Sign in

Richard Barfield

@richardbarfield.bsky.social
4.5K followers 2.1K following 2.4K posts

Adviser on governance, risk and regulation in financial services. Developing skills in semi-retired activities and caretaker of the new, redesigned and updated BrexitFactBase.com London-based.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Susanna 🇪🇺 @susannaamala5.bsky.social · 21h
Britain's future relationship with Europe is being debated in Parliament on 12th October. I've just asked my MP to attend. Will you ask yours? www.europeanmovement.co.uk/contact-mp-a...
europeanmovement.co.uk
Ask your MP to stand up for our future in Europe
On 12 October, Parliament will debate the UK's future relationship with Europe, after a government petition got over 100,000 signatures. Will you write to your MP to ask them to attend the debate?
074
Reposted by Richard Barfield
David Chance @davidchance.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
All hail the subs desk of the Lancashire Telegraph. The print headline is pure class. And the article is a labour of love.
031
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"Instead of chasing after [Farage], he established his own agenda, which was utterly disconnected from the Reform message" Think this is on the money re Burnham's conference speech 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.
2488
Reposted by Richard Barfield
John Springford @johnspringford.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Now that Andy Burnham has reopened the Europe question, free movement will be at the centre of debate. For @arguablymag.bsky.social I argue that it's a big benefit, not a price to be paid for a better trade relationship. www.arguably.uk/p/eu-free-mo...
arguably.uk
EU free movement is an opportunity, not a threat
Progressives need to rediscover the positive case for immigration
1527470
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
If you have already sent the European Movement UK email and your MP has not yet replied … … feel free to send this one too. 💪
48443
Richard Barfield @richardbarfield.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Badenoch’s conservatives are so utterly, patheticly weak.
170
Richard Barfield @richardbarfield.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Brilliant.
021
Richard Barfield @richardbarfield.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Here's the clip.... www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
bbc.co.uk
Andy Burnham says UK could go 'all the way' towards rejoining EU
Andy Burnham says rejoining the EU is among options the government could look at - telling the BBC the current Brexit settlement has caused "more harm than good".
000
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Carla Denyer @carladenyer.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I wrote to Miatta Fahnbulleh to urge her to publish a Fossil Fuel Transition Roadmap ahead of COP31 in November. Ending all new licenses & publishing a clear roadmap will show that the UK is not just calling for a global transition, but delivering one.
The post is a graphic. At the top, white text on a light green background says:

"The Government must publish a fossil fuel transition roadmap before COP31" 

The rest of the image shows the top of a letter to Miatta Fahnbulleh.

"The Rt Hon Miatta Fahnbulleh MP
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Cc: The Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Katie White MP

Dear Secretary of State,

RE: Securing a fossil fuel transition roadmap for the UK

I am writing on behalf of the Green Party of England and Wales to urge your department to move swiftly to publish a comprehensive fossil fuel transition roadmap for the UK ahead of COP31 in November." The post is a text box on a dark green background. In the box is a parliamentary paper-style letter extract that reads: 

"The impacts of the climate and nature emergency are escalating at a terrifyingly dangerous rate, as global temperatures continue to climb rapidly.

At the same time, the poorest peoples of the world, with the least historic responsibility for climate emissions, continue to bear the brunt of climate breakdown.

As you will be aware, nearly a year ago, at COP30 in Belém, the UK endorsed a fossil fuels transition roadmap. More recently, at the Santa Marta TAFF conference in April, the UK reiterated its support for such a roadmap. Since then, France, Germany and the Netherlands have all published plans.

In this context, it is unacceptable that the government is still yet to publish a comprehensive domestic roadmap"The post is a text box on a dark green background. In the box is a parliamentary paper-style letter extract that reads: 

"The UK cannot claim global leadership at COP31 while expanding fossil fuels at home.

Ending all new licenses – including Jackdaw and Rosebank - and publishing a clear
roadmap will demonstrate that the UK is not merely calling for global transition, but
actively delivering the domestic plan required to deliver one.

