Paul Dovey

Same old, same old: the long history behind Labour’s benefit cuts Are Labour’s benefit cuts doubling down on Conservative positions?

"For those... who grew up during the Blair years, this [scrounger] narrative only deepened in that period. Television programmes such as Benefits Street, the Jeremy Kyle Show, or even Little Britain were ubiquitous, amplifying a particular image prevalent about those reliant on welfare."

One of the biggest corporate donors to the populist Reform U.K. party has sold almost $2 million worth of transmitters, cockpit equipment, antennas and other sensitive technology to a major supplier of Moscow’s blacklisted state weapons agency, documents show. From 2023 to 2024, the company, part of the British aerospace manufacturer H.R. Smith Group, shipped the equipment to an Indian firm that is the biggest trading partner of the Russian arms agency, Rosoboronexport. H.R. Smith Group donated 100,000 pounds (just under $130,000) to Reform U.K. last year, two days after Nigel Farage was announced as the party’s leader. The company is run by Richard Smith, a businessman who owns 55 Tufton Street, a Westminster townhouse that is home to some of Britain’s most influential right-wing lobbying and research groups.

Blimey. One of Nigel Farage's biggest donors, and the owner of 55 Tufton Street, is helping the Russian military effort www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/w...

Sewage spilled into England’s waters for more than 3.61m hours last year Figures from the Environment Agency show a slight reduction in the number of spills from storm overflows, but an increase in their duration.

3.61 million hours of #sewage last year. 💩

And guess what, our #water #bills are going up by 26% on average this year. 😡

What we’re witnessing is the catastrophic failure of Thatcher’s privatisation experiment. 👎🏾

We need public ownership NOW!
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...

Meanwhile over in “the other place” a Reform party MP is actually threatening to shut down the BBC - a public service broadcaster - because a political satire show made fun of party leader NigelFarage

We can never allow this dangerous bunch anywhere near power

Spain built a 385.9 mile high speed train line from Madrid to Barcelona it cost £8.1bn.

The UK is still building a 140 mile high speed train line which will cost over £100bn.

Who is stealing all the money?

1/5 A groundbreaking Amnesty report published today concludes Israeli authorities are committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. www.amnesty.org.uk/genocide-rep...

YouTube video by Led By Donkeys Yes, it's a genocide

"And once you come to this conclusion you cannot remain silent."

Location: Parliament Square, London (sound on)

youtu.be/WMwqhdVV5as

In defence of the London Overground rebrand At the unveiling ceremony for the newly named lines, I found more than expensive virtue signalling.

"The main thing TfL has done with its new names is to highlight the contribution to London’s life made by people who are not the Queen of England. Anyone who sees this as virtue signalling may, in fact, be signalling rather more about themselves."

@swrpunk.bsky.social

www.ramsgatemusichall.com/tc-events/bl...

Truth behind general election petition as identities behind signatures debunked A petition calling for a general election has been signed by people based across a whopping 184 countries, from the British Antarctic Territory to China to the United Arab Emirates

Truth behind GE petition as identities behind signatures debunked

Thousands of those who have signed aren't even living in the UK. In fact the petition has been signed by people based across a whopping 184 countries. Numbers soared after Musk shamelessly shared it
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

For far too many people, work doesn't pay.

The Employment Rights Bill is a win for workers, a win for employers, and good for the UK economy overall.

- @paulnowaktuc.bsky.social giving evidence at today's committee hearings for the Bill.

Disability History Month - CWU As part of Disability History Month we are highlighting the contributions of workers with disabilities throughout our history. There are a number of resources in the Member Courses section of the Equa...

As part of Disability History Month we are highlighting the contributions of workers with disabilities throughout our history.

My 3rd Great Grandfather tried to supplement his income by keeping a few sheep. His employer accused him of theft and the magistrate sentenced him to transportation.
High time the bastards paid what they owe. Reparation for enclosure!

40% of UK Farmland is owned by billionaires.

Now you know why they are so angry it will be taxed.

Ok, just set up an account here and finding all my old mates from the other place. Suggestions welcome.