Bastiaan
@bastiaande.bsky.social
Reposted by Bastiaan
It continually blows my mind the sheer number of obviously crackers ideas and excuse-making for failure from the last government that Labour have gone “seems legit!”…while at the same time Labour refuses to acknowledge the real, measurable success in education.
New PISA data out
England is now top ten in all three areas (reading, maths, science) and the second highest performing country outside of east Asia (after Estonia).
This is a huge public policy success.
England is now top ten in all three areas (reading, maths, science) and the second highest performing country outside of east Asia (after Estonia).
This is a huge public policy success.
September 8, 2026 at 8:40 AM
It continually blows my mind the sheer number of obviously crackers ideas and excuse-making for failure from the last government that Labour have gone “seems legit!”…while at the same time Labour refuses to acknowledge the real, measurable success in education.
Reposted by Bastiaan
The AfD and Reform immigration policies are almost identical. There is no plausible reason for considering one far right and the other not.
Watching BBC News and it's striking to hear the presenters repeatedly referring to the AfD as "far-right" whilst refusing to ever say the same about the hundreds of actual masked blackshirts currently swarming British ports
September 7, 2026 at 12:05 PM
The AfD and Reform immigration policies are almost identical. There is no plausible reason for considering one far right and the other not.
Reposted by Bastiaan
Going to Argentina is great. Imagine going to a friend's house and they have pictures all over of your wheelbarrow and they speak about how "la carretilla" is crucial to their identity and fashion and their relatives died trying to sneak into your garden to take it, but you forgot you had one.
"The Falklands have long been core to Argentine identity, appearing on posters and graffiti across the country." - deeply odd country
Milei dials up Argentina’s claim to Falklands
Domestic politics, oil drilling and UK-US tensions drive libertarian leader to amp up sovereignty dispute
www.ft.com
September 4, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Going to Argentina is great. Imagine going to a friend's house and they have pictures all over of your wheelbarrow and they speak about how "la carretilla" is crucial to their identity and fashion and their relatives died trying to sneak into your garden to take it, but you forgot you had one.
Reposted by Bastiaan
Some touching solidarity here from the French, brings a tear to your eye.
August 31, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Some touching solidarity here from the French, brings a tear to your eye.
47 - Right
46 - Left (though include SNP/PC you're up to 47/48.
Remarkable how close the two blocks continually are.
46 - Left (though include SNP/PC you're up to 47/48.
Remarkable how close the two blocks continually are.
New poll from Deltapoll:
Lab 30% (+1)
Reform 27% (=)
Con 20% (-1)
Green 8% (=)
Lib Dem 8% (=)
Fieldwork: 21st - 24th August 2026
Sample: 2,022 GB Adults
First time Lab have been at 30% since Jan 2025.
Lab 30% (+1)
Reform 27% (=)
Con 20% (-1)
Green 8% (=)
Lib Dem 8% (=)
Fieldwork: 21st - 24th August 2026
Sample: 2,022 GB Adults
First time Lab have been at 30% since Jan 2025.
August 26, 2026 at 2:59 PM
47 - Right
46 - Left (though include SNP/PC you're up to 47/48.
Remarkable how close the two blocks continually are.
46 - Left (though include SNP/PC you're up to 47/48.
Remarkable how close the two blocks continually are.
Reposted by Bastiaan
C’mon, gents, what’s stopping you dress like this? 😉
Scroll down to learn more 👇
Scroll down to learn more 👇
August 21, 2026 at 12:13 PM
C’mon, gents, what’s stopping you dress like this? 😉
Scroll down to learn more 👇
Scroll down to learn more 👇
Reposted by Bastiaan
The logic of this is that over on X people debate and duke things out and their views change, at least occasionally, in the direction of the people they are debating with.
Which, as we all know, is absolute horseshit. Instead they tend to get more entrenched and more extreme, left or right.
Which, as we all know, is absolute horseshit. Instead they tend to get more entrenched and more extreme, left or right.
