James

The difference between populism of the left and the right is:

The right focus on victimising the least powerful 1% in our society.

The left focus on standing up to the most powerful 1%.

The establishment are terrified we’ll realise the real enemy isn’t other poor people.

#Hope #VoteGreen

“The idea that anybody normal should fear a party calling for something better, fairer rents, cleaner air, safer streets, says more about the insecurity of the establishment than it does about the Greens.”

Can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s a cracking article!

No true democracy would protect this.

This is utterly horrific and profoundly heartbreaking.

What broken logic do you need to apply to think you should ‘protect’ one group by victimising another. This isn’t about unity for cis women, child safety or feminism. It’s calculated persecution of minority group.

France’s Macron slams US, Chinese social media platforms for undermining democracy French president criticizes social media algorithms for driving polarization, warns of anonymous accounts spreading hateful content, and calls for stronger regulation of online platforms - Anadolu Aja...

For further reference, the effects are being felt everywhere

www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/fr...

What struck me as odd was why they she wasn’t talking % rather than amounts. It made no sense.
What about % vs GDP?
What about % vs GDP per capita?
What about % vs no. Of millionaires?
Seems odd it was delivered this way…

I’m not some super smart policy goon but I feel like I could have told you this about 5 years ago.

Be super handy to have a link Owen!

The same playbook.

The slight whiff of paying their fair share and the blackmail starts.

This isn’t democracy. It’s corporate capture.

#TaxTheRich

7 of the top 15 online platforms used to access news in the UK are controlled by Meta, Google and X Corp. Google commands 93% of UK search engine use, while Meta and Google together account for three-fifths of all UK advertising spend, giving these two Big Tech companies unrivalled control over how news is found, accessed and funded online. Just three companies – DMG Media, News UK and Reach – control 90% of UK national newspaper circulation, a 20% increase in market concentration since 2014. These same three companies account for over 40% of the combined reach of the UK’s top 50 online newsbrands, giving these publishers significant power to set and steer the national news agenda. The UK’s local newspapers are dominated by a tiny handful of corporate chain publishers, with just 2 companies – Newsquest and National World – controlling 51% of the UK’s 882 local newspapers and online local news websites. More than 8 out of 10 Local Democracy Reporters, funded by the TV licence fee to restore local journalism, are contracted to Newsquest, Reach and National World – and these same companies control local newspaper monopolies in areas covering 11.6 million people.

The media is captured. Controlled by a few, with a very specific agenda.

Until this changes, we can’t expect a healthy, flourishing democracy.

When a few own the message, with little consequence for their actions, democracy will suffer.

www.mediareform.org.uk/media-owners...

Richard doing a fantastic job here.

But 40 MPs is either ~10% of Labour MPs or ~6% of all MPs.

All this while the entire Green Party movement is 100% behind the idea.

#votegreen #taxbillionaires

Great news Richard, but…

Maybe join a party where 100% of their members support a wealth tax.

#votegreen

Statistics on media ownership in the UK 7 of the top 15 online platforms used to access news in the UK are controlled by Meta, Google and X Corp. Google commands 93% of UK search engine use, while Meta and Google together account for three-fifths of all UK advertising spend, giving these two Big Tech companies unrivalled control over how news is found, accessed and funded online. Just three companies – DMG Media, News UK and Reach – control 90% of UK national newspaper circulation, a 20% increase in market concentration since 2014. These same three companies account for over 40% of the combined reach of the UK’s top 50 online newsbrands, giving these publishers significant power to set and steer the national news agenda. The UK’s local newspapers are dominated by a tiny handful of corporate chain publishers, with just 2 companies – Newsquest and National World – controlling 51% of the UK’s 882 local newspapers and online local news websites. More than 8 out of 10 Local Democracy Reporters, funded by the TV licence fee to restore local journalism, are contracted to Newsquest, Reach and National World – and these same companies control local newspaper monopolies in areas covering 11.6 million people.

Totally.

This is a flavour of what we’re up against.

www.mediareform.org.uk/media-owners...

It’s going to be really interesting to see how the UK’s new housing (which is often high rises/flats) are planning to retrofit heat pumps and move away from gas. If there’s research out there I’d love to see it.

The British Zohran Mamdani?
Don’t threaten us with a good time! 🎉

The entire billionaire-backed, media apparatus is gearing up for an inevitable disinformation and smearing campaign.

But we have hope and possibility on our side, and their tired tricks aren’t going to work.

Hope over hate. Fair tax for all.
Take our country back from the billionaires.

There is also the Freeport dynamic in the UK now, which essentially creates a tax free, legally ambiguous island for the hyper-wealthy to store their other assets without it ever entering a taxable system.

From an inequality perspective, they’re indefensible.

Big shout out for a thorough (given the time) and thoughtful interview with Zack Polanski.

Really nice to see him not get shouted down, endlessly side-step ‘gotchas’ and actually get asked real questions on policy for a change.

Huge kudos to you! Thank you ☺️

Don’t you dare come here with your fancy tiramisu and flavoursome mango lassi.

We’re very happy with our, um, delicious, er, why is it sticking to the roof of my mouth?

This Jeremy Clarkson you mean?

With the other parties, you’re just voting for a particular flavour of the same establishment.

Diet-fascist? “Blue flavoured” Labour? Different toppings, same ingredients.

@greenparty.org.uk and @zackpolanski.bsky.social feel like the only real alternative to more of the same old tripe.

“this kind of disgraceful, warped version of a medieval fairytale that we have to live through”

Well said @ross-greer.bsky.social

This.

“The parallel establishment”

No longer a conspiracy theory but a documented, concerted effort by the tech oligarchy to have us all under their control.

Incel edge-lords to rule the world.

YouTube video by Stornoway - Topic We Are the Battery Human

I think about this song a lot

youtu.be/vvJtVzDgU-k?...

Don’t threaten me with a good time!

This is pretty horrifying. Only 20% affordable housing, which is already ‘loosely defined’. The government at the mercy of the major house builders, who will only play if the profit is right.

This is systemic dysfunction, and mirrors most other essential sectors.

I would love to create a juicy little list of all these ‘tax breaks’ for the mega corps - just to see if that illusive black hole could be filled simply by taxing them properly.

A reminder that, in Scotland, there is a Landlord Register, where you can easily find who owns a property via an online database.

No such register currently exists in England.

#landlords

BREAKING: Scottish police found Palestine Action’s activities below level for 'terrorism' ban Details of meetings obtained by The National show Police Scotland found Palestine Action's activities far below the level of terrorism

Do you have a source for this? All
I can find is the notes from the meeting.

www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/20...