Reposted by Geoff SmithTorsten Bell @torstenbell.bsky.social · 6hNew IMF forecasts tell you 2 things about UK economy. Firstly, the British economy has proved resilient in face of the Iran conflict: IMF have UK growth as joint second fastest in G7 this year (forget forecasts, in hard data we’ve seen the fastest growth in G7 so far this year) 48729
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 3hTake your point although the need for additional funding is an important part of both those, and other issues, and that comes up against competing priorities. 100
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 3hThe reason is an inbox which includes: international crises, extreme weather, food & energy security, AI dangers, cost of living rises, stagnating productivity, funding public services, EU relations, failing public utilities, social care costs, special education demand, criminal justice crisis etc 100
Reposted by Geoff SmithSteve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 22hFor a short time, Trump's Iran war distracted him from his efforts to undermine Ukraine/support Putin. But now he has stumbled across the idea of blaming Ukraine for the effects of his war with Iran, he has redoubled his efforts in support of Putin. 46528
Reposted by Geoff SmithJonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 12/10/202610 ideas for a radical budget, from the likes of @ruthcurtice.bsky.social, @helenmiller.bsky.social, @pollycurtis.bsky.social and me, at @arguablymag.bsky.social www.arguably.uk/p/10-ideas-f...arguably.uk10 ideas for a radical BudgetPolicy experts on why John Healey can’t afford to play it safe 34817
Reposted by Geoff SmithMartin Calladine @uglygame.bsky.social · 12/10/2026Fascinating story illustrating, yet again, that some of the most dubious things that wealthy people get away with rely on respectable law and professional services firms - in respectable places - knowingly assisting their dubious behaviour. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/o...theguardian.comRoman Abramovich aides falsified paperwork to disguise assets and dodge tax, records suggestAccountancy firm Deloitte Cyprus among those that appear to have backdated records outlining the Russian billionaire’s assets 66927
Reposted by Geoff SmithRob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 12/10/2026Tl;dr - it is predictable right now that the Chancellor, certainly next year and perhaps this year too, will have to spend less and tax more than currently being forecast because the government's immigration outcomes and policy goals directly contradict the assumptions of OBR forecasts 36030
Reposted by Geoff SmithThe Mirror @mirror.co.uk · 11/10/2026On Monday, I will be honoured to walk into Parliament as the first woman in the UK to do so as a British-Somali MP.mirror.co.uk'After fleeing Somalia I want to repay kindness to place that gave me a home' 04212
Reposted by Geoff SmithWill Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 11/10/2026One of the complications of studying conspiracy beliefs is that sometimes there are actually conspiracies... 8332
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 11/10/2026Have enjoyed living in Crookes for 38 years and don't want to move. But have never thought of myself as cool, so being told I live in one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the country is disturbing. 110
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 09/10/2026General rule of thumb. Unlikely that it is only the things you know about that they get wrong. 040
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Most single statistics quoted on their own without context or other relevant statistics are at best misleading and more often just wrong. True for whichever part of the political spectrum they come from. 000
Reposted by Geoff SmithTim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Labour, as a mid-term government, can be pretty satisfied with losing just four points, although the Greens moving up 22 points after the week they've had should help Burnham and co. avoid complacency. 79122
Reposted by Geoff SmithAlexander Clarkson @aphclarkson.bsky.social · 07/10/2026That substantial portions of the European and US Left struggle with the idea that it is possible to condemn criminal actions by the Israeli government while also condemning the vicious brutality of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Iranian regime continues to baffle me. 96583117
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 07/10/2026He was clearly an unpleasant, self obsessed charlatan from the outset. Don't understand how anyone was taken in by him. 000
Reposted by Geoff SmithRob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Very important work here to inform the electoral reform debate 23313
Reposted by Geoff SmithSheffield Events @sheff.events · 06/10/202698 Sheffield jobs and volunteer roles, all in one place: charities, the universities, hospices, community centres and more. Free to browse, free to list your own. jobs.sheff.eventsjobs.sheff.eventsSheffield Jobs: Local Vacancies and Opportunities - Sheffield EventsCurrent Sheffield jobs and local vacancies, including teaching, charity and part-time roles, with salary, closing date and a link to apply at the source. 032
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Actually I think there is a threshold of badness when it is fine to comment on how bad they were. 000
Reposted by Geoff SmithSam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Not good. Bolsonaro now clear favourite to win. 1717329
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Politicians are like generals. Worth following the lucky ones. 020
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Dogs are subservient subjects and cats free loading anarchists 010
Reposted by Geoff SmithMusic in the Round @musicintheround.bsky.social · 01/10/2026🏆 We’ve been shortlisted for the Sky Arts Classical Music Award 2026! Recognising our work w/ the Sheffield Chamber Music Festival & Ensemble 360 - bringing people closer to extraordinary music. Incredibly proud to be representing Sheffield on the national stage 🤞 skyartsawards.sky/nominees/cla... 031
Reposted by Geoff SmithEmma Wilkinson @emmajourno.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Wonder where we'd be now if Sure Start was never disbanded in the first place... (vaccine uptake, child mental health, obesity, etc, etc) www.theguardian.com/society/2026...theguardian.comHealthy Babies programme to be expanded across EnglandScheme will follow principles of Sure Start, helping families with infant feeding, mental health and bonding with babies 054
