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spraindsquirrel

@spraindsquirrel.bsky.social
1.5K followers 2.5K following 2K posts

Fist in the air in the land of hypocrisy... and what-have-you

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spraindsquirrel @spraindsquirrel.bsky.social · 18h
It's a stupid game anyway. #Wordle 1,929 6/6 ⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨 🟩🟨🟨⬜⬜ 🟩🟩⬜🟩⬜ 🟩🟩⬜🟩🟩 🟩🟩⬜🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This is testament to No.10's frankly astonishing degree of political competence. A policy which was branded electoral suicide 48 hours ago now showing signs of robust popularity.
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spraindsquirrel @spraindsquirrel.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Big news from Labour Conference: the PM has announced the government's plan to scrap first past the post. Seats that match votes would change British politics for good, but only if it happens. I've added my name. Join me? action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/201578/...
action.electoral-reform.org.uk
The PM used his big speech to promise to fix Westminster's broken voting system.
We've heard promises before. I've signed to make sure this one is kept. It takes 30 seconds
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Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
New: EU weighs sweeping new trade powers against China before make-or-break October A primer from me ahead of a crucial month that could set the course of EU-China ties for years to come
scmp.com
Ties between Beijing and Brussels on the brink ahead of make-or-break October
The mood in Brussels is hardening and Europe’s actions in coming weeks could set the course of EU-China relations for years to come.
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 30/09/2026
This is promising. The UK could go "all the way" towards rejoining the EU, Burnham tells the BBC. 🚨 EU membership is the only option that delivers £92 billion of growth. The government needs to take us back to where we belong: at the heart of Europe.
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Russ Jones @russincheshire.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
It only feels “radically progressive” because we’ve spent 40 years normalising radically regressive ideas. This was broadly how Britain worked from 1945–79, when average GDP growth was 2.6% a year — compared with 1.9% in the post-Thatcher years. It works www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Burnham gambles on radical progressive plan to help Britain ‘rise again’
PM accepts some of his plan could be difficult and admits he ‘may pay a political price’
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Gaby Hinsliff @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Burnham starting confidently on housing with big themes from his Manchester years: bad landlords (as mayor he introduced a good landlord charter), suspending right to buy on newbuilds, as well as housebuilding & leasehold reform. Now onto water...
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Dale Vince @dalevince.com · 29/09/2026
We have an enormous opportunity, not just to make things right in our country but to usher in a new era, a new orthodoxy. Here’s why and how. We present 4 major policies here that Andy Burnham’s new government could pursue. All of them deliver growth and greater fairness. All of them put people 1st.
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Andrew Fisher @fisherandrew79.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
This is a really positive step. The privatised grid has been very profitable for its owners, but woefully inefficient at delivering the energy transition. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Burnham promises to roll back privatisation with government-backed grid plan
Exclusive: Creation of GB Grid will be major step towards putting Britain’s utility companies into public control
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Jack Saundrs @jacksaundrs.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I will believe all the sad-eyed stuff about NEETs, lost generations, opportunity crisis etc. when the people saying it are talking about in terms of investment rather than cuts
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 28/09/2026
Our polling with YouGov shows that 99% of constituencies want to rejoin the EU. And Labour promising to rejoin the EU could stop a Reform UK government. Now is the time to talk about EU membership. www.ft.com/content/a1614884-7c8c-43…
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“Between 2019 and 2025, export volumes slumped 31 per cent as Brexit added border checks and trade complexity, pushing up costs for businesses” … and threatening our food security. Why TF would *anyone* want this for our businesses and our country? giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
Brexit and Donald Trump’s tariffs push UK’s food and drink trade deficit to £21bn
In the first half of 2026, the sector’s export volumes fell 11.7% to hit their third-lowest level on record
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spraindsquirrel @spraindsquirrel.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This article is right: voters need to see Burnham deliver ambitious, systemic change. His caving on political donations and nationalisation of utilities is ominous.
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spraindsquirrel @spraindsquirrel.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
@willdunn.bsky.social pointed out that tobacco and fossil fuel lobbies encouraged us to worry about the future, rather than look at what they're up to in the present. This article suggests messiah complexes and doomsday fantasists also play a role in our preoccupation with AI 'Skynet' scenarios.
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Marcus Chown @marcuschown.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Every year, HMRC, by its own estimates, fails to collect 46.8 billion of tax. See webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/202606... How about hiring more people to retrieve this avoided tax before suggesting funding defence by cutting welfare to the poorest and most vulnerable? Just saying.
