Sign in

fipunchard.bsky.social

@fipunchard.bsky.social
62 followers 174 following 58 posts
PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Dan Snow @thehistoryguy.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
If you think a distinct sub category of human exists because some medieval warlords agreed that the border of England should be on the River Tweed, you are, Im afraid, an absolute maniac bsky.app/profile/theh...
10662120
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Yachad @yachad.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Our executive director, Hannah Weisfeld, on @tomswarbrick.bsky.social's @lbc.co.uk show yesterday discussing the Green Party adopting the motion 'Zionism is Racism'.
174
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Sathnam Sanghera @sathnam.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
#empireworld is available for 99p as a kindle deal innit amzn.eu/d/0aaF6wLd
amzn.eu
54121
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"In order to deliver the PM's promise to save social care we need a permanent class of indentured migrant workers without labour rights".
28461179
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Why is Gen Z depressed? It’s a mystery.
2138380
fipunchard.bsky.social @fipunchard.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Away for work. And no idea why a certain horror film came to mind.
010
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
All day Piddington's womminfolk have been telling news how they will be terrified of "hundreds of young men nearby, free to come and go as they please." NOT ONE JOURNALIST has asked: "How did you cope when it was an army base? Who came and went then? Nuns?" Soon as you ask that, all becomes clear.
791488441
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Dr Dean Burnett @drdeanburnett.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
There’s a surprisingly simple reason for England’s high antidepressant use: lots of people need them www.theguardian.com/... My latest article, for the... [checks notes] Guardian? Doesn't ring a bell, must be some new publication. #mentalhealth #antidepressants
theguardian.com
There’s a surprisingly simple reason for England’s high antidepressant use: lots of people need them | Dean Burnett
The idea that GPs are ignoring guidelines and ‘overprescribing’ doesn’t hold water. Instead, look to our social and economic crises, says doctor of neuroscience Dean Burnett
416255
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
A serious democratic society simply cannot allow this. That's £72 million from just two men. (Both, until lately, based overseas). The average UK earner (full-time) would have to work for over 1,800 years to raise that much. It's a nuclear strike on any pretence at the equality of political power
431410562
fipunchard.bsky.social @fipunchard.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I think I just heard Justin Webb on R4 imply to Ed Miliband that he's not really Jewish because he doesn't go to synagogue. 🤦‍♀️
040
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
One reason England does so well is our second generation immigrants outperform their peers which is not true in most OECD countries. We are also very good at integration. And it's v sad that this is never acknowledge in debates on immigration.
602405851
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
The Verge @theverge.com · 02/09/2026
As a new Harry Potter trailer makes the rounds, it bears repeating that there’s no way to watch this show without supporting J.K. Rowling’s bigotry and the structural violence she’s inflicting on the trans community.
theverge.com
There is no ethical consumption of HBO’s Harry Potter series
You can’t without supporting Rowling’s transphobic bigotry.
366201449891
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Joel @itsjoels.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
This is the letter kids got at the end of Dolly’s Imagination Library. I defy you to read this and not cry.
Sorry, I can’t type that.
7243894011284
fipunchard.bsky.social @fipunchard.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Catching up on Ludwig. I can't be the only one wanting a cross-over between him and Professor T.
000
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Athena Kugblenu @athenakugblenu.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
It should be career ending to say one race is inferior to another race. For fucks sake!! These people should be pariahs!
121050174
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Robin Ince @robinince.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Hopefully I can get to membership of one thousand in the next few days on patreon - membership is free as is most of the content www.patreon.com/c/RobinInce
patreon.com
Robin Ince — conversations and blog posts about creativity
Get more from Robin Ince on Patreon. conversations and blog posts about creativity . Support Robin Ince and get exclusive access to their work.
13718
fipunchard.bsky.social @fipunchard.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
I know I am supposed to keep up with the news for my job, but have had to turn off R4 now. The air time being given to rich man brings kids back to UK for school is OTT.
