Geoff Smith
@geoffsmith57.bsky.social
Former university administrator & Sheffield Labour councillor. Also into the Blades, test cricket, cats, swifts, The Archers, folk & classical music, art exhibitions, TV & book detectives, litter picking, Orwell, Trollope.
Reposted by Geoff Smith
Just 4 months after the local elections, Reform UK (RefUK) have lost 158 of their local councillors:
-55 resigned
-42 went Independent
-28 defected
-24 were kicked out
-5 lost their seats
-2 disqualified
-2 suspended.
Appalling record - and a waste of taxpayers’ money!
-55 resigned
-42 went Independent
-28 defected
-24 were kicked out
-5 lost their seats
-2 disqualified
-2 suspended.
Appalling record - and a waste of taxpayers’ money!
September 21, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Just 4 months after the local elections, Reform UK (RefUK) have lost 158 of their local councillors:
-55 resigned
-42 went Independent
-28 defected
-24 were kicked out
-5 lost their seats
-2 disqualified
-2 suspended.
Appalling record - and a waste of taxpayers’ money!
-55 resigned
-42 went Independent
-28 defected
-24 were kicked out
-5 lost their seats
-2 disqualified
-2 suspended.
Appalling record - and a waste of taxpayers’ money!
Reposted by Geoff Smith
I still pay my license fee because I want to support the departments which produce Drama, arts, music, natural history, comedy, science
& documentaries.
The news & politics department has been hi-jacked by far right-wing agents & is dragging the whole corporation into disrepute.
& documentaries.
The news & politics department has been hi-jacked by far right-wing agents & is dragging the whole corporation into disrepute.
September 20, 2026 at 1:51 PM
I still pay my license fee because I want to support the departments which produce Drama, arts, music, natural history, comedy, science
& documentaries.
The news & politics department has been hi-jacked by far right-wing agents & is dragging the whole corporation into disrepute.
& documentaries.
The news & politics department has been hi-jacked by far right-wing agents & is dragging the whole corporation into disrepute.
Reposted by Geoff Smith
Always enjoy it when @ldfreedman.bsky.social quotes Russian military bloggers panicking.
September 20, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Always enjoy it when @ldfreedman.bsky.social quotes Russian military bloggers panicking.
Reposted by Geoff Smith
Why are we knighting these people? How about this - the minute you leave to be a tax exile, you forfeit any honours.
September 19, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Why are we knighting these people? How about this - the minute you leave to be a tax exile, you forfeit any honours.
And, as many others have pointed out, sacked many long serving backroom staff at Manchester United to save what, for him, was a small sum.
Lord give me the arrogance of a tax exile who feels the right to comment on the tax policies and general running of a country who you have deprived of billions by registering yourself in Monaco
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.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 20, 2026 at 11:18 AM
And, as many others have pointed out, sacked many long serving backroom staff at Manchester United to save what, for him, was a small sum.
Football mirrors society. A symptom of the growing north/ south divide. Brighton and Bournemouth established premiership clubs and Worthing beat Hartlepool which would have been 'giant killing' in a cup match thirty years ago.
Former Newcastle and Fulham star Lee Clark resigned as Hartlepool boss immediately after their loss to Worthing, announcing his decision to quit in the post-match interview.
Former Prem player immediately resigns as manager in shock post-match interview
www.mirror.co.uk
September 20, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Football mirrors society. A symptom of the growing north/ south divide. Brighton and Bournemouth established premiership clubs and Worthing beat Hartlepool which would have been 'giant killing' in a cup match thirty years ago.
Crazy bureaucracy. I was referred for a hearing test by my GP to the hospital hearing service. I go for the test but they can't do it because of impacted ear wax. I get it cleared & tell the service, expecting to be given a new test date. No, I have to start again & be re-referred by my GP. Barmy!
September 19, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Crazy bureaucracy. I was referred for a hearing test by my GP to the hospital hearing service. I go for the test but they can't do it because of impacted ear wax. I get it cleared & tell the service, expecting to be given a new test date. No, I have to start again & be re-referred by my GP. Barmy!
If the BBC wants to air a programme about Spencer's allegation then I don't have to watch it. But I object to having the issue foisted on me as the main item on the news.
September 18, 2026 at 5:18 PM
If the BBC wants to air a programme about Spencer's allegation then I don't have to watch it. But I object to having the issue foisted on me as the main item on the news.
Good result and I played a very minor part by delivering leaflets.
Walkley (Sheffield) Council By-Election Result:
🌹 LAB: 53.4% (+14.4)
🌍 GRN: 28.8% (-11.2)
➡️ RFM: 12.5% (-1.6)
🔶 LDM: 2.6% (-0.2)
🌳 CON: 1.4% (-0.7)
🧑🔧 TUSC: 1.3% (+0.3)
No Ind (-1.0) as previous.
Labour GAIN from Green.
Changes w/ 2026.
