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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Really? I can’t abide the woman.

James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

My difficulty at the moment is that I edit 2 Newsletters, and both had pretty much the same deadline. Both now completed so I might get a chance to do something but next week I’m in Glasgow for a conference. It might produce some gems, though. I always thought being retired would mean lots of time!

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

This is incredibly difficult stuff and there doesn’t appear to be any recognition of that fact. I have no difficulty in condemning Netanyahu out of hand. I’m inclined to the view that genocide is being committed. But effectively placing all Jewish people under the same umbrella is just wrong.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I have a Jewish friend who describes the Israeli Government as fascist. That doesn’t describe all Jewish people in that way. He is pro Palestinian but, of course, condemns the Hamas attacks of 7 October, without equivocation. He wants a peaceful settlement. This Green position doesn’t support that.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

You will come down to earth with a bang next week when the Badenough Party goes to Birmingham. She seems to think that Edinburgh is the UK’s second city. Brummies not happy! Anyway, Edinburgh is the First City. In my opinion, anyway. Look out for the mock Bayeux tapestry by the way. Hideous.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

So, much to ponder. Moving on to more local matters, I am burrowing away at the details around the appointment of Mr Bacon. I am always hopeful of light at the end of the tunnel but often find that it’s a mirage. The tentacles are out. I also hope to get more on the generality of the RefUK regime.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

My other concern is Europe. Much to my surprise, one of the “wise men of the north” expressed some cynicism on the grounds that Europe is moving to the right and is this what we want to join? Worse, he explained that the source of this thought was Andrew Neil! You’d think Neil would be all for it!

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

It is certain that there will be knee jerk reactions although I note that Andrea Egan, the Gen Sec, has been a little cautious in her response. With 3 years in which to discuss and negotiate it may be that it’s dressed up to look less of a problem although, generally, it’s seems well received.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

The problem is that heads of steam will build in response to the triple lock proposals. He will have to stick to his guns and not waver. I am aware of some angst among the old dears of the TU movement and the week after next, the august body that is UNISON Retired Members meets in Glasgow.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

My dear Pecksniff. Mr Burnham has had a most serious impact on the body politic with his speech and subsequent interviews. My jaw dropped when I heard his interview with Mr Robinson where he just answered questions. No spin. No “that’s been taken out of context”. I had to cease eating my granola!

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I seem to recall that RefUK campaigned in favour of PR in 2024, so I wonder if they would be up for it. The Tories are now wandering about in the jungle, swatting at every policy that passes them by. They are consummate fools and deserve the fate that awaits them.

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Reposted by James Porter

Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Comment on Reddit about this: "My mum tried to send a gift card to someone at the council who had helped her quit smoking. They turned it down because she wasn't allowed to accept gifts." And yet some MPs (and the authorities) think it's totally normal and fine to do this...

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

It’s a real problem. I live in Norfolk too and the thought of a RefUK mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk (whoever came up with that idea) fills me with dread. On the other hand, devolution probably is a good idea. The threat(although still there) might be lessened with PR.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Sadly, we have Reform and Restore who would happily get rid of it.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Johnson is just a serial liar. He can’t help himself.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Since referenda are popular these days, my wife and I have conducted a one in our household. The result? 100% of respondents wish to join the EU. Therefore, we declare independence from the UK and give notice of our application to join the EU. I’ll write to Ms Von der Leyen to demand our passports!

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

You may have seen that Ms Badenough spoke kindly of the single market last week. Not so that she wants to join it but at least not negatively. So, we have the polls, we have the LDs stumbling progress and we even have Badenough being almost sensible. Now, as they say, is the time and the hour.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

My dear, what to think? Mr Burnham keeps “showing an ankle” as it were, on Europe but where is the substance? I have some hope but am getting more than a little impatient for progress. Perhaps his speech to conference will give a little more evidence of where he goes and what he is thinking.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

About as likely as Norwich City winning this season’s League Cup. But there we have it with RefUK. When it comes to the hard yards of having to do something outside of winning an election, they are found wanting. Colin Sutton is a perfect example. Resigning Councillors another. Their plot is lost.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

As for RefUK, they require to be reminded of their previous position on the Commonwealth. All in favour of it, they were. Well, of a CANZUK alliance. Not the black or Asian bits, obviously. Only now it seems that the CANZUK bit is now snuggling up to the EU. Might we expect a Farage “volte face”?

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

It seems impossible that Mr Burnham will not take this opportunity to move forward. Mark Carney, John Curtice, the TUC, just about all of the Labour Party; all are “on the same page”. In the words of Donald Tusk, to Mrs May, when there was a pause in negotiations, “Do not waste this opportunity”.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Over the half time bovril, was there no talk of the joy with which Mr Carney was received? Of the possibilities of a Canada/UK joint venture into the warm waters of the EU? It seems hardly credible to me. As you say, to make life even simpler, the TUC has paved the way to drop the red lines.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

My dear Pecksniff, may we be forgiven in thinking that 2 chaps, turning up at Everton’s new stadium, draped in Everton scarves, clearly on the same page, might not also be on the same page à la Europe? Whist cheering on an Everton victory, was there no talk of Mr Carney’s Strasbourg visit?

