Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 52mI don't drive, so this would result in smaller tax revenues, which have to be paid for somewhere. What public services that I rely on would be cut to pay for it? It also gives a tax cut to people who *can* afford the high fuel prices. Why do they deserve that, at the cost of public services? 010
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 2hOh bore off. They still make sets like the ones you describe for younger kids - this one is just clearly aimed at adult Lego fans (of whom there are *many*) 000
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 3hI guess surrounding yourself with racists when you’re a person of colour and instead of getting the fuck out trying to come up with a worldview that makes it okay kind of melts your brain 000
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 3hThis is a slam dunk policy win for Labour. They just tell them where they can go, and pretty much every football supporter in the country will think you did a morally correct but difficult thing, and Burnham's government will reap the rewards at the polls. 121
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 3hThe best time to ban foreign ownership was before they bought it. The second best time is now. 040
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 5hClifford Chance giving their legal advice to Etihad today www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqo5...youtube.comPOT BROTHERS AT LAW ONE MINUTE TIP OF THE DAYYouTube video by Pot Brothers at Law 001
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 6hThe problem with bsky is this is actually very typical bsky reply behaviour. A bit like doing a sieg heil on twitter and saying it was a joke, wtf can’t you detect irony?? 000
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 7hI think it’s the new contrarian thing to refuse to watch it, a bit like people refusing to watch Breaking Bad because so many people said it was good. 220
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 7hI remember from the early years of my career living so hand to mouth that I didn't start contributing to a pension until my early 30s. Had to play catch up ever since, but boy I had *no* spare money back then! 000
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 7hI love that they do this every year, and this might be the best one yet. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAn3...youtube.comGboard くるくるバージョンYouTube video by Google Japan 010
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 19hOne way we can improve our mental health is through shared joyful events like Traitors Celebs, not just a constant unending firehose of the traumatic shit unfolding at home and abroad. 010
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 23hDavid Allen Green’s analysis is worth reading. They just keep going for the option that is the most aggressive, with the most damaging effects if unsuccessful. 010
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 23h“But if a master leather worker is given the skin of a young child, he does not ask where it came from, he simply makes a beautiful purse, which we can admire.” 020
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 23hThis is the excuse of a sociopath, unused to ever having to explain or justify anything, who always gets their way. 120
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026I think that’s part of what’s happening here with Man City. They’re not only guilty and they know it, but they’re affronted at the fact they’ve been correctly identified as such. The only positions left to them are to accept their fate, or… to scream bloody murder. 100
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026But what should you’re a baddie and you actually get (correctly) accused? So much of the game rests on peoples’ (flawed) read of your body language and reactions that you only have one option: you scream bloody murder! ‘How *dare* you accuse me?? I am utterly innocent! You must be the traitor!’ etc. 100
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026This is very important because a truthful person should never lie. It’s harmful to not only their own defence but the team as a whole (the contestants on the US version of Traitors do this all the time and it’s part of why I don’t enjoy it). 100
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026Ignoring the specific mechanics, most of the game is just talk. Accusations and debates, arguing and sometimes shouting. It can get very intense (although I think it’s also a lot of fun). It’s all about game theory and figuring out what a truthful person would say/do vs a dishonest one. 100
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026They’re both hidden identity games, in case you’re unfamiliar with them or the show. The goal of the good guys is to uncover the baddies. The goal of the baddies is to slowly eliminate the goodies — by murder and by encouraging the goodies to suspect their fellow goodies. 100
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026I’ve been thinking about this some more and I think the strategy is basically what you do when you know you’re the villain. Tonight is the first episode of the new series of The Traitors Celebrities, and so it’s a timely moment to talk about two games which inspired it: Werewolf and Secret Hitler. 100
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026“What can explain such an aggressive and counterproductive approach?” Ego. Having essentially unlimited wealth, and being unaccustomed to ever hearing the word ‘No’. This is the psychology of a bully. I don’t think they ever conceived they could lose. 060
