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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird)

@rmbflk.bsky.social
328 followers 380 following 1.6K posts

Clyde built/Falklands anchored: freelance journalist/broadcaster, lawyer, legislative drafter, public policy consultant and tour guide - we multitask here!

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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A reframing I plan to enlarge on further Rather than a “dispute” between “put upon” Argentina and the “big bad” UK, let’s call it out for what it is: an attempt by Argentina to bully a community of a few thousand people, some of whose families have been here for up to 9 generations and 188 years
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I have read the official UN translation of President Milei’s speech and - on exactly two points - I agree with things he said (though not necessarily how he meant them)
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I have conducted a few such experiments, with hair raising results in some cases and better ones in others … but as one of AP Herbert’s judges said “When a clock strikes thirteen, it makes you doubt if it was ever telling the right time”
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
We have had a spate of fake locations in the Falklands being posted on Google Maps: that one is the fictitious Diego Maradona Hotel may give a clue to the source and motivation I asked Google for comment on behalf of Falklands Radio and got a response from the comms manager for Argentina
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
My favourite piece of bad drafting was rather wordier but I was reminded of it by the sign indicating that those who take drinks outside will be asked to leave in summary, the only penalty for late 80s/early 90s GUSRC members who did not do duty during their duty weeks was … to be barred from duty!
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Watching the peso slide towards 1300/£ after I bought mine for a forthcoming trip last month at 1250 Follow me for more personal finance tips
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
At least the Prussian franchise was based on *tax* paid, not donations paid
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
There’s a baker on my street/I’d like you all to know/He baked a great long baguette/For the Great French Bake Off show And when the story got around/They came from far and wide/And when they saw the size of it/The chic French ladies sighed…
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Mum will finally be able to go to Iceland in the Falklands as a franchised store is now due to open in December However, I did not uncritically repeat the claim that Iceland is the first UK high street *brand* to open here (Peacocks and BHS might have disputed that had they still been around)
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Robert Hutton @roberthutton.co.uk · 08/09/2026
Sanction Impossible: my SKETCH of Today in debating the Falklands and then Israel. thecritic.co.uk/sanc...
“The Argentinians can smell weakness.” Oliver Dowden was doing his best to sound menacing, like a veteran of Goose Green whispering his story before drawing on a cigarette. Unfortunately, Dowden has been cursed with a high-pitched voice that is better suited to complaining that the froth on his cappuccino is limp, so the response to his warning about Johnny Argie’s nefarious ways was an undeserved snigger. 

