Sign in

Mike Taylor

@miketaylor9.bsky.social
1.3K followers 957 following 1.6K posts

Vegan father to 3 great feminists. Strong social values. Many years working for charities. Sometimes write short stories: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0F1FRMTZQ…

PostsRepliesMedia
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 4h
Robert Jenrick has launched a scathing broadside against ‘Kensington Kemi’, accusing his old party (the Tories) of focusing on helping the rich. Which is its main purpose. Reform, of course, is more discerning, preferring only multi-millionaires. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Robert Jenrick launches scathing broadside against ‘Kensington Kemi’
Reform UK shadow chancellor seeks to associate Tory leader with metropolitan elite as party relations sour further
042
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 5h
By live streaming a death by firing squad, Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth have taken the USA to a horrific new low. The Epstein club is as vile as it is violent. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Execution TV? Pete Hegseth has taken the once ‘greatest democracy’ to a horrific new low | Paul Daley
A proposal to livestream the killing of Nidal Hasan by firing squad opens a window ever wider to the Trump administration’s complete moral vacuity
000
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 6h
Sagal Abdi-Wali is not the only victorious Labour candidate in the capital today, with the party also holding onto a council seat in a Green-led borough, with a 10.3% vote increase from May. www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
standard.co.uk
Labour wins second London by-election amid 'Burnham bounce'
Molly Hartill takes 46.7% of the vote to win by-election in Lambeth
010
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 12h
66684232
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 11h
Former Labour deputy leader and now Palantir promoter Tom Watson says ‘mob rule’ must not dictate the awarding of government contracts. The British government should, though, have a list of companies it excludes from tenders because of British values and security. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
theguardian.com
Palantir’s Tom Watson says ‘mob rule’ must not dictate awarding of government contracts
Former Labour deputy leader says tech firm would work with a Reform UK government on immigration crackdowns
000
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 12h
Sagal Abdi-Wali came to the UK aged 7 having fled the war in Somalia with her family. She has thrived. Leader of Camden council and now the MP for Holborn and St Pancras. A narrative that runs counter to all we are told about refugees. Congratulations www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Labour fends off Green party to win Holborn and St Pancras byelection
Victory by Sagal Abdi-Wali in north London seat will be a relief for Andy Burnham in high-stakes battle for the left of British politics
782349465
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Daily Herald #FBPE #NAFO 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇬🇱 @dailyherald.bsky.social · 12h
Reform UK has now lost 170 councillors: 60 resigned, 44 went Independent, 30 defected, 24 were kicked out, 5 lost their seats, 5 are suspended and 2 were disqualified. Dan Bradley (East Sussex) goes Independent and Cathy Gibbon (Buckinghamshire) to the Conservatives, the ninth Tory gain.
2189
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Peter Walker @peterwalker99.bsky.social · 14h
NEW: Kemi Badenoch’s flagship party conference policy document, The Right Way, overestimated the cost of net zero by nearly £500bn, seemingly after someone accidentally double-counted figures on a spreadsheet. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Tories overstate net zero cost by nearly £500bn in apparent spreadsheet error
Exclusive: Badenoch’s flagship conference policy document cites £957bn estimate, twice the total in climate advisers’ data
96737326
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 12h
With Labour and the Greens getting nearly 80% of the votes, what the Holborn and St Pancras byelection shows is the public appetite for left-leaning politics, at least in parts of London, a capital city to be proud of. #r4today www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Holborn and St Pancras byelection loss will disappoint Greens – but there may also be relief
It may sound odd to think Zack Polanski would be happy with second place, but after his most challenging week in politics, it could have been worse
060
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 18h
Labour and the Greens really dominated the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, taking nearly 80% of the votes. That's immense. But ultimately it was a good win for Labour. No doubt a huge relief to Andy Burnham.
131
