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Ian

@islandpainter.bsky.social
247 followers 155 following 0 posts

Portrait Artist - Retired Head Of Art, Hoping for a return to Europe ASAP, Follower of Mr James OB.

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Reposted by Ian
Monty Dodge @montyofdodgington.bsky.social · 9h
Errrm! 🤔
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Richard Corbett CBE @richardcorbett.bsky.social · 11h
Just been watching the Westminster Hall parliamentary debate on the petition signed by over 100,000 in favour of rejoining the EU. Only 2 of the 23 MPs who have spoken so far have opposed such a course of action. The tide is turning…
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 11/10/2026
Andy Burnham says it is clear Russia interfered in Brexit vote
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham says it is clear Russia interfered in Brexit vote
PM says he asked question upon entering No 10 but does not reveal who gave him ‘clear answer’ that Russia meddled Andy Burnham has said it is clear Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum, after seeking answers on the Kremlin’s involvement in the 2016 vote when he entered Downing Street. Burnham said he had asked whether Moscow had attempted to influence the referendum and received a confirmation that it had. Continue reading...
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Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Andy Burnham confirms what previous PM's - May, Johnson, Truss, Sunak and Starmer - failed to, that Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum.
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Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
some of us worked this out a decade ago but it’s refreshing to see a prime minister say it out loud
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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
🔥🔥 This phenomenal article shows how European Movement UK are now laying out a 10-year path back into full EU membership. All the stages, timings, complexities, ratifications and considerations in place. Could even be sooner if we get a lucky break. Read 👇
independent.co.uk
Labour voters overwhelmingly want Andy Burnham to commit to rejoining EU, poll shows
Exclusive: New 10-year plan for re-entry to the European Union in 2036 being put to the prime minister
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
The Times from ten years ago this week. They were wrong. In fact Brexit is costing the UK economy roughly £100 billion a year. #ProjectFear
Hard Brexit
could cost
£66bn a year


Leaked Treasury papers reveal lost revenue


Sam Coates Deputy Political Editor
Ollver Wright Policy Editor


Cabinet ministers are being warned
that the Treasury could lose up_to
£66 billion a year in tax revenues under
"hard Brexit", according to leaked
government papers.


GDP.could fall by as much as 9.5 per
cent if Britain leaves the single market
and hastorely on WorldTrade Organi-
sation rules for trading with the conti-
nent, compared with ifit stayed within
the EU,theforecasts show.Such a steep
drop in revenue would force ministers
to slash public spending or raise taxes.
The £66 billion drop, contained in a
draft cabinet committee paper seen by
The Times, is nearly a tenth of the
£716 billion that the government is pro-
jected to collect in taxes this year,and is
equivalent to 65 per cent of the annual
budget of NHS England.


Business leaders are_increasingly
worried that the UK could fail to nego-
tiate a deal with the 27 remaining EU
members by the time it leaves the
union, and will face a "cliff edge" of
trade tariffs and barriers,


Several cabinet ministers who sup-
ported Remain are stepping up efforts
to prioritise business concerns and the
economy in Brexit discussions, fearing
that Leave supporters fail to realise the
scale of potential damage, It comes as:;
○ Theresa May faces a potential legal
challenge by a group of Conservative
MPs over the decision to begin Brexit
negotiations without parliament's
approval. The prime minister's spokes-
man ruledoutgiving MPs a voteyester-
day,saying thatitwould"second guess'
the will of the British people.
○ Dominic Grieve, the former attor-
ney-general, said that unless the gov,
ernment could agree,a deal supported
by parliament it would not survive.
e


A Tory backbencher suggested that
British companies should hire disabled


Tuesday October 11 2016 | thetimes.co.uk | No 72038


people to do the work of EU migrants
after Brexit.