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Two basic rules that often get ignored. No point in regulation without enforcement. No point in renovation of public spaces without ongoing maintenance. 000
Reposted by Geoff SmithLuke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Great to hear the Business Secretary announce a consultation looking at bogus self-employment. This is a real priority. If they get it right, it will improve working conditions of some of the most vulnerable workers, while protecting businesses who play by the rules. 262
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 28/09/2026In my experience it's only some parts of Yorkshire where people go on endlessly about Yorkshire, largely in West Yorkshire. 200
Reposted by Geoff SmithBest for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 28/09/2026👏 Sadiq Khan: “We talk about productivity, we talk about growth, we talk about jobs, we talk about wealth. The single best way to get that is by joining the European Union.” 14488149
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 27/09/2026It is truly pathetic. They are beneath contempt. 000
Reposted by Geoff SmithJane @localnotail.bsky.social · 26/09/2026This artwork was created over the past year by a local Birmingham artist collective who wanted to bring unty from discord by repurposing the divisive Nationalist flags into a massive Brummie Reunion Jack. Suffice it to say, the inspiration for Goldship's magnificent work has not taken it well. 55378110
Reposted by Geoff SmithGerry Hassan @gerryhassan.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Israel is NOT a European nation-state. Simple geography, history and facts. It should not be in #UEFA full stop and it should be suspended from UEFA & FIFA for its genocidal actions. 03113
Reposted by Geoff SmithGeorge Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Pope Innocent III,who died in 1216, spoke of a certain kind of older man, who is "easily provoked", "will believe anything and question nothing", is "stingy and greedy" and "praises the good old days and hates the present." Reform UK's voter base has been knocking around for a very long time. 752930753
Reposted by Geoff SmithPeter Smith @redpeter99.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Guinness Book of Records has just confirmed yesterday's White House State Dinner broke the existing World Record for the number of loathsome people in one room at the same time. 1517
Reposted by Geoff SmithJosiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 23/09/2026The petition for an independent commission on electoral reform has just received an official response from Govt. It's pretty supportive. “The PM has been clear about his commitment to electoral reform & welcomes a national debate about how our democratic system can best serve voters across the UK."petition.parliament.ukPetition: Set up a National Commission on Electoral Reform to review the electoral systemI ask the Government to set up a National Commission on Electoral Reform, as advocated by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Fair Elections. It should be an independent, time limited, expert led re... 37923
Reposted by Geoff SmithJosiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 23/09/2026No 10: "The government will [today] announce more than £90 million for low-carbon heat networks across England and Wales, supporting cleaner and more secure heating. The investment will fund new projects and upgrades to existing networks, improving efficiency and reducing reliance on fossil fuels." 510324
Reposted by Geoff SmithPeter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 23/09/2026‘We’ll eradicate the state pension’ would be quite the proposal for Reform www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comThinktank linked to Reform UK calls for abolition of state pension‘Radical’ report likely to influence party’s platform also proposes abolishing inheritance and capital gains taxes 64405194
Reposted by Geoff SmithRichard Corbett CBE @richardcorbett.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Just 4 months after the local elections, Reform UK (RefUK) have lost 158 of their local councillors: -55 resigned -42 went Independent -28 defected -24 were kicked out -5 lost their seats -2 disqualified -2 suspended. Appalling record - and a waste of taxpayers’ money! 36798405
Reposted by Geoff SmithRen Zelen @renzelen.bsky.social · 20/09/2026I still pay my license fee because I want to support the departments which produce Drama, arts, music, natural history, comedy, science & documentaries. The news & politics department has been hi-jacked by far right-wing agents & is dragging the whole corporation into disrepute. 4237
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 21/09/2026It's all about expectations. Tories were alarmed that they were in free fall. She has stabilised support at around 20% and they have won a few council by-elections. Relief all round. Reality might hit in later. 010
Reposted by Geoff SmithSam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Always enjoy it when @ldfreedman.bsky.social quotes Russian military bloggers panicking. 311433
Reposted by Geoff Smithilpenseroso.bsky.social @ilpenseroso.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Why are we knighting these people? How about this - the minute you leave to be a tax exile, you forfeit any honours. 194
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 20/09/2026And, as many others have pointed out, sacked many long serving backroom staff at Manchester United to save what, for him, was a small sum. 010
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Football mirrors society. A symptom of the growing north/ south divide. Brighton and Bournemouth established premiership clubs and Worthing beat Hartlepool which would have been 'giant killing' in a cup match thirty years ago. 000
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Although the Lib Dems might find that the electoral system does them a favour and enables them to keep and perhaps increase their hold on former Tory remainer seats in the south. 100
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Crazy bureaucracy. I was referred for a hearing test by my GP to the hospital hearing service. I go for the test but they can't do it because of impacted ear wax. I get it cleared & tell the service, expecting to be given a new test date. No, I have to start again & be re-referred by my GP. Barmy! 000
Geoff Smith @geoffsmith57.bsky.social · 18/09/2026If the BBC wants to air a programme about Spencer's allegation then I don't have to watch it. But I object to having the issue foisted on me as the main item on the news. 020