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
The Independent reckons that Zack Polanski will win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. For some, his promises are refreshing. For others of us, the shine is wearing off, as his easy populism grates. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
independent.co.uk
Holborn and St Pancras by-election live: Polanski eyes upset as London seat votes
Voters will have a choice of 15 candidates to replace Sir Keir Starmer, who resigned from the House of Commons last month
351
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Good on Kemi Badenoch for taking against Suella Braverman over her narrow, exclusive version of Englishness, which seems to mean white. Most of us are a mix of identities and backgrounds; and that's good. #r4today www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
independent.co.uk
Badenoch accuses Braverman of ‘policing other people’s identity’
The Reform UK MP sparked a row over racism when she suggested non-white people born in the UK could be British, but not English
051
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
French finance minister Roland Lescure has invited Britain to "come all the way" back to the EU, adding to the sense that Britain belongs, and would be welcomed back, in Europe. Economically, and for security, it's vital we #rejoin. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
'Come all the way' back to EU, French finance minister tells Britain
Roland Lescure tells the BBC that being in the bloc enables members to better address the challenges facing the world.
000
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Veteran far right activist George Galloway is contesting the Holborn and St Pancras by-election without even setting foot in the UK. Brexit and Putin supporting Galloway chooses to live in Russia but still wants to cause disruption and division here. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
George Galloway contests London byelection without setting foot in UK
Veteran leftwinger has been ‘in exile in the east’ in Russia and not been to Holborn and St Pancras constituency since campaign began
285
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Reform UK has defended a councillor who described immigrants as “third world animals” and said she didn’t care if she was branded a “far right racist”. So very Reform. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
independent.co.uk
Reform defends councillor over Facebook post calling immigrants ‘third world animals’
Reform insisted people would ‘sympathise’ with the comments, but councillors say it has sparked fear in the community
002
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Kemi Badenoch says the Tories would scrap inheritance tax on family homes, paying for it by cutting benefits and also civil servant numbers. Only 5% of estates incur the tax. But the Tories' pitch is all about making the rich richer, at the expense of ordinary people. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Kemi Badenoch says Tories would scrap inheritance tax on family homes
Tory leader says her party is "coming back", as she aims to convince voters it has changed after 2024 election defeat.
120
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
It's undetrstandable that Kemi Badenoch doesn't want to talk about the recent past. The Tories were a disaster in government, austerity slowing growth, seeing infrastructure crumble while hitting poor people, before we had the disaster of Brexit, mishandling Covid, then Liz Truss as PM. Shocking.
000
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Is Kemi Badenoch ready to be PM? The media want to believe in her and like the spin of the Conservatives being low-tax and high-growth. But they were the opposite (incompetent and corrupt) in government. Why would we believe it will be different next time? www.independent.co.uk/voices/kemi-...
independent.co.uk
Did Kemi Badenoch’s speech show she’s ready to be PM? This is what our writers think
Our writers weigh in on whether Kemi Badenoch’s closing speech at the Conservative party conference shows she is ready for the premiership
120
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 07/10/2026
Westminster Voting Intention: LAB: 29% (+2) RFM: 24% (+3) CON: 21% (-1) LDM: 10% (-1) GRN: 7% (-2) RES: 4% (-2) SNP: 2% (-1) Via @moreincommonuk.bsky.social, 3-5 Oct. Changes w/ 25-29 Sep.
106912
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Josh Self @josh.politics.co.uk · 05/10/2026
Where the MPs who backed Liz Truss in 2022 now sit in the Conservative hierarchy (and beyond)
57444
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Leader of party - that sold its own shrivelled soul to the devils of austerity and Brexit - will use her conference speech to slag off Labour (yawn) and make the only promise the Tories ever make - cutting taxes… They have nothing new or credible… or just plain nice… to say any more.
THE
TIMES
Wednesday October 7 2026