010
fipunchard.bsky.social @fipunchard.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
www.theguardian.com/education/20... Listening to R4 & reflecting on my own experience. At school I got a D in maths & stayed to do 3 humanities A-levels. I had to resit maths twice just to get a C. I was academically able elsewhere as I had As and Bs elsewhere,including those A-level subjects.
theguardian.com
Compulsory GCSE resits in England harm teenagers’ mental wellbeing, study finds
UCL researchers warn repeated exam attempts may dent students’ confidence and raise risk of dropping out
110
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Ben Whitham @drbenwhitham.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
I spoke to Lizzie Dearden for this i article on the racist targeting of HMOs. From Belfast to Thetford, people are being dragged from their homes by masked fascist thugs, their houses attacked and even burned down, and this is all being normalised as "protest". inews.co.uk/news/vigilan...
inews.co.uk
How far-right vigilantes are targeting asylum seekers as HMO attacks rise
Experts said the targeting of asylum seekers in houses 'represented a new escalation of anti-migrant harassment and violence'
07150
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
The Secret Barrister @barristersecret.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
I have enormous sympathy with people angry that the political vandalism of our prison system is forcing the (even earlier) release of prisoners. It is a scandal. But deciding who does and does not get released on the basis of the volume of public outcry at their crime is the road to madness.
601512314
fipunchard.bsky.social @fipunchard.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
"Generally speaking, human beings are very good at telling the sex of someone they are talking to." Chair of EHRC confirming that it's the 'we can always tell' check that makes their ridiculous and cruel guidance workable. 🤦‍♀️
130
fipunchard.bsky.social @fipunchard.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
What does R4 think it's doing by platforming the appalling Rupert Lowe? If they think they're doing the sunlight disinfecting thing, things have shifted too far.
000
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
🧵On @thenewsagents.co.uk yesterday, school closures and the lab leak theory were offered as two examples of legitimate questions that were hard to ask. Both have in fact been asked constantly since 2020. But here's a thread on why I think they were wrong and dangerous on school closures 1/12
571604661
fipunchard.bsky.social @fipunchard.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Listening to someone on R4 taking the line that making it "too expensive" to hire young people is putting employers off. That never seems to apply to "talent" for senior and exec roles.
011
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Dan Neidle @danneidle.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
I have a modest proposal for a new tax. It involves a deck of cards and a monkey throwing darts. Here are the rules:
41885384
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Adam Rutherford @adamrutherford.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Anyone interested in the story of this truly weird, racist fascist thumb who runs Trump should listen to @dorianlynskey.bsky.social and @iandunt.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdHi...
youtube.com
Stephen Miller – American Fascist | Origin Story
YouTube video by Origin Story
911436
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
People want to take functions away from HM Treasury. I want to give it a new one - getting the UK's act together on climate adaptation www.ft.com/content/2789... (£) - much more than an environment issue..
ft.com
The UK is forgetting the dull bit of climate change policy
Adaptation has never been the priority, but this summer’s heat is a message that the Treasury needs to act
19128
fipunchard.bsky.social @fipunchard.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
As I heard this on the r4 today headlines, that was one of my thoughts. This Labour government seems to have taken May's hostile environment model and gone: Hold my beer.
010
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Alex de Campi @alexdecampi.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
I love this. Unmute.
8387962720
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Brexiters’ claims that the UK would be able to aggressively deregulate and forge new trade alliances with the likes of the US have failed to bear fruit
40437186
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
My generation gained when overt racism was pushed back - but that progress faces pressure today. A new study reports sobering findings on the reach of anti-Muslim prejudice - and sets out why shrinking it can not be the responsibility of Muslims also. My column www.easterneye.biz/anti-muslim-...
easterneye.biz
Tackling hostility against Muslims matters for everyone
Efforts to tackle anti-Muslim hatred risked being stalled by arguments over what to call it and how to define it.
26823
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Frances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Regular reminder that what Britain desperately needs is “low skilled” care workers - and that these jobs are not actually low skilled at all and should be welcomed by an immigration system that appreciates their huge value. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Wes Streeting plans to increase high-skilled immigration if he becomes PM
Leadership hopeful to also say tax revenues from new North Sea oil and gasfields should be used to cut energy bills
28460133
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Because of course he does. Yes, people are struggling. Yes, unemployment is rising. None of that is to do with "anti-whiteness", that is a line used by the far right to weaponise people's feelings of disconnection, without any basis in reality. It is grievance politics designed to stoke tensions.
