Reposted by David CottamAlex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 14hIf you’re reading today’s papers and thinking, did I watch a different Badenoch speech, may I recommend our sanity-restoring review? “The same people who could not build a railtrack from London to Manchester for £100bn, will build the Kemi Death Star for 10bn. It’s so ludicrous as to be offensive.” 1030385
Reposted by David CottamPrivate Eye Magazine @privateeyenews.bsky.social · 17hNumber crunching: “the poorest in our society” From the new Private Eye, out now. 622259
Reposted by David CottamJosiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 07/10/2026This does however solidify my theory that Reform are simply planning to spend *all* the crypto billionaire cash before the Electoral Commission and police even put their shoes on 2664
Reposted by David CottamTorsten Bell @torstenbell.bsky.social · 07/10/2026So what this week has taught us is that the Conservative offer is to: - prioritise the wealthiest - blow up the public finances 610726
Reposted by David CottamAdam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 07/10/2026From the new Private Eye 512661959
Reposted by David CottamPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Thousands of active UK companies may have fraudulent directors. Anyone can form a company in the UK. Companies need one natural person as a director who can be non-UK resident. Too many small companies are fronts for crimes I have long called for companies to have one UK resident director.tradersunion.comUK companies face scrutiny as identity checks expose possible fraudulent directorsNew UK identity rules reveal possible fraudulent company directors as overdue filings surge, raising concerns about the accuracy of corporate records. 26435183
Reposted by David CottamGeorge Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Do check out Rupert’s website. It’s amazing. And so is he. thelonekayaker.wordpress.comthelonekayaker.wordpress.comThe Lone KayakerRupert Kirkwood's Wild World of Water. As seen from a Kayak. 536256
Reposted by David CottamGuy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 04/10/2026The Prime Minister @andyburnham.bsky.social has pledged to hold a Wildfire Summit later this Autumn (which may cover other extreme weather too). The Summit must agree a plan to re-wet the UK’s peat bogs, restore lost ponds in farmers’ fields, and stop grouse moor owners setting fire to moorland. 28921
Reposted by David CottamPrivate Eye Magazine @privateeyenews.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Archer’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. 321477460
David Cottam @davidcottam6.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Nelly has settled in to her new home and a big comfy bed. She has weaned her pups and retired to join her grandmother Jessie (who is 11) for country walks and a quiet life sniffing the grass. 000
Reposted by David CottamMary Corcoran @marycorcoran.bsky.social · 07/03/2025TweedleDumb & TweedleSly #streetart 0309
Reposted by David CottamAlex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Apparently "Kemi" has "fresh solutions" uniquely tailored to Britain's current problems. <excitedly prepares to take notes> Cut taxes, reward the wealthiest, punish the poor and sick, alienate our allies, deregulate big business, and privatise any remaining state function. WAAAAAAIT A MINUTE! 46682160
Reposted by David CottamBest for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 05/10/2026Ofcom 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.orgFarage on GB News: Demand that Ofcom takes immediate action - Best for Britain 351102505
Reposted by David CottamAlex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 05/10/2026This is a good explainer of why the motion is a problem. www.linestotake.com/p/green-part...linestotake.comJewishness itself is now the offenceThe Green Party votes to say “Zionism is racism” 1712528
Reposted by David CottamDavid Osland @davidosland.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Capitalism has now reached the stage at which companies openly admit that their products represent 'an existential risk to humanity'. And then invite investors to pump money into them anyway. 412247
Reposted by David CottamJosiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Great stuff from Adam, and thanks to @mrjamesob.bsky.social for being pretty much the only non-Byline journalist to pick this story up 120256
Reposted by David CottamAdam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 02/10/2026The Conservative party Shadow Culture Secretary to speak at conference tomorrow about how to "defend press freedom", whilst her own party bans journalists whose coverage they don't like 25592251
Reposted by David CottamPeter 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 72931347
Reposted by David CottamPeter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 01/10/2026🔴 Protests against Palantir across England today. In July, we published this deep dive into Palantir, its lobbying in Britain and the myriad problems NHS staff have had with its software. democracyforsale.substack.com/p/its-just-a...democracyforsale.substack.com"It's just a waste of time": inside Palantir's £330m NHS failureOur new investigation reveals the problems with Palantir’s NHS tech - and the unrivalled political access that fuelled the firm’s march into the British state 6240116