Badenoch promises tax cuts in 'battle for the soul of this nation'
1581336379
Reposted by Mike Taylor
patthepublican2 @patthepublican2.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Suella Braverman too proud for benefits... Went to university for free Studied in Europe using the heavily subsidised Erasmus program Claimed ALL her rent, energy, council tax bills for at least 5 years Millions of pounds in expenses claims She just doesn't call them benefits
3206
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, has given a speech at the Tory conference to a near-empty hall that was largely a bizarre, long rant about supposed political correctness in schools. They're using Trump's MAGA playback. www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
theguardian.com
Shadow minister says Tories would ‘keep political activism out of classrooms’ – UK politics live
Laura Trott delivers conference speech to near-empty hall on supposed political correctness excesses in schools
011
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Voters loathed the Tory party when they booted them out in 2024.They really needed to shake off their disgrace with humility and better ideas. They haven’t. They’ve doubled down. More Brexit, more austerity, more anti-immigration ugliness, more tedious arrogance… and no good reason to vote for them.
Party seems to have learnt nothing from 2024 defeat
John Oxley

The Conservative Party is keen to show it is now ready to return to government, two and a half years after a
historic defeat.Their self-soothing explanation posits that defeat came from not being able to do what they wanted 

No such pivot is happening at the current conference. The Tories have come to Birmingham calling for a return to orthodoxy, with similar lines about cutting benefits and regulation. Even so, they seem trapped by the same contradictions
- pledging to cut benefits, but not the winter fuel payments and triple lock on pensions that go to their voters.
There is no "hug-a-hoodie" moment in Birmingham. The Conservative Party is not indicating that it has changed or seeking to broaden its appeal. It is doing the opposite: it is a party returning to its core, restating all the old ideas voters have rejected but louder.
871417450
Reposted by Mike Taylor
🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 @militarynewsua.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
❗️62% of Ukrainians are prepared to endure the war for as long as it takes — KIIS survey. A further 79% of respondents believe that Ukraine will ultimately defeat Russia.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
25311
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Chris Mason talks of Tory fear of the right wing vote being split at an election, allowing a Labour win. Doesn't mention that every time 50%+ vote for left leaning parties, yet Tories are in power 2/3 of the time. #r4today
050
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Typically positive coverage of the Conservatives and their conference on #r4today. The BBC is determined, now that the shine is coming off Reform, to rehabilitate the Tories. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Jeremy Clarkson makes surprise appearance at Tory conference
The former Top Gear presenter and star of Clarkson's Farm also said farmers were being "attacked" from every angle.
171
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Totally agree. The "single state throughout Palestine" proposal also plays into the hands of Netanyahu, who will use it with typical lack of mercy or decency.
140
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Reform UK has shed over 50 newly-elected councillors in just five months. An online tracker reveals 51 Reform UK councillors have quit, defected or been suspended since May, reflecting the party's permanent state of chaos. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Blow to Nigel Farage as Reform sheds 51 newly-elected councillors in five months
EXCLUSIVE: An online tracker by Best For Britain reveals 51 Reform UK councillors have quit, defected or been suspended since May amid questions about Nigel Farage's leadership
011
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Kemi Badenoch promises various bungs for the very rich (including free childcate) and a 'bonfire of green laws' and most British media are thrilled, since they're self-serving wealthy climate deniers. We need Leveson 2. #r4today www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Newspaper headlines: Badenoch's 'bonfire of green laws' and 'Drop in global dealmaking'
Monday's front pages include stories about Kemi Badenoch at the start of the Tory conference, plus reports on global finance , abuse in schools and a BBC romance.
0133
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
My speech from the conference debate on 'Zionism is Racism’ motion
1471372291
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Bremain in Spain @bremaininspain.com · 04/10/2026
The arrogance of this man! Farage told the Sunday Times he thought the reaction to the donations would be "far worse" but had actually resulted in "some grudging respect... the fact that I managed to pull off a coup of that magnitude, I think people were quite impressed"
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Nigel Farage questioned over £5m gift from crypto-billionaire
Mr Farage has said the gift was not political and insisted he has done nothing wrong
22612
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
So, Tories would cancel Erasmus and youth mobility, scrap the SPS deal that reduces red tape, lowers costs and eases backlogs for goods trade and renege on our new energy, defence and security arrangements… Ridiculous threat, ridiculous party, ridiculous people…
Tories would reverse steps to undo Brexit
Alex Burghart, the deputy leader, also says his party is wedded' to triple lock and electoral reform is doomed
Ben Riley-Smith - Political Editor

