lukens

I think we’re referring to the same people. I call them “moderates” in quotes as they are (or were) the mainstream of politics who always liked to label themselves “moderates” (or “sensible” or “grown up”), as a way of disparaging any other views as “radical” (which they always mean as a negative).

I created a Minute Cryptic for you to solve:

Tonic extract is taken by parent after china bear’s tail is displaced by niece’s mayhem (11)

www.minutecryptic.com/custom/a38ff...

With Reform still polling strongly, we cannot afford to split the left-wing vote.

#votegreen

Ooh, that green on the woodwork is just the kind of colour I’m looking for for my windows…

YouTube video by Sky News Elon Musk, X and the shaping of British politics

Sky News's data forensics team has spent 9 months examining the algorithm on Elon Musk's X platform, and found it clearly promotes right wing views to new users of the site, even to those who deliberately only follow left wing accounts. This short film explains more www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq6M...

🎬 The arts aren’t a luxury - they’re an export.

At #Lab25, @aiannucci.bsky.social reminds us that the UK’s Creative Industries make up 6% of our economy and 7% of our workforce - the GDP equivalent of oil + car industries combined.

🎥 Watch more clips from the Creative UK Pavilion hubs.ly/Q03QVhV90

A better warning would be to reverse any advice from Blair think tank.

Yeh, though I approve of avoiding Spotify, that does not sound like a better world version of that. 😅

Did any kind people compile and share usable playlists?

😜

I’m interested what you mean by avoiding it completely.

I’ve never used it for listening to the playlists, but I also know you like the idea of making people go to additional effort to listen to each track, and wondered if you’d had a league set up in that format.

How did you even log in to Music League if avoiding Spotify completely?

A photo of two hands, one being noticeably swollen.

Can you guess which hand the wasp stung me on?

“Tank? Me? No, I’m just an innocent long-nosed hedgehog wearing a jaunty hat!”

Pretty sure the first thing everyone thinks when they think of @watsoncomedian.bsky.social is “what a bastard!”.

> But we are at the stage where there are no good options ☹️

And there seem to be far too few people acknowledging this.

Though, I guess it’s the same as with climate breakdown.

I need to watch Don’t Look Up again,

YouTube video by Sky News Nigel Farage calls for change to voting system

Here’s how they could go: “after the last election Nigel Farage said he would campaign with anyone and everyone to change the electoral system. Well, today he need campaign no more, as we will present a bill to parliament for PR, which we are sure he will be happy to back”

youtu.be/KrR1o4jvVDs?...

Starmer has limited opportunity left to avoid going down in history as the PM who absolutely gifted the UK to fascists. Introducing PR could be his only hope.

I think, at this stage, it might be one of the only things Labour could do that might go well for them.

Even if it doesn’t go well for them as a party, they are a) fairly totally screwed anyway, b) may not be forgiven for failing to take the opportunity whilst they still could.

Electoral Calculus prediction based on Find Out Now poll showing Reform UK majority of 194 seats. Predicted vote shares and seats: Labour 16% (34 seats) Conservatives 16% (14 seats) Reform 32% (422 seats) Liberal Democrats 12% (49 seats) Green 17% (51 seats)

Hey, “moderates”, how’s the old “but PR will give the far-right seats in parliament” argument looking like it’s panning out for you lately?

Also, as you say, the far right aren’t going to follow convention if they gain power.

It’s also funny that one of the main argument’s certain people have always used against PR is that it would give the far right seats in parliament, yet now might be the only thing to reduce their seats.

It’s not really convention. There have only ever been three UK wide referenda. They have maybe been for more significant changes than others, but there have been plenty of other changes like fixed-term Parliament act (and revocation of), changes to voter franchise, Lords reform, etc, that haven’t.

Hopefully Labour realise they cannot stop a Reform landslide through any route other than electoral reform before it’s too late.

Unfortunately it’s maybe already too late, and Labour are still being too arrogant to realise (and are now hoping people will just get bored of Farage!).

I’m pretty sure there’s no requirement for a referendum to change the voting system. Parliament is sovereign and could legislate for it without a referendum.

Referendums for it are usually proposed because they’re put forward by parties who don’t want the reform but want to appear open to the idea.

Westminster Voting Intention:

RFM: 32% (=)
GRN: 17% (+2)
CON: 16% (-1)
LAB: 16% (=)
LDM: 12% (=)
SNP: 2% (=)

Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 29 Oct.
Changes w/ 22 Oct.

Seems a weird move from the guy who’s obsessed with getting the Nobel peace prize.

four more*

This was my thought, they’ve finally let the cat out the bag that they are not one-and-the-same.

Our latest Westminster voting intention (26-27 Oct) has Labour on their lowest figure ever recorded by YouGov, with the Greens on their highest

Reform UK: 27% (+1 from 19-20 Oct)
Labour: 17% (-3)
Conservatives: 17% (=)
Greens: 16% (+1)
Lib Dems: 15% (=)
SNP: 3% (-1)

yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...

Yeh, I remembered the instant I sent the post, but Bluesky still doesn’t let you edit them, and it was already past my bedtime, so I was too lazy to repost. Sorry, poor excuse, I know.

Adverts should be representative of traditional British families

Beat me to this one!