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In the end a stronger more directed leadership is needed to ensure this sort of stuff doesn't happen. It was possibly a chance for Zack Polanski to cement this more firm leadership But the opportunity has been lost and I'm not sure when the next chance will be.

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Patrick Reid @oldmandoc.bsky.social · 12h

If the Greens want to move forward and adapt to being a big part of politics (which until this week I would generally have said was a good and healthy thing for UK politics) Then they need to reform how they work. The democratic aspect is fundamental to it but can't work with such a large party.

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We all blamed Liz Truss but turned out Andy Burnham was the one to take Queen Liz to the pearly gates.

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 14h

Endlessly wearying that so many responses to this section of the speech are to point out that Badenoch's worked examples are wrong. Sure, but, in a very real sense, who cares?

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Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 13h

This is a positive development, full stop. Anti-racism norms matter, elite cues on anti-racism norms matter, a broad political consensus on anti-racism norms matter so a strong signal from the leader of a party which has been blurring red lines lately is good news.

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Patrick Reid @oldmandoc.bsky.social · 14h

Honestly, not a fan but this is a welcome change of tone. Fundamentally need the Conservative party to return to normality on this to push the far right back properly

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Ma'am, I'd suggest reading the piece at the top. And just because a motion says it's anti racist doesn't mean it is. Also, it's 0240 in the morning in San diego. Probably a good time to stop posting.

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A party of the left in the UK fundementally needs to be a party of inclusivity. Without this it weakens and fractures. We have seen this with labour and their approach to trans people. Now we are seeing it with the Greens and their approach to the Jewish community.

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Many, like Rafael, have written better pieces condemning and showing the damage of what the Greens have done at their conference this week. But the big thing I have to wonder is how and can the Greens move forward from this?

Was quite pro-Corbyn when he ran for the leadership but events especially post 2017 made me see how valid the criticism I had initially dismissed was. It's easy to want to ignore groups like the Board of Deputies . But the bredth of concern expressed about this motion was a clear red flag

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Zack Polanski had the chance to show real leadership. He blew it | Rafael Behr

Posting this really powerful piece by Rafael Behr just to write my thoughts (as understandably he has paused replies and quote posting of it) It's curious and a bit depressing watching what's happened to the Greens these last few weeks after seeing similar pattern in Labour during the Corbyn years.

theguardian.com

A toxic debate over anti-Zionism leaves the Green leader looking like a passenger in the movement that carried him to the top, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr

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Rafael Behr @rafaelbehr.bsky.social · 20h

Column on Greens, anti-Zionism and why the people who pathologically hate something are not the most reliable people to define it accurately www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.com

Zack Polanski had the chance to show real leadership. He blew it | Rafael Behr

A toxic debate over anti-Zionism leaves the Green leader looking like a passenger in the movement that carried him to the top, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr

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Patrick Reid @oldmandoc.bsky.social · 18h

Surely the end point is the Bombadil LLM which has the power to solve all your problems but frankly is just going to do what ever the hell it wants.

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Patrick Reid @oldmandoc.bsky.social · 18h

The economy's her next target

This is a cracking answer to this. Even worse is because we all got in the Sherlock hype, the better show Elementary flew under most people's radars! Only discovered it a few years back and it's great.

One that goes against the question is Fringe. Which I know some people hated the final season and change of tone but man I loved it. Not the best season but doesn't damage the rest of the show.

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Obvious answer is Game of Thrones which remains a fascinating cultural behemoth collapsing. But the one for me is Chuck. Not the best show but enjoyable for first 2 series. Then each year nearly got cancelled and just about came back. And would have been better if ended at season 2.

Max Roser @maxroser.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Reposted by Patrick Reid

The share of children who died before they were 5 years old in 1950 and 75 years later. Africa: 33% ↘ 6% Asia: 25% ↘ 2.5% Oceania: 9.3% ↘ 2% Latin America: 21% ↘ 1.5% Northern America: 3.8% ↘ 0.6% Europe: 10.5% ↘ 0.4% Globally: 23% ↘ 3.5%

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Rachel Cunliffe @rmcunliffe.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Just comparing last week's pensions discourse with this week's £100k childcare discourse. In both instances, you have groups who are generally deemed "wealthy". For one, it's unthinkable to contemplate taking their state benefits away. For the other, there is outrage if you try to give it to them

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Which means the messaging needs to change. Don't advertise it as a relief for working parents. Advertise it as a relief for grandparents- no need to provide that free childcare if the parents can get their kid into nursery.