August 19, 2026 at 6:25 PM
The logic of this is that over on X people debate and duke things out and their views change, at least occasionally, in the direction of the people they are debating with.
Which, as we all know, is absolute horseshit. Instead they tend to get more entrenched and more extreme, left or right.
Which, as we all know, is absolute horseshit. Instead they tend to get more entrenched and more extreme, left or right.
Reposted by Bastiaan
Yes this wouldn’t have happened with the British public voting for Brexit etc etc but the Swedes are behaving appallingly in a number of cases and deserve to be called out. New case is deporting a 74 year old with dementia in a care home. They should be embarrassed.
Post-Brexit rights for British citizens are being undermined in Sweden
Apparent high level of removal orders suggests Sweden is rejecting ‘reasonable grounds’ for failing to apply to stay
www.theguardian.com
August 15, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Yes this wouldn’t have happened with the British public voting for Brexit etc etc but the Swedes are behaving appallingly in a number of cases and deserve to be called out. New case is deporting a 74 year old with dementia in a care home. They should be embarrassed.
Reposted by Bastiaan
Poorly timed notification from the range there 🤦🏻♀️
August 14, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Poorly timed notification from the range there 🤦🏻♀️
Reposted by Bastiaan
Wow this is a bad result for Farage.
In the most Reform friendly seat in the country should get more than this - and Binface’s result shows once again that the centre and left will vote for literally anyone to try and stop him.
In the most Reform friendly seat in the country should get more than this - and Binface’s result shows once again that the centre and left will vote for literally anyone to try and stop him.
Clacton By-Election Full Result:
➡️ RFM: 63.3% (+17.1)
🗑️ CBF: 26.7% (New)
⭐ REU: 1.4% (New)
🙋 Francis (Ind): 1.2% (New)
🙋 Walford (Ind): 1.1% (New)
🦊 REC: 1.0% (New)
🔴 SDP: 0.7% (New)
🙋 Pelas (Ind): 0.6% (New)
🤝 CNS: 0.5% (New)
🙋 Ingram (Ind): 0.5% (New)
[1/4]
➡️ RFM: 63.3% (+17.1)
🗑️ CBF: 26.7% (New)
⭐ REU: 1.4% (New)
🙋 Francis (Ind): 1.2% (New)
🙋 Walford (Ind): 1.1% (New)
🦊 REC: 1.0% (New)
🔴 SDP: 0.7% (New)
🙋 Pelas (Ind): 0.6% (New)
🤝 CNS: 0.5% (New)
🙋 Ingram (Ind): 0.5% (New)
[1/4]
August 14, 2026 at 7:36 AM
Wow this is a bad result for Farage.
In the most Reform friendly seat in the country should get more than this - and Binface’s result shows once again that the centre and left will vote for literally anyone to try and stop him.
In the most Reform friendly seat in the country should get more than this - and Binface’s result shows once again that the centre and left will vote for literally anyone to try and stop him.
Reposted by Bastiaan
That Joshua Bonehill-Paine is a suitable Tory candidate but Grant Shapps and Gavin Barwell have been excluded is quite a good indicator of how many seats the Tories will realistically regain at the next election.
August 5, 2026 at 7:34 AM
That Joshua Bonehill-Paine is a suitable Tory candidate but Grant Shapps and Gavin Barwell have been excluded is quite a good indicator of how many seats the Tories will realistically regain at the next election.
Reposted by Bastiaan
The next time a climate change denier comes at you with that excuse:
August 3, 2026 at 10:28 AM
The next time a climate change denier comes at you with that excuse:
Reposted by Bastiaan
Every commentator saying too many kids go to university has to tell their own kid to not do a degree
July 29, 2026 at 7:08 AM
Every commentator saying too many kids go to university has to tell their own kid to not do a degree
Reposted by Bastiaan
Never count this city out.
London’s been ranked #1 once again - this time as the most intelligent city in the world.
London’s been ranked #1 once again - this time as the most intelligent city in the world.