Reposted by David CottamAdam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 01/10/2026I've been a member of the lobby for well over a decade. Not a single one of my lobby colleagues has said a word about the Conservatives banning me from their conferences, without any explanation. Contrast with the US where even Fox News stood in solidarity when Trump banned news outlets he dislikedbylinetimes.comKemi Badenoch's Conservatives Block Byline Times From Conference After Condemning Reform for Journalist BanThe ban comes just weeks after the Conservative leader called Reform's barring of critical journalists from their conference an "authoritarian" attack on the free press 861526618
David Cottam @davidcottam6.bsky.social · 01/10/2026I accompanied my adult son to a hospital appointment at Brompton by train from Exeter. I was overwhelmed by the wonderful Passenger Assist teams at Exeter & Paddington who helped him on and off trains, got him onto buggies & lifts. Kind, patient, cheerful welcoming people. What a brilliant service! 110
Reposted by David CottamDr Seán DOOLAN 🏴 🇮🇪 @sdinpraxis.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Wonder when the British Museum will get around to displaying a Brexit Tapestry illustrating the defeat of the populace and the triumph of the buccaneering, asset-stripping, opportunistic Brexiteers? 041
Reposted by David Cottampaulusthewoodgnome @paulusthewoodgnome.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Alys Denby leaning 100% into the Kemi Badenoch narrative about millionaires fleeing the country. Will Dunn has shown this to be a gross deception. Albeit, one which is very handy for the likes of Denby because they never get challenged over it on shows like #politicslive. bsky.app/profile/will... 4295
Reposted by David CottamAlex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Absolutely fascinating to see Laura Kuenssberg interviewing Burnham, flailing to adjust her stance to a politician with a moral argument and a positive message, who stands up for his policies and answers her questions clearly. She is getting so agitated at him not playing the game by the 'rules'. 1981885406
Reposted by David Cottamsolomonhughes.bsky.social @solomonhughes.bsky.social · 25/09/2026George Osborne, British Museum Chair and Palantir's Peter Thiel are both investors in the same Defence Tech company. By coincidence, Peter Thiel was given a VIP tour of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum before even the King or PM - Osborne-Thiel links in current @privateeyenews.bsky.social 38730
David Cottam @davidcottam6.bsky.social · 26/09/2026open.substack.com/pub/democrac...open.substack.comBREAKING: Tony Blair Institute’s $25,000 corporate network “smells like cash for access”Exclusive documents show Tony Blair's think tank offers corporate members such as BP and Uber "networking" at party conferences and "a stronger voice" in policy debates. 000
Reposted by David CottamSteve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 22/09/2026I'm imagining "Tommo's" exploits being set out in a criminal law exam question, and the Home Secretary and local police officers being unable to identify any crimes 820746
Reposted by David CottamPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Vet prescription fees capped at £21 under rule changes. Doesn't deal with the real problems. Control of vet services by private equity, local monopolies. Profiteering High charges for treatment PE has overlapping interest in insurance and pet medicines.bbc.co.ukVet prescription fees to be capped under rule changesVets must also tell clients if cheaper medicine is available online as part of the rule updates which surgeries have the coming months to bring in. 22499193
Reposted by David CottamJim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 18/09/2026my brilliant colleague @robertshrimsley.bsky.social on the threat from Elon Musk’s X platform www.ft.com/content/f270... 6428121171
Reposted by David CottamJonesy Cartoons @jonesycartoons3.bsky.social · 20/09/2026@privateeyenews.bsky.social #cartoon 14415
Reposted by David CottamPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 20/09/2026HMRC is an unsecured creditor for corporation and capital gains tax. It recovers little from bankrupt businesses. Phoenixing also robs the public purse. HMRC wrote-off £12.8bn in 2025-26. Changes to law and HMRC creditor status can raise billions for the public purse.leftfootforward.orgHere’s how the chancellor can raise the billions needed to improve the quality of life of millionsPrem Sikka is an Emeritus Professor of Accounting at the University of Essex and the University of Sheffield, a Labour member of the House of Lords, and Contributing Editor at Left Foot Forward. Mi... 11389187
Reposted by David CottamQuiet Riot @quietriotpod.bsky.social · 17/09/2026NEW EPISODE: The Big Bung Theory! Reform U.K. is awash with cash so we talk all things spending rules, changes to donation law, and what it all means for our democracy. 🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q... 🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/34B3...podcasts.apple.comThe Big Bung TheoryPodcast Episode · Quiet Riot · 17 September · 53min 87732
Reposted by David CottamDavid Osland @davidosland.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Anyone know why a newspaper owned by the Fourth Lord Rothermere, who inherited a fortune from the Third Lord Rothermere, who inherited his money from the Second Lord Rothermere, who inherited it from the First Lord Rothermere, is so strongly opposed to inheritance tax? 16760821542