Can your department confirm that such a roadmap will be published before COP31?
And will you meet with me to discuss how we can work together to advance this
strategy?

Yours sincerely,
Carla Denyer MP
Green Party Spokesperson for Energy and Net Zero"
010324
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Sadly there was a climate & nature shaped hole at the heart of Burnham’s speech. Nothing on the benefits of nature restoration & same old words on a “pragmatic” approach to N Sea drilling. There’s nothing pragmatic about pouring fuel on a scorching earth - he should rule out Rosebank & Jackdaw now
11469147
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Roland Smith @rolandmcs.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Why might that be, Telegraph?
40633152
Richard Barfield @richardbarfield.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Breaking news….👍👍👍 After Ed Miliband told the Labour conference in Liverpool that Britain’s future is at the heart of Europe, ministers say it is ‘not if but how’ the prime minister puts rejoin in the next election manifesto www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
independent.co.uk
Burnham edges Labour closer to rejoining EU
Exclusive: After Ed Miliband told the Labour conference in Liverpool that Britain’s future is at the heart of Europe, ministers say it is ‘not if but how’ the prime minister puts rejoin in the next el...
030
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Blimey. Baroness Margaret Hodge - the Govt anti-corruption champion, on the £72m donations to Reform recently: "I think it came from the Russians." She's speaking at a Fabian event on donation caps
1328381
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
This is *not* the result of "the success of Mahmood's reforms", but of earlier measures/other factors. Her proposals could make it considerably *worse* in future years. A few other points linked below.. archive.ph/0psJ8
Falling migration numbers could cost the chancellor as much as £7bn in fiscal headroom as he writes his first budget, The Times has been told. 

Government insiders believe that John Healey, who already faced an uphill battle to balance the books next month, is likely to have an even bigger challenge after immigration significantly undershot projections from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). 

The Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank estimated last month that the success of Shabana Mahmood’s reforms, which have seen net migration cut to the low hundreds of thousands, could cost Healey some £4bn. 

Labour sources familiar with the budget process, however, said that the figure was now closer to £6.5bn. The OBR’s migration forecasts have been consistently higher than real numbers in recent years.