🌹 LAB: 53.4% (+14.4)
🌍 GRN: 28.8% (-11.2)
➡️ RFM: 12.5% (-1.6)
🔶 LDM: 2.6% (-0.2)
🌳 CON: 1.4% (-0.7)
🧑🔧 TUSC: 1.3% (+0.3)
No Ind (-1.0) as previous.
Labour GAIN from Green.
Changes w/ 2026.
September 18, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Good result and I played a very minor part by delivering leaflets.
Reposted by Geoff Smith
if you EVER get called for a meeting and they say “don’t bring a union rep”
bring a union rep
bring a union rep
'The University and College Union (UCU)’s Edinburgh branch said staff had been called into “informal meetings at less than 24 hours' notice” and told not to bring union representatives.'
Fear and anger as university set to announce 'massive course and programme closures'
Asked to respond, a university spokesperson said that staff and students were recently informed of changes to “our future academic offering across…
www.heraldscotland.com
September 18, 2026 at 10:17 AM
if you EVER get called for a meeting and they say “don’t bring a union rep”
bring a union rep
bring a union rep
It's an easy and cheap ploy to attack people for considering a minor issue when there are far more important ones that haven't been dealt with properly. Take that to its logical conclusion and we shouldn't focus on anything except the climate emergency and potential AI calamities.
*rubs temples* why am i reading about MPs scrutinising Eurovision track record instead of them taking action against far-right and fascist groups that are harrassing the RNLI, the public, & shutting down infrastructure www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK's 'dismal' Eurovision song choices to be examined by MPs
It comes after the UK's entry Look Mum No Computer came last in May's final, scoring just one point.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 18, 2026 at 12:40 PM
It's an easy and cheap ploy to attack people for considering a minor issue when there are far more important ones that haven't been dealt with properly. Take that to its logical conclusion and we shouldn't focus on anything except the climate emergency and potential AI calamities.
I take Ramipril and I cough more than most people, but not quite enough to consider changing medication. It works well at reducing blood pressure.
A pharmacist has issued a message to anyone taking ramipril for their blood pressure about a side effect she says isn't very well known.
Pharmacist shares 'little known' ramipril side effect message to users
www.mirror.co.uk
September 18, 2026 at 12:34 PM
I take Ramipril and I cough more than most people, but not quite enough to consider changing medication. It works well at reducing blood pressure.
Reposted by Geoff Smith
"Five hundred new officers to be recruited in a £500 million crackdown on money laundering, as part of the government's Anti-Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Strategy."
Haven't seen much coverage of this. Long overdue.
Haven't seen much coverage of this. Long overdue.
Hundreds of new officers to hunt down dirty money networks
Five hundred new officers to be recruited in a £500 million crackdown on money laundering, as part of the government's Anti-Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Strategy.
www.gov.uk
September 17, 2026 at 6:49 PM
"Five hundred new officers to be recruited in a £500 million crackdown on money laundering, as part of the government's Anti-Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Strategy."
Haven't seen much coverage of this. Long overdue.
Haven't seen much coverage of this. Long overdue.
On my pointless jobs list 'royal expert' would come near the top.
Royal experts have weighed in on how the Prince and Princess of Wales will react to Prince Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK - and what it means for the Royal Family
Prince William and Kate see Harry and Meghan 'return to UK drama as sideshow'
www.mirror.co.uk
September 18, 2026 at 6:53 AM
On my pointless jobs list 'royal expert' would come near the top.
Reposted by Geoff Smith
The Tories, Reform and the UK right-wing all attack the appointment of TUC head Paul Nowak as a director of the Bank of England. Guess they all think board rooms are just for the rich, powerful & their friends & not representatives of working people. Telling.
www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
Fury as Labour appoints 'socialist' trade unionist to help run Bank of England
Chancellor John Healey picks Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, to board
www.express.co.uk
September 16, 2026 at 4:50 PM
The Tories, Reform and the UK right-wing all attack the appointment of TUC head Paul Nowak as a director of the Bank of England. Guess they all think board rooms are just for the rich, powerful & their friends & not representatives of working people. Telling.
www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Geoff Smith
£3 - the annual Labour affiliation fee per affiliated union member.
£36,000,000 - how much each of two billionaires donated to Reform UK.
One billionaire donated the equivalent of 12 million union members’ annual affiliation fees. The two are not the same.
£36,000,000 - how much each of two billionaires donated to Reform UK.
One billionaire donated the equivalent of 12 million union members’ annual affiliation fees. The two are not the same.
September 14, 2026 at 9:03 AM
£3 - the annual Labour affiliation fee per affiliated union member.
£36,000,000 - how much each of two billionaires donated to Reform UK.
One billionaire donated the equivalent of 12 million union members’ annual affiliation fees. The two are not the same.
£36,000,000 - how much each of two billionaires donated to Reform UK.
One billionaire donated the equivalent of 12 million union members’ annual affiliation fees. The two are not the same.
