Sign in

Matthew Bailey

@whyoutloud.bsky.social
464 followers 2.3K following 541 posts

Political bits and bobs, often to no meaningful end. Formerly the likes of thatchersrise etc over on the 'other' place.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Philip Cowley @philipjcowley.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
For the last four weeks, I've been doing a slot on Matt Chorley's programme on Radio 5, in which we take an interesting or historic parliamentary vote and discuss its significance. So far we've done Norway (1940), the Shops Bill (1986), seatbelts (1981) and yesterday we did Iraq (2003).
1256
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Philip Cowley @philipjcowley.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Latest piece for @thehousemag.bsky.social - on the Norway vote in 1940, drawing on a great piece just published in Parliamentary History. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
politicshome.com
The Professor Will See You Now: Norway
Lessons in political science. This week: Norway
1610
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Grumpy Philosopher @stevecooke.org · 05/10/2026
They asked five consultants about whether universities should spend more money on hiring consultants, guess what they said? It’s embarrassing that this is badged as journalism.
1284
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Odd This Day @oddthisday.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Today, you will be delighted to hear, is the 131st anniversary of George author-of-Grub-Street Gissing writing this in his diary
1895 Weather bad. Attacked by inflammation of the testicles, and groaned all day.
George Gissing
1115427
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Grumpy Philosopher @stevecooke.org · 05/10/2026
Amazing! Apparently, we can blame a lack of recruitment of overseas student on universities not spending enough money on consultants. Government immigration policy & hostile environment not mentioned (Covid & Brexit given a nod). Less of an article more of a plea to give parasitic consultants cash.
64011
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
David Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
How more thoughtful Conservatives view Thatcher’s legacy centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/all-voters-w...
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
All voters want is for Conservatives to forget Thatcher
Conservatives continue to operate under the delusion that we can have it all.
171
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
David Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
History is written by the victors. Thatcher broke the power of trade unions by mass unemployment, industrial restructuring, frittered away N Sea Oil, laid the foundations for the current housing crisis, decimated local bus services, hollowed out local government and introduced the poll tax.
Simon Clarke 

Andy Burnham seems to remember a different 1970s to the rest of us. Britain in 1979 was utterly broken - ravaged by unaccountable trade union power, economically stagnant, the sick man of Europe.
The 1980s saw a remarkable national recovery based on free enterprise, the rule of law and championing Western values. And it is this that our Prime Minister rails against...
94933248
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Simon Knott @simonknott.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
The writer Henri-Alban Fournier, better known as Alain-Fournier, was born #OTD 3 October 1886. His only novel, 'Le Grand Meaulnes' is a magical book about a romantic friendship between two boys on the verge of adulthood, set in a mysterious, remote wooded countryside. 1/4 🧵
4417
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Roy Kelly @stanyanfan49.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A tiny impromptu for National Poetry Day and Beatle people like @dontlikeyourtie.bsky.social and @beatlespod.bsky.social
1177
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Nick Stone @typejunky.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I took some peripheral photos of the current state of the world around the Anglia Square demolition. And it happening as well. It’s still fascinating, all the shapes and lines and alignments of a slowly degrading piece of city opening up and showing a bare layered soul as the world walks by.
The arm of one beast through the arm of another. Very black and white. I’m posting these here because Instagram is so utterly fucking pointless for photographers.
1210423
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Out of Context Biffo the Bear @oocbiffo.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Beano #561, April 18, 1953
Biffo shoves a sharp stick up a hobo's bunghole as a giant strip of bacon leaps from a nearby bush.
HOBO: Careful there!
BIFFO: S-sorry!
6489
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
As always the right miss the importance of a functioning state and services to enabling growth and the private sector. A nation with crumbling infrastructure and a sick, ill educated population isnt an attractive proposition for investment
3538
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Phil Tinline @philtinline.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Doctor Who has described the BBC's new AI-generated director general as "pretty good", and suggested that the technology now enabled the creation of content "at the standard of an unimaginative man who spent years working at McKinsey then Google".
112136
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Luca Tiratelli @lucatiratelli.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I await the first time a politician proposing some nuts new immigration restriction is asked what is otherwise the media’s favourite question: how are you going to pay for it??
219067
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
On Friday I gave a @royalhistsoc.org lecture about the battle for rights of way in England and Wales: you can watch and listen here! Many thanks to the @ihr.bsky.social for hosting, and to @ukri.org for funding the project. Much more to come on this front. royalhistsoc.org/glen-ohara-g...
royalhistsoc.org
Glen O'Hara gives latest RHS lecture on 'Rights of Way and the Battle for the Land' - RHS
On Friday 25 September the Society hosted the latest lecture in its 2026 programme. Our great thanks to Professor Glen O'Hara (Oxford Brookes University) who spoke on: ‘In All Our Footsteps? Rights of...