Mrs May visited Denmark and the
Nethe…
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Raider @iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
THIS EVERY DAY ✊
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Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · 10/10/2026
7 shots fired into an SUV with a 5-year-old child in the back seat as the vehicle was moving away. Markwayne Mullin claims the driver “weaponized” his vehicle. Bullshit! “Weaponized vehicle” has become ICE’s go-to excuse for shooting folks. Where’s the evidence? It’s not in this new footage.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Corporate Welfare Tory tax break for banks cost UK public purse £6bn In 2023 Tory govt cut the bank surcharge from 8% to 3%. Current govt hasn't reversed it. Record profits, exec pay, dividends at banks Reversing the surcharge would raise billions.
theguardian.com
Tory tax break for banks has cost UK public purse £6bn, says TUC
Exclusive: Chancellor urged to reverse Jeremy Hunt’s tax surcharge cuts to claw back billions in lost revenue
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Company behind Scotland’s biggest data centre proposal is owned by the treasurer of the UK Conservative party via British Virgin Islands. It could receive £23m public subsidy. BVI facilitates opacity and tax avoidance. Successive UK govts have defended the use of tax havens by wealthy elites.
theferret.scot
The Tory treasurer, an offshore company and Scotland’s biggest data centre plan
Scotland may be set to host one of the world’s most powerful data centres. The Conservative Party’s money man stands to benefit.
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
This is completely outrageous and disgusting. This must immediately be blocked by Congress and Trump should be impeached for this. The US is now funding Putin’s war machine as he murders civilians including children. We are lost as a country.
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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
Bluesky really is a phenomenal platform for community building. 🦋 Thanks to recent surges driven from Bluesky, European Movement membership has shot up to now just 250 members short of… 💥25,000 members💥 Please help us get over that milestone. 🙏🏻 YES to EU membership. NO to Trump.
europeanmovement.co.uk
European Movement
We're the UK's largest pro-European movement. Our goal is to reverse the calamity of Brexit and restore relations with our European neighbours.
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Roland Smith @rolandmcs.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Great piece about the Conservative Right living in an alternative universe. 'There is nothing so powerful in British politics as the right wing unreality machine. It is its own Faraway Tree, a place where anything is possible, where anything can be manifested, if you think it hard enough.'
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Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
📢 Tories have pledged to abolish Natural England & Environment Agency. A year ago I flagged both as highly exposed to political interference. They've been weakened by yrs of cuts & loss of autonomy. Abolition removes scrutiny but doesn't fix problems christinapagel.substack.com/p/abolishing...
christinapagel.substack.com
Abolishing our independent public bodies removes scrutiny without fixing the underlying problem
A vulnerability we highlightd a year ago is now Conservative policy
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Forever @msforeverwondering.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
#rejoinEU share widely please
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KittyKatGirl😻🙏💞🐞 @mary1kathy.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
John Healey is planning a major intervention to cut energy bills for poorer households in this month’s budget, after ministers became alarmed at forecasts that show bills rising by hundreds of pounds in January www.theguardian.com/money/2026/o...
theguardian.com
Chancellor plans major intervention to help poorer UK households with rising energy bills
Exclusive: Officials working on further radical changes that would change how much energy companies could charge customers
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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
🔥DEBATE ON APPLYING TO JOIN EU🔥 Monday 12 October Over 25,500 emails sent from you to your MPs. All 650 MPs have had at least one - some have had over 100. Use this link to send an email to your MP to ask them to attend —> www.europeanmovement.co.uk/contact-mp-a...
europeanmovement.co.uk
Ask your MP to stand up for our future in Europe
On 12 October, Parliament will debate the UK's future relationship with Europe, after a government petition got over 100,000 signatures. Will you write to your MP to ask them to attend the debate?
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Cambridge for Europe @cambsforeurope.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Despite their suffering, the people of Ukraine are determined to resist Russian aggression. We must not fail Ukrainians in their defence of freedom, democracy, and a European future. We must not allow autocracy to triumph in Europe. #StandWithUkraine kyivindependent.com/despite-inte...
kyivindependent.com
Despite intensified Russian attacks, 62% of Ukrainians ready to endure war as long as needed, poll finds
The share has remained largely unchanged since late July and early August, despite the beginning of intensified Russian attacks using jet-powered drones and strikes on civilian infrastructure.
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Seriously… how can a party that insists on scrapping all progress with the EU, binning NetZero and leaving the ECHR, so that it can abuse its power without accountability… how can that party claim “the soul of the nation”. The ruin - maybe. The soul - definitely not.
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Right Wing politics is very simple. They want to steal EVERYTHING for them. They just pretend that it will go to you.
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Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
📌 ICYMI — Conservative Plan to Scrap Solar Rules for New Homes Would Lock Millions Into Gas Use — @josiahmortimer.bsky.social Pledge to abolish the Future Homes Standard is branded 'a plan for poor housing and high bills' by fuel poverty campaigners, as the solar sector urges the party to think…
bylinetimes.com
Conservative Plan to Scrap Solar Rules for New Homes Would Lock Millions Into Gas Use
Pledge to abolish the Future Homes Standard is branded 'a plan for poor housing and high bills' by fuel poverty campaigners, as the solar sector urges the party to think again
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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
🔥 Over 25,000 emails from you to your MPs... All 650 MPs contacted. Some >100 times. Asking MPs to attend the parliamentary debate on the UK joining the EU. Keep sending those emails via this form. If you've already sent one, share this link with friends. 👇
europeanmovement.co.uk
Ask your MP to stand up for our future in Europe
