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Philip O'Connor

@philipoconnor5.bsky.social
663 followers 735 following 79 posts

Irishman living in Bath, England. European. Like travelling, meeting people, books, ideas.

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Reposted by Philip O'Connor
Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 26/05/2026
❗Leaving the ECHR would jeopardise the UK’s national security and hinder its efforts to tackle irregular migration, say a group of former justice secretaries and attorneys-general👇 🔗 www.ft.com/content/b3e4... via @financialtimes.com
ft.com
Leaving ECHR would jeopardise UK national security, say centrist Tories
Former ministers claim withdrawal from human rights agreement is a ‘false solution’ to combat irregular migration
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LaindonFeminist @viviane49.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
The Kings speech was totally overshadowed yet put forward numerous Bills for the coming year. I’ve popped few on this List. Government under Keir Starmer still getting on with delivery. Which is what being PM is all about #DoingTheMediasJob #FixingBritain #LabourAchievements
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Seth Abramson @sethabramson.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
This paint job—if you can call it that—is costing you $7 million, America, because Trump gave a no-bid contract to a pal This would have been Exhibit A of the sort of shit DOGE was actually *supposed* to be looking for when it was instead cutting lifesaving scientific research
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Bill Madden @maddenifico.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
This is more accurate than people realize.
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Philip O'Connor @philipoconnor5.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
theguardian.com
What went wrong in Israel? A genocide scholar examines ‘what Zionism became’
In his new book, Omer Bartov tracks how a liberatory strand of Zionism transformed into an extremist ideology that he sees as responsible for genocide in Gaza
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Andrew Hesselden @andrewhesselden.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Brexit was meant to “take back control”. Now even the UK government is talking about aligning with EU rules just to make trade and the economy work again. This isn’t ideology anymore. It’s reality catching up. Read this 👇 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Keir Starmer embraces Brexit divisions as he seeks closer EU ties
Keir Starmer's approach has provoked anger from the Conservatives and Reform UK.
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Remember: There is nothing natural or inevitable about extreme inequality; it’s the result of an economic system that values wealth and power over human dignity and justice. It doesn't have to be this way.
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
We’ve been doing this same thing for 15 months. On tariffs, Panama Canal, Greenland, Canada, Nobel Prize, law firms, media companies, state govts, on & on. Trump makes crazy threats & ultimatums. Causes chaos. Backs down. Causes more chaos. Pointing that out isn’t provoking him into doing worse …
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
He makes a persuasive case.
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
If you think he cares about gas prices, housing costs, home electricity costs, inflation, no jobs, troops getting killed, grocery prices, health care costs, or anything else that would improve the lives of most Americans, you are wrong.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 13/03/2026
Ossoff: "The WH put out a video depicting this war as a video game. When service members are returning in flag-draped coffins, & even more have lost limbs or suffered brain injuries or are fighting for their lives, this WH treats war like a game. It's a disgrace. And it speaks to a moral rot."
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Seán MacGabhann @seanmacgabhann.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Excellent thread
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
“Rarely has a British political party unveiled a programme that combines cruelty with impracticality on such an extravagant scale.” Chilling on Reform’s increasingly confident fascism. High on viciousness and greed. Very low on wisdom. A ruinous combination. www.independent.co.uk/voices/zia-y...
Photo of Yusuf at a lectern saying “shadow Home Secretary” (Wot?)

Reform's plan for a 'British ICE' combines cruelty with stupidityProject forward to 2036 under a majority Reform government and the picture darkens further. Britain would be smaller, older and whiter; more isolated from Europe; paradoxically, more vulnerable to foreign interterence and less able to fund its own defence.
The welfare state would shrink to a skeleton. Charity would fill the gaps.
Flags would proliferate; rights would not. The police and courts would be politicised. The BBC could disappear.
The NHS would survive only as a minimal safety net. Protections against discrimination would erode - you might indeed be sacked for being disabled.
