@mickrab.bsky.social
Europhile boomer who appreciates how lucky I am. London accent with Yorkshire twinges, but heart in Galway.
Savage cynic, a bit sweary, no prisoners. Tax is the price you pay for a civilised society.
Savage cynic, a bit sweary, no prisoners. Tax is the price you pay for a civilised society.
Pinned
mickrab.bsky.social
@mickrab.bsky.social
· Jan 13
The absence of a clear answer from a politician normally means the politically inconvenient answer is the truth.
Save this,it is a maxim for the ages.
Save this,it is a maxim for the ages.
It has been Israeli policy to blur those lines for 80 years. Still today's primary strategy.
Too often those who speak against Israeli atrocities are simply labelled anti semitic - it’s a cynical tactic, from an openly racist state, to try and use racism to defend itself. Totally Trump - 'shadow projection' on steroids.
September 15, 2026 at 12:41 PM
It has been Israeli policy to blur those lines for 80 years. Still today's primary strategy.
When it comes to scales of dimness, there are 5 watt bulbs, there is the dark side of the moon, there are coal mines, black holes...and then there is Helen Whately.
One more time: Inheritance tax *is not unique or even uncommon* in being "double taxation". The coffee I just bought was paid for with wages on which income tax and NI had been levied, but was also subject to VAT. Just stop it.
September 15, 2026 at 11:43 AM
When it comes to scales of dimness, there are 5 watt bulbs, there is the dark side of the moon, there are coal mines, black holes...and then there is Helen Whately.
@chrisbjohns.bsky.social
Chris. I was telling you how the big supermarkets can quote low margins by inflating costs. This from
@privateeyenews.bsky.social . 11.5% on an associated party loan. Taking the piss big style!
Chris. I was telling you how the big supermarkets can quote low margins by inflating costs. This from
@privateeyenews.bsky.social . 11.5% on an associated party loan. Taking the piss big style!
September 14, 2026 at 3:41 PM
@chrisbjohns.bsky.social
Chris. I was telling you how the big supermarkets can quote low margins by inflating costs. This from
@privateeyenews.bsky.social . 11.5% on an associated party loan. Taking the piss big style!
Chris. I was telling you how the big supermarkets can quote low margins by inflating costs. This from
@privateeyenews.bsky.social . 11.5% on an associated party loan. Taking the piss big style!
Dud Czech Mail?
This mail arrived today - it’s what I used to get through a whole week … and now it seems only to be delivered once a week. I don’t blame post office or “Royal” Mail workers , but is it time to stop pretending there’s anything “Royal” about the mail in Britain? Any suggestions for a better name?
September 14, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Dud Czech Mail?
Reposted
What I’ve learned from the war in Gaza and Lebanon…
September 13, 2026 at 7:10 PM
What I’ve learned from the war in Gaza and Lebanon…
@thegrenoblegirl.bsky.social
Seems like your man isn't the only mad English cyclist in your neck of the woods. 😱
Seems like your man isn't the only mad English cyclist in your neck of the woods. 😱
Just a week to go here before the return to Devon, and the weather and body are playing ball (within reason – I've still got to ride within heart rehab limits, obviously).
A vey simple road ride to Recoubeau and St Roman. More photos on the blog.
unanglaisendiois.blogspot.com/2026/09/exte...
A vey simple road ride to Recoubeau and St Roman. More photos on the blog.
unanglaisendiois.blogspot.com/2026/09/exte...
September 14, 2026 at 6:42 AM
@thegrenoblegirl.bsky.social
Seems like your man isn't the only mad English cyclist in your neck of the woods. 😱
Seems like your man isn't the only mad English cyclist in your neck of the woods. 😱
Reposted
I’m just a person on my fucking knees begging the government to use its absolutely massive majority to do something extremely fucking popular: save our democracy.
September 13, 2026 at 10:39 AM
I’m just a person on my fucking knees begging the government to use its absolutely massive majority to do something extremely fucking popular: save our democracy.
Reposted
Burnham’s government has such a huge majority, they could pass pretty much any laws they wish - that they choose not to - tells you everything you need to know.