Treasury officials, who have long expected Mahmood’s reforms to cause a hit to headroom, described the number as “pure speculation” but did not deny that Healey would have to contend with a larger funding gap than expected because of falling migration
5297111
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Ed Wilson @eddwilson.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
#R4Today
031
Reposted by Richard Barfield
European Movement UK @europeanmovement.co.uk · 27/09/2026
Sadiq Khan wants Britain to start preparing to rejoin the EU now: return to the customs union, pursue associate membership, consider the single market and put a clear rejoin pledge in Labour’s next manifesto. His message to Andy Burnham: start making the case to voters today.
730396
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The chipping away at citizenship, which started with Shamima Begum, is utterly poisonous. Anytime now, Restore will support the removal of citizenship on the basis of race or religion.
351038282
Reposted by Richard Barfield
David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Since I'm not going to Liverpool this year to discuss, a short state of play on UK EU relations and the Labour Party. The very short version - they're terrified. And trying to find ways to avoid the question none of which will work.
1113352
Reposted by Richard Barfield
AdyBee 🐝 @adybee.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
06318
Richard Barfield @richardbarfield.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
If you missed this, it’s well worth a view/listen
000
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Roland Smith @rolandmcs.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Only a very small percentage of small boat asylum seekers were 'sent back' under the Dublin agreement pre-Brexit. We really have to get over the idea that the Dublin Agreement was some kind of panacea that (a) stopped them coming, (b) caused them to be sent back. In practice, it didn't do much.
281
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Liz Webster 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧🇪🇺 @lizwebster.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The sheer stupidity of Brexit: We made it harder and more expensive for high quality, fully traceable British food to reach our largest market, while creating a porous border through which illegal, rancid and potentially diseased meat can enter Britain. meatmanagement.com/opinion/brex...
meatmanagement.com
Brexit’s veterinary border theatre: when control becomes the risk
There comes a point when regulation ceases to protect the consumer and becomes an industry in its own right. Post-Brexit veterinary border controls risk crossing that line, says AIMS's Jason Aldiss.
49538
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Alasdair Mackenzie @alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Note how there is no (0) person, whether politician or activist, quoted in this piece who‘s in favour of more liberal asylum policies, and as for quoting any actual refugees, their function is to be the silent object of other people’s violent imaginings, not to have a voice or personhood
bbc.co.uk
Most migrant small boat arrivals in single day of 2026
A total of 781 migrants arrive on Wednesday, but the yearly total is below the same point in 2025.
315649
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Graham Simpson @grahambs.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Labour, Lib Dems, Greens, Plaid & SNP should all unite in a pledge to rejoin the EU. They don’t agree on much but they do all agree Brexit has been a financial and strategic disaster. It could unite progressive opinion and challenge the far right. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Tony Blair says Britain should work towards rejoining EU in next 10 years
Andy Burnham under pressure to revisit Brexit as poll suggests pledge to rejoin could boost Labour’s electoral chances
56700195
Reposted by Richard Barfield
John Oxley @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · 24/09/2026
Everyone, stop what you are doing. I've discovered there is a politician called Teresa May running for city council in British Columbia. And this is from one of her campaign videos. Never have two people with the same name had such different vibes.
59740124
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Ann Pettifor @annpettifor.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Brian Eno is impressive here with his sound, reasoned analysis of the Robert Kraft/Ed Sheeran/Palestinian crisis.. A must-listen. youtube.com/watch?v=L4fO...
youtube.com
Legendary music producer Brian Eno on Ed Sheeran, Macklemore and Robert Kraft.
YouTube video by Frank Barat
22013
Richard Barfield @richardbarfield.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
👏👏👏
010
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
🔥 Me on TalkTV: At @europeanmovement.co.uk UK we want REJOIN in many manifestos at the next GE.
712236
Reposted by Richard Barfield
The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Just as well those committing wrongs against the RNLI are not holding placards supporting a proscribed organisation, else they would really be in trouble.
01241312
Richard Barfield @richardbarfield.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Ian makes his point! “The liberal world is being shaken to its foundations & here they are, speaking its name, claiming it as their own, & refusing to articulate anything even resembling a coherent liberal world view. It’s just not fucking good enough. And deep in their hearts, they fucking know it”
010
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Fionna O’Leary @fascinatorfun.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
United Healthcare is supposed to provide healthcare cover for 50 million Americans. UnitedHealth Group brought in $447bn in 2025, Makes the £258 bn (€345 bn) we spent on the NHS in 2025 for 67 million patients look like rather good value, doesn’t it?
47032
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Fionna O’Leary @fascinatorfun.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
@richardbarfield.bsky.social makes the very good point. That these are not one off sends but recur and increase year on year so the cumulative benefits are even more enormous bsky.app/profile/rich...
085