Reposted by Geoff Smith
🇬🇧 UK Poll of Polls: 13 September 2026
27% 🌹 Labour
23% ➡️ Reform
20% 🌳 Conservative
11% 🐥 Lib Dem
10% 🍃 Green
6% 👽 Other
3% ✖️ SNP
27% 🌹 Labour
23% ➡️ Reform
20% 🌳 Conservative
11% 🐥 Lib Dem
10% 🍃 Green
6% 👽 Other
3% ✖️ SNP
September 13, 2026 at 9:22 AM
🇬🇧 UK Poll of Polls: 13 September 2026
27% 🌹 Labour
23% ➡️ Reform
20% 🌳 Conservative
11% 🐥 Lib Dem
10% 🍃 Green
6% 👽 Other
3% ✖️ SNP
27% 🌹 Labour
23% ➡️ Reform
20% 🌳 Conservative
11% 🐥 Lib Dem
10% 🍃 Green
6% 👽 Other
3% ✖️ SNP
Reposted by Geoff Smith
"Do you think Canada should deepen strategic cooperation with the European Union on foreign policy, defence, and economic priorities?"
🟢Support: 80%
⚫️Oppose: 10%
Abacus / Sept 9, 2026
🟢Support: 80%
⚫️Oppose: 10%
Abacus / Sept 9, 2026
September 14, 2026 at 6:58 PM
"Do you think Canada should deepen strategic cooperation with the European Union on foreign policy, defence, and economic priorities?"
🟢Support: 80%
⚫️Oppose: 10%
Abacus / Sept 9, 2026
🟢Support: 80%
⚫️Oppose: 10%
Abacus / Sept 9, 2026
Reposted by Geoff Smith
Decisive: for every voter opposed to political donation caps, almost three others back them.
New YouGov polling: Voters overwhelmingly back a UK donations cap
September 14, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Decisive: for every voter opposed to political donation caps, almost three others back them.
Reposted by Geoff Smith
Elections could once be won by having good policies and campaigning for them on the doorstep and in debates.
Now they are more likely to be won by whoever has the most money to spread lies & misinformation
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Now they are more likely to be won by whoever has the most money to spread lies & misinformation
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Ben Delo: Reform receives record £36m donation from cryptocurrency billionaire
Ben Delo's donation, the biggest single sum ever given to a political party in the UK, comes amid scrutiny of Reform's finances.
www.bbc.com
September 12, 2026 at 6:42 AM
Elections could once be won by having good policies and campaigning for them on the doorstep and in debates.
Now they are more likely to be won by whoever has the most money to spread lies & misinformation
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Now they are more likely to be won by whoever has the most money to spread lies & misinformation
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Geoff Smith
£72 million is more than every UK political party combined accepted in donations and public funds throughout the whole of 2025.
It’s more than twice what a party contesting every seat may spend nationally in the year before a general election.
This is NOT normal!
www.uglypolitix.com/p/two-men-48...
It’s more than twice what a party contesting every seat may spend nationally in the year before a general election.
This is NOT normal!
www.uglypolitix.com/p/two-men-48...
Two men, 48 hours, £72m - What’s the Problem?
Two men gave Reform more in 48 hours than every British party raised in 2025. The Government's answer is a working group with no members, no remit and no timetable.
www.uglypolitix.com
September 12, 2026 at 9:20 PM
£72 million is more than every UK political party combined accepted in donations and public funds throughout the whole of 2025.
It’s more than twice what a party contesting every seat may spend nationally in the year before a general election.
This is NOT normal!
www.uglypolitix.com/p/two-men-48...
It’s more than twice what a party contesting every seat may spend nationally in the year before a general election.
This is NOT normal!
www.uglypolitix.com/p/two-men-48...
Reposted by Geoff Smith
It’s not too late to stop this madness - the government has said the uk mega donors are a problem. The lords can bring in a cap on UK donors to stop any attempt to buy the next election. Share this and ask your MP to join us protecting British democracy.
September 11, 2026 at 9:23 PM
It’s not too late to stop this madness - the government has said the uk mega donors are a problem. The lords can bring in a cap on UK donors to stop any attempt to buy the next election. Share this and ask your MP to join us protecting British democracy.
Made a small contribution to this total.
The RNLI volunteer has told us that donations usually run at £20,000 per day. Currently running at £100,000 per day!
Bloody brilliant!
Bloody brilliant!
September 11, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Made a small contribution to this total.
Satarised some time ago by 1066 And All That
I'd go a step further and say this question, "do you think the Norman Conquest of 1066 had a positive or negative impact on Britain", by being so uniquely pointless, is a perfect encapsulation of the popular attitudes towards history, where all events are judged through the prism of 'good' and 'bad'
What I love about the people answering “negative” is they are basically saying “the last thousand years? I don’t care for them”.
September 11, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Satarised some time ago by 1066 And All That
Reposted by Geoff Smith
Gambling does great harm, wrecks and takes lives, it’s highly addictive and socially harmful - these people make enormous amounts of money, the house very definitely always wins - and very definitely always whinges when it comes to paying their fair share of tax.
September 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Gambling does great harm, wrecks and takes lives, it’s highly addictive and socially harmful - these people make enormous amounts of money, the house very definitely always wins - and very definitely always whinges when it comes to paying their fair share of tax.