On 12 October, Parliament will debate the UK's future relationship with Europe, after a government petition got over 100,000 signatures. Will you write to your MP to ask them to attend the debate?
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 04/10/2026
EU membership delivers the most growth, and it's what voters want most. On 12 October, MPs are going to debate rejoining the EU. Use our tool to ask your MP to attend: bestforbritain.org/take-action/tell…
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
England's water infrastructure at breaking point. Large part of water network installed 130-150 years ago. Thames Water infrastructure has average age of 79 years; industry average 56 yrs. 40% of TW assets are 100+ yrs old. Must end privatisation, remove profit motive.
standard.co.uk
MP says London water network is 'at breaking point' with two incidents in a week
London MP Paul Kohler said the two incidents highlighted the poor state of the region's water infrastructure
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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.
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Bylines Network @bylinesnetwork.co.uk · 05/10/2026
Brexit has failed, loss of exports to the EU, high energy prices, problems getting hold of medications, visa requirements, no more Pet Passport.. the list is endless. Ask your MP to attend the parliamentary discussion about getting closer to the EU again. www.europeanmovement.co.uk/contact-mp-a...
europeanmovement.co.uk
Ask your MP to stand up for our future in Europe
On 12 October, Parliament will debate the UK's future relationship with Europe, after a government petition got over 100,000 signatures. Will you write to your MP to ask them to attend the debate?
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
As long as the Tories are threatening to leave the ECHR, they aren’t a serious party. Consider it the ultimate red flag. Any party who’d take this entirely unnecessary and ruinous risk with our rights and our country’s security and wellbeing should never get its hands on power. (Letter, Times)
Value of the
ECHR
Sir, In dangerous times, serious countries do not retreat into splendid isolation. They build alliances, multiply their influence and strengthen institutions. Key among those is the 46-member Council of Europe, at its heart the European Convention on Human Rights.As former independent reviewers of terrorism legislation we have seen at close quarters that the ECHR is not just a human rights instrument. It is a national security asset. Terrorist networks, hostile states, organised crime gangs and people smugglers do not respect borders. Tackling them requires arrangements for the closest possible co-operation with our neighbours, including through joint investigations and police access to European passenger, fingerprint, DNA and vehicle data.These arrangements expressly depend on internationally agreed human rights standards, applied by a supranational court. We detect no political willingness to excuse the UK from compliance with standards to which the rest of Europe already subscribes. As authoritarian powers grow more aggressive and democratic institutions face mounting pressure, Britain should not be abandoning one of its greatest postwar achievements.
The question is not whether we can afford to remain within the ECHR. It is whether, in an increasingly perilous world, we can afford not to.
Lord Carlile of Berriew, Lord Anderson of Ipswich, Sir Max Hill
Independent reviewers of terrorism legislation, 2001-18
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Mark Lawson @marklawsonkernow.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
This is how you do it
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Henry Dyer @direthoughts.com · 02/10/2026
Intrigued to see the Conservative conference will feature a speech on "press freedom" next week while they ban lobby journalists such as @josiahmortimer.bsky.social from attending their conference.
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Cambridge for Europe @cambsforeurope.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The Brexit red lines will go in the next Labour manifesto. Rejoining the EU is now firmly back on the table. This not only offers hope for the future, but sends a clear message of goodwill to the EU ahead of the EU-UK summit later this year. www.theguardian.com/politics/202... (1/2)
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham wants to review the UK’s relationship with the EU. What are the options?
The PM said Brexit has ‘done more harm than good’ and wants an assessment before the next UK-EU summit
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 30/09/2026
This is promising. The UK could go "all the way" towards rejoining the EU, Burnham tells the BBC. 🚨 EU membership is the only option that delivers £92 billion of growth. The government needs to take us back to where we belong: at the heart of Europe.
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Burnham made Farage seem “angry, thin-skinned… absurd. What we witnessed today was a masterclass in political communication which makes Farage look like an amateur” Finally. The confidence that comes with emotional intelligence. It could make all the difference. iandunt.substack.com/p/burnham-sp...
iandunt.substack.com
Burnham speech: An astonishing moment of radicalism and commitment
It’s easy to be cynical, but it would be false. Something extraordinary is happening here.
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Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The Pope can’t resist his pizza.
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Anti-Reform @antireform.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The rise in small boat crossings was entirely due to Brexit, promoted by Nigel Farage, and the deal done by Boris Johnson Their attempts to shift blame to anyone else is utterly despicable hypocrisy
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Marina Purkiss @marina-purkiss.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Was always going to get a bit tasty up against Jeremy Hunt… Excuse my error of saying millions and not BILLIONS But my point stands… Tory critics on the sidelines want us to forget the wrecking ball they took to this country We won’t.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
In 2021, UK income tax personal allowance frozen at £12,570, 26.6m paid income tax at the basic rate of 20%. 2026-27: 31.4m liable to pay income tax at 20%. In 2021, 6.47m pensioners paid income tax. 2026-27: 9.58m pensioners liable to income tax. Govt must relieve poverty. End stealth tax.
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
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ebisback.bsky.social @ebisback.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Pathetic Weak Sauce 😡
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Burnham edges Labour closer to finally, maybe, being sane about Brexit. Over 10 years, £Billions of cost, thousands of business failures, mountains of red tape, wasted resources and lost opportunities later…. our govt may, at last, cautiously, start to be honest about the Brexit moronathon. Yay.
The Independent front page headline: 

