Sign in

David Thompson

@davesthompson.bsky.social
951 followers 469 following 1.2K posts

Old Man from the North - and now a widower. Science, art, photography, cycling. 2 daughters & 2 sons - and a recently arrived granddaughter! Still Pro EU. Northumberland & Edinburgh

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by David Thompson
Dr. Gary H. Kramer @ancalagontheblack.bsky.social · 15h
Less than 300 politicians are required to rid the world of trump Less than 300! Why haven’t they done it? For impeachment the House would require 218 votes In the Senate 67 votes are needed for conviction.
032
Reposted by David Thompson
Elkeblom @ellyblom.bsky.social · 23h
And on the same "how to be a fake patriot" theme... I only recently found out they even sold off the majority of our ports! More than 70% are now owned by foreign players. But yes, keep waving that little Union Jack! And remember, it's the poor brown people who are the baddies.
0103
Reposted by David Thompson
Elkeblom @ellyblom.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
And harking back to tatcherism?? Please.. They've monetised everything that is dear to us & sold Britain off to the highest bidder. Patriots indeed! Think of that when you read an article about children's homes run for profit at a cost of £300k+ pcpy or when you take your kid for a paddle in sewage.
2246
Reposted by David Thompson
Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Voters loathed the Tory party when they booted them out in 2024.They really needed to shake off their disgrace with humility and better ideas. They haven’t. They’ve doubled down. More Brexit, more austerity, more anti-immigration ugliness, more tedious arrogance… and no good reason to vote for them.
Party seems to have learnt nothing from 2024 defeat
John Oxley

The Conservative Party is keen to show it is now ready to return to government, two and a half years after a
historic defeat.Their self-soothing explanation posits that defeat came from not being able to do what they wanted 

No such pivot is happening at the current conference. The Tories have come to Birmingham calling for a return to orthodoxy, with similar lines about cutting benefits and regulation. Even so, they seem trapped by the same contradictions
- pledging to cut benefits, but not the winter fuel payments and triple lock on pensions that go to their voters.
There is no "hug-a-hoodie" moment in Birmingham. The Conservative Party is not indicating that it has changed or seeking to broaden its appeal. It is doing the opposite: it is a party returning to its core, restating all the old ideas voters have rejected but louder.
831328414
Reposted by David Thompson
Oor Tracey @trangpang.bsky.social · 19h
Well, this is sad. Who didn't have at least one auntie/uncle/neighbour belting oot 'One Day at a Time' at house parties back in the day? 💚 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Chart-topping singer and television host Lena Martell dies aged 86
The Glasgow-born singer was the first solo Scottish female singer to top the UK singles chart with One Day at a Time.
4185
Reposted by David Thompson
Private Eye Magazine @privateeyenews.bsky.social · 16h
Archer’s resignation from the London mayoral race after it was revealed he lied in court was the thing that got Paul Foot up from his sickbed and contributing again, having first started chronicling Archer’s lies and misdemeanours in 1969. From the Private Eye archive. Issue 992, December 1999.
251189374
Reposted by David Thompson
Andrew Sharpe 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿|🇪🇺 @andrew.sharpe.scot · 06/10/2026
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Shetland has vast renewable energy resources and 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 have extremely cheap electricity - but, despite having its own grid, the British government still sets prices based on England's use of gas. It has no gas. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
‘It really hammers people’: Scottish islanders hit by highest diesel prices in UK
Inhabitants of the Hebrides and Shetland tell of how fuel costs are putting the squeeze on commuting, services, food and more
11219125
Reposted by David Thompson
Dan Kaszeta FRHistS @dankaszeta.bsky.social · 23h
Thank you, New York Times, for this bucket of shite
127410
Reposted by David Thompson
Hugh Mann Wright @hughmannwright.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
A considerably higher proportion of the electorate than that would have little if any idea about the substantive content of the convention – or indeed, about many other rather salient aspects of that and why it is in the interests of 70 million UK residents to remain bound by the convention.
191
Reposted by David Thompson
Ralph Darvill @tringdriventhing.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
So, 22.4% of people don't know if they want to lose their human rights?
