Pip

What is a reactionary centrist, and does the UK have them? A term favoured by US progressives can help us understand Britain’s drift to the right

Fantastic article diagnosing the problems with reactionary centrism and why it's not a solution to our current woes. UK-centered but should be required reading here as well. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/709...

Rep. Jamie Raskin tears into Nigel Farage as a "far-right pro-Putin politician" and a "Donald Trump sycophant and wannabe".

Farage talking about locking up women and children just for seeking a place of refuge.

These women and children will have been victims of war, rape as a weapon of war, slavery and torture.

To no one’s surprise, it was never about protecting women and kids.

Just his own self interest. #reform

BBC among media misreportimg/exaggerating scale of asylum protests

Median protest is a few dozen, below 100.

"Usually Several hundred at a time" is false.
- should say *occasionally*
< 1/10 protests have 200 people

"Sometimes thousands"
I dont think a single 2025 protest had > 2000 people yet

People like Rupert Lowe defend elite bloodsports. You think he’s on our side?

Police also were involved - what a not-at-all useless waste of time (& taxpayers’ money)

Legitimate concerns, huh?

‘They are a species on the brink’: can trees save the salmon in Scotland’s River Dee? Last year, a single female was recorded returning to one tributary of a river usually celebrated for its fish. Now a plan is in place to change things – but it’s proving controversial

'“The river would have had woodland in the past,” he says. “There are so many deer here, the trees don’t get peace to grow.”

The deer numbers are kept up for high-paying guests to hunt on the private estates bordering the river.'

Why do we permit wealth to dictate the health of our planet?

Global average temperature compared with the middle of the 20th century +1.0°C 2010 to present +0.5°C 1970 to 2010 Cooler than average -0.5°C 1880 to 1970 • Note: Data available through May 2025. Anomalies relative to the average temperature between 1951 and 1980. • The New York Times 2020

I hope everyone on this website thinks very carefully about this graph and then considers whether or not they need to reorder their priorities at all.

I find myself with little of use or value to say on any Israel's constant atrocities in Gaza, but one thing I can say is that what we see now is a horrific culmination of a long-term process, namely the systematic deprivation of civilian access to adequate water and waste infrastructure.

Ever-rising height of car bonnets a ‘clear threat’ to children, report says High-fronted vehicles are more likely to kill and are on the rise in Europe with the UK an extreme example

Research with @transenv.bsky.social finds that average bonnet height in newly-sold cars is increasing by 0.5cm a year, reaching 83.8cm in 2024, up from 76.9cm in 2010.

This increases severity of crashes & reduce drivers’ visibility. Clear need for regulation.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Jeremy Bowen spells out the problem for Israel trying to deny war crimes: its own ministers have admitted to them www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The lengths we go to, to avoid seeing the bleeding obvious.

That’s an off-menu service

Except non-dairy milk, which isn’t pints but litres. Unless you get non-dairy milk delivered by a milkman service in which case you can get both 😂

Oooh, you mean it's OK to leave, realise it's a mistake, then rejoin? 😉

Perhaps the roundabout designer wanted to pay tribute to him?

I guess they really are magic roundabouts…

How are you still alive?! Genuinely impressed 😂

The first time I saw it was approaching the sign in my car. Genuinely alarming! I think a campaign to woke the magic roundabout is the way.

Can’t take it with you I am in hospice care and reflecting a lot on what a good life is.

My good friend @helendecruz.net is currently in hospice after a long battle with cancer, and has written this beautiful piece reflecting on what is truly of value in life.
helendecruz.substack.com/p/cant-take-...

That’s wonderful, thank you.

Picture showing the Plough roundabout in Hemel Hempstead, a large roundabout made of six smaller roundabouts at each entry/exit

How can people in Hemel Hempstead not be ready for a new roundabout when they already have this?

Sorta like how the invention of vaults hurt the bank robbery business.

Tackling methane can be empowering for individuals, without awaiting stronger government action: every plant-based meal makes a difference, and so does electrifying one's home (using a provider focused on renewables), perhaps just with a portable induction hob to start with? (shorturl.at/bQ4W1)

Why chasing Reform is such a fools errand for Labour and why they risk losing many more voters to other parties as a result

“That the media chooses nevertheless to focus on young men illustrates the male gaze that continues to dominate society, which not only means that whatever men do or think is deemed inherently important and worthy of both academic and political attention, but also sets men as the norm.”

I shall! And cast some disapproving looks at people who are allowed to queue jump.