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Martyn Berry

@martynberry.bsky.social
560 followers 282 following 576 posts

Follow politics in UK and USA closely. Monthly columnist for Fusion Magazine UK on Instagram. SCR Vice President at Trevelyan College, Durham. ❤️@HareandBillet in Blackheath.

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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
@tomhayesmp.bsky.social Your comments on Politics Live are so true! Improvements not down to Gove whose curriculum reforms have had the deleterious effect of marginalising so many subject areas. At last we have an Education Secretary in Lucy Powell who is addressing this.
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Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari @repyassansari.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Americans are fed up with Trump family corruption, and so am I.
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Corporation Tax is set at 25%. But HMRC collects just 13.2%. This is mostly because companies like Amazon, McDonalds, Starbucks, Vodafone, BP, Shell... Pay little or none at all. Make the billionaires pay their tax and raise £80bn a year This is how Burnham could raise money
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Prof Anoush Ehteshami @anoushehteshami.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The £120 billion shortfall in UK public finances that the OBR has identified is exactly the same amount that the UK economy is losing from its idiotic BREXIT! We have that charlatan and those opportunistic Tories who dumped on the country!!! Lets rejoin! stocks.apple.com/AcLglpg7HT4C...
stocks.apple.com
OBR: Burnham needs £120bn of tax rises to avoid crisis — The Telegraph
Debt crunch looms if next prime minister fails to cut spending or dramatically raise levies, watchdog warns
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Prof Anoush Ehteshami @anoushehteshami.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The charlatan is now trying to cover his filthy tracks by turning his embarrassing crisis into an “us and them’ populist claptrap. Throw him out of office once and for all! apple.news/AA92iRAczQ_m...
apple.news
Opinion | Nige throws the world’s biggest temper tantrum before grand byelection reveal — The Guardian
The Reform leader was determined to fight for the right to receive gifts from Thai crypto billionaires and convicted fraudsters
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Brett Christophers @brettchristophers.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
"To keep China's energy transition on track, the targets have to be exceeded by a wide margin" That doesn't sound good at all
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Scott Lucas @scottlucas.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
With Talk TV: The challenges facing an #AndyBurnham Govt at home and the significance abroad, including defense of #Ukraine v. #Russia invasion Space for the Government? #Conservatives rebuilding, #ReformUK in a bit of trouble, and multi-party system w first-past-the-post voting
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Financialisation of humanity Vital services handed by the state to private equity 84% of children’s homes, 80% of adult care homes in England controlled by financial investors. Private equity is a key player. £1.5bn profit extracted from care homes. Public purse looted for poor service.
leftfootforward.org
The finance curse is devouring the UK
Prem Sikka is an Emeritus Professor of Accounting at the University of Essex and the University of Sheffield, a Labour member of the House of Lords, and Contributing Editor at Left Foot Forward. Th...
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Ian Lance Richardson @ricojosh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 24/06/2026
Expanding ULEZ London-wide was even more important than we previously thought. Action on air pollution has been life-saving.
theguardian.com
Deaths linked to London air pollution have fallen 40%, study estimates
However, Imperial College team also find that pollution has worse health impact than previously understood
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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
@pollybillington.bsky.social Following on from Politics Live - yes, I think a crucial task is to create a climate in which all Labour MPs are felt valued - a quasi-Stalinist motif will not work. This may sound harsh and it may not all be Starmer’s intention. But it was the effect.
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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
@pollybillington.bsky.social Very well balanced interview on Politics Live. Like other MPs I follow, this recognises Starmer’s achievements while recognising that they have been overshadowed by mis-steps. The story has not been told well so far -we have 3 years to be re-elected!
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Scott Lucas @scottlucas.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
How #Israel attacks on #Lebanon threatening talks to end the US War on #Iran How #Netanyahu Govt failing to get regime change in Iran, is seeking zone of occupation in southern Lebanon Taking apart propaganda of Israeli commentator Itay Mediana #IranWar #IranTalks
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Scott Lucas @scottlucas.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
16+ killed and 12 injured by #Israel strikes on #Nabatieh district in southern #Lebanon Civil defense personnel working “since the early morning hours” in response to “ongoing attacks targeting the area" #IranWar
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Scott Lucas @scottlucas.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
3 civilians murdered and 45 injured by #Russia attacks across #Ukraine over the past day Air defenses downed 92 of 99 drones launched by Russia #UkraineWar #RussiaWarCrimes
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Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 19/06/2026
Andy Burnham’s striking result in Makerfield shows us that politics can’t carry on as usual. People want a different sort of representation, and they deserve it too. We now need a managed process to change our national leadership. Makerfield is just the start of how we reconnect with Labour values.