4141
Reposted by David Thompson
Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 05/10/2026
📢A new megapoll has found that 53.4% of people in the UK want to stay in the ECHR versus 24.2% of people against👇 🔗 www.theguardian.com/world/2026/o... via @theguardian.com The ECHR is on the side of the people, and vice versa.
theguardian.com
Half of UK wants to rejoin EU and backing it could drive up Labour vote, megapoll finds
Exclusive: Findings will bolster those in No 10 who want to negotiate on re-entry but some senior figures remain wary
26432138
Reposted by David Thompson
Rav BOO!dram 🎃👻 @rvbdrm.com · 05/10/2026
If you’re arresting a Jewish 94-year-old human rights lawyer for peacefully protesting, you’re on the wrong side of history. www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10...
aljazeera.com
‘I’m rather proud’: Barrister, 94, arrested for supporting Palestine Action
Margaret Owen OBE, a celebrated human rights lawyer and friend of Ed Miliband’s late mother, talks to Al Jazeera.
8054561537
Reposted by David Thompson
Kat Benjamin @katskib.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
This is beyond embarrassing.
62676492207
Reposted by David Thompson
Private Eye Magazine @privateeyenews.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
1971 vs 2026 From the latest Private Eye, out now.
614622
Reposted by David Thompson
Graham Davis @agendaforreform.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
“Those who don’t learn from history…”
012
Reposted by David Thompson
Hugh Sykes @hughsykes.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
032
Reposted by David Thompson
Hugh Sykes @hughsykes.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Drumcree Garvaghy Road Portadown Do they really want all this again? My photos from 29 years ago, with a headline summing it up: [Burning cars: Garvaghy Road. Houses burning: Newry Recreational violence children: Newry Burning (milk) tanker: Newry bypass Banner: Portadown]
1186
Reposted by David Thompson
Hugh Sykes @hughsykes.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
At Drumcree hill one year I suggested to a Loyalist that I was wasting my time trying to apply logic to this volatile situation. I asked him: "Isn't it just that you, quite simply, hate Catholics?" "Yes," he replied, "I do. I do hate them. For I think they're scum." news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/program...
news.bbc.co.uk
BBC NEWS | Programmes | BH | There they stand. Orangemen and Loyalists.
163
Reposted by David Thompson
Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 05/10/2026
Ofcom rules say broadcasters cannot use politicians as newsreaders, interviewers or reporters in any news programmes. So why is Nigel Farage allowed to host his own primetime show on GB News? Demand that Ofcom takes immediate action ⬇️
bestforbritain.org
Farage on GB News: Demand that Ofcom takes immediate action - Best for Britain
351096502
Reposted by David Thompson
Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Energy suppliers urge UK govt to help households struggling with energy bills. Silence on cutting profit margins, windfall taxes on excessive profits. Household energy debt heading to £7bn. 120,000 a year die in fuel poverty. We can't afford privatisation and resulting profiteering.
bbc.co.uk
Suppliers pile pressure on government over energy bills
Immediate action is needed to help households struggling with bills this winter, says trade body Energy UK.
41582260
Reposted by David Thompson
Springer Nature @springernature.com · 02/10/2026
Endometriosis, a condition in which uterine cells form lesions outside of the uterus, has been termed the ‘missed disease’ owing to its unknown cause, delays in diagnosis and disparities in treatment. Now a new treatment might be on the horizon: spklr.io/63321Epj7R? 🧪 🩺 #medsky
spklr.io
The ‘missed disease’ that affects 190 million: endometriosis drug shows early promise
Modified medication targets the cells implicated in the condition’s tell-tale lesions.
097
Reposted by David Thompson
Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
US private equity owner of Boots to sell it to a Canadian private equity firm for $9bn (£7bn). NHS prescriptions are a major money makers. Otherwise its prices are high. No UK tax levied on dividends paid by Boots to its foreign owners.
theguardian.com
Boots owner ‘closing in on sale to Canada’s Weston family for $9bn’
Deal would mark return of Canadian family to UK after it sold Selfridges department store for £4bn in 2022
18272168
Reposted by David Thompson
BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Since the 'ceasefire' in Gaza, 1400+ Palestinians have been killed. 0 Israelis have been killed. The 'ceasefire' is not a Ceasefire but simply a protection for Israel, while Israel are allowed to go on killing.
