported by the majority of Americans and will cost billions of dollars and many lives. At least the prime minister has learnt the lessons of history - unlike his counterpart in the White House.
Dr Susan Kempson
Haddington, East LothianPM is right to be cautious on Iran

I read James Ball's balanced column
"Trump's Iran gamble could unravel his
presidency" (The i Paper, 3 March) with interest and, yes, his all-guns-blazing action might indeed come back to haunt him.
He and his gung-ho colleagues may have read the room wrong and the American people will be furious if many of their young people die as a result of this war.
Seemingly diplomacy is at an end and his presidential call of
"America First" rings eerily empty. There is no doubt that the Iranian regime which targeted its own people had to be stopped, but is this the best way to do it?
JUDITH A DANIELS
REAT YARMOUTH

My son was sent to the Gulf when Blair involved the UK in the last American-led fiasco.
He still bears the mental scars. Consequently, Starmer's reluctance to get involved now is good news to me.
L DGODDARD
ASHFORD

Those who criticise
Sir Keir Starmer for not supporting Donald Trump might consider the possible consequences. Has it occurred to them that the Prime Minister is trying to minimise the risk of Iranian retaliatory action, either militarily or by individuals, by refusing to participate in this conflict? His duty to protect UK citizens is a priority.
S LAWTON
KIRTLINGTON
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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Just sent out this free post. After more than 2 days of bombing it is clear that this campaign has no national interest goals for the USA but is entirely about getting a personal/political victory for Donald Trump. And because of that, he is flailing around wildly. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
open.substack.com
The US/Israeli Bombing Of Iran: Means and Ways Without Ends
An Update
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Roland Smith @rolandmcs.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
New Substack post: 'The Good Old Days'. open.substack.com/pub/rolandmc...
open.substack.com
The Good Old Days
How did a soothing phrase become a driving force behind the culture wars?
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 25/02/2026
From Trump’s Maga to Farage’s Reform, they’re all following Putin’s nationalism playbook | Rafael Behr
theguardian.com
From Trump’s Maga to Farage’s Reform, they’re all following Putin’s nationalism playbook | Rafael Behr
Reform is promising a ‘patriotic school curriculum’ – but what does that mean? In the end it comes down to submission to the leader, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
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Paul J Davies @pauljdavies.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Fascinating piece by @jburnmurdoch.ft.com - UK graduate earnings premium is shrinking because the economy is bad and there aren’t enough high paying jobs >> www.ft.com/content/649d... ‘Is university still worth it?’ is the wrong question
In the UK, the graduate earnings premium shrank as the share of grads in the workforce rose. In the US, Netherlands, Spain, France, Canada the premium kept rising.
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Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Starmer’s real leadership crisis. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog. Fatuous media coverage aside, Starmer’s challenge is to make good on his claim that Britain isn’t the country of the Brexit years in the face of rising ethno-nationalism: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2026/02/star...
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Antonia Romeo is the wrong choice for Cabinet secretary. A government which was serious about improving its performance would not select her. iandunt.substack.com/p/how-one-hi...
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Arthur Snell @snellarthur.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
A fair amount of nonsense has been written and said about the "security vetting" process for Mandelson's appointment. I wrote about what "Developed Vetting" really involves and why it's perfectly possible that it found nothing useful about Mandelson. arthursnell.substack.com/p/the-vettin...
arthursnell.substack.com
The Vetting Myth
Understanding the realities of Mandelson's pre-appointment checks
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