@mikeinsdevon.bsky.social
Still trying to make sense of everything and avoid getting too confused!
Slightly unhinged, wide range of interests.
RIP Boo Boo 2009-2024
Slightly unhinged, wide range of interests.
RIP Boo Boo 2009-2024
Reposted
Braverman - twice Conservative Home Secretary - in a period that saw record migration figures.
They really do think people are dumb.
They really do think people are dumb.
Concern grows for Suella Braverman as she completely forgets she spent nine years as part of the Conservative government, including two periods as Home Secretary, responsible for immigration.
April 18, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Braverman - twice Conservative Home Secretary - in a period that saw record migration figures.
They really do think people are dumb.
They really do think people are dumb.
Reposted
I'm with Carl Sagan on this:
October 3, 2026 at 8:25 AM
I'm with Carl Sagan on this:
Reposted
Council adopts bilingual signage policy.
Councillors and officers are also encouraged to use key Kernewek phrases as part of their roles and in their day-to-day lives
www.voicenewspapers.co.uk//news/counci...
Councillors and officers are also encouraged to use key Kernewek phrases as part of their roles and in their day-to-day lives
www.voicenewspapers.co.uk//news/counci...
Council adopts bilingual signage policy
Councillors and officers are also encouraged to use key Kernewek phrases as part of their roles and in their day-to-day lives
www.voicenewspapers.co.uk
October 2, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Council adopts bilingual signage policy.
Councillors and officers are also encouraged to use key Kernewek phrases as part of their roles and in their day-to-day lives
www.voicenewspapers.co.uk//news/counci...
Councillors and officers are also encouraged to use key Kernewek phrases as part of their roles and in their day-to-day lives
www.voicenewspapers.co.uk//news/counci...
Reposted
Disability doesn’t care how old you are. Specialist food is no cheaper if you’re 19. Employers don’t lose their prejudice if you’re 21.
This is blatant intergenerational inequality from Labour. Younger disabled people of all severities deserve better. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
This is blatant intergenerational inequality from Labour. Younger disabled people of all severities deserve better. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Key disability benefit for young people may be axed under major welfare changes
Exclusive: Plan under discussion involves intensive support to help young people into employment
www.theguardian.com
October 2, 2026 at 7:21 AM
Disability doesn’t care how old you are. Specialist food is no cheaper if you’re 19. Employers don’t lose their prejudice if you’re 21.
This is blatant intergenerational inequality from Labour. Younger disabled people of all severities deserve better. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
This is blatant intergenerational inequality from Labour. Younger disabled people of all severities deserve better. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted
AP: The Council of Europe said Tuesday that the US formally notified it a day earlier that it would leave the Group of States against Corruption, or GRECO. Only two other countries have left GRECO before — Russia and Belarus.
This comes as a surprise to no one.
#ProudBlue #Pinks #SheShed
This comes as a surprise to no one.
#ProudBlue #Pinks #SheShed
October 1, 2026 at 5:34 PM
AP: The Council of Europe said Tuesday that the US formally notified it a day earlier that it would leave the Group of States against Corruption, or GRECO. Only two other countries have left GRECO before — Russia and Belarus.
This comes as a surprise to no one.
#ProudBlue #Pinks #SheShed
This comes as a surprise to no one.
#ProudBlue #Pinks #SheShed
Reposted
UK public sector bodies spent £17bn with offshore-owned private equity firms last year.
The same vultures received £31bn public sector contracts.
Profiteering, low wages, tax dodging, asset-stripping is their business model.
Enriched by public money.
How many have politicians on payroll?
The same vultures received £31bn public sector contracts.
Profiteering, low wages, tax dodging, asset-stripping is their business model.
Enriched by public money.
How many have politicians on payroll?
£17 billion taxpayer cash went to offshore private equity last year
We need to buy British, GMB tells Labour conference
www.gmb.org.uk
October 1, 2026 at 6:50 AM
UK public sector bodies spent £17bn with offshore-owned private equity firms last year.
