simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 29/09/2026So not “Well done Andy, the first leader in over a generation to have the guts to do something instead of passing the buck!” But “Why can’t you do it now?” There’s lobbying, and there’s idiocy. Why respond to a truly positive announcement with such a negative statement? 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 27/09/2026It remains to be seen as the weeks unfold. But Devolution is a big Burnham policy and if it is the intention to provide large scale funding to local authorities to provide social care, social housing etc, that sounds like a positive thing to me. 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026But was the charge of Criminal Damage the best the authorities could do? The same as the girl that threw soup at a painting? 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Support increases as the membership status dilutes, as these options are easier to negotiate as they require less of a commitment from the EU. UK has 3rd Country status currently and any closer ties will bring benefits that will be felt economically. Obvs these increase as the ties get closer. 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Haha! When you are struggling against an extreme public backlash and seen your popularity ratings plummet, who is the last, the absolute last, the very, very, utterly positively last person in the world you want to weigh in on your side? 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Since mid 2021 all national polls have indicated that those supporting rejoin outnumber those against. About 55% are now in favour against 34% not. When you consider more diluted options such as closer ties without full membership the support increases still more. Even 39% of Reform voters agree. 100
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Er, that’s what a poll is: it is a spot check of opinion on a given subject. These statistically calculate the general opinion and are carried out on a scientific basis and strictly regulated. And this is just the latest in a whole series of polls that increasingly overwhelmingly support rejoining. 100
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Fully agree; time to dump the pointless and downright damaging Red Lines. SKS’s caution is no longer necessary. The noise from the Right has to be faced down, brutally exposed in debate, and rejoining introduced into all TV interviews (much as the Boats is, however out of context, by Reform). 101
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 19/09/2026But the government is already enacting a Bill to limit donations from foreign parties which is back-dated to March, which would mean Reform has to repay any monies received? Someone tell me this isn’t correct! 100
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 12/09/2026I was born in Redruth and grew up in St Ives. I was horrified to read a few years ago that Island Road, the ‘main’ road in old Downlong, was entirely furnished second homes, apart from one. When I was at school, about 50% of my friends lived Downlong. Now, virtually no locals live there. 021
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Mate, your own headline says it. ‘Masked Men, Lorries, Road Blocks’. These are organised activists. In fact, as they are in uniform (itself an illegal act) a more appropriate term may be e ‘terrorist’. 050
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 06/09/2026The issue is that many people decide in the headline whether they will read the article. At first glance it seems to portray JCB as favouring closer ties. Look: I am a regular subscriber to Byline Times and I’m in your side, I just gave some feedback on your splash. That’s all. 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Conversely, it could be said that having a trade surfeit with a poorer country leaves US consumers worse off, because they are paying for stuff that they could get cheaper abroad. 011
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Why did you feature a picture of a product of the most anti-Europe company in the Midlands? 110
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Lat off Nigel Farage now! He’s the best politician money can buy! 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Can you remember early Richard O’Sullivan as the odious Bingham in the series ‘Doctor in the House’? 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 04/09/2026That’s the impression I had when watching the video. I hope the commentators and the authorities home in on this point. The defence that ‘no money changed hands’ doesn’t really get him off the hook. RUK, including NF, were clearly aware of the illegality of the proposals, and willing to proceed. 232
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Breaking news as reported on C4. More scandal for Reform UK breaking election law getting secret foreign donors to fund polls prior to May elections. Possible prison sentence? Too much to hope for I suppose. 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Channel 4 News https:// channel4news.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=webchannel4news.substack.comChannel 4 News | SubstackThe latest updates from Channel 4 News on Substack. Click to read Channel 4 News, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers. 100
Reposted by @simonnormalbloke.bsky.socialkamimagic @kamimagic.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Sen. Mark Kelly is here spitting facts! #ProudBlue 📹: nowthisimpact 31799363524
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 03/09/2026There was a time when the journalists would act with some solidarity and declare that, unless all mainstream and legitimate journos are admitted, none of us will attend. This would cut both ways for both RW and progressive hacks. 010
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 25/08/2026When Trump was elected in November 2023, the conversation in discrete circles went “Do the American people realise that they’re never going to be able to get rid of him? There are many vested interests behind this regime!” Byline Times refers: Byline Times www.bylinesupplement.com?utm_source=n...bylinesupplement.comByline Times | SubstackThe UK's only reader-funded, independent newspaper that truly sits outside of the established system. Subscribe for exclusive content in the Byline Times monthly print edition: subscribe.bylinetimes.... 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 22/08/2026And the announcement by Trump that the Strait of Hormuz is now American territory. WTF 020