Nigel Farage claims 'anti-whiteness is institutionalised' in the UK

Reform UK leader argues in 5,000-word ‘essay to Britain' on Substack that the British state discriminates against white people through 'toxic' legislation
2326
fipunchard.bsky.social @fipunchard.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
How odd.This stabbing isn't getting wall to wall coverage on R4 Today this morning. It It has made a brief mention in the headlines. Just who's up who's down politics.🤔 BBC News - Girl, 14, charged with attempted murder after Manchester school knife attack www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Girl, 14, charged with attempted murder after Manchester school knife attack
Two pupils and a teacher were injured in the attack, which counter-terror police are investigating.
000
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Adil Ray @adilray.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
If Muslims or members of the Asian and Black community had set fire to white people’s homes with children running for their lives, do you think we would be discussing legitimate concerns or focussing on who radicalised them and ideological and contributing cultural factors?
14275912368
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
To bring a smile to your face, here’s an ancient Egyptian sketch of a cat serving a mouse! 😄 Some 3,000 years ago, the artist used a flake of limestone as a sketchpad for this fun scene. 📷 Brooklyn Museum www.brooklynmuseum.org/en-GB/object... #Archaeology
The image shows an ancient Egyptian sketch drawn on a limestone flake (ostracon) using black pigment. It depicts a cat and a mouse in profile imitating human behaviour. On the left is a tabby cat with pointed ears standing on its hind legs facing right. It is serving a mouse seated opposite. The cat holds a piece of cloth in its left paw. In its right paw it holds a large semicircular fan with a long handle, and a roasted duck which it is offering to the mouse. Facing the cat, a seemingly female mouse sits on a folding stool with its long tail hanging over the back of the stool. The mouse wears a long skirt and has a lotus flower on her forehead. She holds out a dish or cup in her right hand perhaps to be filled, and in her left hand she holds a flower and a cloth (often held by pharaohs). Dimensions 8.9 x 17.3 x 1.1 cm. Dated  c. 1295–1075 BC. Animals imitating human behaviour are well-known in Egyptian art. Although their meaning is uncertain, it’s suggested they may illustrate a fable, or perhaps represent a satire of the royal family, or maybe they are just a sketch made for fun by the artist.
6521134
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Peter Beaumont @petersbeaumont1.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
This is what a pogrom looks like: men in masks coming to drive you from your home. This is a collective failure of our political and media class because we did not have the courage to say no, and because too many were allowed to embrace this without shame
3425321051
fipunchard.bsky.social @fipunchard.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Naomi Long did an excellent job of tackling Justin Webb's unsubtle attempt to take her down a line of anti-immigration questions after last night's awful scenes. BBC headlines should call them what they were. A mob. #r4today
010
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Esse House UK @essehouse.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
UPDATE: Our bulk order of Personal Alarms has cleared customs and will be with us in a few days If you have applied for an alarm as part of your Pee In Peace Program application - we anticipate it will be sent out before the end of this week. Apply here: www.essehouse.co.uk/pee-in-peace...
0308
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Roland Smith @rolandmcs.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
The Times: 'Critics are likely to seize on Starmer’s earlier refusal to cut the soaring benefits bill to pay for defence spending.' The benefits bill isn't soaring. But presumably if enough people say this, it'll become true? www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a... open.substack.com/pub/rolandmc...
open.substack.com
Britain on Benefits
Is Britain's benefits bill really spinning out of control?
1019263
fipunchard.bsky.social @fipunchard.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Put on #r4today to find it giving 10 minutes to great replacement nonsense.
011
fipunchard.bsky.social @fipunchard.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
I don't know if Amna Foster is being particularly disingenuous this morning, but treating everyone exactly the same would not provide the outcome of being equal under the law. For those who need a visual representation of the difference between equality and equity.
000
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Indeed. In the 1960s many more people held racist attitudes but both the government and opposition were consistent in condemning open racism. We now have am emboldened and tolerated minority by both government and opposition.
241061331
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Dorian Lynskey @dorianlynskey.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Who, I wonder, is too racist for the BBC now? This is the language of the NF and the BNP, neither of which were invited on to the sofa to chat politics. Racism spreads when institutions legitimise it
19548206
Reposted by @fipunchard.bsky.social
Gaby Hinsliff @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
I have a student son Henry Nowak’s age & I can’t imagine what it took for his family to respond outside court with the grace they did, asking that their son’s death not be used for division and hate. That Reform & Restore chose to throw that back in their faces makes me feel sick.
502215509