Jack Fleming
@jfefleming.bsky.social
Singer, reader, cook, climber, liberal, feminist, bike rider, outdoors person.
Policy wonk in search of a better world.
Born at 355ppm
Policy wonk in search of a better world.
Born at 355ppm
Pinned
Jack Fleming
@jfefleming.bsky.social
· Jun 24
I feel like the UK Government needs to hire new designers for the covers of Industrial Strategy documents...
Honestly I think IHT is great and OT should be a core pillar pf the tax system, combating generational inequality by taking money from people who are literally dead.
George is right but I've always thought they would do this because it is probably the policy that works best politically for them.
IHT is wildly unpopular, especially in the southern seats they need to try and win back from the Libs.
IHT is wildly unpopular, especially in the southern seats they need to try and win back from the Libs.
Inheritance tax is paid by less than 5% of estates and couples can already transfer up to £1m in property tax-free.
Abolishing it would be regressive, unmeritocratic and a bad use of £9bn.
Abolishing it would be regressive, unmeritocratic and a bad use of £9bn.
September 13, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Honestly I think IHT is great and OT should be a core pillar pf the tax system, combating generational inequality by taking money from people who are literally dead.
Why oh why are massive cars the norm these days? We managed to haggle the size of our hire car down sightly (though not ad much as I'd have liked, as we needed an automatic, but parking in a small village in the south of France is still a darn sight harder than I'd like
September 10, 2026 at 6:13 AM
Why oh why are massive cars the norm these days? We managed to haggle the size of our hire car down sightly (though not ad much as I'd have liked, as we needed an automatic, but parking in a small village in the south of France is still a darn sight harder than I'd like
Why oh why are massive cars the norm these days? We managed to haggle the size of our hire car down sightly (though not ad much as I'd have liked, as we needed an automatic, but parking in a small village in the south of France is still a darn sight harder than I'd like
September 10, 2026 at 6:12 AM
Why oh why are massive cars the norm these days? We managed to haggle the size of our hire car down sightly (though not ad much as I'd have liked, as we needed an automatic, but parking in a small village in the south of France is still a darn sight harder than I'd like
Item 1. Blog post from yours truly, 22 July.
Item 2. @politico.eu London Playbook this morning
Clearly where I go, journalism follows! 🤣
Item 2. @politico.eu London Playbook this morning
Clearly where I go, journalism follows! 🤣
August 25, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Item 1. Blog post from yours truly, 22 July.
Item 2. @politico.eu London Playbook this morning
Clearly where I go, journalism follows! 🤣
Item 2. @politico.eu London Playbook this morning
Clearly where I go, journalism follows! 🤣
I honestly see no good reason to oppose a cap on individual gifts. Democracy should not be for sale.
Also, no good reason not to ban *all* donations from any organisations. Union donations are aggregated member donations anyway, so a union carve-out just offers a work around for individual caps.
Also, no good reason not to ban *all* donations from any organisations. Union donations are aggregated member donations anyway, so a union carve-out just offers a work around for individual caps.
August 21, 2026 at 8:21 AM
I honestly see no good reason to oppose a cap on individual gifts. Democracy should not be for sale.
Also, no good reason not to ban *all* donations from any organisations. Union donations are aggregated member donations anyway, so a union carve-out just offers a work around for individual caps.
Also, no good reason not to ban *all* donations from any organisations. Union donations are aggregated member donations anyway, so a union carve-out just offers a work around for individual caps.
Even if you choose to ignore literally all climate science, this finding alone should be enough to convince you that burning fossil fuels is a bad idea.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Ulez led to better lung size and function among London children, study finds
Researchers find capacity stunted by pollution restored after introduction of ultra-low emission zone
www.theguardian.com
August 19, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Even if you choose to ignore literally all climate science, this finding alone should be enough to convince you that burning fossil fuels is a bad idea.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Second time around #ToKillAMockingbird remains one of the most powerful pieces of theatre I have ever seen.
Please do see it if you have the chance.
Please do see it if you have the chance.
August 17, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Second time around #ToKillAMockingbird remains one of the most powerful pieces of theatre I have ever seen.
Please do see it if you have the chance.
Please do see it if you have the chance.
I should really delete my facebook...
August 13, 2026 at 12:19 PM
I should really delete my facebook...
Reposted by Jack Fleming
Hope @andyburnham.bsky.social doesn't open up more North Sea fossil fuels during UK heatwaves and fires.
August 13, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Hope @andyburnham.bsky.social doesn't open up more North Sea fossil fuels during UK heatwaves and fires.
I understand the politics around the PC Harper early releases & sympathise with his family.
But any early release cut off will include *someone* who society has decided should be in jail.
Changing the cut off just opens the PM up to pressure from the next victim's family.
But any early release cut off will include *someone* who society has decided should be in jail.
Changing the cut off just opens the PM up to pressure from the next victim's family.
August 12, 2026 at 8:28 AM
I understand the politics around the PC Harper early releases & sympathise with his family.
But any early release cut off will include *someone* who society has decided should be in jail.
Changing the cut off just opens the PM up to pressure from the next victim's family.
But any early release cut off will include *someone* who society has decided should be in jail.
Changing the cut off just opens the PM up to pressure from the next victim's family.
Reposted by Jack Fleming
"Solar farms covered 0.06 per cent of UK land, as of 2024, and are likely to cover “far less” than 0.5 per cent by 2030."
I wonder how much of that land is "Best quality" farmland or is used to grow biofuels.