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Rob Jacques @knutcrosswords.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I set today's Indy cryptic. It'll be my last since the decision has been made to end the series on 31.10. Boo. I'd like to thank Mike for his help as editor down the years. He published my first puzzle and has been an absolute pleasure to work for. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
puzzles.independent.co.uk
The Independent's Cryptic Crossword | Play Online for Free | Independent
Play The Independent's Cryptic Crossword instantly online. The Independent's Cryptic Crossword is a fun and engaging Online game from The Independent. Play it and other games from The Independent.
14816
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
‘We cannot allow race to be reintroduced into our politics. We cannot allow Briton to be set against Briton.’ Bravo Rishi Sunak www.thetimes.com/article/e89d...
thetimes.com
Rishi Sunak: Britishness must not be turned into a DNA test
I worry that the immigration debate is going far beyond arrival numbers
50656135
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The only thing I would disagree with here is that the UK is not helpless - it is a choice not to fight back against Musk. It is the wrong choice.
1119451
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
my brilliant colleague @robertshrimsley.bsky.social on the threat from Elon Musk’s X platform www.ft.com/content/f270...
6428101169
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Luca @lucagalletti.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I love this woman. If only her words could reach all human ears. A must watch till the end, Speaker-Vandana Shiva is an Indian scholar, environmental activist, food sovereignty advocate, ecofeminist and antiglobalization author. #WomeninLeadership IG: @maturedgirl
22543662074
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Mike Galsworthy on GB News, "The right model forward is what Mark Carney was saying, it is the middle powers getting together, largely gathering around Europe, which has a stable base, which can offer the global things you can buy into"
1133085
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
"Five hundred new officers to be recruited in a £500 million crackdown on money laundering, as part of the government's Anti-Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Strategy." Haven't seen much coverage of this. Long overdue.
gov.uk
Hundreds of new officers to hunt down dirty money networks
Five hundred new officers to be recruited in a £500 million crackdown on money laundering, as part of the government's Anti-Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Strategy.
20385127
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Torsten Bell @torstenbell.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
These are thugs being thugs, not legitimate protests
77565119
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I would love to ask a prominent BBC journalist to give me an example of an illegitimate concern. Is seems to me that it has become a question not of fact, logic, or ethics but of volume. If a big enough proportion of a village was anxious about Bigfoot or Chemtrails, BBC would cover it in a way...
791709565
Richard Barfield @richardbarfield.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Very well put
060
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Holger Hestermeyer @hhesterm.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Speculating about Canada and the EU: - membership is currently not possible, the treaty limits membership to European countries - associate membership so far does not exist, so we don't know what it is - what comes to mind is an EFTA/Swiss status, but that would require Canada to follow EU rules /1
4184
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Holger Hestermeyer @hhesterm.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Canadian attitudes poll
1102
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
It was one of the great joys of my recent life to know Bonnie Greer. A truly remarkable person who radiated such wisdom and intellect. And when she spoke the audience was rapt. A kind, generous, passionate and very funny human. Thank you for giving us you Bonnie. www.theguardian.com/books/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Bonnie Greer, writer and cultural commentator, dies aged 77
The British-American novelist and playwright who regularly appeared on panel shows will be remembered for her ‘warmth, humour and generosity’, says her husband
621289234
Richard Barfield @richardbarfield.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
“ #Carney is treating the #EU as the strategic asset it is, & the UK must do the same, going much further than the status quo to signal our intention to apply for membership. Voters want it, our economy needs it, & #Burnham can deliver it” @pimlicat.bsky.social www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
independent.co.uk
UK urged to follow Canada’s example as it looks set to be ‘associate member’ of EU
Canada’s PM Mark Carney is pivoting to Europe amid his country’s trade war with Donald Trump
020
Richard Barfield @richardbarfield.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Sad news. Bonnie Greer, playwright and novelist, dies aged 77 news.sky.com/share/13588510
news.sky.com
Bonnie Greer, playwright and novelist, dies aged 77
Playwright and novelist Bonnie Greer has died aged 77, her husband David Hutchins has said.
030
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Roland Smith @rolandmcs.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Very nice to hear a sane voice from Piddington. Serious respect to this woman, who is apparently already being othered by more bigoted villagers.
1062353687
Richard Barfield @richardbarfield.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
What do you think of the cot-cam idea? It’s intended to reassure parents. However, it also says ‘we don’t trust the staff’. The hospital’s job is to manage & monitor patients & staff. A cot cam has the unintended consequence of shifting some of their responsibility to parents. Or is that intended?
000
Reposted by Richard Barfield
Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Very good piece by @josiahmortimer.bsky.social. A couple of things I'd add. One, on the point below, one reason Harborne gave for his £36M donation was "competitive spirit" to match Delo. That aspect of it is pathetic willy-waving: www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politic... 1/4
yorkshirepost.co.uk
Yorkshire-born billionaire Christopher Harborne donates £36m to Reform
Reform UK has received a second £36 million donation from a cryptocurrency billionaire.
77636