Burnham edges Labour closer to rejoining EU
After Ed Miliband tells party conference Britain's future is at the heart of Europe, ministers say it is 'not if but how' prime minister will include Brexit reversal in next election manifestoThere is growing optimism that a way back into the EU could be put to voters at the next election after the prime minister and senior ministers made it clear they believe Brexit has been a failure at this year's party conference.
When The Independent asked Mr Burnham about whether Rejoin would be in Labour's next election manifesto on his recent trip to the UN in New York, he refused to rule it out - having said a year ago when he was
Manchester mayor that he believes the
UK should rejoin the EU.

Andy Burnham has already warned about the 'drift and division' in the decade since Brexit (Getty)
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Sunderland Lollipops @sunderlandlolly.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Did you know that a Farage Reform govt intends to scrap the NHS? The private health care system he wants to introduce would cost you £10,000s, like the US, where getting ill can bankrupt you. #ReformUK #Labour #GreenParty #Newcastle #SAFC� #NUFC
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Blue Turquoise @bluet-urquoise.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
How do we really feel? This is the time we all need to speak out the elections are up ahead and anyone that reads our comments will benefit.
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Richard Corbett CBE @richardcorbett.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The mood shift at Labour Party conference on rejoining the EU is palpable. Let’s hope, for the sake of the country, that Andy spells it out tomorrow…
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Thames Water: Andy Burnham should nationalise this failed monopoly. The entire water industry has failed. Must be nationalised. It is similar story in the energy sector. Profiteering, low investment. Privatisation has deepened cost of living crisis.
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on Thames Water: Andy Burnham should nationalise this failed monopoly | Editorial
Editorial: Bill payers should not fund another rescue for financiers of the water industry. Public ownership can end the cycle of extraction and failure
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
UK median pay of employee is £31884 a year, net £26476. Working-age adult needs to earn £31500 to reach minimum income standard . Lone parent with 2 children needs £67600. Couple with 2 children needs £77400. Can't get growth without redistribution. Chancellor must cut tax on the poorest 50%.
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
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𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕖 𝔾𝕦𝕣𝕝 @sundaedivine.lol · 27/09/2026
Now let’s resume talking about Epstein.
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Miaganga @miaganga.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
🙏💔💔💔💔🕯️🕯️
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Crowds outside the UN shouting "Netanyahu you can't hide, you are wanted for Genocide." As Netanyahu will be speaking inside.
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M Meerkat @kackbro.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Good Question.......?
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Celeste Headlee @celesteheadlee.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
So, Banksy bought a used yacht, repaired it and retrofitted it to serve as a rescue boat to save migrants in the central Mediterranean. The whole project cost the artist $860,000. Since 2020, the boat has saved more than 3,800 people. londondaily.com/banksy-funds...
londondaily.com
Banksy funds refugee rescue boat operating in Mediterranean - London Daily
Exclusive: UK artist finances bright pink motor yacht that set sail in secrecy to avoid being intercepted by authorities
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