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 17/08/2026manifests as uneducated ‘low-information’ voters and those inclined to be easily led by populist ‘dog-whistle’ techniques. In other words disaffected, low-income, under-privileged demographics who are exactly the section of the population so despised by the wealthy class represented by RUK. 2/2 0103
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 17/08/2026This speaks to the great contradiction at the heart of Reform’s strategy. Reform is a party owned by, and run in the interests of the wealthy. Officially it will say that it speaks to the so-called ‘conservative working class’ to achieve the voting numbers it needs. In reality, this 1/2 171
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 16/08/2026A pub doesn’t need to be non-viable for the owner to sell it for developers to make it into a more profitable property. In other words a viable community asset sacrificed for the benefit of a developer who may live hundreds of miles away. Limiting change of use is absolutely the right thing to do. 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 15/08/2026The case is a civil case filed in a state court. If perjury is committed by a witness that is a felony in that state. A Presidential Pardon does not have authority in the state courts. So no, he couldn’t pardon them. 010
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Now is a good time for AB to make a clear statement on direction of travel, by declining new drilling licences in the North Sea. If he doesn’t he will have no authority in public communications concerning the weather and climate, and will be left fending off piss-takes about portable BBQs. 020
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 10/08/2026And maybe do something about foreign funded misinformation apps? 010
Reposted by @simonnormalbloke.bsky.socialOtto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 05/08/2026Reform UKs plan to use the Royal Navy to intercept migrant boats in the Channel brilliantly taken apart by ... er ... Nigel Farage 931431464
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 31/07/2026I don’t know, the Belgians moved fairly quickly in a recent 4-1 triumph over the colonisers in North America. 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 30/07/2026Yeah I tend to agree. On face value you think: “fair play, Jez”. But, of course he’s a farm owner, and presumably motivated by regaining the subsidies which, as said, were extremely lucrative. Otherwise the Clarkson spots are the main source of his income and that leopard ain’t gonna change them. 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Could it be that there is a renewed MAFA-inspired offensive against the UK , hoping to bully the new PM into opening up new drilling in the NS? 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 29/07/2026There seems to be a resurgence of racist anti-ECHR posts and alarmist boat-crossing stuff on social media, despite the fact that all the metrics point to this becoming much smaller problem over recent months, and the trends suggesting this might continue. 100
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Exactly. The agricultural lobby’s support of Brexit was always the most unexplainable aspect of the 2016 catastrophe. I guess at the time the general RW leaning of the rural communities of the UK overrode any logical analysis of what would happen to the extremely generous EU subsidies they enjoyed. 130
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 29/07/2026I must say I was surprised to learn this. Even more surprised that the Express published under a blazing headline. Is this another example of the MSM showing signs of abandoning the Reform / Brexit supporting model? 120
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Bad(to worse)enoch: “I’d be happy to work with the PM to reform social care, so long as I’m not expected to, er, face up to the problem.” 0171
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 19/07/2026It could have worked if it wasn’t a bland, uninspiring load of sh*te. 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 19/07/2026These water companies regularly get fined for poor performance, yet they still pay dividends to their shareholders and massive bonuses to their senior executives. The fines are paid by the customers. So where is the sanction? Where is the incentive to improve? What’s the actual point of a fine? 020
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 18/07/2026A spectacular case of lack of self-awareness! 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 18/07/2026Imagine not being aware of polling figures over the last two years? 000
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 17/07/2026Thanks for the engagement Gloria, have a happy life. 100
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 17/07/2026Yeah, and Reform will plummet when Farage goes to jail. Yada yada Yada! 100
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 17/07/2026This is such positive news! A real heartener for the weekend. I would expect this Burnham bounce to subside a bit, but the upward trajectory is a real tonic, and I really think that the country has reflected on SKSs work and upgraded their opinions. 220
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 17/07/2026So it has emerged that Farage was given state funded security including a. 8 man team and two cars, when he was elected as an MP. A year later Farage declined state funded protection. Of course, with state protection comes scrutiny of where you go and who you meet up with. 042
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 16/07/2026Farage: “I wonder if Tuchel hadn’t gone all-out defence and stuck to the starting XI for a bit longer, England could have won? “But it would be wrong to speculate at this point….” 010
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 15/07/2026Yeah, but just as many Labour supporters attack him from the right. There’s plenty that I take strong issue with also. But as I said look what went before and consider what SKS left. 200
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 15/07/2026A little harsh I suggest. Consider what went before; history will talk of the years of decline under Austerity, then Brexit and Covid, and will point to a return to stability domestically. Also UK’s badly damaged international prestige has been truly restored. Legion d’Honneur is SKSs legacy. 1110
simonnormalbloke.bsky.social @simonnormalbloke.bsky.social · 15/07/2026Really not so difficult to understand. This is a view expressed by the leader of the largest trade union representing offshore process workers (ie oil industry jobs). 020