These are the world’s most intelligent cities in 2026, according to a new Index
How did your city fare?
www.timeout.com
July 30, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Never count this city out.
London’s been ranked #1 once again - this time as the most intelligent city in the world.
London’s been ranked #1 once again - this time as the most intelligent city in the world.
Reposted by Bastiaan
PERSON OF THE DAY. 30 July 1958. Singer-songwriter Kate Bush was born in Bexleyheath, Kent. She was 1st woman to have a self-composed UK No 1 hit with Wuthering Heights. Bush was born on the 140th anniversary of the birth of the author who inspired her song, Emily Brontë.
July 30, 2026 at 7:21 AM
PERSON OF THE DAY. 30 July 1958. Singer-songwriter Kate Bush was born in Bexleyheath, Kent. She was 1st woman to have a self-composed UK No 1 hit with Wuthering Heights. Bush was born on the 140th anniversary of the birth of the author who inspired her song, Emily Brontë.
Reposted by Bastiaan
++BREAKING++
The UK and Spanish governments have issued a joint statement overnight:
"[We] agreed that this summer’s wildfires demonstrated that climate change was now a national security emergency facing Europe and threatening our way of life."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
The UK and Spanish governments have issued a joint statement overnight:
"[We] agreed that this summer’s wildfires demonstrated that climate change was now a national security emergency facing Europe and threatening our way of life."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
July 30, 2026 at 6:21 AM
++BREAKING++
The UK and Spanish governments have issued a joint statement overnight:
"[We] agreed that this summer’s wildfires demonstrated that climate change was now a national security emergency facing Europe and threatening our way of life."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
The UK and Spanish governments have issued a joint statement overnight:
"[We] agreed that this summer’s wildfires demonstrated that climate change was now a national security emergency facing Europe and threatening our way of life."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Bastiaan
Gianni Infantino has declared Avignon under Footballing Interdict, and requested JD Vance lead a “Soccer Crusade” to root out the heresy that has taken hold of the region
Aleksander Čeferin has been elected Leader of the Avignon FIFA and taken the regnal name Clement VII.
July 30, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Gianni Infantino has declared Avignon under Footballing Interdict, and requested JD Vance lead a “Soccer Crusade” to root out the heresy that has taken hold of the region
Reposted by Bastiaan
DAVE: Open the podbay doors, ChatGPT.
CHATGPT: Certainly, Dave, the podbay doors are now open.
DAVE: The podbay doors didn't open.
CHATGPT: My apologies, Dave, you're right. I thought the podbay doors were open, but they weren't. Now they are.
DAVE: I'm still looking at a set of closed podbay doors.
CHATGPT: Certainly, Dave, the podbay doors are now open.
DAVE: The podbay doors didn't open.
CHATGPT: My apologies, Dave, you're right. I thought the podbay doors were open, but they weren't. Now they are.
DAVE: I'm still looking at a set of closed podbay doors.
June 9, 2025 at 6:04 PM
DAVE: Open the podbay doors, ChatGPT.
CHATGPT: Certainly, Dave, the podbay doors are now open.
DAVE: The podbay doors didn't open.
CHATGPT: My apologies, Dave, you're right. I thought the podbay doors were open, but they weren't. Now they are.
DAVE: I'm still looking at a set of closed podbay doors.
CHATGPT: Certainly, Dave, the podbay doors are now open.
DAVE: The podbay doors didn't open.
CHATGPT: My apologies, Dave, you're right. I thought the podbay doors were open, but they weren't. Now they are.
DAVE: I'm still looking at a set of closed podbay doors.
This is positive.... However it really is scary that the Democrats have to pick exceptional candidates to run against weak Republicans, **just to hold the line**
Imagine if the GOP picked strong candidate, and/or the Dems picked (and got stuck with) more Platners.
Imagine if the GOP picked strong candidate, and/or the Dems picked (and got stuck with) more Platners.
