Dave Middleton

If you follow this link you can hear an audio of me reading this article. That may, or may not, be a treat.

This is what a Labour Government is allowing to happen to universities in Wales. And Starmer always said that Labour in Westminster would learn from Wales. An important article from @criticalmasszine.bsky.social

It’s pretty difficult to say much that hasn’t been said already about Trump. But I tried to focus on what he’s done and how it might impact Europe.

In what is a real sign of the times moment a lot of people simply shrug that a Trump ally, serial liar and genuinely nasty piece of work is poised to become the next PM. @criticalmasszine.bsky.social warned before the last election that this might happen. Polls now prove us right.

Promotional poster for a rally titled 'Strengthening the Employment Rights Bill' featuring speeches from Mick Lynch, Lord Hendy, Maryam Eslamdoust, and other figures against a backdrop of protesters. The event is organised by range of organisations on 22 March 2025, in Hamilton House, London.

Strengthening the employment rights bill ✊
A rally 3 years on from the P&O sackings

22 March | 11am
@neunion.bsky.social HQ, WC1H 9BD

Register here: bit.ly/ERBrally22March

Everyone who is shocked that Trump would contemplate forcing Palestinians off their own land would do well to remember this is exactly what happened when Israel was created. If you think it would be abhorrent to do it today, you must also agree it was abhorrent to do it then.

I’ve an interest in this article because I’m the author. But beyond that it is vital that people realise just how bad anti-protest legislation is

Can PR save democracy - Critical Mass Magazine Reading Time: 9 minutesWith the news that Unite the Union have voted to endorse proportional representation (PR) for parliamentary elections the British left have, once again, started to get excited ...

Lots of people claim to be for PR. I think that could be a massive mistake and wrote in @criticalmasszine.bsky.social to explain why. The only thing that has changed is that parties of the right have become more common. Read this article and tell me I am wrong criticalmassmag.org/can-pr-save-...

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Thanks for posting this. A really interesting article. What it shows is that when a field is entirely dominated by a particular world view that it is incredibly difficult for alternate views to be heard. In this case the word genocide has been appropriated by Jewish scholars loathe to expand it.

Re reposting. So very sorry ❤️
It is one of my favorites

Britain is the 6th wealthiest country in the world and yet successive governments have attacked the elderly, poor, disabled, and anybody else who cannot fight back. Well perhaps the rest of us should fight back on their behalf. #fightpoverty

Yes we must suffer so the rich can amass more wealth than they can possibly spend. It’s called capitalism. And until we replace it the process will go round and round.

Just signed this. Let's do this. Thames Water wants to pay its executives more money by upping peoples bills. Because otherwise they will not get talented people. Who will put sewage into rivers and drive the company into debt it now needs public money to keep it afloat. Please sign.

Why would you be relaunching after only 8 months in power? How bad must your first 8 months be for you to want to eradicate it?

Fine. But absolutely nothing in Starmer’s past gives cause for optimism. He lied to become leader, he lied to become PM. He is trapped inside his own narcissism. We need to stop believing in leaders and start building grassroots organisation. “All hope lies with the proles” - Orwell.

Hey I’m all for optimism. But I try not to allow my optimism to be blind to reality. Starmer has steadfastly stood by a country engaged in an illegal genocide and you seriously think I should put my hope in him? He has been demonstrably shown to be in the pocket of a rich benefactor. But hope?

I’m hoping you are being satirical, but I’m not entirely sure.

I think HMRC should be focusing on the big money not the low hanging fruit!

And let's not forgot the £22.7billion of UNCLAIMED income related benefits and social tariff benefits, which far out weigh the overpaid/fraudulent claims

policyinpractice.co.uk/missing-out-...

Taking someone's driving licence makes no sense, but when did the lack of sense ever stop a government

What on earth has benefit fraud, or tax evasion for that matter, got to do with your ability to drive a car? What next shoplifters should not be allowed to join the leisure centre?

No - one costs us millions (allegedly) the other billions (empirically). Note that both government figures are estimates but Labour will always target claimants rather than those who avoid their tax.

Absolutely. Real benefit fraud is very difficult these days. Amazon is not defrauding the tax system but if they paid the same tax rate as most people they would have paid £5.4 billion last year. They paid £932 million. No wonder Labour says it’s putting business first.

Benefit cheats could lose driving licences in anti-fraud drive A proposed new law will also give ministers greater powers to request bank account information.

HMRC estimate uncollected tax as £39.8 billion in 2024. DWP estimate £9.8billion in overpaid benefits in 2024. Guess which one the Labour Government is bringing in more draconian laws to tackle? Benefit cheats could be stripped of driving licences www.bbc.com/news/article...

Benefit cheats could lose driving licences in anti-fraud drive A proposed new law will also give ministers greater powers to request bank account information.

Is Alison McGovern innumerate? She claims that when somebody defrauds social security that is less money for your pension. That assumes that there is a pot of money and whoever gets to it first gets to dip in. Government finance doesn’t work like that. www.bbc.com/news/article...

That would be true only if they had opposed every Tory cut. Which, of course, not only didn't they but they show every intention of taking further.

Oh my, are you about to be disappointed.

Bit rich from a writer who helped legitimise the far right because they were preferable to the left which she clearly despises. Wouldn't support Corbyn but could allow Johnson in to stop the left. If she wants electoral reform it is because she thinks that is the best way to beat the left not right.

The Israelis have started undermining the peace process before it has hardly begun. Can somebody tell me who are the terrorists here? Why is the world allowing this indiscriminate and illegal slaughter to carry on?