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Random Bits @rand0mb1tsuk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Tactical voting at next election could push Reform into fourth place, poll finds Polling suggests Andy Burnham is attracting progressives back to Labour, motivated by desire to stop Nigel Farage www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Tactical voting at next election could push Reform into fourth place, poll finds
Polling suggests Andy Burnham is attracting progressives back to Labour, motivated by desire to stop Nigel Farage
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 24/09/2026
Our new megapoll with YouGov finds that pledging to rejoin the EU could win Labour 321 seats at the next election - just 5 short of an absolute majority. Read more here: bestforbritain.org/eu-membership-pl…
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Reform would only be the third largest party in a hung parliament, were an election held today, according to a new YouGov MRP. Labour would likely need the support of the Lib Dems and SNP in order to govern
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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
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Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
If the GOP are wiped out in the midterms there could well be knock-on effects for the radical right across the world. A lot of influence, networks and financial/media infrastructure will be significantly weakened - especially under scrutiny from a Congress controlled by the Democrats.
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spraindsquirrel @spraindsquirrel.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Why do "authoritative" sources invariably offer carrots for one end of the socioeconomic spectrum and sticks to the other? And what the hell is wrong with Blair and his fucking institute?
share.google
End cash benefits for young people with anxiety to end Neet crisis, Tony Blair urges
A new report also calls for a pause on plans to equalise the minimum wage for younger workers
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spraindsquirrel @spraindsquirrel.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
If our governments actually had our interests at heart, they'd have nationalised the operations of the tech giants more than a decade ago, when they became all-powerful near monopolies, let alone now they're playing with AI and proudly announcing a 10% chance of apocalypse.
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Ben Zaranko @benzaranko.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
One day, our political parties will face reality and stop making farcical, unserious promises to voters -- promises which entrench the delusion that we can enjoy lower taxes and better public services without ever having to pay more, even amidst the crisis-strewn 2020s. But today is not that day.
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 22/09/2026
YouGov’s latest poll shows that 628 constituencies want to rejoin the EU. Only 4 don't. It’s time to talk about EU membership. bestforbritain.org/uk-membership-mo…
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 22/09/2026
This is also a lesson for the UK. To stop the rise of Reform UK, the government must improve living standards. EU membership could offer a £92bn boost to our economy. It is not an opportunity we can afford to lose.
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on Friedrich Merz: Germany’s chancellor must change course to halt the rise of the AfD | Editorial
Editorial: A failure to address widespread economic insecurity, and a crisis in living standards, is allowing the far ri
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Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Started watching Sky’s War Game last night where Michael Gove is the PM during the Russian attack and I’m afraid it is just very difficult to watch it without thinking of this, one of the great cartoons ever published
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spraindsquirrel @spraindsquirrel.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Grumble... @nytimes.com #Wordle 1,921 6/6 🟩🟩⬜⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Neoliberals want to end the triple-lock on state pension They inflict low wages, consign millions to poverty. Govt spending on state pension as % of GDP in G7 countries. Italy 12.8 France 12 Germany 9.8 Japan 8.9 USA 6.6 Canada 4.7 UK 4.7 UK has one of the least generous pensions in the G7.
adviserservices.fidelity.co.uk
How does the UK State Pension measure up globally?
A global comparison of State Pension provision highlights the onus on individuals in the UK to build pension savings for their retirement, rather than leaving
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 22/09/2026
🚨 Our polling consistently finds that a majority of people now support the UK rejoining the EU. EU membership is a no-brainer, and Burnham should pledge to rejoin. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/polit…
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conifergirl.bsky.social @conifergirl.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
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Jacobin Magazin @jacobinmagazin.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Die Linke hat kein »Antisemitismusproblem«. Der Vorwurf dient nur einem Zweck: SPD und Grüne von einer Regierungsbeteiligung abzuhalten – und so die Vergesellschaftung von Wohnraum zu verhindern.
jacobin.de
Die Linke ist keine antisemitische Partei
Die Linke hat kein »Antisemitismusproblem«. Der Vorwurf dient nur einem Zweck: SPD und Grüne von einer Regierungsbeteiligung abzuhalten – und damit die Vergesellschaftung von Wohnraum zu verhindern.
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america.is.not.free @antifapatriot.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Murmuration ❤️ #birds
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Russ Jones @russincheshire.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I have a horse in this race, so you don't have to believe me. But I ended up self publishing because despite 2 Sunday Times bestsellers I couldn't get arrested by a publisher. When I tried, this was the response (I'm not joking)...
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Parody Nigel Farage @parodypm.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Man who supported Brexit then fucked off to Monaco to avoid contributing a penny of his £15 billion fortune to public services makes the mistake of thinking anyone gives a shit what he thinks.