The same vultures received £31bn public sector contracts.
Profiteering, low wages, tax dodging, asset-stripping is their business model.
Enriched by public money.
How many have politicians on payroll?
The same vultures received £31bn public sector contracts.
Profiteering, low wages, tax dodging, asset-stripping is their business model.
Enriched by public money.
How many have politicians on payroll?
Reposted
Bad news, everyone - Brexit has apparently caused the entire United Kingdom to detach from Europe and drift several thousand miles west.
We are now slowly approaching Newfoundland.
Can someone please let Eurostar now there might be some issues.
We are now slowly approaching Newfoundland.
Can someone please let Eurostar now there might be some issues.
October 1, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Bad news, everyone - Brexit has apparently caused the entire United Kingdom to detach from Europe and drift several thousand miles west.
We are now slowly approaching Newfoundland.
Can someone please let Eurostar now there might be some issues.
We are now slowly approaching Newfoundland.
Can someone please let Eurostar now there might be some issues.
Reposted
“In past years, you have voted twice to support electoral reform. I hear you. I agree with you. And today I am announcing a new National Commission on Electoral Reform. I invite all the political parties to be part of its work.”
GET IT DONE THEN #BURNHAM ⏰️
makevotesmatter.org.uk/donate/
GET IT DONE THEN #BURNHAM ⏰️
makevotesmatter.org.uk/donate/
Donate - Make Votes Matter
makevotesmatter.org.uk
September 30, 2026 at 10:11 AM
“In past years, you have voted twice to support electoral reform. I hear you. I agree with you. And today I am announcing a new National Commission on Electoral Reform. I invite all the political parties to be part of its work.”
GET IT DONE THEN #BURNHAM ⏰️
makevotesmatter.org.uk/donate/
GET IT DONE THEN #BURNHAM ⏰️
makevotesmatter.org.uk/donate/
Reposted
At this point I would like to show you some of David Miller's posts on X. You can decide for yourselves whether this is someone who is "anti-Zionist" or is instead something else.
Something far more insidious.
Something far more insidious.
September 30, 2026 at 9:39 AM
At this point I would like to show you some of David Miller's posts on X. You can decide for yourselves whether this is someone who is "anti-Zionist" or is instead something else.
Something far more insidious.
Something far more insidious.
Reposted
In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the AFD won just 39.5% of votes but would have gained 61.1% of seats under Westminster-style First Past the Post. This is what happens when election systems turn slight leads into overwhelming mandates. buff.ly/6tybc8T
In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, First Past the Post would have turned a slight lead into a huge majority for the AFD
Germany is made up of 16 federal states, each with a slightly different version of proportional representation – making it a reliable source of news for us if nothing else! As per the
buff.ly
September 30, 2026 at 7:16 AM
In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the AFD won just 39.5% of votes but would have gained 61.1% of seats under Westminster-style First Past the Post. This is what happens when election systems turn slight leads into overwhelming mandates. buff.ly/6tybc8T
Reposted
Relatedly v excited at the prospect of getting to go fully to war with the Electoral Reform Society which just refuses to acknowledge that under STV parties stand as many candidates as they think they can get elected and therefore it's not actually the magical Maximum Voter Choice system they claim
Also it would admittedly be hard to explain differences in an easy way to people. "PR means 10% of vote is 10% of seats" is fine for most purposes but when comparing actual systems you do need to weigh up detail. STV vs AMS vs Pure List would be fun for me to chat about but brain melting for normies
September 30, 2026 at 6:37 AM
Relatedly v excited at the prospect of getting to go fully to war with the Electoral Reform Society which just refuses to acknowledge that under STV parties stand as many candidates as they think they can get elected and therefore it's not actually the magical Maximum Voter Choice system they claim
Reposted
As always with buses, cheaper fares won't help people if there's no buses to get. I want the Birmingham / Watford to Lille and Brussels Flixbus back.
