Mel T

THE TIMES THUNDERER EXTRACT Fantasy economics mean Nigel Farage is heir to Liz Truss Liam Byrne Our Decoding Populism study shows Reform’s support is not a single army marching in step. It’s a fragile alliance of 5 “tribes” bound more by grievance than values. They feel under pressure, in precarious communities, pessimistic about the future, angry about immigration, and feel politics is broken. But two of these tribes, about 40 per cent of Farage’s base, are very persuadable. They worry about pay, pensions, bills, social security and the NHS. They are open to Labour, the Lib Dems, even the Greens. So what messages work?We found that four cut through most. First: the economy. Farage has tabled billions in unfunded promises. That means higher mortgages, higher bills, higher prices. Second: employment rights. Reform would scrap safeguards on sick pay, safe hours and zero-hours contracts. Third: social security. They want to cut £140 billion of support to pensioners, families and disabled people, leaving the vulnerable out in the cold.Fourth: the NHS. Farage has mused openly about a US-style insurance model, threatening free provision at the point of need. By contrast,attacks painting Reform’s leader as “Britain’s Trump” or focusing on immigration don’t move the dial. Populists thrive when debate rages on their chosen turf of immigration and identity. We must not fight on their battlefield. Populists govern badly but campaign well.And the price is high: international research shows countries under populist rule end up over 10 per cent poorer within 15 years. That’s a pay cut Britain simply cannot afford. So the strategy must be clear. Stop tilting at Farage’s windmills. Expose his offer as Liz Truss 2.0 — a sugar rush of fantasy economics that would leave Britain poorer. And counter his fake nostalgia with a real story of national renewal: a country fairer, stronger and more secure. Farage can be beaten — but only if we fight him where he is weakest, not strongest.

Strong arguments from @liambyrnemp.bsky.social on how best to tackle the threat of Farage..
Do so where he’s weak:
The economy⚠️he’d do a Truss++
Workers’ rights⚠️he’s against them
Welfare⚠️he’d strip it away
NHS⚠️he’d dismantle it.
“Populists govern badly but campaign well”
So blow up their campaign.

The autistic community have been here before, with the pervasive myth that vaccines caused autism.

Do you know what that caused? Dead children, killed by preventable diseases because people were so scared of their children becoming autistic, or otherwise subjected to ‘cures’ like drinking bleach.

Racism isn’t innate – here are five psychological stages that may lead to it There is no genetic or biological basis for dividing the human race into distinct “races.”

There is no genetic or biological basis for dividing the human race into distinct “races.”

No idea who Megyn Kelly is but that's a disgusting thing to say from that evidence.

Guildford High Street from the top with bright blue sky and wet pavements

Marble skulls and hands from George Abbot's grave

Paintings on rows of red chairs in holy trinity church

The scholar statue at the bottom of Guildford High Street

If you are popping into Guildford for Heritage Day today why not drop by Holy Trinity church for the pop up art exhibition and have a coffee and cake over the road in art and grind art café.

Looking for Dan Reed Networkers on blue sky. I can find some posts but can't work out how to read the comments.

Oh yes there are

So did I

Before I go into today's dystopian nightmare, let's take a minute to bring down your blood pressure. Here is one of my favorite creatures, the #RedPanda. Enjoy. #nature #animals

Absentee students should make us ask, what is school for? | Eva Wiseman Low school attendance is a symptom of the problem, an expression of something deeper

Absentee students should make us ask, what is school for? | Eva Wiseman

Sometimes the wisdom is in the comments section

New (old) song, Ruby, coming next week! Exciting.

You can pre-save/pre-add the song here: TimMinchin.lnk.to/Ruby

CONFIRMATION BIAS

A really fascinating article - for anyone interested in how misinformation and politics are related. Spoiler alert! “Misinformation and radical-right populism must hence be understood as inextricable and synergistic—two expressions of the same political moment.”

Note to self - when you overshare on bluesky you cannot delete it

Very excited about this but also sad. I have been waiting for the dates as the tour was mentioned a few weeks ago but these dates fall slap bang in the middle of when I expect to be recuperating from having my potentially killer boobs replaced

Good morning , and thank you to @gattouu.bsky.social‬ for today's #FoxOfTheDay

Statement from Project Drawdown executive director @globalecoguy.bsky.social regarding President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. #climatechange

About Earth Overshoot Day - #MoveTheDate of Earth Overshoot Day Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services exceeds what Earth can regenerate.

overshoot.footprintnetwork.org/about-earth-...

Earth overshoot day marks the day when humanity's demand for ecological services and resources exceeds what can regenerate in a year. The date is announced on June 5th but many countries will already have exceeded that limit by then.

It’s not too late for us to make a difference on climate change & improve our cities’ survivability. Here’s a TED talk with some interesting info that speaks to making our shared infrastructure resilient & sustainable. Or read her book, “How Infrastructure Works”). www.ted.com/talks/deb_ch...

YouTube video by Al Jazeera English Trump sentencing hearing: President-elect given no fines or jail time

youtu.be/vom8DoisOmE?...

Finland's new dietary guidelines — Less meat and booze, more veg and berries The Finnish Food Authority's national nutritional guidelines recommend consuming a maximum of about 350 grams of red meat per person per week — but the agency hopes people would eat much less.

Finnish schools lead the way in teaching climate change! 🌍 Students learn practical solutions, from saving energy to sustainable food choices. Inspiring the next generation for a greener future. 🌱💡 Read more: https://yle.fi/a/74-20127714 #ClimateAction

Took the scenic route back from the shops this morning. Walking through the woods I stumbled across horizontal trees dusted with snow, accidental ice rinks, and sparkling frost crystals caressed by fronds of light as the sheet of rising sunlight was cut into ribbons by the trees.

Has the government issued new licences to explore new oil and gas fields? - Full Fact Full Fact looks at Labour’s pledge from the energy section of its manifesto.

The latest pledge added to our Government Tracker is Labour’s manifesto promise to “not issue new licences” to explore new oil and gas fields in the North Sea.

As things stand, we’ve rated this pledge as “appears on track”. More here 👇

Not my image but it resonated with me this morning

Recommend the RSC production of a midsummer night's dream at the Barbican theatre

Is that 3000 per year? I just tried to imagine if I lost a family member every day and at least seven of my friends did too. Eight families grieving. Every. Day.

Mine is the Dick Turpin does Adam and the Ants one. Although I also liked - *pauses as head explodes from multiple memories of historical figures doing song and dance to familiar sounding tunes*

I was inspired when my offspring started mark making. Their creativity was fearless. What is society doing when it categorises such endeavours as 'bad' just because you have gone around the sun a few more times?