The House of Commons was discussing a subject on which it turns out every MP agrees: the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. Those of us who don’t follow Argentinian politics closely can tell when the government there is in trouble from the number of angry headlines about Las Malvinas. Although it turns out that Javier Milei is far from the only politician to see what he wants in the Falklands. Over the course of 45 minutes, we were to learn that the islands prove the need to stay close to America, to distance ourselves from America, to rebuild our armed forces, and to impose sanc
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Not for the first time over the last 15 years since Law 26.659 was made, I am reminded of what Ivor Jennings said about laws banning smoking on the streets of Paris
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
We have been given a high profile reminder that jury nullification cuts both ways
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I was asked a number of times yesterday and the day before about how people here in the Falklands feel about Argentina Judging by Facebook comments, we are all far more excited about Iceland www.cityam.com/iceland-boss-richard-walker-vows-to-set-up-shop-on-falkland-islands/
cityam.com
Iceland boss Richard Walker vows to open shop in Falkland Islands
The boss of Iceland has waded into the fresh row over the Falkland Islands, vowing to open a supermarket in the British territory.
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
During last night’s address, I did wonder when President Milei was going to announce that Nescafé was made from a blend of three types of the finest coffee beans, specially roasted, for a richer smoother flavour youtu.be/7F0NCL0A-aY?...
youtu.be
Gareth Hunt - Nescafe Coffee (1986)
YouTube video by QuirkyFilms
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Having spent chunks of today being asked to react to a speech that hadn’t been delivered yet, I can now look forward to a night of reacting to it now it has been My reaction: some of the speech was decades old, some of it 15 years old and even the new bit isn’t that new - the context *might* be new
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Midcared Arnott-Simpson
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
I’m slightly confused by passports to go to Ireland discourse because I thought the Irish case of Pachero had established 15 years ago the CTA wasn’t really passport free and that someone might have to show a passport to prove that a passport did not have to be shown by them
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Reposted by Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird)
Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
As I remark from time to time, it is a lonely place on the Venn diagram in the space for those who support self-determination* for both Scotland and the Falklands * whatever the determination might be in both cases
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
We live in strange times: both Al Jazeera and The Guardian called the Falklands the Falkland Islands but *the BBC* used another name (beginning with M) *in an English translation* of THAT banner ... seriously?
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
It seems the FCDO now thinks it is a bigger hardship for its staff to work in the Falklands than in Argentina! Six cities were removed from the list of "hardship posts" in the last two years, but Stanley is one of the 144 cities still on it. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
UK diplomats no longer get hardship bonus for being posted to Buenos Aires
Civil servants are entitled to extra money for working in difficult or dangerous cities around the world.
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “…Customers can be reassured that the Facewatch system has a 99.98% accuracy rate …” In other words, 2 in every 10,000 alerts are inaccurate How many supermarket visits are made to Sainsbury’s stores every single day??? www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
theguardian.com
Sainsbury’s store pauses AI scanning after false shoplifting accusation
Supermarket chain says ‘human error’, not its Facewatch technology, to blame for ejecting a customer
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Thanks, Google! The new sleek version of Google Docs makes me use two steps for actions that only used to take one!
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
It’s Falklands Day, which is our National Day but not a public holiday We’ve had a message from the King and the Legislative Assembly has (or have? have, I think 😉) put out their own message It’s a nice message (not necessarily reflected by the recent PRP moratorium, but there you are … or go 😉)
FALKLAND ISLANDS LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
PUBLIC STATEMENT
14 August 2026
Legislative Assembly marks Falklands Day
Today, 14 August, the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly proudly marks Falklands Day, and extends its warmest wishes to Falkland Islanders at home and abroad, and to all friends of the Falklands around the world. The day is marked with the Falkland Islands flag and Union flag raised side by side on Victory Green.
The date commemorates the first recorded sighting of these then-uninhabited Islands, by the English navigator and explorer John Davis aboard the Desire in 1592, a moment remembered to this day in our motto, "Desire the Right."
Falklands Day is an occasion to reflect on the history and future of the Falkland Islands, and of Falkland Islanders as a people. The Falkland Islanders of today are families and individuals from across the world who have made their way to these Islands, put down roots, and become part of our unique culture and identity. It is a thread that runs unbroken through our history: from the earliest settlers who built lives in hard and unforgiving conditions, to those who arrive and settle among us today. Each has added something to who we are, and together they have made a small community that is diverse, resilient, and proud of its home.
It is a moment to reflect on our heritage and our identity as a people with our own culture, way of life, and the right to determine our own future.
The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly wishes everyone a very happy Falklands Day.
*ENDS*
Office of the Legislative Assembly
Sulivan House
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
I’ve heard of people being bad losers, but it would appear that the person assuming that he got the most votes in Clacton is threatening to be a bad winner
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Quite apart from any other considerations, it makes me nervous that another 50-something product of the Clyde with a Falklands connection might end up on the scrapheap ...
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
If you really must pass water Kindly ask the Pullman porter To place a vessel in the vestibule If the porter isn’t here Try the bin that’s at the rear The one up front is likely to be full
A picture of a Lumo train

