Reposted by Neil Schofield-HughesClaire Willett @clairewillett.bsky.social · 15h“cowboys” here really reminds me of a brilliant post I saw on Twitter that I’ve never stopped thinking about, which is how the manosphere brand of toxic patriarchy isn’t about MEN, it’s about BOYS. everything is a 12-year-old’s fantasy. Pete is playing G.I. Joe on a trillion-dollar budget 1750179
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 20hIn which we learn that: - the Triple Lock wasn’t quite the existential threat to the nation’s solvency that commentators said it was; - abolishing it won’t pay for much - but losing the earnings link means that pensions will fall in real terms. Somebody didn’t really think this one through. 033
Reposted by Neil Schofield-HughesRobert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Tyrants view educated citizens as their greatest enemy. Slaveholders stopped the enslaved from learning to read. Nazis burned books. Dictators censor media. That’s why Trump is attacking education, science, museums, the media, and the arts – to prevent us from learning. It's Fascism 101. 602237857
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 28/09/2026This merch rather adds fuel to the belief that the rise of Andy Burnham is really about a Labour Party that no longer knows what it is for having an internal dialogue rather than one with the electorate. It will not end well. For any of us. 030
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Not the first time neoliberal Labour has used the term “moral crusade” to describe small-minded and cruel changes to the welfare system for which they know there is no political, economic or ethical justification. 121
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 28/09/2026You know you’ve turned into a Welsh politics geek when one of your first thoughts on seeing this is “Barnett consequentials”. 352
Reposted by Neil Schofield-HughesSaul Staniforth @saulstaniforth.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Rachel Shabi rightly points out that by allowing the US to use RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to bomb Iran, the UK has been dragged into their illegal war 17484160
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Nothing to see here. Just a Kinnock, dynastic opponent of Cymru’s democratic ambitions, calling Plaid supporters “plastic patriots”. You might have thought that, following their epoch-making electoral thrashing in May, Welsh Labour might have learned a little humility. But no. 031
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Well. What a telling contrast to the relentless undermining of opera as an art form by governments and arts administrators in Britain. 053
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Exactly this - and we saw it during Brexit too, when Tory MPs were trying to tell the Irish govt how to deal with border issues. Canada is a sovereign state. The EU is a union that the UK left. Until British politicians learn what isn’t their business any more we won’t be ready to rejoin. 292
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 24/09/2026And what better week to do it when Labour MPs and officials are getting bladdered at corporate conference events… 🙄 021
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 23/09/2026I am currently reading Katja Hoyer’s brilliant book about Weimar. It’s a potent reminder that when faced with organised far-right violence and intimidation, centrist politicians and parties talking about “legitimate concerns” are basically shilling for fascism. 042
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 23/09/2026“Talk is nauseous without practice … to kick over an idol you must first get off your knees”. How Tawney would have detested the moral and political cowardice of today’s triangulating, politically and morally cowardly Labour Party and its intellectual surrender to neoliberal values. 001
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Speaking as an active amateur musician, I am looking forward to hearing Laura Kuenssberg’s analysis of Bruckner’s use of harmony and counterpoint. Or how Schoenberg uses the tone-row in his Variations for Orchestra. Or perhaps she should STFU and stop lecturing musicians on complexity. 041
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 20/09/2026What attracts me, as someone who came to Cymru from England, to support independence; the sense that it is about normal, adult, democratic politics. In contrast to the perpetual theatre of the absurd at Westminster, in which performance has replaced politics, and democracy is dying. 073
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 20/09/2026I hope someone had the presence of mind to ask the hyper-Unionists of the Scottish and Welsh Liberal Democrats whether they understand Cymru’s and Scotland’s route back to the EU lies in independence, and their opposition to Indy puts the decision in English, not Scottish or Welsh, hands. 033
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 18/09/2026It’s about how the government defines “legitimate”. Labour chooses not to regard protest against genocide or climate change as “legitimate”. But since street fascism is rationalised as being about the boats, it frames its roots as legitimate. It’s Labour’s concept of morality on trial here. 021
Reposted by Neil Schofield-HughesGood Law Project @goodlawproject.org · 18/09/2026Palantir think hiring Tom Watson is the way to the heart of the British people – and Andy Burnham. They’ve got a lot of data but it looks like they’ve got a lot to learn... www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/articl…thetimes.comPalantir hires Tom Watson to fight left-wing campaign against US firmThe tech giant, which holds several public sector contracts, hopes that hiring the former Labour deputy leader will buy it a hearing in the Burnham government 1210833
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 18/09/2026A Blairite dog returns to its vomit… 010
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Savage. Brilliant. And utterly fair. 000
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Well, that’ll do it. Imagine if he were retired clergy holding up a home-made placard against genocide in Palestine. 010
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 18/09/2026As someone born in Edgware, and whose granny lived in East Finchley, “You are Morden” has a certain resonance… 020
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Why are so many people so willing to impoverish the old age of future generations that won’t have the final salary workplace pensions that many of us have today, for the sake of a tax cut now? Isn’t this just more redistribution from struggling young to affluent middle-aged and old? 331