(That probably isn't a route which would go under any fare cap.)
(That probably isn't a route which would go under any fare cap.)
September 29, 2026 at 1:45 PM
As always with buses, cheaper fares won't help people if there's no buses to get. I want the Birmingham / Watford to Lille and Brussels Flixbus back.
(That probably isn't a route which would go under any fare cap.)
(That probably isn't a route which would go under any fare cap.)
Reposted
Yes, Burnham will disappoint in many ways but today he did something that no leader from any party has done for many years - he set out a positive, coherent vision for what he wants this country to be and he did not pretend it would be easy. He showed political bravery. That is a huge step forward.
September 29, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Yes, Burnham will disappoint in many ways but today he did something that no leader from any party has done for many years - he set out a positive, coherent vision for what he wants this country to be and he did not pretend it would be easy. He showed political bravery. That is a huge step forward.
Latest YouGov. Changes look outlier-ish though last week's Green figure looked too high too.
Ref 25% (+ 4!)
Lab 24% (+ 1)
Con 19% (- 2)
LD 12% (n/c)
Green 11% (- 3)
Rest. 🤮 3% (- 1)
SNP 2% (n/c)
Plaid 1% (n/c)
Your Party 0% (n/c)
ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Vo...
Ref 25% (+ 4!)
Lab 24% (+ 1)
Con 19% (- 2)
LD 12% (n/c)
Green 11% (- 3)
Rest. 🤮 3% (- 1)
SNP 2% (n/c)
Plaid 1% (n/c)
Your Party 0% (n/c)
ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Vo...
ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net
September 29, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Latest YouGov. Changes look outlier-ish though last week's Green figure looked too high too.
Ref 25% (+ 4!)
Lab 24% (+ 1)
Con 19% (- 2)
LD 12% (n/c)
Green 11% (- 3)
Rest. 🤮 3% (- 1)
SNP 2% (n/c)
Plaid 1% (n/c)
Your Party 0% (n/c)
ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Vo...
Ref 25% (+ 4!)
Lab 24% (+ 1)
Con 19% (- 2)
LD 12% (n/c)
Green 11% (- 3)
Rest. 🤮 3% (- 1)
SNP 2% (n/c)
Plaid 1% (n/c)
Your Party 0% (n/c)
ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Vo...
Reposted
The BBC news summary this morning went seamlessly from "critics warn PM scrapping triple lock would be electoral suicide" to "critics ask if PM has nerve to make tough decisions" and I don't think it's a particularly pro Burnham stance to suggest he might not be the entire problem here.
September 29, 2026 at 8:33 AM
The BBC news summary this morning went seamlessly from "critics warn PM scrapping triple lock would be electoral suicide" to "critics ask if PM has nerve to make tough decisions" and I don't think it's a particularly pro Burnham stance to suggest he might not be the entire problem here.
Reposted
It really gives the game away when the anti trans orgs are calling the election of the neo nazi party in Germany a "glimmer of hope."
September 28, 2026 at 5:31 PM
It really gives the game away when the anti trans orgs are calling the election of the neo nazi party in Germany a "glimmer of hope."
Reposted
Racism is a very expensive hobby. When 30% of the electorate indulges in it collectively, we all pay.
The Times - which has v much joined in the rightwing clamour to reduce immigration - now reporting that Mahmood’s “success” has cost the economy £4- to £7Bn.
Would they like to now honestly confirm that fewer people = less spending power for all.
There’s a high price to pay for this nasty obsession.
Would they like to now honestly confirm that fewer people = less spending power for all.
There’s a high price to pay for this nasty obsession.
September 28, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Racism is a very expensive hobby. When 30% of the electorate indulges in it collectively, we all pay.