@lbc.co.uk Labour are literally in position to reform our politics and prevent us going down this path.
They are SO pathetic.
Annoyingly limp.
They will do nothing to clean up British politics.
I hate being stuck in a society where our politicians are so wishywashy.
They are SO pathetic.
Annoyingly limp.
They will do nothing to clean up British politics.
I hate being stuck in a society where our politicians are so wishywashy.
September 13, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Burnham’s government has such a huge majority, they could pass pretty much any laws they wish - that they choose not to - tells you everything you need to know.
Reposted
Ironically, having £72 million will mean I can spend more money promoting the idea that I'm a man of the people and not just a rich, entitled tosser.
September 12, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Ironically, having £72 million will mean I can spend more money promoting the idea that I'm a man of the people and not just a rich, entitled tosser.
Reposted
Looks like a certain petulant brat got his saggy ass handed to him by a strong woman. You know how much he must have delighted in that. Thank you, President Connolly!
September 12, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Looks like a certain petulant brat got his saggy ass handed to him by a strong woman. You know how much he must have delighted in that. Thank you, President Connolly!
Reposted
Love the Irish🇮🇪
September 12, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Love the Irish🇮🇪
That's a very polite "Fuck Off". Very impressive.
Had a reply back from coop about the advertising with the express, after I emailed them:
September 12, 2026 at 8:29 PM
That's a very polite "Fuck Off". Very impressive.
Reposted
I love this photo…
#LoveChildBarron 🤣
#LoveChildBarron 🤣
September 12, 2026 at 4:31 PM
I love this photo…
#LoveChildBarron 🤣
#LoveChildBarron 🤣
Reposted
Trump becomes the first orange man to support a united Ireland
Breaking: Donald Trump says
“I’d love to see Ireland unified…. I think it would be a great thing. How could it be bad?”
Oh my word.
“I’d love to see Ireland unified…. I think it would be a great thing. How could it be bad?”
Oh my word.
September 12, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Trump becomes the first orange man to support a united Ireland
Labour's "do nothing" option on funding is kamikaze politics of the most naive kind.
My suggestion would be to limit political donations to the level of UK income or corporation tax paid by individuals or companies. To twist a well known phrase or saying: No representation without taxation.
My suggestion would be to limit political donations to the level of UK income or corporation tax paid by individuals or companies. To twist a well known phrase or saying: No representation without taxation.
Ridiculous sums of money don’t level the playing field - they distort it. It’s increasingly urgent that we get to grips with Political funding in Britain - our democracy is for sale to the highest bidder.
September 12, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Labour's "do nothing" option on funding is kamikaze politics of the most naive kind.
My suggestion would be to limit political donations to the level of UK income or corporation tax paid by individuals or companies. To twist a well known phrase or saying: No representation without taxation.
My suggestion would be to limit political donations to the level of UK income or corporation tax paid by individuals or companies. To twist a well known phrase or saying: No representation without taxation.
@robinlustig.bsky.social
Robin
I've recommended your Is Anything Happening to my sister for her sight-impaired book club. She can't find it on her Audible app. Do you know if a spoken version is available anywhere?
Robin
I've recommended your Is Anything Happening to my sister for her sight-impaired book club. She can't find it on her Audible app. Do you know if a spoken version is available anywhere?
September 12, 2026 at 12:15 PM
@robinlustig.bsky.social
Robin
I've recommended your Is Anything Happening to my sister for her sight-impaired book club. She can't find it on her Audible app. Do you know if a spoken version is available anywhere?
Robin
I've recommended your Is Anything Happening to my sister for her sight-impaired book club. She can't find it on her Audible app. Do you know if a spoken version is available anywhere?