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Lizzi Collinge MP @lizzicollinge.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
And now every government dept should, belatedly, follow.
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Cat Neilan @catneilan.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Exc: First Government department quits Twitter over racism and violence concerns Richard Hermer sent a directive to staff last week saying the Attorney General's Office would be coming off the platform observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk
First government department quits X over racism and viole...
Concern about the spread of misinformation from right-wing figures prompts Richard Hermer to pull Attorney General’s Office off platform
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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
John Healey resigned - one of the most respected figures in the cabinet. This is now the clear writing on the wall for Starmer. He has to go.
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
What happened last night is horrific... I must milk it and encourage racist riots.
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Scott Lucas @scottlucas.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
How #JDVance exploits murder of #HenryNowak to denounce #immigrants, undermine UK Gov't, and promote #ReformParty Part of #Trump Nat'l Security Strategy to put hard-right parties in power across #Europe Follows Reform campaign, thru #GBNews, to exaggerate and distort case #NigelFarage
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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
@ayeshahazarika.bsky.social Great conversation on Cathy Newman - nice to see much agreement with Kate Fall.
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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
@cathynewman.bsky.social Zia Yusuf following his usual playbook of asking questions back of the interviewer and refusing to answer questions asked. You did well to get anything out of him!!!
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Arm boss in line for billion-dollar payday if UK headquartered chipmaker hits targets. Fat-cattery fuelled by higher prices. Inequalities deepen. Rich buy power, political parties. Govt must limit deductibility of exec pay in corporation tax calculation.
theguardian.com
Arm boss in line for billion-dollar payday if chipmaker hits targets
Proposal requires Rene Haas to steer US-listed British company to ‘exceptional growth metrics’
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Political Studies @polstudies.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Can mainstreaming of the far right help normalise undemocratic practices? @mlorimer.bsky.social & Matteo Cavallaro explore the case of Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, showing how the party still displays elements of continuity with its neofascist predecessor. Read OPEN ACCESS: buff.ly/B97riho
Abstract
The mainstreaming of the far right is a defining feature of European politics, raising concerns that incorporating far right parties into democratic politics could lead to the normalisation of undemocratic ideas. This paper explores this contention in the case of Brothers of Italy, a radical right party with extreme right roots. Conceptualising mainstreaming as the result of moderation or normalisation, it assesses whether Brothers of Italy can facilitate the normalisation of undemocratic ideas. The analysis evaluates ideological, organisational and symbolic continuity and change between Brothers of Italy and its predecessors: the extreme right Italian Social Movement and the conservative National Alliance. Drawing on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of party programmes, the study finds limited ideological continuity, suggesting restricted potential for normalising extremism. However, continuity in party personnel and narratives highlights ongoing organisational and symbolic links, indicating that Brothers of Italy may still indirectly contribute to the normalisation of extremism.
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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
@torstenbell.bsky.social Very good interview on GMB. I follow politics closely and hadn’t picked up no employer NICs on under 21s or under 25 apprenticeships. This needs to be clarified frequently.
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@bobhudson.bsky.social @bobhudson.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Trump is eternally inept and ineffectual - as well as corrupt and evil obviously…
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Scott Lucas @scottlucas.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
20-minute chat Cutting through #Trump bluster to establish state of the negotiations over #IranDeal W Trumpists running out of options to avoid compromise in talks, summarizing pressure put by Admin on #Cuba Context of #Venezuela, Trumpist quest for dominance in Western Hemisphere, and #Rubio
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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
@ayeshahazarika.bsky.social Just watched Cathy Newman. I can’t think many people would disagree with your views. You have kindly acknowledged my positive comments previously. Would you look at fusion.mag.uk.on Instagram? I am a monthly columnist and we’re trying to get to 4k followers.