Reposted
Now that Manchester City have been found guilty,on 114 charges, the Premier League has a huge problem. Anything less than a draconian punishment will totally destroy the leagues credibility and that's terrible news for the club.The PL can survive without City,not sure City can survive without the PL
September 27, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Now that Manchester City have been found guilty,on 114 charges, the Premier League has a huge problem. Anything less than a draconian punishment will totally destroy the leagues credibility and that's terrible news for the club.The PL can survive without City,not sure City can survive without the PL
Reposted
“There is a systemic issue with Labour’s governing style since 2024. It seems nervous about wielding power. The party has failed to recognise that the far-right will be infuriated regardless of its policies, so it may as well implement genuinely left-wing ones”
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
Labour’s indecision has cost us all
Farage is trying to create an oligarchy...
open.substack.com
September 27, 2026 at 3:07 PM
“There is a systemic issue with Labour’s governing style since 2024. It seems nervous about wielding power. The party has failed to recognise that the far-right will be infuriated regardless of its policies, so it may as well implement genuinely left-wing ones”
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
Reposted
Pope Innocent III,who died in 1216, spoke of a certain kind of older man, who is "easily provoked", "will believe anything and question nothing", is "stingy and greedy" and "praises the good old days and hates the present."
Reform UK's voter base has been knocking around for a very long time.
Reform UK's voter base has been knocking around for a very long time.
September 27, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Pope Innocent III,who died in 1216, spoke of a certain kind of older man, who is "easily provoked", "will believe anything and question nothing", is "stingy and greedy" and "praises the good old days and hates the present."
Reform UK's voter base has been knocking around for a very long time.
Reform UK's voter base has been knocking around for a very long time.
Reposted
First page of 18th century Basque-Icelandic dictionary. A Basque-Icelandic pidgin was spoken between locals and Basque whalers from ~1600 including the well-known expression "Fenicha for ju" meaning F**k you! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basque%...
September 26, 2026 at 7:28 AM
First page of 18th century Basque-Icelandic dictionary. A Basque-Icelandic pidgin was spoken between locals and Basque whalers from ~1600 including the well-known expression "Fenicha for ju" meaning F**k you! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basque%...
He's been a massive disappointment
Tugendhat is such a sell out. He knows that it will screw up the Good Friday Agmt & our relations with the EU. He knows that the ECHR isn’t the problem. But he does it anyway. And the more they shout it as the answer, the more ppl nod along to their dishonesty.
Unforgivable.
Unforgivable.
September 27, 2026 at 10:40 AM
He's been a massive disappointment
Reposted
Britain isn’t experiencing a migration crisis.
We’re experiencing a racism crisis….
We’re experiencing a racism crisis….
September 26, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Britain isn’t experiencing a migration crisis.
We’re experiencing a racism crisis….
We’re experiencing a racism crisis….
Reposted
As a general palate cleanser, good recent news about Iberia's once critically endangered, now vulnerable wild cat.
The Iberian lynx population grew by 95% in four years to 2.663 individuals.
The Iberian lynx population has grown by 95% in four years, reaching 2.663 individuals, the highest number since the start of Iberian monitoring, with 129 cubs born in Portugal in 2025 alone, the Mini...
www.sulinformacao.pt
September 26, 2026 at 6:35 PM
As a general palate cleanser, good recent news about Iberia's once critically endangered, now vulnerable wild cat.
Reposted
i really do think the inability of the UK elite to leave X, both political and journalist, can clearly be seen dragging the common sense of the UK well to the radical right
like i don't think Rosie would be posting about how bi men facing issues coming out during 2019-2020
like i don't think Rosie would be posting about how bi men facing issues coming out during 2019-2020
September 26, 2026 at 3:54 PM
i really do think the inability of the UK elite to leave X, both political and journalist, can clearly be seen dragging the common sense of the UK well to the radical right
like i don't think Rosie would be posting about how bi men facing issues coming out during 2019-2020
like i don't think Rosie would be posting about how bi men facing issues coming out during 2019-2020