Migrants and even their British-born children could find their rights curtailed unless they were deemed to
"contribute" sufficiently. Meanwhile, the wealthiest would enjoy a generous, low-tax regime.
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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
BREAKING: Richard Tice is to announce Reform UK's plans to introduce a "Great Repeal Bill" that will scrap Labour's Employment Rights' Act and rent reforms JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM
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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Reform UK has today unveiled Donald Trump-style ICE plans. In the meantime UK news shows continue to fail to call out Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s completely untrue claims. If UK media can’t get the job done let’s do it ourselves www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
​Reform unveils Trump-style ICE plans - all the worst points in key annoucement
Reform home affairs chief Zia Yusuf said in a major speech that tens of thousands of people will be rounded up and detained by a Donald Trump-style ICE agency
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Anyone know why GB News deleted this "story"
Brave police officer defends
Christian preacher after being...
7 hours ago - A brave female police officer has
faced down a crowd claiming she was in a
"Muslim area" after she defended a Christian
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
When oligarchs talk of “personal liberties and free markets” they mean their own liberties to become even richer and more powerful. When oligarchs speak of “freedom,” what they actually seek is freedom from accountability. Know the truth.
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Daily Herald #FBPE #NAFO 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇬🇱 @dailyherald.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
People in Clacton are calling Nigel Farage: Nigel Mirage.
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Parody Nigel Farage @parodypm.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Here I am having a holiday while lying about the government stopping me going to the Chagos Islands, where nobody can go without a permit. Still, who needs facts when your followers are thick and gullible?
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Of course, the irony of Trump’s post about us needing to send a “hospital boat” to Greenland was that it only emphasized the point that we, in fact, do not have any hospital ships in service right now that are available, while Greenlanders have free universal health care.
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
We are the laughingstock of the world because of our moronic and psychotic president. Deservedly so.
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
I can answer this one. The president of the United States is dangerously psychotic and no one in his political party will say it, nor will 95% of American media.
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Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
In case you missed it:
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joyllwynonn.bsky.social @joyllwynonn.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Where Farage is concerned, it would appear that Clacton, much like taxes, is for the little people.
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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Why are the Sunday morning politics shows not calling out these untrue claims from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage? How hard can this be?
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Healthcare in Greenland is publicly funded, free at the point of use, and despite geographical challenges considered very good. Healthcare costs in the USA are extortionate and responsible for 60% of all US bankruptcies. So maybe Denmark should be sending hospital ships the other way.
Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff
Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to
Greenland to take care of the many people who are
sick, and not being taken care of there. It's on the way!!!
President DJT
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Philip O'Connor @philipoconnor5.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
I realise that it is not a universally popular view, but I think that we are fortunate to have Keir Starmer as our Prime Minister in these somewhat unpredictable and volatile times. Any of the current alternatives could be disastrous.
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Remember back in the day when Congress used to be in charge of appropriations?
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kaybell27.bsky.social @kaybell27.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
It costing tax payers £63 million to feed Farage's ego.
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Good thing Fox doesn’t do this.
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Laura McAtackney @lauramca.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Bereft of ideas, UK Far Right copy the US to manufacture ‘free speech’ culture wars focused on unis. They target unis not because of their rich recruitment potential (they aren’t) but because we teach critical skills that easily undermine their divisive claims. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
If you want to know what Reform would be like in power, look at how it threatened Bangor University | Gaby Hinsliff
A debating society didn’t want to invite two figures connected to the party to speak. Cue an authoritarian response, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff
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Daily Herald #FBPE #NAFO 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇬🇱 @dailyherald.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Please be careful in London. I have spent 25 years there, but I have never heard a story as frightening as this one from today in which nothing at all happened.
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George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
We should all be concerned.
comicsands.com
Karoline Leavitt Slammed Over Her Alarming Comments About The U.S. Constitution
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Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
This is really disgraceful.
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
I’ve watched a lot of congressional hearings over the last 40 years. This performance by Bondi is the single most unprofessional, non-responsive, reprehensible and obnoxious I have ever seen from any witness who has testified before any committee of either chamber.