Photo of Burghart, arms folded, looking absurdly self important
1631378443
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Anti-Reform @antireform.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
'2 year suspended sentence and 200 hours community service/unpaid work' "Imagine the carnage if this guy was brown!......" via We Demand UK
78971492
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Kemi Badenoch has suggested that reducing inheritance tax (paid by 5% of people) would be "morally right", while also proposing free childcare for the richest. And she'd cut benefits, the arts and environment. Couldn't be clearer who's side she's on. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
independent.co.uk
Kemi Badenoch says cutting inheritance tax is ‘morally right’ at Tory conference
The Tories made a series of policy announcements in the days approaching the annual party conference, to broaden their platform for government.
262
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Good on Ann Cleeves for speaking out against Kemi Badenoch's ridiculous and terrible idea of providing free childcare for the rich. It would be paid for by cuts to Arts Council England and the Environment Agency. #BroadcastingHouse www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Conservatives pledge to scrap £100,000 childcare 'cliff edge'
Party leader Kemi Badenoch tells the BBC that she wants to see "people who work harder" not getting punished for doing so.
010
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Tory Jeffrey Archer given free rein on BBC Radio to criticise the early release of prisoners, with no context about the fact it's the norm and that the Tories left the criminal justice system in chaos. #BroadcastingHouse www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Hundreds of criminals leave prison under early release scheme
Around 4,500 inmates are expected to be released early by June 2027 under a scheme designed to stop prisons becoming full.
110
Reposted by Mike Taylor
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
661092548
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Labour has leapfrogged Reform UK to return to lead the polls after Andy Burnham’s vow to rethink Brexit appeared to give him a boost in the ratings. There's a message there. #Rejoin www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
independent.co.uk
Labour back on top in polls after Burnham’s Brexit pledge
The survey, carried out in the days after the prime minister’s conference speech, suggested Andy Burnham’s announcements on Brexit, social care and pensions were popular among voters
010
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
"Kemi Badenoch has cemented her image. Now she wants to put her party back on the big stage," says Laura Kuenssberg. Does the BBC ever make equivalent comments about Labour? #BBCbias www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Laura Kuenssberg: Kemi Badenoch has cemented her image. Now she wants to take her party back to its roots
The Conservative leader is expected to set out a return to core conservative principles at the party’s annual conference.
030
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Peter Smith @redpeter99.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
The radicalisation of the middle aged and elderly needs addressing. Many believe every single word on Facebook and X.
2522150
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Senior person in English nationalist party buys a second home, across the border in Wales. And for £800,000. Says it all.
010
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Anti-Reform @antireform.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
"You really could not make this up. Sarah Pochin, Reform MP for Runcorn and Helsby, asked Parliament about the impact of second home ownership on housing availability in coastal and rural communities. Two days later, her Parliamentary Register of ..." via Greg Stuart www.facebook.com/greg.stuart....
22112
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
The Tories had 14 years in power and didn’t increase the number of prison places. They ruined probation, used early release schemes and left chaos. Now they criticise Labour for the mess they, themselves, left. And the BBC lets them. #r4today www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Tories pledge to build 50,000 new prison places
The party says its proposals would stop prisoners being released early and cut crime.
1134
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
What a week. We've seen the news agenda rescued from the grip of the far-right. We've seen astonishing levels of competence in government communication. And we've seen the outline of a radical policy programme. It's a v.exciting time to be involved in politics iandunt.substack.com/p/some-dispa...
iandunt.substack.com
Some disparate thoughts on a historic speech
For the first time in two years, we freed ourselves from the far-right’s strangle-hold over the news agenda.
17579113
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
People say that Andy Burnham is looking for alternatives to using Palantir, the sinister company so keen to harvest our data, which helps the Israeli military in Gaza. The British government should not be using it for anything.
020
Reposted by Mike Taylor
Anonymous @youranoncentral.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Trump calls on countries around the world to reject and resign from the ICC in order to protect "US service members" from criminal prosecution for their crimes and to protect his very good friends Putin and Netanyahu. Calls anti-war crime protections "evil" and "anti American."
44216119
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Andy Burnham’s reopening of the Brexit debate is the ‘biggest boost in my career’, says Nigel Farage. Because everything is about him and what he can get out of it. No matter if it happens to harm Britain, like Brexit. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Burnham’s reopening of Brexit debate is ‘biggest boost in my career’, says Farage
Reform UK leader tells supporters PM’s move has ‘opened up a huge flank to us’
022
Mike Taylor @miketaylor9.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Nigel Farage hints that Reform’s internal inquiry could clear two aides suspended after the recent C4 investigation. Of course it will. Reform UK is the home of corruption, manipulation and outright lies. www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
theguardian.com
Farage hints Reform’s internal inquiry could clear two aides suspended after C4 investigation – UK politics live
Farage was speaking ahead of a rally in Doncaster
000