Chris Topping

Spain denies White House claim it agreed to cooperate with US military Spain reiterates its opposition to war on Iran despite Trump's threat of cutting off trade with the European country.

Looks like Spain has a different perspective on war.
aje.news/kq6k97

U2: DAYS OF ASH my very first thoughts on U2's Days Of ash, released on Ash Wednesday... I seriously doubted my love of them anymore and then they take on the world in prophetic voice and I realise I still need them.

Words for our time
open.substack.com/pub/sstockma...

Refugee status becomes temporary in asylum shake-up Adults and accompanied children claiming asylum will only receive refugee status for 30 months under the changes.

So in the week that they lost a safe seat to @greenparty.org.uk the brains trust @labouruk.bsky.social decide to reintroduce hostile environments for asylum seekers. Not to mention backing a war which may create a need to offer refuge to those caught up in it. 😳

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I am appalled that the government has scrapped permanent refugee status for those seeking safety in the UK.

From today, refugees entering the country will face reviews every 30 months and be forced to return if their country is deemed “safe”. [1/2]

Not content with Brexit harm, Reform plans pensions raid Nigel Farage’s party is flirting with the idea of setting up a sovereign wealth fund, but I smell a rat

observer.co.uk/news/columni...

Excellent piece on why economic growth cannot be the answer to all our ills. @kateraworth.bsky.social

HSA-Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance CIC (@hillsboroughsu1.bsky.social) Survivors lead CIC. Providing support, therapy, Education and MH awareness for ALL who attended Hillsborough 15.04.89 and their families

So many lives touched and ruined by one day in April 1989 and everything that came after. We must never forget @hillsboroughsu1.bsky.social

Dear Lucy Three weeks ago you wrote me a bizarre letter in an attempt to hold on to voters who Labour have for too long taken for granted in Gorton and Denton. First, I’d like to give my apologies for the delay in getting back to you. I've been busy on the ground with Hannah Spencer talking to voters about the issues that matter to them – lowering bills, protecting the NHS and rebuilding our public services. You'll appreciate most of your letter is out of date now, but I'm sure you'll have seen the poll that came out today, that puts us in first place and Reform in second. Labour are a distant third and it’s now clearer than ever that your party cannot win in Gorton and Denton. If you are as concerned about stopping Reform as you proposed in your letter, the course is now clear: in the spirit in which you wrote to me, you should now urge your members and former voters to back Hannah Spencer on the 26th February to stop Reform and make hope normal again. Kind regards, Zack Polanski Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales P.S – Hannah looks forward to saying hi in Parliament!

Dear Lucy Powell,

A response to your letter:

If we needed a reason not to vote for Reform this is it. Obviously there is more than one!)

Charlie Stayt, "Have you suffered discrimination?"

Robert Jenrick, "No"

Charlie Stayt, "Have others used the Equality Act to protect themselves?"

Robert Jenrick, "I don't think that's right"

Charlie Stayt, "So there would be no one who benefited from those laws?"

Robert Jenrick, "No"

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office It comes after Thames Valley Police said they were assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material by the former prince with Jeffrey Epstein.

Not the birthday present he was expecting!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c7...

Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea Your donations really make a difference. We depend on your generosity to educate people to stay safe and prevent tragedies on and offshore. Donate here.

Since a handful of hate filled people protested outside RNLI HQ yesterday because they're angry that crews don't discriminate in their rescues and work to save all lives at sea you might want to show your support with a one off or regular donation.

rnli.org/pages/ig/new...

Liverpool MP 'honoured' to meet Pope to discuss food poverty Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne said it was

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Great work from @ianbyrnemp.bsky.social to spread the awareness of The Right to Food campaign. Once again proving hunger does not wear colours.

Well said!

@elliechowns.bsky.social: "Reform, and before it the Brexit Party, and before it UKIP have been busy for many years fomenting his idea that immigration is the problem in this country.

"It's completely untrue."

Not sure if Man United owner Jim Ratcliffe will see this being as he literally migrated to Monaco to avoid paying tax in the UK, but we wanted to put this up outside the stadium anyway….

📍 Old Trafford, Matt Busby Way

Just going to leave this here

Protest is not a privilege – it’s our fundamental right.

But the Gov's Crime and Policing Bill will give police powers to shut down protests and criminalise people for taking to the streets.

Take action today:
https://secure.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/page/180398/action/1?ea.tracking.id=socials

Great gig! Many thanks for promoting. As usual @martynjosephwales.bsky.social bringing a moment of light into a dark time.

@andylycett.bsky.social Harry Brooke should have come with us to Simpsons to play on a bad pitch!

Scafell Pike hikers left Wasdale rescue team to pay hotel bill The mountain rescue team says it feels obliged to settle the debt on their behalf.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

This seems rather depressing that after being rescued by a charity and offered accommodation in a hotel that they have walked away without contributing.
We are blessed to live in a society of Good Samaritans but no one should take it for granted.

Me too! Suspect the US president may get a mention…

Excellent use of analogy by VPOTUS.. 🙄

BBC News headline: "BP set to scale back green investments as profits drop sharply"

BBC News headline: "BP scales back climate targets as profits hit record"

Profits go down: We regret to announce that we have to destroy the world.
Profits go up: We're delighted to announce that we have to destroy the world.

Government pulls Hillsborough Law amendment after backlash It was facing a potential rebellion by some Labour MPs over how the law would apply to security services.

One small step towards @hillsboroughlawnow.bsky.social changing the landscape for all those who are victims of the state. However we need to keep the pressure on and make sure the law is not watered down.
#YNWA #JFT97 🐝

Government pulls Hillsborough Law amendment www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Trump and Farage

A real shame if this photo went viral again today.

BREAKING: Massive anti-U.S., pro-Greenland protests have erupted in Copenhagen

Let that sink in, one of America’s closest allies is publicly protesting out of fear we might invade their territory

So much for the claim that “the world respects the U.S. under Trump.”

The reality? It’s the opposite.

Let’s hope @teamlabouruk.bsky.social are following @greenparty.org.uk and heed the message.
#JFT97 #YNWA 🐝
The victims of the state deserve no less than full implementation of @hillsboroughlawnow.bsky.social

Black background poster with bold white uppercase text reading “Enact the Hillsborough Law in Full” stacked vertically in the centre. At the bottom is the Green Party logo in white alongside the words “Green Party”. Two white Hillsborough memorial flames sit in the bottom left and bottom right corners. The overall design is solemn, minimalist, and commemorative.

Green MPs support the Hillsborough Law being enacted in full — including Ian Byrne’s amendments to make all public officials, including intelligence officers, truly accountable.

Justice delayed, is justice denied.

#JusticeFor97 #HillsboroughLaw

'An open letter to my fellow Labour MPs: if not the full Hillsborough Law, what is this government for?' - LabourList "As the Government looks to water-down the Public Office (Accountability) Bill once again, my message to Labour colleagues is simple: what are we here to do, and who are we here to serve?" asks Ian By...

PLEASE write to your MP today to ask for their support on #HillsboroughLaw You may want to read what Ian Byrne MP has to say. ‘An open letter to my fellow Labour MPs: if not the full Hillsborough Law, what is this government for?’ @paulabarkermp.bsky.social
labourlist.org/2026/01/open...

Incredibly, no-one on Nigel Farage’s team has got round to deleting this post. It’s still live as Robert Jenrick gives his big defection speech.

Noted