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Claire S (UK not USA) @csav55.eurosky.social · 11/02/2026
Many of our TV and Radio presenters need reminding they aren't the people most of us tune into to watch or listen to, they're the monkey, the interviewee is the organ grinder. The print media need reminding too, it shouldn't be their opinions, it should be the facts without fear or favour.
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Amra Watson @amrawatson.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Enough with the outrage theatre. If Reform stands for ordinary working people, why did all their MPs vote against the Workers’ Rights Bill? You can’t wedge immigration into that one. It’s just the record. #VoteGreen
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Karl Bode @karlbode.com · 11/02/2026
Likely-historic photo by NBC News of all the Epstein victims asked to raise their hands if they've not yet been asked to meet with the DOJ as Bondi testifies in foreground
photo of Pam Bondi testifying in the foreground as a group of 7 women and 1 men raise their hands
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Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett @crockett.house.gov · 11/02/2026
Pam Bondi has been a complete and total failure at her job. The Epstein survivors showed more courage just by being in that room than she did under oath. She refused to answer questions and chose complicity. America deserves better.
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Claire S (UK not USA) @csav55.eurosky.social · 27/01/2026
This is what Burnham had to say about Johnson when he wanted to ditch the London Mayoral role to become an MP, he was right. The people of Manchester which include Gorton and Denton are being shown no respect by Burnham. If Labour lose the by-election it won't be down to Starmer.
Burnham's view on Johnson wanting to ditch his role as Mayor
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Claire S (UK not USA) @csav55.eurosky.social · 27/01/2026
I'm awarding Gold Medals to everyone jumping through hoops pretending Burnham has been hard done by, the people of Gorton and Denton left bereft and pretending it's perfectly reasonable to walk away from the role of Mayor 19 months into a 4 year term. Just call it what it is fgs, opportunism.
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Mark Hamill @markhamillofficial.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Airlines will not show this to prevent walkouts.
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Chatham House @chathamhouse.org · 27/01/2026
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty will expire in February. If it does, it will mark the first time since the 1970s that there will be no legally binding limits on US and Russian strategic nuclear forces.
chathamhouse.org
The US and Russia’s nuclear weapons treaty is set to expire. Here’s what’s at stake
Letting New START expire would signal that the world’s largest nuclear powers are abandoning restraint.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 27/01/2026
Something important to understand about ICE thugs in the Twin Cities is that they're harassing innocent kids and parents at bus stops and schools every single day. Even after the Pretti shooting. It's terrorism.
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George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
After being held in two of them as a boy, I fought for decades urging America to never again build concentration camps and put human beings in them. It breaks my heart to watch this happen twice now in my own lifetime.
Screenshot of an X.com post by The Associated Press (@AP) stating that dozens of immigrant families protested for better treatment behind fences at a Texas detention facility, where a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father were sent after being detained in Minnesota. Below is a video thumbnail showing a crowd gathered outdoors along a fenced walkway; many people wear bright blue or red outerwear, and some hold signs.
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Tom Hayes @tomhayes.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
After the week that was at Davos, some thoughts on negotiations. Key takeaway. Best never to reward bad behaviour. hayest.substack.com/p/scribbling...
hayest.substack.com
Scribblings
Don’t Reward Bad Behavior
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Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Also, may I say that I don’t agree with people saying ICE and CBP need “more training.” They’re doing exactly what this administration has trained them to—impose a reign of fear in blue cities. They don’t need more training. They need to be ripped up root and branch.
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Chatham House @chathamhouse.org · 25/01/2026
"This year will be the most consequential year for the Islamic Republic. There will either be transition from within or forced transition." Sanam Vakil on the challenges facing the regime in Iran this year ⤵️
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
The constitution says only Congress can declare war.
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Angry @angrystaffer.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
The White House is asking people not to share pictures of the East Wing because it’s even worse today.
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