I wonder how much of that land is "Best quality" farmland or is used to grow biofuels.
Absolute joke for a Green Party to oppose solar panels. But very much in keeping with why the UK and whole of Europe are failing on energy policy. Other priorities...
www.ft.com/content/6fe7...
www.ft.com/content/6fe7...
The one climate issue uniting Greens and Reform in Kent
Insurgent parties of left and right find common cause in stance over major solar farm scheme but UK government will have final say
www.ft.com
August 6, 2026 at 8:00 AM
"Solar farms covered 0.06 per cent of UK land, as of 2024, and are likely to cover “far less” than 0.5 per cent by 2030."
I wonder how much of that land is "Best quality" farmland or is used to grow biofuels.
I wonder how much of that land is "Best quality" farmland or is used to grow biofuels.
Starting to think that, just as you need Home Office certification to experiment on live animals for science, anyone doing AI work should be certified.
And perhaps we need some non-proliferation treaties or sale licensing as we have for arms?
And perhaps we need some non-proliferation treaties or sale licensing as we have for arms?
August 6, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Starting to think that, just as you need Home Office certification to experiment on live animals for science, anyone doing AI work should be certified.
And perhaps we need some non-proliferation treaties or sale licensing as we have for arms?
And perhaps we need some non-proliferation treaties or sale licensing as we have for arms?
Went to see the #JonathanLarsonProject at @swkplay.bsky.social tonight.
Its genuinely brilliant. Captures the breadth of everything Larson's early death denied the musical theatre world. Please go and see it, there are far too many tickets left.
www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/j...
Its genuinely brilliant. Captures the breadth of everything Larson's early death denied the musical theatre world. Please go and see it, there are far too many tickets left.
www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/j...
The Jonathan Larson Project review – Rent composer’s lost songs find a glorious new home
A lesser-known selection from the composer and lyricist’s archive is full of heart and humour, swinging between cabaret blues and pop bangers
www.theguardian.com
July 29, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Went to see the #JonathanLarsonProject at @swkplay.bsky.social tonight.
Its genuinely brilliant. Captures the breadth of everything Larson's early death denied the musical theatre world. Please go and see it, there are far too many tickets left.
www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/j...
Its genuinely brilliant. Captures the breadth of everything Larson's early death denied the musical theatre world. Please go and see it, there are far too many tickets left.
www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/j...
@hankgreen.bsky.social listening to your newest episode of humans, I really hope you've read the Redwall books!
July 26, 2026 at 8:56 PM
@hankgreen.bsky.social listening to your newest episode of humans, I really hope you've read the Redwall books!
One pub near me has no TV screens. Reader, I had a delightful evening with some choir friends.
July 15, 2026 at 9:37 PM
One pub near me has no TV screens. Reader, I had a delightful evening with some choir friends.
I will now be able to rollmout mynstock IT crowd quote tomorrow
It Crowd Moss: Ludicrous Display
ALT: It Crowd Moss: Ludicrous Display
static.klipy.com
July 15, 2026 at 9:35 PM
I will now be able to rollmout mynstock IT crowd quote tomorrow
Rayner angling for Greater Manchester mayor anyone?
June 23, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Rayner angling for Greater Manchester mayor anyone?
Evidence of my disinterest in football - I didn't know they're was more than one
"I don't call him Ronaldo I call him Cristiano here is only one Ronaldo and he wore 9 not 7" Henry just hit the hardest slide tackle of the entire world cup while standing in the studio
June 23, 2026 at 6:47 AM
Evidence of my disinterest in football - I didn't know they're was more than one
That thunderstorm felt like nothing I've seen in the UK before.
But if wouldn't have felt out of place in the tropics....
But if wouldn't have felt out of place in the tropics....
June 23, 2026 at 6:43 AM
That thunderstorm felt like nothing I've seen in the UK before.
But if wouldn't have felt out of place in the tropics....
But if wouldn't have felt out of place in the tropics....
Reposted by Jack Fleming
Seeing this movie around the same time your actually read Romeo and Juliet is a *very* specific generational calling card that I’m more than happy to carry
June 18, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Seeing this movie around the same time your actually read Romeo and Juliet is a *very* specific generational calling card that I’m more than happy to carry
If the reporting is anything to go by, the new EHRC guidance seems to make life worse for literally all its key stakeholders
May 21, 2026 at 9:19 PM
If the reporting is anything to go by, the new EHRC guidance seems to make life worse for literally all its key stakeholders
Jonn: Asks for views from the Lib Dems.
Lib Dems:
Lib Dems:
May 18, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Jonn: Asks for views from the Lib Dems.
Lib Dems:
Lib Dems:
FFS
Rachel Reeves will scrap plans this week to increase fuel duty by 5p a litre from September amid mounting concerns about the impact of the Iran war on the cost of living
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Rachel Reeves to scrap 5p fuel duty increase
The chancellor is expected to announce a series of measures to help families and businesses deal with escalating prices caused by the Iran war
www.thetimes.com
May 18, 2026 at 7:08 AM
FFS
This is London was a staple of my childhood. Iconic.
This week's theme is 'People of London' - a celebration of ALL the people who make and have made London the beautiful city it is.
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'The London Underground'
(from 'This Is London', 1959) by Miroslav Šašek
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'The London Underground'
(from 'This Is London', 1959) by Miroslav Šašek
May 18, 2026 at 7:03 AM
This is London was a staple of my childhood. Iconic.