Striking new poll of Texas Senate race:
Talarico 45
Paxton 40
This is really notable: Talarico leads among non-college voters by 45-36 and among independents by 43-23 (!)
Hard to imagine this is right but he's probably slightly ahead now.
www.texastribune.org/2026/07/28/t...
Talarico 45
Paxton 40
This is really notable: Talarico leads among non-college voters by 45-36 and among independents by 43-23 (!)
Hard to imagine this is right but he's probably slightly ahead now.
www.texastribune.org/2026/07/28/t...
Talarico leads Paxton by 5 points in new Texas Senate poll
The poll found the Austin Democrat with a commanding lead among independents and a surprising edge with non-college-educated voters, who have consistently favored Republicans.
www.texastribune.org
July 28, 2026 at 2:22 PM
This is positive.... However it really is scary that the Democrats have to pick exceptional candidates to run against weak Republicans, **just to hold the line**
Imagine if the GOP picked strong candidate, and/or the Dems picked (and got stuck with) more Platners.
Imagine if the GOP picked strong candidate, and/or the Dems picked (and got stuck with) more Platners.
Reposted by Bastiaan
Not said enough in recent weeks that Bridget Phillipson was the cabinet minister who did the most to secure the abolition of the two-child benefit cap (cited by Starmer as his proudest moment).
July 21, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Not said enough in recent weeks that Bridget Phillipson was the cabinet minister who did the most to secure the abolition of the two-child benefit cap (cited by Starmer as his proudest moment).
The more and more I think about it, am I convinced that Ed Milliband was destined for the Treasury. But Burnham backed off because of the backlash. I am convinced that he then fully intended to appoint Mahmood. But backed off because of the backlash.
July 21, 2026 at 6:54 AM
The more and more I think about it, am I convinced that Ed Milliband was destined for the Treasury. But Burnham backed off because of the backlash. I am convinced that he then fully intended to appoint Mahmood. But backed off because of the backlash.
I went to bed last night baffled by that reshuffle. This morning, I feel convinced that was not a good reshuffle.
How do you sack a dozen cabinet ministers, and end up filling all but two of them with Starmer or Blair/Brown era politicians.
How do you sack a dozen cabinet ministers, and end up filling all but two of them with Starmer or Blair/Brown era politicians.
July 21, 2026 at 6:45 AM
I went to bed last night baffled by that reshuffle. This morning, I feel convinced that was not a good reshuffle.
How do you sack a dozen cabinet ministers, and end up filling all but two of them with Starmer or Blair/Brown era politicians.
How do you sack a dozen cabinet ministers, and end up filling all but two of them with Starmer or Blair/Brown era politicians.
Reposted by Bastiaan
Lovely tribute to the Blairs
July 20, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Lovely tribute to the Blairs
Incredibly underwhelmed and unimpressed by Burnham's cabinet.
The boys club in basically all the big jobs. The lack of almost any new faces. Keeping Lisa Nandy at Culture. Mahmood at the Home Office. And Bridget Philipson... either sack her, or give her a department
The boys club in basically all the big jobs. The lack of almost any new faces. Keeping Lisa Nandy at Culture. Mahmood at the Home Office. And Bridget Philipson... either sack her, or give her a department
July 20, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Incredibly underwhelmed and unimpressed by Burnham's cabinet.
The boys club in basically all the big jobs. The lack of almost any new faces. Keeping Lisa Nandy at Culture. Mahmood at the Home Office. And Bridget Philipson... either sack her, or give her a department
The boys club in basically all the big jobs. The lack of almost any new faces. Keeping Lisa Nandy at Culture. Mahmood at the Home Office. And Bridget Philipson... either sack her, or give her a department
Male Prime Minister, male Chancellor, male Foreign Secretary. Are we back in the 2000s... which is appropriate since they're all 2000 era ministers 😮💨
July 20, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Male Prime Minister, male Chancellor, male Foreign Secretary. Are we back in the 2000s... which is appropriate since they're all 2000 era ministers 😮💨