Reposted
#PoliticsNotForSale According to parliamentary evidence, "If these conditions were met, trade union affiliations would be regarded as an aggregation of individual donations rather than a single large donation, thus avoiding a proposed £10,000 donation cap" committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
TUP0004 - Evidence on Trade Union Political Funds and Political Party Funding
committees.parliament.uk
September 12, 2026 at 7:55 AM
#PoliticsNotForSale According to parliamentary evidence, "If these conditions were met, trade union affiliations would be regarded as an aggregation of individual donations rather than a single large donation, thus avoiding a proposed £10,000 donation cap" committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
Reposted
Writing for PolHome late last month, Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Emily Thornberry called on the government to ban all overseas and cryptocurrency donations, arguing that current plans don't go far enough
"I am not a dinosaur; I am just a democrat," @emilythornberry.bsky.social wrote
"I am not a dinosaur; I am just a democrat," @emilythornberry.bsky.social wrote
We can stop foreign-based millionaires influencing our politics. Why don’t we?
The government's plan to stop foreign money influencing our politics is welcome but must go further.
www.politicshome.com
September 12, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Writing for PolHome late last month, Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Emily Thornberry called on the government to ban all overseas and cryptocurrency donations, arguing that current plans don't go far enough
"I am not a dinosaur; I am just a democrat," @emilythornberry.bsky.social wrote
"I am not a dinosaur; I am just a democrat," @emilythornberry.bsky.social wrote
Reposted
Neoliberals want to cut social security, silent on subsidies to banks.
Since 2006, Bank of England has paid interest on central bank reserve deposits to commercial banks.
The EU & the Swiss stopped similar practice in 2023.
UK still paying, £100bn in last 3 yrs.
There are better uses of £100bn.
Since 2006, Bank of England has paid interest on central bank reserve deposits to commercial banks.
The EU & the Swiss stopped similar practice in 2023.
UK still paying, £100bn in last 3 yrs.
There are better uses of £100bn.
Here’s how the chancellor can raise the billions needed to improve the quality of life of millions
Prem Sikka is an Emeritus Professor of Accounting at the University of Essex and the University of Sheffield, a Labour member of the House of Lords, and Contributing Editor at Left Foot Forward. Mi...
leftfootforward.org
September 11, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Neoliberals want to cut social security, silent on subsidies to banks.
Since 2006, Bank of England has paid interest on central bank reserve deposits to commercial banks.
The EU & the Swiss stopped similar practice in 2023.
UK still paying, £100bn in last 3 yrs.
There are better uses of £100bn.
Since 2006, Bank of England has paid interest on central bank reserve deposits to commercial banks.
The EU & the Swiss stopped similar practice in 2023.
UK still paying, £100bn in last 3 yrs.
There are better uses of £100bn.
Pure, pure class!!
September 12, 2026 at 7:49 AM
Pure, pure class!!
That cunt will never die. To quote my acid- tongued aunt.
'God doesn't want him and the devil wouldn't have him.'
'God doesn't want him and the devil wouldn't have him.'
September 12, 2026 at 7:36 AM
That cunt will never die. To quote my acid- tongued aunt.
'God doesn't want him and the devil wouldn't have him.'
'God doesn't want him and the devil wouldn't have him.'
Reposted
This mofo hesitates way too damn long. You can imagine what his plans are.
September 11, 2026 at 5:20 AM
This mofo hesitates way too damn long. You can imagine what his plans are.
Reposted
This is a spiteful unnecessary act from unprincipled people, blinded by their own greed. Labour should do more to control this toxic industry.
September 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM
This is a spiteful unnecessary act from unprincipled people, blinded by their own greed. Labour should do more to control this toxic industry.
Spot on. Benefits are actually subsidising greedy employers who get away with paying shit wages.
I think what Badenoch meant to say here is: “British employers are dependent on welfare to subsidise a massively underpaid workforce” - particularly when you consider that around 40% of claimants are actually in work.
But that’s just me splitting hairs, I suppose.
But that’s just me splitting hairs, I suppose.
September 10, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Spot on. Benefits are actually subsidising greedy employers who get away with paying shit wages.
My daughter had her case stolen on the train home from Manchester Airport.
On another occasion a guy sat in front of me saw someone walking along the platform pulling his case. Jumped off, chased him and grabbed it back.
Must happen every day.
On another occasion a guy sat in front of me saw someone walking along the platform pulling his case. Jumped off, chased him and grabbed it back.
Must happen every day.
September 10, 2026 at 9:56 AM