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Why does the BBC have as one of its lead news stories this morning another Britain-hating interview with Jim 'the UK has been colonised by immigrants' Ratcliffe? What public interest is this serving?
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spraindsquirrel @spraindsquirrel.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Billionaire libertarian whinges that billionaire libertarians don't have sufficient freedom and power. And the BBC doffs its cap.
bbc.co.uk
Billionaire Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he has lost confidence in UK
Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe tells the BBC he thinks the country is "on the slide" and calls for more investment in the North Sea.
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Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 18/09/2026
Westminster Voting Intention: LAB: 29% (-1) RFM: 25% (-2) CON: 19% (-1) GRN: 9% (+1) LDM: 8% (=) SNP: 4% (+1) Via @deltapoll.bsky.social, 11-14 Sep. Changes w/ 21-24 Aug.
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Harborne: “My £36M is a philanthropic gift to the nation” Delo: “My £36M creates a level playing field for Reform” Farage: “I’ll slash CGT to save you £100M/yr” Reform: bought by millionaires to enrich millionaires. Reform voters… They. Are. Laughing. At. You. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
independent.co.uk
Reform to hand crypto investors hundreds of millions in tax breaks
Exclusive: Analysis seen by The Independent reveals the wealthiest crypto investors would get £100m a year in tax relief from Nigel Farage’s party
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spraindsquirrel @spraindsquirrel.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
So #Labour think they can compete with #Reform on big donations? None of the fuckers get that this goes to the heart of democracy. Faith in democracy - and the efficacy of our governments - is already failing because candidates' top priority is not the interests of the electorate.
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Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
EXCLUSIVE: The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe told Democracy Docket that it hasn’t received an invitation from the Trump administration to observe the midterms. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
democracydocket.com
Exclusive: These international observers have monitored US elections for decades. This time, the Trump admin didn’t invite them
It’s the latest ominous sign that the U.S. is backsliding on democracy — and adds to concerns that the administration wants to undermine the vote.
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Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
New YouGov polling: Voters overwhelmingly back a UK donations cap
YouGov bar chart headed 'Do you think there should or should not be a limit on the amount of money individuals and entities can donate to a political party?', based on 5,456 GB adults surveyed on 14 September 2026. Should: 60%. Should not: 22%. Don't know: 18%
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Peter Jelinek @peterjelinek.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Je nach Öl-Konzern gabs eine Verzweifachung, Verdreifachung oder Verfünffachung ihrer Gewinne – und das in Zeiten von Klimakrise und Krieg. Aber von AfD bis FDP samt ihren Vorfeldpodcastern hauen auf die CO2-Steuer, statt aufs Öl-Monopol zu gehen oder eine Übergewinnsteuer zu fordern.
Infografik mit dem Titel „Ölkonzerne erzielen Rekordgewinne“ zum 2. Quartal 2026 im Vergleich zum Vorjahr. Aufgeführt sind fünf Ölkonzerne und ihre Gewinne: Aramco +44 % auf 33 Mrd. $, BP mehr als verdoppelt auf 6 Mrd. $, Shell verdreifacht auf 11 Mrd. $, ExxonMobil verdoppelt auf 15 Mrd. $ und Chevron verfünffacht auf 12 Mrd. $. Quelle: Unternehmensbilanzen.
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Gerry Hassan @gerryhassan.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Nigel Farage and his friends, allies and company.
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Saul Staniforth @saulstaniforth.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Paul Nowak from the @tuc.org.uk : "I think these donations stink & the British public will be rightly asking.. what they want for their money" Wilfred Frost: "Is it a fair question what the unions want for the money you give?" "Absolutely.. decent employment rights.. investing in public services"
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Carol Hedges @riotgrandma.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
🇨🇮👏🇨🇮👏🇨🇮👏🇨🇮👏🇨🇮 Ireland got the assignment!!!
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Think Reform fucked it with their donations. They're so outrageous, so obviously obscene, that they've managed to accidentally create a consensus for tougher action on political funding.
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Sam Bright @writesbright.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Not to be pedantic but Christopher Harborne has already given £25 million to Reform and Ben Delo £8 million. So the figure isn’t £72 million - it’s £105 million.
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Marina Purkiss @marina-purkiss.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Just imagine how much disinformation and micro targeting £72m gets you… Shame on the leaders who did nothing to protect democracy from the assault coming its way …as if we learnt nothing from Brexit.
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rhonda611.bsky.social @rhonda611.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
This man is a money-laundering crook. This should be stopped in its tracks on those grounds alone. Come on Labour - wake up to the danger.
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