Sam

I wonder if this is related to why Cardiff Central has built a brand new shiny multi-storey carpark to replace the old carpark? At least we're getting a tram stop there, but how much money was wasted building that new carpark?

I've never had more than a passport checked crossing the Channel with a car (on foot/bike it has varied).

I find it hard to believe that the risk is significantly higher on the Eurostar compared to on a ferry, Le Shuttle, or on the train to St Pancras.

It just feels performative.

Being outside Schengen doesn't mean we need airport-style security checks. All those could be reduced to the same level as when you take a ferry, and that would cut check-in times dramatically.

Via Press Gazette: "The Daily Star’s livestream of the Liz Truss lettuce has been acquired by the British Film Institute’s National Archive for a collection of significant pieces of online video. The BFI’s curator said it was “a seminal moment in British political history”"

Moral panic In 1907, a Catholic priest in Michigan declared teddy bears to be "horrible monstrosities", which by supplanting the "good old dolls" would cause girls to lose the urge to nurture babies, leading to declining birth rates among the white population and race suicide. The suggestion attracted widespread but short-lived attention.[18]

via teddy bear article

I agree. But just like Plaid and the SNP get lumped together as "nationalists" the Green parties are often viewed together by UK-wide media.

For reference here is the Scottish data for this poll.

Would love to see the government pander to Green voters for a bit, just for fun

Polls like this normally don't distinguish between Scottish or E&W Green parties

I think you should do a little research before being so confidently wrong.

The Green Party also supports #Cornwall's status as a national minority, and a Cornish Assembly with devolved powers.

Chants from the protest against the Nation of Sanctuary in Caerphilly, led by a charming young man dressed in black with a balaclava:

“Refugees AREN’T welcome here”
“Zionism and Judaism are the same thing”
“You’ve made it very clear you’re fools who believe in diversity”

Just so you know. Gross.

From the cross tabs - these figures are equally newsworthy but I think a much better reflection of vote intention

Don't know 34%
Conservative 10%
Labour 9%
Liberal Democrats 7%
Reform UK 22%
Green Party 9%
Scottish National Party (SNP) 2%
Plaid Cymru 1%
Other 5%

🚨 NEW POLL IN CAERPHILLY 🚨

Next week's by-election is a two horse race between Plaid Cymru and Reform.

Now's the time to lend Plaid Cymru your vote to elect local champion, Lindsay Whittle - and stop Reform's politics of division.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿💚

🚨 PÔL PINIWN NEWYDD YNG NGHAERFFILI🚨

Mae'r is-etholiad yn ras dau geffyl rhwng Plaid Cymru a Reform.

Nawr yw'r amser i fenthyg eich pleidlais i Blaid Cymru er mwyn ethol pencampwr lleol, Lindsay Whittle - ac i atal Reform a'u gwleidyddiaeth o greu rhaniadau yn ein cymunedau.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿💚

Furthermore, a huge vindication for Mark Drakeford here, on two fronts:
1) UK Labour have been salivating at the prospect of a devastating Welsh Labour loss in the new PR list system coming in next year, so they can create a cautionary tale about PR and further argue the merits of FPTP. Well… (1/6)

A… remarkable @survation.bsky.social poll out today of voting intentions in Caerphilly ahead of next week’s Senedd by-election

Reform 42%
Plaid 38%
Labour 12%
Conservatives 4%
Greens 3%
LibDem 1%
#senedd #devolution

Screenshot of article. Screen readable version available at link

WOW.

Whole of UK: 371 million tonnes a year

Just this one oil field: 250 million tonnes.

Decision expected soon. All eyes on this Labour government 👀

#StopRosebank @stopcambo.bsky.social

(Hat tip @esmestallard.bsky.social for the article:
www.bbc.com/news/article...)

Not a good look, but given the situation if Labour lose Caerffili, then I don't think Morgan could have just said no.

“Keep vast numbers of DVDs, CDs and vinyl in case of cyberattack, middle-aged dads told”

A Wren stands upright on a mossy branch, beak open in full song, small but defiant. Against a soft golden blur, it seems to speak out for nature itself: a clear voice cutting through the noise, refusing to be ignored.

The Government has tabled 67 last-minute amendments to the Planning & Infrastructure Bill.‼️

Rushed through with little scrutiny, it’s a shambolic way to reform the planning system.

It creates confusion, sidelines science and leaves nature dangerously exposed.

(1/3)

Um. There’s a woman presenting this too.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has announced that if Plaid win the election next May the will introduce a universal new childcare offer for children from the age of 9 months to 4 years.

This will be 20 hours a week for all children aged 9-months to 4-years-old for 48 weeks a year.

Among the many possibilities for the next few years, the scenario of swapping one pair of dominant parties (Lab and Con) for another (Reform and LD) is intriguing, under-discussed and, in English elections, not entirely implausible either (several county councils made this leap in May)

Amid the constant anti-renewables sentiment so common across our media, this letter today is a blessed relief.

Badenoch: "While Britain was redefining what a woman is, China built five nuclear reactors."

A perfect summary of conservative idiocy. Glorifying authoritarian post-communism for its efficiency while vilifying democracy for seeking nuance and respect.

It is the Right who hate their own countries.

Can’t study English these days because of anti-woke.

A warning for Hailey Park if a certain complainer gets their way...

Although unlike with Hailey Park the houses here were built before the "offending" playground.

Council demolishes play area after noise complaints - BBC News Parents in a Derbyshire town say their children are 'devastated' they have lost the facility.

A play facility that was paid for by community fundraising has been demolished because residents complained about the noise.

They should be ashamed of themselves

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

Oxford Bus Company 300 stops off for a quick half at the Wetherspoons

Oxford Bus Co has announced more frequent bus services from November to coincide with the congestion charge coming into effect. The improvements mean Blackbird Leys and Cowley will have services to the city centre every 10 minutes, while Iffley Road gets a new night bus.