Apologies to those boarding our 06:11 service from #LondonEuston to #Stirling are advised that there are no toilet facilities on this train due to a fault.
Please do speak to our onboard staff for further advice assistance.
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
The Falkland Islands Company dates back in one form or another to 1862 For the last few years, it was part of a three-legged corporate stool called FIH Grouo plc, an AIM-quoted company But FIH sold off the Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company and is now selling off Momart, the arts logistics company
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
I had written another thing that has now been published as well (after editing and with a lot of input from David Lang’s widow) A biography of David Lang, Attorney General of the Falkland Islands for 19 years (previously of Turks & Caicos and Nauru) www.falklandsbiographies.org/biographies/...
falklandsbiographies.org
DFB
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Today I learned that there are both World Indoor Bowls Championships and World Bowls Indoor Championships Blackball meets Monty Python’s Life of Brian
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
I’m on loan to the Falklands Radio Newsroom and, for the next seven weeks from today, I’ll be taking the lead on telling the Falkland Islands what is happening … and asking MLAs a few (sometimes cheeky) questions too
A white door in a white wooden door frame and glimpses of grey wall
Stuck on the door are two strips of label marked Newsroom and a sign reading Falklands Radio Newsroom and showing the Falklands Radio logo (a cartoon radio set with a smiley face)
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
I wrote a thing Memories of an eventful race at the last (ever?) Commonwealth Games regatta www.the-emigre.com/column/eight...
the-emigre.com
Eight Big Men in Black-and-White Tracksuits — The Emigre
As the Commonwealth Games return to Scotland, Ronnie MacLennan Baird recalls his controversial appointment as a Technical Aide at the 1986 regatta.
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
It is, but I have long thought I would to hear an arrangement of just the brass parts - that would stand on its own as an amazing fanfare
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Was this placed by Google’s IP lawyers worried about genericisation? h/t @chloecumming.bsky.social and @jamiebear.uk
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
It did fit me 40 years ago! As the #CommonwealthGames open this evening in #Glasgow, I’ve been showing off my volunteer’s tracksuit from 1986 - I was a technical aide for the rowing at Strathclyde Park, part of the timing crew
Ronnie MB holding up the track suit top from his 1986 Commonwealth Games uniform
It is mostly mark grey there is a white stripe with red and blue piping and a XIII themed badge for the infamously ill-fated event
Most of the events were in and around Edinburgh but the rowing events were at Strathclyde Park near HamiltonRonnie MB holding up the back of the track suit top from his 1986 Commonwealth Games uniform
It is mostly mark grey but there js a large XIII themed badge for the infamously ill-fated event
Most of the events were in and around Edinburgh but the rowing events were at Strathclyde Park near Hamilton
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
I checked again ahead of another trip later in the year Still the same, so still no business
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
“I’ll do what I should have did”
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
I used text recognition to ALT text the statement and it even picked up the motto on the bottom of the Falkland Islands crest ..: which it recognised as “Genre The Rich” rather than “Desire The Right” There are some rich people here, but note that the mean and median GDP per capita figures differ!
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
It has taken a day and a half but the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly has finally issued a message congratulating Andy Burnham on becoming Prime Minister and thanking Sir Keir Starmer for his support for the Falklands while in office
FALKLAND ISLANDS LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
PUBLIC STATEMENT
21 July 2026
Legislative Assembly congratulates Prime Minister Burnham
The Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly offer their warmest congratulations to the Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP on his appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. We look forward to working with the new Prime Minister and his Government, and to continuing the close and productive relationship between the Falkland Islands and the United Kingdom.
We would also like to express our sincere thanks to Sir Keir Starmer for his support of the Falkland Islands during his tenure as Prime Minister.
The democratic wishes of the Falkland Islands people have always been, and will always remain, the foundation of our relationship with the United Kingdom. We are confident that that principle will continue to guide the new Government, and we wish the Prime Minister every success, and hope that during his tenure as Prime Minister the Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP will have the opportunity to visit the Falkland Islands.
*ENDS*
Office of the Legislative Assembly
Sulivan House
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מיידלבאס ↙︎↙︎↙︎ @pharisee.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
i feel like a lot of people don't realise how much power the falkland islands/gibraltar/bermuda/other BOTs actually have and think they're just ruled by westminster
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Lewis Baston @lewisbaston.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
We’re sourcing our reshuffle news from an alternate timeline of the 1980s…
To summarise yesterday evening, Mr Benn is out of the Cabinet, Mr Healey has returned to the Cabinet and Mr Kinnock has joined the Cabinet for the first time.

Quoted as an image because it’s a friend’s joke from Facebook and I can’t take credit for it.
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
- Such a shame it wasn’t called the Business, innovation, Science and Trade Office - Why would that be a sha… Ah, BISTO!
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Now, here’s a real half time show youtube.com/watch?v=mgQo...
youtube.com
Gregory's Girl (1981) - "Reverse, down, trap, up: Turn, steady, kick"
YouTube video by I, Kino
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
A sending off! … in the All-Ireland Hurling Final, that is
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
A book I would recommend is The Money Game by “Adam Smith” (George Goodman) It looks back at the stock market excesses of the early 60s from the late 60s, just as things were getting excessive again It’s an entertaining period piece and it contains insights that seem ever more timeless …
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Watch it, enjoy it … and understand why the BBC really felt the need to make it (I’ll go back later and rewatch it to try and spot all the nods to the original and to the Julie Walters and Small World promos too)
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Now that’s over, it’s the climax of a packed day of sporting coverage with live coverage about to start of (checks notes) Los Angeles Knight Riders v Washington Freedom in the grand final of (checks notes again) Major League Cricket
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Presumably, this is just a ploy to try and stop Messi winning the Golden Boot?
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Objectively, this is hilarious!
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
A boy who plays for a school with a really bad football team until it signs a new striker goes on a date
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Ronnie MB (Ronnie MacLennan Baird) @rmbflk.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
The last few days of the Falklands being in the news for the wrong reasons (again) frustrate me Just like Yellow Pages: we are not just here for the nasty things in life, like a Pentagon memo or a waved banner, we’re here for the nice things too youtu.be/Zh8iXc2d71U?...
youtu.be
JR Hartley Advert - Yellow Pages - Advert Commercial
YouTube video by Advert Commercial
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