Kasia @scullingmonkey.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Seeing the discussions about the 100k childcap- I found the polling about it quite fascinating. Headline stat is 45% against and 38% for. And I thought the opposition would be less well off vs the more well off. But look at the breakdown below. Biggest opposition is from those over 50

Poll about getting rid of childcare cap for those earning over 100k.
Opposition overall is 48% against and 38% for.
In 18-24 And 25-49 is either even split or more positive. But over 50 is 55% against and 30% for then in over 65s it's 57% against and 30% for.

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It’s flu season. Get your flu jab.

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Sadly the conservative's plan for an Iron dome have met with budget restraints and so a commission will look into whether a wood or straw dome will be better value for money.

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I mean a bit harsh to make him head of the intelligence service then arrest him for spying.

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Britannia Shield absolutely feels like what we would name our gundam/jaeger only for it to turn out the MOD cut corners and so it can't actually move without the arms falling off.

John Herreid @herreidjohn.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

It is far to early in the morning to know that there is someone named Randy England who has gone this far in life without changing his name.

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Got an ad for the most cursed local religious conference I have seen

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If the US gets it's act together Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero will change the opening lyrics of Home to Blalabama, Blarkanasas

And then Andrew Griffith's bemons the dreadful situation for youth in this country as if the foundations of these challenges are not built in the choices of his party over 14 years. A willingness to sacrifice supporting the young for short term gains amongst the older voter

Honestly part of me would almost be more angry speaking to a Conservative party candidate then a Reform one. The Reform person is intentionally not appealing to me. The Tory is making no effort to and then being shocked that I'm not going for them.

Well weirdly think that's part of it that grates on me. The tone of this and so much of what the current Tory party says is- obviously you should be voting for us. But with no actual attempt to engage or appeal to me as a voter. And no attempt to wonder why do people like me not vote for them.

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Me: Really enjoyed recent New Statesman articles and politics coverage. I think I'll give their £5 for 5 weeks subscription a go as seems like some good changes have happened. Also Me on seeing the first article on their website today: God Fucking Dammit

Another article from John Gray about the end of times.

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Saw this excerpt from the shadow chancellor's speech and what is this absolute bullshit claiming to appeal to young people?

Many Labour MPs spend their time talking about safe and legal routes for asylum seekers to come here.

Well, what about safe and legal routes for our own young people to get a job, buy a home, have a good life? Does that not count?

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Well think that's definitely the kick up the backside I needed to get started. Thanks very much.

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Insert Doctor Manhatten meme but about subscribing to the New Statesmen and John Gray is still writing about the end of Western civilisation What kind of unbreakable infernal contract did the New Statesman make with him that he has to push out this piece every few months?

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Rachel Cunliffe @rmcunliffe.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Really enjoyed this piece and especially the summary of the three payoffs points. Our three year old has started wanting to bring in books from home to nursery to share with his friends which has been a real joy. Thought this article makes me wonder when to leap into more 'proper books'

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On a much happier note, I wrote my New Statesman column this week on reading to children, in honour of the wonderful Dolly Parton and her Imagination Library, which is expanding in the UK. Got to reminisce about my dad reading me The Hobbit, with all the voices! www.newstatesman.com/politics/fut...

newstatesman.com

The magic of reading to children

Its appeal is in the forging of memory as much as the story itself

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I'm sorry you had to do that Jane but good on your for standing by your principles. Think needs to be some reckoning within the greens about how they are running as a party now

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Most consequential dog-fight in the UK since the Battle of Britain

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Think also there is a small benefit as there is clearly one man to blame for the economy going to pot. BBC news comments last week on diesel price was mainly people angry at Donald Trump.

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