fusion.mag.uk
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Scott Lucas @scottlucas.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
1 #Israel soldier killed and 1 seriously wounded on Sunday by a Hezbollah explosive drone in southern #Lebanon #IranWar
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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
@ayeshahazarika.bsky.social Fabulous political commentary on Cathy Newman as always. Surprised the government had never offered you a post as Minister of State like Jacquie Smith
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Scott Lucas @scottlucas.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
After speaking w #Netanyahu, #Trump snaps “For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!” #Pakistan and #Qatar, seeking to arrange US- #Iran talks, in discussions w Tehran #IranWar #Israel
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Scott Lucas @scottlucas.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
#SaudiArabia reports 3 drones fired from #Iraq on Sunday 3 drones launched near nuclear plant in #UAE --- 2 intercepted but 3rd struck electrical generator and caused fire #IranWar
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Scott Lucas @scottlucas.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Dozens of people march in #Palestine refugee camp on outskirts of Baalbek, #Lebanon, following #Israel strike on an apartment block that killed Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Wael Abdel Halim and his 17-year-old daughter, Rama #IranWar
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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
@melanieward.bsky.social Watching Cathy Newman. You are quite right - we cannot allow a Reform government and that is the key to this challenge to Starmer.
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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
@nazshahbfd.bsky.social Fabulous speech. Thank you!!
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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
@rachaelmaskell.bsky.social Good interview on Cathy Newman’s show.
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Just remember. Farage isn’t really winning. He’s having power bought for him by foreign-based crypto billionaires and fossil fuel magnates. They want a corrupt PM who’ll sell off our NHS, bin NetZero and scrap our rights and protections to make more profit for them. Good day for moneymen and morons.
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Scott Dworkin @dworkin.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
AOC is absolutely right. Don't forget to subscribe: www.dworkinsubstack.com/subscribe
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Emma @emmamurphy1965.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
He spews filth. He is a humiliation to the US that will last for decades. He will be remembered as the dirtiest, most vile and cruel American ever but it is possible some Americans can finally learn some humility and reject their worst materialist impulses to become great again- after Trump
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Saul Staniforth @saulstaniforth.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Sam Coates reports "We've got some breaking news" It turns out that the head of the civil service told Starmer he should get all the security vetting done before he announced who'd be the new ambassador "Clearly Starmer chose not to do that, [he] chose to ignore formal advice"
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Prof Anoush Ehteshami @anoushehteshami.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Honestly, what a load of nonsense! @skynewsrss.bsky.social, what is the point of this trash? Just shows again what a fool Trump is! apple.news/Axdze-Hg4S-q...
apple.news
UK 'can't succeed', says Trump - read full transcript of his Sky News interview — Sky News
The US president criticised the prime minister, condemned British policies on immigration and energy, and praised the Royal Family in a wide-ranging interview.
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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
On Sky News now - Trump answering questions from reporters unscripted. Nothing coherent here.
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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
No longer a Putin apologist and Trump favourite in power in Hungary. So JD Vance campaigning for Orban didn’t help! This is great news for the EU - another voice for democracy.
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Prof Anoush Ehteshami @anoushehteshami.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
A divided world is a more unstable and unpredictable table world… apple.news/AcRh-kuKjRvi...
apple.news
Gap between rich and poor nations is growing even wider, UN report says
The gap between rich and poor nations is growing even wider as actions agreed to by many countries last year, including overhauling the major global financial institutions, remain unfulfilled promises
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Martyn Berry @martynberry.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
First we had Noem. Then Bondi. Now Leavitt. No-one would surely suggest that Trump’s a misogynist? But he certainly shows no loyalty to those who have followed him blindly.
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Scott Lucas @scottlucas.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
#Pakistan PM Sharif: #Iran President Pezeshkian confirmsTehran will participate in talks in Islamabad, scheduled for Friday Pezeshkian hails ceasefire w "acceptance of the general principles desired by Iran" #JDVance snaps: "This is a fragile truce" with "people who are lying about it" #IranWar
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Prof Anoush Ehteshami @anoushehteshami.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Shut up, Vance, we’re doing just fine! Should put your energy into finding ways of masking your flop and saving your boss from the chaos that will follow this awful war! U’re not welcome in Europe!! apple.news/ALaf09BdKSc-...
apple.news
JD Vance attacks UK energy costs and says Britons ‘can’t afford to heat homes’ — The Independent
JD Vance described UK energy prices as a “scandal” during his speech at an election rally in Hungary on Wednesday (8 April).
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Matthew Pennycook MP @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Too right it does. In 26 days' time we will: ✅Abolish Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. ✅Introduce periodic tenancies. ✅Limit rent increases to once a year. ✅Ban rental bidding and rent in advance. ✅Make discrimination against renters who have children or receive benefits illegal.
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Scott Lucas @scottlucas.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
#Iran rejects #Trump demand to capitulate in 48 hours or face “all hell” Iran's central military command: Trump’s threat is “helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action”: “The gates of hell will open for you" #IranWar #StraitOfHormuz
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