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Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE

@hs3.bsky.social
1.4K followers 2.7K following 180 posts

Campaigner for @99organisation @togetheralliance @AllianceNowUK #governmentforthe99% #climate #FBPE #degrowth #StopRosebank 25 years in corp comms. Feminist. Sailor. Gardener. Mum (not in that order)

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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Clarissa Oakes 🇺🇦 @clarissaoakes.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
It's odd how Tories promising tax cuts aren't subject to the same "nation's credit card" strictures.
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Vince Gomez @vincegomez.com · 04/10/2026
Elliott's column, well worth a read: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Rightwing economic myths could derail Burnham’s project – to destroy them, look to Keynes | Larry Elliott
Borrowing can be good, there is no such thing as the ‘nation’s credit card’, and, yes, you can buck the markets – as previous governments have shown, says Guardian columnist Larry Elliott
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Vince Gomez @vincegomez.com · 04/10/2026
Elliott ends on Keynes. So do the films: "Anything we can actually do we can afford." The question is never "can we afford it?" It's "do we have the people and resources to do it?"
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Vince Gomez @vincegomez.com · 04/10/2026
A household uses pounds. The government issues them. It can't run out of pounds. It can run out of nurses, builders and engineers, and spending past what they can supply brings inflation. That's the real limit.
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Vince Gomez @vincegomez.com · 04/10/2026
"There is no such thing as the nation's credit card." – Larry Elliott in the Guardian last week. Here's the mechanism behind that, from the Acts, the Treasury's accounts and the Bank of England, in a 12-minute film 🧵 vincegomez.com/how-money-wo...
vincegomez.com
Is the Government Like a Household?
The whole cycle — the vote, the issue, the tax, the gilt — and why the answer matters.
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Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE @hs3.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
That’s a pity- what flags?
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Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE @hs3.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
#BigTech's data centres use as much power as millions of homes and guzzle our water We need basic rules: ⚡ 100% clean power 💧 Zero water waste 🗣️ Local community consent Sign Foxglove's petition to stop data centres harming our communities and environment now you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ba...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Ban data centres that harm our communities and climate
Big Tech’s giant data centres swallow as much power as millions of homes, guzzle our water, and risk driving up our energy bills - all with zero limits. We need basic rules: ⚡ 100% clean power 💧 Ze...
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Mark E Thomas FB99% FBPE @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
And to compound the problem, we seem to be planning to reduce their state pension, too. bsky.app/profile/mrma...
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Mark E Thomas FB99% FBPE @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
It is still possible for him to deliver. But it will need more rewiring than he has so far said he aims to do. 99-percent.org/a-blueprint-...
99-percent.org
A Blueprint for Economic Renewal - 99%
Can Labour still keep its promise of renewal and, if so, how? This is an approximate transcript of the presentation which launched our new report, A Blueprint for Economic Renewal, […]
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Burnham Brings Hope. Now we just have to pray he delivers it. Me for @noosphere.app www.noosphere.app/letter-from-...
noosphere.app
Letter from London: Burnham Brings Hope Again
Now we just have to see if he can deliver results
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Mark E Thomas FB99% FBPE @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Yes, absolutely. "This inequity is not just unfair; it is actively harmful. It harms the rest of the population, it harms the planet and it harms democracy." 99-percent.org/extreme-weal...
99-percent.org
Extreme wealth vs the 99% - 99%
How a small number of the extremely wealthy have declared class war on the rest of us, and what we must do to stop them In almost every country, 2025 […]
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The ability to pour hundreds of millions of pounds into a loss-making TV channel, bent on wrenching British politics sharply to the right, is yet another of the ways in which extreme wealth is trying to remake UK democracy. It needs to be part of any serious conversation about political funding.
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Mark E Thomas FB99% FBPE @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Their behaviour certainly suggests that! Even if they deny it.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Multi-millionaires resent people getting a decent pension, a decent wage, decent healthcare, education or housing.
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Mark E Thomas FB99% FBPE @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Yes, there is a tremendous amount of leakage to be addressed before he even *thinks* about taking more from the vulnerable. 99-percent.org/a-blueprint-...
99-percent.org
A Blueprint for Economic Renewal - 99%
Can Labour still keep its promise of renewal and, if so, how? This is an approximate transcript of the presentation which launched our new report, A Blueprint for Economic Renewal, […]
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Thousands of young people could lose key disability benefits Govt could limit the Personal Independence Payment (Pip), and further strip Motability support. Hope the govt sees sense and doesn't repeat Starmer policies. Why not end corporate welfare?
independent.co.uk
Thousands could lose key disability benefits in welfare changes
The plans risk reigniting tensions with backbench Labour MPs over welfare spending
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
A D Green @emeraldgeezer.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Please sign up and pass the message on.