27685347
Reposted by David Thompson
Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
if true this is bonkers for a party supposedly committed to defending free speech
22386101
Reposted by David Thompson
Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
🔴 We asked Tony Blair's think tank about charging businesses £500k for political access at party conferences and why one of its sponsor's logos disappeared after our reporting last week on TBI's alleged cash for access scheme This is what they said
72932347
Reposted by David Thompson
Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Here's the full story that the Tony Blair Institute doesn't want to answer questions about, on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com
Tony’s minor tantrum: how Blair’s institute responded to fresh “cash for access” questions
We asked TBI about allegations of £500,000 corporate memberships and a logo that vanished at Labour conference. They said they’re not talking to us anymore
7339144
Reposted by David Thompson
New Scientist @newscientist.com · 01/10/2026
An unprecedented meningitis outbreak that occurred in Kent, UK, in March seems to have been driven by a bacterial strain taking genes from harmless microbes
newscientist.com
Severe meningitis outbreak caused by bacteria that took genes from microbiome | New Scientist
051
Reposted by David Thompson
EdinburghMinute.com @edinburghminute.com · 01/10/2026
🌤️  Good morning Edinburgh. Thursday’s headlines: New events series for Ross Bandstand, Leith shop ceiling collapse drama, Portobello bar The Espy is not closing + Tom Kelly's monthly Water of Leith wildlife update ⏰ Edinburgh’s ad-free local newsletter: www.edinburghminute.com/the-edinburg...
A dog walking on a wall on a beach-side promenade. Text over reads: The Edinburgh Minute - Thursday 1 October 2026: New events series for Ross Bandstand, Leith shop ceiling collapse drama, Portobello bar The Espy is not closing + Tom Kelly's monthly Water of Leith wildlife update
0133
Reposted by David Thompson
Miranda @appleandroidapp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Hoping the Standards Committee report is published before he rinses and repeats his Brexit con on the electorate.
3163
Reposted by David Thompson
Ian Fraser @ianfraser.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Labour MP @labourlewis.bsky.social reveals Tom Watson warned him over criticising Palantir.
21911
Reposted by David Thompson
Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
President Macron, "Brexit has cost the UK 8% of GDP.. Brexit is the biggest lie of the last 30 years" My view: Brexit was sold as a route to greater prosperity: less bureaucracy, more money, new trade opportunities Instead, Britain put new barriers between itself and its largest trading market.
24832250
Reposted by David Thompson
Adrian Littlejohn @yorksfella59.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Evening, #Ofcom. A British politician is advertising, in advance, that his "full verdict" on the Prime Minister's speech today will be given in his own programme, which carries his name, on GB News tonight. Aren't News channels supposed to show due impartiality? 🤮 x.com/Nigel_Farage...
x.com
Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) on X
I will give my full verdict on Andy Burnham’s speech LIVE on GB News at 7PM tonight.
25391155
Reposted by David Thompson
Jonathan Slater @jonathanslater.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Let’s start today with some pure love
23420106
Reposted by David Thompson
Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Richest 1% of Britons owns more wealth than the bottom 70% of the population combined. 50 richest families hold more wealth than the poorest half of the population combined. The concentration of wealth in fewer hands has not provided the necessary economic stimulus. Need redistribution.
leftfootforward.org
This is how the Chancellor can increase the personal allowance and lift millions out of hardship
Sustained economic growth can’t be achieved without a major boost to the purchasing power of the bottom 50% of the population
971890707
Reposted by David Thompson
Esheru @esherukweku.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
This is dangerous talk, he should be reprimanded for it.
The United Kingdom is releasing five Muslim terrorists accused of planning an attack on an American airbase.
They should just officially rename themselves the United Islamic Kingdom and get it over with.
What is clear is they are no longer a reliable ally of the United States.
© OSINTdefender & @sentdefender • 6h
Counter Terrorism Policing in the United Kingdom has announced that the five men arrested near RAF Fairford on Sunday will be released on bail this afternoon. The men were arrested in the village of Whelford, a short dis...