1245
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Douglas Cheape @douglascheape.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This, to me, doesn't look like the kind of thing you want to encourage your dog to go for.
741190135
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Hugo Gordon @hugogordon.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
One of the single biggest societal issues with modern media economics is that it incentivises publishing absurd contrarians like Syed, who in turn get undue influence in shaping people's worldview despite being at best idiotic and wrong, at worst actively extreme
12910
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Steven (with a PH) @sjksalisbury.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Christening a baby is nothing like christening a ship. I know that now. Once again I can only apologise.
161191513869
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Matthew Sweet @drmatthewsweet.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I answered some Baillie Gifford Prize questions about Barbara and ended up talking about my Crossroads-related trauma. www.thebailliegiffordprize.co.uk/inside-the-c...
thebailliegiffordprize.co.uk
Matthew Sweet Longlist Interview
The Baillie Gifford Prize rewards excellence in non-fiction writing, bringing the best in intelligent reflection on the world to new readers.
0164
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Jester mouse @jestermouse.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Coincidentally, most of the UK has lost confidence in billionaires. Will the BBC print that? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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.
87923
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Film Noir UK @filmnoiruk.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Head over to @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social first thing tomorrow (Thursday) morning (7:45am) for #FilmNoir In A Lonely Place (1950) starring Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Grahame. Directed by Nicholas Ray.
1336
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Melanie Williams @britfilmmelanie.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Excited to be keynote speaker for this essential biennial conference where all the feminist media historians gather!
074
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
SimonRead @simonread.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
#blackandwhitefilm of the day: Seance On A Wet Afternoon, 1964. British psychological kidnapping thriller with Kim Stanley and Dicky Attenborough as a mentally-unstable medium and her cowed husband. It's deliciously disturbing on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 1.30pm youtu.be/oLrtv6YfyVE
youtu.be
Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964) Original Trailer [FHD]
YouTube video by HD Retro Trailers
1215
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Paula Surridge @psurridge.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
A very British form of resistance popping up on Facebook today. People buying RNLI Christmas cards to send to a Reform UK free post address.
516440
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Matthew Sweet @drmatthewsweet.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Blimey Craig Brown in the Sunday Times!
918512
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Lewis Baston @lewisbaston.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
This is the only possible redeeming feature.
0188
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Plashing Vole @plashingvole.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Woke up and realised that even before the final sacking next week that my university now employs more people with English Literature PhDs in administration than in the English department. Tells you something about the state of HE.
431182
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Talking Pictures TV @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The New Series of THE CELLAR CLUB with #CarolineMunro continues at 9pm with the #MichaelPowell 60s horror classic PEEPING TOM (1960) starring #CarlBoehm #AnnaMassey #MoiraShearer So bolt the doors and.... don't be late! #TPTVsubtitles
053
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Annalisa Nicholson @apuddleofmuddle.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
It's just weird isn't it when the British Museum is running a sold-out exhibition, when The Odyssey reports $1billion at the box office, when the V&A has just opened the most innovative and accessible museum model in Europe....and this is what our minister for research comes out with.
361220456
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Jacqui Smith demonstrating zero understanding of the HE sector here.
36914
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
90 years ago, Parliament responded to the rise of Oswald Mosley's Blackshirts by passing the Public Order Act, which banned political uniforms, private militias and the threat of force for political objects. The debates make very resonant reading today. Here's the Liberal Robert Bernays. (Short 🧵)
You cannot conduct a fair match when one side is playing with a ball and the other with bombs and, if democracy is to survive, it must be conducted according to definite and recognised rule. One of them is that no political party should resort to any weapon other than reason and argument. The introduction of private armies, as I see it, strikes at the root of democracy. I know it is contended that the Blackshirts are not armed and, therefore, are not an army, but I do not think that argument can be upheld. … Uniformed men in military formation suggest, and are meant to suggest, the idea of force. It is no argument to reply that at this or that demonstration no force is intended. It is an inescapable fact that a uniform in politics symbolises force, to be used either now or in the future.
4123691265
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Robert Hutton @roberthutton.co.uk · 08/09/2026
On Andy Burnham's sudden bout of shyness. thecritic.co.uk/sanc...