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 15/09/2026I’m reflecting on the irony of how Brexiters always claimed their project would allow the UK to build closer ties to the former Dominions, like Canada. 064
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 15/09/2026The week so far in Welsh politics: - Historical agreement between leaders of majority parties in Cymru, Scotland and NI - Reform Leader in Senedd stands down following arrest for assault/coercive control - Reform MS defects to Plaid Cymru And it’s only tea-time on Tuesday… 040
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 15/09/2026During the Senedd elections here in Caerdydd Penarth the Green Menace worked out of a church just down the road from me. They were terribly nice, very diverse, didn’t cause traffic issues, and bought their coffees and snacks from local businesses. Let’s all be more Green Menace. 023
Reposted by Neil Schofield-HughesSam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Should have guessed that the thing that would eventually kill off the right's interest in grammar schools would be non-white kids doing too well in the 11+. 36704141
Reposted by Neil Schofield-HughesAnand Menon @anandmenon.bsky.social · 14/09/2026That’s selection for ya 😉 4532042
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 15/09/2026I think we all know loving, strong families where the parents never married, and respectably married couples whose family life would give the House of Atreus a run for its money. It really shouldn’t be necessary to argue any more that this has nothing to do with the interests of the children. 131
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 15/09/2026AI: the technology is new but the ideology it represents is as old as capitalism. Refreshing Marxist analysis 👇👇👇 000
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Why is an organisation that claims to stand for democracy using the language of “risk” to describe the idea that Cymru, Scotland and the North of Ireland should choose democratic futures outside the Union, but in the EU? What is the quiet bit not being said out loud here? 010
Reposted by Neil Schofield-HughesLe Monde @lemonde.fr · 14/09/2026Royaume-Uni : les dirigeants écossais, gallois et nord-irlandais affirment leur « droit à l’autodétermination »lemonde.frRoyaume-Uni : les dirigeants écossais, gallois et nord-irlandais affirment leur « droit à l’autodétermination »L’Ecosse, le Pays de Galles et l’Irlande du Nord sont actuellement dirigés par des indépendantistes. Ils ont affirmé que l’avenir de leurs nations était « dans l’Union européenne ». 22817
Reposted by Neil Schofield-HughesAlyn Smith MSP 🏴🇪🇺 @alynsmith.bsky.social · 14/09/2026I would say this wouldn’t I, but the commitment across all three nations not just to independence from the UK but to EU membership is a significant driver of the need for change. 24926
Reposted by Neil Schofield-HughesAnne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 14/09/2026Your regular reminder: If the Russians stop fighting, the war ends. If the Ukrainians stop fighting, their land will be occupied, their leaders will be killed, their history and language will be erased, their children will be kidnapped to serve Russia. 5953724113383
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 14/09/2026It’s been pretty grim lately. At last, some hope and optimism. And a firm commitment that the future of our nations lies with Europe 🏴🏴🇮🇪🇪🇺 010
Reposted by Neil Schofield-HughesJames O’Brien @mrjamesob.bsky.social · 13/09/2026So the ‘negotiation’ involves blowing smoke up Putin’s arse, asking him what he wants then attacking Ukraine for refusing to concede it. Never forget the huge swathe of UK media & political figures who celebrated Trump’s ascent while claiming to care about Ukraine. Absolute heels, the lot of them. 681195311
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 13/09/2026As a reader of history I feel the really dangerous election is not the next one, but the one that follows the next one’s inconclusive outcome. And as I read literature too I can foresee the cries of “which of you has done this” from those failing to act now. Too late. You need to get a grip now. 042
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 13/09/2026The things that are most likely to destroy humanity are climate change and mass species extinction. But to talk about those things offends against the centrist omertà. 131
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 13/09/2026More evidence that an inward-looking Labour Party simply hasn’t got a clue about the existential threat to democracy this country faces. A party that looks at the world through the distorting lens of its own internal politics is absolutely no use whatsoever just now. 020
Reposted by Neil Schofield-HughesDuncan Weldon @duncanweldon.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Even leaving any politics at all aside: as general rule, no state can allow a group of masked men to be able to close down critical infrastructure. This is basic stuff. 112607504
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 12/09/2026But pub snacks and Northern Soul… I wonder how long it will take for Labour people to realise that in their rush to get rid of Starmer and replace him with someone in their own image, they have foisted on themselves - and, far more importantly, us - an absolute blithering idiot. 051
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Perhaps the scariest thing about the current existential crisis of democracy in this country is how utterly clueless our mainstream politicians are - they don’t even begin to understand it, let alone have the first idea of what to do about it. At what point do they notice this is serious? 083
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Sadly, my experience of party politics is that this is absolutely true. Party machines across the piece reward compliant mediocrity. My abiding memory of my time in the Labour Party is its savage anti-intellectualism. We need politicians who read, think and challenge convenient fictions. 030
Reposted by Neil Schofield-HughesSteve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 12/09/2026*taps the sign* 220451
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Exactly this. If the best the party of government can offer is a performative people-pleaser bloviating about Northern Soul and pub snacks, we’re in the deepest of deep shit. Centrist politics is no use now. 043
Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 11/09/2026One of the lessons from history is how the gradual ceding of territory to authoritarians - the normalising of their agenda - is one of the things that propels them to power. Our present government appears not to understand this. 046