Patrick

So it looks very much like, when Wes Streeting claimed he “was never a close friend of Mandelson”, he was not telling the whole truth.
…and the Guardian gave him a platform to do it.

The Labour Party in a nutshell.

For all his protestations. Starmer would have known all along about Mandelson. Presumably worked with him to bring down Corbyn. Amongst other occasions.

Over 300,000 ‘excess’ deaths in Great Britain attributed to UK Government austerity policies Recent evidence has shown people across the UK are dying younger as a result of austerity, with people living in the poorest areas hardest hit. A new study published today now quantifies the scale of ...

Funny old World. 15,000 dearhs as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine is an out and out tragedy.
300,000 deaths linked to Conservative Austerity.....
..... Is Policy.
www.gla.ac.uk/news/archive...

😄

If that was humankind, it would possibly avoid a lot of trouble! 😄

Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in office Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the Metropolitan Police said.

YES!

RTE news : Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in office

www.rte.ie/news/uk/2026...

Birds of a feather?
If only we knew in 97.

Is that a smirk?

You could say the same of the High Street. For years, Councils chased after bigger shops and their needs, given tax and rent breaks, built on Green Belt out of town and it has failed spectacularly.
If we had nurtured our small business and given them space + low rents they would have thrived!

What occurs to me is - whilst all the attention is on Andrew, who is getting away unpunished?

Over 80% of 16 to 24-year-olds would vote to rejoin the EU, ITV poll finds

www.itv.com/news/2026-02...

I was hoping 2017, or even 19 might have brought about a resurgence of those denied the vote in 2016, but by that time, Johnson had firmly parked his tanks firmly on Farage's lawn (effectively).

Yes! I spotted something nasty discharging from an outlet below Carlisle Bridge, a little while back. I don't think I'd want to play in it either!

Ha! Water companies! 😡 We went onto meter readings because it cut our bill in half. One year and a bit on and they've raised prices to match the old charges anyway and what do we get for that? Scummier residues on drink mugs than ever before and kettles needing rescaling for the first time ever!

Cameron's decision to not allow 16yo's to vote in the Referendum did a lot of damage, but I was surprised there wasn't a greater turnout of the Youth vote by 2017 as a result.

No surprise when monthly payments have effectively doubled for many. Labour's token £150 is peanuts Energy needs taking back from the Profiteers.

But will they turn out to vote?

It's about time people cottoned on to Starmer's hatred of Disabled People.
More proof he's far removed from "proper Labour"

The Labour Together scandal goes right to the heart of No 10 – Starmer has nowhere to hide | Peter Geoghegan He can sack who he wants to protect himself, but all roads currently lead back to the prime minister, says Peter Geoghegan of Democracy for Sale

Jolly good that someone else is questioning who is really at the heart of this bauble of corruption.

The Labour Together scandal goes right to the heart of No 10 – Starmer has nowhere to hide www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Loved the transport connectivity in Nantes. They know how to link services too!

Petition on Israeli influence in UK politics hits another huge milestone

A petition calling for a public inquiry into pro-Israel influence in UK politics and democracy has surpassed 50,000 signatures

I say again. Starmer had to be strong armed, lobbied or "nudged" into scrapping this. That he dares to claim to have a microcosm of compassion in his little finger is an absolute abomination.
Look at Labour's treatment of Disabled People and the forthcoming benefit cuts for details.

Labour had to be lobbied, nay, bullied to putting together anything resembling helpful policies for those struggling. Too busy, like Farage in courting big corporations.

New year wishes to you and as for O'Brien, watch out for mysterious Policemen.

Campaigner turned down MBE over ‘scapegoating’ of people with disabilities Exclusive: In letter declining proposed award, Tressa Burke, CEO of Glasgow Disability Alliance, accused government of ‘fuelling hatred’

Bravo Tressa Burke for throwing it back in this disgusting Government's face!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

I remember 12 hour days! 🫩 Hope you catch up soon and good wishes for the year to come.

@bintymcfrazzles.bsky.social
Christmas greetings....
It later occurred to me that the line "finally break free"
Could also read "When you're Child free".

For those who it's appropriate for!.

Anyway. Hope your day goes well.

@news.rte.ie Better a rail line than a Greenway, given the increasing congestion in parts of Ireland.

Could cash become king again with new law? This week new legislation requiring financial institutions to ensure an ATM is located within 10km of the vast majority of homes and businesses came into effect.

At least some Governments are paying attention.

RTE news : Could cash become king again with new law?

www.rte.ie/news/busines...

Manchester slightly depresses me now. All those Ivory towers. One week there's a characterful ornate red brick historical building, next week there's a 200 floor stainless steel behemoth.