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Farage is not human in any discernible way.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

It’s time for Mr Burnham to wake up and smell the coffee. Labour’s red lines are truly redundant. We need to get with the programme and lay the ground for ignoring the red lines.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Apropos of which I even note that their obsession goes as far as to not fly the flag of Norwich City at County Hall on match days. The delicious fact is that under the previous administration the task of raising the flag was given to an Ipswich Town supporter. They take even that joy away from us.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

So what comes next had better be good otherwise there will be no one left to put Humpty Dumpty together again. It wasn’t great before but now it seems that intimidation is happening on the grand scale. These people are thugs dressed up in suits and ties. They care more for flags than people.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

We must hope that Pecksniff is right and that Mr Burnham has a cunning plan. At a meeting I was at this week, one person reminded us that the effect in Norfolk is that we have RefUK for 4 years instead of a dead duck 2. Staff are trying to find the exit door as fast as they can but that isn’t easy.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

We have Badenough on Housing Benefit whilst claiming large amounts for her second home. Farage travels on an EU passport. When done, I shall present this essay to Pecksniff for his delectation. Coming back to LGA, it must be said that those involved have no more hair to tear out of their heads.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

One of the threads that binds ECHR abolitionists, the immigration critics, the Brexiteers. It starts with the wails of angst about Millei and his gaze at the Falklands. All the wailers could scarcely contain their glee when Millei came to power. And just recently we have Lowe on face coverings.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

My dear, once again, the sound of the nails being hit on heads. And yet, even before the ink is dry on the parchment, as one of your respondents has already remarked, £36 million of dodgy moolah finds its way into Farage’s back pocket. For another publication, I am working on a piece on hypocrisy.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

In the meantime, Badenough declared that Millei was the person upon whom she would base her approach to government. We have the receipts. May I also commend your description of the typical RefUK member. I have always described Farage as Arthur Daley without the charm. The best one can say!

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

We shall see if this bears fruit. My great take from this week, however, is the riposte from both Badenough and Farage to Mr Millei’s attempt to annex the Falklands. And yet, Farage was almost beside himself with glee when Millei assumed the Argentinian presidency.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

My dear, the thought of Ipswich Town on the rise gives shivers to those of us of a Norwich City persuasion. Last night may prove to be a reality check. I rather applauded the speech by Mr Burnham and you may recall, that in an answer to Mr Davey, he seemed to agree that they are both pro Europe.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Just for a moment there, Ian, I thought you were advertising in favour of Lowe. Glad I misunderstood.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

And then I would tell him to put away the flip flops, wear some serious brogues and get on with it.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I would also recommend a long hard look at electoral reform with a view to this being in the next manifesto along with a serious plan to get back into Europe. I would also recommend putting this to the electorate at any moment that looks favourable because wittering on about red lines will not do.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

My dear Pecksniff As I may have mentioned before, Burnham has form in the flip flop stakes. I am disappointed but not without hope. I look at Mr Carney and wonder if Burnham might not find a reliable ally there. Were I advising him I’d recommend a visit to Canada forthwith to set the forward plan.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

It’s because they can’t see further than the end of their noses. Also, they reckon they’ll be dead before things become critical (!) so somebody else can clear up the mess after they have made hay.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

He won’t, of course. He’ll refuse interviews and appeal to the emotions of his cult. And cult it surely is. If anyone thinks he’s the “saviour” then I have a Parisian tower to sell them. Hopefully we can reduce his support to cult followers only while the rest of us get on with trying to fix stuff.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Losers together. In the meantime we have to put up with this circus whilst crucial decision making goes under the radar. We have to get serious and stop treating politics as a branch of entertainment. If I knew how to do it, I’d tell you but one thing might be for Farage to face serious questions.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

He will continue to ignore Clacton other than for the odd photoshoot. He will be a poor attender at the HoC. He will hardly ever vote and continue to line his pockets. My prediction is that come 2029 he will announce his retirement from politics and bugger off to Miami to sit at the feet of Trump.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

So what now? Farage will be investigated and I would say that there is a high probability that a 10 day suspension will follow. An establishment plot will be the cry. There will be another by election, this time far more keenly contested but no doubt Farage will be re-elected. To what end, though?

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Or so, no doubt, Mr Farage would have us believe. There seem to be enough reports of this intimidation to at least warrant an enquiry but I must say I sympathise with the polling clerk from Wix. Whoever heard of tellers at a rural polling station? The assumption would be that they were all Tories.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Your story concerning alleged intimidation by RefUK “tellers” is disturbing. One hankers for the old days where tellers from each party would huddle in doorways sheltering from the rain (if only!) politely asking for numbers and sharing their results with each other. Establishmentarians, I think.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

The explanation is actually quite simple. Rupert Lowe cannot see any further than the end of his nose.

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

They now have an excellent MP who understands the place and represents it properly. But he is up against it with people feeling out of the loop and some simply against any one foreign, particularly if they are non white. The Home Office isn’t much help either. As for the Police Commissioner…

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James Porter @porterjames.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

It did have quite a bit of industry much of which has gone. Since retirement I have had little contact with the town but one of my young cousins was a teacher there for 4 or 5 years and described much of her job (she worked with infants) as “crowd control”. Perhaps it’s the same in other places?

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