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Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE @hs3.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Not to mention government subsidies for air travel
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Marcus Chown @marcuschown.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
A privatised railway has given us the highest train fares in Europe and provided a disincentive to go by train rather than fly. Politicians could change this. Their dash to create AI data centres will also boost carbon dioxide emissions... My point is that our choices are constrained by politicians
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Mark E Thomas FB99% FBPE @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Yes. And our politicians have allowed themselves to be constrained by our institutions. If we want sane policy-making, that must change now. 99-percent.org/ending-treas...
99-percent.org
Ending Treasury-Induced Decline - 99%
We can’t afford another Budget that fails to move the needle on the cost-of-living crisis. So what should we do? Summary of the event On Tuesday 15 September, Clive Lewis, […]
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Mark E Thomas FB99% FBPE @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Very good idea. Young people especially should boycott.
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Mark E Thomas FB99% FBPE @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
In 2015, when I started writing 99%, my friends thought that my concern over the US and the UK ceasing to be civilised, prosperous western nations was unfounded. Now it looks obvious. 99-percent.org/the-book/
99-percent.org
The Book - 99%
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Kemi Badenoch condemned Reform's ban on critical journalists covering their conference as "authoritarian", saying her own party would never do the same as "we believe in free speech. We believe in a free press." Now the Conservatives have banned Byline Times from their conference
bylinetimes.com
Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives Ban Byline Times From Conference After Condemning Reform for Journalist Ban
The 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
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Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
NUJ responds to reports of Conservative party banning Byline Times journalists from conference • www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj...
nuj.org.uk
NUJ responds to reports of Conservative party banning Byline Times journalists from conference
The NUJ has responded to reports that Byline Times journalists have been denied access to the Conservative Party conference.
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Iain Overton @iainoverton.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
“Over 1,400 people have been killed (in Gaza) in the year since the ceasefire.” - The Economist. I wonder how many have to be killed for it not to be called a ceasefire?
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Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE @hs3.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
I just donated to @GlobalJusticeUK’s campaign against Palantir. Will you join? act.globaljustice.org.uk/node/4878
act.globaljustice.org.uk
Boost the campaign against Palantir
The UK government will soon decide whether to terminate Palantir’s £330 million NHS deal. Your donation today could help fund coordinated UK-wide lobbying, strategic media efforts and briefing of key ...
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Vince Gomez @vincegomez.com · 31/07/2026
Wynne Godley argued in 1992 that a currency union without a shared budget would end badly, and warned years ahead that US growth was resting on private borrowing that could not last. His main tool was a table. Here is what one is, and who he was: vincegomez.com/data/?tab=go...
vincegomez.com
Data Library
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Vince Gomez @vincegomez.com · 22/07/2026
The flawed claim: exploit a fiscal rule and "you will be punished", capped by "markets are watching... you have been warned". Gilt yields track Bank Rate and inflation expectations, not an external solvency verdict. Sentiment isn't a veto over democratic choice.
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Vince Gomez @vincegomez.com · 22/07/2026
The FT's "Six foolish mistakes for the UK's new chancellor to avoid", out today, earns a Grade E: FAIL It rightly unmasks Carney's defence bank as borrowing in fancy dress, then builds its whole case on markets "punishing" a currency issuer that cannot be forced to default. #UKEconomy
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Vince Gomez @vincegomez.com · 04/08/2026
Three centuries of records point the same way: the binding constraint was never the debt ratio, it was labour, materials and political will. Post-war Britain had less of the first two than we do — and built anyway. #UKEconomy
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Vince Gomez @vincegomez.com · 04/08/2026
In 1946 Britain's debt stood near 250% of GDP. Bread was still rationed. Within two years the government had opened the NHS and launched the largest house building programme in its history. Today, at just under 95%, ministers say that we cannot afford to do anything close to this. Why?
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Vince Gomez @vincegomez.com · 06/08/2026
Tapping the nation's credit card while the bailiffs are at the door" says Mel Stride. www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202... Name the bailiff. Also, the £3 trillion is the pensions, insurance funds and Premium Bonds the rest of us hold. Be careful what you wish for. vincegomez.com/articles/if-...
vincegomez.com
If We "Paid Off" the National Debt, There Would Be No Money Left
Politicians of all parties have spent decades telling the British public that the national debt is a burden on future generations, a reckless legacy we are imposing on our children and grandchildren. ...
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Vince Gomez @vincegomez.com · 09/09/2026
Six weeks separate Andy Burnham's pledge to rewire the state from his declaration that he leads "a government grounded in fiscal responsibility". The captain changed; the course did not. #UKPolitics #UKEconomy #PublicFinance vincegomez.com/articles/changing-ca…
vincegomez.com
Changing Captain or Changing Course?
Andy Burnham walked into Downing Street on 20 July promising to rewire the state. Six weeks later, at his first Prime Minister's Questions, he described what he now leads as "a government grounded in fiscal responsibility".¹ 
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Vince Gomez @vincegomez.com · 04/09/2026
“Take economic planning away from the Treasury. They know nothing about it.” Aneurin Bevan, 1951. Seventy-five years later, this has aged remarkably well.