199713159
Reposted by David Thompson
Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
One of the best accounts to follow on Bluesky: @premnsikka.bsky.social On point analysis and commentary on British politics 👍
2631257
Reposted by David Thompson
Oor Tracey @trangpang.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh building is a masterpiece. We need a full, faithful restoration with zero erosion of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s original design intent. If you agree, please add your name to the petition to help save 'The Mack': you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/fu...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Fully and Faithfully Restore ‘The Mack’
The Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh building is a masterpiece. We need a full, faithful restoration with zero erosion of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s original design intent. If you agree, please add...
1118
Reposted by David Thompson
Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 26/09/2026
🚨Broadcasters are required to present news impartially, without political bias. Add your name to demand that Ofcom takes immediate action. ⬇️ bestforbritain.org/petition/farage-…
38705385
Reposted by David Thompson
Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🇨🇦🍁🍁 @minibubbly.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Prime Minister Rob Jetten - Netherlands UN speech
14374138
Reposted by David Thompson
Daniel Rigal 🇪🇺 🦋 @danielrigal.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Stop calling these thugs "activists"! If you lack the guts to call them terrorists then say paramilitaries or saboteurs. Activists are people with placards and petitions, not thugs with knives. BBC News - Anti-migrant activist arrested after dinghy slashed in Channel www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Daniel Thomas arrested after dinghy slashed in Channel
Police had been looking into footage appearing to show the man, also known as Danny Tommo, slashing at a boat in the English Channel with a knife.
034
Reposted by David Thompson
Daily Herald #FBPE #NAFO 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇬🇱 @dailyherald.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Nigel Farage Has Attacked The Government's Plans For A New Russia Misinformation Unit www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/nigel-...
huffingtonpost.co.uk
Nigel Farage Has Attacked The Government's Plans For A New Russia Misinformation Unit
The Reform UK leader claimed it is “targeted directly” at his party.
243
Reposted by David Thompson
Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The powers-to-be are tinkering with minor reform of the UK House of Lords. That won't do. I urged the Govt to replace the House with an elected second chamber, subject to constitutional safeguards. Watch the video.
24469169
Reposted by David Thompson
Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Large part of the UK press has been on the wrong side of history, fuelling hatred, social divisions, supporting authoritarianism. Their support for the current Blackshirts has a history (see below) as they continue to support the far-right stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8672...
30515255
Reposted by David Thompson
Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
There is a lot of misinformation about the UK social security spending. The chart below shows Total UK social security spending as a percentage of GDP, 2013/14 to 2030/31 (spending & forecast) 55% goes to pensioners, the remainder covers everything else. lordslibrary.parliament.uk/welfare-refo...
21316189
David Thompson @davesthompson.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
#Ineos "Sir"Jim Ratcliffe - "He was a supporter of Brexit but has been a tax resident in Monaco since 2020." (#BBCnews) So patriotic, eh? BBC News - Sir Jim Ratcliffe suspends production at key UK plants blaming high gas prices - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Sir Jim Ratcliffe suspends production at key UK plants blaming high gas prices
Ineos said natural gas in the UK is twelve times more expensive than in the US.
021
Reposted by David Thompson
Fionna O’Leary @fascinatorfun.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
No civilian threat unit reviewed the target for strike risk. This goes beyond craven negligence. 127 school kids killed in Trump and Hegseth’s Gung-Ho ridiculous war on Iran
12610
Reposted by David Thompson
Fionna O’Leary @fascinatorfun.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Planning that normally took hours was condensed into minutes, with over reliance on Palantir’s Maven system where existing intelligence dating back to 2017/2018 that the targeted site had undergone a change of use with painted walls and soccer lines visible was not updated into the system
1125
Reposted by David Thompson
Fionna O’Leary @fascinatorfun.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Having cut the civilian Pentagon staff that assess civilian threat by 90%,” in the final days of February, the Trump administration demanded an overwhelming aerial assault. More than 1,000 Iranian targets were hit within the first 24 hours alone. “
12416
Reposted by David Thompson
Yung En Chee @yungenchee.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Ah yes, NVIDIA "Make Every Day About Earth Day" talks about "AI helping understand wildlife threats, climate concerns, disaster risks & courses of action" whilst taking the opportunity to flog "bespoke AI software" to Big Oil & Gas for "optimizing production" #AIForGood🤮🤬
0134