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026One benefit of this is there’s no obligation for the current owners to sell up, which would satisfy Andy Burnham’s concern too! Okay, it probably wouldn’t, but how a government should respond to having their prize cultural asset hijacked by a hostile foreign power is a topic for another post… 100
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026So… liquidate them! Let the loyal fans create their own phoenix club in whatever step of the pyramid will accept them and build their way back up. Other clubs have had to do the same, for far smaller financial misdemeanours and mishaps. 100
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026They can’t (legally) funnel UAE money into the club to pay fines or compensation to other clubs, so the only mechanism left is the sale of assets (players) to foot the bill. If the total owed exceeds the value of assets on book, liquidation is a realistic outcome. 100
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026But the EFL is also under no obligation to take them, and in fact their fit-and-proper ownership test makes it impossible. You can’t have an owner who cheats by funnelling his own wealth into a club illegally as an owner. So where does that leave them? 100
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026There’s the question of the titles won by cheating: these should be stripped. Expulsion from the Premier League is also necessary: their continued presence is a mockery to the integrity of the competition. They can’t be handed a deduction and somehow survive: every club relegated would file suit. 100
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026There may well be criminal charges, but also a substantial fine for that. Additionally, several Premier League clubs have already reserved the right to pursue damages to the tune of £200m each. These seem likely to win, given the guilty verdict. That’s close to £1bn of obligations already. 100
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026There’s no fixing this mess or rewinding the clock that can make everyone whole, but there are certain obligations that have to be fulfilled. Firstly, the owners are not fit and proper. They cannot continue. Secondly, it seems plausible that HMRC may have a claim for criminal tax evasion. 100
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026Previously when I’ve opined about Man City’s potential punishment I’ve maintained that the only fair sanction would involve mandatory exclusion from the PL for a minimum of six seasons, including relegation to a lower tier. I now believe I’ve not gone remotely far enough. 100
Reposted by Ben DarlowThe Author, Séamas O'Reilly @seamas.bsky.social · 01/10/2026If you're in my GP's office any time soon, prepare yourself for what many are calling the greatest mnemonic of all time. Come for E and P, but sit down and clap for I. 621717347
Reposted by Ben DarlowMartin Calladine @uglygame.bsky.social · 01/10/2026I think this will be one of the defining images of the Premier League's void years: a proudly working class fanbase celebrating that the ruling family of an oppressive regime had hired a barrister on £10,000-an-hour to try and prevent them suffering consequences for their cheating. Embarrassing. 23314112
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026Like, genuinely: how can a newspaper credulously platform *her* opinion? It’s the most transparent evidence that the paper has abandoned all journalistic integrity. 010
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026Seeing anything Liz Truss says taken seriously feels like I’m having a stroke. 120
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026It’s amazing, really. In a week where he’s signalled a willingness to engage on proportional voting, rejoining the EU and removing the triple lock on pensions, *this* is a topic that could actually literally hurt Labour at the polls. 000
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 01/10/2026This was the one thing that made me nervous if justice could ever be served: that soft power worked. If Burnham intervenes in any way then you can say without irony that the game is gone. 100
Reposted by Ben DarlowGylesNaMopaleen @gylesnamopaleen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026something extraordinary is happening on Garvaghy Road Northern Ireland. Decent minded protestants & unionists have started to come out to support the Garvaghy residents, against the Orange Order parade madness. This is truly extraordinary. quick 🧵 3311104
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 30/09/2026Well usually the way you’d expect this to be handled is by reducing the number of relegations, so one fewer side would go down to the National League in this case. But you’re right to ask! And the EFL wouldn’t be obligated to take them. 000
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 30/09/2026And let’s not forget why it was done: Chelsea FC was a project from Putin to win Russia soft power in the UK. Abramovich was put in post for that purpose. Man City was the same: an attempt to leverage soft power for the UAE. 011
Reposted by Ben DarlowBeefcake Dad @jeffsreturn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Googling Tony Blair Arms Deal to find out what the deal is with those arms 14904221
Ben Darlow @kapowaz.net · 29/09/2026Relegation to League Two. Ineligible for promotion for six seasons. This would ensure a minimum of 9 seasons outside the Premier League, which seems fair. 110