Reposted by David CottamDavid Osland @davidosland.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Democracy means one person, one vote. Not two billionaires, one party. 010139
Reposted by David CottamAlex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Dear AI Experts If you think most people misunderstand certain things or are listening to the wrong experts, your role - perhaps even your duty - is to help others understand. It is not to shush and exclude 99.99% of humanity from a vital conversation about every aspect of its future. 812617
Reposted by David CottamAmyn Merchant @amynmerchant.bsky.social · 14/09/2026@quietriotpod.bsky.social 031
Reposted by David CottamRichard Corbett CBE @richardcorbett.bsky.social · 12/09/2026£72 million is more than every UK political party combined accepted in donations and public funds throughout the whole of 2025. It’s more than twice what a party contesting every seat may spend nationally in the year before a general election. This is NOT normal! www.uglypolitix.com/p/two-men-48...uglypolitix.comTwo men, 48 hours, £72m - What’s the Problem?Two men gave Reform more in 48 hours than every British party raised in 2025. The Government's answer is a working group with no members, no remit and no timetable. 89547
David Cottam @davidcottam6.bsky.social · 13/09/2026@alexpodyssey.bsky.social Is Podyssey returning soon? 010
Reposted by David CottamDavid Osland @davidosland.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Billionaires who don't pay taxes give tens of millions of pounds to the racist right while newspapers owned by billionaires who don't pay taxes smear the politicians who challenge them. Because they want to ensure 'a fair fight and a level playing field', apparently. 10470154
David Cottam @davidcottam6.bsky.social · 12/09/2026“Oh God, What Now!” : a podcast that is worth its subscription. The recent interview with Jon Ronson was a delightful candid and hilarious look at the despair and weirdness caused by influencers seeking engagement through search engine optimisation. The existential despair driving the manosphere. 000
Reposted by David CottamAdam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Reform UK's record-breaking donor was accused of running “in effect a money laundering platform”. Prosecutors accused Delo of being the “leader of a criminal enterprise” who knew that his Bitmex platform had become a “magnet for money laundering and criminal activity”.adambienkov.co.ukReform UK Is Now a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Corrupt Crypto IndustryAs criminal investigations into Reform’s funding continue, much of the British press continues to give a free pass to Nigel Farage’s shady funders 861368637
Reposted by David CottamPeter Whitewood @pwhitewood.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Another healthy day for British democracy 2217
Reposted by David CottamBill @washingtonwill.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Reform UK is not a political party it is a business, owned by NF. The primary aim of a business is to make money for its shareholders, in this case NF. That being the case, how is it possible for a business to have MPs in Parliament? Would someone please explain? 0153
Reposted by David CottamAdam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 11/09/2026A reminder that Delo previously pled guilty in the US to violating money laundering protections and agreed to pay a $10 million fine for "willfully” breaking the law with his BitMex platform, which was described as "in effect a money laundering platform.” This is who owns Farage now 14623521203
Reposted by David CottamDavid Osland @davidosland.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Taxpayers foot the £2,700 a month rent on Kemi Badenoch's six-bedroom farmhouse in Essex. Then she goes on telly and argues that taxpayers shouldn't subsidise other people's rent. 27690288
Reposted by David CottamAlex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 09/09/2026“To lose one councillor, Mr. Farage, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose 148 looks like a shitshow.” 214124
Reposted by David CottamPrivate Eye Magazine @privateeyenews.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Nigel Farage says he “frankly wasn’t even listening” while foreign donations were discussed in front of him. Another thing he won’t want to hear: IT’S PRIVATE EYE WEEK! New edition in shops and with subscribers from Wednesday. 1342488
Reposted by David CottamJoRichardsKent @jorichardskent.bsky.social · 08/09/2026AI. AI Data Centres. AI Hyperscale Data Centres. Tech Bros. Broligarchy. Musk. Bezos. Meta. Google. Amazon. Etc etc. 062
Reposted by David CottamPrivate Eye Magazine @privateeyenews.bsky.social · 09/09/2026That Reform oyster bar sting in full The new Private Eye is out now. 11474142
Reposted by David CottamAdam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 07/09/2026At the same time as banning myself and other journalists from their conference this week, this is who Reform laid out the red carpet for www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...theguardian.comRaise the Colours leader given access to Reform UK conference while on bailRyan Bridge, arrested this year on suspicion of religiously and racially aggravated harassment, says party invited him 791226570