The close of his statement was an appeal to our better natures. If we were going to ask Israelis and Palestinians to live side-by-side, he said, Britain also had to be a place where “people of all faiths and none have a right to live without prejudice or fear.” Listening to him was Andy Burnham, who has been strangely absent from our public debate for the last few days. In August, we couldn’t move for social media clips from the prime minister, standing on a ladder to discuss his first job, or sitting in a pub to rate bar snacks. But faced with masked thugs trying to shut down British ports over the weekend, Burnham seems to have lost the password for his phone. For a decade now, Britain has had a series of leaders apparently paralysed by the fear that if they say that racism is bad, they’ll be voted out. It would be nice to get one who had a slightly higher opinion of us.
19957304
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Chaminda Jayanetti @cjayanetti.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I think the worst part of Labour's response to the fascist mobilisation is Andy Burnham's absence. He's the most popular politician in the country, with social media reach and actual powers of persuasion, and he's saying nothing in public. He can actually be of use here but he's choosing not to
451458420
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Steve Chambers @planningtransport.co.uk · 05/09/2026
Yes the travel disruption is what worries me too.
3173
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Will Cooling @willcooling.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Like whatever you think of the policies, the flippant tone is just disgusting isn't? This is the lives of desperate people we're talking about here. And the strain placed on rescue and security services. Show some bloody respect
45710
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
John Oxley @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · 05/09/2026
My first draft would be something like: "Masked thugs plotting to shut down major infrastructure under the threat of street violence is unacceptable. Those responsible will face the full force of the law". But that's just me, I guess.
619456
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
John Oxley @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · 05/09/2026
A large group of co-ordinated, masked men blockading a piece of significant infrastructure is a security threat and should be dealt with as one. There should also be serious questions about why police/intelligence services didn't pick up on it in advance.
57944271
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Lesley A Hall @erinacean.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Does anyone have a subscription/access to ukpressonline and be willing to download for me ONE article? Please? I do not seem to have institutional access and do not wish to take out a whole year's subscription. Irony alert: the article is from The Daily Worker.
179
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Thomas I-G @thomasig.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
This was clearly not an act of spontaneity. Dozens and dozens of men travelling down, all wearing black, all wearing masks is anything but a spontaneous protest. An infuriating response.
30470134
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
David Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
It’s an open challenge to the authority of the state and this is the response of a Labour MP, which comes awfully close to “legitimate concerns”.
Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover and Deal, criticised what he described as "idiots coming to Dover to cause disruption". In a post on Facebook, he said: "Parkrun cancelled and port access disrupted. I am fed up with idiots coming to Dover to cause disruption. I bet if you asked any one of those
'protesters' they wouldn't know small boat crossings are down by 40% and we are working hard to fix the mess. Go home, enjoy your weekend/get a job."
43111
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Beth Kitson @drbethkitson.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
‘Members of the public keen to see the Bayeux tapestry faced online queues of up to nine hours when tickets went on sale for the first time earlier this summer. There were reports of 40,000 people queueing by mid-morning, with that figure ballooning to almost 80,000 by mid-afternoon.‘
092
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Kate Bevan @katebevan.com · 26/08/2026
ah, this is SO lovely
45012
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
EggPod Express @eggpod.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
New Beatles audio alert! Day Tripper songwriting work tape from the forthcoming Rubber Soul box youtu.be/1m1TFIhlCXg
youtu.be
DayTripper - Songwriting Work Tape (Visualiser)
YouTube video by The Beatles
5396
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
“The original sin was the abolition in 2012 of taxpayer support for the arts, humanities and social sciences,” said [Nicholas Barr]...referring to...Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition [reforms] which saw direct government funding for teaching cut and the tuition fee cap rise to £9,000.' 1/3
timeshighereducation.com
Axe threshold freeze to ‘show loan reform intent’, ministers told
Burnham government seen as more likely than Starmer to act on growing calls to relieve pressure on young graduates
24021
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Either every single media organisation in the UK doesn't understand their audience or people are lying to pollsters. I genuinely can't make up my mind which it is.
YouGov graphic showing that, overwhelmingly, people have no or little interest in the whole Harry and Meghan coming back to the UK 'news'.
6939899
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Spooky Old Mark Monro | He/Him 🌈 @thatidiotmonro.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Will all policy announcements by parties with a handful of MPs be the top story on the BBC now, or is this a special exception for Reform going after the disabled?
310330
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
I wish media outlets would describe Nathan Cofnas as a racist rather than a "self-defined race realist" which doesn't mean anything to most people. His writing meets any definition of racism however narrowly and cautiously drawn.
672597570
Reposted by Matthew Bailey
Luca @lucagalletti.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Homer Simpson disappearing into hedge (in Lego) Credit to Jason Allemann & Kristal / @jkbrickworks
322647600
Matthew Bailey @whyoutloud.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Thanks @netflix.com for farting this little (AI? or just awful?) message out. I'd still like a full refund.
000