It’s been obvious for some time that Musk’s platform is deliberately & dangerously hideous. There is nothing to stop politicians, up to & including the government, removing themselves from it entirely. Their every utterance would still be reported, regardless of how it entered the public space.

‘This is serious’: Starmer orders move towards digital ID... Scheme aims to tackle illegal immigration and crime despite past concern over civil liberties

Very sensible move, if true. The UK would have had ID cards, like every other European country, 20 years ago, if the idea hadn’t been defeated by an unholy alliance of hard left, Lib Dems & opportunistic Tories.

Maybe #Switzerland should stop free-loading for its security on #Nato, spend more than 0.7% of its GDP on defence or join the EU, or all three.

Others have noted that this means foreign-born people are LESS likely than UK-born people to be in prison. What I want to note is that The Times is now referring to foreign-born UK citizens as ‘foreigners’. This includes Boris Johnson, Sir Mo Farah, Emma Watson, Rory Stewart and little old me.

Good news alert

In 2024, renewables supplied more than half of the UK's electricity for the first time over a year, reaching a record share of 50.4%

Renewables and nuclear combined hit a new high of 64.7%

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6889ec...

Thanks @goodlawproject.bsky.social and good luck. Have donated.

Great news. Now, can we also please have a woman as Archbishop of Canterbury? @churchofengland.org

Starmer hopes ‘pathway to peace’ will end Gaza war. History is not on his side From Balfour declaration to Tony Blair, UK has struggled to drive meaningful progress towards peace in Middle East

Classic Guardian. Been shouting for months “something/more must be done”. When Government announces major foreign policy change runs a piece saying it won’t make any difference cos UK has no influence. 🤷‍♂️

Exeter Labour is proud to stand with the trans community and we’ll continue to ensure our city remains an inclusive and welcoming place for all 🏳️‍⚧️ @steveracemp.bsky.social

Britain isn't broken We have our problems but the doomerism is getting out of hand

New post just out:

"Britain isn't broken"

We have our problems but the doomerism is getting out of hand.

I look at the real picture on crime, migration, social cohesion and the economy - rather than the dsyoptian fantasies of the radical right.

(£/free trial)

open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/b...

Two in five arrested for last summer’s UK riots had been reported for domestic abuse Police data indicates overlaps between public violent disorder and domestic violence and abuse

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
An extraordinary statistic, if true.

The mainstream right wing press is desperate for a race riot.

& tens of thousands more at #transpride

Wonderful to see record turn-out for this year’s #transpride. Such a joyful crowd in solidarity against hatred, bigotry & ignorance.

Thrilled to have received my copy of Created for Love by leading @churchofengland.org thinkers as the church continues to struggle to become welcoming & inclusive to all.

Thanks 🙏

Keir’s caution isn’t to “stay close to Trump” but to maximise what little influence the UK has with the US, the only country with the power to rein in Netanyahu. But the intolerable situation in #Gaza means the UK must join France in the (largely symbolic) act of recognising Palestinian statehood.

Can’t recommend this too highly. Funny, moving, educative. Michael Sheen is brilliant as Nye, as is Sharon Small as Jennie Lee. The sections on @bma.org.uk recalcitrance on the founding of the #NHS brought roars of laughter from the audience, given their continued antics today.

Deeply honoured to have received honorary doctorates from my alma mater @sussex.ac.uk which made me & @exeter.ac.uk which has done so much for #Exeter & the South West. Two great universities in a sector that all governments should value & nurture.

Keir Starmer can rightly be proud of the historic trade deal with India The prime minister has secured Britain’s biggest post-Brexit agreement – but it’s also one in the eye for Boris Johnson, who had promised to make it happen, but failed, says John Rentoul

Keir Starmer can rightly be proud of the historic trade deal with India. Me for @the-independent.com www.independent.co.uk/voices/keir-...

A UK wealth tax sounds simple: "tax the super‑rich, fund public services"

But it's not.

Our 16,000 word deep‑dive shows revenues are fragile, it puts growth, investment and jobs at risk, and there's no revenue before 2029.

Here’s the evidence:

totally agree - this is a point I make repeatedly on @instituteforgovernment.org.uk #Insidebriefing podcasts. Hunt was deeply irresponsible on the NIC cuts and this overshadows all his other decisions.

I think @robertshrimsley.bsky.social is much too kind to Jeremy Hunt here. In time, Hunt will come to be reviled as second worst chancellor in modern times after Kwarteng. In 1997, faced with similar circumstances, Ken Clarke put the national interest first. Hunt salted the earth. Shame on him

The late & much missed Jeremy Haywood was also very good & served at a much tougher time. Haven’t had a good one since!

The Guardian view on Labour’s control freakery: the party once tolerated dissent. Now it treats it as treason Editorial: The problem isn’t disunity – it’s policy. Sir Keir Starmer dodges popular economic solutions and confuses control for leadership

Guardian arguing for economically illiterate & politically lethal left wing “populism” in today’s editorial. They really have lost the plot, while their reporting is a constant litany of miserable-ism. Not sure why I pay for this stuff. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Am I missing something re the Afghan data leak? An official made a terrible mistake. Both the last & current Governments seem to have done their best to minimise the damage. That required a period of secrecy to protect those named. End of.

Kenton’s right. Current system works well. If you want two bags or are fussy where you sit, you pay, if you aren’t you don’t.

Ofcom really needs to take action against the broadcasting of uncontested transphobia. Tell them to here ⬇️

Keir Starmer has asserted his power by suspending the Labour rebels – about time, too The prime minister has cracked down on ‘persistent knobheadery’ in his party, as one source put it – he’s finally shown true grit, writes John Rentoul

Keir Starmer has asserted his power by suspending the Labour rebels – about time, too. Me for @the-independent.com www.independent.co.uk/voices/keir-...

As a Germanist who has lived, loved & worked in Germany, this raises my spirits. A small start after the destruction of #Brexit. Just as the UK Government feels the last chance for social democracy here, Germany’s feels like the last chance to turn back the populist tide there. We need each other.