Image: A longer quotation from Aneurin Bevan’s resignation speech, 23 April 1951. Bevan criticises Treasury economic planning, saying officials mistake moving “pieces of paper” for moving people, describes it as “whistle-blowing” planning, and complains that there are too many economists advising the Treasury, with “the added misfortune of having an economist in the Chancellor of the Exchequer himself.”
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Ann Pettifor @annpettifor.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The new radical proposal to end the 'triple lock' for pensions will generate at least £15bn or at most £30bn for the Treasury we are told. That is equal to 0.5% or 1% of UK national income of £3 trillion. Won't go far.
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Mark E Thomas FB99% FBPE @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Yes, and the savings will be the future pensions of today's younger workers. None of it makes sense. bsky.app/profile/mrma...
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Mark E Thomas FB99% FBPE @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Labour promised renewal and an end to the cost-of-living crisis. That cannot be done without economic renewal. And despite what we have heard, they *could* still achieve that. This is how. A Blueprint for Economic Renewal 99-percent.org/a-blueprint-...
99-percent.org
A Blueprint for Economic Renewal - 99%
Can Labour still keep its promise of renewal and, if so, how? This is an approximate transcript of the presentation which launched our new report, A Blueprint for Economic Renewal, […]
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Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE @hs3.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Big news from Labour Conference: the PM has announced the government's plan to scrap first past the post. Seats that match votes would change British politics for good, but only if it happens. I've added my name. Join me? action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/201578/...
action.electoral-reform.org.uk
The PM used his big speech to promise to fix Westminster's broken voting system.
We've heard promises before. I've signed to make sure this one is kept. It takes 30 seconds
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Mark E Thomas FB99% FBPE @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This is great news. And here is some of what they should address. 99-percent.org/future-proof...
99-percent.org
Future-Proofing our Democracy - 99%
MPs and Peers gather to hear about the urgent need for Defensive Constitutional Reform On 29 June 2026, the MPs Clive Lewis (L), Roz Savage (LD) and Richard Quigley (L) […]
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Reposted by Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE
Philippa Banks @phil510.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Big news from Labour Conference: the PM has announced the government's plan to scrap first past the post. Seats that match votes would change British politics for good, but only if it happens. I've added my name. Join me? action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/201578/...
action.electoral-reform.org.uk
The PM used his big speech to promise to fix Westminster's broken voting system.
We've heard promises before. I've signed to make sure this one is kept. It takes 30 seconds
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Mark E Thomas FB99% FBPE @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Poor Sir Simon. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 'remarkable national recovery' he refers to is a myth. The 1980s was when our national decline started. I wonder where he gets his information? 99-percent.org/back-to-the-...
A post suggesting that the 1980s saw a national recovery from the previous period -- entirely inconsistent with the facts.
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Heather Smith FB99% FBALL FBPE @hs3.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Fantastic work - thank you! @costoflivingaction.bsky.social @osheaconor.bsky.social @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social @99organisation.bsky.social
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Nelly Probin @lillmagill.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Things we owned in the 1970's Water Gas and electricity NHS Schools Council houses British Rail Royal Mail Things we had in the 1970's Hope A social safety net A future And the best music 🙂
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Pissedoffpundit @pissedoffpundant.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
👏💯👏💯👏💯👏💯👏💯👏💯👏💯👏💯👏💯🤔...
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Steve Akehurst @steveakehurst.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Ok, that’s the thread! Please do share on if you found it useful. Tables up soon. Here are the videos we tested: tinyurl.com/BurnhamConfC... @convergent-opinion.bsky.social @fintan-smith.bsky.social
tinyurl.com
POST Conf Test - Google Drive
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Steve Akehurst @steveakehurst.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Nevertheless, it does show us something important: people like Burnham even more when they’re exposed to him; many of his core themes & arguments carry people and can push up his numbers and vote share. The ownership agenda esp - if delivered - could be really powerful for him.
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Steve Akehurst @steveakehurst.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
finally, we independently tested the whole BBC News at Six TV package on the speech, since this sort of thing is how more voters would actually experience the speech in reality. All the major metrics increased significantly! Impressive.
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Steve Akehurst @steveakehurst.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Similar result on best PM - some chunky lifts
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Steve Akehurst @steveakehurst.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
First finding: all clips we tested raised Burnham’s NET favorables by a lot, essentially doubling them. But the public control/ownership themes in particular really smashed it. This is, once again, Burnham’s best performing bit imo. See it consistently in qual and quant.
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Steve Akehurst @steveakehurst.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
How about voting intention? All videos pushed up Labour VI, but three stood out: economic power/control, water nationalisation and social care/triple lock clip, boosting it by 8-10 points! This is *genuinely impressive* for such a test, esp in an age of cynicism to politicians.
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